Bro, I'm not an Undead!

During the ascent from the cell where Skullius was led from by Silrat, the Discount Human discovered that his cell was located quite some ways below the Association building.

He had been brought to his cell when he had passed out (turned off) after Damilla had drop kicked his soul with her Divining so he didn’t know where he had been.

The training space he used to train with Oliviana was several paces from his cell on the same floor, which housed a cluster of similar cells, seemingly meant for criminals like him.

They even had grades, according to the strength of the criminal.

“Since we have a long term working relationship, would you mind telling me about the more obviously unnatural aspects of your powers?” Silrat said, sparking conversation.

Skullius raised a brow as the two rose through a narrow winding of stone stairs lit up by flaming wooden torches, faint markings that glowed tinging the walls, ever at the ready to maintain the integrity of the building visible all around.

“What obvious aspects?” Skullius questioned.

“Well. Every building in this city, as long as it has Capital value, has powerful runes engraved into its walls. It’s a privilege that only cities like this one can enjoy. Class holders with potent runecrafting are rare, and it was only by the combined efforts of Zax, the old man from the College of the Esteemed as well as Erkus that such a thing is even seen in a small city like ours. For your flames to have even caused chars and slight burns on the walls, that would require some serious firepower.”

“I’m inclined to believe that you don’t own something that dangerous as an artefact but as a spell of some kind. Your spatial storage didn’t have much in it for there to be suspicions for you owning such powerful utilities. Save for what Damilla saw you using of course.”

Skullius could admit that was a proper deduction that kind of nailed him to the wall.

He didn’t know that his [Revenant Flames of Ecstasy] had left marks on the walls or that it was a profound feat to even cause such a minor change to something protected by the runes._.

Was it wise to share some of his powers with Silrat?

The man was right, they would be engaging in a long term commitment where mutual benefit was derived and funnelled into Skullius’ growth.

“Come now. You realise that having me come to escort you in person is a privilege right? I thought this would do well to at least show my sincerity.”

Skullius sighed.

This guy…

“I don’t know how exactly I’d even show you my abilities. Besides, can’t you just ask Oliviana? She’s seen many of them,” Skullius said.

“Surface level abilities I’m sure. A demonstration would be nice. Of your real abilities being utilised to their full extent. Not now of course but after the whole ordeal that we are about to face. Can I count on you for that?”

The Discount Human took a few moments to think.

Ultimately, it would benefit him if he kept much of the more intimate details to himself.

He wouldn’t want anyone to know that he had a hidden class.

“I guess…”

Once again, Skullius found himself succumbing. It seemed like nomatter the question, he was bound to say yes, provided with no other alternative when it came to Silrat.

The two finally reached a room that Skullius was familiar with, adorned with fine furniture befitting of a room reserved for special personages to sit down and chat.

Terian and Damilla were seated on two luxurious chairs awaiting the twos’ arrival

With Skullius and Silrat entering, the atmosphere instantly turned heavy as a stare down immediately ensued as the Discount Human eyed Damilla dangerously.

The woman snorted while locking eyes with Skullius and as she fully took in his figure, her expression changed, her eyes darted to Silrat who immediately knew what she was thinking.

And she was right to think so.

Terian also noticed this and narrowed his eyes.

Such a drastic change in Skullius’ appearance could only mean one thing, but he decided to not address it yet, as he focused on Skullius for now.

“Hello, Festos. I apologise if this is on too much of a short notice. It would seem that the days you were afforded to rest were insufficient, and perhaps rightfully so…” Terian said, shooting a glance to Damilla when he mentioned this part, “…but as you may have been made to know, there are many things that we as the Capital service have been dealing with and this is the only window we have to engage with you.”

“Also… this might be your last chance to give us some of the details we require.”

A dangerous underlining intent lay lazily within that statement, making Skullius nervous. What else did these guys want to know?

“The City Lord won’t be joining us today as he has matters to attend and we shall also leave you to rest after we are done. That is, if you’re cooperative.”

With regards to the Capital service, what Frock had mentioned about there being three Energy Formers in this facet of the city, was true.

At least to his own outdated knowledge.

Two of the other Mages in the Capital service had been transferred to another small city while Damilla was transferred here to work with Terian.

The old man himself was stronger than the other two Mages combined so he was to stay in Inhone while Damilla was to assist him.

So, in essence, Damilla was fairly new to Inhone.

“What Silrat managed to fish out of you wasn’t nearly enough. It still leaves out a lot of questions,” Damilla said in a strict tone that somehow sounded like she was addressing a criminal and a toddler at the same time.

“Even with this curse accounted for. I want to know everything to do with the dark energy Jac mentioned you to use, the artefact you used to destroy that monster in Eofel and EVERYTHING about that girl in the last vision I saw.”

Skullius frowned.

‘The dark energy refers to my [Evil Darkness], huh? I can’t tell them about that.’

Even if he did share all this, it wasn’t guaranteed that he would be set free.

What angered Skullius the most was the fact that this woman was still trying to pry about the girl in his memory.

Even he didn’t know who she was dammit!

Would he just tell them all these sensitive details even if he was sure they wouldn’t let him off.

FLESH NO!

For this, he really hoped that Silrat had a plan, his eye darting to the man for a split second.

Damilla didn’t miss this detail.

“Silrat,” she said in a accusing tone.

“Yes. It is as you think,” Silrat said with his confident smile plastered on his face as he sat. “I have chosen to become Festos’ benefactor. I will support his case and handle the finer details under the authority of the Guilds Association.”

“That is a wildly risky decision, Silrat. You might just fall along with Festos here. In fact, your stance does not exempt Festos from any investigations,” Terian said, not expecting this to be Silrat’s decision.

“I’m aware but I choose to support this man anyway.”

Damilla seethed with rage in her seat, watching as Silrat smiled, seemingly implying that he had everything planned out and nothing to worry about that.

‘Arrogant bastard,’ Damilla thought as she stood, walking up to Skullius.

“Fine. Let’s get this over wi—”

BAAM!

The doors to the room blasted open, cutting off Damilla as she spoke.

“NO ONE will force a cherished member of my Guild to do ANYTHING,” a voice reverberated through the room with a powerful intensity while an even more arrogant bastard walked into the room, a confident smile etched on his face…