Nil

Krahinn’s insight was terrifying. I knew he was ancient, probably was there when was formed by the Lords, but he put the rest of us to shame; his ability was nothing short of monstrous. Luna seemed frustrated by a she seemed to be struggling with. I wanted to probe, but I had the feeling she wanted to solve the issue on her own. My duel with Lux was tomorrow; Lux looked confident our duel was going to go her way. Not a chance you gluttonous fluffball. Unfortunately, Grisbane was back and was sitting at the table with nearly everyone present. Krahinn showed up seconds before the food was supposed to arrive like usual. Grisbane looked offended that he used to appear rather than walk in through the door. Great. Now I get to listen to her nonsense. Krahinn brought the carafe of coffee to his hand with and poured himself a massive cup which he immediately proceeded to chug. Grisbane was glaring at him, which he finally noticed and had the faintest smirk.

“Do you have something to say?” Krahinn probed. I recognized the tone. He’s fishing.

“It is improper to appear with and to just grab the coffee like that.” Grisbane lectured Krahinn. Krahinn began smiling wide as Ipnerslei let out a small sigh.

“Who are you again? I know the titles of everyone here, but I can’t seem to remember yours.” Krahinn checked, feigning stupidity.

“I am Countess Gaeas. Who were you?” Grisbane shot back. I looked at my parents as well as Mama and Papa. I also realized none of them were going to warn her.

“I am King Krahinn, King of the Wastes. I am . A guest of the Crown Prince and Emperor Father that is staying in the castle. So, Countess, what is a young child like you doing trying to correct me?” Krahinn retorted with an oddly pleasant tone.

“You misunderstood.” Grisbane backpedaled, looking like she sucked a lemon.

“Now you are calling me stupid? The nerve of some people these days.” Krahinn stated immediately.

“That’s not what I said.” Grisbane tried, looking a little flustered.

“Just because I’m old I can’t hear properly? Who taught you manners? They should be ashamed.” Krahinn shot back, looking like he was offended.

“You are twisting my words. I did not imply such things.” Grisbane defended herself, looking irritated at Krahinn.

“Now you are decided whether or not I should be offended by your insults. Wow. I have never been shown such overwhelming disrespect.” Krahinn tutted, shaking his head in fake disgust.

“King Krahinn, you are being antagonistic, and I do not appreciate it.” Grisbane tried. Like that would get him to stop.

“I am being antagonistic? I appeared, sat down, got myself some coffee, then someone not even a tenth as old as me began trying to lecture me on proper behavior. Then, I learn they are the lowest ranked nobility at the table. What an incredible insult to me.” Krahinn pointed out. Ipnerslei was looking at Krahinn, clearly judging how far he’d go.

“I did not mean to insult you, King Krahinn. I was not aware of who you were.” Grisbane attempted. This might have been one of the best breakfasts I ever had.

“Yet you spoke before knowing that. Why would you assume something without checking? Who did you think I was?” Krahinn pressed. His voice sounded genuine, but I knew better.

“I was mistaken. Can you please drop it, King Krahinn?” Grisbane attempted. Hahahaha, I knew Krahinn was not going to drop it just because she asked nicely.

“Hmmm. You were rude to me for no reason, claimed things on my behalf, and refused to take accountability for your poor decision making. Like I am going to drop it.” Krahinn mocked. His mouth was twitching. Grisbane was glaring daggers at him.

“I just want to check, the rest of you were aware this was about to happen when she began?” Grandpa checked as Krahinn and Grisbane stared each other down.

“Ya.” Nautilus confirmed, seeming immensely amused by the turn of events. Grisbane gave her a death stare.

“Can’t even look me in the eyes as you insult me. Astounding.” Krahinn added on. Grisbane stared at him.

“What? Someone wanted to insult a royal guest and is shocked her actions have consequences?” Krahinn taunted. Grisbane said nothing in return.

“Now the silent treatment. I am utterly floored to find such behavior from someone who isn’t even in the Imperial Family. Not even going to offer me a sincere apology for what you’ve said.” Krahinn continued, shaking his head at Grisbane.

“Is that what you desire, King Krahinn? An apology?” Grisbane inquired with a terse smile.

“I wanted a sincere one for your rudeness, but I know now it won’t happen. Some people will so shamelessly not take responsibility for their poor behavior. I guess it’s why you look for faults in the behavior of others, projecting that guilt for being an ill-behaved noble onto others.” Krahinn stated dramatically as he added a small sniffle to the end.

“I am sorry I acted presumptuously towards you. I was out of place and as a result deeply offended you. I am sorry to have ruined your morning.” Grisbane stated in a surprisingly polite tone. Her face was heavily controlled to say the least.

“Hmmmmm. I’ve always found it difficult to believe apologies that weren’t delivered on their hands and knees.” Krahinn informed Grisbane. Ipnerslei shot him a quick look.

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“Fine, I accept the apology.” Krahinn sighed as he poured himself more coffee. Grisbane was clearly internally fuming at Krahinn but decided to take being free of his torment.

I like him. Lux chimed to me mentally.

He didn’t fold you into a ball. I retorted. Granted, today did a lot in making me forgive him for that particular maneuver.

“Oh, before I forget, I need one of the uncles.” Krahinn stated. Both Uncle Nez and Uncle Nox looked at Krahinn suspiciously.

“Why?” Uncle Nox checked. Krahinn seemed openly amused by the collective lack of faith we had in him.

“I need someone other than me to attack Nil with a , and it can’t be from the enemy camp.” Krahinn explained, glaring at Ipnerslei.

“Oh yes, enemy camp. Truly a war for the ages.” Ipnerslei said dramatically while shaking her head.

It is. And it shall end in Nil’s defeat. Lux taunted with a smug smile.

“I am curious the insights an King is capable of. I’ll gladly help.” Uncle Nez agreed after a sip of coffee.

“Thank you. Finally, someone with a little faith.” Krahinn told Uncle Nez.

“More of you insisted we leave you and your ‘lessons’ alone and I am curious what they entail.” Uncle Nez teased Krahinn.

“Fair enough.” Krahinn conceded with a small shrug.

The rest of breakfast was filled with small chitchat. Luna asked Krahinn something mentally, who looked like he actually gave her the answer. It’s weird when he’s just nice. Maybe my view was a bit poisoned by my first interaction with him. He was a massive jerk and can definitely still be one. He at least behaved if Ipnerslei was nearby. After breakfast was winding down, Krahinn wasted no time bringing us to one of the large practice rooms. I was still finishing my last bite of food when the dining room vanished. I let out an annoyed sigh as I knew protesting would currently yield nothing. Who would want to actually enjoy breakfast from beginning to end?

“So, what do you need my assistance for?” Uncle Nez inquired, sounding a bit giddy.

“Easy, attack Nil with . He needs practice and experience from someone who is not me.” Krahinn answered as he kicked his feet up and began floating around. His nine eyes were now floating around the room a bit.

“Seems straight forward.” Uncle Nez chimed with a smile as he looked at me to be ready. I activated my and as I braced for my uncle.

“I’m ready.” I informed him. He cast a single , launching a singular at me. I easily enveloped it in before making it vanish. Uncle Nez went a bit wide eyed, looking a bit stunned that I had made it vanish.

“When I said attack, I meant try to inflict actual harm on him. Lux isn’t going to hold back, and neither will most people he fights.” Krahinn snarled at Uncle Nez.

“I was aware, I just wanted to get a grasp of what was being used to defend before I began casting seriously.” Uncle Nez defended himself.

“You should be trying to overwhelm and maim the brat.” Krahinn retorted with a bit of a yawn.

Uncle Nez did some light stretching, smiling at me before I signaled I was ready for him to try this seriously. Uncle Nez then began unleashing a bombardment of at me, launching easily twenty at once. I quickly made the buffer space like Krahinn showed me, erasing each one, and dodging the ones that would be a waste of . Uncle Nez added in several as I dodged, which I made vanish as I twisted around a . Maybe it was I was a bit used to Krahinn, but Uncle Nez’s casting didn’t seem as quick as before. To be fair, Krahinn can cast in basically an instant. Uncle Nez varied his launch locations while surrounding me with his attacks. I used to block the ones I knew I couldn’t erase in time as Uncle Nez subtly began casting more at a faster rate. He would throw in a couple next to or behind me to try and catch me off guard and threw in a couple attacks to see how they fared against what I was doing. For a brief moment, Uncle Nez slowed down around the fifteen-minute mark until Krahinn glared at him. Uncle Nez shrugged and ramped it right back up for the next hour. My lungs were possibly trying to kill me by the end, as my body was screaming from all the dodging as my eyes were feeling hot. Krahinn let out a clear whistle to signal the break. I collapsed onto the ground, sprawled out panting. How do they always look fine after casting so many ?

“What an interesting combination. I have got to admit, Nil can maintain that better than I thought he could. You must be an excellent teacher.” Uncle Nez praised. Krahinn looked at him as his eyes returned to his face and narrowed.

“What are you getting at?” Krahinn checked, his face looking a bit off.

“You managed to teach Nil an impressive combination of two in a matter of days. He could even use the you showed him earlier this week as he dodged which attacks weren’t necessary to fully address. That is some impressive teaching skills; I can only imagine how many you must have helped to refine them to such a degree.” Uncle Nez elaborated sincerely. Krahinn pursed his lips as he looked away. Is he blushing?

“Thank you for your flattery. It’s really nothing impressive though.” Krahinn deflected, his voice sounding a bit off.

“You really shouldn’t sell yourself short, it was quite inspiring what you have managed to accomplish. Your insight and knowledge are truly top notch.” Uncle Nez added on.

“It is still a work in progress. This is the first half of the combination he should eventually learn and is the easier one of the two.” Krahinn stated, still looking away.

“Can you show me the full version?” Uncle Nez requested with a small smirk.

“Sure. Keep the weak for this, as it is purely a demonstration.” Krahinn warned Uncle Nez.

Is Krahinn being nice? Maybe I should try to be as flattering as Uncle Nez. To be fair, I could ask Uncle Nez for lessons on how to be more social and tact. I shuddered as it might entail more lessons with Duthane. As I had not sprung to my feet fast enough, Krahinn used his smoky hand to lift me off the ground. One of his eyes glowed as he clearly was checking how much I had before dropping me. Krahinn signaled for Uncle Nez to attack, who in turn launched a small at us. Krahinn effortlessly made it vanish, before making the return back at Uncle Nez with substantially more speed and power behind it. Uncle Nez originally tried dispelling the , before his surprise washed over his face and cast a barrier of to stop the instead. Krahinn controlling my still feels weird. It was written all over his face how badly Uncle Nez wanted to know how it worked as he shot over to us.

“How did you manage to sever the connection between the Magus and ? That shouldn’t be possible.” Uncle Nez asked immediately, having summoned his notepad.

“I’ll explain during lunch. For now, someone has had plenty of time to recover.” Krahinn told my uncle.

“Fair enough. Come on Nil, you clearly need to practice if that’s where you need to reach. Also, you should thank Krahinn; he just gave a splendid example of what it should look like on both sides. That level of control and efficiency of is something you should strive for.” Uncle Nez lectured with a lot of fervor.

“Thank you for the demonstration Krahinn. I really appreciated it.” I told him sincerely. Krahinn was making a funny expression as he looked away.

“It was nothing.” Krahinn deflected again as he made himself float looking away from the two of us.

“Come on Nil, we have several hours before lunch!” Uncle Nez said gleefully as he began casting more . Great.