"There's something I forgot to tell you."
"Hm?" Bronya looked up, a little bewildered.
"I've decided to transfer to Silvermane Guard Military Academy too."
"Eh?!" Bronya was completely stunned. Her small mouth was slightly agape, unable to close for a long time, full of disbelief. "Wh-… why?"
"You never said you wanted to go to the battlefield… It's, it's very dangerous there!"
Orion looked at her cute expression, a mix of surprise, joy, and a hint of worry, and couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "I'm going to accompany you."
These simple words caused a tsunami in Bronya's heart, instantly overwhelming all her senses. Her nose stung, and her eyes welled up. She couldn't hold back any longer and suddenly threw herself into Orion's arms, hugging him tightly. Her face buried in his warm chest, her muffled voice, tinged with a sob, said: "Orion… you… you're really… too good." She choked, unable to finish her sentence.
Days passed one by one. Soon, Orion welcomed his fifteenth birthday. After school that day, Orion returned to his residence in the Overworld. Pushing open the door, he found someone in the living room. Cocolia was sitting on the sofa, having waited for a long time. It seemed she had specially finished her official duties early to come.
"Lady Cocolia?" Orion showed a hint of surprise, "Why are you here?"
"It's your birthday today, of course I have to come." Cocolia had a rare, gentle smile on her face, and she gestured for Orion to sit down.
No sooner had she spoken than the doorbell rang. Orion got up to open the door, and outside, a huge, beautifully packaged cake box was quietly placed.
"Happy birthday, Orion." Cocolia had come to his side at some point, her voice warm, "This surprise, I prepared it for you."
Orion showed a "flattered" expression and repeatedly thanked her. Cocolia even personally cut the first slice of cake for him. The two of them enjoyed it together. Watching Orion's happy appearance, Cocolia's mood was exceptionally good, even feeling a sense of maternal satisfaction. She didn't stay long; after sitting for a while and reminding Orion to rest well that night, she left contentedly.
After seeing Cocolia off, the smile on Orion's face slowly faded. He changed into a light-colored jacket and also went out. As night deepened, the commercial street in the Overworld lit up with dazzling lights, shimmering with brilliance. Orion unhurriedly walked to the agreed-upon fountain plaza. Among the crowd, that streak of silver-gray hair was exceptionally striking. Bronya also saw him, carrying a small cake box, and quickly ran over.
"Happy birthday, Orion!" She handed the cake to him, her cheeks tinted with a light pink under the colorful lights. "This, I prepared for you. Your favorite chocolate flavor."
Orion took it. The two found an elegantly decorated restaurant. After dinner, they went to the theater to watch a newly released comedy, and their laughter occasionally echoed through the cinema. By the time they parted, it was already late at night. Bronya took out a small, wrapped gift box from her small bag.
"This, a birthday present."
Orion opened it; inside was a fountain pen, with a meticulously carved snowflake pattern on its body. He accepted the gift.
"See you tomorrow, Orion!" Bronya's figure stretched under the streetlights, then gradually faded into the distance.
Orion stood still for a moment before turning to leave. This night was very pleasant. The subtle affection between him and Bronya, and Cocolia's deepening trust, made Orion quite satisfied with his current arrangements in Belobog. Of course, there would be even more pleasant things later.
Returning to his residence, Orion locked the door and drew the curtains. The daytime hustle and nighttime warmth faded, and Orion's face showed no particular expression. He silently chanted in his mind, opening the system panel.
Host Attribute Panel:
Name: Orion
Constitution: 22
Strength: 20 + 100 (converted from absorbing negative energy of the Stellaron from Cocolia) + 200 (Path of Destruction 'Word Devouring' effect, strength increases with age)
Agility: 21
Charm: 26
Loaded Permanent Words: Word Devouring (Gold), Golden Threads of Fate (Gold), Path of Destruction (Purple), Stealth (Blue), Eloquent Speech (Blue), Rampage (Blue)
Remaining Villain Points: 600
After the last simulation ended and the Words were exchanged, there should have been only 460 Villain Points left. The extra 140 points, he thought, were accumulated "casually" in reality over the past few years. For example, from disciplining that older noble student in the academy, or instructing the Underworld to deal with some troublemakers… However, the Villain Points obtained in the real world were far lower than the gains in simulations, so there was no real need to deliberately pursue them. Rash actions could easily expose him; it was better to wait for the Villain Simulation.
Orion carefully examined his attributes. Living in the Overworld for the past few years, he had ample nutrition and exercised daily. His Constitution and Agility had also grown to levels surpassing that of an ordinary adult male. According to the system prompt, the average basic attributes for an ordinary adult male are around 20, while Charm varies from person to person, with 10 being ordinary and 15 considered handsome or beautiful.
What satisfied Orion the most was his Strength attribute. With a base value of 20, plus the Word bonuses, his total Strength reached an astonishing 320!
"Sixteen times that of an ordinary adult male, sounds a bit scary…"
"Elite Silvermane Guards soldiers probably have a Strength value of around forty, while officers wearing weapons and armor might reach a hundred."
"As for Pathfinders with high combat prowess like Gepard, I'm not sure… Perhaps they're stronger than me?"
"With my current Strength value, if there were tigers in Belobog, it would probably be a one-punch kill." Orion estimated.
"As for those Fragmentum creatures, I haven't tried yet."
Such physical prowess would allow him to easily handle various training sessions during his upcoming Military Academy life. However, all of that was for later. After tonight, he would become even stronger…
Just then, the system's mechanical voice perfectly sounded in his mind:
[Detected that the Host has reached fifteen years of age, fulfilling the conditions to activate the third simulation.]
[Do you wish to activate the Villain Simulation?]
Orion's eyes lit up. It had been five whole years since the last simulation when he was ten!
It's finally here!
"Activate Simulation!"