The next morning, Aiden woke before sunrise. For a few seconds, he lay still in bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling of his room. Then a slow smile spread across his face.
"It wasn't a dream..."
Bone was real. So was the fight against the rat. And the Main Quest the System had displayed the previous day was no hallucination.
Become Worthy of the Dead.Those four words continued to echo through his mind. He quickly got dressed before heading downstairs. The house was still quiet. Only his mother was already awake. She was baking fresh bread in the kitchen. When she saw her son, she smiled at him.
"You're up early today."
"I couldn't get back to sleep."
"Are you going to help your father again?"
"Later. First, I'd like to gather a few plants near the forest."
"Don't wander too far. The hunters say they've been seeing more animals these past few days."
"I'll be careful."
A few minutes later, Aiden left the house. Instead of taking the path into the forest, he simply walked around the garden. The old shed was still standing in the same place. He gently placed his hand on the doorknob.
"Bone?"
The door creaked open, and the skeleton turned around. He was standing in the middle of the shed.
"Good morning."
Bone tilted his head. The old sheet he had been using as camouflage slipped from his shoulders.
"You're moving better..."
The skeleton walked over. His steps were still somewhat stiff. But they were nothing like they had been the day before.
"Level 2 really did make a difference..."
Aiden immediately opened his status.
"Bone's Status."
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Bone
Race: Skeleton
Rank: Common
Level: 2
Experience: 0%
Health: 20 / 20
Mana: 0 / 0
Strength: 4
Agility: 3
Vitality: 4
Soul Stability: 100%
Growth Potential: Unknown
Evolution: Locked
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Aiden carefully reread every line. He had already seen this information the day before. But this time, a new section had appeared at the bottom of the window.
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Level Up Effects
Physical Structure Reinforced.
Movement Efficiency Improved.
Soul Connection Stabilized.
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"Soul Connection Stabilized... What does that mean? »
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Explanation
Servants increase all basic attributes when leveling up.
Body integrity improves.
Soul Link strengthens.
Future evolutions become possible.
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It was the first time the System had given him a real explanation. Even if it was still very brief.
"So every level strengthens our bond as well..."
He looked at Bone. He didn't feel anything spectacular. And yet... a strange sensation lingered deep within his mind. Like a quiet presence. If he focused all his attention on it, he could vaguely sense where Bone was. Even with his eyes closed.
"That's new..."
He took a few steps toward the exit. Without even looking behind him, he knew exactly where the skeleton was. A little over a meter away. Slightly to his right.
"Come."
The skeleton obeyed immediately, and the young man smiled.
"I feel like I can sense you..."
He didn't know how to explain it any better. It wasn't telepathy. He couldn't read Bone's thoughts. He could simply sense his presence. As though an invisible thread now connected them.
"Let's see if you really have improved."
He pointed toward the other end of the shed.
"Walk across the room."
Bone immediately began walking. One step. Two. Three. This time... he didn't stumble. He even walked around an old crate without bumping into it. When he reached the wall, he turned around.
"Not bad..."
The day before, he would have fallen at least twice. Today... not a single mistake.
"Come back."
Bone immediately turned around. His movements were still mechanical. But they were becoming more and more precise. Aiden decided to make the test slightly harder. He placed several tools in the middle of the shed. A shovel. A bucket. An old rope.
"Try to get through without touching anything."
The skeleton studied the obstacles. Then he moved forward. He hesitated in front of the shovel. Walked around it. Stepped over the rope. Barely avoided the bucket. Then stopped in front of Aiden. Without knocking over a single object.
"Impressive..."
Bone raised his head. The silvery glow in his eye sockets seemed slightly brighter.
"Are you proud?"
He straightened his shoulders ever so slightly. Almost imperceptibly. But enough for Aiden to notice. A smile immediately spread across his face.
"I think you are..."
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Servant Emotion Detected.
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"An emotion?"
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Pride.
Minor.
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Bone was feeling pride. Not an imitation. A genuine emotion. Aiden looked at the skeleton once more. Bone was still watching his master. As though waiting for his judgment. Aiden stepped closer. He gently placed a hand on the skeleton's shoulder.
"You've improved a lot."
Bone remained motionless. But the faint glow in his eye sockets grew just a little brighter.
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Master Acknowledgment Received.
Morale Increased.
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"Morale?"
Aiden burst out laughing.
"You even have morale now? Honestly..."
Every hour he spent with Bone revealed something new. At first, he had thought of him as nothing more than a summon. Then as a companion. Now... he was beginning to see him as a truly living being. Different. But alive nonetheless.
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Level 2 Bonus Applied.
New Skill Available.
Processing...
Analyzing Compatible Skill...
17%
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Aiden's heart began to race.
"A new skill?"
The skill's name had not yet appeared. Only a progress bar that was advancing.Aiden exchanged a glance with Bone.
"Looks like you're about to surprise me again..."