Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Skullius did indeed have a skill called [Son of Luserus]. It was the last of his racial skills; the two being [Wing of the Just] and [Son of Luserus].

The fact that he had this skill pretty much confirmed what Darwel was talking about. If El-Sif didn’t have an ability like this then he was probably a Luminant. Or more aptly, more Luminant than he was El-Sif.

The guidance field seemed to be more accurate with its description of him.

He was a Hybrid. Part Discount Human, part Luminant and part whatever the dark red hue of death made him, though it was probably the least of the mix he had.

Darwel assumed said last part was suppressing his powers but Skullius was sure that she was actually wrong.

But why correct her?

This was an unexpected benefit.

The only problem though was…

“Yes, I do have the ability [Son of Luserus] but it’s… complicated. I can’t just use it. There seems to be some prerequisites that are needed,” he explained to Darwel.

The princess smiled delightfully though hunts of disappointment registered on her face. She had wanted to see a finished product.

“I expected as much. There’s no doubt that you are a Luminant now,” she said with a mature giggle. “As far as I know, the wings on the Luminants were a mere shadow of this particular power that, as I have read, ‘brought out their true selves’.”

“The Luminants were very secretive about their entire history, even with their Sif lovers but they did share a fair bit provided the circumstances were correct. Apparently, Luserus is a foreign divine figure who awakened the true essence of their being. What we saw were only the casual forms of the Luminants. Some books say it got harder for the Luminants to awaken or use this ability after they arrived in Aigas as they were too far away from their home. That’s probably why it’s hard for you to.”

‘Luserus, huh?’ Skullius thought.

A Divine being.

Skullius’ mind instantly strode to a more obvious line of thought.

Was Luserus… a Deity from a foreign land?

From the looks of it, the Sif probably thought the same at one point but since none of them, even the El-Sif, had this ability, the discussion around the subject sank deeper and deeper into obscurity.

‘Wait. That brings up another question,’ Skullius thought.

If this skill had to do with the Deities, would the Binds of Fukal let him use it?

They could, considering that the Binds seemed to be targeted towards the Deities of Aigas specifically.

But who knew?

“How do I use it? That ability, I mean?” Skullius asked Darwel.

The princess smiled with another disappointed glint flashing in her eyes. She then drew on Skullius’ arm.

“It’s not any easy process. I only have text book knowledge so we might not even succeed in helping you use it but the key is consistency. That’s why, I propose to that you come and stay here with me,” she said.

…!

Skullius nearly choked on his own saliva.

Live with Darwel in the Governor’s Manor?

That didn’t sound like a good idea but it was to be expected. Of course she would propose this.

However, staying in this manor was a terrible flag.

Seeing his unwillingness, Darwel’s eyes burned with determination.

“You are too precious to my people. I can’t leave you out there among the swarms of greedy characters in this city. You’ll be safer here,” she tried to convince.

‘Also, I get to rub this in mother and father’s faces. I can even use this chance to bargain for more freedom!’ Darwel thought inwardly.

Viccil and Sevill smote their armour with their fists.

“Please, entrust yourself to us. We will guard your life with our own,” Sevill said with a powerful force in her voice that perfectly expressed her firm resolve.

“Indeed. No enemy will dare ever touch you. Not before my blade culls their life,” Viccil said with a murderous air oozing from her.

These two were speaking genuinely, carrying the gleam of seriousness radiating from Darwel’s eyes.

‘So, it’s still my choice?’ Skullius asked himself.

In that case..

Skullius cleared his throat.

“I understand,” he said, much to the trio’s delight. “However, I can’t just leave the people I’m living with. Some are genuine friends, some are acquaintances but they have helped me all the same. To consider leaving them to live here, will complicate things, especially on such short notice. I can’t move here. I’m sorry.”

Darwel looked a bit sullen but her face quickly changed to one of understanding.

The vivacious energy Viccil and Sevill had shown died down.

Skullius grew wary.

Hopefully, this wouldn’t cause big problems for him instead.

Darwel sighed.

“I see. I was being unreasonable. I projected my intentions on you quite a bit,” she said. “But, I’m still going to have to impose my authority on this matter.”

…!

Hey, hey!

What did that mean?!

Skullius grew tense.

What was she going to impose? Was she going to forcefully have him moved from the Bryne Family by the Governor?!

Darwel leaned in closer to Skullius, the Hybrid Luman doing the opposite.

“I’ll visit your current residence. Frequently. And without warning as well. I’m forced to invade your privacy now.”

Skullius breathed out a silent sigh of relief.

If it was only that, then GOOD!

It wasn’t like he was always at the residence anyway!

‘Good luck catching me lacking!’

Darwel didn’t miss his subtle relaxed demeanour now that she had mentioned her motive and it gave her much to think about.

“You seem to be fine with that.”

“Yes. I’m more comfortable with that approach.”

“Good. Now would you mind telling me a little bit more about yourself. Your parents, if you have any. Siblings, cousins?” Darwel asked with a smile.

…

When Skullius heard the word parents… once again, his soul itched. He didn’t know why, but this was enough to set his more or less calm mood into a bit of a sullen stretch.

His eye twitched and his overall frame slumped slightly.

Once again, Darwel didn’t miss this reaction.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asked, her ever-high brows lowering.

“No. Not at all. It’s just that…” Skullius halted mid sentence. “Actually, Princess, I have an errand to run. Please forgive me. There will be time for sharing such things, right?” Skullius said while forcefully retrieving his normal state of mind.

Darwel wasn’t convinced. It seemed like something she said triggered Skullius but continuing to pry wouldn’t do her any good.

“You’re right. There will be time for all that,” she said.

Skullius nodded and stood.

The two guards made way and accompanied him to the door silently.

All this happened under the changing gaze of Darwel. Her smile disappeared as she watched Skullius get escorted outside by Sevill.

Viccil who remained behind turned to the Princess, now free to let out her exaggerated emotions and questions.

“Your Highness, how is this poss—”

“It’s very irregular. As far as I know, all the Luminants passed on millennia ago. The fact that this man, Festos, possesses the blood of a Luminant, however limited and restrained it is, is very suspicious,” Darwel said while walking over to her bed where she sat with a bounce.

“You seemed so—”

“I know. My reaction was genuine. The more shallow part of me couldn’t help but weep when feeling the resonance with old, special blood. I’ve always wanted to see a Luminant. But then again, he is part human. I chose to respond with a more… affable attitude instead of a hostile one to make him feel welcome. I could get the responses I needed that way. Sadly, I don’t know if it worked or not. He’s a peculiar man.”

Viccil nodded, feeling slightly ashamed for losing herself unlike the princess.

“Don’t be ashamed. A Sif like you with distant ties to an El-Sif wouldn’t be able to resist the presence of a Luminant,” Darwel tried to comfort the guard.

That said, without using his Wing of Embrace, this man, Festos, did not expose even a hint of his true racial powers, something truly… suspicious.

“We’ll dig everything about him and discover the truth.”