NOVEL NEXT Chapter 181 & 182.
Yue was amazed to see the changes her evolution had wrought in her. She stared at herself for nearly half an hour, prompting Aldric to label her as 'just a little too vain for his tastes,' but then Aldric was nearly twenty-three years old, which put her firmly out of his age range, taste or not. Synové, on the other hand, was ecstatic, watching Yue's transformation along with her as they whispered amongst themselves about 'girl matters.'
However, the aesthetic changes weren't the only thing Yue had gained after their short session. She had also been awarded a skill for crossing her first milestone, and while she marveled at her new body, Aodhán sat at the dining table, reviewing the status screen she had shared with him.
[STATUS]
Name: Yue Hazeveil
Title: Neophyte.
Class: Evolved Changeling: 7.3%
Tier: 5—21%
Skills {Innate}: [Morph—Animate] [Morph—Inanimate]
{Other}: [Phantom Veil]
Bloodline: Nil.
Congratulations! You have gained a new skill.
{Phantom Veil}: You can alter your physical features, voice, scent, height, and even heartbeat to avoid detection.
The first thing Aodhán noticed about the status screen was that it was…scanty. He couldn't remember if this was how his screen had been at the 5th tier, but they needed to give it some volume immediately.
The second thing he noticed was the lack of a pending tag in front of her class. He could, of course, give her another core to absorb and max out the evolved class, but Aodhán was trying to limit the number of handouts he gave Yue.
Getting things for free didn't precisely affect one's advancement, but earning them built character. Besides, if he gave her everything right now, what else would she have to do while she waited for the academy trial? It was better to make a mission out of it.
Moving past that, he glared at her title, wondering just how he was supposed to help her gain more titles. Titles were weird in that their functions weren't quite so obvious. Most of them were simply achievement tags, like his bronze, silver, or seal bearer titles. However, a few of them, like Origin Marked, Storm Spirit, and Amateur Runesmith, actually had functions aiding his advancement. Getting a few of them for Yue should be easy; however, he doubted that would be any time soon.
Skipping past that, his gaze landed on her skills, which were just as he had predicted.
{Morph—Animate} and {Morph—Inanimate}
The skills might have been predictable, but they were in no way weak. Already, Aodhán could think of a dozen skills to complement the innate skills and bring them to their full potential, perhaps even make them offensive.
Of course, all of this would depend greatly on how quickly Yue understood her affinity or even in what way she discerned them. Building one's skill set around their understanding was important because it made it that much easier to evolve them and use them.
Change, like every other affinity, could be offensive, defensive, or even supportive. It was all a matter of understanding and perspective.
However, after witnessing Seo-yeon's death, Aodhán hoped Yue's understanding would take the more offensive route. Seo-yeon had been incredibly resourceful, but the moment she'd been caught, she had barely been able to put up a decent fight. Perhaps a sort of hybrid build would have been best, but Aodhán was living proof that it didn't matter what you wanted when it came to skills. The foundation of one's understanding of their affinity seemed to be a major driving force; hence, Aodhán's ease with creating and getting offensive skills.
Still, Yue had only just begun, and although he didn't want to shape her understanding for her, a little nudge in the offensive direction couldn't hurt.
After another ten minutes of staring at the scanty screen, Aodhán drafted a schedule that would allow them to cover the most in two days, and the first thing on the list was meditation. It was time Yue began harnessing her willpower.
Hours went by in a flash, and Yue went from meditation to willpower training to skills training without rest. Three hours later, she stood in front of the mirror once again, morphing into a series of popular people while Aodhán pointed out her flaws with a stick construct.
It was control training. Her innate skill allowed her to morph into anything, whether animate or inanimate and although the changes were far from perfect considering her level, they could be stretched far beyond her current capacity.
His perception made it very easy for him to spot the flaws in her transformations, and in a flat, unimpressed tone, Aodhán droned out. "Wrong eyebrow placement. The ears are too thin. The nose is slightly too large. The voice is too deep. Too musical. Too stiff. Too tall…
Yue took his corrections with a grace Aodhán knew he was most certainly incapable of. She never complained or cried out that her pathways were straining from the constant use of energy. Even when Synové tried to speak up on her behalf, she shook her head and said, "I can manage. If this is what it takes to be as strong as Aodhán, then I'll do it."
Her determination and consistency lit up a spark in Aodhán and a pyre beneath Unrid, who soon shut himself within a spare room with Daruk and Aldric to do some control training, leaving Synové to pout and stare at all of them in annoyance.
After the intensive session on control training, Aodhán gave Yue some time to rest and recover her energy before calling her into the garden for more skill training. Synové, of course, followed, and when they reached the garden, Aodhán created a dome construct to reduce the glare of the afternoon sun and prevent Synové from getting sunburned.
The black dome scattered the rays of sunlight to create beautiful fractal patterns on the flowers, and Synové sighed in contentment.
Chuckling, Aodhán turned his attention back to Yue and said. "Now, we're going to push the use of your skills even further. As it stands, you have no single offensive skills, which means if another disaster strikes, you'll be almost no different than you were on the day of Sunstone's retaliation. However, until you create an offensive skill, we'll have to work with what you currently have, and that is {Morph—Animate}. Tell me, what is your favorite animal?"
Yue frowned in thought for a moment before shrugging. "I'm not sure I have one. A phoenix's maybe."
Aodhán shook his head. "That might be a little difficult. Why don't we start with a mundane creature first?"
Yue pouted. "I don't know. A dog?"
"Perfect." Aodhán clapped and smiled. "Now, transform into a dog?"
"What?!" Yue and Synové shouted at the same time, and Synové rushed to her feet. "Aodhán Ashoka Brystion! I thought you were a gentleman."
"I'm not trying to humiliate her." Aodhán quickly explained, burning both in embarrassment and amusement. "Transforming into other humans won't grant her any attack power, but animals are a different case. They have fangs and claws, some even poison. At the very least she'll be able to chase a few dimwits away if she looks scary enough."
Synové's eyes widened in understanding, and she cleared her throat. "Well, if that's the case—"
Yue's clothes fell to the ground without hesitation, and the next instant, the sound of cracking bone split the air.
Synové's eyes widened in horror, and Aodhán was ashamed to say that even he stumbled back in shock. Yue's transformations into other humans had been so seamless that he hadn't taken into account the different anatomy of animals.
The entire transformation took nearly thirty seconds, but when the cracking sounds ceased, a beautiful Korrin stood in Yue's place, its dense silver and brown coat graceful under the fractured light streaming in through the dome.
It closely resembled a Siberian husky with its piercing eyes and distinctive facial markings, but some features were vastly different. The dog stood about 2 feet in height and was so beautiful that Aodhán nearly reached out to pet it before remembering that it was actually Yue.
A few flaws quickly revealed themselves, though, but before Aodhán could point them out, Synové scooped Yue into her arms and cooed, twirling around and laughing as Yue barked excitedly.
"Mom, you're ruining our training." Aodhán called out with a frown, but Yue just barked at him and licked Synové's face, tracking slob all over her and ruining what little makeup she had on.
Synové and Yue soon rushed to show themselves off to the rest of the family, and Aodhán wondered if he would be able to keep up with the schedule he had created if this continued.
Following them into the house, Aodhán found everyone cooing at Yue's form. Even Daruk, who was usually cold, let out a bright smile as he scratched Yue behind the ears, running his fingers through her fur and laughing when she licked his face too.
"The ears are improperly aligned." Aodhán called out just for the sake of it, but no one was listening to him. Rolling his eyes, Aodhán finally joined in the fun, picking Yue up to scratch her ears and her underbelly till she hiccupped from how much fun she was having. When he noticed that she had become pliable in his hands, he hastily kidnapped her, running from within the circle of fawners that was his family to dash out the door.
"Come back here!" Synové called out, but Aodhán was out of the door in an instant. He shut the door behind himself and turned to glare at the dog in his arms.
"We won't get through our training schedule if you run off for belly rubs every time you transform, and we still have too many things to cover."
His words sobered Yue up, and she jumped back to the ground, planting her legs firmly to showcase her seriousness. Aodhán simply smiled and said. "Your ears are unaligned. The left needs to go up a little more, and your nose is too pointed. Also, I don't think you included canines when you were transforming because all I can see are molars."
Yue corrected each flaw he pointed out with great effort, and Aodhán deduced that making corrections was costing her more energy than simply recreating everything from scratch. It seemed the changeling transformations required perfect visualization to get right, and just like that, Aodhán knew the first technique Yue needed to get.
He ordered her to transform back to her human form and looked away while she dressed. When she was done, he said. "There's an exchange pavilion not too far from the Norbuik mall. Go there and buy yourself a visualization training technique. If they do not have it, try the mall, and if the mall doesn't have it, try the next city. Make sure you're back in three hours."
She frowned. "But…but I don't have enough money for such a journey."
Aodhán shrugged. "You are a changeling. I'm sure you'll come up with something. Won't you?
Yue blushed and nodded. "I will."
"Good, because I won't be here to foot your bills every time. You're awakened now; it means you have been given a means. Use it."
He left the garden after that, happy that he'd gained a little time to himself. Three hours wasn't nearly enough for his studies, but it would be enough to at least perfect one more rune and bring his total to fifteen. Understanding the language of runes could wait a little.
He snuck up the stairs, hiding from Synové, and when he finally reached his room, he locked the door behind himself and raced towards his reading table. A mental probe came from Varéc, and Aodhán put his studies on hold for a few minutes to chat with his familiar.
Varec sent him images of blue skies and dark clouds while Aodhán sent back images of a Korrin and his practice note. Amusement flowed through their psychic bond before their communication ended, and Aodhán was finally able to focus on the fifteenth rune, MYRRDAN—the rune of rust and decay.
This time around, Aodhán removed the signature loop before he even began learning the rune. Unlike runes like ISA and LUMUS, this rune had two primary functions and was thus far more complex. It wasn't the first double-function rune he had come across so far, but for some reason, it struck him as odd suddenly. Both rust and decay fell under the concept of deterioration, but they occurred under different circumstances and involved different materials.
Rust was the chemical oxidation of iron or steel, while decay was the biological decomposition or degradation of organic matter. In essence, they were two different processes with two different activation pathways rooted in the concept of deterioration.
Aodhán's eyes widened as his mind seemed to suddenly expand as he stared at the complex rune of intertwining loops and curves. Suddenly, it seemed like a puzzle of two activation pathways all connected to the rune's basic structure—deterioration.
If he could alienate the lines and loops that served as the activation pathways for rust, then surely, he could split this rune in two. Deterioration—Decay, Deterioration—Rust.
His mind flashed to Yue's status screen, and he wondered if this was something like innate skills. Was it possible, and even if it was, could he, do it?
Unwilling to rush into it, Aodhán pulled out all the textbooks on runes he had gathered over the months and began flipping through them. This continued for nearly an hour before he found something that alluded to his theory called The Art of Runic Engineering.
In the text, the author divided a rune into three aspects: the base, the function or intent pathways, and lastly the activation pathways. He described the base as a simple runic alphabet without any functions or intents—like an unconnected light bulb. The intent or function was the circuit of wires that connected the light bulb and turned it on. However, this circuit of wires could either be simple or complex, one requiring fewer wires and, in turn, less energy to activate, while the other required more energy or wires to work.
The more he read, the more he realized that stripping the intent pathways of a rune also meant removing several safeguards that made it safe for activation. Frowning, he glanced at Geneva's practice note, hoping to find an answer in between the pages, but the answers he found weren't what he wanted.
Geneva's inscription of MYRDDAN wasn't as complex as the ones in the textbooks, but it wasn't nearly as simple as splitting it would have made it. Still, Aodhán was hesitant to dismiss the idea entirely. There was something there; he could feel it.
Dividing the runes would require him to learn more initiate runes over time. Still, it would allow him to create highly precise and efficient runes that carried out their functions without unnecessary pathways, ultimately consuming less energy.
Pushing the thought of perfecting MYRDDAN aside, Aodhán spent the next hour riffling through a series of textbooks, searching for anything to back up his ideas. He found a few, but none quite as direct as splitting a rune. It made him wonder if perhaps this was his unique take on the study of runes—an understanding that came as a result of his origins—or was this the subtle influence of his Amateur Runesmith and Amateur Rune scholar titles.
Nearly four hours passed before Yue eventually returned. Before she could knock, Aodhán opened his door to find her covered head to toe in soot and smelling like sewage, her hair damp against her forehead.
Trying not to laugh, Aodhán raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Welcome back. How was your journey?"
Yue scowled. "I had to climb through somebody's chimney as a rat and the mall's sewage system as a cockroach."
"That must have been an adventure." Aodhán laughed, unable to hold it in. When he finally let it out of his system, he asked. "Did you get the technique?"
"I did, but I had to get to Nematon for it." She arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Why do I feel that you already knew I wouldn't get the technique in Norbuik?"
Rather than respond, Aodhán collected the technique from her and ordered her to go take a shower first. Fifteen minutes later, Aodhán recreated the dome over the garden and gestured for Yue to begin testing the technique.
And so, they trained. Runes. Repetition. Train. Repetition.
The rest of the break passed in this manner with Aodhán doing his best to give Yue the strongest foundation he could without giving her too much. Instead of teaching her his perfected imbuement technique, he opted for Daruk's crude energy enhancement technique, with Daruk's permission, of course.
The enhancement technique seemed to fit Yue better, as nearly all of her skills would be centered around altering her body. It would be incredibly slow for her to begin since she lacked both a seal and an opening, but she also had the advantage of starting earlier than they had, which also meant having to deal with a lesser number of essence threads.
Finally, as the hour of their departure came, Aodhán took one final look at Yue's status screen.
[STATUS]
Name: Yue Hazeveil
Class: Evolved Changeling: 7.3%
Title: Neophyte.
Tier: 5—21%
Techniques: Visualization Training technique, Energy enhancement technique (crude)
Skills {Innate}: [Morph—Animate] [Morph—Inanimate]
{Other}: [Phantom Veil] [Partial Shapeshift]
Bloodline: Nil.
There wasn't much of a change, but Aodhán felt he had given Yue a solid foundation to build upon on her own. Dismissing the screen, he smiled at her and said, "Try not to advance tiers just yet. Give yourself a few weeks to strengthen your foundations—maybe even gain a grasp or a glimpse—before pushing ahead. And if you experience an inspiration or awaken a seal, I mean this in the most serious way possible: text me or use the bunker Unrid is constructing. Is that clear?"
Yue nodded. "Crystal. I understand the dangers of gaining seals in inopportune places."
"Good, then I wish you good luck."
"And I you." Yue smiled, and Synové sighed. "I can't believe you guys are leaving again." She shook her head and smiled at Yue. "Well, at least I'll have you to keep me company."
Right. It was official. Yue had decided to stay after all, and although she hadn't said anything about staying permanently, she hadn't shown any signs of leaving either.
"I'm glad you're staying." Aldric intoned as he zipped his duffel bag and threw it into his spatial ring. "I'll be more comfortable knowing Mum isn't alone in this big house on her days off."
"She's never alone." Unrid snorted. "I'm always with her."
"Of course you are." Synové rolled her eyes and hugged Yue tighter.
Their conversation carried on until they could no longer delay their departure. After exchanging goodbyes, Aodhán and Daruk took to the skies just as they had before—Aodhán on Varéc and Daruk on the ice-construct version of Varéc.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Daruk's control over the animate construct had improved significantly. Though it still couldn't match Varéc's speed, it managed to keep pace. Before long, the academy gates came into view, and they descended before a waiting crowd.
Aodhán took in the gathered reporters and guardians with a smile. He couldn't wait to see what this new term would bring.
Aldric stood by the doorway, watching as Aodhán and Daruk took to the sky, laughing and cheering as they raced each other to the academy. Smiling, he watched them until they finally disappeared past the horizon before turning back to his parents and sighing. "Well, there go our noisemakers. Now you can both enjoy the house in peace with Yue."
Unrid chuckled, but Yue and Synové glared at him in annoyance, and he could almost hear Yue think, "Aodhán is not a noisemaker even though he keeps blowing things up."
Raising his hands to placate them, he rolled his eyes and said. "Fine, wrong time for a joke. However, I hope you both realize that they're not even traveling. They're just returning to the academy, which is like two cities away. I, on the other hand, am traveling, crossing several sectors, in fact."
"Oh, you're a big boy." Synové scoffed and wiped her tears. Patting Yue's legs, she added. "Well, at least it won't be so lonely in this house anymore, now that I have Yue here."
Yue smiled, and Aldric shook his head in resignation. Emotions were high. They had been high ever since Aodhán returned, and Aldric had spent the better part of the last six days managing everyone's emotions, if only for the sole cause of hearing his thoughts.
He hadn't delved into anyone's emotional pool or planted foreign emotions, but smoothing out everyone's rough edges for days on end was draining. Fortunately, he had a lot of experience with it due to his job with the Ravens and had learned to manage his energy and willpower better. Keeping a few dozen sailors on friendly terms for weeks on end was not an easy task.
Unsurprisingly, Aodhán and Daruk had been the ones draining most of his energy as a result of their evolved status. Daruk not so much as Aodhán, whose emotional pool was like a tornado of chaos and violence. But with them gone, Aldric could finally dedicate his attention to the others.
Slowly, his mother's sadness reduced, Yue's longing subsided, and his father…well, his father was chill.
Checking the time, Aldric noted that he still had an hour to spend with his family before he had to hit the road, so he and Unrid retreated to the basement to continue their work on the containment chamber they were building below.
The chamber arrived two days ago, and although they could have simply handed it over to the engineer to couple it himself, he, Daruk, and Unrid had decided to do it themselves and use the time as a sort of bonding session. Aodhán had been too busy with Yue to join.
The containment chamber was by no means cheap, or at least the best ones weren't, but they had gained a lot of money from selling those cores, and after pooling their resources together, they'd had just enough to get themselves something special.
With Yue and his father now working on their spiritual cultivation within the house, the chamber was more important than ever, in case someone got an inspiration-fueled seal out of the blue.
The containment chamber would still have to be inscribed with elder runes to strengthen them, but simply putting the whole thing together was a fun experience. Hopefully, they would finish the coupling today so the runic engineer could finish it up before the end of the day.
With that target in mind, Unrid and Aldric worked in relative silence, the squeaking of turning screws the only sound in the room until Aldric spoke. "Mum will be fine, Dad. You don't have to worry."
Unrid glanced at him and sighed. "I know that. It's just…she's been dropping these subtle hints that she wants to spend more time with me, which is perfectly normal, but I have to meditate and cultivate too." He frowned, revealing more of his concerns on his face. "I just wished she understood my reasons."
"And she wishes the same." Aldric chuckled and shook his head. "It's all about finding a balance, Dad. Once you do, all of these problems will simply vanish like smoke in the wind."
Unrid chuckled. "I'm not sure they'll disappear, but finding balance is really good advice. Thank you, Aldric."
"You're welcome." Aldric shrugged and continued his work, suppressing a small smile when Unrid's worries subsided. This was one of the things he loved the most about being an empath, and although he didn't go around giving people advice based on their emotions, he cherished every opportunity he got to do so.
Forty-five minutes later, the chamber was all set up, joined together by reinforced beams at the edges. Tiny circles were placed at the topmost part of the chamber to allow the flow of air, marring its unnatural smoothness, and as he ran a hand across the glass walls, Aldric wondered just how many hours of his life he would be spending down here soon.
"All set." Unrid patted the walls and grinned. "All that's left is for the engineer to come and inscribe it with runes."
Aldric let out a breath of amusement. "How soon do you think you'll be needing it?"
Unrid's expression turned serious, and he sighed. "Very soon. I can feel it."
"Then I'm happy for you, Dad. Remember, find a balance."
"I will, son, I will."
They stepped out of the basement, and Aldric rushed up to his room for a quick shower. He was out in seconds, and ten minutes later, he stood in the living room with the last of his luggage in his hands.
Synové smiled sadly when she saw him and came forward to hug him. "Oh, Aldric, you know I'll miss you so much."
Aldric smiled. "I know, Mum; I can feel it."
Synové chuckled and pulled back so Unrid could hug him too. "Take care of yourself, Aldric, and remember that we're proud of you."
"Now, now, there's no need to get sappy."
Unrid laughed, and when he pulled back, Aldric stretched his hands to Yue, smiling as he sensed her emotions shuffle erratically before settling on a sense of kinship. She hugged him tightly, and Aldric patted her back gently, letting her emotions drown his senses.
It was very assuring feeling her emotions this way, and perhaps, he was the reason his family had accepted her so easily. Aside from her obsession with Aodhán, the girl was a ball of longing. She longed for a family. She longed for safety, for love, for warmth, and for food, and she had gotten it all here.
Aldric had known from the moment Aodhán began training her that his mother would never let her leave. His mother was weird like that, collecting strays left and right and just seamlessly adopting them into their family. Not that he was complaining. He loved Aodhán like his own brother, and he suspected it wouldn't be long before he felt the same way with Yue.
After she pulled back, Aldric glanced at his mother and asked. "So, any last sage advice for your favorite son?"
Synové scoffed and rolled her eyes. "As if you would ever take them."
Unrid chuckled and wrapped a hand around Synové. "I've got one piece of advice. Stay away from the girls. And boys. I can never know which ones you're interested in these days."
"And that's my cue." Aldric cringed and began walking towards the door. "Goodbye, Mum and Dad. I love you guys so much, and I don't want to go, but I have to, or else I'll miss my ship. And you, Yue, take care of them for me. You've got my contact. Text me in case of any issues."
"I will." "Goodbye, son." "Goodbye, darling." His family echoed, and after giving them one last hug, he stepped out of the house and sighed in relief.
Usually, he was more distant and nonchalant with people, but his family just brought out the softness in him, and since he was constantly sensing all of their emotions at the same time, it was a miracle he didn't spontaneously burst into happy tears every time he was around them.
Glancing up at the knots of emotions high in the sky, Aldric saluted the guards he couldn't see but who had been protecting his family for the last few months. He received no visible acknowledgment, but the ripple in the guards' emotions showed that they were indeed watching and were probably glad he was leaving. After all, he wasn't exactly the model child he pretended to be.
Hefting his duffel bag just so he would have something to do with his hands, Aldric began walking. Unlike Aodhán and Daruk, he couldn't create constructs to levitate himself and fly all over the place. However, he only had to trek for a few minutes before a sleek, black, private car pulled up beside him, its windows tinted to prevent anyone from peering in.
The front window wound down to reveal a familiar face, and Aldric smirked. "Relegated to the lowly post of a chauffeur, I see? I cannot imagine what the mighty Enrique must have done to piss off his lordship this terribly."
"Fuck you." Enrique cursed and growled. "If you think I'm going to open the backdoor for you then. You're sorely mistaken."
Aldric laughed and simply opened the door himself. He threw in the duffel bag first before stepping into the car, sighing in bliss as his body sank into the familiar comfort of the luxury seats.
"Can we fucking go now?" Enrique asked.
"We can," Aldric muttered and grinned as the car roared to life, sending tingling vibrations all through his body. Despite the sleek black exterior of the private car, the interior of the vehicle was a soft blue color, and just behind the driver's seat was a matte-black logo: SHRAPANELLY.
Baron Shrapanelly ruled over Nematon and its surrounding towns, none of which were large enough to be considered cities in their own right. Unlike most barons, however, he was obscenely wealthy, thanks to all the illegal businesses he was involved in.
The Ravens, as pirates and smugglers, unsurprisingly counted Baron Shrapanelly among their biggest clients. Their relationship, however, was strictly business—they smuggled contraband into Ragnarok for him and got paid. The arrangement was straightforward.
Aldric, however, had developed a more direct arrangement with the Baron.
He was responsible for delivering all of Shrapanelly's illegal goods, and, in addition to the Ravens' standard pay, he received a separate delivery fee. This fee, however, wasn't monetary. Instead, it came either in the form of cores, treasures, or items.
This arrangement was one of the main reasons he had come home for the break. He hadn't gone out much because he also wanted to spend some time with his family, but he had a list of packages to deliver within the next two to three days, and Baron Shrapanelly's was the first on the list.
Aldric knew that if—or when—people discovered his profession, many wouldn't approve. But he had weighed the risks before joining the Ravens. The truth was, unlike his brothers, who had struck gold and were well on their way to becoming pillars of the kingdom, Aldric had no such prospects.
Graduating from the 12th Academy carried respect only in the lower sectors, where energy was scarce and resources even scarcer. He knew his chances of real success were slim. As a mundane class awakened with little offensive capability, no bloodline, and no special abilities, he lacked the advantages that defined the strongest. He hadn't even attended one of the continent's top academies.
The bottom line was that if he ever wanted to measure up to his brothers—or carve out a name for himself—he couldn't afford to take the conventional route. Seafaring was his way out, and so far, it was proving to be a great choice. He had already made connections with powerful people—people he likely never would have met if not for his 'skill set.'
As he mulled over this, the car sped onto the freeway, racing toward Nematon. Twenty minutes later, they arrived before a large, ornate gate emblazoned with the logo of House Shrapanelly. Enrique flashed his ID at the guards stationed at the entrance, and after a brief wait, they were allowed inside. The compound was a display of sheer opulence, so grand and lavish that it could rival the estates of several counts.
"Damn," Aldric muttered, barely above a whisper, as he took in the mansion. It had changed—again. The old Victorian look was gone, replaced by something straight out of a futuristic dream. All glass and metal, sleek and sharp, like it was designed to make a statement. The sunlight bounced off the reflective panels, making the whole place seem like it belonged to some high-tech utopia rather than Nematon. Definitely a far cry from the ivy-covered stone walls he remembered.
Stepping out of the car, Aldric shoved his hands into his pockets, giving the place a once-over. The sheer amount of money poured into this estate was ridiculous. The gardens were meticulously trimmed and filled with strange glowing plants that cast an eerie blue and violet light across the pristine walkways. In the center of it all, a floating sphere of water hovered in midair, as if just to remind anyone stepping onto the property that Baron Shrapanelly had the kind of wealth where he could waste absurd amounts of money just to show off.
Made sense. The guy had found a gold mine in the harbors and milked it dry without a second thought. Aldric was still lazily taking it all in when Enrique stepped out of the car, shooting him an unimpressed look. Voice tight with impatience, he asked. "I hope you've got the package?"
Aldric smirked. "Not sure that's information the chauffeur needs to know."
"I'm not—" Enrique's glare sharpened as he jabbed two fingers in Aldric's direction. "One day, I'm cutting your damn eyes out. Trust me."
Aldric grinned. "Is that because I told your wife you were cheating, or just because you don't like me?"
"Both," Enrique spat before storming off, shoving a passing footman in the head just to vent his frustration.
Chuckling to himself, Aldric strolled toward the mansion, giving the maids bustling past him a lazy nod in acknowledgment. They barely spared him a glance—probably used to his presence by now. As he reached the entrance, the heavy doors swung open from within, revealing another familiar face.
"Well, if it isn't our favorite seafarer," the head maid greeted with a warm smile.
Asha was a stout woman with caramel skin and a mass of tight brown curls. To most, she was just another housekeeper, but Aldric knew better. Beneath those layers of fabric, she was armed to the teeth.
"And my favorite housekeeper," Aldric returned with a smirk, giving her emotions a quick scan out of habit. "I see the Baron's gone and redone the place. Again."
Asha chuckled, closing the door behind him. "Oh, you know his lordship—always changing with the times."
"Yeah, and always spending stupid amounts of money while he's at it."
"That too." She grinned. "Something to drink?"
"No, thanks. I'd rather keep my wits about me."
Asha's chuckle deepened as she recalled the last time Aldric had sampled their tea. "As you wish. Shall I take you to his lordship?"
"Yeah, let's get this over with."
They climbed up the stairs, taking several turns as they made their way to the baron's study, which was located at the top of the mansion. When they finally reached Baron Shrapanelly's study, Asha bowed and excused herself, leaving Aldric to walk into the office alone.
Without hesitation, he pushed open the heavy door and strode in, offering a respectful bow when Baron Shrapanelly glanced up from the documents spread across his desk.
"Evening, Baron. Got your package right here."
He was a nature-awakened, and judging by the red and brown bands around his green irises, it was obvious he was in the advanced class. However, considering his age, Aldric suspected he had reached a limit somehow.
Despite the baron's reputation, Aldric had never once felt the need to fear him. His emotions, whenever Aldric glimpsed them, were always steady and composed. However, he understood that a man didn't amass wealth and influence like his without having a penchant for brutality when necessary.
Settling into the chair opposite, Aldric reached into his spatial ring and pulled out two hefty bags, placing them on the desk with a soft thud. Almost immediately, the thick, cloying scent of Ark Opium filled the air, and he fought back a grimace as his head swam just from a whiff of it.
The Baron arched a brow, intrigued, and pulled one of the bags open. Inside, several pounds of shimmering hallucinogenic dust gleamed under the light—so potent that even the scent was enough to make a person lightheaded. Ark Opium was a refined variant of the standard opium, cultivated in a hidden farm somewhere in the central Kingdom. Not outright illegal, but not something anyone would openly brag about possessing either.
Baron Shrapanelly dipped a finger into the bag and brought it to his tongue, his eyes fluttering shut as he savored the taste. "Ahh, now that's quality. I knew you lot wouldn't disappoint."
Aldric leaned back, resting an arm over the chair. "Would've been a damn shame if we did, considering the headache we went through dodging sea patrol."
Shrapanelly's expression soured instantly. "Those relentless pests. Do they ever let up?"
"Not in this lifetime, Baron," Aldric said dryly. "Now, about—"
"Your payment. Yes, yes, I haven't forgotten." The Baron waggled his brows before flashing a smug grin. "Didn't manage to get you the Serenithol pill, but I found something else."
Aldric's easy demeanor shifted slightly as he studied Shrapanelly, his instincts flaring. He wasn't picking up on any deceit, but caution was second nature. Over the years, he'd collected all sorts of payment from the Baron—treasures, rare pills, and items that helped him sharpen his abilities.
Empath resources weren't exactly common, making them a nightmare to track down for ordinary folks. But for someone with the Baron's influence? Not a problem. And yet… something about this trade felt different. In all their time working together, Shrapanelly had never failed on an agreed payment. What had changed?
Baron Shrapanelly caught Aldric's expression and let out a dry snort. "Relax. I'm not trying to cheat you or rack up more karmic debt—heaven knows I've got more than enough of that already."
That eased Aldric's mind, if only slightly. "All right, then. What'd you get me?"
The baron's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Not a pill. A treasure."
He pulled out a rune-inscribed wooden box from his spatial storage, and for a moment, Aldric feared that the Baron was offering him a bloodline, but when he opened the wooden case, he let out both a sigh of relief and disappointment at the sight of a vaguely familiar treasure.
Nestled inside was a small crystalline orb, no bigger than a thumbnail, shimmering with shifting hues of rose, cerulean, and violet. It pulsed with a soft, rhythmic hum, almost like a heartbeat, and the resonance tugged at the edges of his senses in a way that felt strangely familiar.
Aldric blinked, realization dawning on him. "I can't—Baron, this is worth way more than what you owe me."
"Nonsense," Shrapanelly waved off his concern. "It was a little expensive, sure, but it's been sitting on Malik's shelf for months. Figured I'd kill two birds with one stone—get it off his hands and put it in yours."
Aldric hesitated, fingers hovering over the box. He wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come. An Empathion Core. Not some legendary artifact, not a treasure that would rewrite his fate—but still far too valuable to serve as payment for a simple delivery.
Aldric scanned Baron Shrapanelly's emotional pool constantly, or at least the little he could sense of it considering the tier difference between them, but he sensed nothing nefarious or untoward.
Still, something wasn't right, so he placed the core back into the box and said,. "Before I accept this, I want you to tell me why you're giving it to me." Chipping in a little lie, he continued. "I can sense that you want to ask me something. What is it?"
Baron Shrapanelly paused, frowned, and then shook his head. "What I want to ask you has nothing to do with the core. I simply want to give it to you as a gift. I'm not trying to make you indebted to me."
"And I hear you, but I would still like to know what your request is."
Barons Shrapanelly observed him for a moment before he spoke. "I know the Ravens do not mix themselves up with violent business, but I find myself in need of your special skill set. I need a coercer."
Aldric's concerns and worry suddenly came to a sudden stop as understanding dawned, and he grimaced, not liking the direction this conversation was taking at all. There was no such thing as a coercer, and Shrapanelly knew it. It was simply a less frightening term for a torturer, and despite being seafarers and smugglers, that part of the illegal business wasn't something the Ravens involved themselves with. They were ethical like that. It was one of their major rules.
Aldric shook his head. "I'm sorry, my lord, but you know I can't do that. It's against our ethics."
"No," Baron Shrapanelly raised a finger in correction. "Physical and emotional torture is against your ethics. I don't need a torturer. I need a coercer."
"You want me to manipulate someone's emotions into giving up sensitive information."
"Easy-peasy." Baron Shrapanelly smiled. "No blood, no broken bones—just a little emotional persuasion, and then the truth spills out." His expression darkened, and his voice dropped a notch. "If you knew who this person was and what they've done, I swear you wouldn't hesitate to make them suffer."
For the briefest moment, Aldric caught something beneath the Baron's usually controlled demeanor—something sharp, dark, simmering just below the surface, but before he could fully grasp it, the emotion vanished, smoothed over like a ripple fading from still water.
More alert now, Aldric kept his tone neutral. "Who's the target?"
"Not until you agree."
Aldric leaned back, considering the offer. This wasn't new to him—extracting information for nobles was something he had done before, and his abilities were practically made for it. As long as there was no outright torture, no irreversible damage, he had no reason to refuse. More than that, accepting would balance the scales between him and the Baron. And for an empath like him, balance was everything.
His gaze flicked to the wooden box on the table, and with a quiet sigh, he reached for it, fingers closing around its edges. "Fine. We have a deal. I'll get you what you need—and after that, we're even. No debts left between us."
"That is a fair deal." Baron Shrapanelly smiled.
"It is," Aldric responded. "Now, who is this poor human I'm supposed to coerce, and where do they live? I'd rather not drag this out—I need to be in sector 8 by nightfall."
Baron Shrapanelly chuckled. "Lucky for you, you won't be wasting any time at all. The poor soul's already in my basement—tied up and hanging from null chains."
Aldric paused, blinking. "Well, that escalated quickly."
Shrapanelly laughed again. "Relax. I meant it when I said no torture."
Aldric gave him a skeptical look. "Right. And this mystery guest of yours would be…?"
Shrapanelly stood up, gesturing for him to follow. "Why don't we find out together?"
Aldric sighed but followed anyway, hands in his pockets as they made their way down—past the ground floor, past the first basement, and into what Shrapanelly casually referred to as his "dungeon."
Unlike what anyone might expect, the dungeon wasn't dark, wet, or moldy, but that didn't make it any less unsettling. Flickering torches lined the narrow corridor, casting long, sinister shadows across the walls and barely illuminating the dungeon's winding paths. Barred cells lined the opposite wall, dark and empty, but their presence alone made Aldric uncomfortable, knowing that one day, they would be put to use.
They walked in silence until they reached the last cell, where the dim torchlight barely revealed the outline of a man bound and suspended half a foot in the air.
Aldric exhaled. "Yeah… definitely escalated."
"This is our poor human." Baron Shrapanelly said with a scowl. "His name is Jeffery Webber. Recently exposed as a secret member of the Children of the Watch. A cultist and a murderer. Frankly, putting him through a little suffering would be a mercy compared to what he's done to his victims."
Aldric's gaze flickered to the chained man, who looked up at the sound of the Baron's voice and spat. "I do not fear you, Baron, or the whelp you've brought with you. You will get no information from me. You'll just have to kill me."
Aldric observed the cultist quietly, noting the double rings around his eyes that identified him as an advanced class awakened. His presence was weak due to all the null chains binding him, but his eyes held a conviction and determination that Aldric suspected no torturer could break.
Turning his attention to Baron Shrapanelly, he asked. "Has the kingdom been notified about this?"
Shrapanelly's jaw tensed. "They will. After I get all the information I need." His words were steady, but Aldric caught something else beneath them—something bitter, something dark. "The Children have run unchecked for too long. If the kingdom won't deal with them properly, then I will."
Aldric gave a slight nod, catching the undercurrent of grief laced in the Baron's words. The Children of the Watch had managed to endure because no one had uncovered their main base. If he could extract information about their location from this man, then perhaps they could be rid of the cultists once and for all.
Bracing himself for the mental strain ahead, Aldric stepped into the cell. The captive's emotions lay exposed, unprotected by either energy or willpower, as all that had been dampened by the null chains.
It left him an open book, every raw feeling laid bare, and with a sharp emotional tug, Aldric tore the man's emotions apart, splitting them into layers of individual feelings, even as he smiled and said. "Hey, Jeffery. Let's have ourselves a nice, friendly chat about your favorite cult, shall we?"