Epic Of The Demonic Sage



"A-ah, that." Captain Donald blinked and finally realized what the Young Lord Asher was talking about. 

It wasn't like the man was someone who missed social cues and important conversations, it was an important thing for someone as a Captain to know the ins and outs of managing people hence why being able to know when a guard was being witty and playful or was showing disobedience became an important thing.

Learning how to read between the lines was important.

"Is this something… from Artificers, Young Lord Asher? A new body of knowledge that's kept private from others?" Captain Donald looked at the rune crystals and knew that both Artificers and the Beast Master worked hand in hand often to create things.

"I do not think that any ordinary Artificer or scholar would have been able to think of something like this, Captain Donald!" Kiana said with a flurry of emotions. "When I first witnessed this, I was blown away because I have never heard and seen anything like this before."

"Well, my knowledge on those things is lacking compared to that of others, so I won't be surprised if anything comes up. And Young Lord Asher has been meeting with impressive people like Master Kain and even Bishop Reynald from the Church of Etara, yes?"

"Ah, you think this is a recent discovery," Lucius said. It was a little surprising that Captain Donald didn't react in shock as the others, but he seemed to have accepted things that were beyond his comprehension as being that could be explained by those with more understanding than he was.

"Yes? Or something hidden by the Church but only revealed later? Do these rune crystals help with one getting stronger? I know some superstitious people who keep specific rune beast crystals on their person because they believe that it will make them become stronger and be imbued with the character of the animal they've obtained." Captain Donald said. "But I do not think having all 100 Aether Crystals will be that helpful, I can absorb some of them when I am running low of Aether to become stronger, but cannot carry them all."

Lucius finally realized the issue in Captain Donald's thinking.

"You are presuming that I am giving all of these Aether Crystals for you to observe, but on the contrary, we will be using all of them right now to make you stronger instantaneously, Captain Donald. Your current gift will be elevated by one rank. That is what I wish to tell you." Lucius said.

"Instantaneous?" Captain Donald frowned and finally became concerned once again.

'Young Lord Asher said that he wishes to keep some secrets from Count Inanis, and right now he is showing me all of these Aether Crystals that he has obtained, along with a rare rune crystal that's normally supposed to be from a protected species. Kiana is here and does not seem to have any intention of reporting it to the Count and Countess either. What if…'

"Yes, Captain Donald."

"I… I do not wish to make it seem like I am being disrespectful, Young Lord Asher. I have known of your great success and achievements in all manners of things for nearly this year, but I am… a bit concerned."

"A bit concerned?"

"Yes." Captain Donald nodded. 'I can still remember the Asher from before the Gisir War. It's hard to imagine him now because of how much he has changed, but… there were times where he had been duped by others and taken advantage of due to his position and knowing that he was Giftless.'

"About what?" Lucius raised a brow.

"All of these crystals can be used, so I do not think that it is a bad thing, but… ah, to grow immediately strong? I believe that whoever may have sold you these crystals were looking for a quick profit, Young Lord Asher." Captain Donald said. "If you could inform me of their details, I will have my guards sent over to bring them here for questioning."

Lucius stared at Captain Donald before chuckling. 

'Ah, the reaction of others had always been shock and awe whenever I revealed it, especially because I've maintained by identity to create that effect. However, as for someone who has worked for the Inanis Family for long and no doubt knew how "Asher" acted from a younger age, then their expectations are a little different.'

"This is not some kind of scam, Captain Donald. Have you not heard of Kiana's words? There is already concrete proof of what these can do." Lucius said. "Besides, this is all because of my Gift, Captain Donald. Something that I have obtained, well, received from the Goddess of Etara herself, perhaps in a reward to service my contributions to the war against Gisir."

"Reward?"

"Yes. What I mean by that is I have been given an incredible gift that can elevate the gift of others and accompanied it is the wisdom by the Goddess of Etara herself."

Captain Donald looked stunned. 

"So this is…"

"Yes, this is all related to how I will be able to make you stronger, Captain Donald. Come closer. If you seek to see the results for yourself, then allow me to show you the way."

"And your request from me, Young Lord Asher?" Captain Donald asked.

"I think that you will be able to make that decision yourself." Lucius said and offered him a hand. "Will you accept, Captain Donald?"

'He will feel grateful for an increase of power. Normally, the Mark of Obedience is required before I upgrade one's gift for my sake, but I am confident that he will end up as one of my subordinates.'

"Okay, Young Lord Asher." Captain Donald reached out and shook his hand. A sizzle of energy crossing between the two of them.

"Thank you for the trust."

And so, similar to how Asher performed the upgrading of gifts, the same was applied in that instance to Captain Donald.

Once it was all over, fatigue racked all over Asher's body, but he kept himself neutral and waited for Captain Donald's reaction.

"How did it go, Captain?"