The Greed of Kronos

A talk about Potential

Eighteen: A talk about Potential

After entering the room, a dignified-looking nobleman looked at them before bowing. "Greetings, young lords. I am Nagi, the Imperial Tailor."

His face was that of a proud artist who was passionate and confident with his works. It was as if he was honored to make their uniform, customized at that. However, what was there to be proud of? They were mere students, though. More importantly, Kronos would be taking it as a regular thing if he was at least a son of a duke. Although his mother was an exceptionally great mage, was it because of that?

Astian does not seem to be the type to look into tiny matters that he smiled ever so warmly to the nobleman in front of them and greet. "We'll be in your care then, Sir Nagi!"

With that being said, Kronos also felt the need to greet. As a result, he looked at Nagi and nodded. "Mm."

Hearing this, Nagi looked at the both of them and nodded as he extended his arms to show them the area that the body measurements would take place. "This way, please, my men will be measuring the young masters, so better should start taking off the layers."

When Kronos roamed his eyes around, he could totally commend the tailor for living up to his reputation. The room was spacious and had a warm atmosphere that even if you would take all of your clothes then and there, it would not be embarrassing. Nagi seemed to set up the room's mood for the patrons to come back to him anytime. After realizing that thought, Kronos then used appraisal towards Nagi and learned about his Potential. 

Name: Nagi

Genus: Dwarf

Age: 350

Potential: Come Again

With what he discovered, Kronos strode towards the said area together with the beaming Astian with something on his mind. "Alright~"

'Skia.'

"Yes, Master." Skia appeared abruptly. 

'What the f**k is come again?' Kronos asked as a bunch of staff was swarming around him to get undressed. 

With that being said, Skia pondered for a moment before answering. "The Potential... come again? Well, it's leaving a scent to a certain room with a certain mood to attract someone. Customers, for example."

'If it's f*****g like that, then did he become the f*****g Imperial Tailor just because of his shitty potential?' Kronos asked. 

Skia shook his head before tilting it slightly, "No, Master. You used appraisal, did you not? Dwarves are natural tinkers. Their arts and crafts are reliable, especially for those Dwarves who passed the second age, which is being two hundred years old."

Hearing this, Kronos then suddenly remembered about Astian. He only knows Astian as a half-vampire son of a duke. If he were to use appraisal towards him, then he could know his Potential. However, it seemed like wrong to do so, especially when they are starting to be friends. Perhaps, asking would be more safe. Right. That was there to it.

Hence, while a measuring tape was placed on one of his shoulders, Kronos looked at him and started a conversation. "Say."

"Huh?" Astian looked at him with confusion. It was unlikely for him to start a conversation when all he remembered was Kronos being cold that he would not even bother to respond. 

Seeing how Astian reacted, Kronos contemplated for a moment as to how he would ask without cursing. However, one word only came to his mind. "How."

Astian does not know, but it feels like he could understand what Kronos was saying, even if he would just merely say one word or even throw a gaze. "How? Are you talking about the entrance examination?"

What a genius. Was Astian's Potential perhaps reading someone's mind? Kronos could not help but to stare at him in awe. "Yes."

But it seemed to be not the case because Astian did not ask about Skia, who he would occasionally be talking to in his mind. 

"And you're asking me how I did that? How I made your heart suffer… That?" Astian continued with a smile. 

What the… how could he smile when he knew what he did was dangerous? Even though it was to save Kronos, it doesn't change the fact that Kronos almost died because of his squeezed heart. 

But Kronos could not possibly nag him just because of that. After all, had he not did that, the Academy may be an empty lot by that time. 

Hence, he merely nodded and replied. "Yes."

With that being said, Astian raised his hands in the mid-air as the staff was measuring his waist. Shortly after, he looked at Kronos and smiled as if it was nothing. "Well, it's my potential~."

Kronos, "Potential?" 

Astian then nodded as he tipped his toes for a second out of excitement. "Yep! Blood manipulation. I can manipulate my blood or someone's blood and get them to follow my orders. I can also twist organs and muscles with the use of the blood since it's circulating throughout one's body. Let's say that blood dominates the body's anatomy." 

Saying it like it was nothing when the staff listening to him was either trembling or sweating like crazy without Astian even knowing. He had one of a hellish potential that could fear everyone, especially when Astian could just kill without having his hands tainted on blood. 

"Ah." However, Kronos could not actually react to what he said either. Since his Potential plus greed was more likely scarier than Astian's blood manipulation. After all, Astian would exert effort to kill when he only needed to raise his hand or snap his fingers to do so.

Seeming to feel like Kronos could not let his explanation, Astian looked at him with a beaming face and replied with an energetic tone of voice. "Long story short, I can control anything that has blood inside them!"

Well, that's pretty… "Convenient."

The staff was obviously trembling. How could he ever be so naïve and innocent looking despite the dangerous potential?

How could he smile and act like they're talking about some trifling matter? "I thought so too, right~?"

Astian somehow was like Eros. Regardless of their similar behavior, Astian lack awareness of whether the people around is comfortable or uncomfortable as long as he was having a good conversation. Meanwhile, Eros was simply hiding from a mask of an angel, and his attitude was like that of a demon from the start.

That explains too.. 'You had f*****g enough power to kill the two dumbshit seniors. Why the f**k did you chose to be lenient?'

When Astian heard no response, he then looked at Kronos, who was in his own world again and asked. "What about you, Kronos? Was the dark aura you emitted last time your Potential?"

"Yes." Kronos nodded.

When Astian changed the topic, the atmosphere in the room was also changed. The staff seemed to be relieved that Astian was not talking about his deadly Potential anymore to the point that he could clearly hear them heave a sigh. 

"I haven't heard about that kind of Potential. What's it called?" Astian asked as he turned himself around except for his head for the staff to do their job. 

At first, Kronos was pondering. Of course, it's a made up potential by Skia. He's not sure if Austin would believe him. However, since he asked for it, then it would be rude not to answer. "Darkness."

As expected, Astian seemed to be having second thoughts on believing Kronos. Of course, he would. Astian Dyclour was a proud son of a Duke, and because of that, he doesn't have any choice but to study every potential one might be in possession of. And Darkness was none of them. 

And it's all because of being a unique potential that Astian was planning to have a research on the potential more. It would be a shame to be unable to know anything about Darkness. "Darkness? It's definitely unheard! What does Darkness do? Does it make your surroundings dark?"

"I beg to f*****g differ. It's Holy power but f*****g dark." Kronos replied in a serious tone of voice. 

He waited for Astian to reply in his usually friendly tone; however, it was more of an astonished one that made him shift his gaze towards Astian. "Are…"

The staff was also stunned. Did he say it wrong? That was what Skia noted, though.

"Are you kidding me?!" The usual warm and energetic expression on Astian's face was changed into an intrigued one. His brows were almost meeting. 

Seeing his reaction, Kronos then looked at him and scowled. "Do I look like a f*****g clown?"

Astian's face relaxed as he shook his head repeatedly. "N-no! No, no, no, no. I was just surprised. Did you not know? A potential that's called Holy power only had one holder, and that was a count that once ascended into godhood! Up until now, no one holds that potential other than him since you said that it's a dark imitation of holy power."

With that being said, Kronos then took time to arrange his thoughts. Then was he mistaking his Potential as a holy power who was tainted by the grudges of the people he killed in his past life? 

Even after his resolve, Skia suddenly leaped into his head and corrected Astian and at the same time giving Kronos no room for doubts. "Don't forget, master, it's a holy power. It is just that because of the grudges, it became tainted."

'I see.' Kronos replied. It was not as if he was going to force that it was indeed a holy power. It was just he was curious about how high and mighty the Potential was. Regardless of the fact, Darkness was a hazardous potential alongside the greed inside him.

Nevertheless, one question came up in his mind that he felt the need to ask. "Where's the f*****g count now?"

"Hmm. Since it was a long time ago, rumors have it that the count descended and lost its Potential." Astian replied.

He initially asked Astian about the count's whereabouts to ask him about the holy power, but it seems like their timeline made it impossible for him. 

"Why?" Kronos asked. 

Remembering the knowledge that he learned on one of the books about Potential, Astian looked up as if the answer was on the ceiling before shifting his gaze down towards Kronos and responding with such enthusiasm. "He became arrogant of his own potential, the Heavenly Emperor decided to throw him away."

Kronos was about to say something when a tick of shoes came out of nowhere and joined into their conversation. "Well, it is but a mere folklore, and no one could say if it's the truth or not. Regardless, young lords, be careful in talking about this kind of topic."

Astian, "Sir Nagi!"

Nagi looked at Astian before slightly dipping his head as he shifted his gaze towards Kronos, who was looking at him with an emotionless expression. "The holy church has been very sensitive lately. I pray the young lords would refrain from conversing publicly about that matter. As it would get the two of you in trouble."

Perplexed about the rumor that he was unaware of, Astian flinched as he nodded with a nervous tone of voice. "Ah yes, we will be careful."

Honestly, what was there to be afraid of? It should be the Holy Church that should be afraid of Astian, not the other way around.

One of the staff then walked towards Nagi with a paper in his hand as he gave it to him. Nagi then looked at the contents of the paper before giving it back to the staff and looking at the two young masters in front of him. "The measurements are done. I will be sending the uniforms right before the opening of classes. Please patiently wait until then."

Hearing this, Astian smiled and beamed at the stern-looking Imperial tailor. "Of course! Thank you for your hard work, Sir Nagi!"

"Thanks." Kronos simply replied. 

Nagi, on the other hand, bowed as he replied. "You're very welcome, young lords."

Shortly after that, Astian and Kronos exited the boutique to see two carriages in front of them with family insignias carved outside each carriage.

Dyclour Duchy and Azvameth Marquessate

Who would have known that the neutral family would someday pick sides?

After Astian and Kronos parted ways, Hethera and Demiris then asked if anything special happened at the boutique right after he entered their carriage.

Kronos wanted to tell them that he met Eros and Agape and was unaware that they were royals and why his parents did not mention anything. He also wanted to know if his parents knew about the count who ascended into godhood with potential similar to his. 

However, Kronos was too tired to talk that he ended up shrugging and telling that there was "Nothing special."

Although Hethera and Demiris were aware of his Potential, they were not aware of what it's called. As it was the first time, they saw dark magic similar to holy power.

Nevertheless, had they known Kronos' past life, they could get a grasp of everything that their son was aware of.