Speaking of food, I heard an event was occurring tonight. That’s probably what Father and the rest of those important looking humans were up to. Maybe I shall go and crash their party to snag something to eat! A foreign thought tickled my mind, making me scratch my head out of reflex. A Status window hovered in front of me. It was from the Messenger Spider in the hallway!
— Queen’s Eyes activated. Entity identified as “Servant Emma” is headed towards Your Majesty.
The new window displayed the blue haired Half-elf marching towards my room with a militant speed. However, it seemed she did not notice the Messenger Spider watching her the whole time. How convenient! I should peep through these Spiders after I solve my food situation! The servant was holding a large sack of something. What could this dangerous creature possibly be bringing me? Scared thoughts thundered throughout my mind, or maybe it was the actual storm from outside! Did it have severed heads in it as a warning against disobedience or something? What if she notices the big hole in my wall?!
“You said it was a small hole…” Attor scoffed.
“Attor, this is not the time for your snarky—“ I was about to scold him, but I heard a knock on the door. It was too late. She’ll definitely notice this hole! We stalled for a moment, but then the knocking stopped. “She’s not going to kick the door down, isn’t she? The look you’re giving me isn’t helping!”
“I’ll not entertain you any longer than I have to, Lady Charlotte,” Emma’s cold voice came from behind the door. Both Attor’s Spirit and I froze. “But your Father has requested I drop these off for you. Now goodbye. As if I would teach you how to read. Hmph! I have so much more work to do.”
I heard a thump slump upon the floor against my door and watched the maid walk away with my Queen’s Eyes Skill. Yeah, yeah! Walk away and never return! I scoffed. Attor’s head floated through the door to check on my Father’s gifts to me and my eyes widened. I could see through him too! Books? Did he expect that servant to teach me how to read them? Oh well, I swung the door open and dragged the bags in.
These can wait! It’s time to go get food! Even in this far abandoned wing I could smell that delicious scent! I had to have it! Need to have it! I wandered down the hallways, following that familiar scent of the chef’s Family Dinner only to somehow loop back to a familiar place. Now, if I was food in this insufferable building, where would I be?
Attor’s Spirit suddenly veered off towards another place. The stairs! Did I walk by them by mistake? Impossible! There was no one around, surprisingly, but noises could be heard. These sounds aren’t words, I mused, they were melodic and joyful. The humans were having fun? Not on my watch! At least not before I got to eat! This is blasphemy!
I would have said all of that, but a pair of level 16 guards stood at the entrance of where the scent brought me to. It was the ballroom, the old Charlotte’s memories reminded me what that place in the Manor was called. I watched Attor’s head fly through the door, only to immediately fly back out. What? I wondered.
“You, bastard child,” one of the tin men pointed at me. Both of them crossed their spears, blocking the doorway. “The Master said invited guests only. Scram.”
Well, I guess that was that.
“You’re not going to fight them?” Attor asked me. I shrugged.
“Why would I?” I argued, but I grinned. “Why fight when I can attack the source of the food.”
“Charlotte?” Someone called from behind me. A woman’s quivering voice? I wondered. I didn’t feel the dread when I encountered Elaine, so who was this new person? “You’re…”
I turned to see who this mystery person was, but she froze up at the same time I did. A tall blonde woman wearing an elegant golden dress, stood gawking at me. This woman was the one in those paintings! It’s uhh, not ringing any bells!
“She’s Elaine and Charles’s mother,” Attor reminded me. Oh, right!
“Uh,” I stammered, but the old lady’s expression froze.
Something lanced right through my body and mind when I looked at her again. My view went blurry and my heart pounded. What is this bitterness I feel? A memory? Time seemed to slow down to a stop as I felt my own spirit lift out of my body. Wait, I was actually out of my body! My arm was like a ghost’s — a misty hollow outline.
What was this strange sensation? Attor? I looked up and around myself, but he did not respond. If I focused my vision, I began to float to where I wanted to go. The motion made me feel woozy, so I settled my form back on the ground. This must be most disorienting for him, I thought. The walls and hallway, along with that old hag suspended in time suddenly burst with light and I found myself in a completely different place. Still in the manor, I tried to pat myself off but my hands passed through my chest. I was in a gathering of sorts and a light was shining in the distance. This was a memory! Did the old Charlotte want me to see this?
— Astral Projection Wild Skill recreated a Memory. Skill Activated.
The details became more clear to me as I headed towards the light. The scene unfurled before me and suddenly the lights darkened. A lightning bolt streaked across the night sky, revealing a wall with many paintings. I saw my Mother’s face and whirled around. I was in the dining room! More lights flashed as they transformed into physical objects. Many of them were Nobles standing around gawking at a strange thing. How odd, I mused. I could walk and wave a hand in front of these people but none of them reacted to my presence. I was a ghost, just like Attor’s Spirit Form. Screaming ripped through my thought and I moved to investigate. It was the original Charlotte stamping her feet and screaming. There was another woman yelling back at her, while shielding a grinning Charles II and a quiet Elaine sitting at the dinner table from Charlotte’s view.
“What do you mean I am not allowed here anymore!” Charlotte screamed. “I am Charlotte, Daughter of Charles Bohun! You brought these older wretches with you and think you can boss me around? Father!”
“Charlotte,” Charle’s stern voice echoed through the room from the end of the long table.
“M-Master Bohun, sir,” a small voice came from the table. I looked and noticed it was Elaine speaking. “C-Can—“
She shut her mouth after Charles looked down at her.
“Elaine, no. Get away! This is for Nobles only! Not this… Witch’s daughter!” she screamed back at Charlotte. Despite her ferocious appearance, fear was overwhelming the woman. “Guards, Charles, take her away!”
“Father!” I saw Charlotte’s frame buckle as someone restrained her. “Father!”
He said nothing, while the mother glanced back at him for support. Instead of helping Charlotte to a meal, he waved to the guards restraining her. This memory was a darkness tainting her soul and mind, was it not? Charlotte lost her right to sit at the dinner table ever again with her father like those old times.
“Father! Don’t do this!”
Even though I was a translucent ghost, I still shifted out of the way of the commotion passing me by. I watched the soldiers drag her away forcefully and slamming the door shut, but not tight enough to hear her anguish and screams echo slowly away. The Nobles were all murmuring amongst themselves, giggling at Charlotte’s unsightly display. Yeah, yeah. You all can have your laughter, humans, I scoffed. The lights were fading once again, leaving me alone in darkness as bitterness filled my heart.
— Wild Skill: Astral Projection ended.
“Charlotte, I don’t want you—“ The old woman’s voice suddenly interrupted the Skill. I was back in my body again, shuddering as I gained control of myself and causing her to flinch. The anger was not my own, I know, but I could not help but pity the original Charlotte. The people laughing inside there without a fear in the world, her neglectful Father holding high expectations over her, and this woman blocking her from even being involved. This must have happened many times to Charlotte. I glared at the lady’s Status.
— Elara Lacasta Bohun, level 27
— Classes
Human Noble Mage [Epic], level 20
Human Noble Sage [Legendary], level 7
— Danger Class: A Rank
— Buffs: Human Noble, Powerful Friends, Gentle Mage Specialist, Magic Resistant III
— Debuffs: Frail Heart, Mage Crusher, Weakness to Dark Magic, Traumatized, Terrified, Beautiful
Wife to Charles Bohun, the kindhearted Lady Elara Lacasta Bohun is the mother of Elliot Lacasta and Elaine Lacasta. Her territory fell to ruin after her late husband fell in battle during the Staking. The Lacasta Duchy was later absorbed by the Bohuns and she became a prize for Charles Bohun. She specializes in healing magic, yet could not heal the wound in her heart after losing nearly everything she has.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
I nearly laughed but I kept it to myself. You trying to make me feel sorry for this woman? So you have jokes, Wisdom? That debuff, “Mage Crusher” was from my Dark Stone, along with several other negative effects causing her discomfort. I didn’t mean to make her defenses drop that drastically, I swear! I held her in a grip of silence for awhile now, before the familiar glow of Attor’s Spirit brightened my vision.
You in there still? His head floated around me. I ignored him as I tried to stuff the bitterness away.
“Yeah, I know. My apologies,” I hissed at her. I didn’t hide the hatred on my face and folded my arms. “I was just about to depart. I have no intentions on going in there, so if you would excuse me.”
The woman cowered away from me. She looked like she expected me to cause a scene and had a weary face on as if I would lash out again. I instead turned and moved onto my original goal: The kitchen was next! That little scare was for the old Charlotte and a small portion of it was for me, but unfortunately I have two stomachs to fill! It’ll have to do!
The door to the kitchen opened before I even got to it, surprising me. Fredrick was leaving, but looked surprised when he saw me.
“Lady Charlotte! We have something for you,” he urged, beckoning me with his hands. “Come, come!”
Yes, this was it! I suppressed my urge to smile, but my feet started moving faster. The chef was holding a tiny plate of food for me, but I aimed for the giant pot on the table. This was mine!
“… We wish you a belated happy birthday, Lady Charlotte — hey!” He cried out. “That’s really hot and heavy! You will hurt yourself!”
I glared at him as my hands held the delicious smelling food, causing the other cooks in there to freeze in their tracks. There more on a separate counter, so what’s the harm in taking this one? Attor grunted in agreement. Therefore, I’ll take it! Their shocked faces amused me as I effortlessly lifted it and stole a spoon on the way out. Thankfully, I was immune to heat and my Attack was Master Rank, despite saying the grade was F!
“You were saying it was my birthday,” I calmly said as I held the giant pot away from him. “I haven’t eaten anything in a day, so I’ll be taking this.”
“L-Lady Charlotte, I—“ He shut his mouth as I equipped my Human Killer title again.
“And you servants have not brought me any food at the Tower in a long time,” I growled. “Why is that, Fredrick?”
“G-Gifts, milady,” the chef looked horrified that I addressed him by his name, but I didn’t know why. Perhaps humans don’t like being addressed by their name? “That was five weeks worth of food! They were gifts from your Sister, Lady Elaine.”
“Hmph, whatever,” I scoffed. Why was Elaine giving me food? I don’t believe them, but they can keep their word so long as I can have this! Besides, I was not going to admit I fed a certain dragon all of it! “Thanks for the meal. Keep up the good work! Bye-bye!”
Food secure! I thought smugly to myself as I stalked the hallways like a phantom. Operation Soup Pot Steal was a success, if I do say so myself. I passed by two taller maids and could sense Lady Elara hiding behind the wall watching me in horror. Attor sped off ahead of me as I traveled up the stairs to my room again. No sign of anyone, not even that blue haired half-elf. They were all in that party so I quickly made myself scarce.
Well, this thing was quite awkward to move around with, I thought. The pot slammed on the wood as I set it down, making me realize how heavy it was. I could use my Alchemy Skill and change it into a cauldron. Attor glared at me.
“After we eat, okay!” I assured him. I was about to stick a spoonful of soup in my mouth when a sudden chime played in my head. “I haven’t tried Alchemy on food, but I doubt it would work!”
— Cooking: “Sausage Soup” added to the associated Light Spells and this Skill.
— Improved Traveler’s Feast [Light] has been updated to include this meal.
— Heroes’ Feast [Light] has been updated to include an improved version of this meal.
“It’s that good, Wisdom?” I asked her. Even though she would not respond, I figured it must be delicious since the Forbidden Skill added it. I greedily ate the spoonful. The savory and spicy food was hearty enough! I celebrated in my head. Stealing food under the guise of my supposed birthday was a good idea! I noticed Attor had fully materialized in his physical form and wiggled the lid off the pot again. “Now open wide!”
As soon as he did, I took the pot and dumped the food down his mouth. The container itself was as big as his head. Take this delicious food, O Familiar! I grinned as I set the pot down. Now I can turn this thing into a cauldron! The dragon swallowed and stayed silent before letting out a puff of smoke. That better be a satisfied puff!
“It’s good for human food, I suppose,” he scoffed, but his expression said otherwise. “She was right to include this into the Skill.”
“I knew you liked this food!” I scraped the rest of the food out the pot and ate it. Such tastiness was dangerous to contain! I shuddered, both in ecstatic satisfaction from the meal and apprehension. It was as clear as day: That cook must be the life of this place, no, the strongest man in this manor! His tasty food must be powering up everyone here! I heard something rumble, but it was much more closer than the thunder. Attor’s tongue hung out of his mouth and he was looking at me expectantly. Cast it, he growled. How could I say no?
I activated Mage Link. I wanted to test if I could use the Spell without my Wand. According to Wisdom now, the Light Element seemed to work differently than my original Spell Pages. The world turned into beautiful swirls of mana, I could see the Light Elemental runes as clear as day. If I looked away the feeling became disorienting, however. I supposed I would have to get used to this feeling or else I would watch my own Mana drain quickly. The mana’s energy surged through my hands and my eyes set where it should go, creating a magic Light rune circle on the ground.
“Second Spell: Improved Traveler’s Feast,” I declared. The spell circle became more bright as the mana left my hands and I had to step back as the magic created food stacking much taller than me! Prismatic tinted bubbles popped all around us as my spell resolved as we stared up at the tower of food in quaint baskets and pots. “Wow, Light magic is pretty powerful! Well, eat up, Attor!”
He excitedly moved towards the boxes as I pushed a bubble out my face. It popped into light, but did not soak the ground. With that situation handled and significantly less mana, I turned my attention to the bag of books that I left lying in the corner of my room. I wonder if any of these have information on mana control. Or magic!
I shoved the bag open and three big tomes scattered out of them. Attor kept eating, while I took the largest one out of the group.
“The Goddess’s Laws of the Status,” I muttered. “It’s quite dusty, but thick enough to be a decent one-time-use shield, I guess.”
“I don’t think that’s what those primitive things are used for…” Attor’s voice was muffled from talking while eating.
“Okay, okay, I guess I’ll read it,” I flipped the book open. The pages themselves made my floor dirty from the dust as they fluttered, but I can manage that! “First book: Read! Hiyah!”
Law of the System — The Status is from the Goddess of Light. She Who Rules and Loves the Realm has commanded us all to grow our Statuses and Ascend.
“Ascend?” I wondered. “I believe Father had something called the Height of Heroism. Maybe that’s why Wisdom doesn’t want me to fight him. Does it mean he Ascended?”
The Light's Convergence — the Religion of the Goddess of Light. Followers are commanded many things, but above all lies two matters of utmost importance. Be benevolent to one's common man and grow one's individual strength in order to ascend when they die.
Ascend.
“Is that Half-Elf trying to convert me to her religion?” I groaned, snapping the book shut. “Why, when she isn’t even a Human?”
“Maybe you should try the other books?” Attor had already devoured the whole Spell’s Feast, leaving nothing left but the dissolving containers they were in. Those burst into bubbles, which popped in showers of brilliant multicolored sparks.
“Is there a leveling guide anywhere in here? All I see is, ‘you must Ascend, Attor!’ You must!”
“If you get closer to me I will bite you,” he growled.
“Right,” I grabbed the second book. “‘The Laws of the Convergence.’ It doesn’t sound like an EXP guide book, but whatever. Second Book: Read!”
One must never enter the Forbidden Lands ill-prepared. Go with the Light and Followers of the Light within these dark passageways and defeat the minions therein. Such dark places are the Forbidden Forest, the Forbidden Sands, and even further, the Forbidden Mountains.
Now, we’re talking. Wait a minute, I realized that my wretched Father put me in one of these places. And I was definitely ill-prepared! I crossed my arms and kicked the page as I pouted. I supposed I was much stronger, even if I botched my debut at the Awakening Ceremony.
Law of Secularity and the Writ of Parallelism — These two Laws go hand in hand together.
The Law of Secularity states even the ones who do not know the Beloved Goddess as the One who granted them their Status also may grow and Ascend. Destroy the Darkness's Monsters and gain Experience.
The Writ of Parallelism states that certain races found in possession of the Status are also of the Light. The Archon of a territory Ordained by the Holy Empress Herself and the Goddess of Light may declare changes to which races this Writ applies to via vote within the Church’s Council.
“So many laws!” I groaned and closed the heavy book shut. “In the Demon Realm before I came around, we only had one Law. I’ll call it the, uh, Law of Strong! The strongest one in the House of Duelists wins!”
“House of Duelists?”
“Yeah, before you could challenge me, the Queen of All Demons,” I puffed out my chest. “You would have to face several of my strongest servants, then the Greater Demon who created the House: General Wrath! No one ever made it past him, though.”
I suddenly felt gloomy. Even with the stormy night, this Realm was too quiet and colorful. I missed my home and the height of my rule. Attor’s mist snaked around me as he inspected the last tome. His physical form must feel full!
“One day, you’ll probably get to visit your Realm again,” he offered a surprising comforting nod. “This book is full of Laws and Theology as well.”
“Bah!” I sighed. “I have no interest in converting to the Goddess of Light’s religion. Yet, talking about my old Realm reminded me of these Portals! I need to practice them and acquire Skill Points to upgrade it. But how?”
Attor’s eyes glowed as he scanned through the third book’s contents. You don’t even need to flip through the hefty thing? I’m jealous!
“Nothing about magic in there?” I asked him. Perhaps I should skip the library then. Nothing but destroying monsters seems to make Humans level up.
“Only that Astronomy is banned,” he explained. Astronomy? I scrolled through the language of Humans in my mind and could not uncover the meaning of ‘astronomy.’ “They say studying the Heaven wrought its wrath and strikes the Heretic with Madness. And certain Heretics called Coat-Tails, are accepted in the Convergence and are meant to be protected. And calling anyone ‘not human’ is not allowed. Don’t do that last one, it’s punishable by something called an Elysian Antenna. Charlotte?”
Ah, the study of stars. For a religion centered around a Goddess of Light and violence, the Humans of this world seem like they’re helping each other a whole lot! Perhaps there is merit to be gained from the Human’s way of cooperation. Speaking of cooperation, my eyes widened at the sight of a Status Window flashing slightly above my vision.
One of my Messenger Spiders was hurt!