Changed Fated Death

Under the warm yellow glow of the lights.

Ansu told Vera all about what had just happened, recounting it vividly, like their foster father used to tell them stories when they were children.

As she listened to the thrilling account of Bishop Terry's capture, Vera's expression shifted from surprise to fear.

She hopped onto the sofa where Ansu was sitting and squeezed in beside her brother. "So your boss really is that powerful! Good thing you brought her along this time. Otherwise, that evil bishop would've killed you all to cover his tracks!"

"Yeah... she is pretty powerful," Ansu said, nodding. "But there's no need to worry too much. Bishop Paul and Freya are both very capable, too."

"How can I not worry?" Vera patted her chest, still shaken. "Ansu! Your missions are way too dangerous. You've only been in that official organization for a little while, and you're already risking your life like this. If I'd known, I would've stopped you that day no matter what!"

"There's no medicine for regret," Ansu said with a smile. "Besides, missions like this don't come along all the time. Things should be peaceful for a while after today."

After all their efforts, they had finally captured Bishop Terry, and the tragedy on the Academy's Open Day would no longer happen. At last, Ansu no longer had to live in fear of his Fated Death...

"Then..." Vera tugged at Ansu's arm and asked cautiously, "Could you take me with you next time?"

"Absolutely not!" Ansu's expression changed at once.

He instinctively thought of Vera dying on campus in the simulation, of his little sister's cold, lifeless body...

Vera had gone to the school to find him because she was worried about him, and had been caught in the crossfire between the two sides...

"Fine..." Vera pouted. She'd known her brother wouldn't agree.

She was just too weak. She'd only get in the way...

"If only I could get stronger, too..." Vera murmured. Then she could help her brother.

Seeing the disappointment in his sister's eyes, Ansu felt torn.

Of course he didn't want Vera getting caught up in danger like this again, but he also didn't want to be overprotective of her like he had been before.

Vera had a lot of talent. He should let her do what she wanted.

Besides, with him around, their family would inevitably get caught up in all kinds of conflicts in the future. Vera needed extraordinary powers. Getting stronger was the only sensible choice. Ansu had turned into a "might makes right" believer, just like Cecilia.

Perhaps... he could ask Freya to help find Vera a good teacher. Freya could even teach her herself.

But Ansu didn't intend to train Vera to become the demon hunter she was in the story. Vera should choose a different path to extraordinary power.

It couldn't be too grueling, and the work had to be respectable. Ideally, it would be a top-tier, must-have class in the game.

What were the top-tier classes in Eternal Night Sword again...? Ansu fell into deep thought.

He thought for a long time. By the time he wanted to say something to Vera, the sounds beside him had grown quieter and quieter.

He looked down and saw Vera lying against his chest, fast asleep.

The warm yellow light fell across Vera's cheeks, giving them a gentle glow. The little girl seemed to be having a restless dream. Her lips would purse tightly, then she'd murmur, calling for her brother.

Ansu didn't want to wake his sister, so he gently shifted her away, then carried her back to bed as quietly as he could.

Watching Vera curled up asleep in bed, Ansu smiled and quietly closed the door.

"Good night."

At ten the next morning, Ansu was woken by the system's notification chime.

[Because the host has dealt with the key figure behind the conspiracy, the Open Day tragedy from the original story did not occur.]

[Congratulations! You have finally broken free of your Fated Death. A brand-new life and future await you!]

[Generating system rewards...]

[Reward: 150 points]

[The simulation's time span has now been extended. A 100-hour option is available, costing 100 points (the new option's retention time is 48 hours).]

[Warehouse system unlocked]

[Alchemy system unlocked]

[Note: Making key choices in reality that change the world's course can also earn points. You are welcome to continue using the simulation feature for a chance to obtain even more generous rewards. Keep up the good work, host!]

Seeing the long list of system notifications, Ansu excitedly stretched and sat bolt upright in bed.

It worked!

Even after capturing Bishop Terry the day before, he hadn't dared to truly relax. Only after the system confirmed it did he finally feel that the matter was settled.

Now Ansu had time to pay attention to the rewards. First, he'd earned a full 150 points, and there was now a simulation option spanning 100 hours.

"A simulation four days and four hours into the future...? That's quite a long span."

Being able to learn what would happen over the next four days was more useful than any divination magic. The point cost was a little steep, though—100 points each time. He probably wouldn't use it unless he faced a major crisis.

The warehouse and alchemy systems were useful, too.

The first went without saying. It was like having a Doraemon pocket wherever he went, and he could keep his Future Diary in the warehouse so no one would find it...

The latter seemed to add progress bars when crafting magical equipment and items. Once his proficiency got high enough, Ansu could become an alchemy master in no time.

The rewards were certainly good, but Ansu also noticed that the system was deliberately guiding him to change things. Changing the world was a completely different challenge from changing his own fate...

Still in his pajamas, Ansu opened the door and saw that Vera was already awake, busy making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Morning, Ansu~"

Ansu walked over and smelled the rich aroma of milk and meat. Vera was frying steak in butter and herbs.

Now that the family's finances had improved, Vera often made dishes they used to only get to eat once in a long while.

"Hm?" Vera glanced at her brother. "You seem really happy today, Ansu!"

"I am!" Ansu was certainly happy. He secretly speared a piece of sliced steak, blew on it, and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed greedily as he spoke, his words muffled.

"Vera, you don't have anything else to do today, right? It's Open Day at the Royal Academy, so I'll show you around our school. Then we can go shopping for clothes~"

"Ansu! It's not ready yet. Aren't you afraid you'll burn yourself?" Vera glared at him, exasperated, as he ate like he hadn't seen food in days.

But seeing how much he was enjoying it, she couldn't help smiling.

"Open Day? Going shopping? Sure..."

Vera certainly wanted to go shopping with her brother, but then she remembered what had happened last time. "Your boss won't drag you away halfway through again, will she...?"

"Of course not. Don't worry!" Ansu boasted in front of his sister without a second thought. "Even if the sky falls today, I'm taking you shopping. Cecilia can't boss me around!"

Vera giggled and nodded.

Of course she could tell that her brother's mood had changed. He didn't seem as anxious as he had been over the past few days.

She didn't know what had happened, but she was happy for him.

How nice.