Chapter 102: Lizard's Tail (1)
The king hadn't done anything grand. Because Sebastian wasn't a noble and Euphea said that he wasn't interested in medals, he could only give him a bit of money and a favor to use in the future.
"These are the king's standards for 'a bit'?"
Sebastian chuckled as he looked at the letter in his hands. He was promised around five hundred thousand Aur in exchange for not being granted a title.
"And I got something out of it too."
A favor from the king himself.
It was an honor not many could have.
—You should practice the ability immediately. The sooner you try to learn it, the sooner it'd benefit us.
Sebastian agreed and headed to the Blue Rose's headquarters. He would need to go to Markus in a few hours so it would be best if he stayed near the place.
Sebastian went inside his personal room and after making sure nobody else would come in, he closed his eyes. If he wants to learn how to manipulate shadows, then it would be best if he got a feel for it first.
"The stigma really is complicated…"
—Given enough time, you would be able to master any ability. That is the stigma's advantage.
"...If the stigma is so powerful, then why did the people in the past lose the war?"
—Because, unlike the abilities of the Primogenitors, the stigma needed time to grow. Primogenitors grow stronger with each passing day but those who used the stigma needed to learn before being able to use anything.
Sebastian understood. He could safely grow among the Inheritors because of today's peaceful times. If this was in the past where war was constantly happening, they didn't have any time and could only throw themselves in to the fray and hope for the best.
"The presence of one man changed the entire tides of war, huh…?"
It was unbelievable.
When it came to war, though quality certainly was important, quantity was also a big portion. No matter how strong one person is, they can't take on a hundred.
When it came to Inheritors, to those with similar powers, the saying was even more so. An Adept cannot defeat two Adepts. Those who could do so were out of the norm.
That's why wars typically had an unspoken rule—the use of Inheritors would be limited. Unless one side was planning complete annihilation, they wouldn't flood the battlefield with ability users.
—It moved.
Sebastian opened his eyes at Balanos' indication. He saw his shadow bend away from him slightly before going back to normal.
"Phew…"
Sebastian exhaled a sigh of relief. The amount of energy he used to make that simple movement was immense. He felt like a Novice once again.
"I guess that's enough."
Though Sebastian still had time before needing to go to Markus, it wasn't a sin to arrive early.
—Why don't you try moving in the shadows to get there?
"No, that's impossible. You saw how long it took me to bend my own shadow…"
—Then, try making your shadow stop moving as you walk.
It was a great exercise. Sebastian had to use constant control to make his shadow stay still.
"Well, I'd be safe in the House of Luna anyway."
Sebastian typically disliked using more than a fourth of his stigma for training as unexpected situations may happen. What if he was suddenly ambushed after training?
If his enemy were normal people, then he'd be able to cope with it, but what if he was facing an Inheritor?
Sebastian made sure to bring his collapsible bow and daggers before walking outside. With the feeling from earlier, he managed to control the shadow a little more easily.
His steps were slow and unsteady, but it wasn't a problem.
"What are you doing? You look like a baby deer learning how to walk."
Wisteria coincidentally saw him and exclaimed.
"I'm training."
"What? What kind of training is that? Practicing how to walk in stilts?"
"..."
Sebastian ignored Wisteria's comments and walked past her. Just as he did, her eyes caught sight of his shadow. She looked out of the window, then down on Sebastian's shadow as he left.
"Is he possessed?"
Wisteria lightly shivered. She was deathly afraid of ghosts despite living in a haunted-looking mansion.
Humans, she could kill. Ghosts, on the other hand, were untouchable.
After that, Wisteria made the decision to avoid Sebastian for the next couple of weeks and the members of Blue Rose sometimes spotted her wearing accessories from the church.
…
"I don't like it."
Amy frowned.
"I don't have much of a choice."
"I'll just persuade father!"
"That's not what I mean…"
Sebastian scratched the back of his head. Since Markus had told him to prepare for the summit, three months had passed. It was now the end of March, spring had already arrived. Sebastian would depart for the summit in less than a month. Though he really wasn't forced by Markus, it was the truth that if he were to stay, then he'd be endangering everyone else more.
Amy hadn't known of it beforehand, but he couldn't keep it a secret forever.
"Papa is going away…?"
Sana asked while embracing the giant dog in her arms. It was the pet and guard that Sebastian and Amy decided to give Sana for her birthday, which was just a few days ago.
"At the minimum, I'd say I'd be away for four and a half months."
They would depart near the end of April and arrive by the start of June. The summit will last for a few weeks and after that time, they'd take another month and a half to get back.
At worst, Sebastian would take half a year before being able to come home. It was a meeting that took place only once every several years, after all.
Amy continued to grumble. Her mood had sank to the lowest it could be.
"It's not like I'll be going away forever. Besides, we have to get used to being separate for extended periods of time."
As Inheritors, and as part of the major houses, the two of them had an obligation. Though neither of them could fulfill it now, eventually, they would have to take on their parents' mantle.
Even if Sebastian isn't the heir of his house, it's unavoidable that he would still eventually have to deal in their business. Amy, on the other hand, is the sole heir of her house.
Markus frequently went on business trips that lasted months before, and Amy had been left behind each time. Eventually, their roles would be reversed.
"Fine…"
Though she was still reluctant, Amy relented.
"If you find any women you want to make a mistress while you're there, ask permission from me first."
"I won't find any."
Sebastian was used to her saying that. It might've been because of the increase in women among Sebastian's friends and acquaintances, but Sebastian didn't take her seriously.
"...We won't get to celebrate your birthday. You promised last time."
"We'll celebrate it once I get back."
Amy grumbled again. Sebastian's birthday was on the 21st of June, around the time of the duel with Gilbert. At that time, the two of them were busy and only managed to hold a small celebration in Clarice's estate.
Amy wanted to throw a party and Sebastian had told her to do it next year instead.
"I'll get lonely."
"I'll be lonely too."
Sebastian answered all of her complaints without a single sign of irritation or impatience. Tears began building up in Amy's eyes and if not for Sana, she'd have already cried.
Sana let go of her pet and then held both Sebastian and Amy's hands.
"Sana will be lonely too, but Sana won't cry!"
Though she said that, her eyes were already moist. Amy wiped a tear and chuckled.
"That's right. We shouldn't cry."
Amy stood up and hit her cheeks with some light slaps.
"Alright! There's still a month before you leave, I'll be living her for the time being."
"Huh?"
"Yay! Mama will stay here!"
At that moment, Clarice appeared by the door with Reimfrey—Sebastian's little brother nestled in her arms.
"I guess it's fine."
Clarice gave Amy permission before she even asked.
"If you want, you can stay with Sebastian and Sana in the big room."
Sebastian had already informed Clarice of his decision to join the summit before. Though she was extremely reluctant, he had managed to convince her.
"Really?! Sebastian, get your things and move there immediately!"
"Your mood sure turned around fast… Just don't get too worked up, we still have exams tomorrow and if you collapse, then it'd be a problem."
"Like I'd let a cold defeat me."
"You… Haa…"
Sebastian sighed and gave up.
That night, they had barely slept. Amy and Sana were too energetic and they ended up playing until early morning.
"Look…"
Sebastian shook his head. He had slept at around midnight and left the two of them to do what they want. He expected them to sleep after he did but to think they actually stayed up most of the night.
Sana was one thing but Amy was a cause for concern.
"These are our finals, you know?"
As Sebastian helped Amy get ready, he also didn't forget to scold her who was still half-awake.
"B-but…"
"You act like a child sometimes."
Sebastian chuckled as he brushed Amy's hair. Though she had just woken up, her hair was clean and kept.
After helping Amy through her morning routine and leaving Sana in Martha's care, the two of them departed for school in a carriage.
"I haven't seen a single professor roaming around."
"Hm? You don't know?"
Amy looked at Sebastian with her hands intertwined behind her.
"Most of the school's professors aren't here today. Only the bare minimum of teachers are here to supervise the exams."
"Eh… Why?"
"Because they weren't required to attend. Just like you, they chose not to attend because they don't need to."
"Mmm…"
Sebastian ignored Amy's obvious jab at him and looked around.
"Then, even if we do anything, there's a significantly less chance to get caught?"
"I suppose so… But, what are you planning? You better not be planning to skip."
Amy looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Nah, it's just this."
Sebastian closed the distance between him andAmy then kissed her on the forehead.
"Good luck with your exams."
Sebastian laughed as he ran off. Amy's face was red as a tomato as the other students looked at her.
"Jeez… I'll get him for this later."
Amy left the scene in a fluster.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone