During the punishment of the Spectrals who acted as slave masters, Ailirion felt a tinge of fear towards Avrin. At first, he worshiped Avrin as the ruler of their kind because he was the first one. He had seen glimpses of how strong Avrin was, but never had he seen just how efficient he could be; in this case punishing individuals on the other side of a continent as if it were nothing. “-It's best I spoke up for my kin…if I have been given a chance than as vile as they may be, I believe they deserve a chance as well-” Ailirion could only quietly sigh as he watched the rain of crystal encased Spectrals fall to the ground to serve their punishment.
Tardiff had a different view of things. “-I should never get on Master’s bad side again…..that prison doesn't look comfortable. Serves those bastards right, hehe. Who told them to prance around acting like they own the whole planet!-”
This entire event had been felt by only those powerful Spectrals, none of which thought it was a good omen. Asura, who had been training the Spectrals, was wearing platepants that matched his lower half’s build. He wore no top, almost as if he were flaunting his bulging muscles and build. He had a nervous look as he had been one who felt the Divine Sense that Avrin had no intention of hiding. “Was…that Master? He seemed angry?” Asura was somewhat confused, but he suddenly heard a voice in his mind. “--Asura, we are gathering at the tower. Come quickly--” this voice belonged to Erebus.
Kael was spending time with his family. He had a heavy heart for two reasons, the first was that he found it somewhat strange to be with his family. Even after these years, he felt as if something was wrong. He had been considered nothing for so long but now they all seemed to sing his praises. Kael was standing at a window within the family’s newly built estate. The building had a great view of the city that seemed to appear somewhat bright and cold in his eyes.
Kael wore simple white attire, different to what he wore to mimic Avrin, a well woven silk and linen top with leather pieces embedded around to make it fit well around him. His pants matched as well. Silk was not a material found within this universe, but with Avrin’s knowledge shared to a degree it was seen as a fancy material only those with experience could create.
“Ah, son, there you are!” Kael’s father, who wore matching clothes, came over with a dignified look. Beside him was a girl who looked about the same age as Kael and beside her a man and women with nervous looks.
“Father? What's wro-...oh…” when Kael turned to look at his father and spotted the young girl and her parents he understood the situation. In fact, dealings in the past had now found their way in this new life of his.
“To see Grand Prince Kael reach such a pinnacle in this rebirth of Seleria….truly our new god has great hopes for you.” the young girl was Furi, who had previously seen herself as someone above Kael’s league, a look of nervousness and annoyance could be seen on her face as if she didn't want to go through this. When Kael glanced at her he didn't feel disdain, regret, or pity. After all, when he came back to his family he had heard his father’s explanation and plan to rub it in their faces.
“You're too kind, Squire Tain.” hearing his ranking being spoken, Tain’s heart shook. He felt irritated. “-How can this little shit be so lucky….nine damn rankings ahead of me!!! Why him? He is a black sheep!!-” Tain forced a smile and cleared his throat, ignoring the hidden grin on Kael’s father’s face.
“Grand Prince Kael, we can be said to be as close as family. We came to visit you and your family, after all, my daughter and you were planned for engagement prior to the rebirth.” this time it was Furi’s mother that spoke. She seemed to give no real irritated expression, as she could see the frustration her husband had built up.
When the rebirth event happened, it was Erebus as well as the other pure bloods and their already established kin who maintained order and gathered everyone. They were a beacon that could not be reached. Of course, when they realised that Kael was ranked as a Grand Prince and also a pure blood, how could they not be stunned. Their family had thoughts of regret for an entire year before they worked up the courage to finally build relations with Kael’s family and swallow their pride.
Kael looked indifferent as he glanced at them. He had remained here because his father had asked him to do so as a favor, but now Kael felt somewhat tied down. He didn't know what he felt right now was the nervousness of one being in a position of power with a large amount of responsibility. When he talked Erebus about it, Erebus simply laughed and told him to take things one step at a time.
“-I still have much to learn-” Kael smiled as he quietly thought to himself before replying to them. “I am aware of the prior engagement. My father also told me about it being cancelled, so there is no need in bringing up the past. You're friends with my father and I believe Lady Furi will find a husband to match her taste one day.”
Kael was borderline wanting to show them that he truly did not care and it was their choice to cancel it, but in truth he was also grateful. “Son, don't be in a rush. There was no cancelled engagement, it was simply a joke, right Tain?” Kael could see his father had plans for him and was now trying to control his life in the form of building relations. Kael, of course, was simply giving the benefit of the doubt. He was not a fool like before. The joy of reuniting with his family had easily subsided and truth was the only thing left in his heart and mind he would not be deceived and he owed this all to his master Avrin.
“Indeed, indeed! Hahaha, Grand Prince Kael, please forgive our crude pleasantry, but it was all a scheme to hopefully keep you determined to train yourself and break our expectations. This marriage would always continue regardless.” Tain spoke, trying to salvage the situation.
Kael glanced at Furi, whose face was twitching with each word spoken. He had to admire her. She didn't seem like she was the type of person to give her pride away after being proven wrong, He previously didn't want to marry her and that carried onto now. He couldn't blame her or hate her for her actions, he still had feelings of someone in his heart who became a friend.
His time with Helia and Surun was not long, but that time felt like an everlasting friendship. But every time he thought about it, it became an everlasting pain. He had searched for Surun but couldn't find a trace of him or anyone related to them. He asked other Spectrals for assistance, but no trace was found. This caused him to worry, wondering if Surun was part of the many that were killed by dragons.
“Let’s not rush things. After all, it has been such a long time and my son has many responsibilities. I'm sure marriage is the least of his problems right now.” Kael’s mother, Milia, came from a hallway entrance with a maid and servant by her side. She seemed to now hold a look of true pride and happiness for her son. She wouldn't want him to be forced into a situation and had even argued with her husband because of it.
When Sient heard this, his face twisted a little, eyeing his wife with a cold gaze. “My mother is correct. At this moment, I hold too many responsibilities to consider marriage, and I also believe Lady Furi has her own thoughts on this matter.”
A look of panic appeared on the faces of Furi’s parents and Kael’s father. “K...Kael, don't be in such a rush to dismiss things. Furi is truly a marvelous talent, she is progressing with dark matter.” Sient said to try and persuade his son.
Furi looked at Kael with a cautious gaze. She had been silent this entire time, but she finally decided to speak. She didn't want to marry him regardless of the situation. “If you do not want to marry me, that is fine. I do not fancy you either. Before the rebirth, you were an outcast, and even after the rebirth I will not go back on my words. King Erebus has told us that we can strive to great heights on our own, I do not need a man to guide me on a path I can see clearly!”
The room went silent and Sient’s look of surprise turned to one of anger. Furi’s parents also seemed incredibly angry at their daughter’s words. Kael was stunned as well, he never knew she had such a fierce side to her. “I completely agree, Lady Furi. I hope one day you reach a point where you can help protect and lead our people. This is what the Lord Monarch wants. Ties built by marriage are simply formalities at this stage. What we need are those who focus on improving themselves.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
When Furi heard Kael’s words, she was somewhat taken aback. She expected him to be angry, as she felt his position had gone to his head, but he agreed with her 100% and in fact even encouraged her to get stronger in hopes of getting to his stage. This surprise was pleasant to her and even caused her heart to joyfully skip a bit with a smile forming on her face. She couldn't help but speak more as she gave a smirk. “Good! So don't be too arrogant later on. One day I'll reach you purebloods and be titled as the first Grand Princess!” with that spoken, she stormed off with her mother calling out to her as she followed. Tain began to bow towards Kael and his parents, his face pale. “F...forgive her rudeness…we will excuse ourselves…” Tain spoke out as he felt the situation was unsalvageable. He would just have to make due with the current state of things. Even he could tell that Kael didn't hate them.
When they left, Sient crossed his arms and scoffed. “The nerve of those people...and their wild daughter…hmph, who needs them anyway. There are many more-” Kael interrupted his father as he glanced at him somewhat carefully. “Father, you should know that I was not entrusted with this position of Grand Prince without reason.
My master, whom you caused issues with, has plans for us all. Marriage is too troublesome for me, I want to focus solely on our people and improving myself. If you want to marry one of our linage off, seek our cousins or even brother and sister. Of course, they have to agree first, but please do not ever again try to set my path. It is my own and I am not willing to share it at this stage.”
Kael’s look towards his father caused Sient to quiver slightly. This quiver was one of amazement, he had not known that his son had matured mentally. How could he not see the limitless potential of Kael’s future? If his son was like this, then he would indeed carry them all by himself. “Yes, son...your father was a fool to not see the greatness that was within you, and about the Lord Monarch, that is something I truly regret every day...I hope one day I can apologise to him.”
Kael nodded before smiling warmly as he glanced at his mother and spoke. “Mother, how is auntie -” Kael felt his heart shake as his eyes widened. He glanced outside to see small clumps of dark matter forming in the air. His perception shook for only a moment, and his heart skipped several beats. “-M...Master!!-” he felt a tinge of anger within this Divine Sense, but it no doubt belonged to Avrin. “--Kael, we are gathering, come immediately!--” Kael heard Erebus’s voice.
“I need to go, I’ve been summoned…” Kael’s parents gave looks of surprise, as they knew only one person could summon him and that was King Erebus, who was overseeing everything at this stage.
When Kael was gone, Mila looked at her husband with a frown. “What exactly are you doing making such choices! There is no girl on this planet that is worthy of my son, and you want to marry him off to a lowly girl who shunned him and treated him like garbage?!! I won't have it!!” she yelled at Sient, releasing her emotions before storming off with the servant and maid following.
Sient was left by himself, reaching up to rub the bridge of his nose. He wasn't sure what to make of this matter. He was still living like a human in a empire trying to gain power in any way, shape or form. This was what he was raised on. “Ridiculous... what else am I supposed to do…” he spoke to himself.
Within the capital of the city, a large tower reached the heavens, nearly piercing through the clouds. It was a well built and well designed structure that matched the city. The entire city itself was also well designed and perfectly proportionate. This city was designed by Eitri and others to suit the needs of the Spectrals. The city itself was split into layers, from inner layers to outer layers, where those of specific ranking could live, showing that despite being Spectrals they were still somewhat divided. But with that said, with Erebus and the others leading, all Spectrals were treated somewhat equally, with crime being nearly non existent other than those who were seen as traitors that scampered off to the southern continent.
Within the tip of the tower was a large spherical chamber with a black metal table with several seats around it. Erebus was sitting at the far end of this table while Asura sat on one side with his feet on the table as he was picking his teeth of remnants of a meal. “You filthy thing, can you get your feet off this table? Do you know how annoying it was to make this thing!! It's a legendary metal, and you think it's a footrest!!” Eitri, who sat opposite of Asura, began to roar out. Eitri himself didn't change much in appearance. He wore a well made blacksmith’s apron and a well woven tank top with plate pants and boots similar to Asura’s.
“Huh?...” Asura stopped for a moment and glanced at Eitri. He then glanced around as if he couldn't see anything. “Did you all hear something?...I could have sworn I heard a fly buzzing about, but I can't seem to find it...hehe.” taunting Eitri in regards to his small stature, veins bulged on Eitri’s forehead. This was a sort of jokeful interaction that happened every time they had meetings of this calibre.
“Enough…” Erebus sighed as he spoke out, having to deal with them. Of course, one glance at him could tell he was somewhat nervous. The towering doors were suddenly pushed open by two fully armored guards. As the doors were now open, the three glanced over to see Kael looking at them all with a soft smile. As Kael walked in and looked at them he spotted the ten other high ranking Spectrals standing silently near Erebus and to the side.
“It's been awhile since we last got together.” Kael spoke as he went over and took his seat opposite of Erebus. When they gathered together Erebus, who was shaking, finally spoke out.
“Lord Monarch…as you can see we are all here…please reveal yourself to your humble followers…” the room shook and dimmed for only a moment. Three surges of Nebula Mist began to form in the air a dozen or so meters away from the table. This event caused them all except Erebus to glance over with surprise and bated breath. Each one stood up to turn and look over.
From the three surges of Nebula Mist, the cloaked Avrin formed first, his face covered and his hands at his side as he looked down at the ground, his face darkened somewhat. Then Ailirion formed, standing proudly like a royal guard. Tardiff followed as his behemoth-like stature as well as immense strength caused even Asura's eyes to carefully narrow, as if he had met a rival.
“Smart…very smart. Erebus, allowing you to be King was not a mistake. Or maybe it was…” Avrin’s voice sounded out. Right now, he was not in a good mood and needed some answers.
When Avrin had vanished, he hadn't immediately arrived to where Erebus was, he had taken the time to look around the city and see the hidden, darker side of things. He saw those people who truly wanted to be reborn and strive and work hard, but he saw those people who simply became Spectrals and used it to their advantage to gain higher authority or abuse their authority. What made it worse to him was that some of these Spectrals were part of the first bunch Erebus had converted. It made Avrin question a lot. There was a thought in his mind he recalled from his universe. Sir Ferdinand Dalberg-Acton “-Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Not even those with nothing are free from it-” then, Erebus’s voice sounded out from his Divine Sense that covered the city, as if he were hoping for Avrin to hear it. It was then Avrin appeared.
“Lord Monarch…” Erebus stood up and walked over. He was about to kneel, but recalled Avrin didn't like being worshipped as such, so he simply bowed. Immediately, the other Spectrals ranking below the purebloods also came over and bowed.
“Master...” Kael looked happy as he walked over. Of course, when he looked at Avrin, he could feel as if something was off, as if he were irritated. The other reason was the two beings by his side, Ailirion and Tardiff gave him a cautious feeling.
“Hehe, welcome back, Master…” Asura walked over as he scratched the top of his head and gave a sort of cheeky bow. Eitri was about to swear at Avrin as a greeting but he saw that Avrin didn't seem to pleased in regards to something so he remained silent.
“You all can leave…” Avrin raised his right hand’s index finger, causing Nebula Mist to surge around the other non pure bloods. They looked nervous and surprised. They were then Divine Stepped to the lowest level of the tower. Avrin covered the doors in Nebula Mist that seemed to harden into a metallic substance, blocking entry.
Avrin reached up and removed his hood before walking over as he glanced around the room. He ignored the purebloods for a moment before taking a seat at the table. Leaning back, he rested his hands on his lap and shut his eyes. “Lord Monarch, you seem displeased. May I enquire as to what is wrong?” Erebus didn't dare move, but he spoke out to understand what was going on.
“Erebus, why are there mining camps using non Spectrals as slave labor to mine these…” when avrin said the word “”these”” a small cloud of Nebula Mist formed over the table and the mining cart appeared and dropped onto the solid metal table, spilling over with the crystals scattering everywhere. The four of them were shocked. Tardiff and Ailirion didn't utter a word, more so they were a bit clueless and confused for the moment. “Lord Monarch, those are a form of condensed dark matter that was somehow formed after Seleria had been converted...we are unsure as to how it came to be, but it has helped advance many of our kins’ progression. These crystals are a valuable asset to us.”
Avrin picked up one of the crystals and looked at it carefully. The crystal in his hand suddenly began to turn to ash as it was absorbed into his body. For a moment, Avrin felt ease and lightheadedness, but this didn’t last long and he felt that this was dark matter but it was dark matter that was different. He could feel it was very useful for advancing strength, but seemed to have a side effect.
“Erebus…why are you using non Spectrals to mine this….are you unaware of the conditions…the treatment they endure?...” Erebus was somewhat surprised. He cleared his throat and spoke. “L..Lord Monarch…the original intent was to help those mortals who didn't become Spectrals to find a way to support themselves….this was the solution I thought of when these crystals were discovered, I only held the best intentions. As for the treatment, I am unaware of how they are being treated...I, well...I entrusted this matter to several high ranked Spectrals to keep things fair and make sure treatment is well preserved, with weekly reports on the situation being excellent I didn't think anything was wrong!”
Avrin shut his eyes as he thought for a moment. In this moment, no one dared speak. “And those Spectrals using those who aren't of our kin for their bodies and pleasure….what do you have to say about that?” this was also another thing Avrin carefully analysed as he looked over the city. What he had seen was enough to anger him greatly in regards to those less fortunate being taken advantage of for measly payment or even with no choice.
“The four of you….let’s have a look, shall we…” Avrin opened his left hand as four swirling spheres of knowledge which contained all he knew about the treatment of those unfortunate people. With that said, these spheres shot towards the four of them, turning into Nebula Mist which was forcefully absorbed into their bodies. Of course, they all gave looks of surprise and uncertainty, but when these images and information flooded into their minds, astonishment could be seen on the faces of three, Eitri, Asura, and Kael, who after recovering looked at Erebus with caution.
Erebus’s face paled somewhat as he went down and knelt towards Avrin. “Was….I wrong, Lord Monarch? Aren't we meant to rule over others?...this is our world, isn't it? This treatment, I didn't expect it to be so diabolical….this was not my intention!...”
Avrin let out a regretful sigh as he glanced towards Erebus. Avrin pointed his finger towards Erebus and in turn Erebus’s mind shook as his consciousness drifted. A stream of Nebula Mist formed from out of his head before forming into a sphere of knowledge that shot to Avrin, who absorbed it. This was the only true way he could tell if Erebus was lying or telling the truth.