My body had always been weak to drink in my previous world, to the extent that just a small sip of wine would wreak havoc on my stomach and my head the next day.
Surprisingly, even though I was still only 17, my body in this world was much more resistant to alcohol.
'Maybe it's because of my Demigod physic? ' I wondered curiously, but not complaining, that was a good thing.
Considering how many social events I would need to attend in the future, it was good to have a resistance to alcohol.
After taking my morning shower, a habit I brought from my other world and which became much easier after receiving the card from the literal God of the Waters, since now I no longer feel cold in unheated water and a quick shower wakes me up and recovers my energy perhaps better than sleep, I joined my family for breakfast.
Breakfast was very varied, with crusty bread in a basket, creamy scrambled eggs with herbs and a few slices of salty ham. Honey on bread rolls with seeds, and cottage cheese with blackberry jam.
To drink, I chose only warm milk with cinnamon.
When I'd finally finished serving myself, my father asked me the question I'm sure he was trying too hard to control himself to ask.
"Eric, how are you feeling today? Are your powers still with you?"
I could sense a little fear or trepidation in his voice, obviously worried that the kingdom's salvation had disappeared overnight.
"Don't worry, Dad, I still have my powers. Today I'll spend the day training on the beach and in the evening I'll put those powers into practice, starting our mission to eliminate as many monsters as possible." I smiled with confidence.
Hearing this, my father sighed in relief. "Very well, but just as a guarantee you will command a small group of my royal guard on your adventure."
That wasn't something that appealed to me, the soldiers were powerful and well-trained, especially when dealing with ordinary people, but against monsters they had no experience and would probably be more of a burden than a help.
But seeing the worry on my mother and father's faces, I decided to give in to this little request if it would relax their hearts.
After breakfast, I took my horse and rode to the same beach I had used for training yesterday.
The place was just as empty as yesterday, which was great for me.
Leaving my horse with the command not to stray too far, I drew my sword and began my morning training.
Out of curiosity I looked at the rock Ariel was standing on yesterday, but unfortunately I didn't see her bright red hair, so I just continued my training.
Training yesterday increased my proficiency in the three techniques I had practiced by a satisfactory amount.
Water Breathing I couldn't quantify in percentage, since the technique was only taught to me by the System and no help beyond that was offered, but my integration with Percy and Johnny's models showed my improvement clearly.
- Eric Lunaris -
Race: Human
GP: 12
- Character Assimilation -
Fully Assimilated: None
In Progress: [Percy Jackson - 10 -> 11%] [Johnny Cage - 10 -> 14%]
Summoned Characters:
Nami (3★)
Bolin (3★)
Powers:
Water Breathing (3★) ✅
Levitation Magic (2★) ✅
Hunter's Night Vision (2★) ✅
Tsunade's Healing (4★)
Aura of Intimidation (1★) ✅
Sonic Scream (2★) ✅
Diamond Skin (4★) ✅
Equipped Items:
Raven's Mask (1★)
Empty Poké Ball (1★)
Mario Gum (2★)
Ninja Smoke Bomb (1★)
Invisibility Ring (3★)
Batman's Tool Belt (3★)
Consumables:
Reinforcement Card (2★)
Speed Potion (2★)
A 1% improvement in Percy's model and a 4% improvement in Johnny's model in just one day was a very good improvement, especially considering that I only trained alone without a target or a sparring partner.
If I kept up this rate of improvement, in just 22 days I would finish assimilating Johnny's model, and in 89 days I would finish assimilating Percy's model.
Considering that Johnny was just a very skilled normal man, it was understandable that the time it took to assimilate his character was so fast.
And considering that Percy was literally a Demigod, it was also understandable that it would take so long.
But I didn't imagine that it would take me as long as I thought, since tonight I would start fighting the monsters.
I'm sure that real battles will greatly accelerate the speed of assimilation, so I didn't worry and just kept practicing.
While I had plenty of practice in the first three forms of Water Breathing, the fourth form was still a bit confusing for me, so I stayed focused and tried to improve my technique.
Over the last few days I've taken advantage of the fact that my mental fatigue has subsided and I've started to activate some of my power cards that I hadn't activated yet. My goal was to have them all activated by the evening, with only Tsunade's healing card being left until last, since I thought it would be the most mentally tiring considering the level of the card aside of the Diamond Skin.
Time was passing faster than I had imagined, and training in the hot sun was making my body perspire more than I found pleasant, so I turned towards the sea and prepared to take a refreshing swim.
But seeing a beautiful curious head with long red hair resting on the same rock as yesterday brought a smile to my face.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity today, I started to enter the sea while maintaining eye contact with her.
When Ariel saw me looking at her, she froze.
When she saw that I was entering the sea, she was embarrassed and tried to hide behind the rock.
But when she saw that I was looking at her all the time, and moving in the direction she was, she realized that I was seeing her and her little white face turned as red as a beet.
This was the first time I had completely submerged myself in water, and it felt great.
Instead of feeling the weight of the water and the current of the sea carrying me from side to side as it did in my other world, now that I had the physique of the son of Poseidon I could control the sea as I pleased!
As I didn't want the waves to get in my way, they magically made way for me to pass whenever they came close to me, making everything as simple as swimming in a pool of still water.
Ariel also noticed this strange phenomenon happening with the water and became even more curious about me, but if her red face was any indication, I don't think she'll have the courage to ask about it any time soon.
"Hello." I said with a polite smile when I finally got close to her.
Hearing me speak and breathe underwater, Ariel was even more surprised, but her curiosity spoke louder, making her stick her head out from the rock she was hiding under and answer me in a low voice. "Hi."
"I'm Eric, and you?" I asked while keeping a respectful distance from her, not wanting to overwhelm the girl who was beginning to remind me of Naruto's young Hyuga princess.
'I knew his name was Eric!' Ariel thought excitedly as she plucked up the courage to extend her hand.
"Ariel." She said as she extended her hand stiffly towards me.
Realizing how strange she was acting, she quickly added. "My name is Ariel."
Following the royal etiquette this body was forced to learn, I took Ariel's outstretched hand and brought it to my lips before kissing the back of her hand.
Ariel apparently hadn't expected this and her face turned even redder, making her freeze with her hand out even after I let go of her hand.
Seeing how flustered she was by my teasing only made me want to tease her even more.
"You know, as soon as I saw you yesterday I wanted to ask you something." I said in a serious voice, drawing her attention to me.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"I'm looking for someone." I said while using Johnny's acting skills to feign a little melancholy.
'Does he mean he's looking for me?' Ariel asked herself, mentally excited.
"Who are you looking for?" She asked.
"For a mermaid." I said as I looked around, as if I were trying to find this mermaid I was talking about.
This worried Ariel a little, who also looked around to see if there was another mermaid around us. "Which mermaid are you looking for?" She asked.
Still looking around, I began to speak. "She was a beautiful mermaid, from the first time I saw her I was captivated by her looks, how cute she was when she was curious, how her confusion made her even cuter... unfortunately I didn't get the chance to thank her..."
'He met another mermaid?!Who did he meet?!So it's not me he's looking for?Damn... why didn't I know that?" Ariel began to worry and her expression was clearly becoming despondent.
Seeing how she was getting, I began to feel sorry for my prank and before she could ask me any more, I decided to give her away who I was looking for. "This mermaid had red hair as beautiful as yours... when my ship was sinking, it was she who saved my life, and while I was lying unconscious on the beach, she sang the most beautiful song I've ever heard."
When Ariel heard what I said, the despondent expression that was becoming even more intense on her face changed, first to confusion, then to amazement, and finally to a huge white smile.
But to my surprise, she didn't immediately give away who I was looking for.
"Really? I think I might know this being you're looking for..." She said mysteriously.
Seeing this mischievous side of her made me smile even more, making me just stare at her for a few seconds before answering. "Ohh, and what could I do for you to help me find her?"
Hearing my question, apparently being exactly what Ariel wanted to hear, she grabbed my hand excitedly and replied. "Spend the day with me at sea, I can show you so many amazing things, a cache of things I've already found from other humans, the most beautiful places in the ocean, my friend Flounder... there are so many amazing things! You can even tell me about life outside the water too!"
Seeing how excited she was, I smiled playfully as I asked something else. "Sure, that sounds like a great idea to me, but what about the mermaid I'm looking for?"
Hearing my question, Ariel was surprised for a second and answered quickly. "At the end of the day I'll take you to the mermaid you're looking for, how's that?"
"Deal." I smiled at her, feeling that spending the day with this lovely girl sounded like a great idea to me.