novelraw Chapter 928: Summoned? (1)
Chapter 928: Summoned? (1)
Chapter 928
’Appraisal.’
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’Woah! Her points in the element are incredibly high. That means her control is exceptionally good—almost on par with my wind magic.’
As that realization crossed his mind, his face fell slightly while he scrutinized her mana pool.
’... The only downside is that she possesses a small reservoir. Did just that single sword she manifested cost so many points? That is more than half of her total capacity. Yikes.’
He turned his gaze toward the girl for a moment as she was seen clenching and unclenching her hands repeatedly, testing the lingering energy in her palms.
’So Licht trained her, huh? That was surprisingly benevolent of him. Come to think of it, a mage can only awaken the element they are destined for, right? Was she always fated to manifest a rare affinity like light, or did Licht and the first mage somehow influence the outcome?’
He began stroking his chin, lost in the depths of his contemplation.
’... Yeah. It is not an exaggeration to say that the first mage is... was in league with the elven leader. Which means the ’He’ Licht spoke of when we first met was Mage Blake, eh?
I wonder how long they have known each other. The same way the elves tutored me in the mastery of my affinities, that was exactly how they nurtured Jesse under the guidance of Mage Blake—but why?’
Grey’s head began to throb slightly as he lifted his eyes to study the ceiling overhead.
’Why would Mage Blake go this far? Yes, he claimed that I am the hope the world needs to vanquish the Otherworlders, but what does Jesse have to do with any of this? Why go to such lengths to train her at such a tender age? Is there something brewing that I remain ignorant of?’
Jesse was bored out of her mind at this point.
She wanted to groan aloud but decided against it, seeing that her brother was still submerged in thought.
She wouldn’t want to interrupt him now, would she?
Besides, who knew—maybe he was currently gathering power?
Grey rubbed his temples before burying his face into one of his palms.
’Now I understand why Jesse is exceptionally swift, as if she enhances her agility with wind magic.
She is utilizing light magic to accelerate her movements. How that works? I have no idea. If I hadn’t met Licht, I wouldn’t even have known that light magic existed.’
Shifting his attention back to the bored Jesse, the mage smirked.
’... I use Spatial magic, a rare breed, and Jesse wields light magic—another rare affinity. What are the odds? Hahaha... the Dawn family is truly remarkable if you ask me.’
The little girl couldn’t endure the wait any longer.
Her stomach growled almost too loudly, prompting an embarrassed blush to creep across her face.
"Er... Brother Grey? When are we going to get the chickens? I’m kind of hungry here."
Snapping out of his reverie, the mage flashed a warm smile at her before rising to his full height, followed closely by Jesse.
"Sure, little eating monster, let’s head over to the canteen."
Jesse pouted at the mage’s teasing words.
Grey had already taken a single step forward and was about to take the second when she spoke.
"I will tell Mother Clara you keep calling me a monster. I’m sure she will set you right."
Grey froze mid-stride.
Images of a shadow sword impaling his mother flashed vividly through his mind as his jaws clenched with agonizing tightness.
’Ri-Ri-Right. I haven’t told her, have I?’ He sighed deeply, the sound echoing only within his mind.
He wanted to tell her.
He truly desired to be honest, but unfortunately, he simply couldn’t bring himself to do so.
How was he supposed to inform the girl that Clara was dead?
How was he supposed to tell her that the same woman who had taken her in the very day she lost her biological parents was now dead?
He—he—he simply couldn’t bring himself to do it.
But then, the haunting images of Finral’s grief-stricken face surfaced in his mind.
’What if she discovers the truth the wrong way and at the most inopportune time? What would happen then?
Wil—will she grow to hate me the same way Finral does? Ugh... sh—should I inform her of the reality now? At least it would be better if she hears it from me rather than from the lips of a total stranger.’
Turning around to look at the girl’s innocent face and beaming smile, he was just about to open his mouth when she asked another question that pierced his heart.
"By the way, when will we go and see Mother Clara? I miss her a lot. I haven’t seen her for months. So when will we go, Brother Grey?"
It felt as though a thunderbolt had slammed into the mage’s head, causing him to instantly second-guess his resolve.
’I—I can’t tell her; it will utterly break her. I—I—I...’
"I didn’t want to interfere, but I feel like it would be right for you to tell her. It would be better if she processes the grief as soon as possible," Noir chimed in from the depths of the mage’s mind.
Thinking about it some more, he realized that his familiar was entirely correct.
If he delayed the truth, she would inevitably discover it through another avenue, and what would happen if he wasn’t there to provide comfort?
At the very least, he was right here with her now and could support her through the aftermath.
Steeling his nerves after taking several steady, deep breaths, Grey’s mouth cracked open, ready to reveal the agonizing truth.
However, a sudden rush of frantic footsteps from the corridor snapped his attention toward the entrance.
He could see Captain Amir rushing in, a look of sheer panic etched across his features.
Reaching the shattered remains of the door, the Captain glanced at the wreckage briefly before making his way toward Grey with swift urgency.
"Uh... Captain? What’s up?" The Supreme Magus asked, lifting a suspicious eyebrow at the panting officer.
In Amir’s hand, a letter was visible, bearing a specific official stamp that Grey possessed no knowledge about.
"What is that?" he asked, staring at the parchment in the Captain’s trembling grip.
Straightening his posture, the Captain handed the missive over to the mage.
"You have been summoned."
The Supreme Magus lifted a brow as he snatched the letter from the Captain’s hands.
"By who?"
Grey was already tearing into the envelope, which appeared to have been opened previously.
It seemed the Captain had already scrutinized the contents of the message before delivering it.
"By the Emperor."