Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Silrat was a bit taken aback by this request.

Already going for the weapons and treasure cache?

Skullius did have a kind of interest in weaponry that he vaguely portrayed at times but it didn’t seem like a form of greed to own plenty of weapons. He himself barely used then, as far as Silrat knew.

The former Branch Head could wager that there was something he didn’t know but he couldn’t pry as the Tie of Exchange he signed with Skullius didn’t support complete transparency.

“That’s not hard to arrange but unfortunately, Stylla probably won’t be back until tomorrow. If you’ve met her younger sister then you’ll know that she quite…insufferable,” Silrat said with a sigh of hidden hatred.

He was still releasing the tension from before on top of having to think about that brat.

“The brother on the other hand, probably won’t take to you very well considering that there have been disputes between him and Stylla.”

“Is it because they are clashing on which representative is better?” Skullius asked while leaning back.

“Something like that. Stylla neglected to mention in full that her Family is currently in a dire situation. The division in the household is… dramatic. There’s already a bitter fight about who should be entrusted with the Family and that… is the root of it all,” Silrat said. “One of the only rules known about the Premium Age Royale as of now is how each Family can have up to twenty representatives. If possible, the younger sister Terese would have employed her own fighter for some more friction.”

The rule Silrat mentioned had been spread out by the messenger who had announced the Premium Age Royale two months ago.

Skullius scratched his chin.

“What’s causing this? Why are they fighting?” he asked.

There had to be a deeper reason, right?

“Apparently, the Head of the Bryne Family, their father, is ill with an unknown ailment. As a result, managing the Family has been left to Stylla and her brother and thus this result.”

“An unknown disease? Even a Healer or something can’t cure it?”

“Yes, apparently multiple Healers from the Temple failed to dispel it. And I say dispel because some of these Healers claimed it felt more like a curse. Now what’s risen from this is the rumour that one of the rival Families might have hired some band of renown criminals to get the father cursed,” Silrat explained.

“A band of criminals?” Skullius muttered with a frown. “I met quite a few groups of thieves and such on the way here. Why are so fleshing many of them?”

“Get used to it. Those low level thugs you met don’t even compare to the real deal. In these parts, companies of criminals are common, so common that the Guilds Association has to work in tandem with the Capital Service to hunt them down.”

“Really? Then how come that wasn’t the case in Inhone City? Clusters were the main problem, right?

“That’s because Inhone is in an isolated region, places where the Royal Family has declared free from ownership by Houses and Families. The history behind it is a little convoluted so I’ll spare you the details but… the idea is there won’t be many thieves when there’s barely anyone rich to steal from. Besides no one can hire any of those guys in that dreadfully poor region,” Silrat said before changing the subject.

“Let’s chuck that whole discussion aside, shall we? I need you to get ready for the Aptitude Evaluation Test tomorrow. People have already started doubting that you actually exist since you decided once again, on a last minute entry.”

Skullius nodded with a smile as he then looked to Yuyui at his side who was fiddling with her fingers.

Due to his plans, he began wondering if he should incorporate Yuyui into his plans so soon.

She was a non-combatant with essentially no skills geared towards offence.

He would have to groom her but only if she had a Talent for anything other than devouring the world as some kind of hidden boss.

While thinking of this, he posed another question to Silrat when he thought of the word ‘talent.’

“What differentiates a regular evaluation in the Guilds Association from this one? Are there additional benefits for me specifically that I should be aware of if I impress?”

Silrat answered while standing up, depicting that he clearly had something else on his agenda.

“Well, there are certain privileges granted depending on the rank you attain after the assessment. I know what you’re thinking. You probably want your freedom, don’t you?”

“Hmmm…” Skullius hummed in response, neither denying nor agreeing.

The truth was from the vibe he was getting from Genhuis City, it was impossible to do anything with guaranteed privacy.

“You’ll be allowed such if you get a high enough ranking in the assessment. For now, I have some issues to handle, but I’ll fill you in on the whole detail tomorrow. In the meantime, Daggs here can arrange for you your living quarters,” Silrat said as he gave a sigh and walked out, going up the flight of stairs while rubbing his temples.

This short discussion with Skullius had already done a number on him and Skullius found this infinitely amusing.

‘A good enough evaluation, huh? That’s interesting,’ the Hybrid Luman thought.

“Please, follow me. I’ll show you to your rooms,” Daggs said with a defeated wind from his lips.

Skullius and Yuyui followed the poor man who was still sweating quite a bit, the three going through a long corridor, turning down multiple paths before reaching one of the bedrooms.

It seemed strange to Skullius that this mansion was largely so empty.

Were these the only people living here?

A few guards, a few maids and this sorry guy?

Really?

Skullius wanted to probe but unfortunately, he would not receive an answer for obvious reasons.

A scan of the entire mansion with Skullius’ Machi had told him that indeed Stylla and her brother were not here.

Perhaps he would get to meet her tomorrow as he had to sate his curiosity over multiple things.

“This will be your room, Master Festos. I will accompany your…guest to her own,” Daggs said.

“That won’t be necessary,” Skullius said as he grabbed Yuyui’s hand, pulling her over. “I’ll need her for the night.”

“…”

Daggs froze.

Need her for the night?

Had he failed to get some hints about these two’s relationship?

Could it be based on profanity or worse yet… love?!

These thoughts whirled in the poor attendant’s mind only for a moment as he hurriedly nodded, bowed and rushed away.

Skullius and Yuyui entered the room which was quite big.

All things necessary for one to feel comfortable here could be found.

A large bed with warm and fragrant sheets, a neat and wall and nice lighting from the ceiling, all this plus a large window to expose the view of the outside.

It was perfect.

Skullius breathed out in relief at the luxuries he could sense, sitting on the bed.

Yuyui gawked at the large bed before diving onto it, her figure bouncing up and down while Skullius took out his ring.

The sun was yet to set but there was evidently nothing left to do but relax.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option for Skullius.

With how he had structured his growth plan for the future, he might as well use all the free time he could afford.

The WILLS of Fulgardt were helpful in this regard.

The mind-set and niche way of thinking required to make a powerhouse out of himself quickly was something Skullius had lacked before.

Now, he had opened a way towards it with the WILLS, the WILL OF CUNNING helping him understand the most efficient ways to use the resources and time at his disposal.

And for now…

‘I’m still yet to get a complete grasp on Distorted Gravity. Even if my mana contains the properties of it, and that of weight, I can’t use any skills relating to that high level concept at all. I need [Epiphany] for this as well as… a good sacrificial lamb,’ Skullius said while turning his head to Yuyui.

The lime haired girl felt her master’s piercing gaze and quickly turned, quitting her repeated bounce.

“Yuyui, how do you feel about acting as my human shield for at least two hours? It will be hard though. You’ll probably be dying by getting zapped by lightning or squashed into the ground by Gravity…. buuuuut, it won’t be so bad~,” Skullius said with ‘kind’ smile.

Yuyui froze and shrunk back.

She obviously didn’t want to.

Dying by lightning?

That was too new!

“Uhmmm…I…” she stammered.

“If you do this, I’ll take you out to eat for half a day in the city as a reward. How’s that?” Skullius said to sweeten the deal.

Though Yuyui was human, Skullius subconsciously started to soften up to her. He was used to being surrounded by Apostles whom he eventually grew appreciative of and the same was inevitable with Yuyui.

Still though… no one would accept something so ridiculous!

Who would agree to dying an unknown number of times over hours?!

That was insan-

“I’m in!” Yuyui instantly responded with a rarely seen look of seriousness.