Copy Skills with Affinity!

Chapter 78

Return

And so, having achieved all of his intended goals, he was on his way back to the Capital Government Office.

At the campsite, a few simple sub-activities were underway.

Even if Aiden wasn’t bothered, Katya, who was participating alongside him, clearly looked dissatisfied.

Katya took a deep breath and continued speaking.

"…Right, so if you adjust the casting order like that, the spell’s power improves a lot. It might be a little tricky, but if you practice it a few times, you’ll get the han—"

"Like this?"

"…"

Katya fell silent as she saw the divine barrier floating before Aiden’s eyes, tinged with two blended hues.

Internally, she was barely suppressing a scream.

Anyone would react the same after seeing Aiden execute the spell the moment he heard her explanation.

‘You said it was your first time…’

She looked at him with a crestfallen expression.

Back when they first started the training, she’d been so confident.

It was a golden opportunity to prove her worth to this man.

Even in the entire Holy Crown Kingdom, her skill in divine operation placed her right below the Pontiff. When it came to teaching something like this, there were few who could even be compared to her.

‘This really is supposed to be difficult…’

So when he said he’d raise his supernatural operation ability to a third of her level within a month, she had scoffed.

And at first, her prediction had been spot-on.

He couldn’t even memorize the prayer texts, and he couldn’t properly manifest even the most basic blessings. She’d secretly rejoiced at the sight.

‘So he’s not perfect after all!’

She had finally found a weakness in her friend!

By helping him with that part, she’d make him realize just how important she was, stop him from playing around with other women, and make sure that whenever he needed anything in the future, he’d turn to her…

She had let her imagination run wild.

But all of those hopes had vanished by today.

"…"

He was fast.

Too fast at learning.

To be precise, when it came to the fundamentals of handling divinity itself, he was undoubtedly a beginner. But the moment someone cleared the path for him, he soaked up all the knowledge like a sponge.

Even today, from lunch until dinner—barely half a day—she had no idea how much he’d already learned.

It had taken her at least a week to master the “interwoven prayer” she had just taught him!

‘So that’s why he made such an outrageous proposal…’

Suddenly, it all made sense.

The goal he had set when they began training.

He had really believed he could achieve it!

‘So this is what it feels like.’

Compared to Katya, who was now looking at him as if he were some kind of monster, Aiden himself was simply operating the divine power without much thought.

Then—whoosh—several divine shields formed around Aiden.

They were shields made of flame, which felt a little strange, but there was nothing particularly wrong with how he handled them.

---

* System Message

▶ You have successfully operated Divine Power!

▶ Proficiency in "Combat Stance: Grand Flame Arts" has increased.

▶ Your proficiency improves by leaps and bounds!

---

While casually clearing away each of those pop-up windows, another message floated up before Aiden’s eyes.

‘…Not bad.’

He was glad he took lessons from Katya after all. These kinds of benefits popped up as direct, intuitive feedback—this was all thanks to her.

The results were good enough to stir such thoughts naturally.

Increasing his proficiency with “Combat Stance” itself would only help when dealing with anything related to that supernatural ability.

Of course, the level of proficiency he’d gained wasn’t yet enough to grant a dramatic effect but considering that he was working with Erger’s unique trait, “The First Vow,” which allowed him to feel that efficiency boost several times over, it mattered a great deal.

Especially for Aiden, who had already twisted the progression of the main scenario by creating a situation where someone might become a victim at any moment—there was no telling what could happen now. That meant he had every reason to strengthen himself by any means necessary.

Then, just to be sure, he checked once again.

---

* Quest Info

♠ Main Quest

[ Your actions have altered the scenario. ]

[ Act III: “Imperial Capital Fracture” has been updated. ]

[ The changes will soon be reflected in the main scenario! ]

---

Aiden stroked his chin and stared at the pop-up window.

There was no doubt that what he had just done was essentially sweeping away one of the most dangerous plays that the Prince and the Minister of Administration could make during an actual event.

However, these people’s capacity for planning had already been proven multiple times. They were on par with, if not greater than, Aiden himself.

Right now, they were lying low because of the hit they took from the Warden of the Realm incident but who knew what tricks they had up their sleeves? Only God would know…

“…Katya?”

As those thoughts ran through his mind, he suddenly noticed out of the corner of his eye that Katya didn’t look well at all.

When Aiden called her name with concern, noticing how pale she’d gone, Katya, trembling, set down the paper in her hand.

“Just do it by yourself.”

“…Sorry, what?”

“You don’t even need me to teach you! I even brought a bunch of beginner tips for you…! Y-You idiot, y-youuuugh…”

“….”

Now she wasn’t just angry—she looked on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by a sense of injustice.

As Aiden remained silent, someone quietly emerged from beyond the edge of the campsite.

It was Noel, rubbing her eyes as she appeared.

"…Aiden, did you do something to upset Her Highness?"

"…"

No.

He could swear to the heavens that he hadn’t, but judging from Katya’s condition, it was already confirmed—without question—that he was at fault.

"…I can explain all of this."

Just as Aiden opened his mouth to say something, Noel waved her hand dismissively, as if to say it didn’t matter.

It was clear she didn’t particularly care about that.

"…"

Oh, right.

These two didn’t get along very well.

There were times he forgot, since they’d been spending more time together lately under the shared topic of him, but still—he had better keep it in mind that, as far as the scenario went, Noel and Katya were destined to remain at odds until the very end.

"More importantly, would you step outside for a moment?"

"Sorry?"

"I have something to discuss."

Hearing that, Aiden tilted his head in confusion.

▣

"…Are you all right?"

She said she had something to talk about, so he followed her out, and this was the first thing Noel brought up.

"All right?" What on earth was she referring to?

As Aiden blinked at her with that thought in his eyes, Noel scratched her head and continued.

"…Well, Aiden, lately you’ve been moving around much more busily than usual."

"Busily?"

"Unlike before, you’ve been completely focused on things—whether it’s reading, training, or strengthening your power. It seems like you’re putting in a lot more effort…"

"…"

That was true.

He had felt it instinctively during the Warden of the Realm incident.

The main scenario always had a knack for dropping massive events into his world from beyond the limits of his awareness—always larger, always more intense. It was a wicked thing.

Even though “Night of the Hunt” hadn’t fully shown its claws yet…

By the time he reached Chapter 3, “Treason,” the highlight of Act I: Imperial Capital Fracture, he’d be facing one explosive event after another. There was no way for Aiden to avoid getting busier in preparation.

"Are you eating properly? When things get that hectic, it’s easy to start neglecting meals. Even when I’m at my busiest, I always make sure to set aside time for food and rest."

"You… actually find time to eat…?"

That’s impressive…!

For Aiden, meals were always the first thing to go when life got this chaotic.

"…Aiden, what exactly is it that’s wearing you down these days?"

…If only he could actually say it out loud. Aiden thought that sincerely, letting out a bitter smile on the inside.

"…You’ve got that face that says you absolutely can’t tell me, don’t you?"

"There are some things like that."

"…"

Noel looked at him, visibly hurt.

Still, her expression held just a hint of that subtle disappointment—like she thought maybe he could have opened up a little if they were trying to grow closer. But that look quickly vanished from her face.

Instead, she cleared her throat and handed something to Aiden.

"Still, I suppose this works out. I had a feeling you were skipping meals again, just like I worried you might, so I prepared this."

"…Sorry?"

Caught completely off guard, Aiden’s eyes widened as he looked at what Noel was handing him.

A lunchbox, carefully wrapped in cloth.

The same size as the one Aiden had once handed her during their date.

She must have remembered it vividly—right down to the shape, the height, even the quantity inside—it was all exactly the same.

"…Eat. You always skimp on meals, don’t you?"

"…"

"I’ve heard that even when things aren’t crazy, you tend to skip meals because you’re always rushing around. I made it myself, so please eat it."

"…"

"You're good enough at cooking to return one to me just like this back then, so what’s the point of someone like that starving all the time? It’s uncomfortable just watching you, so seriously—eat it."

Aiden, dazed, accepted the lunchbox.

His nose stung a little.

Yes, it was true—he often skipped meals because he was busy doing one thing or another.

But he hadn’t realized she’d been watching that closely, or that she’d remembered the one he gave her well enough to recreate it exactly, just to return the gesture.

"…Thank you."

He blinked as he spoke, and Noel responded with a bright smile.

Then she hummed a little tune and opened her own lunchbox beside him.

She looked genuinely delighted, just from having given him lunch. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"…"

Aiden quietly sat down next to her and opened his lunchbox.

It was surprisingly well put together.

Meat, noodles, and vegetables were neatly arranged in order.

He picked up a few bites and tried them—they tasted great.

This wasn’t amateur cooking.

"It’s delicious. Dame, have you always been this good at cooking?"

"…"

Noel beamed again.

A radiant smile, like a blooming flower.

"R-Really?"

"…"

She kept smiling to herself, twisting her body around in giddy embarrassment—it was a little creepy, honestly.

After fidgeting like that for a while, Noel cleared her throat and spoke again.

"…Actually, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask."

"Of course. Go ahead."

After all this, how could he not listen?

She hesitated for a long moment, clearly building up the courage to say it.

"What’s with the suspense?"

"…If you really don’t have time to eat these days, I’d like to take charge of preparing your meals from now on."

"…"

…This woman, really…

The fact that she was actively trying to grow closer to him—it was so tangible he could feel it. It made the system label “Extreme Love” showing up make perfect sense.

‘…Well, then.’

Maybe he could do something nice for her too.

As Aiden thought that, he looked down at the Soul Connector strapped to his arm.

‘Let’s try it.’

…Time to modify equipment.