I Became A System

Just another night, after a successful threat, we called it a day. They started to fall asleep while I still observed them from above.

I really don't have anything to do at this time. I will just observe and wait till the day comes.

But, right now, there's something wrong with Ellena. Just hours after sleeping, she started heavy-breathing.

Is she having a nightmare? Grains of sweat were starting to form on the top of her forehead.

After another seconds, she started mumbling as if she was answering someone. Because of this noise, Isabella was alarmed and woke up, only to see the suffering Ellena.

"Big Sister! Wake up!"

As Isabella was panicking, Ellena, on the other hand, was starting to have a serious face. 

I'm really nervous. I may not be able to tremble, but still, I'm worried about her.

Maybe I could call this development Ellena's starting to have nightmares. Maybe there's something that she is really scared about.

I couldn't tell that it wasn't about her hair, but it had a slim chance. Ellena is starting to accept the fact, and making her to have a nightmare? That's not really a coincidence.

Isabella started to shake Ellena. Maybe she was waking her up because nightmares are dangerous. It may have an impact on her mental health and terrifies her every day.

After a few shakes, Ellena woke up and started gasping. She leaned on the bed and started breathing slowly.

Now, I wonder what is it. Maybe there's something going on inside Ellena these past few days.

"Ellena, what happened? You were having a nightmare?"

That was an idiotic question, but it was only meant to lighten the mood.

"Aaron, is it bad to kill?"

"What happened, Big Sister?"

I see... so Ellena is learning to have some conscience. Who would have thought that after seeing those smiles every day, one of the outcomes would be for her to learn to have a conscience?...

It isn't a bad development. It is a good thing, because she'll learn how to judge her decisions. If she can't have a conscience, she will become a killing machine. And I feel bad about making her do what I want.

Everything that Ellena learned was for her. It is not for me, so she will have a normal personality and human nature as a result.

"It is bad for the eyes of other people. It is a crime against the law. It is a heinous act in religion. But what happens in real life? These definitions are meaningless. Killing has become undistinguishable from evil and good in life. It's either kill or be killed."

Ellena stayed silent for a moment. She was thinking more about her dream, or nightmare. 

Maybe she was still analyzing my words. After all, those words are just another result of my judgement.

"The slave trader was questioning me about why I had killed him."

So that was her nightmare?

"Then why did you kill him?"

"I can't answer... It feels like I could blame you for that, but I can't. You didn't specifically say to kill them, so that was my decision."

I see... Her words were mature enough to catch me off guard. At that time, she was still very mediocre. But this time, she's starting to question all of her decisions.

"Big Sister, I will get some water for you."

Isabella went out of the room. Ellena was starting to get calm.

"What did the slave trader do to you in the past year?"

"He... hurt me. That was my decision. I'll stand for it."

"And how will you stand for it?"

"That slave trader was bad. He was satisfied with hurting people, and no one punished him. Only I stopped him. If I just get away from him, he will just hurt another person. He had the key to my freedom that night."

Ellena was speaking some confusing words. The idea is messed up and I can't understand it. She remained agitated.

"Yes... I just saved someone and myself."

"Yes... it may be true. But you also need to learn that saving is not just about killing."

But for me, I will kill everyone just to protect you. But after all, everything will just stay as a curse. I can't do it by myself. Everything is up to you.

"I understand. Right now, the slaves in that slave market are in good hands. Fortunately the noble took the threat and sent a slave trader."

"Yeah..."

I have nothing left to say. Ellena's face began to lighten, and she no longer had a gloomy expression.

Right now, she's slowly learning how to accept harsh things. Even if it is too late for her, development is not an obstacle. She can learn it alone by herself. And, of course, I am here to guide her.

"No one will punish him because no one is powerful enough to go against him. He has some backing, of course. It's clear from his assurance."

"You are right. Now then, what will you do? Isn't this like crying over spilled milk?"

Idiots will only do that. But, of course, since Ellena was still learning, she wasn't stupid. She's just a... late bloomer in this case.

"The money that we get, I don't want to use it. I just realized that it was a money from slavery."

"Okay. I know a nice thing to do with that money. Let's donate it on the orphanage."

"Yes... I will just earn a lot more by collecting herbs. I'm going to sell herbs to the adventurers' guild. Plenty of it! More than before!"

Ellena is really a smart girl. Soon after, she began to absorb things that would have been difficult for her to handle as a child. Even if Ellena bloomed so late, it wasn't a hindrance to her.

"Okay, let's do that."

***

The adventurers' guild was in disarray. There was a reported missing person who was on a quest near the overflowing dungeon. They are starting to form an expedition team to observe the place and learn how to close it.

Dungeons are tiny warping gates that appear in different places. Because of the high density of mana, they frequently appear in forests where civilization is far away. Since civilization took the mana, they can't appear in cities or villages.

Overflowing dungeons are those that produce monsters close to the gate. Because of the limited space in overflowing dungeons, monsters started to get outside and migrate.

I'm still not sure where the hell dungeons come from, but they're considered normal here.

'Aaron, I have decided. I will pursue a career in adventurers' guild. Herb collecting won't suffice, right? It's also nice that I can assist in the closure of dangerous dungeons.'

She is right about that remark. It is indeed a huge amount she can earn by fighting in the dungeons. The risk is high, so I guess it would be nice to help her train.

"I can't argue with you, you know that. You are already a grown-up. You can decide everything on your own. I will just be here to assist you if there are threats and also help you to grow stronger."

'Thank you.'

Ellena stepped forward at the reception to inquire about joining the expedition.

"Are you sure, Miss Ellena?" A question from one of the receptionists who always assists Ellena.

"Yes. I can also fight, and I have the ability to knock someone out."

It may look like she is disclosing her abilities to others, but I am confident that Ellena is smart enough. 

"I see... then please fill up this form."

The receptionist handed a parchment paper. The content was just about having participation on the upcoming expedition.

"Okay..."

'Will this suffice for people's safety, right?'

"A little. Danger is something that can't be discovered immediately."

What I've noticed is that Ellena is resembling herself from another timeline. Her sense of justice has grown even stronger than before. She acts for the greatness of the people in small manners. I can pretty feel that she will become the same as she was originally.

"Here."

"Thank you for participating. There will be a joined training from knights and the guild. Please go forward to the training grounds."

Ellena's decision piqued the receptionist's interest. Does she perhaps admire Ellena? I don't know, maybe she was just amazed by her handwriting.

"Big Sister, what should I do?"

Right! Isbella is still a kid. She can't participate in the expedition.

"Just join our training. It won't hurt, right?"

"Yes. It won't be." Answered by the receptionist.

Isabella, on the other hand, excitedly nodded and linked her arms to Ellena's. She really enjoys spending time with Ellena, don't you think?

They proceeded to the training grounds, which were located behind the backdoor, near the receptionist's office.

They entered the training grounds and, surprisingly, it was a wide yard. They are seated near the wall in an arena setting. The seats were elevated like stairs to prevent them from taking up too much space.

At the center, there were dummies and each dummy had a person standing there. I deduced from the presence of a large man in front of the group that he was their trainer.

The trainer appears to be a seasoned veteran with a massive build. He has a brown beard and spiked hair of the same color. I guess it is just because it's dry.

"I hope that there will be enough for this training. I want you to watch me and memorize this move. Holding a strong grip on the hilt. That is the first rule. "

The trainer started to take a stance and slashed at the dummy in front of him. It was just a normal thrust and slash, but, observing the adventurers participating in the training, the adventurers were at least beginners in swordmanship.

"Ellena, would you like to exchange Arm Acustomization for 10 fear points?"

'What is the benefit of this ability?'

"This will help you quickly register a movement in your arms' reflexes. If you're into swordplay or other forms of combat, this will come in handy."

'What about the feet? Is it also important?'

It is! And I haven't forgotten that, but this is going to cost a big amount.

"Uhm. For the footwork, would you like to exchange Footwork Acustomization for 30 fear points?"

'That's a big amount!'

"Right. That's why I was hesitating in suggesting this to you."

'Okay. I think the cost is worth it. Argh. This will help me in close-combat right?'

"Yes."

The status updated and the book apeared once again. As usual, I took the ability and installed it on her.

The trainer finished her demonstration and faced the trainees. The dummy was left with a few cuts and I could really see his strength.

"Now, it's time for you to demonstrate."

The trainees started copying what the trainer did. They both thrust at the same target, but their dummies are unaffected by their strength. A mediocre really.

But there was one person who caught the attention of the trainer. She was a girl the same age as Ellena. Her movements are precise, she hits the targets well, and you can tell she has swordsmanship experience.

The trainer approached her and commended her for her talented actions. I can just say, "Okay". Because she is not as good as Ellena.

Ellena had previously observed the demonstration. I believe she has already memorized it because she moves her arms and feet slightly. It was as if she was trying something from her memory.

Just seconds later, Ellena opened her eyes and moved around. Her right foot forwards and thrust the dummy just after her foot landed. 

The audience was left in awe at the precise movement of Ellena. Ellena, on the other hand, continued the rest of the movements.

Her footwork, aided by her hands, was flawless. It was just like what the trainer showed her.

I am smiling inside. My imaginary grin is escaping from my imaginary lips.

Ellena's movements were beautiful. As soon as she finished the movements, the audience and the other trainees clapped in amusement.

"That was beautiful!" The trainer exclaimed as he approached Ellena and left the previous girl.

The trainer started questioning Ellena some particular questions about her experience in swordsmanship. All of them were amused as Ellena answered. They left in awe, learning that it was Ellena's first time.

But all of that, there was someone who wasn't happy in particular.. And it was the previous girl who the trainer complimented.