Curse the Mainframe! 220 A Source of Disturbance

The next day, when Alec wandered around the clan, the System was able to see all the little differences that hadn't been evident at first glance.

It was a short three years, but there were already changes in the previously stagnant Neil Clan.

Vincent's hard work was paying off.

Everywhere throughout the plaza Alec looked was filled, like usual, with the same distinct Neil characteristics of pale brown hair and crystalline blue eyes, but unlike before, there were now other colours mixed amongst the people that walked around.

Though the colours were only from the adults. Sometimes male, sometimes female. Alec immediately understood why he was looked upon with such hostility from the elders of the clan, when his hair didn't turn out the dominant Neil Clan colour that was their source of pride.

These were the people who'd married into the Neil Clan, who had, according to the clan rules, change their natural hair and eye colour to match the Neil Clan's dominant features.

Alec never understood why they had such a superficial rule, but according to his uncle, that was one of the ways that the elders used to keep a leash on the clan's youths, so that the descendants of the clan would feel tight bonds whenever they looked at another clan member before thinking about anything else.

Alec called out their bullshit.

Bonds to the clan weren't made based on physical appearance in the first place. It was something Vincent agreed with, which was why he had abolished the rule.

It was a miracle that the clan had still managed to produce so many strong people, even with the elders in power limiting their degree of freedom and thinking.

It didn't take any time at all for Alec to adjust because he was already used to the various hair colours sported by the outside world, but he supposed it wasn't so easy for those who weren't used to the change.

The Neil Clan's distinct characteristics of light brown hair and crystalline blue eyes really weren't common in Kaoriht continent, but those traits were easily hidden in a variety of ways should they need it to.

It was a pale shade of brown that sometimes looked almost white in the sunlight, and their eyes reflected like jewels, causing an unusual appearance.

Unlike them, Alec always caught attention within the clan compound because of his natural jet-black hair. It was something that had made him a little isolated previously but now didn't get a second glance.

It gave him a little of a surreal feeling, but he didn't even have time to get distracted by any feelings because Ye Sha was kicking up a fuss in his mindscape, so much so that Alec couldn't help but let out a little laugh with how childish he was being.

It was because of the little prank he'd played on him the other night.

Alec suddenly found Ye Sha quite fun to play with. How could ghosts exist in this world?

He didn't know if it was because the other had been trapped or went into hibernation for so long, but his reactions were distinctly less restrained and a lot more childish than before.

Rather than doing it purposely, Ye Sha was genuinely excited that he was able to live life through Alec vicariously.

The embarrassment Ye Sha felt when he realized he was being tricked also led to a round of pouting that Alec found hilarious.

Alec couldn't help but wonder, why had he originally felt that Ye Sha was annoying?

Thinking back about it, Ye Sha had been shoved onto him when they were severely shorthanded, and Alec had been considerably stressed at the time, as one of the earlier Systems that existed.

Things that he would originally not have given a fuck about or would have glossed over were like flour meeting fire, an explosion in the making.

That was to say, they had met at the worst time possible, and after that, Alec's impression of the other man hadn't increased any because of the worst first impression.

When he thought up to this point, Alec was a little embarrassed, and was thankful that Ye Sha indeed could not read his thoughts.

Alec headed away from the crowd of people going about their daily life in the clan's plaza, heading closer to the centre of the clan compound instead.

Unlike other places, the Neil Clan compound was centred around a massive lake, where the clan members were free to boat or to practice. Leisure and work were both a common occurrence on the lake.

Located in the middle of the lake, there were various poles for those who wished to train, and many who hovered around and watched those in the middle as entertainment.

But Alec wasn't here for the lake.

Instead, he was here for his Awakened, Javor. It was, in fact, his earliest bond, and Alec wondered just how much it had grown in the time that he was away.

Come to think of it, he had more trees that he'd formed a bond with compared to anything else.

Javor's bond was also a result of Bunbun having startled him so much that he subconsciously used his Magitype on the tree.

He'd left both of his familiars back at the sect, since Elysia didn't want to part her hands from them –

Alec felt a build-up of annoyance at himself, shoving the unnecessary thoughts down. How annoying.

Was just distance not enough to cut off his unnecessary emotions? What else should he do, then?

…Well, he could call them over through their bond. If they wanted to, they could teleport over.

Reaching Javor, Alec patted its trunk, and their bond sung with happiness, pulling a smile from Alec. The tree's branches shook a little, bringing the gentle sound of leaves rustling without any wind.

Then, Alec's eyes widened.

At the same time, Ye Sha made a noise of surprise.

Compared to before, Javor had not grown size wise, but the magical signature that Alec could feel from the bond was something else.

Alec checked over the tree without missing a single detail and felt appreciation. Like Vi, Javor had surpassed the plant species and had grown splendidly as a reborn creature.

Even when compared to Fenrir and Bunbun, Javor had more magic!

A vine peeled off from the place it had previously been wrapped around its trunk, wrapping around Alec's arm.

Alec got a feeling that the tree was asking where the bunny was.

A smile curved onto Alec's face.

He was always particularly indulgent with his Awakened, probably because he knew that they wouldn't betray him. They were like his children.

At times, what he felt for them was even more than the people who'd gathered under his banner.

Tugging on the familiar bond, both Bunbun and Fenrir appeared in front of him. Bunbun excitedly rubbed his head on Javor's roots, before making himself bigger, carrying Fenrir over to Javor like a mother cat carrying its kitten to introduce them to each other.

Alec huffed a laugh.

It was at this moment that there was a commotion nearby, alerting those who had been relaxing nearby on the lake.

The previously idle people immediately turned to look, heading back to the plaza where the commotion was coming from.

Alec as well was confused as to what was happening.

He gave an order to his familiars before he headed back the way he came from quickly, hearing cries of distress.

There was a rather sizable crowd now, but they backed away, giving whatever was causing a source of distress some space.

There was only a single person in the middle of the crowd, waving his hands. "Move, move! Don't crowd around!"

The crowd looked at the man with dissatisfaction.

"Hey, you should get her to the medical centre!"

"Miss, please let us help you!"

The lady that looked like she was on the verge of death rasped with a wet voice. "No, no. I must see the clan leader… clan… leader," she muttered, but it was clearly heard by Alec, who had only been taking a look.

Alec's eyes sharpened.

The man's hands hovered uselessly over her, unsure where he should touch. There was blood everywhere, and her outfit was dyed with red blood.

In the end, he helplessly shouted back at the crowd. "Leave! Give the lady space. Don't worry, we are going to the medical centre."

It was unknown whether or not the lady heard him or not because she did not refute his words.

The crowd obediently dispersed, looking back with glances of concern, except for Alec.

Anyhow, there was no need for all of them to bring her to the medical centre. While they were curious, they knew when something was up.

What Alec saw was a wounded young lady, staggering forward with some sort of aim in her as the man that had dispersed the crowd tried fruitlessly to convince her to go to the medical centre.

She was clutching her abdomen, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she staggered. Her face was ghastly pale, and the dark circles under her eyes were made even more prominent from the lack of blood in her face. She seemed like she was only moving on pure adrenaline and willpower alone.

She was undoubtedly a Neil, with her colouring, but her face was so pale that she drew the concern of those passing by.

Alec clicked his tongue, not appreciating the lackadaisical way the man was handling things.

His eyes narrowed as he wondered whether or not she was a spy under external influence.

Instead, he moved behind her and knocked her out after he took stock of her injuries, stunning the man into silence.

Chapter end

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