Once Human, Now a Parasite

The confusion lasted only briefly before Lucy understood what was happening, more or less.

The puzzled and cold expression on Arthur's face was enough proof to explain his current actions, which were that of an amnesiac person.

She stood rooted to her place and didn't try anything that may startle the man. Her usually emotionless expression melted and was replaced by a gentle one coupled with a soft, beautiful smile.

"What do you remember?"

In response, Arthur backed away until his body was glued to the wall, his hands still holding Makaze and pointing it at Lucy.

Seeing his clear hesitation, Lucy raised her hands innocently and added,

"Don't worry, I'm here to help. Please tell me what you remember?"

Even after saying that, Arthur showed no signs of dropping his extreme caution. He frantically looked around before glancing at Lucy one last time then darting out of the room. As he had no idea that he had magical powers, he ran no faster than a mortal.

His enhanced physical body didn't take effect as the parasite still thinks he's normal.

Lucy watched him leave but didn't try to stop him because that may complicate things later. Nevertheless, she wasn't going to lose sight of him either. While it's true that he's going to be suspicious of her and pretty much everyone else, the only thing she can do now is following him around and try to gain his trust.

She had pictures of the two of them together but he may not believe and, instead, it can lead to a more violent reaction, which is something she doesn't wish for.

His memories were temporarily forgotten, or so assumed Lucy. Moreover, it seems he doesn't remember anything so it's safe to assume that it's the Arthur from before she met him but after his first reincarnation because the presence of the sword or the medieval-looking inn didn't affect him as much as Lucy.

A bit less than five minutes after Arthur left the room, Lucy saw him standing in the middle of the road and staring dazedly at the front, probably shocked to see his absurd stats.

He spent three or so minutes reading a few things before activating a couple of Stealth skills and testing them on the passerby. When he was done, with nothing but explore this foreign world to do, Arthur headed toward the biggest building of this bustling town called White Bloom.

This planet was a small once situated in the System Universe. All its inhabitants have the System and there's even a fight between the humans and the Demon Lord.

As he was missing most of his memories, Lucy speculated that he must want to learn more about this new place then he'll surely leave the town and go test his skills then go around because that's what he did before she met him.

As for how she knows? Arthur obviously told her about his short-lived adventures before their first meeting. It even sometimes leaves her wondering how he would have fared if they never met? Would he have gone to the Nemia Academy? Would he have been struck by 'Judgment'?

Back then, he used his superior physical body along with the invulnerability skill to protect her so if she's not there, he would have surprised in a much safer condition.

Many things could have or have not happened without her presence and, right now, she may be able to witness how the distrustful amnesiac Arthur will act all alone. Though, technically, he isn't really alone as she's close behind him and planned to reveal herself very soon.

If he's left alone, he may not be able to remember so she needs to be the catalyst and help him. He may act coldly but slowly, she was sure that she can change his mind.

*****

Arthur entered what seemed to be the Adventurer's Guild but just as Lucy was about to follow, the world around her suddenly turned dark and before she could react, a silhouette appeared a couple of meters away from her.

At first, she was on guard but once she saw the visitor's unusually pale and young face, she was relieved but confused about his sudden arrival.

"Greetings, Lucy."

Leiu slightly bowed his head to Lucy, his expression never-changing as usual. His face was like a statue, more emotionless than Arthur or even Lucy.

Lucy reciprocated with a bow too then replied,

"Hello, Leiu."

As they were family, more or less, there was no need to act like strangers so neither the woman nor the youth did behave coldly.

Leiu calmly motioned for Lucy to sit on an illusory-like golden chair which appeared out of nowhere. She was still inside a world of total darkness, illuminated only by the radiant chairs and a spinning silver sphere a hundred meters above her.

The place should give the creeps to anyone, its aura is enough to cause anyone to mentally break but as she was an ally of the Nameless Knight, he didn't direct this place's effects at her, obviously.

"What brings you here?" Asked Lucy while trying to study his expression.

The youth crossed his arms, leaned his back on the chair, and sighed.

"I am sure that you have an idea about what happened to Arthur today. It's easy to tell that he has amnesia but my arrival here was not to repeat the already-known facts."

He directed his gaze at her and resumed,

"The reason behind the amnesia is Makaze, or more precisely, Ventus Malum. Don't worry, it wasn't meant to harm Arthur but to help him. The key to mastering the Dark Blade and all its abilities is to known the difference and the connection between strength and emotions.

'Tis a blade created with emotions of hate and, especially, love. Basically, what Ventus Malum wanted is for Arthur to value his love for his friends and family more, value it so much that even without his memories, he'll still feel it. Are you with me?"

Lucy nodded her head, though she was creasing her brows, finding it a bit unnecessary to make Arthur forget his past in such a tight situation, after all, the System was clearly targeting him and is bound to strike again. They are vulnerable as they are still in the System Universe, however, Lucy can't leave it since her Space Magic is not advanced and the spatial bullet lead to random location, which are not that far away from the initial one.

As if he could read her mind, Leiu chuckled and said,

"You don't have to mind the System. Nothing and no one will bother you and…" He sighed, paused for a few breaths then continued,

"Please, stay by his side."

"Of course I will." affirmed Lucy with a totally serious look.

"I don't mean only now. Always side with him, no matter the circ.u.mstances and no matter who's right and who's wrong."

Lucy remained silent for an inordinate amount of time before standing up, turning her back to him and saying

"You know that I will."

For the first time in a long time, Leiu laughed, stood up and waved his hand, causing the dark world to disappear. Before he left, he added,

"I'm glad to hear that again. Farewell."