System Awakened
At the outskirts of the Starshade Forest, we have Celestia Ruth, a copy of Isabella Ruth, emerging from the shrubs with Anos in her arms.
There was a bright red burst of light that darted towards them and caused Celestia Ruth to scrunch up her face as she dodged and saw a wolf with blood-red fur looking at Anos with ravenous eyes.
"You have the audacity to hurt Anos?" Celestia Ruth spat coldly, her eyes fixed on the beast.
A fierce killing intent burst out from her body, focused solely on the wolf. Without any hesitation, her form flashed toward it.
Bam!
Her kick broke the wolf's neck in an instant, instantly killing it with a single blow. A purple soul band hovered above its lifeless body.
"Huu… Anos is still sleeping." Celestia Ruth exhaled with relief, her eyes softening as she looked at her son, who slept soundlessly in her arms.
"Let's leave this place." She muttered, walking toward the east.
After a few minutes, Celestia Ruth pushed through the last of the small bushes.
"We're finally out of the Starshade Forest." She gazed back at the vast woods.
'I'm only half the strength of the original. Nevertheless, I can battle a 50,000–70,000-year-old soul beast if I need to,' Celestia Ruth mused, her eyes tightening up before turning away from Anos once more.
'But I want to take him out alive. That's all that counts.'
She shifted her grip on him and started moving away from the woods.
It took hours before Celestia Ruth saw the village in the distance at last.
"Hm? Anos?" she tilted her head as his reddish-black eyes slowly opened, staring at her face.
"It's almost night. We'll rest in that village." She quickened her pace as his gaze lingered on her.
Within minutes, they reached the gate. To her surprise, the village was far more developed than she expected, with several carriages gathered outside.
"Sunrise Village." Celestia Ruth read the name engraved on the wooden plate above the gate.
Inside, she quietly explored the streets. The settlement was humble but had order and vitality—more of a small city than a village.
'If it expands a little more, it will surpass that.' She observed the food stalls along the road.
At last, she located an inn, which was satisfactory.
"Welcome to the Sleepy Fairy!" a youthful voice sang out as Celestia Ruth walked in.
"I want to rent a room." Celestia Ruth said, eyes settling on the girl before her—around eleven or twelve years old, long black hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a simple waitress outfit.
"One room for how long?" the girl asked with a bright smile.
'It's been a while since I've seen a smile this sincere,' Celestia Ruth thought, her expression softening for a second.
"One night."
"Understood. That will cost ten copper coins. Breakfast is served."
Celestia Ruth didn't hesitate to grab a gold coin from her spatial ring and hand it over.
"Eh?! A gold coin?!" The eyes of the girl widened with surprise.
"Err… I have no change for this." She looked hesitantly at Celestia Ruth, who merely shook her head.
"I'll stay longer."
The girl let out a sigh of relief. "Then it's okay… May I inquire about your name, madam?"
"Celestia Ruth."
At that time, Anos woke up in her arms, his head popping out.
"Ah—!" The girl's eyes expanded, her heart pierced with unseen arrows.
"C-Cute…" she mumbled, taking a step forward without even noticing.
'We're staying here tonight?' Anos reflected, his curious eyes wandering.
"He's cute. How old is he?" she asked excitedly.
"His name is Anos, three months old," answered Celestia Ruth softly, stroking her son's cheek.
"Um… can I touch him?" The girl's eyes gleamed.
'Too pure…' Celestia Ruth thought, looking at Anos and nodding.
"You may, but softly."
"Mm!" The girl stroked Anos's cheek delicately. Squishy and soft! she thought, her lips trying to hide a giggle.
Just then, a waitress-type woman walked in.
"Oh my, a client?" Her eyes caught Celestia Ruth.
"Mom!" the girl hurried over.
"Aria Walker," the woman smiled, embracing her daughter.
'So, she's her mother.' Celestia Ruth felt a faint pang in her heart seeing their connection. Renu…
The girl muttered something and displayed the gold coin. The woman stiffened.
"What?! Madam, we can't take this!" She hurried over, attempting to return it.
"It's all right." Celestia Ruth's serene expression quieted her protests. "I need a room."
"…" The woman faltered, then looked at Anos, who stared back at her with inquisitive eyes.
'So cute baby.'
"My name is Anna Walker, and this is my daughter Aria Walker. Please, come this way."
She took them through the back yard of the inn to a small wooden cottage.
"We don't usually lease this one—the owner's been absent for years—but it would be more suitable to you with a child. Two bedrooms, inside and outside kitchens, and a bathroom with hot running water."
She gave Celestia Ruth the key with a respectful bow.
"Call us if you need anything."
"Mom?" asked Aria, puzzled.
"Shh. Madam Ruth is a strong soul master. We can't rile her up," Anna said softly.
Celestia Ruth heard indistinctly and whispered, "She's a spirit elder…" before looking at the key.
Opening the door, she went in.
Click.
'Not bad.'
A slight pull drew her attention.
"Mama."
Her eyes widened. "Anos, you can already talk at three months?"
She smiled warmly. "Well, of course. You're my son. A genius."
Anos looked at her hand, seeing the way she was laughing with a warmth in her eyes.
'Perhaps… reincarnation isn't too terrible,' he thought.
[Ding!]
[No.777 System Awakened]