──────── 『 Mana Core 』────────
「 Mana Core Capacity 」
◆ EX-Rank: You have an infinite amount of Mana.
──────── 『 Affinities 』────────
「 Darkness 」
◆ B-Rank
「 Space 」
◆ D-Rank
「 Wind 」
◆ C-Rank
──────── 『 Bloodline 』────────
「 ??? 」
◆ ???
──────── 『 Unique Skill 』────────
「 Eyes of Despair 」
◆ A forbidden ocular skill that forcefully drags the target into their deepest, most personal nightmare.
────────────────────────────────
"T-This, how is this possible?!"
The patriarch could hardly believe his eyes. To be honest, out of everyone who had ever seen my status, his reaction was mild.
There were many "anomalies" about it.
"You have infinite mana, three affinities... are you sure you're not from an ancient noble family?"
'Usually, your starting point is closely related to your family's background, which is why families like the Lix Family are so powerful because each of their children is ten times as talented as anyone else.'
"And your bloodline... do you really have no idea what it is?"
I shook my head.
It wasn't like I was lying. Everything regarding my Bloodline was a mystery; even those who had discovered my talent in the past knew nothing about it, no matter how many tests they put me through.
"So, do you think that my talent is good enough to get into the Royal Academy?" I asked, teasing the Lix Patriarch, who was still in shock.
"Y-You, who was your mentor? Even if your talent was great, the fact that you mastered your Darkness Affinity all the way to B-Rank means that someone taught you."
"I'm sorry, but that wasn't part of the deal."
Any information I'd give out would put me in even greater danger.
The Lix Patriarch started scratching his white hair frantically, rubbing his chin nervously.
"Forget about joining the Royal Academy. How about I formally adopt you? Wouldn't that solve all your problems?"
It seemed that the Lix Patriarch had mistaken why I had asked for such a favor.
I wasn't trying to learn from the Royal Academy's professors. I was after what happens when you enter the facility.
All of my records would disappear while I attended the Academy; they would keep everything about me completely hidden from the outside world and from those who might be after me.
It was the best possible hiding spot.
However, it wasn't as if I could reveal such things to him.
"I'm sorry, I don't like being tied down to an organization."
'Especially not after escaping one after all those years.'
"What is it that you want?" His eyes widened as I perceived a tinge of obsession. "I can give you everything you desire, money, power, fame... the best of teachers. If you join my family, I'll even give you my daughter's hand."
I was wrong. I wasn't seeing obsession in his gaze. It was pure greed.
Disgusting.
They were all the same the moment they saw my talent.
'I wonder if Amelia would be different.'
I shook my head.
I wasn't sure why exactly, but I didn't want to find out. For the first time in my life, someone didn't think of me as an object but as an actual person.
I didn't want that to change, not now.
"I'm not interested, sorry."
The ground began violently shaking the moment I turned my back on the Patriarch.
The power he had been keeping inside burst out all of a sudden, affecting everything within the room.
'I-Is that the power of the head of a high-noble bloodline?'
Within seconds, I found myself hardly able to breathe or walk.
I froze.
In the blink of an eye, I could lose my life.
"I'll repeat it one last time. I will adopt you. What. Do. You. Think?"
My mind was starting to get affected. However, I couldn't show it.
With my whole body shaking from his strength, I turned around and said with a deadpan look, "I refuse."
The only thing I could remember before losing consciousness was him slamming his fist against the throne he sat on.
The Patriarch snapped his fingers as three individuals immediately appeared before him. "Find everything you can on Yike Vale and report it to me immediately. I want everything!"
***
"No match. Why can't we find a DNA match in our database no matter how much we try?!"
A swanky young fellow muttered before slamming his desk.
"Why can't you read through his memories? What's so goddamn special about him!"
Two men clad in dark clothing visibly gulped. "I'm sorry, sir. His mind seems to be heavily protected by an unknown power. We think it might be related to his Bloodline."
The swanky man rolled his eyes and turned his attention toward me, who was pretending to be asleep.
"You're one hell of a lucky fellow, aren't ya? If it weren't for the higher-ups, I would have already dissected you and found every little secret you might have..." the man said as he grabbed his scalpel and began making several cuts all over my body.
My fists clenched on their own as I tried my best to keep my calm.
***
"Huff... Haa..."
It happened again.
Every time I closed my eyes, memories from my past would return to haunt me.
Even now, after waking up, I could hardly catch my breath. If only I could forget about everything that happened, all the pain they put me through only to satisfy their unending greed.
"Yike?"
A warm, worried voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Are you okay? Father said you collapsed out of nowhere. Is it related to your past injuries?"
The words got stuck in my throat as my eyes met hers.
'Why does she care so much about me? We've barely met...'
I closed my eyes and shook my head.
"It's nothing. I must have been exhausted lately." I looked around. "Where am I?"
Amelia grinned. "You can't even recognize my room? Are you sure you didn't hurt your head? You were the one who dropped me off on the first day."
I stayed quiet as she continued talking.
"Oh, and I talked to Father. He agreed that you could take care of me until we left for the Royal Capital." Her smile only grew with her next words. "And you don't know what! He even agreed to recommend you to the Headmistress of the Royal Academy!"