Chương 178: Chapter 183: Go to Bed

"What does that even mean?" We were getting off topic here. I came to learn more about aura and my curse, especially how everything that happened in that strange place affected me.

"I should start from the beginning. For one thing, I have to say that I have no idea who you are, or who you were. But someone with that kind of soul would never have been inconsequential, even by multiversal standards. That said, your soul was cursed so badly that even after going through innumerable cycles of reincarnation and purification, the curse remained. Not only that, it fused with your soul, and that fusion is the cause of your cursed aura.

The fact that you are now part of the tutorial and under the System gave you a chance of breaking free from your curse. I could see it fraying at the edges. The only thing that worries me is that your soul could suffer a catastrophic breakdown after you remove it, but we can think about that later."

"No, wait, that doesn't sound like something to leave for later. What do you mean I could experience catastrophic soul failure?" She took a sip of tea and motioned for me to do the same. I complied, if only to have something to do while she pondered my question.

"You see, your soul is very large, ancient, and positively steeped in malignant forces. That curse did a number on you. Then you went and started absorbing more curses into yourself, exacerbating the problem. Yes, I can tell. And while they empowered your aura, they also made your soul bear their weight. Because it was already carrying the burden of the main curse, it accelerated its effects." She took another sip.

"I'm sure you know it already, but curses are alive. They could be considered entities in and of themselves. And when you put more than one together, they harmonize, compound, fuse, or grow depending on their nature. So stop absorbing any more curses until you solve your problem, or you risk ending up in a similar state as before." Okay, this was a lot to process. What should I do then? How much time did I have?

"Okay, no more absorbing curses for now. What I want to know is this: can I gain more stats again without starting to have aura issues? And did you reset my curse? Because I don't feel its effect on me anymore, and that's quite telling, but I need to know for sure." She looked at me with pity.

"I'm sorry, dear, but I couldn't reset your curse. I only delayed it. I tried my best to harmonize your aura and soul with your body again, and reduce the imbalance created by the influx of stats. You see, increasing your stats means empowering your soul, and a great, sudden increase managed to destabilize the balance you previously had between… well, everything.

"Your curse was empowered by the stat increase, which in turn empowered the effects of your aura, but your body takes more time to synchronize with your soul, thus creating a slanted empowerment. You would have been able to correct it with time and effort, but the problem was that your curse became worse and worse. You triggered it, and it was progressing at an accelerated pace. And I'm sorry to say that it didn't stop. I just managed to buy you some more time…"

Her eyes were full of sadness as she relayed the information to me. I took another sip of tea. It calmed my mind. The turmoil I was feeling didn't disappear, but it seemed easier to deal with. I took a breath. I needed to look at this logically. I was still on a timer, but I had more time now. That was good. I needed to find the location of the Third Kind and take its crown, and I needed to empower my trait again, possibly without using the token.

My plan hadn't changed, but now I was better informed, and my capabilities were back at their maximum potential.

"Okay, so to be clear, I can increase my stats again without repercussions, right?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yes, but do so gradually, please. It would be better. Still, your curse will progress again. Whatever triggered it hasn't been resolved, so you will start to feel its effects again soon."

"What if I increase my resistance to the curse? I have a trait about that. I have a trait called Cursed Aura too, and a token for an evolution."

"I'm afraid that would only buy you some time. How much, I can't say. You need to find a permanent solution before the curse eats your soul completely."

"Can I trust you?" She suddenly fell silent, looking at me with that ethereal gaze of hers, ghostly eyes boring into me. Whatever she was thinking was beyond my ability to imagine, but she was clearly pondering something with great intensity.

"I am in debt to you, Elias. My curiosity pushed me to explore your soulspace, something that, in hindsight, I shouldn't have done. But I don't regret it. If that Vix O'Ran gained some kind of inspiration just by sparring with you and feeling your aura, then let's say I went much, much further in my moment of excitement. I experienced your soul, the origin of your aura, and it indeed provided me with something truly valuable." Where was she going with this?

"I am not like that scoundrel. I am an Aureal, and we know not to mess with the law of balance. The help I provided you was but a drop in the bucket compared to what I owe you. So allow me to be your confidant and mentor. I promise I will not divulge any of your secrets." I felt something settle within me. It felt like one of my aura tethers, but faint, so faint that it made me think I was imagining it. Still, I was sure her words carried weight. That promise rang true. I would have told her anyway.

Beggars couldn't be choosers.

"I believe you."

"Of course you do! I just gave you a soul promise! Do you even have any idea what that means? Bah, of course you don't… Anyway, before I regret it, tell me what you wanted to say. I hope it was worth it…" she muttered the last part, but I caught it anyway. I shook my head. She was eccentric, but I knew I could trust her.

"I am searching for a way to remove the curse, and if you have any idea, I am more than willing to try. But in the first Safe Zone, I talked to Aurelia, one of the guides for this tutorial, and asked her one question." Her eyes widened in realization.

"You asked her how to break the curse… What did she say?"

"I asked her how I could break it within the tutorial and within the bounds of my capabilities. She answered very succinctly. I had to evolve my curse resistance trait at least three times, and wear the crown of the Tyrant of Aaranor." Miflin froze, her incorporeal form not even twitching. It was kind of off-putting, seeing her so incredibly still, like an insect frozen in amber. Eventually she slowly refocused and looked at me with a blank expression.

"I see. If she gave you that answer, then it means it's going to be the best way forward. While I can't help you directly with your endeavor, I can still guide you through the mastery of your aura. I would suggest you take your lover and get a good night of sleep. You gave me much to ponder, and I will have to prepare accordingly to teach you in the fastest way possible. Given your critical lack of time, we should make haste." She rose from her seated position, and I followed suit.

Why such a drastic change in attitude? Why the hurry all of a sudden?

"Wait, I still have many questions I'd like to ask you. We didn't even…"

"It's better if you sleep on it first. After what happened in your soulspace earlier, you need some rest before we begin." She floated out through the door without looking back at me even once, then proceeded to disappear behind another wall. There was no door I could open to reach her this time. I was left in the shop with Rhea, who was busy looking at the articles on the shelf the Aureal woman had pointed out earlier.

"So? Are you finished? Look at this thing! It would be perfect for me, but it costs an arm and a leg…" I was still a bit rattled by the sudden turn of events, but I approached her and took the necklace she had been eyeing earlier. It had a price tag of fifty-something thousand points. I accepted the transfer when the System message appeared after I touched it and bought it. Then I took it from the shelf and placed it around Rhea's neck. It was beautiful, but at that moment I couldn't really appreciate it.

My mind was too busy.

"Oh my god, Eli! It was so expensive! You shouldn't…"

"Anything for you, love. If you like it, I'll get it." I gave her a wink, and she threw herself at me and kissed me passionately. How were girls always so weak to gifts? It was expensive, yes, but I was going to make much more, and she hadn't chosen it purely for vanity. That necklace would boost her power considerably. It was a good investment.

"Did you get everything you needed?" I asked her.

"Oh yes, I got everything I need right here." She took my arm and pressed it into her cleavage, looking at me seductively. Maybe Miflin was right. I really should go to bed.

"Let's go then. We're going to be very busy tomorrow, but tonight is for us." She giggled while hugging me tighter.

"I can't wait…"