POV Virion Eralith
It has been a week since the Assimilation process began with the beast will that Tessia and Alea received
They have been very excited about what Julian gave them, so they are very active every day in their training
Julian has also been helping with the process, since he has experience doing it
But I have felt a kind of strange energy emanating from him every time he helps Tessia and Alea
I don't know what he does, but he is speeding up the assimilation process, so I decided to ask exactly what he was doing, I waited until the training was over and what Alea with Tessia left
"You have nothing to say to me, kid, you always keep too many secrets, that's not fun" I said starting the conversation
"I don't think I'm hiding anything, but because you realized it," he replied.
"Stop playing with me and talk, I know you're not hurting Tessia, but I'm interested in how you're speeding up the process" I said moving my hands in a sign of annoyance
He made a thoughtful expression as if he were analyzing several things at the same time
"Can you ask the guards to leave?", he said looking around
I narrowed my eyes and made a sign for everyone to leave, "it's done talk"
"Do you know what's after the white core?" He said creating a sound barrier around him
For a couple of seconds I observed the barrier around us, this was something that did not match what I am looking at from his core
That only means that his central level is not the Solid Yellow, that I am seeing, but it is much higher, when did you get so far kid, I'm almost sure you're already in Initial Silver
I brought my hand to my chin and replied "I don't know, I've never seen anyone go beyond that, I've always thought that's the limit"
He narrowed his eyes and spoke again "Then let's change the question, how do you think the deities that gave those crutches to your ancestors, that now have Alea and Aya, were born?"
My expression contorted in a complicated way and I said "how do you know about those artifacts, and why do you call them crutches"
"There are many stories in Dicathen, it is not too difficult to intuit this kind of information, besides I think you know better than anyone where the information came from if you know that I have a Deity as a bond" Julian replied
"Since when do you know?, and you still haven't answered me why you call the artifacts crutches" I said grabbing my forehead
"From the beginning how was I not going to know that a Deity was training me, besides that's why you didn't ask me for specific details when I came back after three years or am I wrong" Julian said crossing his arms
"Haaaah, yes, you're right, I didn't think you knew so much, do you know exactly what the artifacts are for?" I said giving him a serious look
"I know they help the silver stage magicians reach the white core, besides they are linked to the soul of their bearer and the key or control they have the kings of each of the three kingdoms in Dicathen" he said listing the characteristics of the artifacts that each royalty of the continent possesses
"I guess I have nothing to tell you, but how does this affect what you've been doing to Tessia and Alea?" I said without taking my eyes off him
"The artifacts they gave them are defective, at the same time that they help them reach the white core, they damage their outer part so that they cannot purify their central stage more" he said returning my gaze
"Why would they do that?, there is no need for that kind of thing with beings like us, besides why didn't we notice it" I said with a frown
"That is a mistake they made by blindly trusting the deities, but the truth is that the artifacts barely take you to the initial white core stage, limiting how far you can go; however, there is something else called the integration stage, does the name sound familiar to you?" Julian said asking me
"It sounds like the stages of a beast tamer" I replied somewhat confused
"Correct, the damage that the cores of the people who have the artifacts suffer is so minimal that they do not notice it and with their magic still working they do not even believe that something like that has happened, but the truth is that the outer walls of the core receive a small damage and that prevents them from continuing to refine their core, now tell me Grandfather Virion what do you think exactly is the integration stage?, and why do you think the deities do not want us to know about it?"
"If I go by what I know of the beast tamers, I would say then that the integration stage is the union of the body with the core and if the deities decided to hide it in my opinion it can only be due to two reasons: one is very dangerous for us or two is very dangerous for them" I said exposing my reasoning
"It seems that the wrinkles are not just for show" he said with a mischievous smile
"Jeee if you keep talking like that, it will be harder for you to get my granddaughter's hand" I said in a provocative tone
"Why do you have to bring her into this" he said in an exasperated tone
"Because it's fun, I haven't been able to tease you many times and more now that you also have the princess of Sapin interested in you, there are many possibilities" I said about to laugh
The boy made a face of annoyance and said, "be careful lately lost magics fly to people and die for no apparent reason" he said looking around
"Is that a threat?", I said with a raised eyebrow smiling mischievously
"How could this poor and innocent lamb threaten the hero of Elenoir" he said mockingly
After that he spoke again "now as I was saying you are right, the integration stage is the fusion of your core with the body and indeed the reason why they hide it is because it is dangerous for them"
Cheeky kid diverting the topic, I thought as I listened to his reasoning "Why is it dangerous for them?" I spoke asking something that troubled me
What reason would the deities have to hide this kind of thing from us and limit our growth?
"To maintain their Power, the integration stage is in my opinion the path to the evolution of the races and the overcoming of all the mortal limitations that we have as lesser beings" he said in a very serious tone
"What do you mean" he said squinting his eyes with visible interest on my face
"I have been watching Silvie for a long time and during her growth I noticed something particular, although this is only my speculation, I can say that their bodies are already in an integration stage since they are born" he said looking at me and making a pause so that I could understand what he was saying
I understand approximately where his words are going, but how does he know this?, and why is he telling me?, he could have kept the information
"Continue" I replied after a few minutes after meditating on my possible conclusions
"What I saw in Silvie's body is that the mana integrated in her body is a kind of deviant, as for the elves it can be plant magic, humans with lightning magic or dwarves with metal magic, the way they process mana and how it coexists with them is unique, that trait only appears when you reach the integration stage or that is my assumption" he said in a thoughtful tone
"If I believe your words that means that the reason why the deities blocked our growth, is to keep us controlled and not feel threatened by a power that they themselves gave" I said trying to affirm my reasoning
"It's true, what they didn't count on was the existence of the beast tamers, these people unknowingly got a clue to reach higher heights, only that there was no one who questioned everything I'm telling you, besides not many people get to that point either" Julian replied
"You're right, no one would have imagined that there was such a hidden secret about the deities" I spoke thinking about the implications of what I had just understood
"Now, as you know, the assimilation of the will of beasts gives a kind of deviated magic to its bearer, so using my knowledge and skills with the management of mana I have been helping Tessia and Alea to speed up the process" he said explaining the process
"I suppose that's something that only you or Arthur can do being quadra elementals" I spoke trying to affirm by my speculation
"I'm surprised you're not still king with your reasoning ability" Julian said in a curious tone
"I got bored by that, I gave up the position" I replied in an apathetic tone
After all I was too tired and wanted to get away from that position where I lost many things
He gave me a sympathetic look and spoke "I told you this because I trust you a lot and I know you won't tell anyone, but I need you to promise me that under no circumstances will you talk about this with anyone else not even your son or Tessia" he said in a serious tone
"Don't worry, this is a delicate topic that is better not to meddle with" besides we don't know if they are watching what we do, I thought as I answered
What do I do at my age, I didn't think I would end up discovering something of this caliber and surely this kid must know more things, but, "kid why did you reveal this to me and now of all times" I asked
"I'm going to use one of the three requests I have, that is that you don't ask me anymore" he said with a complicated look
"Do you plan to reveal what you know someday?" I questioned
"Yes, I promise you that" he said giving me a smile full of concern and affection
That look told me that he was trying to protect not only me, but many other people, I know because that is a look that I had in the war against Sapin in the past
"Haaa I'll be waiting" I said sighing as I stood up and left the garden
Julian seeing this deactivated the sound barrier and allowed me to leave
I needed to think about many things, with this situation I felt that they shook the foundations of what I knew
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POV Julian Kingscrown
As I watched Virion leave I had mixed feelings, I knew this would place some kind of burden on his shoulders, but it was something I needed
There is no one like him to be a war leader in Dicathen, I need him to understand that we are alone, not even the deities that apparently support us in the future consider us their allies, we are nothing but their convenient chess pieces, which if they become useless will be eliminated
After that I also left the patio and started walking to my room
At night I was called to the dining room to enjoy a dinner with Virion and Tessia
Alduin and Merial had left for a small meeting with the leaders of the other kingdoms, knowing this I must leave to see Gideon the time becomes more and more essential
After dinner each one went to their room or so I thought until I found Tessia waiting in front of mine
"You don't know that it's inappropriate for a lady to be waiting in front of a boy's room at night" I said looking at her beautiful features
She is growing very well if I say so myself, she is becoming very beautiful and more, the more I look at her the more I feel that there is some kind of relationship between her and Frei
But the Acclorite doesn't show me any reaction even when I'm next to Tessia
I calmed my mind and started walking towards the elf princess
"Do you have something to tell me?" I spoke as she looked at me
She seemed somewhat indecisive or restless, maybe that's the best way to describe her reactions
She took my hand and led me to one of the balconies overlooking the moon
If there was something I agreed with the moronic nobles of Xyrus and Elijah it was that she definitely deserved the name of moon princess
As I thought that, I received a hug from her, completely surprising me, Tessia sniffed my shirt for a brief moment and separated
"Thank you for everything Julian, for giving me a chance to grow, for always trying to protect me when I don't see you and for changing the way you treat me, since I met you I have always been just Tessia, you never treated me like someone from the royal family Eralith and although you were always somewhat distant with me, in these last two weeks I have felt that you have changed a lot, I'm glad I didn't give up on you" she said with her cheeks changing to a red tint and a smile that proclaimed her sincerity, revealing her emotions without any hesitation
I was overwhelmed by the purity of the feelings transmitted, this was something I never lived or felt in my previous life
But it wasn't a bad feeling "also meeting you was one of the best things that ever happened to me" I said as I approached returning the hug she gave me
POV Julian Kingscrown
I spent two whole months in Elenoir helping Tessia and Alea with their assimilation
I estimate that exactly in one more year they will have assimilated all the will without my help, so I will let them finish the process with their own skills
In the meantime I have three plans, to do this year before entering the academy, one finish all the projects with Gideon, two develop the Ether orbs with the help of Barbatos and three ask Mordain for help to train me
There is nothing like fighting with an Asura, and with my core in medium silver I should be able to keep up with the situation, besides at the end of this period I should be at the same level as Cynthia when I start my life as a student
With that I will have enough preparation to face Uto and stop Draneeve's plans
Right now I'm walking to the Xyrus academy to meet Cynthia and get first-hand news about the Alacryan situation, I also needed to ask her for a way of communication to talk to Mordain
(Welcome to the academy Julian) I heard Dryas's voice through the mental link
(Hello Dryas thank you, how have you been, did anything happen that I should know?) I spoke asking her about her state
(No, I have continued to watch Kai as you asked, but he has been very cautious since the incident in the Dire Tombs, he only sends some information updates about influential nobles in Xyrus nothing more) she replied
(Does that mean that Draneeve still does not show up right?) I asked confirming my suspicions
(Yes I have not been able to track him down) she said in an apologetic tone
(Don't worry, we know they are being more cautious than we anticipated at first) I said trying to cheer her up
(Understood) Dryas replied
(Thank you for helping me with the surveillance of Kai) I said entering the grounds of the Academy
(It's for something better, so I don't mind) She said in a melodic tone
(Still I thank you for your support) I replied warmly
After advancing carefully through the campus, I checked that the device was correctly active to prevent them from knowing my core central level
As I looked at some of the renovated facilities in the academy, as well as some new unique tools that Cynthia asked Gideon for protection, I felt a very familiar mana signature again and not only that but also as the last time it seemed to be spying on me
It was Claire, I'm sure classes haven't started yet, what is she doing here at this time besides?
I decided to pretend ignorance and continued my way, but there was something very strange, not even after several minutes had she made any contact, she was only watching me
Is this what a stalker means? I remember that's how the obsessive yanderes started in my old world, that thought sent a chill down my lower back
No calm down, she must have something to tell me if that's the case, when I was about to say her name I felt two other mana signatures and there was one I didn't expect to see here
A few meters ahead of me around the corner of the hallway I saw Kaspian come out accompanied by Cynthia
When the latter saw me she gave me a slight smile of discomfort, I see, she didn't expect me to be here at this time
Kaspian also changed his gaze from Cynthia to me, in his eyes I could see interest and surprise but above all understanding
Did he find out? Will the Alacryans have found me? As several thoughts crossed my mind
Cynthia stepped forward and introduced me, "Kaspian, he is one of my disciples, as well as one of the next students of the Xyrus academy, although there is still some time to see him on campus"
Following her idea I introduced myself, "nice to meet you Mr. Kaspian, my name is Julian Kingscrown" I spoke introducing myself
He began to approach and extended his hand as he introduced himself, so without thinking much I extended my hand to return his greeting
"Nice to meet you Mr. Kingscrown, my name is Kaspian Bladeheart" he spoke squeezing my hand, this reminds me of the time we met at the guild
Wait a minute, this situation, I immediately turned my gaze to the nervous one and my worst suspicions were confirmed
Kaspian had a victorious smile on his face as if he had just confirmed something, I didn't realize that this guy was trying to corroborate my identity by means of a simple handshake
"I didn't expect the adventurer Fenrir to be such a young person" he spoke with a bright smile on his face
"Haaaah" Cynthia let out a tired sigh, just like me, I didn't expect this situation to turn out this way
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POV Claire Bladeheart
A year ago
"Uncle, is it true that there is an adventurer who explores dungeons alone" I entered my uncle's room without knocking because I was so excited
Uncle Kaspian looked at me sideways and spoke, "why are you interested in the person of the rumors"
"Because he sounds strong and noble, thanks to his information the death rate has been reduced, isn't it true? I said as I waited impatiently for his answer
"The rumor is true, we have paid several commissions for his work, he seems very skilled and benefits us both sides, but he is not as noble as you think he is, it is just a way of benefiting himself" said my uncle Kaspian still looking at the documents in his hand
"Why do you work if you are not in the guild" I said frowning
"I have too much work thanks to the person you are so interested in" he replied in a tired tone
"Really? Let me see, what did he find this time" I quickly approached to try to find out what was the new information he had gathered
My uncle gave me a disapproving look as he let me see the documents
This time it was about a dungeon that had not been found, it was in an unexplored and dangerous area deep in the beast clearings
The information gathered said that there were lizard-type monsters, beasts of three to five meters with scales of different colors, each one had distinctive magic according to its color
From some with a very high defense, to others capable of spitting fire, there were even some capable of throwing magma
Every time I read the information that this lone adventurer sent to the guild I was excited, to know new beasts, to explore places that no one has reached and to get new experiences must be amazing
After listening to my uncle complain that someone had increased his workload, I became interested in this person and for the last two years reading his reports was always very satisfying, it was one of the few pleasures I had besides the sword
Fenrir was a rather peculiar name, it was the first time I heard it in fact and although my uncle talked about the mutual benefit arguing that there were no noble reasons for what he did
Indirectly, he was saving lives, he was also helping Dicathen to prosper, he was a pioneer in his own field and although it did not seem like it, sharing that information, was not something he was obliged to do, he could have continued with his solo explorations gaining benefits for himself
But he didn't, he brought this information to the guild, so that other people could see it too and thus avoid deaths due to lack of knowledge
It is true that they could call him crazy for exploring the dungeons alone or even foolish for sharing the information that he managed to collect while moving through the beast clearings
However, for me his actions have a different meaning, he wants people to know that the beast clearings can be explored, that fills people with hope
It is a sign of a brighter future for everyone or so I thought until a few seconds ago
----------------------------------------------------------Going back ten minutes before the encounter between Kaspian and Julian
How boring I thought as I walked around the empty campus of the academy, the reason I was here in vacation time is because my uncle had to consult something with the director Cynthia
So he asked me if I would accompany him, which I agreed, but there was nothing interesting to see without anyone on campus, while I was lost in my thoughts I saw someone not familiar, but unexpected
That boy again here? How unusual, I only saw his green flying beast, once in a while, but I never saw him again after I accompanied him to the director Cynthia's office
Will he come to look for the director? But we are in vacation season, will she even attend him? Besides, I still don't feel a mana core coming from him, will he come to cancel the enrollment with the director and tell her that he is not going to enter?
As I debated whether to talk to him or not, he continued walking around the campus observing the facilities as the last time he came and reached a crossroads where my uncle came out accompanied by Cynthia Goodsky
I saw how the director introduced them and my uncle seemed to have a look of interest, but the most surprised was me, I didn't know that the director had another disciple besides the princesses of Sapin and Elenoir
As I processed what I had just heard, I heard something that completely broke my common sense
"I didn't expect the adventurer Fenrir to be such a young person" said my uncle Kaspian
That left me breathless and with confused thoughts, it took me a few seconds to assimilate what I had just heard
But I couldn't accept it, how someone so young from whom I can't feel the core, is such a famous adventurer, besides why does my uncle seem to be sure
"I'm sorry Mr. Kaspian, could I ask you to keep this information secret, I have my reasons" said the white-haired boy named Julian
"I don't intend to reveal anything, I was just curious about your true identity and I already know it, besides I wouldn't want to be on bad terms with a future power of Dicathen" said my uncle with a friendly smile
"Claire don't you want to say hello to him" spoke again my uncle Kaspian, looking in my direction
My body became rigid and nervousness sprouted from my face, besides I still couldn't accept what I had just heard, but still I came out slowly from the hallway with stiff steps heading in their direction
My uncle had a doubtful look as he saw me approach them and asked "Are you feeling well Claire? You look very tense"
"No, uncle, I'm just a little surprised" I said nervously as I looked at the boy named Julian
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Claire" he said with a friendly smile on his face
"Likewise, Julian" I said giving my hand nervously, he took it and gave a slight squeeze
"I didn't expect you to know each other" said my uncle with one of his eyebrows raised
"She guided Julian the first time he came to my office" replied the director Cynthia
"I see that explains it, but Claire, why do you act like this, didn't you want to meet..?"
"Aaaaahhh, uncle, that's a secret" I said sweating profusely as I avoided him finishing talking, about something that could have embarrassed me
"Could you give us a second to me and my uncle" I asked as I saw the Director and Julian
"Sure" they both answered in unison
After moving away a little from where the Director Cynthia was, I spoke in a low voice to my uncle
"Uncle Kaspian is it true what you said, he is Fenrir" I asked hoping it wasn't true
"Yes, don't you believe me?" he said with a disapproving face
"Just look at him, besides I can't feel his core, can someone like that be such a famous adventurer" I said trying to make him see reason
"I see, that's why you don't believe me, but I'm sorry to tell you that he has a device that blocks the perception of his core below a certain level" said my uncle looking at me
"Is that so?" I asked in a doubtful tone
"Do you have your rapier with you?" He said with a playful smile
"Yes, why the question?" He made a grin of joy and started walking again towards the Director and Julian
I was confused, but still followed his steps without asking, when we were again in front of them my uncle spoke "Julian, my niece is somewhat inexperienced, so she finds it hard to believe that there is someone so young being an adventurer that she admires, so I could ask you for a practice fight with her to teach her some reality"
My eyes opened in surprise and I couldn't articulate a single word, I didn't think my uncle would do this, he not only said something embarrassing about me, but he also asked for a sparring out of nowhere
Immediately, I turned to look at Julian to see his reaction and he seemed very interested as he looked at me
For some strange reason I felt a chill in my lower back, as if a predator was looking at his prey and I couldn't shake off that feeling until he spoke seconds later
"Of course, I'm always delighted to fight with talented people, besides Miss Claire was trained by you personally, right Mr. Kaspian?" Julian answered
"That's correct, is it because of the way we walk that you noticed it?", my uncle asked in a curious tone
"Yes, they have some similarities, Director Cynthia could ask for a room to be able to carry out the sparring with Miss Claire" Julian spoke as he asked for guidance from the director
I thought she would reject them, but strangely it didn't happen, am I the only one who thinks something is wrong here
That's how I ended up in front of Julian in one of the training rooms, he with a sword in his hand and me with a rapier in mine
Guys, here I have brought two caps again, speaking of updates that you prefer, I tried a daily cap except for Sundays and the week went by, I modified it by two every couple of days, how does it feel better?
Also, guess who was looking for images of Clare and in the manhwa found an exquisite shot of the redhead's good ass