Wanderers intersected in a forest at night, sharing warmth by the campfire. As they parted ways in the morning, only the ash of burnt wood remained.
People came and left naturally. We called it a cycle of life. However, when we suddenly forgot about those we encountered, the cycle broke apart.
I wanted to fix things. I wanted to reclaim my memories. To remember the people that warmed my life in the night, and to face people that burned my life like wildfire, or to let them watch me into ash with contempt. In any case, I, Ryder, would respect the cycle of life.
As a man, I cursed myself if I ran away from life. Then again, if my karma intertwined with others, some people would search for me.
No one did.
That meant some things. I leaned toward those people forget about my existence as well.
But who? Who hated me so much? What did I do wrong that they erased me from existence?
I wanted to find out, but first things first, I needed to restore my memories. There was a strong clue I overlooked because Claire kept me busy lately. Now that I had the time, I could check my system thoroughly.
[Name: Ryder
Race: Human
Stage: Initiate
Affinity: -
Innate: Grandpa System (EX)
Strength: S || Endurance: S || Agility: S
Intelligence: A || Spirit: B || Will: B
Abilities: Lightning Demon Breathing Technique (F)
Status: Extreme Magic: Lovebound Decree (EX), Underworld Blessing of Soul Cradle (S)]
Thanks to my free time, I could check my character information properly. The information appeared as a blue screen before me, and with my own thoughts, I let it hover before Brian.
"What do you think, Gramp?"
"Your stats are amazing. Having B at Spirit and Will as a human shows how strong your soul quality is. Intelligence at A means your body contains mana comparable to that of other races from another world. Not to mention, your physical stats are superhuman. It's extremely difficult to raise them into an S rate. I am getting more interested in your past now."
"Well thanks. Aren't we looking at the cause of my issue? Let's focus on that first. Look at the status. I had no idea someone inflicted them on me, and I would never find out if it wasn't for the system."
[Name: Extreme Magic: Lovebound Decree
Rating: EX
Description: Proof of a powerful obsession. By using a Self-binding Contract, this magic can only be used on Ryder. An extremely powerful charm that alters the reality itself. Alter people's minds about Ryder's existence. Reality mended itself in the loophole created by the ability.]
"I know that S rating is the highest, but what does EX mean?" Ryder asked.
"Not many know, but it's a rating above S. The highest rating. Even grandmaster awakeners rarely have abilities to this caliber."
"Grandmasters? Aren't there only 100 in this world? Are you telling me a grandmaster did this to me?"
"Not necessarily. We have an example of people possessing EX-rated abilities below grandmasters, but I can tell that the caster of this Lovebound Decree is a master awakener at least. Do you see the name, extreme magic? The requirement to reach the master class is to create extreme magic."
I held my head. "What did I do to incur the attention of such a person?"
"Don't worry, grandson. If it was only master awakeners, grandpa can beat their ass. You don't know this, but I am the strongest master awakener in the world."
"Hey, I'm not ignorant, Gramp. I know which awakeners get their pictures wanked the most.. ouch, ouch, okay, my bad, please keep your finger away from me."
Brian sighed. "After performing the rite of blood, you cannot walk a single step before finishing the etiquette course."
I clasped my hands. "I will behave. Anyway, I know most awakeners that...err...people revere the most, but I have no clue about the person who cursed me."
"I have a clue," Brian replied. "Look at the second status. Underworld Blessing of Soul Cradle is a common blessing casted by females of the demon race, but only royalties can cast the S rating one. The king of the Underworld, Asmoday Zebul, has seven daughters, and each of them is a master awakener at least. One of them must have cast the curse upon you."
"But why?" I asked.
Brian leaned back on his chair and grinned at me. "I don't know if you are being ignorant or humble bragging."
"What? I hate when people tease me. Say what you think, geez—ahem—grandfather. Please."
Brian rolled his eyes. "One of them is obviously obsessed with you. Even the system said so."
"I don't believe it. I cannot recall my memory, but I somehow know I have always been an ordinary person. Why would a princess get obsessed with me?"
Brian chuckled. "Hahaha, my grandson, I mean you made Claire head over heels toward you. You have got that what do the kids say nowadays? Oh yeah. Rizz. You have got that. You don't know but Claire used to be popular. She has rejected a lot of confessions. You conquered her in a few days."
"Nah. I doubt her feelings are sincere to me. I mean she's affected by the system too..." I realized I made things awkward by saying that as Brian suddenly looked at me with a pained expression. I slapped my face and said, "Oh shit. I'm so sorry, gramp. I was just... Damn... I have no excuse. Sorry."
Brian shook his head. "Grandson, you know what they said, fake it till you make it. We started things wrong, but there's no rules saying we can't set things straight. I wronged you too, but you accepted me. I believe she will do the same even without the system's interference. Believe in yourself, young man."
I supported my chin and nodded. "I will. Thanks, old man."
"No. I thank you for everything you have done to my family. Our family. Now let me help you too as a family. For now, we cannot do anything to those demon bastards, but I promise I won't be slacking at finding the solution. Until then, you cannot be idle too. Do you have any plans?"
"Hmm, yeah. I want to help Claire fight her own trauma, but at the same time, I want to be a man worthy of her too. Your family is rich, old man. If you truly see me as a family, teach me about our family's business so I can have a high position worthy of having Claire as my wife. Also, train me to become stronger."