Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 40: Return

5:12 AM – Vaelmont Inn, Second Floor

Vergil’s eyes fluttered open as he stirred beneath the blankets, the brushing of the wind was the first sound to greet him.

His body ached slightly from the previous day. Yet his eyes felt so alive as they fully opened.

[Get up Vergil, vengeance is for the hardworking. Not lazy shits like you.]

Vergil sat up straight before grunting. ’I know, I know.’

[It doesn’t seem like it.] The system commented.

’Shut up, I got this.’ His eyes gleamed with confidence as he got off the bed, rolling his neck before looking at the opposite side of the bed.

Eleanor was still nestled beneath the blankets, her face half-buried as she breathed slowly.

Vergil exhaled, moving to the other side, crouching before nudging her shoulder. "Eleanor."

She groaned once, moving his hand away.

"Wake up, we’ve got work to do." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Ugh, already?"

Vergil gave her a moment before speaking. "We’re eating quickly and then heading out."

Eleanor slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I’ll say this once more — isn’t this too reckless?"

Vergil waved his right ring finger horizontally. "Not reckless. Calculated."

"Oh, and who calculated it?" She spoke with a sleepy scowl as her blue eyes lingered on him.

He folded his arms as he stood up. "Me of course — the one who will conquer the world."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes as she feigned offence "Whatever you say."

"But we will win."

You’re ridiculous sometimes," She scoffed.

"Ridiculous and right," he replied as he grabbed his coat before draping it over his frame. "You’re in the second circle, you’re stronger."

Eleanor stood up, a proud smirk painted her face. "Fine, but if we die I’m haunting you."

"I’d expect nothing less from you."

[Should I note that you’ll be haunted in the afterlife?]

"Let me rest in peace man." Vergil made his way towards the window gazing at the scenery in the distance, eyes sharpening as beams of light split into the room along with the pale blue of dawn.

He looked back at Eleanor, his gaze sharpening slightly. ’Let’s see how far she’s come —analysis.’

[A summary is being shown]

Eleanor Valtier

Level: 20

Stats:

Strength: 8

Constitution: 12

Dexterity: 15

Intuition: 20

Magic Power: 50

Mana Capacity: 50

Skills:

Aria’s Blessing (Passive - Unique)

Resonant Magic (Active - E+):

Harmonic Distortion (Active - E):

Echoed Words (Passive - F+):

CrystallisedCore (Passive - E+):

Mana Manipulation (Active - E+):

Mana Sensitivity (Passive - E+):

Aria’s Vital Cadence (Passive - E):

Volt Lance (E-) – 70%:

Minor Restoration (F+) – 80%:

Entangling Snare (E-) – 100%:

Vergil frowned. ’Her magic is solid, her physical stats are passable at best. She’s done some exercise herself, but needs to be fixed.’

Vergil’s gaze flickered to her Magic stats. ’Seems it caps at 50 before being surpassed, good to know.’

Eleanor was finally ready to head downstairs as Vergil fastened his shield to his back and his sheathed sword to his side.

"Let’s stop by Elvira before we go."

5:40AM- Elvira’s cottage.

After eating a light breakfast at the inn, they walked down the cobbled pathway heading to the doorway of Elvira’s cottage.

Vergil stepped up, knocking on the door three times. A minute passed before the door opened with a creak.

"Good morning lad," she spoke with a faint dry smile. "Quite early for you to come train isn’t it?"

"Not training today," Vergil replied. "We thought we’d see you before our subjugation."

Elvira blinked, her eyebrows slowly rising. ’A subjugation at this hour? Must be important. But he won’t say. Hmph, always with that half-closed mouth of his.’

She glanced at Eleanor, who bowed politely. "Good morning Elvira."

"Morning dear, I see you’re still following this stubborn boy around."

"I try my best too," she said with a light smile.

’At least she’s stable. Her training wasn’t wasted.’ Elvira smiled inside before stepping to the side. "Come on both of you, I don’t know where you’re heading, and I’m sure you’re not going to tell me, but I’ll make sure you leave ready."

Vergil tilted his head before smiling. "Thanks." Vergil knew she was worried about them, but she didn’t say it.

The door closed behind them as they entered, Vergil stepping in first with Eleanor following behind him.

"You always forget how warm it is here," Eleanor muttered as she brushed her hand on a polished wooden chair.

"Insulation is expensive these days," Elvira replied dryly as she walked towards the shelves. "I use twenty years of hoarded tea leaves and the spirit of my back to warm the place."

Vergil chuckled. "When I come back, I’ll bring some firewood."

"Whatever," she spoke without looking at him yet there was no bite in her tone.

’He’s grown again,’ she thought. Side-eyeing him briefly. ’Sharper, stronger.’

She set down two warm flasks on the table, filled with a mix of various herbs. "Drink — before you fight whatever you’re not telling me about."

Vergil sat quietly but comfortably. Eleanor sat in the seat beside him before her eyes flickered to Vergil. ’She really is nice to Vergil, though she is harsh — it’s just a front.’ Eleanor speculated.

Vergil looked around before finally pointing at the softly glowing crystal above the hearth. "Is that new?"

"You noticed, I enchanted it myself. I’m not completely useless despite my old age." She tapped her left wrists, curly yet stiff.

Vergil straightened his back. "Well, I don’t believe that. A person decides what they’re worth. And you taught us more than anyone could." Their eyes met and the silence lingered briefly.

Quiet yet meaningful.

’Damn boy, don’t say things like that, you’ll make me cry before breakfast.’

"I know," she said softly before shifting her gaze to Eleanor. "And how’s that mana circle of yours? Still buzzing like an excited squirrel?"

Eleanor let out a low chuckle. "More like a nervous cat, but it’s become more stable."

"Good. Next step is to make sure it’s fully stabilised before increasing and stop trying to hit Vergil."

"That was one time... and Vergil deserved it."

Vergil looked at them with a bland face. ’I did nothing wrong, don’t accuse the innocent.’

[I won’t lie, what happened yesterday was your fault.]

’Why are you taking their side!? Aren’t we friends at least?’ Vergil scolded.

[A man must take the blame for a woman’s wrongs.]

’Didn’t know you were a lady’s man.’

[What can I say, I’m better than you at getting girls]

’Calm yourself down, you’re overestimating yourself.’

"Fine, I’m sorry for whatever I did.’ Vergil clicked his tongue as he rolled his eyes.

Elvira only sighed. "At this point, you look more like a couple than a team."

Vergil’s face twitched. She was teasing him again, but she was in a good mood.

Elvira cradled her herbal cup. "You know," she said after a pause. "Back in my day, if a young man came running, I would assume he was proposing — but no, just monsters."

Vergil chuckled almost spitting out the tea back into the cup. "Monsters are less complicated."

Her gaze softened as their eyes lingered on each other. A sign of unspoken trust, gratitude. A bond not forged by blood but time.

Eleanor watched the exchange with a faint smile as she drank tea. ’She’s like a grandmother to him, no wonder he always listens to her.’

Elvira rose from her chair slowly, moving towards the cabinet before taking out a small black box wrapped in velvet strings, and coming back and placing it into Vergil’s hands.

"What’s this?" He blinked.

"A gift," she said simply. "Don’t open it, unless you’re dying."

Vergil’s eyes flickered to the box before looking back at her. He was too flabbergasted to express his emotions.

"Thank you." These were Vergil’s only words.

She patted his shoulder, firm but affectionate. "You’re too damn stubborn to die anyway." She wanted them to come back safe. ’I already lost them, I won’t lose you too.’

The user’s relationship with Elvira has deepened. Your relationship has increased from 6 stars to 7 stars.]

---------

Vergil and Eleanor walked out of the cottage, the cold breeze ran through the village with an uneasy warmth as the sun had reached its peak after talking for so long.

They walked along the cobbled pathway before Eleanor spoke, her voice controlled. "Shouldn’t we get potions?"

Vergil’s eyes flickered briefly. "Let’s head to Osric."

As they opened the door to the potion shop, the bell jingled as Vergil entered before a cloud of purple smoke curled before vanishing through the rafters.

Osric stepped out from the back passing through the curtains with his goggles on his forehead. "By the stars," he muttered before looking at his customers. "Oh, it’s you."

"Need a D-rank paralysis potion." Vergil stepped towards the counter while Eleanor remained at the door analysing the potions.

"First, you’re in quite a hurry it seems." He blinked. "Second, you don’t have the money."

Vergil grinned. "Can you put it on credit, I’ll pay when I get silver."

Osric scratched his beard before sighing. "Because it’s you, I’ll do it — but you better pay me back."

[You’re getting better at smooth-talking.]

Osric placed in Vergil’s hand the paralysis potion. "Strong these are, can lock down a tier 2 beast with enough time. I assume you’re heading to a subjugation?"

"Yes."

The confirmation hung in the air briefly.

"Don’t die on me, otherwise I’ll come to collect your debt in the afterlife."

Vergil smirked, placing whatever coins he had on the counter. Before heading out with Eleanor. Back there.

Back to the forest.