Strongest Noble's Daughter Uses Water Magic

Last Recruit

After the Feral State situation has been resolved, somewhat, Kyle and I regrouped with Lilith and Ethan and made our way to Dylan, who according to Ethan was still in the woods. As we walked, I asked Kyle something that had been on my mind for a while.

"So, Kyle... You're a crossbreed?" I began. "Excuse me for saying so, but I kind of thought you were a human noble."

"That's probably because I kept my tail hidden. Acting out as a belt," he explained in a soft tone, wrapping said tail around his waist through the belt loops on his pants. "Not many people outside my family know but... unfortunately, as I was relieving my tail of the belt prison, those nobles back there saw and... Well, you know what happened after."

"But why hide your identity?" Lilith asked. "Though I am aware that the relationship between human and crossbreed is less than admirable, is that truly reason enough to hide your true identity?"

"It's not that I was scared of being found out as a crossbreed. It's... actually more because of my parents..."

I widened my eyes slightly at the response. His parents wanted him to hide his lineage? What for?

"Why would they ask you to do that?" Ethan asked, practically voicing out my question.

"Because they're human." We all stopped at that unexpected response. "Well, my father is. My birthmother is a crossbreed, and his servant. My father and his wife had a son once, but he passed away from illness. When my father's wife found out about me, saw how I looked so much like her late son, and how I was gifted with powerful Ice Affinity Magic, a trait in my family, she took custody over me, against my mother's wishes. Not only that, but when my mother tried to talk my father in returning me to her... He had her sentenced to death for treason... Since then, I was forced to live with the Icewinks as their son, as a human. Of course, that was easier said than done, though... Not only was I living under the same roof as the people who got my mother killed, but growing up, I had to live with the scorns of many servants and tutors alike. All because I'm a crossbreed, and was expected to be given the same treatment as my parents. And any time I display any sort of action that is not fit for even a human, my father's wife often hit me, in hopes that she could get the 'disease' out of me... And my father just let her do as she wanted, because in his eyes, I'm not his son; just a crossbreed who happened to be next in line in carrying the Icewink name..."

I could not believe what I was hearing. It was one thing to forcibly separate a mother and her son, but to force the boy into being something he was not? Beating him up for being who he was? Even ignoring the boy of his pain because of what he was... 'Anger' did not even begin to describe how I feel towards those monsters of parents.

I placed a hand on Kyle's head in a gentle pat. "Parents or not, no adult should ever treat a child the way they did to you," I said. "They should never have forced you to be something you are not. As your parent- your father- he should've understood you and your mother. Instead, he just went and separated you both... and even allowed that wife of his to do as she please to you. An adult like him does not deserve to be called your father at all! That wife of his especially is just as bad!"

Kyle could only stare at me when I said that, eyes wide in slight surprise. I imagine no one, be it servant or tutor, said anything like what I said to him, only that he was to do what was expected of him as heir to the Icewink Family, a role he never wanted in the first place.

I then removed my hand from his head and cleared my throat. "Well... That's what I think, at least, as a commoner," I then added. 

As far as I knew, no one aside from Edward, Leia, and Mindy knew about my relationship with the Anberibca Family, and I much rather have it remain that way. For one thing, I did not want to know what will happen if anyone finds out about that part of my backstory. No, I was not referring to any rumors that will arise, as it was more of what the Anberibcas will do if they catch wind of such rumors. 

I had done as they asked and kept my identity hidden for so long, even made no mention of ever having a connection with them, and things had been quite peaceful enough between us. I most certainly did not want to know what will happen if such a peace was broken, and they decide to take action to keep things regarding my truly being an Anberibca silent. Besides, it was not my fault I was born with Water Affinity Magic, and yet those people- both family and servants- treated me like I had committed a heavy crime... I guess I was seeing part of myself in Kyle as well after hearing his story.

"In any case, we still have that last member to search for," I reminded then. "Ethan, is Dylan still in the woods?"

"According to this map, he is," the male human noble answered. "Doesn't look like he moved away from that spot one bit."

"Considering how peaceful it has been in there, something tells me he isn't training," Lilith stated, looking at the woods ahead of us.

I also looked ahead and  noticed how quiet it seemed in those woods, which made me wonder what Dylan was doing in there if he was not training. A part of me thought Dylan may be bullied in there like how Kyle was back in the training ground, but if that were true, I would be sensing multiple magic signatures in there. I only sensed one active spell in those woods, but it seemed to be dormant. Not only that, but it was still quite silent in there.

"Be prepared for anything," I could only tell them. "I have a funny feeling about this."

They could only nod in confirmation and followed me into the woods.

******

Once we had arrived at our destination with little to no trouble at all, we found a large ball of black energy up a tree. Nothing threatening, as it did not seem to react at all to our approach.

"What in the world is that...?" I questioned.

"That must be Dylan," Lilith said, to my confusion as I turned to her.

"You see, Dylan is actually known for his laziness. That son of an earl would take a nap practically anywhere, and do anything to get a good nap. And with his Shadow Magic... I heard he uses his magic to ensure a better sleep for himself, but like that?"

I could only look at the black sphere with a raised brow upon hearing that. My only thought about this guy was that he must be a night owl. Either that, or he was half human like Kyle.

"Is there a time when he is ever awake?" I asked.

Their response? Looking at each other with raised brows and unsure expressions. In short, they did not know if there was such a time when he was not sleeping. Still, he had to wake up at some point.

"I'll stay here and wait for him to wake. You guys can go on ahead," I told them.

"Are you sure?" Kyle asked.

"Of course. He's only sleeping here, and it's not like there are monsters roaming around in these woods. He has to wake from his nap at some point. I'll be fine. You guys go on ahead to the commoner's dorm. I'll catch up."

The trio looked to each other once more before leaving, Kyle looking more reluctant than the other two. As they left, I turned back to the black shadowy sphere, wondering how long I will have wait for the person sleeping inside to wake from his slumber. Well, it was just a nap, after all. Surely it wouldn't take long.