Chapter 64: A Legendary Awakener? Sorry, I’m Busy Tonight!

"What is it, old man? Did something happen?" He repeated his question.

"Have you heard about the recent Deviant incidents in New Arcadia City?"

"Deviants? I’ve heard a little about them, but why?"

Drake remained silent for a moment before answering.

"The number of Deviants appearing throughout the city has been increasing at an alarming rate. People have been disappearing, and the authorities are finding more bodies almost every day."

Nero frowned hearing this.

"Isn’t that something the Law Enforcers should be handling?"

"They’re trying. But the situation is getting worse, and some of the victims aren’t ordinary civilians."

"What do you mean?"

"Awakeners are dying too. Some were experienced enough to handle dangerous Gates, yet they were killed before they could even call for help."

Nero hadn’t expected the situation to be so serious. He knew Deviants were dangerous, but hearing that even experienced Awakeners were being killed made him reconsider how safe New Arcadia really was.

"Is the Federation doing anything about it?"

"Of course. But catching Deviants isn’t as easy as you might think, especially when they can hide among ordinary people."

Drake’s voice grew heavier.

"Listen carefully, Nero. You’ve only recently awakened, so don’t go getting yourself involved in anything dangerous. If you encounter something suspicious, leave it to the authorities."

"Don’t worry, old man. I’m not planning to become some kind of hero."

"Hahaha! Good! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear."

With that, he cut the call.

By dinner time, Nero had stopped thinking about Drake’s warning long enough to realize how hungry he was.

Lilly sat beside him at the dining table, while Lilia occupied her usual seat across from them.

For some reason, Lilly’s cheeks turned faintly pink whenever their eyes met. She also sat close enough that her knee occasionally brushed against his beneath the table, almost as though she were waiting for him to do something.

’What am I supposed to do?’

Nero couldn’t exactly ask her in front of Lilia. After what had happened between them, bringing up the subject during dinner sounded like a terrible idea.

Fortunately, Lilia interrupted his thoughts.

"The Windsors have invited us to a party tomorrow evening. Make sure you both keep your schedules free."

Nero was surprised.

’Another party? Didn’t Old Man Drake just invite me to one?’

Albert, who was standing nearby, joined the conversation.

"Drake Windsor recovering from demonic corruption of that level is quite remarkable. I must admit, I never expected to hear such news."

Nero nearly dropped his fork when he heard the name.

"Wait, did you say Drake Windsor?"

"Yes. Have you heard of him?"

"I’ve... heard the name."

’That old man is actually such a big shot that even Lilia knows hiim?’

Nero knew Drake was important, especially considering the people working for him, but he hadn’t expected Lilia to speak so highly of his strength.

And this was the same old man who spent his days reading novels and arguing about fictional characters!

"How strong is he, Mom?" Lilly asked.

"Strong enough to turn the tide of a battle against demons. Losing someone of his strength was a considerable blow."

"Then how did he get corrupted in the first place?" Lily was curious.

"The demons used a special form of demonic corruption against him. Even powerful Holy Talents couldn’t remove it, which is why his recovery has attracted so much attention."

"Are we going to the party?" Nero asked.

"Of course we are. You have a great deal to learn if you think these invitations are only about eating and celebrating."

"Attending these gatherings is important for maintaining relationships," Lilia explained. "People remember those who make time for them, and connections are much easier to build before you actually need someone’s help."

"So we’re going there to meet people?"

"Both to meet new people and strengthen existing relationships. You can’t spend every gathering hiding in a corner and expect anyone to remember you."

That sounded uncomfortably familiar.

Before obtaining the System, Nero had spent most parties waiting for them to end while praying nobody would approach him.

However, Nero still had something bothering him.

"By the way, am I coming with you guys too? The invitation was for the Morgan family, right?"

Both Lilia and Albert looked at him strangely.

Nero immediately regretted asking. Even after all these years, there were times when he still felt like a guest who had overstayed his welcome.

Lilia sighed.

"You’re coming with us, Nero. Why do you think I’ve been explaining all of this to you?"

"Right. I just wanted to make sure."

Lilly gave him a disapproving look.

"And who exactly am I supposed to go with if you don’t come?"

"Well, I thought you might go with your mother."

"Don’t start making excuses. You’re coming with us, and that’s final."

’Why does she sound like she’s threatening me?’

"I’ll try to talk to people this time."

"Good. Those connections could prove valuable to our company in the future."

Albert seemed slightly surprised by Lilia’s words, although he didn’t comment on them.

Nero decided to concentrate on his dinner before he said anything else that might get him into trouble.

Lilly’s knee was still resting against his beneath the table, but this time, he didn’t move away.

Meanwhile, Lilia remembered something she had been meaning to ask.

"There’s another matter, Nero. Where exactly did you learn that cooking method?"

’Oh, not this again.’

He had hoped the examination would put an end to these questions, but it seemed his mysterious cooking teacher wasn’t going to disappear anytime soon.

"Well, I met someone who gave me something to eat. Afterward, I could remember the cooking method even though I’d never learned it before."

"He transferred the knowledge through food," Lilly added. "That’s why I thought he had to be a legendary 5-Star Mana Chef."

Albert was visibly surprised, while Lilia paused with her wine glass halfway to her lips.

"A 5-Star Mana Chef taught you through food?"

"That’s what seems to have happened. I couldn’t see his face clearly, so I don’t know who he was."

Nero hoped she wouldn’t ask him to describe the mysterious chef.

’At this rate, I’ll have to invent an entire life story for someone who doesn’t even exist.’

Fortunately, Lilia seemed satisfied.

"That’s quite impressive, Nero. You should make proper use of the knowledge you’ve received."

When dinner ended, she addressed him once more before leaving.

"Keep working on your training. You’ve been given opportunities worth far more than most people receive, and I expect you to turn them into something useful."

"I will, Miss Lilia."

"Then show me. I want you to become someone who brings value to this household."

Nero could only stare as she left with Albert.

That sounded much more like the Lilia he knew. Even when encouraging someone, she somehow managed to make it sound like a business investment.

After dinner, Nero returned to his room and began watching several energy-control tutorials on his phone.

The Awakeners demonstrating their techniques released attacks so effortlessly that he couldn’t help wondering how long they had practiced before reaching that level.

He replayed one demonstration and tried following the movements without releasing any energy.

After all, destroying his bedroom furniture wasn’t exactly the best way to start bringing value to the household.

However, before he could continue, someone knocked on his door.

"Coming!"

Nero opened it and found Lilly standing outside.

Nero’s heartbeat immediately quickened seeing her.

’Don’t tell me...’

"Is your Destruction Talent acting up again?" he asked, trying to sound casual but the little guy down there was already getting excited.

If she wanted his help like last time, he certainly wasn’t going to refuse.

Lilly rolled her eyes beautifully as she spoke. "No, idiot. My Talent doesn’t go out of control every night, you know."

"O-Oh, right. Then did you need something?"

Lilly hesitated before glancing past him toward his bed. Her cheeks were already turning pink, and Nero was beginning to suspect that she hadn’t come here to discuss training.

"Well, there’s something I wanted to ask you, but don’t get the wrong idea, alright?"

"...Okay?"

She gathered her courage before finally asking.

"Can we sleep together tonight?"