Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 448 Replaced Souls!

!~Ding~![The souls/good deeds you absorbed/recognized by your card cannot be reverted, even if time itself is reversed... Some things cannot be unchanged!]

Aether's eyes widened in shock. 'Then… what happened to the real Jack Sparrow?' A wave of dread slowly settled in his chest, twisting his thoughts in confusion.

!~Ding~!

[He is the real Jack Sparrow.]

Aether frowned, his mind racing, 'What do you mean? He's not the real one! I remember—he had black hair—'

[His soul was replaced in this reality. The soul that grew as Jack Sparrow is now the real Jack Sparrow.]

Aether's expression grew more serious. 'So, when I reverted time… the souls I absorbed were.... replaced as well?'

[Yes.]

His breath caught for a moment.

He had killed thousands—dragons, enemies who were trying to avenge their dragon emperor...

'So, does that mean… thousands of souls were replaced in this reality? Where did you even find so many souls?' Aether's thoughts spun, a deep unease growing in his mind.

But this time, there was no answer.

He sighed heavily before his expression darkened, 'Don't tell me... those void eyes know something', a dangerous edge to his voice, "Does that mean they're different now? Since they have different souls..."

[If you mix salt into water, does it turn sweet?]

Aether's lips twitched, frustration flaring within him, 'That's not an answer! Are you mocking me?'

Silence again.

The log seemed off, almost mocking, ever since Aether had come back.

But then, as he thought through the previous words, clarity started to form, 'So, the souls themselves don't change, but their environment does,' he realized, 'It's the world around them, their circumstances that shape who they become.'

It wasn't about the soul.... never had been.

It was about how the person evolved within their environment. That's what determined their individuality. Aether nodded slowly, understanding now. Souls were the same, but the world shaped them differently.

With a renewed focus, Aether pushed those thoughts aside and continued to his next task.

His destination: the girls' dormitory.

Each step felt heavier than the last, as memories threatened to resurface!

Slap!

Aether slapped his own face, the sharp sting grounding him, forcing his legs to move forward.

He couldn't falter now.... Not when he was this close!

Finally, he stood before Selene's room. He took a deep breath, steeling himself as he reached for the door and opened it.

"What clothes should I pack?" Selene muttered to herself, her brow furrowed as she stood in front of a bed strewn with outfits, preparing for their trip to the Pyra Empire tomorrow. Without looking, she continued, "Lia, we really need to complain about the shower—it's still broken—"

Thud!

The sound of the door clicking shut cut her off. Turning her head, she froze at the sight of Aether standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her, unmoving.

"Aether?" Her voice wavered with surprise, taking in his appearance.... He looked older, more mature.

Something about him had changed... something that unsettled her.

"What happened to you?" Selene asked, amusement lacing her tone as she tried to lighten the moment. But Aether's expression remained unchanged, his eyes never leaving hers, filled with a weight she couldn't quite place.

Her smile faltered. A creeping worry began to spread through her, and her heart quickened as she tossed the clothes aside and hurried toward him. She stood before him,

Lia was on the verge of using her powers to push him away when Aether's trembling voice broke through her thoughts.

"I-I missed you, Lia..."

[+1000 AP]

Lia's breath hitched, her body going still as those words hit her like a hammer. The slight tremor in his tone, the vulnerability—it was enough to stop her struggle.

She blinked, glancing over at Selene, who only gave her a small shrug, clearly as confused as she was.

Letting out a long sigh, Lia slowly patted Aether's arms. "It's... it's okay. Everything will be fine," she whispered, though her voice was still a bit shaky.

Selene, on the other hand, continued to observe Aether closely, her mind racing, 'What happened to him?' she thought, concern clouding her heart. Aether wasn't himself—something deep was eating away at him and, 'Should I break her hand?' she thought noticing Lia's hand touching her beloved!

After what felt like an eternity, Aether finally loosened his grip on Lia and pulled back, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. His trembling fingers brushed gently against her cheek as he whispered, "I... I had a nightmare..." His voice cracked, and Lia's heart clenched at the genuine fear and... longing in his eyes.

[+2000 AP]

Lia flinched, feeling the weight of his words hit. She could see it now—the fear, the sense of loss, the brokenness he tried so hard to hide... Without thinking, she turned and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest that was barely hidden by the towel!!

Selene, unable to hold back any longer, jumped in, wrapping her arms around him too and pushing his head to her bosom "Everything is fine, Aether," she whispered softly, trying to soothe him with her touch, her voice filled with warmth.

The three of them remained like that, tangled in each other's arms, as Aether's breathing gradually steadied, the storm inside him calming, bit by bit.

Though his body still trembled slightly, a sense of peace began to settle over him.