Chapter 16 ~a part of the past (5)~

Inside of Noah's dream, he was currently experiencing the most traumatic memories, once again.

Opening his eyes to the room, that had light shining in from the window, with the desk in front of it. Sitting behind that desk was a man.

This room was filled with books on all sides. It looked like a library, but it was not.

'Why, why am I-'

Unable to think straight, Noah suddenly stood up. His quick movements attracted the attention of the older man in front of him.

The man stood up, and went in front of Noah. He looked down on him, Tilted his head, and crouched down.

Noah was currently in his 7 year old body. The years of when, he had experienced torture, those were the memories he was seeing now.

Noah - "U-uncle...?"

The man made a small noise, replying to Noah, urging him to continue.

This man, was Noah's uncle, Ichijou Sho. The younger brother of Noah's father, whom he(N) hated, but also feared.

Not getting a reply from Noah-

No, Shoji, Sho - his uncle, starts speaking - "What is it Shoji? Is something wrong? Do you have a problem with the questions?"

Despite it being a saimpal question, asking Shoji, if he had any trouble with his studies, 'Noah' knew otherwise.

'I don't understand how I got here but, I can't answer it carelessly. If I answer with yes, which of course I wouldn't, then... he will-'

《You're better off not thinking of it, host.》

Shoji's eyes widened in shock, making Sho, even more curious.

'System?'

《Yes, it is I, your loyal system. Due to your constantly absorbed mana, from having to re-establish your contract with Sir.Cor, you had suffered quite a bit. However, we never saw a situation, where you will be experiencing a memory, from you second life.

Please forgive this overlook on my behalf.

I shall guide you through, to make sure you make it out of here. Remember host, none of this is real. It's just your memories re-playing, and you have complete control of the situation.

Now, please answer this scumbag's questions with easy, following what I say -

》

"Nothing, Uncle Sho, it is just that I am hungry. Please forgive me for my sudden movements, if I in case startled you."

Despite the systems quick answers and decisions, Shoji followed along, without even batting an eye, and said what the system had told him.

Shoji's uncle, Sho raised his eyebrow and questioned - "Well, have you finished your work?"

Sho was referring to the work he had given to the young Shoji, which always consisted of various subjects, ranging from elementary to university level.

If Shoji ever got even one question wrong, he was punished by his uncle.

It was no simple punishment, of course not. He was abused. He was continuously tortured using many methods, until he got the right answer.

Shoji had to suffer this abuse from 6 to 13.

13, the same age as when he started to become addicted to video games.

Shoji replied in return, "I have yet to, however, I shall finish it in 5 minutes. Please excuse me, Uncle Sho. I will get to it right away."

Shoji excusing himself, went right to finishing all that he was given.

'This much is easy, knowing all of this already, I'm worried. I just... need to find a way to return back.'

《Yes. Do not worry, Host, I've already started to prepare all that is needed. You will be out in a while. Lord Arteus is as well, going to help you.》

'Arteus...'

As soon as Shoji heard 'Aretus', he gained confidence.

It was not that he had no trust in the system, however, it was indeed very comforting to know that someone he loves would also be helping.

Soon, Shoji finished his work, as his uncle Sho had continued to watch. After Shoji finished, he was taken to the dining room by his uncle, where he started to eat, also, remembering his traumatic experience.

Shoji - The name combined from his uncle, and his father, Jiro.

Ichijou Jiro, a man who used his family's wealth, to make a company for the better of the people. He had businesses in many fields, and he was assisted by two people.

His brother, Ichijou Sho, and his wife , Ichijou Misa.

These two played a huge part in the success of his business.

Despite Ichijou Jiro's and Ichijou Misa's marriage being a business marriage, they did not hate each other, in any way or form.

Both were more interested in better profit, even though they made a whole company, just for the people who could not even afford basic necessities.

In Shoji's opinion, this was the best part of them. Despite being greedy for profit, neither of them ever put it as their first, and main priority, in comparison to the customer's benefits.

But, he would not say the same for his uncle. This man had used him to get to his parents, to take their wealth.

After a maid, assigned to Shoji, found out about the abuse from Sho, she immediately gathered evidence, sending Ichijou Sho to jail.

Shoji was extremely thankful for that maid. Though she had left, a few years after, due to personal business.

After his parents found out, they did not do much. They tried to comfort him, buying him everything and anything.

But, that was not what needed at the time. It wasn't materialistic comfort, it was psychological comfort.

The time Ichijou Shoji had gotten abused, to the time he finally escaped it, was too long. He could not get over it so easily, leaving him to be so addicted to video games.

He used them as a way to release all the stress that he had built up.

Which is why, video games were his everything.

Until now, that is. He has found once again, what is precious to him, and has even more to find, and remember.

Back to the present, Shoji had finished his food. All this time, he had distracted himself, one way or another, trying to eat, without suddenly getting a heart attack, out of fear.

His best method, was to let the system tell some stories.

It worked, but

'I shouldn't have asked.'

They were not the best stories, the only thing they did was infuriate him.

Soon after they were done, Shoji was sent back to his room, to sleep.

Shoji did not use the time to sleep, and instead assisted the system.

"So, what do you need me to do?"

《There is nothing much you can do host. In fact, you can just relax, and lay down, and soon you'll be back with your husband.》

Shoji's eyes narrowed in confusion - 'What happened to the system? How did it change so much, in what I think is the little time I was not well? Who is this, is this still the system I know?'

Shoji shook his head, "Just tell me seriously, do I have nothing to do at all?"

《Well, if you're so insistent on helping, please contact Lord Arteus. It would put him at ease, and also make sure he doesn't mess up.》

"I see."

Shoji asked no more questions. He did not ask how to contact Arteus either, after all he gained back a lot of his memories from his first life.

Now, to Arteus.

He was already informed of Noah's current state, and was ready at any time to quickly bring him back.

The other could not do much, as they were people of this world. They are powerful, but not as much as Arteus, nor Noah.

Or a god.

He was slowly shifting his own conscience, ready to enter into Noah's, and take him back.

It was a dangerous method, even for a god. However, nothing could interfere, so Arteus could not care.

All of a sudden, he had received a signal. One he was familiar with.

After connecting with it, he was able to hear Noah.

N - Reus?

A - Noah... are you fine? How do you feel? Is everything okay?

N - I'm fine. I'm fine. And, I can't exactly 'feel' with my conscience, but my body does feel heavy, and hot.

Everything is fine, as well. I'm just waiting to come back.

A- I see. I'll get some Ice packs to Coll down your body. Just wait a few more hours, and you'll be back, alright?

N - Alright.

...

A - Noah, do you remember? Remember Everything?

N - Yes, No. I do remember some things, but at most I can remember those who I have met so far.

A - I see.

I guess, you're next plan is to remember everything.

N - Yep. As always, you find out so quick.

A - of course, I've loved you for so many years, so why would I not be able to know this much.

N - hehehe, I love you too.

Arteus's face had an obvious smile. The rest in room with him - Flardryn, karm, Amarille, and Cor, we're weirded out, as always.

A smile was not rare on Arteus's face, but one with filled with so much love, was not so welcomed by everyone.

A - This time, don't go around sacrificing yourself, alright?

N - I didn't want to do that either! There was indeed a slight miscalculation on my part, but now I'm back, aren't I? And! I promised, and I kept it! What's more, you were tho one to do it first, so I just did it as revenge!

A - Noah.

N - sorry. I won't, I don't think I'd want to live another 19 years in another planet, who knows what I'll be.

A - Sigh~

Then, see you soon?

N - See you soon.

Their conscious separated, leaving them to do what they were doing.

Back to Noah,

《Now that Lord Arteus has calmed down, this process will be faster.

Lord Noah, you can rest now. In a few hours you'll be back in your body. And once again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience.》

"It's all good. I know you didn't expect it. I understand how miscalculations occur."

After Noah said this, he went to sleep, as the system watched over him.

There one thought that Noah suddenly realised as he went to sleep - 'It's funny how in both lives, it was my uncle who was my worst enemy.'

And so, a few hours after, Noah woke up once again. This time he didn't wake up to see a familiar ceiling, it was completely unfamiliar.

And it also included a "Dragon?"

"Oh, it's you Cor. It's been a while, I missed you."

(Me too, master Noah! It has been a very long time. I am very sorry, I was not able to protect you back then...)

"It wasn't your fault now."

Noah said as he supported himself up. His hands reached out towards Cor, as he pulled the black dragon into a hug.

"It was my fault. I was too impulsive. Forgive me, I left you all alone, for so long."

Suddenly, Noah was hugged from the back by Arteus.

"Noah."

Arteus called out to him, craving his attention. Noah giggled, moving his hand to touch Arteus's slightly outed face.

Arteus buried his face into Niah's neck, leaving the other four to show a disgusted face.

This was how true friends treated each other. With disgust, and hate from the very depths of their souls.

Karm, Flardryn, Amarille, and Cor as well went into a hug. All of them welcoming back Noah.

It was a joyous moment.

" wait how long has it been since I fell asleep, exactly?"

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A'ight, Guys, that's the best I can do.

So, 1. My wattpad was broken, so I could not chek your comments, nor write anything.

2. Writing is crazy tiring, I have to put in so much details.

Especially emotions! I am bad at expressing emotion in real life, so

Why the f__k would I be able to write it??

3. Thank you for reading-

(No pictures this time)