Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 4: The Leviathan's Retreat

You defeated a - Spawn Brute - level 14!

Extra experience is awarded for defeating an enemy many levels above!

You have gained the title - 5cm To The Left! -

5cm To The Left!: Exactly as it says, you nearly died! Be careful next time, stupid. Eyes open and head on a swivel… and learn to dodge. You don’t have rocks for feet!

| 6 added constitution.

| 3 added dexterity.

| 10% increased projectile awareness.

Would you like to change your title to this one?

Y/N

Astrid's eyes snapped open. There was no sound, it was too quiet. Taking a small sniff, the scent of antiseptic and filtered air greeted her. Has the Leviathan been defeated. No way right?

She looked down at her chest. Someone had tightly wrapped a bandage around her. Un-winding it, she looked at her unmarked chest it was as if the wound didn’t exist in the first place. With a flitting glance to her System, she chose the new title. Thanks for the reminder,System.

Life Without Eyes -> 5cm To The Left!

An extra source of warm energy wandered into her body from the title’s added constitution. Taking a renewed breath, her mind wandered back to before she passed out, well, knocked out. She had let her guard down for one second, and as the System pointed out, if the monster was a better shot, she’d be dead.

Astrid balled her slender hands into fists. There wouldn’t be a next time. From now on, she wouldn’t let her mind fall into a pathetic sense of pride or arrogance. A flame twinkled to life in her eyes as she branded the words into her mind. Her gaze landed upon the twin doors to her bedroom. A shadow was flitting back and forth, the sound of tip-taps of heels squeezed through the cracks in the doors.

Astrid leapt out of bed and clambered into a new dress. This one was a royal purple and it was designed for proper movement and made of lightweight materials. Instead of heels, she laced up a pair of deep-brown boots the Wayfarers wore.

Then, she hastily sifted through her enormous wardrobe and grabbed a breastplate of armour and strapped it to her chest. Finally, she finished it with armoured scales that covered her forearms. If I wore all of this when I was down there, I wouldn’t have been injured. Never wearing high-heels again. Astrid tutted to herself.

Astrid shot over to the door and swung it open. She needed information.

“Leena! Quickly tell me what happened… Is the Leviathan dead?" Astrid clasped her hands around Leena’s. "Did we push back the Spawn?”

“My lady!” Leena flung her arms tightly around Astrid’s shoulders. “The Leviathan retreated, and we pushed all the Spawn back into the Underbelly.”

“R-retreated. The Leviathan did?” Astrid mumbled.

“I-I thought I was going to lose you.” Wailing sobbing filled the room.

“Th-there, there.” Astrid said. A warm smile crept up onto her lips. She placed her hand on her battle-maid's shoulder. “Shouldn’t you have taken that arrow for me?”

“Ah, Y-yes I wanted to!” Leena stumbled back, her hands clasped in front of her chest.

“Well, it won't be happening again, so don't worry." Astrid continued. "Where is mother?"

Bobbing her head, Leena said. “Your mother and Lord Sinwen are currently within the dining hall, my lady.”

Astrid dashed into the halls. She approached a set of large, dark-wooden doors as the guards opened them for her, leading into the dining room. It was a grand table, sprawling from one end to the other. It hosted the noble families, so when it was just the Sinwen family it looked rather… empty.

Already sitting at the table was her father, the lord. He was at the head of the table, overlooking his wife, brothers, and all of their children. It was a large family--It had to be.

He seems to be okay. She brandedthe sight of her father's injured body into her mind as she clenched her teeth. A sense of urgency welled up inside of her. The thought that her father had to save her and risk injury bore down on her mind. I need to get stronger.

Astrid walked over, ignoring all of their gazes, and sat down next to her mother. She waited for no-one as she grabbed hold of the large chicken and ripped off its wing. Immediately starting chewing, her eyes peered over at the people in her family. She could see the fear and uncertainty hidden behind their masks.

“My cousin. I heard you awakened early?” A young man said in surprise. He was wearing a three-piece suit with thin armour covering it. An elegant air surrounded him. He was called Aidan.

“She’s already the talk of the upper-district. All my peers are discussing it.” Freya said with a smile.

She can wear that fake smile on her face all she wants. It won’t change her true personality. Snake. Astrid spat inwardly towards her cousin. Unlike all the others in the family, Freya was only interested in politics.

“A-already?” Astrid asked. "How long was I out for?"

“Oh? Not much difference to your usual morning routine?” Aidan joked. "About 15 hours or so?"

“How could you let your guard down?” An icy voice uttered. It was very familiar to the way Lord Sinwen talked. It was detached and void of emotion. He was Kaylan, Lord Sinwen’s youngest son.

“It was a mistake.” Astrid gripped onto the white tablecloth.

“Normally you would snap at me. It’s nice to see your experience down in the lower district has matured you. Even if only slightly.” Kaylan said.

Ass, you won’t be saying that when I fling you up into the sky with my mind. Another reason to get stronger. Astrid noted mentally.

“Enough about me. What’s the report on the Leviathan? I heard it retreated?” Astrid’s expectant eyes fell onto her father.

Lord Sinwen nodded.

“It-The Leviathan retreated?” Astrid said. “The monster from the legends retreated just like that?”

“The Leviathan is for me and the elders to deal with. It’s not your problem.” Lord Sinwen tapped his finger on the table.

Like hell it’s not my problem, I almost got turned into fish food! Astrid stabbed her fork into the large piece of fish slaying on her plate. Silence remained for a second before they swiftly changed the subject.

“Kaylan, I heard they have assigned you to your next mission?” Aidan said. He gracefully wiped the side of his mouth with a napkin.

Kaylan nodded. “They have tasked me with a mission within Forgotten City, C-3.”

“Forgotten City C-3.” Aidan said. A flash of irritation appeared in his eyes before it swiftly vanished. “I heard C-3 remains untouched? Is that a good idea this soon after a Leviathan attack?”

“Who am I to question my orders?” Kaylan said.

Astrid’s hands fidgeted under the table. Wayfarer, Forgotten Cities, I want to join them. Fighting, exploring the unexplored, freedom.

“I heard that one of the Forgotten City’s Bubbles collapsed?” Freya said.

“Eh? Collapsed?” Astrid gawked.

Aidan nodded. “The air pocket encasing the city suddenly popped. I only know from the Seafarers that came back from their mission scavenging the ocean.”

“I’ve never heard of that happening before.” Astrid said. “Because of the Leviathan?”

“That’s what they say.” Aidan said.

“Anyway.” Astrid said, noticing a missing seat. “Where's Tennyson?”

“Where do you think?” Freya continued. “That battle maniac left chasing after the Leviathan with his team.”

"Yeah, that doesn't surprise me." Astrid said.

“Astrid.” Lord Sinwen spoke up. Everyone turned silent. “I want to see your power for myself.”

Astrid nodded, a smile appeared. Without hesitating, she connected to one, two, then three fancy plates. They began levitating above everyone’s heads.

She attempted to gain control of the other objects as they were falling, but it was much harder to connect to them. Whether it was because they were moving, or she had connected to them before, she didn’t know. With a cacophony of plates smashing, they shattered onto the table.

Astrid scratched the side of her head. “Well, I’m still learning.”

“What is your reason for not choosing the Magicswordsman class?” Lord Sinwen said.

“I wasn’t given a choice.” Astrid told the truth. Maybe he knew something about it. His expression squinted for a second before returning to normal.

“No choice?” The table exploded in confusion. Eli’s hand gently brushed up against Astrid’s back.

“You still want to become a Wayfarer?” Lord Sinwen said, ignoring the atmosphere of the hall.

Astrid looked at her father. He replaced the sparkling eyes filled with worry she had witnessed in the hospital back with an unfeeling wall.

“I want to travel down into the Forgotten Cities and see a new world with my own eyes.” Astrid stood up, her gaze filled with fiery passion.

“Then, I'll have your training intensified at dawn tomorrow. I’ll invite a magic instructor–along with survival training for the Wayfarers exam.” Lord Sinwen nodded.

“Tomorrow? I’m starting today.” Astrid spun around. Leaving a kiss on Eli’s head, she shot out of the room.

“My lady.” Leena watched as Astrid sprinted past. “Wait for me!”

She sprinted down the stone stairs of the manor with Leena close to her tail. Dashing past the numerous soldiers, she exited the manor, turning around the walls until she arrived behind the grand building. An enormous sand square pit was dug out, the noise of metal clanging against each other filled the air. The Sinwen warriors were currently training, their moves more vigorous and more serious than before.

Climbing down the pit’s stairs, she walked into the middle. The soldiers ignored her, focused solely on their own training.

“Leena, grab some rocks.” Astrid crossed her arms. She had an idea for her training. Although it was very faint, she could feel a connection in everything she looked at. If she got to a point where she could control it at will. A wicked smile crept up onto her lips. I’ll eventually turn this boat into a flying ship. A chuckle escaped her mouth.

Leena raced around the training field, picking up stray rocks. After a few minutes, she returned with an arm full.nove(l)bi(n.)com

“Okay, now throw them at me!” Astrid announced.

“Ah, but-” Leena said. Her eyes wavered.

“It’s for my training. I want to get to a point where I can snatch arrows from mid-air.” Astrid said. “Do as you're told, Leena!”

“O-okay, if you say so.” Leena grabbed hold of a rock, getting into a stance. She lifted one leg, her arm reached behind her shoulder, rock in hand. Then her arm snapped forward, sending the rock screaming towards Astrid.

Shit! Astrid leapt headfirst into the sand as the rock smashed into the pit wall.

“A-Are you trying to kill me?” Astrid shouted.

“B-but you said.”

Astrid scrambled to her feet, dusting off the sand from her clothes. “Okay, now throw them without trying to take my head off this time.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Leena grabbed another rock and threw. It was a lot slower before, but it was still fast as it hurtled in her direction. Astrid could feel the connection with the rock. Peering at the projectile, she latched onto it. Astrid could feel a tremble within her mind. The rock shook, but it was moving too fast. I can do it, I can do it! I can’t do it

Astrid wasn’t able to dodge in time as the rock smashed against her chest plate, sending her stumbling to the ground.

Before Leena could mutter her worry. Astrid shot up onto her feet. The extra constitution, along with the extra armour, worked wonders.

“Again!”