Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

After growing depressed from reflecting on her past and all the things she could have changed if she had possessed Planta’s powers instead of her real body, Elayne shook her head and forced herself to focus on what lay before her.

”I have so many Personal Skills and Abilities as a Heroic Spirit, yet none of them appear here? Why?” Elayne wondered. ”There are only two Talents...”

”Usually, Talents appear based on species or bloodlines,” Frank explained. ”Skills, Titles, and everything else are earned through the System. They aren’t granted based on your previous achievements.”

”So that’s how it works,” Elayne nodded. ”Then it all depends on what I do from now on... Unfortunately, my level is still too low. It’s a shame I can’t gain EXP right now, but at least I have this. I’ll make sure to use it well. Thank you, Frank.”

”Ah, I’m honestly shocked it even worked,” Frank admitted. ”I hope it helps... Ugh, I’m exhausted. We should head back to our rooms.”

”I agree,” Harumi nodded. ”Thank you for tonight’s dinner. See you tomorrow, everyone.”

”See ya!” Matsuo called, waving his hand.

The trio left shortly after the lengthy System discussion, drained and sleepy after such a long, tiring day.

Not long afterward, Maria and her friends also decided to retire. Before leaving, they learned about Little Erebus and resolved to keep a close eye on him.

”We’ll trust you can handle him, Elayne,” Maria said. ”But if anything happens, please tell us. We’ll help discipline him.”

”Thank you, girls. Take care!” Elayne replied. ”There are a few things I’d like to discuss with you later—about Nightmares, Dream Hearts, and such...”

”Sure, we can talk once we’re free. Just call me,” Maria nodded, heading off with her friends toward their rooms.

Once they were finally alone, Elayne and her companions collapsed onto the floor, so exhausted they could barely keep their eyes open.

”Alright, Olivia, can you help me bring the girls to their rooms?” Elayne asked with a soft giggle. ”They’re clearly too tired to manage on their own anymore.”

”Yeah, sure,” Olivia nodded. ”It really was a long day.”

After tucking the girls into bed, Elayne and Olivia finally had a moment to themselves. They sipped wine together while gazing at the night sky.

”So a lot happened to you, huh?” Olivia sighed. ”I didn’t know the full story... It makes everything feel so much heavier.”

”Sorry,” Elayne apologized. ”We didn’t know when to bring up something like that... Haa...”

Olivia fell silent. Beneath Elayne’s usual cheerful, motherly smile, she sensed a deep sadness—her eyes carried unmistakable sorrow. ”Are you okay?”

”Hm? Ah... I’m fine,” Elayne forced a smile, though her lips trembled. ”Don’t worry about me, Olivia. Shouldn’t you be getting some sleep? You’ve been through so much.”

Olivia lowered her head with a quiet sigh. ”I know you’ve endured far more than anyone should... but this is a new chance, Elayne. I want you to know I’ll help you too. I’ve come this far already. Please, count on me. Many things might be coming our way, and enemies could be lurking anywhere, but... we’ll pull through. I promise.”

Elayne smiled back, her eyes softening as she nodded. ”Thank you, Olivia. You’re a wonderful friend... I miss them. I miss everyone I lost in that incident... I’m doing all of this to revive them too. I can never forget that.”

”I know,” Olivia said gently. ”I’ll help.”

”We barely knew each other back then, so I’ve been wondering... why would you go so far for me and my family?” Elayne asked. ”The times we interacted before could be counted on the fingers of one hand...”

”Ah...” Olivia froze for a moment. ”I guess... I just did. You have a way of leaving strong impressions on people.”

”Is that so?” Elayne murmured, smiling softly. ”Thank you, Olivia...”

”I-It’s nothing...” Olivia muttered, her cheeks flushing. Realizing how close she was to Elayne, she felt increasingly flustered, drawn in by the irresistible charm of her clan master. She hugged Elayne’s arm tightly. ”Don’t you want to... come to sleep too?”

”Huh?” Elayne looked at Olivia’s blushing face with drowsy affection. ”You mean sleeping together in the same bed? I’m a spirit, so I can simply fade away when I’m tired. There’s no need, Olivia... but thank—”

”Maybe I’m being selfish... It’s mostly for me...” Olivia whispered. ”I... need you...”

Elayne blinked in surprise, then smiled at how adorable Olivia looked. She pulled her into a warm hug and kissed the tip of her nose. ”Okay. Let’s go to sleep.”

Olivia—who was always so strong and independent as a teacher—only ever showed this vulnerable side to those she truly trusted. And Elayne had become one of them.

She lay down sleepily on the bed. Once Elayne joined her and wrapped her in those strong, comforting arms, Olivia cuddled close and fell asleep almost instantly.

”What a sleepy woman,” Elayne giggled.

She closed her eyes, intending to rest as well. Yet as a Heroic Spirit, part of her consciousness always remained awake.

That fragment of awareness soon manifested within her Spiritual Realm. She moved swiftly across its vast expanse, heading straight for its abyssal depths.

There, she found a deep, oppressive darkness and a red cube wrapped in heavy chains. A single eye stared back at her from within.

Inside the cube, she sensed an immensely powerful presence biding its time. It radiated dark energy in all directions—the very force that had mutated her, given birth to her Alter Divine Spirit Tartarus, and turned her into the Primogenitor Vampire of her own clan.

That was the true strength of this vampire. The one who had appeared without warning to destroy everything. Stopping him had taken everything Elayne had.

”Noah...”

”...”

”I don’t think I can find a way to kill you... and I don’t really want to, either.”

”...”

”I’ll release you once you promise me you won’t harm those I love—or humanity.”

”...Hah.”

”...?”

”Hahahahahaha!”

All she received in return was his crazed laughter.

”What makes you think I’ll ever agree to such stupidities?”

”...”

”I’ll bide my time, cultivate my power, and eventually break these chains myself.”

”I won’t let that happen. I’m growing stronger every day too.”

”Hoh? So this is a race... Huh?”

”Noah, you don’t have to do this. Why can’t you accept a peaceful solution? None of us benefit from fighting each other.”

”It’s not nonsense to me... And don’t worry—even if you’re safe for now, my family will find you. They’ll kill you and free me. No matter what.”

”?!”

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