Chapter 157 [Lucy] And... Zoe.

===Status===

Name: Axion Kromet

Age: 11

Strength: 120

Dexterity: 118

Stamina: 122

Magic Power: 159

Intelligence: 145

Luck: 81

Charm: 80

[Skill: Energy Circulation, Quickstep, Appraisal, Shadow Dive, Mana Vision, Shadow curtain, Energy burst, Stark Triangle, Mana Shield.]

[Origin Skill: Sun's Blessing: Upper-Intermediate Mastery

-Three Eyes (Stage-2)

-Dynamic Heart (Stage-1)

-White Crack (Stage-1)

-Lucy (Stage-0) ]

============

"What?!" I shouted and the sudden shout surprised both of the crying babies.

It surprised her more than Celes and tightened her grip around me, almost choking me to death.

"Khaum! Khaum! Oh, sorry there. Did I surprise you?" I asked while patting her small, orange head.

"Hmmm..." she answered in a timid voice, not letting me go.

This little one was more important than the sudden rank increase and new skill with an unknown rank.

Looking at her and feeling Celes understood me, I took out some spare clothes and covered her first.

"How about we go in, for now, little sister? Oh... I should give you a name, as grandma asked first. Wear this first." I nodded and helped her dress up.

Though she was warm, her being with clothes was more appropriate on this cool morning.

Not that I cared.

Just like grandma, I wasn't attracted to this little one.

Her height was the same as Alf's, so I can't call her short. In fact, she was perfect.

Carla was the unique one, being as tall as me.

She was my little sister from now and I will have to take care of her as best as I can.

Well, she was already a smart one, so I knew it will be ok.

I had some special artifact clothing that can change their form according to the one who wore it, so it was easy for her to finish it on her own.

I could feel her just like Celes. Maybe this was what grandma meant by being connected with a part of her soul.

So... maybe this new skill was from that mark on my forehead.

I didn't doubt someone like her, a high phoenix, can't increase my Origin skill level and add some special skill in that place.

If it was her, then it was definitely possible.

Dressing up in a blue shirt and black combat pants, she sat down before me and looked at me.

"Big brother..." she called me out for the first time in her cute voice and I could feel she knew about me.

She was just like her mother, but she was a different person that only knew me in this world.

She was a phoenix, so I will have to give her a good name.

And I was confident in my naming ability.

As a phoenix, she was the symbol of life, the afterlife, and rebirth.

A being so special, the whole nature would acknowledge her.

A special existence, queen of all birds, master of flames, and most of all, a new life that I will have to protect with all my being.

She is now part of my family and part of my life.

So a name for such special existence...

"Zoe. How about it?" I said and smiled at her.

And her eyes widened in happiness as she nodded her head with joy.

"Yes~. Zoe! I love this name, big brother~! Thank you~!" She shouted cheerfully, just like Celes and Celes chuckled in my head.

[[ Hehehe. Sister Zoe~. I love this name too~. Hello~ sister. My name is Celes. Let's play together in the future~. ]]

Maybe because she was connected with me, Celes can communicate with her just like me and all three of us can talk with her ability.

This was convenient if I have to say, just like her ability to clone herself.

We haven't had many chances to use that ability, but it was best for information gathering and group activities.

[[ "Hello, Celes~. You are big brother's familiar, right? You're so awesome~! Please, take care of me~. ]]

She smiled at her, and Celes danced in the air.

[[ Hehe. Sister is awesome too~. I will take care of you so, don't worry, Zoe~! ]]

I smiled at these two childish ones and then lest they both chat among them.

Opening my status window again, I looked at this new skill that had the ability to talk.

'Lucy...?'

It was a beautiful name, and as soon as I thought of it, a voice similar to my grandma echoed in my head again.

[[ *Lucy. That is indeed my name, master.* ]]

I didn't know how but this skill, the one that my grandma gave me, can talk to me like it was a real person.

And that didn't surprise me at all.

After seeing the death and birth of a divine beast some moments ago, I won't even be surprised in the presence of a god, so this was not shocking anymore.

But this sure was surprising.

A skill that can talk? And she even understood this situation and waited for her time.

A smart skill, almost like an AI.

So... was this a personal AI-like skill or something?

And her voice was very similar to grandma's. If she had similar warmth in this voice, it would be a perfect match.

But… was that possible for an AI?

[ "What are you, Lucy? And, is there a reason grandma gave you to me? What can you do besides talking to me? And, am I the only one who can hear you and not even Celes or Zoe?" ]

I asked many questions at once but if this was something like an AI, then I believe it should be ok.

And it was ok...

[[ *My creator created me with part of her soul. So, my master's sister is connected to you through me.

I'm a self-aware origin skill, and your skill, so only you can hear me.

Creator made me so that I can be with you all the time and in simpler terms, I am a skill with a will of my own.

I contain all the knowledge my creator bestowed on me, and many more.

I am a special skill granted to you by special permission of supreme mother nature but I have many restrictions that can only be lifted when special, unknown conditions are met.

At this moment, aside from talking like this, I can answer any one question you have per day.

Though the daily count does not stack, you get one extra chance every week that can be stacked and used later.

Though the question you can ask has a few limitations, if the question you have asked cannot be answered, your chance will be used, so choose your words carefully.

I am an always active skill so I can talk about things you already know freely.

There are some instinctive responses too but, you do not have to worry about that.

I belong to you, master, so I am at your command for whatever I can help you with.* ]]

That was quite detailed, and she was easy to understand, too.

Aside from the absurd fact that she was a skill with a will of her own, something I can compare with that old magnificent willow tree, everything was acceptable.

This questioning ability wasn't something all new as I had read about this specific kind of high-level skill, unique skill, and Origin skills.

But I knew this skill was something unreal from the fact that mother nature herself, the entity that is above everything, permitted me. And… I could never believe that one.

That crazy fact was something I did not need to think too hard about so, I sighed at my new secret and probably the strongest weapon in my arsenal.

[[ *Please take care of me, master.* ]]

[[ "You too, Lucy. Let's have fun in this weird life of mine." ]]

[[ *Of course, master. My creator made me help master~! I'm always happy to help however I can~!!* ]]

Now, this was a different one~.

The last cheerful thanks she said were almost like grandma.

It was strange, but I also felt this skill, Lucy's emotions.

Truly, my master was a fascinating being to have created someone like her.

Nodding, I looked back and walked toward Zoe and Celes, who were having a blast all by themselves.

"Hay~, why is my little Zoe so happy~? Enlighten this big brother too~." I smiled and walked to them.

We will have some breakfast and depart tomorrow after I finish everything here.

I also had many things to talk about with her, but for now... seeing her smile like that was making my heart melt.

She was a cute one, and anyone who sees that cute face would want to adore her, just like my angel Anna.

The ashes had become one with earth, the special warmth she gave off had vanished, but the green grass was the same as ever, dancing with the cool breeze, cheerfully smiling at the world.

This was going to be fun, and the sun was rising on the horizon as beautifully as it always does.