Chapter 54

“This is not normal…”

Threia said with a grave expression.

She crouched over Rain, and her hand reached out, placing it at the top of the latter's head. She then softly muttered some strange words and her hand lights up. The pale-bluish light spread throughout Rain’s body, enveloping him.

Immediately after, his frowning and pained expression slowly eased up.

“Mana Veins were blocked, but with the power of the Awakening Stone, it was slowly being opened, creating a path. However, as it did, this frightening seal had appeared, and unleashed chaotic energy that disturbs the mana flow, and crashed inside his body, which totally made his internal organs chaotic and injured. Furthermore, I can feel that there seems to be some kind of strange force struggling to protect him from being hurt. I don’t know where this another force came from, but it is keeping his life—protecting him, that I’m certain. Someone wants to kill him, perhaps… but someone had saved him as well.”

She turned to Zarda, her expression grave.

“It seems like, our precious boy didn’t have a simple story behind him.”

Zarda clenched her fist, and hatred bloomed on her face.

Her suspicions had been confirmed… someone had indeed sealed Rain’s powers.

“If I know who did it…” she gritted her teeth in anger, her eyes gleamed in bright crimson light, “I will kill them!! I will make them regret that they were born in this world!!” her lips trembled and tears sprang to her eyes.

Someone was trying to kill Rain. And that is enough for her to become angry!

“We are being reckless…we could have killed him.” Threia sigh and bit her lips. For a shaman like her, to not be able to sense the existence of this kind of high-level curse, it was a humiliation.

What kind of person has such power?

This is already almost beyond them.

“… …”

“Then, what will happen to Rain?”

Drova asked, clenching her fist tightly as she glared at Threia with bloodshot eyes.

Threia shook her head: “This kind of seal, though I don’t know the specifics as I have never seen the likes of this curse before, even still, I know that this kind of curse would have slowly eaten his life and he would have never reached this age. He would be getting weaker and weaker until his life shortens. This is to make sure, he would suffer until death. A very frightening curse. It is already an unbelievable miracle that he was still able to live up until now."

"Something like that!!"

Stagna's eyes widened in shock.

"How could such a sinister curse appear?! And to even make Rain suffer like that...!"

"How inhuman!!"

Threia nodded her head with a dark expression.

"...I don’t know who had helped him, but to maintain his life, he would have an unparalleled medical prowess. Perhaps, even bordering that of a God. Even this is not something I could accomplish.” She whispered. “What we did, had just ignited the seal—normally, he would have died because of this. But…either the one who had saved him had succeeded, for some reason as the main chain of the seal had become undone. This was the reason why he was able to display incomparable talents in any fields—this is just my conjecture, but haven’t you wondered why, despite not knowing anything, or having any corresponding skill of it, Rain was able to learn most things, either Blacksmithing, Alchemy or even the Combat prowess he possesses that surprises you?”

“Now that you mention it, he appeared like a sponge that was absorbing water. I thought it was just because of his memory loss that he had forgotten about all the skills he should have and learned before,” Stagna muttered with furrowed brows.

Lafetti was now slowly calming down, but the tears were still leaking out, staring at Rain.

“His power had been sealed up. But because of the main chain undone, there’s a gap being created, and some of his power broke out. He was regaining what he has lost, so to speak. Perhaps, his memory loss was also an effect due to the seal, and now that it was slowly being undone, his memories might also return…”

“… …”

“But we can stop this. Even if it causes him the use of magic, it’s better…”

Drova suggested. Her expression changed the moment she heard about Rain's memories returning. That is something that they are desperately trying to avoid. But now...

“No, we can’t…”

But Threia shook her head.

“Not anymore. In fact, you can say that the Magic Awakening Stone is keeping him alive.”

“…what?!”

“The chains have been rattled, and the curse has been activated. It will slowly eat his life if nothing is done.”

Horror appeared in both Drova and Stagna’s expression. Even Lafetti suddenly couldn’t stand firm, her wide-opened eyes turned dark grey. She could only look at them with her dull wide-opened eyes and give an almost desperate whisper: “No…no!!”

Threia bit her lips in frustration. “We can only depend on Rain’s will power, and also the Magic Awakening Stone. The stone is supplying him with magic power, and strengthening his mana veins to breakthrough…a simple process, but it’s more painful than being cut by thousands of blades. But this is all that we can do now. If we stop it now, Rain would lose all the necessary magic power that was strengthening his defenses and supporting his life-force, and he might even die.”

“This is so cruel…!”

Drova’s tail slammed violently and nearby furniture was smashed into pieces.

“Whoever did this has the heart of a demon!”

“Do you think his family did this…?”

Stagna asked with a worried expression.

Rain was still a kid, and in most cases like this, they are still in the embrace of their family. But how could something as cruel as this occurred to him? And even throw him into this kind of dangerous pit? The most possible suspect is his family…or at least, a member, with jealousy as the possible reason.

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Rain's talent, even Stagna, and the other Lamians were dazzled by it. Much less, for a human being. Surely, he would have gained the ire of someone so petty and narrow-minded that was envious of his incredible talents and wanted to kill him before he could bloom completely.

In the history of the world, Humanity was among the race, if not only, that was filled with this kind of drama- full of betrayal and jealousy for their own kind, even if they are related by blood. Kings and Emperors being killed by their siblings, or sons, heroes killed by their comrades, and even by the very same people that they were protecting. For someone who can do this to Rain only because of jealousy, it's not impossible!

“I don’t know… but I’m certain that someone had done it.”

Zarda’s expression was fierce, then turning gentle as she caressed the black chain-like tattoos on his skin.

“Someone had placed a seal on his magic power…wanting him to die a brutal death.”

“… …”

“...And the moment I found them, I will kill them surely…!” The medusa hissed coldly, her red eyes gleaming in murderous intent.

“You don’t need to… because I will be the one to do it!”

Lafetti’s voice echoed.

It was icy, cold—full of anger and hatred.

With Rain fainting, his cry of pain had disappeared as well, and this returned her sanity. But she was still feeling angry that her body is still trembling. She walked over, and scooped her poor lover with her arms, coiling her body around him, she hugged him, so tightly she pasted all of him into hers.

“...I will make them regret laying their hands on him, even if they are the Gods!” she felt him trembled in his arms. She could feel his breath coming in quick puffs against her skin. And along with it was the melodious sound of chain snapping, one by one.

But how painful it is…?

Fortunately, Zarda and Threia had cast their own magic, a calming spell to comfort his spirit. Without them, he would either implode from the excessive magic power or die from excruciating pain. Now, all was left to him. To his own fate. If this was in the human world, even the highest elite, no one would be able to save him. At least, not someone that is inferior to the rank of Zarda and Threia. But how many humans could rival their power?

Even with the main chain had been undone, the backlash was horrifying. Perhaps, the one who had saved him wanted him to slowly undo the chains by himself over time—slowly, but most of all, safe. However, the Lamians, who do not know anything had forcefully undone all the chains through the Magic Awakening Stone, and this had almost cost them his life.

Fortunately, Zarda and Threia’s power is high and they were able to offset a bit of damage.

But if something like this is done without them, there's only a single outcome- Death.

Even the Gods wouldn’t be able to save him.

And the thoughts of losing him were much more painful than she had ever expected. Lafetti felt so terrified in just imagining herself losing him, she almost completely lost it. Everything was tinted red. Her beautiful green eyes turned blood red in hate, anger, and helplessness. Her tears returned, blurring her vision.

Zarda looked at them, and sigh.

“Let’s go,”

“Elder Sister will Rain…”

Stagna bit her lips. She was anxious and worried as well. Although she didn’t love Rain romantically, she saw him as her dear younger brother. A sibling she wanted to dote on. And she would never want anything bad to happen to him.

“He will be fine…but tell Sarete to brew some potions, he will need it,” Zarda muttered. She cast one last glance at Rain which was now being embraced tightly by Lafetti. Now, there’s another reason why they could not hand him back to wherever he came from.

Rain’s life is more important than anything in the world.

Even if it means starting a war with the humans!

When they went far, Lafetti couldn’t control her tears anymore, embracing Rain, though she controlled her crying voice, afraid to wake him up, her tears had already drenched him from head to toe.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I couldn’t do anything. But please hold on, okay? Please… you can do it! I know you can live through this. Fight, okay… you must fight. You love magic, and after this, you will surely be able to use it to your heart’s content. Just don’t leave me alone… okay? I don’t know what to do without you!”

Her desperate cries echoed in the room.

… …

Fire.

He was on fire.

Rain moaned and kicked off the sheets.

Sheets? Was he in a bed?

Rain squinted, but could not see.

Everything was glowing red.

On fire.

“Why are his eyes red?” a woman asked.

Stagna. He tried to say her name, opening his mouth, but nothing came out. His nerves seemed to be petrified and he couldn’t move his limbs the way he wanted to. He felt as if he had become a block of lead, or at least, something cooler.

“His heart’s erratic. It’s beating so fast… Let him drink the potion.”

Zarda’s voice echoed inside his dizzy mind.

“Do you think it will work?”

Now it's Lafetti.

“We don’t have a choice…! We don’t know what’s going on here. If that potion can do nothing, then let’s try another one. His body’s so hot and his heart beats so fast… this is getting dangerous!!”

This time it’s Sarete. Did she come? What is really going on here?

Someone lifted his shoulders. Though he can feel her trembling—the scent, it’s Lafetti. She must be scared worried.

However, don’t… Rain thought.

I’m burning!

“Damn it! He's burning!!”

Lafetti cried out. Her voice clear in thick anxiety.

I told you so.

A cold bottle was pressed to his mouth, and bitter-kind of liquid trickled down his throat. It was cool but very bitter…like it was some kind of medicine. Or perhaps, it is indeed medicine? Nevertheless, it was kind of cool… like dosing cold water on his flames. It somewhat helped…comfortable.

He drank it all down with all his remaining strength, and boy it hurts. It’s as if someone had clobbered him down when he was unconscious. Beating him till his bones break—it’s been quite a long time since I had experienced being beaten till this bad.

One time. Big bad bully, clichéd in existence wants him to submit and he fought back. Though he was quite good at fighting, numbers ruled battles. Well, at least most do. And as a result, he forgets where east or west was. And none of his bones left in his body seemed to be still intact, and it hurts…

Now I’m feeling it again… for some different, and unknown reason!

His stomach clenched in pain.

He groaned, pushing away the hands that reach out to help him.

And with all he’s got, he rolled away and threw up.

“Oh no! Rain!!” frantic voices, not only Lafetti but others as well.

Zarda, Threia, Drova, Stagna, Sarete, and perhaps…

Gretia? I think she’s here as well…

Hands pushed him back onto the bed, immediately the moment he started throwing up. Blood, he recognized the scent along with a foul scent of vomit.

That’s not good… his head seemed to have been hit by something and everything went black…again.

… …

“Oh my god… I thought he’s a human?! Wha, what’s the meaning of this?!”

Rain woke again.

The frantic and panic voices snap him from his sleep. Though, he seems to still be on fire… blazing as ever. And also… he was damned hungry… but something is different.

What’s this itchy feeling from all over his body?

And it was damn torture since he can’t move even a finger… he’s body heavy as if being pressed down by a mountain.

“The moment the seal broke… why did he turn into this?! I thought he was a human!?

“I don’t know! Okay? His scent, he’s a pure human! But the seal broke up, and this… he’s a werebeast?!”

What are they talking about?

“No, something’s wrong…”

“What do you mean by that, Threia?”

“I can’t be wrong…Rain’s a human!”

Threia… or was she? Her voice seemed laded with complete shock. Rain had never heard her so panicking and confused before. He always regarded her as someone calm, and know-it-all kind of mature woman.

But what’s going on?

Rain gnashed his teeth, wanting to move, say something but even letting his eyelids opened slightly takes too much effort. His body burning in fire, and…

“Something is attached to his soul…this is a Mark!”

“A Mark?!”

“Ahh, an Alpha’s Mark… I don’t know which Clan it belongs to yet, but it had deeply merged with his soul, slowly transforming him. I’ve seen records of it before, now I know why monsters are naturally drawn to him, and why most magical beasts don’t attack him at first glance, and why we all felt comfortable around him, despite him being a human—he’s…he’s been Marked!”

“They all wanted his flesh and blood so eagerly to me though,”

“Not all!”

A hissing sound.

“Most mammals would not…haven’t you seen? The wolves never attack him, unless he attacks them first. He’s Marked…” she sounded confident.

What is this marked?

“…although not powerful anymore, it will give other monsters comfortable familiarity so that he wouldn’t be attacked. It some kind of protection…but I don’t know, perhaps even more… I haven’t seen this marked before, but I somehow felt it was familiar…where have I seen it?”

“By who?! What kind of monster marked him?”

“Marked by who? Rain’s mine!! I don’t care which Alpha it is, I would never give Rain to anyone!!!”

Lafetti’s voice.

What are they talking about?

“Calm down Lafetti! We still can’t confirm anything yet!”

“I don’t know… but this mark had been hidden extremely well inside his soul. This is why he was not suffering from any setbacks of the seal, though perhaps the owner of this mark might have been the one who had broken the main chain of the seal, and made a gap. This is to protect him! And if I’m not mistaken, he must have it for a very long time-the mark had completely merged with his soul, and he became like this. Without the suppression of the seal, it finally was unleashed…this… Rain becomes a hybrid—he’s a human with the power of a monster!!”

“That’s absurd!”

What are you all talking about?