The crystal's glow faded, leaving the hall in a silence so sharp it seemed to slice through the air. Ren stood at the altar, his hand still tingling faintly, the words Parasite System echoing in every corner of the chamber. He could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes pressing down on him, each gaze heavy with judgment, curiosity, or fear.
The nobles were the first to react. Their jeweled collars glittered as they leaned toward one another, whispering sharp comments that carried just enough to sting. "Parasite… dangerous… tainted…" One noblewoman covered her mouth with a fan, eyes wide with exaggerated horror. Another nobleman smirked, shaking his head as if destiny itself had played a cruel joke.
The common citizens murmured too, though their tone was softer—half pity, half fear. Some shook their heads, others whispered about curses. Ren caught fragments: "Poor boy… unlucky… what does it mean?"
Ren internally smirked, deadpan. 'Parasite. Lovely. Guess I'll be leeching snacks off Lyra forever.'
From the audience, Lyra shot to her feet. "He's still my brother no matter what!" she shouted, her voice cracking but defiant.
Heads turned, nobles glaring at her for breaking decorum, common citizens startled by her boldness.
Ren gave her a faint wave, half amused, half grateful.
Leon stepped forward, radiant glow still clinging to him like sunlight. "Ren," he said firmly, loud enough for others to hear, "no system defines the man. You'll prove them wrong." His words carried weight, but the contrast between his golden aura and Ren's unsettling mark only sharpened the divide. Ren muttered under his breath, "Easy for chandelier boy to say."
The Empire Awakener raised his staff, silencing the hall. His voice was steady, though his eyes lingered on Ren with a flicker of unease. "Children of the Eryndor Empire, remember this: every system has its place. Some shine in battle, others in craft, others in ways unseen. Do not scorn what you do not understand." His words echoed his earlier speech, but the strain in his tone was unmistakable.
The ceremony closed. Nobles swept out quickly, muttering about "dangerous systems." Common citizens filed out more slowly, whispering rumors as they went. Leon insisted on walking beside Ren, ignoring the stares. Lyra pushed through the crowd to join them, chin high, daring anyone to speak against her brother.
The streets outside the hall were alive with whispers. Lanterns flickered against stone walls, casting long shadows as groups of citizens clustered together, gossiping in hushed tones. Ren could hear snippets as he passed:
- "Parasite System… never heard of it."
- "Could be cursed. Best keep distance."
- "Poor Ashfords. Their firstborn awakened a weird special system."
Ren shoved his hands into his pockets, muttering. "Well, at least I'm famous now. Infamy counts as fame, right?"
Lyra elbowed him. "Don't joke about this."
"I'm not joking," Ren replied, voice dry. "I'm embracing my destiny as the Empire's most stylish parasite."
Leon walked on his other side, jaw tight. "Ignore them. They don't know what they're talking about."
Ren glanced at him. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Radiant Hero System. You glow, they swoon. I glow, they panic."
Leon sighed but didn't argue. Lyra muttered, "Let them panic. We'll show them."
---
The Ashford household was quiet when they entered, but the silence was heavy, not peaceful. Ren slumped into a chair, staring at the faint mark glowing on his hand. His parents followed him inside, their faces tight with worry but their voices steady.
Elira approached first, her steps brisk, her eyes sharp but softened by determination. "Parasite or not, you are my son. We will face this together." She placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "Let them whisper. We know who you are."
Darius stood tall behind her, his expression calm, steady as iron. "Steel bends under fire, but it does not break. This system is yours, Ren, and you will find strength in it. The name does not matter—the man does." His words carried the weight of conviction, echoing the Awakener's lesson but with the warmth of a father's belief.
Lyra crossed her arms, glaring at both parents as if daring them to falter. "Parasite or not, he's still Ren. And if anyone calls him cursed, I'll curse them back twice as hard."
Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax. I'll make it the most stylish parasite you've ever seen. Maybe I'll start a fashion line 'Leech Couture.'" His sarcasm drew a reluctant smile from Elira and a low laugh from Darius.
But beneath the humor, Ren felt the weight of permanence. This is it. Parasite forever. No rerolls, no second chance. My second life, and destiny still thinks I'm a joke. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Or maybe destiny's got plans I don't see yet.
---
By evening, the district was buzzing. Neighbors whispered, some sympathetic, others wary. Common citizens debated whether the Parasite System was cursed or dangerous. Nobles distanced themselves further, their disdain sharpening.
- "The Ashford boy awakened a special system called the Parasite System."
- "Parasite? Never heard of it. Must be something weird and creepy."
- "Best keep your children away from him."
Ren overheard it all, smirking to himself. "Parasite: the talk of the town. I should start charging admission."
Leon visited later, his radiant aura dimmed but his loyalty clear. "I'll stand by you, Ren. Hero or parasite, we're still friends."
Ren smiled back. "Careful. I might leech off your homework, too." They laughed, but the tension lingered.
---
That night, alone in his room, Ren sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the faint crystal mark glowing on his hand. His parents' words still echoed in his mind, Leon's loyalty still fresh, Lyra's defiance still ringing but none of it silenced the gnawing question: What does Parasite even mean?
He exhaled slowly, then spoke the word everyone in this world knew by heart.
"Status!"
At once, the mark pulsed, and a translucent screen shimmered into view before his eyes.