Chasing You (Arc 8+)

Arc 8: Everlasting Melody (I)

A/N: Wee~ The start of a new arc. A new start, a new trial for our beloved Ains to overcome. ʚ♡⃛ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)

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Ains woke up back in his and Bao Bao's space. This time, the feeling of loss wasn't so great and had actually been remedied by the time they had shared in the previous world. He greatly looked forward to meeting with his lover and son in the next world. His soul's condition had improved as the fatigue feeling that had been haunting his bones were alleviated. The room's previous circumstance had also meliorated. It looked much better as the cracks and dinginess had lightened up and was partially restored, as they were less prominent.

Bao Bao ran over and hugged Ains.

[Hehe! Welcome back and congratulations on completing your seventh world, host~!]

He squealed.

[We were finally able to stay to the end of the vessel's time this time around!]

Bao Bao took out his limitless stash of confetti and started throwing them into the air as he twirled around his host. (ﾉ'ヮ')ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

It littered onto Ains and around the room. Ains wore a smile on his still bandaged up face, "Mmm. Thank you, Bao Bao."

Bao Bao cheekily have the peace sign and grinned.

[All for Bao Bao's baby~!]

He then went on a half hour long parade and speech that consisted of how much he adored Ains and how he was so proud his baby. Only after he thought about Lin Jun Kai, did he snap out of his melodramatic excitement. He coughed, trying to straighten his expression and be serious even to bring out a pair of glasses.

[Host has completed an A class difficulty world and has been rewarded with 25,000 points.

Completing five side missions has allotted 97,000 points and finishing five hidden missions for 161,000 points, driving the total amount of points gained to 283,000 points. Together with host's previous amount of points, the new balance available is 1,383,000 points.

Would host like to open up the system store?]

Ains shook his head. He still had a long way to go before he would be able to obtain what he wanted from the store. "No, it's alright. What are the available skills?"

Bao Bao's smile faltered in an instant and his glass even slanted, as he remembered that certain 'skill' that was on the list of skills. The palm of his hands start to sweat and he averted his eyes. He had talked with Yan Yu about the skill and it turns out that... He was the one who had suggested it back then.

Ains furrowed his brows seeing Bao Bao's reaction, "Bao Bao?"

Bao Bao wanted to cry but had no tears to shed. He wanted to strangle his old self for being a naive idiot. He stuttered.

[Would... Would host like for Bao Bao to read it?]

There was a small glimmer of hope that they would say 'yes' and then he could 'smoothly' avoid them ever knowing about that skill.

Ains, "No, I can read it. You've done more than enough for me, Bao Bao."

Bao Bao's puny flicker of flame was extinguished faster than it had been lit. He sighed and resigned to his fate, as he pressed the button to allow the pop up screen to appear. He had really dropped the stone on his own feet this time around.

[Because host was unable to fulfill all of the hidden missions in the seventh world, host is only able to choose one skill.]

His voice sounded dreary and bleak, a complete 180° to his prior demeanor.

The transparent digital screen appeared before Ains:

{Skills:

Acting

Singing

Dancing

War Tactics

Art of Seduction}

(A/N: I made a mistake in the previous arc... and will change it when I do revisions. Maybe Ains wanted to learn the other art of mastering that 'sword'. Jk. Ignore me and my dirty jokes~)

Ains blinked as he read the last option. He looked up at Bao Bao who looked away from his gaze guiltily. He returned to looking at the screen and chose the fourth option. It was always better to have more options on how to take down your opponent, and as for the fifth skill... Perhaps in the future he may satiate his curiosity if what lies in that option and choose it.

Seeing that Ains didn't choose 'Art of Seduction', Bao Bao heaved out the lung full of air that he had been holding in.

As Ains was starting to be transported to the training grounds, Bao Bao had swiftly entered the store and bought miscellaneous goods. It was a medium sized flag with the words 'Good Luck~', and a chibi version of himself on there with his hands raised and a serious expression. He waved it proudly as he stood and watch the light envelop Ains.

[Bao Bao will await for your return, host~!]

———

Opening his eyes, Ains was inside of a small hut on top of a steep hill. Inside of the room he was in, there was a multitude of strategy board games and maps. Outside, at the bottom of the hill was a holographic field.

The mechanical voice came on as usual, "Welcome. Here you will be mastering the art of war. Only upon satisfactory results will you be allowed to leave this enclosed space."

"Let the training commence."

Each table lit up and the appropriate pieces appeared on each tabletop. Holographic figures were manifested and stood on one side of the table. Ains pressed his lips into a thin line and approached his first table.

———

Ains spent forty six years inside of the training ground. Not only did he have to learn each board game and their rules, he also had to put his knowledge to use in mock wars with different scenarios on the holographic field.

Getting back, he was met with a crestfallen Bao Bao. They were distracted and looking down at the floor, and only after he shifted did his system noticed his return. They put on a smile but it was not their usual cheery and bright one that they had always showcased.

[Oh... Welcome back, host~!]

Ains pursed his lips, "Are you okay?"

Bao Bao bobbed his head.

[Mhm! It's just that Bao Bao has gotten into a fight with jiejie.]

Ains, "About your lover?"

Bao Bao's eyes widened. His host seemed to have clairvoyant abilities.

[Ho-How did you know?]

Ains gave a straightforward answer, "Intuition."

Bao Bao giggled at their answer.

[Mmn. Shall we depart for the next world, host?]

He didn't want to talk about something that would sour his host's mood. There was nothing that could be done. Even though they fought, Bao Bao knew that they just needed some time to themselves as the fact that he and Yan Yu has reconciled and are back together was too much of a shock for them.

Ains nodded, "En. They're waiting for us."

Bao Bao's mood rose as he thought about seeing Yan Yu again and he have a small smile.

[Initializing transfer... 45 seconds until transfer... 30 seconds... 20... 10... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.]