Chapter 297: Between Wine and Secrets: The Story of Amon
A few hours of deep sleep can have a restorative effect disproportionate to the actual time spent in bed. Amon experienced just that, waking up around noon with a feeling of renewal.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he headed to the living room, where he was greeted by friendly glances.
"Look who's finally awake~" Julia exclaimed, her almond-shaped eyes shining almost magically as a half-smile lifted the apples of her cheeks.
"Smelled the aroma and decided to join us?" Barbara added, her playful tone adding a note of lightness to the atmosphere.
Looking at the table, Amon saw a luxurious feast. There was tuna carpaccio, saffron risotto, mini quiches, and a salad with nuts and goat cheese. A succulent lamb roast with mint sauce occupied the center of the table. Desserts included vanilla pudding and berry pie, all accompanied by fine wines and fresh juices. The meal was a complete gastronomic experience.
"Now that everyone here is of age, how about a toast with wine?" Bianca proposed, her tone full of enthusiasm.
"Ah, yes! Julia and I have finally come of age," Maisa exclaimed, sharing the joy of the moment.
Though a discreet rivalry still existed between the twins, with each aspiring to be the first to have a special moment with Amon, the focus now was on Amon's joyful return.
"Yes, eighteen at last," Julia added, her voice tinged with a mischievous hue.
Amon cast a glance at the two and felt slightly disconcerted. He picked up on the subtle hints both were making. Previously, he would have been unable to perceive such nuances without a direct explanation, but now, somehow, he felt more perceptive.
"So, Amon," Bianca inquired as Barbara filled their glasses with wine, "did Mr. Hazael mention anything specific? What happened after your testimony?"
"Nothing much, I guess," Amon replied. "After finishing, he said he had other commitments and left. Oh yes, he also advised me on how to reach Star Rank but suggested that I accumulate enough points to obtain the necessary resources for a successful and rewarding advancement."
"He's absolutely right," Bianca agreed. "Advancing to Star Rank is a significant milestone. You need the best spellbook and enough resources to create a high-quality Star Core. Otherwise, even being at a high level now, you'll end up losing a lot."
Bianca continued: "By the way, you need the best spellbook and enough resources to create a high-quality Star Core. The Core is not just an 'energy bank'; it also acts as a catalyst, refining the genetic energy you collect. This allows you to perform feats that surpass conventional human capabilities."
In essence, the quality of the Star Core is directly proportional to the effectiveness of the Genetic Specialist. A more refined Core not only amplifies existing abilities but also opens doors to yet unexplored potentials.
"I understand that now," said Amon. "I plan to stay at this level for a few months while gathering valuable resources and accumulating enough points for my advancement."
"Even if you turn 19, you'll still be an impressive Star Rank at 19!" Mabel interjected, clearly excited about the prospect.
The consensus was clear: it was more prudent to advance in a calculated manner, securing the best resources, than to rush the process. Amon felt this deeply. Although he was eager to reach Overlord Rank, he knew that acting hastily at this critical moment could lead to future regrets. Now that he was aware of the complexities involved, he had no intention of treating the matter lightly.
"Cheers~!" Barbara raised her glass with a radiant smile, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and anticipation as everyone was served.
Mabel looked at her glass and then at the others, her face reflecting deep serenity.
Maisa, in turn, held her glass with almost childlike enthusiasm.
Julia lifted her glass with discreet elegance, the corner of her lips curling into an enigmatic smile. It seemed she was savoring a secret only she knew.
Ariel held her glass and toasted.
The hostess, Bianca, raised her glass with a smile of mature charm.
Amon, finally, lifted his glass with tranquility, even sporting a small smile on his face.
After a few minutes of casual conversation, the atmosphere shifted slightly when Bianca decided to delve into a deeper topic. "Amon, could you tell us a little about your experience on Planet Fulgura?" she asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
Amon looked at her, pondering for a moment before responding. "In the first few days there, I focused on meditations and utilizing my powers. It wasn't long before I experienced a sort of enlightenment. This led to the evolution of my spellbook and, consequently, my rank advancement."
Mabel, listening intently, found the revelation almost unbelievable. "Right off the bat?" She knew that the conditions for evolving a spellbook were stringent. Even if enlightenment could make the mind as efficient as a supercomputer, the speed of Amon's progress was still surprising, not just to her but also to the others present.
Barbara smiled, clearly proud. "That's what's expected of Amon," she said, as if somehow the merit was also hers.
Julia and Maisa nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's expected of him," they echoed, solidifying the general sentiment of admiration for Amon's feat.
Ariel, picking up on the group's self-congratulatory tone, couldn't help but make a playful observation. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you three were the ones who accomplished this feat," she said, eliciting laughs and lightening the mood.
Amon continued with his narrative, describing the next phase of his journey on Planet Fulgura. "After the first enlightenment, I began hunting genetic beasts. As you can imagine, all the creatures on that planet were of an electric nature, which made their genetic cores particularly useful for my development. Eventually, I moved to a different mountain range when the initial area became less fruitful. Over time, I experienced my second enlightenment and, consequently, achieved my second rank advancement."
Amon's story extended beyond lunch, continuing even during dessert. Bianca and the others were visibly intrigued, hanging on his every word.
What most captured everyone's imagination was when Amon described how he was inspired by insects capable of teleporting through electricity. This reminded them of the first time he appeared before them, materializing in a way that now made complete sense.
"So, what comes next in your extraordinary adventure?" Bianca asked, capturing the mix of admiration and curiosity everyone felt. Amon smiled, then continued narrating his adventures on Planet Fulgura.