Chapter 225: Master and Disciple
Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Master and Disciple
Chapter 225 – Master and Disciple
Cassius sat cross-legged beneath a white tree with branches that looked like threads, close to Mount Hivetop.
His expression was calm and serene, his finger gently brushing against his new ring, feeling the pleasing presence of his new beast.
A strange and unique beast, to say the least.
He didn’t know how much time had passed since he began his healing transformation and the retrieval of the Echo, but Cassius was in no rush to go back.
He wanted to absorb what he had just gone through first. He wanted... at least to try to understand what his ancestors wanted from him.
’If I put together what the 333rd and the 12th told me,’ he mused, taking a breath, ’then their ultimate goal is to retrieve the famed Book they say belongs to us.’
Everything else... revolved around this goal.
Yet there were still many things left to understand.
Who were the beings behind this?
If they were strong enough to chain his ancestors — where one of them was able to slaughter dragons like useless flies, and the other was the very creator of the Architect profession — then he was up against harrowing foes.
’Are they gods?’ He asked himself, thinking that maybe this was why the gods wanted to kill them.
Because if his family became strong enough, they would have the chance to reclaim the Book.
’So they decided to kill anyone who reaches the Fifth rank? And from what the 333rd told me... my family made sure to keep the limit at that rank by imposing a rule.’
Again, the concept of the Game returned.
’But the important part of those statements is that... there must be something we’re able to do before reaching the Fifth rank that could turn this seemingly disadvantageous situation into an advantageous one.’
Cassius had now met two of his ancestors. And if he knew one thing, it was that they never did anything without a purpose behind it.
So the Fifth rank Limit had a purpose he needed to uncover.
’This is getting complicated.’ Cassius exhaled wearily. ’Don’t get me started on Earth and the matter with Isolde. Queen’s skirt, what does Isolde have to do with any of this!’
[You’re losing your calm, Cass.]
’Yeah, no shit.’ He hissed, annoyed. ’Of course I am. And why were you so quiet back there with my ancestor? I barely sensed your presence!’
Ananke didn’t respond immediately, her mind drifting in several directions before settling on one, then replied:
[Nothing.] she said. [I deemed it necessary to let you face this alone. It concerns the Desdemona, after all. And you know their historical wariness toward gods.]
Cassius narrowed his eyes suspiciously but said nothing more about it.
He knew Ananke was loyal to him, just as he was loyal to her. And he didn’t want doubt tainting this relationship.
’Alright.’ He sighed, lifted his head, and stared at Mount Hivetop in the distance. ’I guess I’m just a bit disturbed by all these questions with no visible answers.’
[You’ll get through it.] the goddess comforted him. [You always do, don’t you think?]
He smiled wryly. "I hope I continue to."
Taking a breath and closing his eyes, he smiled, hiding his worries deep within himself, deciding to show the world his carefree smile instead.
"Well. Time to go back."
"It’s time indeed."
Cassius froze at the sudden voice. He snapped his eyes open and found his master, Mallory Octavia, crouching in front of him, her face so close he could feel her breath on his skin.
’How did I not sense her?’
"You think you could sense me if I didn’t want you to, little bastard?" Mallory said, as if guessing his thoughts. "You’re hundreds of years too young for that."
"Uh... master, how long have you been here?"
"None of your business. Instead, tell me," Mallory narrowed her silver eyes, "what’s bothering you? Oh, interesting eyes you’ve got there."
"What?"
"I can feel it." She continued, now annoyed to death. "I can feel that you’re worried about something. And if I can feel it, that means it’s strong."
Cassius smiled softly, realising the Fate Link was at work here.
"I’m simply worried about what you’ll do to me once I tell you how I got my dragon eye." He lied with a harmless smile.
"You’re lying." Mallory pierced through it as easily as breathing.
His face twitched, but the Dean didn’t dwell on it.
"I understand." She grinned. "The fact that we’re linked doesn’t mean you trust me. You’d be a fool to. However..."
Her eyes turned cold.
"...I hate being lied to. I have the right to lie and blackmail anyone. But not the other way around. Do you understand me?"
’...why does that sound familiar?’ Cassius thought dryly, nodding to his master.
"I’m sorry." He said. "But I’m quite serious, master. What will you do once you know?"
"I already know someone close to you killed him and turned him into a Characteristic." She smiled without humour. "Are you afraid I’ll kill that someone if I find out?"
’Not that you could kill her anyway. But...’
"...yes?"
"I will definitely kill that someone."
"I’m your disciple, master. Give me some face."
"You lied to me. And the one who was killed means far more to me than you do." She said bluntly, before standing up and dusting off her clothes.
Cassius said nothing in response. He was neither offended nor angry.
It was simply natural for her to care more about that someone than about him.
...that would be what a reasonable person would think.
But since when was Cassius reasonable?
He raised his hand toward his master, smiling, asking her to help him up.
He didn’t need it. Mallory knew it.
But somehow, for some reason, she grasped his hand and pulled him up.
Standing, Cassius spoke while dusting off his clothes. "Is it bad, and selfish, and self-centred of me, to hope that one day you’ll like me as much as you like... him?"
Mallory looked at him, taking in the sight of his newly healed eyes and arms. She didn’t show it, but she was deeply impressed by the sight of his eyes.
She exhaled softly and answered, "You already know the answer."
"Then forgive me for being like that. But I want it to happen."
"Because you’re used to being loved more, and you refuse to be loved less?" Mallory was blunt with him.
Cassius smiled. "Guilty." He said, then added, "But only with those I care for and respect."
"You’ve known me since yesterday, little bastard. And I tried to kill you. How can you care for me?"
"I have a concerning fondness for crazy women." Cassius replied. "Ah, yes, a friend of mine once said it’ll be my downfall."
"You should trust his words."
"No thank you."
The two looked at each other, each finding themselves in a situation neither had anticipated.
But as Cassius spoke with his master, his stress and worries about his situation eased considerably.
And as Mallory spoke with Cassius, she found herself entertained enough to forget, for a brief instant, a past that refused to remain in the past.
After a moment of silence, Mallory broke it, wandering aimlessly through the realm of Mountains and Rivers.
"Your training starts tomorrow." She said, Cassius following behind. "At 5 a.m. Every day. I’ll give you the authority to enter this realm without needing to come to me."
Cassius nodded.
"As a show of faith, and to build something other than forced cooperation between us," he began, "I’ll share with you things no one knows except my goddess."
Mallory turned her head just enough to look at him over her right shoulder.
She smiled thinly.
"You’ve told me what you want from me. Do you think I’ll give it to you that easily?"
"I like a challenge."
"So do I."
Master and disciple continued their aimless wandering, simply wishing to enjoy the nature and beauty of the realm.
And a moment of peace.
By the time Cassius returned to the Academy, night had fallen.
...
At the same time, beneath the blanket of night, Sefira and Aldrin stood side by side inside a hidden realm known only to them.
Before them stood two identical Sefira and Aldrin, but this time created through Sefira’s blood control.
They looked so alive. Which they were. Because with her mother’s help, Sefira had been able to place a third of their souls into these puppets.
"I’m relieved I’ve managed to evolve my Blood Puppets this much." She said to her husband. "Though I almost put us in danger in the process. Fortunately, my baby warned me."
"Cassius is a good boy." Aldrin said flatly, writing in his book. He was desperately trying to put into words the feelings he’d experienced watching his son win Palatine and grow into such a fine man.
Sefira smiled and sat beside him, watching him write. Sometimes she offered her own opinion, causing her husband to scowl at her and tell her not to interfere with his hobby.
After a couple of minutes, he was finally finished. He closed the book with a satisfied smile.
"Are you ready to start now?" Sefira asked with a nervous smile.
What they were about to do was a dangerous endeavour. But they had to.
They couldn’t accept being suppressed by the gods.
They were the Desdemona.
Aldrin nodded, his face now dead serious. The couple took a deep breath and faced the two puppets.
At that moment, the Red Queen’s voice echoed across the realm.
[Now you may begin.] she said. [Compress all your power into a small core and place it inside the puppet.]
A pause. Then, slowly...
[Your Skills, Ultimate Skills, Characteristics, Soulblades, Phantasms and {Commands}.] she continued, her tone tense. [Strip yourselves of those powers. And start again from zero.]
Sefira smiled nervously, yet her eyes burned with inner fire. She looked at her husband, her smile widening.
"Let’s see who reaches Perfected rank first, darling."
Aldrin mirrored her smile.
"I reached it first the first time." His smile widened ever so slightly. "I’ll reach it first again."
Sefira Desdemona cackled, and then immediately after...
...Aldrin and Sefira Desdemona stripped themselves of all their power, returning to an unawakened state, giving everything to the puppets before them.
[Now let’s begin the Forceful Awakening.]
—End of Chapter 225—