Chapter 252 - 251: I Can Only Resort to a Trick

Chapter 252: Chapter 251: I Can Only Resort to a Trick

’So... to be with Weiya, I have to become a High-ranking Powerhouse her family will recognize and value?’

’And to be with Elolo, I have to become a Tier Nine Saint that the world will recognize and accept?’

’Meanwhile, my Big Brother and my butler are constantly pestering me to get married?’

’Maybe I should just go back and spend the rest of my life with my sister...’

Lloyd’s mind was a chaotic mess of thoughts. Weiya, keenly sensing his complex expression, quickly grabbed his arm and shook it forcefully.

"Lloyd? Are you angry? I wasn’t trying to show off by telling you all that. I just... Anyway, I’m sorry."

’Huh? Why is she suddenly apologizing?’

’Does she think she was flexing on me or something?’

Lloyd chuckled, waved his hand dismissively, and explained,

"No, no, I’m not angry. I just got distracted thinking about something else."

"Phew... That’s good. I was worried you were overthinking things."

Only then did Weiya offer a relieved smile. She patted the palm of Lloyd’s hand and offered some gentle encouragement.

"It’s okay, Lloyd. My dad’s views are still very conservative right now, but I believe we’ll be able to convince him sooner or later. Until then, I’ll always be by your side. It’s just... I might not be able to satisfy you in every way, like a normal girlfriend would..."

As she spoke, a faint blush crept onto her pretty face. The word "satisfy" seemed to have brought something specific to mind...

Unfortunately, Lloyd wasn’t paying attention to such deeper implications. His focus was on the bigger picture, pondering how to handle his third Transcendence.

He didn’t have Weiya’s privileged circumstances, nor did he have the luxury of time to complete this Transcendence in a slow and steady manner.

Take Weiya’s recent Transcendence, for example. It took a whole week: two days for preparation, two for the ritual, and three for recovery and review. Someone from an ordinary family like him couldn’t possibly imitate that.

Besides, he also had to consider the Twist side of things. The Orbit for that conversion effect didn’t last nearly as long as the one for the Veto-series. He had to be quick.

After thinking it over, Lloyd felt his only option was the shortcut the Chief Judge had mentioned: find an easy-to-deal-with Bizarre Derivative—commonly known as a baleful spirit, vengeful soul, or something of that sort—to complete his Transcendence.

But things like that weren’t something you could just stumble upon. Radiant City was, on the whole, very safe and wouldn’t permit such filth to run rampant.

Maybe he’d have to search the surrounding villages and towns, but finding information would be a hassle...

’In short, this third Transcendence is going to be a real pain...’

As Lloyd was pondering this, he heard Weiya ask,

"By the way, I heard from the others that you were away on business for three days. Did everything go well?"

"Yeah, it went smoothly." ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Lloyd then began to tell Weiya about his experience with the "Story."

But he had barely finished introducing the characters involved when Weiya couldn’t help but interrupt.

"Huh? It involved Sir Olga from the City of Illusion?"

"Hmm? You know him too?"

"Not really. I’ve just heard my dad mention him occasionally. I think he’s also from an ancient, prominent family, right?"

Lloyd had heard people mention these so-called "families" in idle chatter or cheap novels. They were also known as the "Descendants" or "Fallen Nobility" and the like.

Back in the glorious age when humanity flourished, the "prominent clans" and "great houses" you read about in web novels truly existed. They were quite common, and plots involving things like the "Third Stage of Fighting Power" probably even happened.

Later, with the apocalypse came an era where all were equal, and the prominence of these families was gradually washed away by the tides of time.

But they didn’t disappear completely; they stubbornly held on.

After all, even when the world ended, their accumulated resources and various advantages certainly made it easier for them to survive than ordinary people...

They just couldn’t reclaim their former glory and had to adapt to the new era, making certain changes and adjustments.

For instance, they had to give up their old privileges and status and abide by the current laws and Order.

They also concealed their once-illustrious surnames, imitating the majority by using only a first name to demonstrate that everyone was equal.

Of course, in private, they surely still gathered together, bound by bloodlines and their old surnames, forming the families of today.

For example, Lloyd had heard Weiya mention that she actually had a surname, "Land," but she didn’t usually disclose it. In the entire Eighteenth District, she had only secretly told Lloyd.

Some of their old customs also continued within their own little circles, like "Noble Titles," or the whole "what a tangled web they weave" sort of drama.

Take the esteemed Sir Olga, for example. He already had a grandson, yet his female cousin had only been married for a few years. The generational lines were so blurred that Lloyd couldn’t even begin to sort them out...

In short, the nature of these families today was more akin to private organizations. Although their former privileges were gone, they retained their connections and accumulated resources. With their large numbers, they still wielded considerable influence.

They probably maintained contact within their small circle, so it wasn’t surprising that Weiya had heard of Sir Olga.

’Sigh... Weiya is the daughter of a prestigious family, and Elolo is a newly-ascended Saint. Why is my life so hard?’

Lloyd grumbled inwardly but continued telling Weiya about his trip.

After he gave her a brief summary, you could almost see stars twinkling in Weiya’s eyes as she gazed at him.

In truth, Lloyd’s account was very understated, leaving out many details, but it still made Weiya look like a star-struck fangirl.

She probably felt that her reserved boyfriend was just too outstanding.

’If I had told her about the "20 seconds" and "3 seconds" parts, would Weiya start considering something like eloping?’

A cute, sly smile appeared on her lips as she whispered,

"I didn’t realize you’d become so strong, Lloyd! You can even stand against the ’Story’ of a Tier Seven powerhouse. Aww... I was hoping to take the chance to bully you a little before you advanced, but now I’ve lost my chance."

"Oh? And how did you plan on bullying me?"

Weiya gave him a flirtatious glance and said mysteriously,

"You’ll find out after work today."

"Huh?"

And just like that, Lloyd found himself looking forward to the end of the workday.

Of course, he still had to do his job properly. Lloyd didn’t become restless or agitated with anticipation; on the contrary, it filled him with motivation.

After all, the persona he’d created for himself was that of a mature, steady, and reserved young man. How could he lose his composure over such a small thing?