I Became A System

'I must grow stronger. If my weakness continues, I will remain a freeloader for Big Sister.'

Thalia was worried that her strength was still not enough. Even though she had succeeded in activating her rune, it was still not acceptable because she wanted to fight alongside Ellena.

Then, the only way to get stronger is to use her abilities wisely and also practice martial arts to become as strong as Ellena.

'I will practice the sword technique that Aaron gave to me! I'll grow stronger!'

As Thalia's dedication spread throughout her body, she became more diligent in training.

She now uses lifts, raising her stamina while running around the city, improving her arms' flexibility, observing her waist movements, as well as other aspects she needed to improve.

All of it was in order for her to grow stronger and become a precious asset to Ellena. Even though she is a slave, her life is still indebted to Ellena.. 

Ellena was the reason why her dreadful ability had a purpose. And its purpose is to protect Ellena.

Apparently, her ability was Blood Deprivation. With a slight touch of her using her ability, the target will instantly become weak and the blood will run amok for an unknown reason. It will be certain death.

But she knew that despite her strong ability, it would still be useless if she couldn't touch her enemy. It means that if she doesn't have the skill to touch her enemies, she'll have to bet her life just to use her ability.

***

Just 4 weeks after being held as a hostage, Thalia was training in the open area of the premise, when she was called by Ellena out of blue.

"Thalia. Can you come here?"

Thalia looked in the direction where Ellena was. There, just under the roof of the ground floor balcony, she was standing.

"Yes, Big Sister?" 

Thalia stood up immediately from a bench and approached Ellena, who had called her. As soon as she arrived, Ellena slit her finger, and a small drop of blood formed on top of the finger.

"What are you..."

"I will remove you from being a slave. I know that you killed your family and that it was supposed to be your punishment, but I am your owner, right? I can decide for it."

A gleam of a smile curled up in Ellena's lips as Thalia was dumbfounded and remained silent. She started to walk slowly and when she looked at Ellena once again, she was hit by the sweet smile Ellena had.

Ellena felt that it must be the time for Thalia to be released. She doesn't know how to judge people to become her companions. Although she wants one, she doesn't want to rope Thalia to her because of the pact.

"Are you going to remove the slave pact?"

Ellena nodded.

"Then I will not be humble!" Thalia suddenly said.

Ellena giggled as she saw Thalia just turned 180. She already noticed that Thalia was being reluctant and timid about it, but just seeing it, relief came to her.

Ellena took Thalia's arm and slit her finger too. She dropped her blood on Thalia's slave crest as well as on her own rune. When finally done, a light covered Thalia's chest and Ellena's rune. 

It was the process of freeing a slave, and after finally removing it, the light dispersed.

"I feel light," Thalia stated, as if in disbelief of what she was experiencing for the first time.

Indeed, it was her first time feeling this. After being a slave, she had already forgotten how being 'normal' felt. Every time she remembers that she's a slave, her chest becomes heavy.

Perhaps Ellena's treatment of her made her forget her standing. But just after this, her new life came with a rainbow.

"Thank you, Big Sister!" Thalia exclaimed in happiness, bowing in front of her as a gesture.

"Now... I have a question." Ellena abruptly cuts.

"Question?"

"Yup! Do you still want to follow me?" Ellena asked.

Thalia didn't need to think about it. Just hearing it, she felt relieved.

"I will surely follow you, Big Sister!"

***

A week later, Ellena strolled to the center of the city in her Noelle disguise. A black whole-face mask is solid and not even a hint of her facial features is visible. Also, her dark obsidian armor was top-notch, making her stand out in the crowd where people wear different colors.

Just walking, people called her with a smile, not bombarding her with any unnecessary and bothering questions.

Ellena became a proper figure. In reality, she didn't look bad to the people around her. Though it was a downside for her Fear System, it was still a nice result for her since she really needed to have a connection. 

And for what reason was she treated in this way? How did her life become normal even though she was still hiding as Noelle? It was all a result of the most powerful weapon that can change people and their surroundings.

A month ago...

"Most powerful weapon? What's that?" Ellena asked as she was intrigued by Aaron's play tone words.

"Indeed, do you know what it is?"

"Urgh... I know that it won't be a normal answer. I don't know, and I'm sure it's not a bladed weapon or the gun that we'll receive in the next few days." Ellena said, her eyebrows wrinkled.

"You are getting smarter, huh! Well, it's no use to hang over it. The most powerful weapon is... words."

Ellena almost snorted in suppressing her laugh after hearing Aaron's ridiculous words.

"You don't know?" Aaron asked.

"That's absurd. Can words kill?"

"Crazy! Bitch! Ugly! Weak! Idiot! What do you think about those words?" Aaron asked as he was sitting on a cup that Ellena just used after drinking tea.

"Those are curses," Ellena answered.

"Indeed, curses are bad, but they can also be manipulative threads. Do you know how people become famous?" Aaron asked.

"..." After thinking about it for a while, Ellena finally realized what Aaron meant about words being the most powerful weapon. 

"Because of rumors. And they are in a form of words."

"Right! Do you know that in the world I came from, those are the main reasons people die? Also, in this world, it's not impossible. Just a rumor, there could be a misunderstanding that could threaten the whole continent, or much worse, the whole world."

"Another absurdity, Aaron."

"You don't believe me? Then how about I say that the only way for you to become a figure is to spread words? " Aaron said with confident eyes, even pointing her finger to become more informative.

"A rumor? Now that I think about it... It makes sense. Your words make sense!" 

"Right. Now... how about we make a rumor for you? And spread it to the whole world."