I am currently the center of everyone’s attention. The room is livid with expressions it ranged from a very pleasant surprise to shock and envy. At any other occasion I would find this funny but right now I am too worried about my shit.

My first thought is to say I dyed my hair but I immediately abandoned that thought. Dyeing did exist and it is not prohibited to dye ones hair, in fact it is pretty popular among the upper class. The problem is that is considered blasphemy to color ones hair in the color of the seven attributes as it shows disrespect to the great spirits and spirit kings. It is known fact that if the spirits find someone dyeing their respective attribute terrible calamity befalls that person. There were many documented cases to support this claim

I tried to think of several things when a realization hit me, I was supposed to be the stupid son. Even after I started to take books I believe they think it is just me trying to show that I changed and not really reading, after all it is really hard to believe that a person can change personalities overnight. I could use that to my advantage. I decide to act dumb.

‘Uh…. What father?’

There is a slight pause

(Come on believe that your son is still an idiot. It would be really helpful please.)

‘What I asked was that why is your hair blue? If it is dyed, son, I think even you are aware of the consequences. I will implore you wash your hair at once before the water spirits find out.’

Choice, do I say it is dyed lower myself in the eyes of everyone even further but be done with this troublesome situation. Or I could say the truth which would probably increase my standing in the family but this interrogation would continue and my secrets may come to light which is the last thing I want.

I made my choice and am about to speak when I was stopped by the voice of another.

‘Don’t berate the boy, Daniel. I do not believe that his hair is dyed. It may be possible to dye ones hair but there is no mistaking those ocean blue eyes or that soft blue glow imperceptible to regular eyes.’

I could hear gasps of surprise all around with a small click of disappointment mixed in.

(Fuck you old man, why could you not keep your mouth shut. Just what does everybody of the flame empire have against me?)

The spirits are still dancing around me and there is a significant increase in their numbers. I am relieved that they could not understand human language otherwise they would be rioting at the insults I got.

‘Sorry, Sol. It’s a rather unexpected development and it is something I could have never anticipated.’

(My father is acting meekly. A miracle has occurred, really wish I had something to capture his expression right now. I am sure it would be a priceless treasure.)

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‘It’s quite alright, you are still young and a lot to learn. When you get to my age you will find that there is very little that fazes you anymore.’

I almost choked at this. From a third person point of view it looked like a lively 20 year old young man was teaching a 40 something year old adult about life and that 40 year old was someone like my father.

‘Now, boy could you tell me exactly what happened?’

‘I really do not know, sir.’

‘That is quite alright, can you just tell me what you were doing the last couple of days?’

I really needed to make a convincing lie otherwise if they decided to go through all the trouble of using a sacred mirror to look at my stats I would be found out and would probably be trapped in the plot of higher ups seeking to take advantage of my power.

Luckily I actually have already made up an excuse if I ever got in trouble like this for my blue hair. I read up on books related to cases like mine rare as they may be to make the perfect lie. Clearing my throat and got ready to produce the lines I rehearsed so many times.

‘You see, sir, what happened one night was that a great blue light came to my dreams one night. That night I was rather depressed and needed any sort of support. The blue light asked in an enchanting voice whether I wanted power or not. I jumped at the chance and agreed, did not listen to what she had to say any further. Afterwards I became able to sense blue light all around me and could do some cool new things. The feeling was addictive so I continued to do the exercises that light told me to do. She came to me in my dreams for about a week always saying that I was really special. She left me afterwards instructing me to continue my training. I did so which led to the events of today. I did not realize that this training would cause any physical changes.’

Everyone at the table listened to my story with great interest, high speech skill added an extra flair which enticed everyone to listen. After listening to my story Sol rose an eyebrow.

‘Why did you not tell any of this to your elders? You have a good reason I presume.’

This bastard was crafty but I already had an answer for this question.

‘I never measure upped to any of my siblings. To show off to my dad that I was better than them I kept it a secret. When they would make fun of me again I would challenge them to a duel and beat them showing my father how good I am and I would become the favorite son.’

Every one of my family members showed an expression that they understood my line of reasoning. I was happy how easy it became to string them along.

‘Hmm, your line of reasoning is pretty valid. There are no immediate loopholes in your reasoning. One would think your reasoning was perfect, a little too perfect in fact. I makes one wonder whether it was practiced before.’

At that statement I started get nervous, this old man was way too intuitive I would have invested more in the speech craft skill if I knew it would come to tis. Too late for regrets now, I decided to reinforce my lie.

‘What reason would I have for lying?’

‘I don’t know, you tell me.’

‘I really am not lying.’

‘Enough, Sol. He is 15 years old and never left the castle, I already checked his status when he was younger and I do not believe he has anything that great to begin with that he would need to hide it.’

‘Hey your son your business. This little guys persuasive skills intrigued me is all, if you don’t believe there is anything wrong with him then let’s go with that.’

I felt that he was implying something when he said that but his words were too cryptic to get anything usable. I also thanked my dad for getting me out of that pit that I had fallen in, though he was really gullible. At least for now my secret is safe.