Novan felt preemptive guilt at Meisa's declaration while surveying his surroundings. Predictably, no one paid him attention. The attempted assassination of a great house successor overshadowed even his status as savior of the young master.
"An assassination within the main house? With their renowned defenses..."
"Internal collaboration seems likely. Many harbor animosity toward me."
Profound weariness permeated her response to Asiz's query. Exceptional talent and elevated status evidently didn't guarantee an uncomplicated existence.
Meisa brushed skeletal fingers through her hair and spoke softly. "Fatigue overwhelms me. I'll retire now. Goodnight."
Having abruptly concluded the interaction, the Arabion princess literally flew toward the castle without awaiting responses—slightly levitating before propelling herself with conjured wind.
Witnessing this, Asiz's mother instructed an elderly attendant nearby. "Ena? Prepare our second-finest guest chamber for Sir Novan."
Apparently, regardless of blood relation, she dared not contradict the successor's implicit command.
Novan woke to unfamiliar surroundings early next morning.
As mental clarity returned, he recalled his location—House Berk's mansion, where he'd been accommodated as guest the previous evening.
His first action involved examining the "washbasin" positioned in one corner of his spacious quarters.
Following instructions provided by the attendant yesterday, he pulled an elongated rod, producing a gentle stream of water.
After brief fascination, he used the adjacent soap to cleanse his face before drying with a towel. Seemingly imbued with dehydration enchantment, moisture vanished with minimal friction.
'An artificer household's influence?'
House Berk's stronghold represented a veritable repository of magical artifacts accumulated across centuries. While not necessarily superior to households where servants personally attended guests each morning, didn't these independent solutions possess unique charm?
Traditionally, privileged classes derived satisfaction from exclusive access to uncommon conveniences.
Donning the provided guest attire and entering the corridor, Novan observed brilliant illumination emanating from the ceiling—radiance entirely distinct from torches or oil lamps, extending continuously overhead without permitting shadow formation.
Despite Novan's considerable magical capacity and concealment proficiency, which allowed extended invisibility in darkness, this environment would restrict such abilities to mere minutes.
Any Zahar infiltrator attempting penetration would face impossible choices: either locate and eliminate their target within severely constrained timeframes or exhaust their magical reserves while wandering corridors, ensuring capture and subsequent execution.
This environmental protection existed independently from detection and interception enchantments undoubtedly concealed throughout the residence.
"Novan! Early riser as always! Why wander corridors unaccompanied?"
While contemplating these security measures, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
Asiz appeared considerably revitalized, perhaps from returning home after extended absence.
"This technology fascinates me."
"This? The illumination? It's a preliminary exercise when practicing enchantment as children... Would you like one? Surplus units occupy storage."
"Unnecessary, but I appreciate the offer."
Novan could directly generate comparable light. One of Keorn's earliest teachings involved manipulating light to create rudimentary weapons. He simply hadn't employed such techniques because his sling addressed physical confrontations and enhanced vision eliminated illumination requirements.
"Experiencing hunger? Mother will likely summon us for breakfast shortly."
"I can endure. More pressing questions occupy me."
"Oh?"
"Yesterday's Arabion visitor—does she suffer illness? If discussing this proves inappropriate, please disregard."
Since a great house successor's medical condition potentially constituted strategic intelligence, Novan approached cautiously.
Fortunately, Asiz merely offered a rueful smile without suspecting espionage motives.
In fairness, failing to express curiosity about such extreme emaciation would have raised greater suspicion.
"Her thinness concerns you? She maintained normal appearance during childhood but eventually restricted consumption to water and salt, claiming thinness facilitated flight... Apparently several attempted emulating her regimen before abandoning the practice, fearing imminent mortality."
"It presents undeniably unhealthy characteristics."
Though magical energy enhanced physical capabilities beyond human limitations, highborn remained fundamentally biological entities. Logically, continuous expenditure without replenishment inevitably generated complications.
"She functions adequately nonetheless. Besides, what intervention remains available when she insists? Despite our close relation, they ultimately remain our sovereign family."
Though their interaction yesterday suggested casual familial relationship, evidently boundaries persisted between them.
Following this exchange, Novan joined House Berk's formal breakfast alongside Asiz as anticipated. The head couple, Asiz's brother, and several relatives participated, though the Arabion lady remained absent—presumably avoiding discomfort from consuming water and salt while others enjoyed substantial fare, while potentially sparing herself embarrassment.
"Our modest preparations notwithstanding, please indulge generously."
Head Midela's characterization of the spread before them constituted transparent deception.
Beyond conventional soup and bread, unfamiliar delicacies extended like Dakein's wheat fields—crab encased in steamed dough, truffled potato preparations...
Asiz, providing explanations at Novan's side, expressed astonishment. "Why such extraordinary hospitality? Several items have never graced even my birthdays—one might mistake the Arabion head himself for visiting."
"Silence."
Evidently this elaborate display exceeded House Berk's standard fare, specifically arranged to honor Asiz's benefactor.
After sampling various luxuries—some admittedly too exotic for Novan's palate—and concluding with sweetened bread and bitter tea, Midela addressed their primary business.
"Continuing yesterday's discussion, my son promised substantial magical compensation for his preservation."
"Correct."
"Have you determined specifics?"
"Defensive enhancement interests me. Magic readily facilitates harming others while offering limited self-protection. Ideally, something countering unexpected assaults."
This represented Novan's carefully considered conclusion.
Even if his dormant second bloodline proved defense-oriented, wouldn't complementary protective abilities reinforce each other?
The dark elf necromancers' vulnerability to surprise attacks had proven educational. Imagining himself in similar circumstances revealed inadequate countermeasures beyond reflexes and mobility—unreliable protection against determined adversaries.
"Such creation presents minimal difficulty given our frequent production. However, no prepared examples currently exist."
"Might I contribute to its creation?"
"Unless desiring to disgrace House Berk's reputation, refrain."
Melo, Asiz's previously silent brother, responded sarcastically before addressing his parents with slight bow.
"I shall undertake this responsibility. Having recently completed a commission for the main house, my schedule permits it."
"What approach do you envision?"
"As protection against surprise attacks requires continuous availability, I'll imbue enchantment into ring, earring, or pendant form to amplify guardian bloodline defensive properties."
"This appears suitable. Timeline?"
"One month."
Novan had studied guardian bloodline characteristics previously. Unlike lineages preferring ranged magical attacks, this bloodline specialized in close combat utilizing superior physical capabilities, with exceptional durability representing their particular strength. Temporarily accessing such ability would provide unparalleled protection.
"Though parental pride appears unseemly, Melo's skill nearly equals my own as head. Essentially, a head-class artificer bloodline magic-user will devote an entire month exclusively to your magical device."
"I appreciate this generosity, but isn't this excessive?"
House Berk's proposal left Novan momentarily stunned.
Based on literary research and Asiz's explanations, magical device quality correlated with energy investment duration. While unlimited time wouldn't produce miraculous results, and efficient production varied by magical capacity and talent, one month approached maximum practical limits.
Considering creation backlash, the artificer couldn't produce additional powerful devices for approximately six months—effectively dedicating half a year of a head-class magic-user's productivity.
"If this constitutes excess, wouldn't that diminish my son's life value? Absolutely unacceptable. You'll remain as our guest throughout the coming month."
"Extended imposition concerns me."
"Please disregard such considerations and accept our hospitality."
"Mother appears favorably impressed by you," Asiz remarked seriously after they exited.
"By me?"
"Indeed. I discussed you with her last night—your magical talent rivaling Meisa's, your diligent practice despite innate ability. Originally intended to prevent her dismissing you as an unaffiliated wanderer, but..."
"This suggests she desires my complete family integration."
Novan immediately thought of Izella from House Baltas. Though her casual disregard for guardians' lives repulsed him, the fundamental pattern resembled Lord Lug's attempt at arrangement—merely replacing provincial leadership with direct vassalage to a great house.
"Precisely. She'll create obligation through generosity before introducing eligible women. Several adult family members joined through similar circumstances."
The guardian bloodline magic-user assisting with the device's creation evidently represented one such addition. Novan hadn't realized that imbuing devices with bloodline abilities required participation from matching bloodline practitioners.
This revelation doubled Novan's mental burden.
"This presents complications."
Asiz waved dismissively with reassuring smile. "Don't excessively concern yourself. They're merely establishing goodwill—they won't demand matrimony simply because you accept their generosity. Mother maintains reasonable boundaries."
"I see."
Ironically, this increased Novan's discomfort. Had they explicitly demanded family integration for compensation, he could appropriate the device and depart without remorse.
Some individuals find unrequitable kindness more burdensome than hostility—Novan belonged among them.
Naturally, permanently joining House Berk remained impossible. How would he explain children manifesting Zahar bloodline abilities?
"Precisely my point. Do you have immediate plans?"
"Why?"
"Let's explore recreational opportunities. While Zabilin cannot rival the capital, numerous diversions exist. Surely you don't intend practicing magic continuously as in previous cities?"
"Actually, that constituted my intention."
"Please reconsider. Let's experience life's pleasures, friend!"
At the term "friend," Novan finally permitted Asiz to lead him from House Berk's mansion.
Daytime presented Zabilin's features that curfew had obscured yesterday evening. Passersby reacted modestly to their attire, but unlike other regions, they neither prostrated themselves nor bowed deeply—merely inclining their heads respectfully while passing.
After walking approximately ten minutes, they encountered a bustling commercial avenue lined with diverse establishments.
"What recreational activities interest you?"
"That depends on your preferences. Drinking, gambling, women—which appeals?"
"Library."
"Your conventional tastes continue surprising me."
"Limited opportunities for genuine enjoyment have presented themselves throughout my life. Regardless, your three suggestions hold minimal appeal."
Though he'd sampled alcohol at various houses without particular enthusiasm, gambling inspired hesitation due to his mother's childhood warnings. Regarding women, even without maternal or Keorn's cautions, several reservations persisted—especially in territories where his innate bloodline inspired hatred.
"All options rejected... perhaps theatrical performance?"
"Performance?"
He recalled literary descriptions—dramatic enactments of specific events or traditional narratives on stage. Though he'd never witnessed such entertainment personally.
Asiz's eyes widened at this response. "You've never experienced theatrical presentation?"
"Never."
"Then I must serve as guide. Fortuitously, Zabilin's premier theater stands nearby. Their company even includes guardian performers."
Though his knowledge remained limited, Novan found this revelation astounding. Individuals regarded as nearly mythological around Windcrest Hill publicly performed for audiences?
The realm of great houses truly constituted an entirely different world from peripheral territories.
"Welcome, distinguished guests!"
Upon reaching the theater, a young boy bowed deeply before them.
Asiz indicated performance advertisements displayed along one wall. "Examine these and select according to preference. Titles and content summaries should provide adequate orientation."
While briefly scanning the advertisements without particular interest, Novan suddenly froze upon noticing one specific performance.
Asiz approached and remarked while observing the same display:
"'Hero Keorn'? Does this selection interest you?"