{System notification: New Passive ability gained}
Temporarily boost your strength and Endurance stat by 2x for five seconds
XP to next level: 0/12,000
A Titan's will( Level one)
Time control (lv 2) Xp to next level: 10/100
Time rewind (lv 1) X to next level: 10/100
"What?!!! I got a new ability?!!! But I didn't do anything, so why?" Rex asked, looking confused and yet amazed as he saw the effect of the ability
"Aye, thou hast learned thy will as a harbinger and now thou knowest what thy goal is" Cronus replied
"But c'mon man.... You should have just told me your story a long time ago if you knew I'd get an awesome ability !"
"What the fuck! We just had a heartfelt moment of Master and harbinger and you get to ruin it through your complaints?" Cronus retorted, his voice sounding almost like that of a teenage high-school student
Rex burst out laughing "Damn! Cronus!! Don't make me imagine the sight of you in a school uniform, please... " Rex clutched his stomach in pain due to his laughter
Rex lay there, still grinning from his banter with Cronus. However, the weight of his upcoming date with Seraphina started pressing on his mind. Sure, it was hilarious to picture the stunned looks from the nobles when she agreed to go out with him, but now that the excitement had simmered down, he wasn't so sure this was a good idea.
His thoughts drifted toward his training. He needed to get stronger, faster, better. After his intense fight with Cerberus, the need to push his limits seemed greater than ever. Maybe canceling the date wasn't such a bad idea.
"Hey, Crony," Rex began, rubbing his temples, "I'm thinking... maybe I should cancel the date with Seraphina. I mean, I could really use the time to focus on my training instead. I can't let anything distract me if I want to get stronger."
There was a heavy pause, and Rex half expected Cronus to agree with him, after all, the Titan of Time wasn't exactly someone who'd prioritize dates over destiny, right?
"Thou art a fool if thou dost think that canceling this date is a wise decision," Cronus's voice echoed in Rex's head, laced with both wisdom and sarcasm. "Thou knowest not what role Seraphina may play in thy future. Perhaps she shall be of the greater good."
Rex blinked. "Wait, hold up. You think I should keep the date?"
"Aye. Thou should not cancel a lady in such manner. It is dishonorable." Cronus's tone was firm, but there was an unusual hint of amusement in it.
Rex sat up, wide-eyed and incredulous. "Okay, what? Crony, how the hell do you know what it's like to cancel a girl out? I mean, last time I checked, you're an ancient Titan. Are you telling me you've been ghosted before?" Rex's smirk was growing wider by the second.
There was a long silence before Cronus sighed deeply, like an exasperated elder being mocked by a cheeky child. "I have lived eons, Rex. I have seen more than thou can comprehend. Do not mistake me for a fool, as I know how mortal women may react to such discourtesy."
Rex couldn't hold back his laughter. "Oh man! This is golden! Cronus, the Titan of Time, handing out relationship advice like some love guru. Next thing you know, you'll be telling me how to text her back without looking desperate." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
"I grow tired of thy jesting," Cronus replied, but there was a hint of what might have been a chuckle buried deep in his ancient tone. "Thou art amusing, but heed my words. Attend the date. Train thy body, but also thy heart. Both may be required for the battles ahead."
Rex sighed, though he was still grinning from ear to ear. "Alright, fine, fine. I won't cancel. Who knows, maybe you're right."
He stood up, stretching his arms and feeling a new wave of resolve wash over him. The day wasn't going to get any easier, so he might as well look good while dealing with it. He walked over to his wardrobe, throwing open the doors.
"Okay, Crony, help me out here. What do I even wear to a date ?"
"I am not thy servant," Cronus replied flatly. "Figure it out."
Rex rolled his eyes and pulled out a few options, holding them up for inspection. A classic white shirt? Nah, too formal. His go-to dark blue hoodie? Too casual. He finally settled on a black button-up shirt, paired with his best pair of dark jeans.
Casual but sharp—perfect.
"Alright," he said, adjusting his sleeves, "let's go make an impression."
The Oak and Lantern's restaurant was a popular spot in the city, known for its cozy, warm atmosphere. The wooden beams lining the ceiling gave the place a rustic charm, while the soft lanterns hanging from above gave everything a welcoming glow. It was the kind of place where people gathered for both casual meals and special occasions alike.
Rex spotted Magnus standing by the entrance, grinning like a madman. "Yo! Took you long enough!" Magnus waved him over with that goofy energy he always seemed to radiate.
"Don't even start, Magnus. I had to make sure I didn't look like a hobo for this," Rex retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Please, you're trying too hard, man," Magnus laughed. "Brenda and I agreed to make this a double date, remember? She'll be here soon. But Seraphina's already inside waiting for you, so I'm not the one you need to impress tonight." Then he leaned closer "Dude, I never knew you had a thing with the goddess, you're a real lucky dude"
Rex ignored him, glancing past Magnus toward the entrance of the restaurant. He could already feel his heart speeding up a little. For all his confidence, there was something different about Seraphina that made him nervous. She wasn't like other girls. Her quiet strength, her noble aura, it all felt new.
He took a deep breath and stepped inside, spotting her almost immediately. Seraphina sat at a table near the window, her eyes scanning the street outside, her hands nervously playing with the hem of her dress. She wore a simple but elegant white dress that perfectly matched her serene beauty.
Rex walked over, his usual swagger in place, though inside, his nerves were buzzing. "Hey," he said with a smile as he approached.
Seraphina looked up, startled at first, but quickly smiled back. "Oh, Rex! I wasn't sure if you would show up…" She trailed off, her voice soft and unsure.
"Why wouldn't I? A guy would have to be crazy to stand you up," Rex replied smoothly, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from her. "I mean, look at you. You'd make any noble out there eat their words for doubting you."
Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, and she quickly looked away, a bit embarrassed by the compliment. "I've just… never done anything before. You're the first person to ask me out like… well, ."
Rex grinned. "Well, I'm honored to be the first. And don't worry, I'll make sure it's a good experience."
Rex leaned back, his confidence growing as he saw Seraphina start to relax. "So, how do you like the place? It's cozy, right?"
She nodded, her smile brightening. "Yes, it's beautiful. I've heard a lot about it, but I've never been here before."
"First time for everything!" Rex replied, trying to keep the mood light. "So, what do you usually do for fun? I mean, aside from turning heads and making noble boys sweat." He flashed a playful grin.
Seraphina's laugh was soft but genuine, and Rex felt a surge of warmth at the sound. "I don't know. I've always been more of a bookworm, I suppose. I like reading about different cultures and history. There's so much out there I want to learn about."
"History? That sounds interesting!" Rex said, leaning forward. "What's your favorite period? I'm more of a 'don't get eaten by mythological creatures' kind of guy, so I don't know much about it."
She tilted her head, considering. "I think the Renaissance is fascinating. The art, the philosophy, the way people began to think differently about the world… It was such a pivotal time."
"Wow, a Renaissance girl! I bet you'd rock the paintbrush," Rex chuckled. "But seriously, I can't imagine you sitting in a dusty library all day."
"Dusty libraries can be comforting!" she defended, giggling. "But I do enjoy spending time outdoors too. Nature has its own kind of beauty."
"True, true. Speaking of beauty, I have a hot tip: trees are not just pretty decorations—they make excellent hiding spots if you ever need to dodge a jealous nobleman." He winked, and she laughed again.
Seraphina's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You'd make a great guide for a nature tour. But how would you dodge them? By climbing the tree?"
"Or playing dead!" Rex replied, slapping his hands on the table dramatically. "But then I'd need you to rescue me from the top of the tree afterward. Think of it as a daring rescue mission!"
"Sounds like a very chaotic mission," she said, her voice light and teasing. "And what if I got stuck up there too?"
"Then we'll just call it a party! I can bring snacks; you can bring the charm. We'll have a picnic in the treetops!" Rex leaned back, his laughter contagious.
She shook her head, still smiling. "You have such a wild imagination, Rex."
"That's because I have to keep up with my companions—like a noble beauty with adventurous taste," he said, gesturing toward her. "So, what do you say? Can I count on you for tree-climbing picnics in the future?"
Seraphina's eyes widened in mock horror. "Only if I can bring a proper picnic blanket! I won't be caught dead sitting on the ground without one."
"Deal!" Rex laughed, feeling a surge of connection between them. "But you'll have to let me know what kind of snacks to bring. I'm not a mind reader."
"I'll make a list. No fish! I absolutely can't stand fish," she replied, her tone earnest. "But anything else is fair game!"
"Okay, fish is off the menu! You drive a hard bargain, Seraphina," he teased. "But I'm up for the challenge."
As their laughter faded into comfortable conversation, Rex noticed her beginning to relax even more. She was charming and witty, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. He wanted to know her story, but for now, he enjoyed the light banter.
Before the conversation could dive deeper, Magnus and Brenda arrived, Brenda laughing at something Magnus had said. They took their seats, Brenda offering Rex a polite nod.
As they settled in, the mood lightened, and soon they were laughing and chatting as if they had all known each other for years. Magnus, of course, provided most of the comic relief with his over-the-top antics and shameless flirting with Brenda, while Seraphina slowly opened up more with Rex's encouragement.
"So," Brenda said, after taking a sip of her drink, "what's the next step for you, Rex? What do you want to do now?"
Rex leaned forward, serious for a moment. "I'm planning on becoming a hunter. It seems like the best way for me to get stronger, and I want to be able to protect the people I care about. Plus, I think it's something I'd be good at." Rex didn't know why but he felt like sharing his thoughts with these two would make him comfortable
"You aren't strong enough tho, I mean you just awakened right?"
Brenda's eyes widened slightly, and she glanced at Magnus before smiling. "Well, you're in luck. My father's the current owner of the Wolf-Fang Hunter Guild. If you're serious, I can put in a good word for you."
Seraphina's eyes widened in shock but she quickly controlled her emotions. If Brenda's father runs Wolf-fang, then that means she was from the Voss family which her father hated so much. She even overheard the last meeting her father had with chairman Voss and she knew that the conflict would escalate.
Rex blinked in surprise. "Wait… what? Your father runs Wolf-Fang?"
Brenda nodded, her expression turning a bit more serious. "Yeah. We have branches all over. If you go to one, I'll make sure there's a recommendation waiting for you."
Rex couldn't believe his luck. "That's… wow, thanks, Brenda! I had no idea."
"That's incredible," Seraphina added. "Having such connections will definitely help you, Rex."
Rex grinned, feeling the support from both sides. "Yeah, this is huge. Thanks, Brenda, I really appreciate it."