Roman nodded before continuing. "The name of my title is The Chosen One Among the Chosen Ones."
Xixi's eyebrows raised slightly. She was astonished. She expected something simple, not a title like that!
It was much better than hers…
Her mouth opened, then closed immediately. She wanted to say something but did not know where to start.
Seeing her, Roman held back a sigh. It is a calmer reaction than usual; I expected an unleashed fury…
Xixi raised her gaze, her eyes burning with unveiled curiosity.
"And what does your title do? Mine is The Chosen One; yours seems much better…"
Roman looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"Well, my title only states that my mana is tied to that of the chosen ones, that is all…"
Xixi sharpened her gaze, thoughtful. "Chosen ones? So there is more than one? Is that even possible?" she asked more to herself than to Roman.
"There are a lot of strange things in this world; I do not think it is impossible for more chosen ones to exist…"
Xixi did not respond; her thoughts were elsewhere.
"I understand your title, but I do not understand its meaning…" she said, stepping closer to Roman, her gaze scanning him from head to toe.
Then she continued. "Your mana is tied to the chosen ones, fine, but why does your body have no mana? It seems like it rejects it…" Hers was a legitimate question, considering she could sense mana at a very deep level.
"About that…" Roman smiled slightly. "Let us just say my mana scales negatively, that is all…"
Xixi's eyes widened, bringing her face closer to Roman's.
"Scales negatively?? What does that mean?" Her curiosity was piqued.
She had grown up with a silver spoon, believing she knew everything about the world, partly because of what her father told her.
However, in this moment, talking to a boy her age, she was discovering things she thought impossible.
Roman swallowed hard, taking a small step back. The scent of the girl's skin was too intoxicating; he almost fainted from pleasure…
Damn, what are these thoughts… shook his head slightly
"What I said. Every level I gain increases my mana, but negatively." His voice trembled slightly. "That is why my title ties me to chosen ones like you."
He could not reveal that his talent prevented him from leveling, or it would raise absurd questions he did not want to answer, like his reincarnation.
Xixi nodded, as if she understood everything.
"Well…" she gave a slight cough, smiling afterward. "Let me introduce myself properly, since from today we will be linked…"
Her eyes rested on Roman's face like feathers on a meadow, almost making him blush.
The Rift's environment typically had a blue hue, but in that moment, the only blue he saw was her eyes, so bright and beautiful that Roman got lost for a second, almost not hearing what she said next.
"My name is—"
The atmosphere was interrupted by the abrupt shouts of a very odd trio…
"Guys, there is a damn huge monster chasing us, help!" Zun's voice was desperate.
Even today, he was the closest to the boss, the slowest…
Roman frowned slightly before sighing.
He did not expect an interruption at that moment… not that he was in love with Xixi, of course… it was just to get to know his mana supplier better, that was all… nothing else…
On the other hand, the girl turned her gaze toward the noise. She was also slightly annoyed by the interruption; the faint blush on her cheeks said it all.
And in her fury, she unleashed a Skill.
"Mana Bolt"
From her fingers, a shocking amount of mana condensed into a pointed projectile and shot straight toward the huge eagle, just as it was about to grab Zun with its talons.
Swoosh-
The sound of the projectile traveling echoed in the forest before hitting the monster's head with precision.
Splash!
A loud sound, like a watermelon breaking, followed by the monster's faint dying cry, made everyone turn.
The eagle, which moments before was screeching and flying a few meters off the ground, ready to grab Zun, was now sprawled on the ground, its head unrecognizable.
Zun exhaled a breath of air. He had escaped death again today, but his expression was not one of fear, but of complete… ecstasy?
"Goddess Xixi, thank you for saving me!" he shouted, dropping to his knees. "I could risk my life every moment knowing you will be there to save me!"
Tobias and Golia sighed helplessly. He truly was the king of simps…
Roman, however, observed the spot where the monster's carcass had been moments before, leaving behind not only blue particles but also a Mana Crystal and something else.
"A Skill Book, what incredible luck!" he said, making the other three turn.
Zun, the closest, bent down to pick it up.
It was a simple skill, "Flame Burst."
Since no one but Roman had a fire affinity, they unanimously decided to give him this skill.
Oh, and of course, because they had no real say in the matter. Xixi had killed the monster alone. The loot belonged to her, but she did not care, saying they could distribute it as they wished.
Roman took it gratefully, using it immediately. He was curious; skills at the shop were far too expensive for his current wallet.
---
Flame Burst (Common)
Unleash a cone of flames from your hands.
Minimum: 100 mana
Maximum: 5,000 mana
---
"Not bad, I can use it right away." With these thoughts, Roman and his three friends, accompanied by a special member, explored the Rift in complete safety.
A short time later…
"So, Goddess Xixi…" Zun's voice broke the strange atmosphere that had formed. "Do you have an ideal type of guy? Is there someone you like?"
Tobias and Golia held back laughter as they saw Zun fix his long hair, trying to look as charming as possible.
He cared a lot about his hair; it was his pride.
Xixi raised her eyebrows, surprised. She did not expect such a question. No one had ever asked her that. In fact, she did not have many friends… well, none…
"I have no idea; there are many handsome guys, but I would not say I like them…" she shook her head after thinking for a few seconds.
"What do you think of me?" Zun did not back down an inch, stepping closer to the girl, almost touching her. "Am I a handsome guy?"
Xixi took a step back, slightly embarrassed.
"Uh… yes?" she replied with a forced smile.
But that "yes" was all Zun needed to get full of himself and grin like a fool for the rest of the time…
Thanks to Zun's antics, the tense atmosphere returned to normal.
Roman discovered that Xixi did not have such an unbearable personality. Or rather, sometimes she did, but it was not her fault.
She has never had friends… He thought with a half-sigh. Just like the old Roman. And no, I did not have friends in my old life because I was a lone wolf, not for any other reason.
At that moment, another group of royal blue-feathered birds surrounded them.