Alexander POV

*clank*

Looking at who came in, I was standing naked in the middle of the room while Melina tried to find something suitable to wear for me. "MOM! I am naked!"

Holding my private parts and getting red. Mom just tilted her head, not knowing what to say about me.

Trying to ignore my behavior, she tried to talk to me. "Alex, how do you feel about your Father?"

Relaxing and thinking how stupid I behaved, I just stopped it and thought about the question at hand.

Let's try to be honest, not like I can meet him again and play it off. "My instincts screamed to run away, Mom. Till the moment Dad was close enough, this is where his smell overwhelmed me…."

She looked at me sternly and probably thought about it for quite some time. I couldn't bear this silence. "Is… this normal to feel something like this towards Father?" I seriously thought so.

Mom looked a bit saddened and shook her head. "No, of course not. He has a skill which scares beings who can sense Mana."

Now I was confused, and I touched my Anti-Mana collar. "But I have this thing here?"

She came over to Melina and looked for clothes for me. "Yes, but it will just prevent you from using your Mana skills, but it is not perfect."

I frowned. "Can Dad just not use this skill? I don't find this funny…."

While looking at some clothes on the bed, which Melina chose, she took a petite white robe with red flowery patterns and went to me. "No, he has barely any control, and this is just the remnants while the skill is not in use."

She stood for a moment there and observed me genuinely. "Your Father would never want to frighten you or your siblings. Please understand this. He really loves you."

I tilted my head. "Of course…" thinking about the real problem, it was pretty challenging… I really thought skills were more or less unproblematic and easy to control.

"So, these are just the remnants of the skill, and he does this not on purpose... Hm, does the skill damage me somehow?" Trying to brainstorm through all possibilities, I also need to remember that this is a loving family and not some Shakespeare novel.

She came close to me and put the robe on me. I always have problems placing my tail through the small hole on the back, but Mom helped me. "Yes, your Father would never do something like this on purpose - like I said, he loves you, and it does not damage…actually, I don't know, I am sorry Alex, I will ask your Father before you see him again."

I nodded while looking at myself. I was in a better mood instantly, and who would hold it against me if I looked this great? "It's fine, really. I will try and if I get damaged, get the healer on short dial, hehe."

"Stop using Elven's language, and no, I will first talk with him." Mom didn't find it funny. It is understandable with my short history of "accidents."

Nonetheless, it is exciting trying to resist such skill, and how far I can go, there is also the bonus to show that I am not afraid of Dad.

I can somewhat empathize with him. He came home to see his child, who was born when he was away, and what happened? He is frightened to death and pukes by the sight of him. He should be heartbroken...

Taking me in her arms, she whispered to me. "We will try to find a solution - will you try it with your Father and me?"

Even if Mom was cold on the outside, she showed so much warmth through her actions and words. "Don't worry, Mom."

"Thank you, Alex, for trying." She kissed me on my forehead, and I was confused. "Why thanking me? It is not like he does this on purpose or knew this would happen? So, who cares." I just waved it away.

Mom smiled from ear to ear and hugged me again and even stronger. "I don't know why you are like this, but I am happy you are like this."

'?'

"I will go to your Father and talk with him, and later we will come over. So please wait here."

*clank*

Looking at Melina, I tried to find out what had happened. She was a little teary. 'What the... ?!'

*stomach grumble*

"Melina, can you get me please something to eat? My breakfast is sadly in the hall *giggle*."

Melina wiped her tears away, nodded, and went out.

*clank*

*Inhale*

*Exhale*

This will be a very strenuous day. I need to think of every snuff and horror movie I saw to prepare myself for this feeling.

"Fun times...."

*****

Sarusos POV

Flashing through the Estate, I tried to reach Mistress as fast as possible. It is incredibly rare that I listened to my gut feeling and thought something had happened with Ms. Lorient. Good that I did it this time.

'*sigh* the Mistress has so many troublesome children - I can't imagine whom they are after... could be both' *giggle*

Where is the Mistress? I can barely pick up her smell! Getting inside the Estate, I rushed through half a dozen servants doing their work and finally found her!

She went from Mr. Alexander's room towards where the Lord should be. 'Sadly, I need to postpone their lovely appointment, but what can you do?'

Flashing as fast as I could towards the Mistress, I appeared before her holding Ms. Lorient. As I appeared before her and she saw Ms. Lorient, her Aura almost exploded, I could feel the crazy and wild fluctuations, and she could barely hold it back. "What happened, Sarusos?"

Her Aura is almost as bad as the Lords even if she is just Tier 2. "She got probably corrupted by her Aura. I found her how she attacked Sarah and Narsiz with bloodshot eyes and could feel how the demon energy wasn't controlled and ran wild."

She just nodded and took Ms. Lorient towards a room while I followed her for more instructions.

Laying her down in some random guest room - she put her hand on her Solarplexus and tried to perceive her Aura. "The demonic Aura is running wild. You are right. Didn't she invests any points in [Spirit]?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, the Lord and I told her to do this and to train mental skills, also the consequences of not doing it."

"This is not good…." The Aura around the Mistress went wild, and I could see how she started absorbing Ms. Lorients Aura…

The room was filled with demonic red mist, and as soon as it did, I couldn't breathe anymore, and I felt as like my mind would break through my skull. I needed to activate every single mental resistance skill to strengthen myself! 'What a crazy Aura!'

The red mist hovered in the air and looked like the demonic version of Ms. Lorient and was screaming silently like it was getting violated. It tried to fight against the absorption of the Mistress and was attempting to go back to Ms. Lorients's body.

After 5 minutes, every bit of the red mist was absorbed into Mistress, and I could barely hold myself on my feet. My knees were shaking, my muscles felt sore, and I had such an intense headache that I would rather let myself be tortured by my old teacher.

She sighed and looked at me. Her eyes were red as rubies. I could feel the bloodlust from her and a grimacing smile… "Don't worry, let me meditate for an hour. Just stay here and make sure nobody disturbs me."

"Yes… Mistress." What I felt was immense. The Power from the Lord is… wild and shows might, while her… is like someone is holding a blade onto my brain, ready to drive me into insanity...

*****

Alexander POV

Having eaten. I just waited and hyped myself up. I should see this as training or building up an everlasting father/son relationship... or torture, but I would preferably choose the more positive outlook, to be honest.

At some point, I could feel it. It came through the door. 'What the actual fuck? How strong is this damn skill?'

Hearing the walking sound, I tried to relax. 'Think of it as a Horror movie...'

A knock was heard. *clank* Mom came in, and she knew instantly that I could feel it.

I just nodded. "Bring Dad inside. I don't let a skill dictate how I feel…."

"Guhahahahaha! That is my son!" From the outside came a voice I heard for the first time, but I could sense its familiarity.

Smiling, I tried my best to relax.

My Father came in. 'He was really thorough.' This time, almost no smell was on him.

His laugh before showed confidence, but he was a bad actor. His eyes told me that he was terribly anxious.

He stood around ~5m away from me, and the pressure of this damn Aura was terrible, but I looked with a smile that said: "Bring it on!"

After a good minute of just sitting and enduring, I raised my hand, and Mom became anxious. "Is everything alright?!"

Dad's face also contorted slightly, and he started retreating a bit.

"No, Dad, please come a meter closer, fuck this skill - I will desensitize myself against it." Hopefully, it will work like it does with allergies where people get their body slowly used to, over time and in small portions, so they can eat or touch the specific allergic again.

His smile bloomed while Mom just frowned, but I could see a slight smile inside that frown. I think the frown is more because of my language - but right now is not really the time to criticize my liberal earthy-ness. I will listen later to her nagging about the nobles' conduct.

He was now ~4m away. My instinct screamed again. I slowly came down from the bed. 'Fuck this! This skill is nothing more than an illusion, making me fear!' I need to be proactive, not reactive!

Stepping forward slowly, the pressure and dread inside me heightened to such an extent that I shivered. My tail was between my legs, and my ears were hanging down, but I will not lose my smile.

Am I getting insane because of this fear? Maybe, but I hate to think that there are skills that can control my emotions towards my family!

"Alex, are you ok?" I could hear Mom's voice and her worries - I don't care, ignore her. Concentrate only on this feeling. I can't control it, but it should neither control me.

~3m.

Dad is starting to look worried. I ignored them both.

~2m

I am sweating buckets and crying out of being frightened as hell.

~1m

Looking up, I looked Dad in the eyes, and he looked back. I could see how proud he was. I am also thankful that he is not moving away. He believes in me! This strengthened my resolve.

~0.5m

The pressure on me is insane, and it feels like the devil personally is trying to give me a hug from behind.

His arms wrap around me. He is breathing in my ear. A finger touched my neck softly, like a knifes caresses and the whisper intensified.

I hear sounds. Ignore them.

I feel pressure. Stay straight to lighten it.

I imagine things. Dissolve them.

Almost touching Dad, my body started to shiver even more substantially, almost convulsing. Control it. Don't let a skill control your feeling! CONTROL IT, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! IF YOU CAN'T IGNORE IT - TAKE IT IN!

TAKE EVERYTHING AND LET IT BE PART OF YOU!

*ding*

FUCK ALL OF THIS WORLD! GETTING REBORN AND YOU WILL TAKE AWAY AGAIN MY PARENTS? WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!

*ding*

AND WHO DO YOU THINK AM I?! I WENT THROUGH HELL ALREADY! IF THIS BREAKS ME, IT JUST SHOWS THAT I WAS NOT READY IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR A SECOND CHANCE!

*ding*

The pressure subsided, but a more terrible sensation was felt shortly after. Grabbing my head, I screamed, not caring about anything else around me. "FUCK! I LEARNED A SKILL AGAIN!"

My Father stepped back, but I was right now in the zone. "hehe." I don't know if the pain and pressure got into me, but I should risk it. My gut is telling me that.

I jumped towards and grabbed his leg - the feeling subsided even more, but my head almost exploded. I felt the taste of iron as something came from my nose into my mouth.

Something grabbed me from behind and tried to drag me away. "Let me go! I will not let a shitty skill control my emotions!"

It sounds insane, but at this point, leveling up the skill should be now the easiest. I will not get a second chance like this!

"Kairo, go! He is starting to bleed! He is leveling up some immunity skill to resist your Aura!" I screamed against it. "NO, STAY! I DON'T CARE ABOUT IT! BE A FUCKING MAN, YOU PUSSY!"

Dad just stood there, I could barely see his face as my whole view was dyed red, but I was being carried farther and farther from him… NO! I bit the hand holding me. "LET ME GO! *GROWL!*."

"Alex! Calm down! You will hurt yourself, and this time it will be worse!"

I didn't care about anything anymore. Something inside me told me to go against it.

I was already more than 8m away. "Don't stand there, Kairo! GO! I will come back in a bit!"

"I love you, Alex. We can do it later. I will come back when you are better," and like this, he went away. "COWARD!"

Trying to get away, I couldn't do it, and the headache made me even more irritated. "Alex, calm down! DAMN IT! You are even more stubborn and outlandish than your Father!"

I feel…calmer? Did the Aura also manipulate my decision-making? It is unimportant as the headache is now coming in waves, and I can sense a damn tsunami arriving… uh, oh.

"Mom…" Looking at her, her face was teary and full of worries.

"You calmed down?" She was holding me as softly as possible, so I was not hurt while I could also not escape.

"I was stupid. Knock me unconscious. I can feel the pain coming…."

"I…" Did Mom fucking stutter? The dignified person I identify as a mother and the picture of a knight?!

Oh no… she will not do it! DAMN IT! "ARGH!"

Going into the fetus position out of reflex, I curled up in her arms and tried to ignore the massive pain. "Mom…give… wood… biting…."

I couldn't see her anymore as I clenched my jaw with all my might, but I retained enough rationality to think adequately and wanted to prevent biting my tongue off. *crack* *scraaatch* "Open your mouth, Alex."

She put a piece of wood inside my mouth, which was wrapped with, what was probably a part of her dress. I bit it instantly and clenched my mouth.

Closing my eyes, I tried to ignore the pain, but it was much worse now. Did I do something stupid again? NO!

It is now about principles! Giving the skill system the pleasure of bringing my Father and me away from each other. GO TO HELL!

It is even worse now since this son-of-a-bitch skill also manipulated my decision-making.

I have now a family which I love and who loves me! Who cares about a bit of pain? So what? I will be bored for the next months or even a year. Tough shit.

…

…

…

After what was probably hell, looking up, I saw my mother crying and looking angry. "YOU IDIOT!"

Opening my eyes wide, I wanted to say something, but my teeth were glued towards the wood. "Mistress, please calm…."

Mom interrupted her. "SHUT UP! DIDN'T YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED!"

This was probably the time that was too much for her and brought her over the edge.

Trying to open my hands, I saw that I clawed Mom, and she was slightly bleeding. 'This… she probably deactivated some skills to make it soft for me - this is the only way I can think of that I could even injure her.'

We also were lying in bed. I didn't even notice it. "DON'T DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN! YOU ARE WORSE THAN YOUR FATHER!"

Trying to remove the damn wood from my teeth was annoying, and my mouth was dry, which made it worse. "Stop. I will help you."

She grabbed inside my mouth and removed the wood with one move like a dentist. "Mom, I am forry."

"Don't talk," and like this, we were lying on the bed for an hour in silence till the Fox-kin came.

*knock*knock*knock* "Mistress? Can I come in?"

"No, what is the matter?" She didn't even let me go. I get her motherly love but isn't that too much? Probably not. I already had so much stuff happen to me - every mother would be at least a bit clingy in this situation - even more so because the child is a bit… well? How do I describe myself? Moronic? Suicidal? Moronically suicidal? I bet Darwin has a term for this.

"The Lord expressed his worries, and Dinner is almost ready." I could hear his worried voice.

Mom didn't move at all and kept on holding me. "Say to my dear that I will take my dinner later, also say that everything is fine - he doesn't need to worry… oh right, tell him also that his son is basically his copy, just more stubborn."

*****

Kairoso POV

"This is what the Mistress said, my Lord."

I sat in the tea room and pondered what actually happened a couple of hours ago.

Mumbling to myself, I couldn't visibly contain my pride and worries. It was a terrible mix to have as a Father, but Alex's intelligence is legit. Even if I thought that Lorient exaggerated in our travels, she actually understated him by a large margin.

Each of my children is talented. I could sense it at first glance. Lorient has an affinity for fighting, clearly above average but not entirely on the level of a genius. While talking with Narsiz on multiple occasions, he is a born diplomat and bureaucrat, intelligent and dutiful. Sarah is… well, she is also quite adept in fighting, even more than Lorient, but because she has no experience in fighting - its need time to tell.

…

How do I describe Alexander? Intelligent is an understatement, but even if I ignore this - his determination is on another level!

My smile grew even more. Can't blame my little flower for wanting to be with him right now - even I was frightened, but his eyes and smile told me that he would not back down.

"What a little prideful puppy… Guhahaha!"

"Lord? Will we eat without the Mistress and Mr. Alexander?"

Standing up and going towards the Dinnerroom, I just spoke my thoughts out. "Of course, it will do them good to be alone."

There is also the problem with Lorient that Saru informed me about - I need to talk to Sarah and Narsi, and explain what happened *sigh*.

Fighting Tier 3 Demons sounds like a great idea right now.

*tap*tap*tap*

*clank*

Going inside, my two lovely children were already there.

Sitting down with Saru, who was sitting on the table nearby, Sarah had already bombarded me with questions before I could even start. "Where are Mom and Alex? Is Lorient ok, and what is with her Aura?!"

*frown* I really don't like long speeches. "Hm, Saru, explain everything."

"Yes, my Lord."

Standing up from the table, which is for the aides and personal protectors and so on, he started to explain. "Let me begin with Mr. Alexander and the Mistress, they are well, Mr. Alexander just feels a little bit unwell, and the Mistress decided to stay with him..."

What a little liar, my grin began to widen. He was always like this - diplomatic to the core, but I remember him when I found his sorry little ass in a village overrun by monsters. Uneducated and rough on all edges, I thought I picked up a warrior... well, he can fight, but those skills are nowhere near where his manipulating skills are.

"... as for Lorient." He gazed at all servants who were serving food and drinks. "Please leave the room for 5 minutes."

The servants just bowed and went out, not even making a noise. Rumors went out about his sick hobby... well, it is not like he chooses servants and does it at random. We caught once a spy who was tortured for weeks by him, and it stuck out - every time he left the prison, the screaming stopped, and he had a smile full of joy.

This painted a picture for other servants and rumors went wild. I once overheard that he loves to torture parents in front of their children while feeding them delicious things... our servants have really too much time on their hands.

*clank*

Then they left, Saru started talking again. "It is a very sensitive topic, so you should never disclose this to anyone."

As he looked around, Narsi and Sarah nodded in affirmation.

"Good, our Leonandra house has the [Demon Annihilation] bloodline for centuries, and like all rare skills, it has a very negative effect and as such is, if you use your Aura..."

Pausing from talking, he used his own Aura, milky white in color, on his hands and projected a rough wolf-kin on top of the dinner table. 'This bastard has such exceptional control of Aura...'

"...the Demon Annihilation divine line will activate automatically when you activate your normal Aura, so it is part of you..."

As he said that, his little Wolf-kin projection had a little green Aura around it, and it slowly changed red.

"...our blood red aura is, in fact, the same as a demon aura, and it can corrupt us also the same, just not at the same rate..."

The red Aura slowly seeped inside the solar plexus and the head, making the little Wolf-kin stand aggressively.

"... to avoid this corruption, the ones with this divine line are obliged to train their mental and physical state to a high degree or else..."

Another 4 milky white figures appeared, looking like different beast kins, and as soon as they stood there, the red one attacked them savagely and killed everyone. The projection vanished after this.

"...we told Lorient that to resist it, you need a high [Spirit] status, but there is so much more as this line, even considered as common under the system, is ridiculously potent against demons. It can absorb their Aura and make you more powerful. Thus, corruption will accelerate.

*silence*

After a couple of seconds, which seemed needed to digest this information, Narsi asked. "Sarusos, but what about Mother? Wasn't she on the battlefield for years and years?"

Saru nodded. "Yes, what you probably think about is the accumulation. Somebody with this divine line will need to train the control of their Aura to a remarkable degree so that this exactly doesn't happen."

The silence was again over the whole room. "Mr. Narsiz and Ms. Sarah, please don't overthink about it since it is a very unique divinity line, and the problem that was happening with Ms. Lorient was fixed - all she needs now is rest."

I sighed. "Ok, come in again!"

*clap* A small wind traveled the room.

I can understand them, but every divinity line is very unique. Even without looking at the mystic skills, it is also the only thing that divides us from other races.

Every divinity line can be used in millions of ways.

"This is enough! Let us talk about you, pups! Tell me, how were you? I didn't see you for a long time!"

After this, a harmonic atmosphere was while dining - laughter and arguing were heard all over the vicinity, especially the Lord's one.

*****

Narsiz POV

Standing in the ceremonial room, I felt elated. I will receive my divine legacy and the corresponding mystic skills in a couple of minutes.

Before I was standing, only my sister Sarah, Father and mother - Alexander was obviously not here as I heard at dinner that he felt terrible and the case for Lorient was understandable.

I will probably go tomorrow to him and have a day with him just talking and playing - I feel pity for him. He probably feels like an outsider right now. Well, an average 1-year-old wouldn't care, but he is very different.

Afterward, I should also go to Lorient and see how she is doing - knowing her personality, she should feel pretty bad even if this wasn't her fault, even Father talked how it went too fast out of control.

But right now, I have my conduct to fulfill.

Before, I was Father in ceremonial clothes, a full plate armor with playful engravings of wolves and demons fighting on it. Looking at me full of pride and with his typical smile like that of a barbarian - rough and wild.

"Are you ready, Narsiz?" I nodded.

Standing on the small stage, where the moon's light was shined on, above me were colorful glass through which the moons looked at me - the same constellation as when I was born. The light touched me, and a glistering light around me erupted, symbolizing the start of my adulthood.

The light became more and more detailed as the sky, which was witnessed when I was born, was seen above my head and lighted the whole ceremonial room up.

It symbolizes nothing more than the moment I was welcomed by the world, but it was so beautiful - like a picture painted only for me by Nature - like a lovely present.

Father came up to me and took an end of the ribbon. He looked me in the eyes and became serious. "Hereby, Narsiz K. Leonandra, you will be declared an adult. Shall all Nature stand by your side and accompany you through your journey of life."

With this, the ribbon was opened, and the ceremony was over. Noriken came over to me. "Mr. Norsiz, do you like to record your Skills?"

Right, Noriken was bound by a ruthless contract and was the only one who could record skills and the like - they were only allowed to be shown to the Lord and that only 10 years after the death of the person who was registered. He couldn't show it as he would die instantly, bound by a Mana contract.

He was also the only one allowed to see the servant's system windows when they came for the investigation, and the same rules also applied to them.

I shook my head and just showed my system window to everyone - I don't care about things like this - Lorient did the same at her time to show off her divinity line, how childish.

But seeing my skills, I thought. 'Let me be childish, too, for once.'

With a smile, I flashed the system in front of everyone.

'System open'

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Name: Narsiz K. Leonandra

Level: 23

Experience: [2277 | 2300]

HP: [90 | 90]

MP: [130 | 130]

Attributes:

[Strength | 12]

[Dexterity | 9]

[Aura | Locked]

[Constitution | 9]

[Spirit | 14]

[Defense | Locked]

[Perception | 16]

[Intelligence | 14]

[Essence | Locked]

[Charisma | 15]

[Luck | 11]

[Free Status points | 22]

Skills:

[Running | 16] [Dashing | 11] [Climbing | 2] [Tracking | 5]

[Swimming | 6] [Reading | 26] [Writing | 24] [Mathematics | 31] [Drawing | 16] [Sewing | 3] [Cooking | 4] [Charm | 20]

[Sword arts | 3] [Dagger arts | 1] [Martial arts | 10] [First aid | 13] [Administration | 16] [Management | 11] [Acting | 17] [Trading | 5] [Bargaining | 8] [Threaten | 4] [Empathy | 9] [Instigator | 3] [Emotional Manipulation | 5] [Detect lies | 11] [Appraising | 13] [Dancing | 8]

Divinity Line

[Silver Tongue & Golden Intuition | Uncommon]

Mystical skills

[Rabbit Foot | Common | 1]

[Prince Charming | Uncommon | 1]

[Smell of deceit | Uncommon | 1]

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*