Chapter 17: Looking the part
Jaden glanced at Selina with a confused look and asked.
"How did what happen?"
"Your face... why is it so swollen?"
Yes, his face was so swollen that it looked like he had been beaten black and blue by a group. He, however, still had a wide grin on his face.
He pointed at his own face and questioned playfully.
"This?"
His grin, however, made him look grotesque due to how swollen his face was. Selina gave him a forced smile and questioned in a worried tone as she stood up to check on him.
"What happened to your face?"
His grin didn’t falter for even a blink as he spoke in a prideful tone while striking his own chest in triumph.
"I did it myself, of course. I should look the part for the best of the results, no?"
Selina’s eyes widened, she turned to look at Shelly, and she also had a surprised look on her face. Selina turned back towards him and questioned in a bewildered tone.
"Y-You did this for the talk with the mayor?"
He scratched the back of his head and responded lightheartedly.
"No noble would like their son getting beaten black and blue, right?" his grin widened as he turned and added.
"If you may, I have to meet that father of mine."
Selina blinked a few times as she looked at the departing figure of Jaden. Shelly also looked at him with slight amusement as he took the turn leading towards the mayor’s office.
Jaden walked through the mansion’s hallway with measured steps. His fists were clenched as his heart pounded against his chest. Even though he had talked with this illusion of a father before and held great respect for him, that’s simply what the city wanted.
Now, however, things were a bit different. Jaden was no longer under the hex... not completely, at least; he still had the memories of Jaden Cross, the mayor’s son. He also had his emotions, his mannerisms, his knowledge, his everything, and then he had his own emotions, mannerisms and knowledge.
He was still learning, still finding more about the world he had come to become a part of after his fateful end or the fateful beginning in his case, but he was doing whatever he could to find ways to leave the city. To find answers about his mysterious transmigration.
His system would allow him to grow with a never before seen growth, but if he used the system’s growth without the needed information and knowledge... it would be like giving a gun to a two year old kid.
He doesn’t want to die at the hands of a star beast or a nightmare because of his greed for growth. He didn’t like dying after all. He still remembered that dark void, that mystical white flame and at last those enormous creepy eyes all looking at him like he was a monkey placed in a zoo.
Everything has its own time, and he needs as much information, strength and combat experience as he can get from within the walls before moving towards the forest, which was teeming with unknown dangers and horrors.
His eyes clouded with anxiety as he stood before the wooden door leading to the mayor’s office. He was just a few steps away from the talk he had determined himself for, though now that he stood there, anxiety slowly made its way into his heart.
What if asking for spells and arts made the mayor attack him? He didn’t know if Jaden Cross, the mayor’s son, would do something like that or not after all. He had assimilated everything within himself, so his thoughts, demeanour and everything were also the same as before and different from before at the same time.
He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a determined sigh. A few moments later, he finally lifted his hand and knocked at the door before him.
Right after he knocked, a heavy voice came from the other side, allowing him entry.
"Come in."
Jaden slowly pushed the door, and it parted open. As soon as it parted open, the mayor’s office came into view. At the centre was a table lay documents and scrolls for the mayor to look through. An ink pot with a quill stood beside a small table lamp, which was dark for now, as the room was being illuminated by the wide window right behind the stoic mayor, who sat in his chair while looking at Jaden with a raised eyebrow.
Jaden stepped further inside as he looked around at the wooden shelves placed near the walls, all of which were full of paper and books.
Soon, he stood before the table as he tried to give his signature, graceful smile. Theron Cross looked at his son with a frown as he called out.
"Jaden."
Jaden gave him a slight bow and replied in his usual cheerful and graceful tone.
"Father..."
Theron nodded and questioned with his usual indifferent look.
"What happened to your face?"
Jaden’s lips suddenly fell into a frown as a hesitant look appeared on his face. He lowered his head and didn’t answer.
Theron furrowed his brows and asked again, his voice a bit louder than before.
"What happened to your face, Jaden?"
Jaden looked up with a worried and scared expression while trying his best to stop himself from smiling.
"I am ashamed for disgracing the name of the Cross," he said, and once again lowered his head.
Theron’s brows furrowed further as a frown took place on his lips. He looked at Jaden for a few moments before asking in a heavy tone.
"What do you mean, Jaden?"
Jaden’s lips parted in a wide smile upon hearing that. He quickly hid it and looked up at the illusion in front of him, and added in a remorseful tone.
"I-I don’t know how to say this... it will sound like an excuse after all."
He heaved a sigh and spat with a furious look.
"I was attacked..."