Chapter 3: Bug Enchanter
After the successful ritual, all the officials and people in the National Statuary Hall started leaving.
This week's agenda had been fulfilled as two representatives had been sent out.
As Lucas was about to leave, he saw the people in black robes start leaving as well. They were the mages from all around the world, gathered to fuel up the ritual with their immense mana. They were now mana depleted, and so was the reverse-summoning pattern used.
Seeing someone familiar, Lucas waved his hand while calling for the person's name.
"Mom!", he yelled
Tilting her gaze, her Mom walked in Lucas' direction. She was sluggish and staggered, signs of mana exhaustion.
"Lucas! How are you?", said his Mom, squeezing every ounce of strength she could
Lucas realizing the situation, replied tight, "I'm fine Mom, let me escort you to your room"
Lucas then held his Mom's hand, supporting her along the way.
Looking at his Mom's drained expression, Lucas got more motivated to strive harder in another World and bring a hero of mighty power.
Since they were children, their parents had always reminded them to cherish each other. Good parenting if one must say. Hence, they grew up with care, love, and good intention towards others. And as if heaven paid their kindness off, no wall was destroyed in their house during the first Apocalypse. No pillar was lost.
Their family was one of the blessed families who were able to keep all their members despite the turmoil.
He still had his mage mother, his barbarian father who was now on a venture, and his sister who was immature despite her 26 years of living.
Being a mage to fuel up the ritual, it was voluntary and not mandatory, yet his Mother volunteered with her chest out.
"I will surely do my best, Mom", he let out, being motivated by her Mom's dedication
His mother, hearing something, looked at him in confusion, "w--- what did you just say Lucas?", she uttered with her brows knitted
Lucas, shifting his hold to his Mom's shoulder, facing her upfront, spoke, "I said that I will do my best to recruit a great hero and would surely make you all proud, Mom", he said with chest out, uttering each word in a high tone and clarity.
*Smile*, her mother grinning from ear to ear, tousled his hair, "sure! Just remember to enjoy your stay in another world too, okay? And do whatever you want, just don't pressure yourself with this mission, you get me?", she advice
"Yessss Mom, you said that hundred times now", Lucas chuckled
"And---"
"And?", he asked in confusion
However, her Mom first revealed a smirk before answering...
"and... don't you dare make a harem there okay?!", her Mom uttered then laughed to the top of her lungs, "hahahahaah"
"What, Mom?!, I won't! I'm not that kind of guy you know!", retaliated Lucas as he felt embarrassed by her Mom's words, "let's go now Mom", he added, with downcast eyes, avoiding the gaze with sympathy, released by onlookers
Yet, all his Mother did was laugh to her heart's content, not minding the shame his son felt.
'Ahhh, M--mom!', sighed Lucas
------
Going back to the hotel, as the Mother-son enjoyed their friendly discussion, a girl in her 20's greeted them rather welcoming.
She rushed towards them with her arms stretched out in a straight and horizontal manner, giggling each time she took a step
"wahhh! Brother!", the girl screamed then jumped to Lucas, locking him up in her slender arms using her trivial strength. Her feet locked Lucas too as she leaped and embraced him.
"Ackkkk!", Lucas let out as he felt the weight from his sister's torso, despite her small build
"Luna, how many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that to your brother? You are 26 now, you should act according to your age", Lucas' mother said, making Lucas feel his inwards, delight.
'Yes, Mom! Scold her more!', his subconscious blabbered
"But Mom, we have only 1 month before Lucas leave, don't you think we should spend that time etching more fun memories into his tiny brain?", his sister said in sarcasm
"Oyy! How can you be sure that I have a small brain? Have you seen it?", Lucas retaliated.
"Do I have to see it to prove that you have a small brain?", his sister replied rather calmly
Not letting himself be lost in this nonsensical argument, Lucas uttered, " I have a big brain too, you know! It's 10 fold wider than yours!"
However, his sister's expression turned vague, uttering a candid reply
"I'm not referring to your actual brain, I'm referring to your NAIVENESS!", she said, increasing her tone as she spoke.
Then at this moment...
*sob*
*sob*
His sister started crying.
However, Lucas wasn't a bit bothered by her tears, truth be told, he was disturbed by candid words said by his sister, telling his naiveness.
Lowering his head, he clenched his fist.
*sob*, his sister started crying again
Lucas knew that Luna cared for him that's why she said those words. He also knew that her tears were caused by her immense worries. But what could he do? Nothing...
"M--- mom, I'll go instead, just let Lucas stay here. He is too naive for this", his sister said while sobbing
These words only made Lucas feel worse. He knew he was too naive... Naive thinking that no fight would arise in another world since they will go there just to recruit a hero. No fight will ensue. He knew he was too naive to have such a mindset. But, he knew he had to go, or else ---
"Stop, you two---", their mother said, about to stop them, when Lucas suddenly diverted
"T--- then what do you want? Y--- you want to go there yourself? And fight using your minuscule strength? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?!", Lucas yelled while keeping his head downcast
Lucas himself was chosen to be the representative of the Philippines, and next in line, his sister, a Planet-Grade Enchanter would go instead in case something happened to him.
But there was one problem ---
"I KNOW I HAVE A MINUSCULE STRENGTH AS YOU SAID, BUT AREN'T YOU THE SAME? HUH? BUG ENCHANTER!!!--- ", his sister said being unable to hold her emotion back, telling something she shouldn't, then at this moment -
*slap*
Their mother slapped Luna.
The slap was hard and echoed throughout the area. The slap carried the power of a Planet-Grade Enchanter, who honed her skills for years.
However, as most youth would argue with such a slap, Luna wasn't the same. She was actually thankful that her Mom did slap her, making her halt on uttering harmful words.
Luna just said the two words that they all considered taboo... The word?
"Y---- yes! I know I'm a BUG ENCHANTER! YOU DONT HAVE TO KEEP ON REMINDING ME THAT!", Lucas said then started running... His pride was stepped on. He didn't expect to hear such words from his own sister.
He just lost this fight.
Bug Enchanter, an enchanter who awakened a bug system. Or in modern community's terms, an enchanter forsaken by gods.
Luna, regretting her action dropped on her knees, her lips trembling and eyes soaked.
"M--- mom, I--- I didn't mean that", Luna said, looking apologetically at her Mom. Her eyes, releasing a cascade of tears.
However, her Mom just heaved a sigh. The chat wasn't supposed to be like this. She knew that eventually, the two would come to terms like they always did. So she just sat there, comforting Luna.
-----
Meanwhile, as Lucas rushed out, he went straight into his apartment, locking the door with a loud bang.
He felt sorrowful.
Twelve years ago, when the enchanting orb had been discovered. Their parents did their best to get the two of them of such orbs, whilst yearning that they would awaken a Higher-Grade affinity.
And as if heaven favored them, his sister awakened a Planet-Grade healing affinity. A grade that was highly sought after as only 10% of humanity had it. Needless to say that healing affinity was rare and truly cherished by higher-ups.
As their enjoyment was at its highest, unbeknownst to them, Lucas had eaten the enchanting orb ahead, awakening an even higher Universe-Grade magic affinity. Their delight was further fueled up upon knowing this, making them shed blood from too much joy.
However, days had passed, yet Lucas' Universe-Grade magic affinity had yet to show its might. Until years had passed where nothing happened.
The higher-grade affinity that he had was even weaker than the Gold-Grade of the same affinity.
He was then branded as Bug Enchanter or an enchanter with a system defect. All the joy and praises that everyone threw him, turned into looks of disdain and ridicule.
Gladly, Lucas' family was there for his support. Unbending his nearly twisted will.
Yet, today, hearing his supposed pillar uttering the words that traumatized him, made his heart shatter.
It was sorrowful.
Being a Bug Enchanter was.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone