[ Zaria. ]
I woke up from the voice inside my head. Ignis was staring at me while in the air.
"Ah.. are you done already?" I still felt drowsy, probably from exhaustion of mana earlier. I got up and Ignis went to my shoulder.
[ I burn them down just like how you instructed, owner. ]
"Yes. Good job, Ignis."
It was night already and there wasn't even a single light inside my room. Did no one even check on me inside?
[ Someone came inside, owner. It was an old man with strong presence. ]
I hardened on the spot. Why did he come here? Why would he peek on here when an attacked happ–ah! Shit.
"Did he see you?" Ignis nodded and I knew my face is pale right now!
I completely forgot about how he traced my mana before! Damn it, do I tell him or act fool about it?
Having two abilities and being steorra of both is completely different cases. Being unusual in this place is after all, a sin. Take for example, the Lavrins.
Ashercian's family is being afraid of because of their purple eyes. Though it may seem pretty, it was from the fact that dark magic is deeply associated with purple eyes.
Visceral Empire have magicians but it's a different scenario for dark magic. It's completely forbidden.
What's even more if it's someone unprecedented to have two abilities that awakened as steorra?
Although I was supposed to awaken my elementalist ability at nineteen, it seems to have been embedded through me at my regression.
"What should I do.."
[ Owner, what is troubling your mind? ]
I petted Ignis head, "You must've seen it, Ignis. I have two abilities." I shown my right hand to him.
[ I see. A rather unique case after 300 years. ]
"300 years? How long have you even live? No, who was that person?" Ignis tilted his head and pondered. After a while, he answered.
[ It was from God Erebius' line, an interesting mage that unfortunately delve himself with dark magic. In thousand of years, he was the third individual to possessed two abilities. ]
God Erebius' line.. that means he's Iarkial's ancestor. The sword Iarkial stabbed me with was a weapon given directly by the Goddess Asteria.
This golden star locket, Erebius' sword, and the spirits are the gifts Goddess Asteria gave to Celestials; people who first touched the stars and gained abilities and magic.
It was also a blessing of authority.
[ But.. do tell me, owner. My name.. how did you know of it if you've just awakened? ]
My hand stopped from petting Ignis. I opened the window a little and saw the lights opened outside and few soldiers patrolling.
Ah, I'm prepared at his question nonetheless. There were spirits that are bound only to the family of Trovis, the line of elementalists. These spirits are given by the Goddess Asteria.
Ignis is one of them. However, their names are only passed down to Trovis descendants that awakened and already knew fundamentals of elementals.
It is to protect the family line and secrets in this ability. Well, that kinda failed since the tower gained a replica book about spirits and I was able to learned it.
"I trust you, Ignis. That's why… listen carefully from now on."
★
[ How dare… that rotten Erebius' descendant! ]
"A-Ah! Calm d-down, Ignis! Your flames!"
Ignis burst into rage and his flames just went up! Dear.. he's really angry.
He flapped his wings as he scoffed. Slowly, his red-orange flames returned, which turned to blue earlier.
[ How dare he do that to my owner?! ]
"Ignis.. haha. I miss that expression of yours."
Right now, I just told Ignis my secret. From how I've lived on my first life, to being chained and locked up, until the day I died.
It's better this way so he'll be more aware of my goals from here on out. The spirits Goddess Asteria gave the Trovis' may be loyal to only our line but.. I don't want to disregard their will.
[ But I'm even more angry at my self.. Zaria. ]
Ignis' voice, full of sorrow and pity was heard. I only smiled at him and yet, his head went down even more.
"Everything I've experienced, Ignis.. they were never for naught. I pledged my self that." Ignis sighed, he leaned in and his beak touched my forehead.
[ From now on, every dirty hands that will lay on you shall go pass through me first. ]
Something warm, similar to a bonfire in winter went through my forehead. I knew what it was. It's a spirits' blessings.
"Then, Ignis… will you still be my spirit despite my goals from here on out?"
[ I shall gladly do so, owner— Zaria. ]
Ahh.. I'm glad. At least, even though I've only started, my goals and revenge from here on out will not only be mine alone.
★
"A… new type of monsters, you say?" Plynel, the Emperor of the empire asked slowly.
Rodine, the headmaster of Wolstice immediately went to the palace after wrapping up the havoc last night.
He nodded without an ounce of emotion on his face as the audience room was filled with silence.
The emperor only sighed and gripped the armrest of the throne. His right arm man, the Grand Duke of Lavrins, Lucretius, stared at Rodine.
"Is it the same monsters the Duke of Trovis wrote on his report?" His low voice finally broke the silence.
Rodine looked at his nephew; the child his brother had, "It is the same, Your Excellency."
"The same… do you think it is the work of that group?" The Emperor asked Lucretius.
The latter didn't say anything but Plynel, who already knew what kind of thinking Lucretius have, can only closed his eyes in anger.
"Dig into it, Grand Duke and.. Headmaster, I want a written report about it."
Plynel's golden eyes flashed with obvious rage, yet his hands, showing the signs of aging doesn't even trembled. It was a great control over himself.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Ah wait. Headmaster." When Rodine bowed and was about to collect himself out, the emperor called out.
"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?" A bit bold of a question came out from the confused Rodine.
"I heard a certain rumor just earlier."
Rodine, who hid his laughter full of mockery inside, only smiled. Of course he knew what the emperor is talking about.
Even though only a short time had passed, word sure travels fast for news that's especially unique.
"Which rumor is it, Your Majesty?"
"The youngest child of Callice has been in your care?"
Cocking his head to one side, "Are you talking about Lady Trovis?" Rodine dropped a name that even Lucretius who looked disinterested earlier, waited for his words with curiosity.
A name worth caring for, indeed. A child who just came of age is already being the talk of the empire. How about more if 'it' came out? Rodine's thoughts were filled with worry and amusement.
"Let me meet her, Headmaster. I want to see the child my older brother look after like his own daughter until the end."
The Late Prince Theodore, who was Plynel's older brother was suddenly brought up. The prince who gave the heirloom to a child he doesn't even have an ounce of blood with.
An heirloom that was only passed down to the crown prince of the empire.
Rodine laughed inside at the remarks Plynel was throwing. After all, his hatred for the brother who left everything to him still remained.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I can't do that. You wouldn't want to compete with the Duke of Trovis."
Plynel who dazed at him, crumpled his face and shivered when he thought of the Trovis' first child. A son who only got Solana's gentle and angelic features.
But is a completely different monster.