Salutations, Duke Boltu Markash.
As ordered, I'm here to inform you of the discoveries about the Berserker condition and more about the individuals who manifest it. Many details are still unknown, but we are progressing.
Through many interviews and investigations, the team discovered some points to identify when and where individuals will acquire this condition. I must warn, my lord, that everything I will write here could be seen as heresy by the cult of the Star Children and could bring political problems to everyone involved in this research.
As reported before, following the doctrine of the Star Children, any individual who is born on the day of the empty star, on the first day of the cold season, on which there are no bright stars in the nocturnal sky, will be considered a guideless or an individual with no talent or use for the Orlosian society. This is a piece of misguided information. Those born under any bright star will develop talents identified by the doctrine, but this development is a more mortal guided effort than a god-like one.
I interviewed more than one thousand subjects about their professions, talents, and date of birth. Their guide star accurately gifted forty percent; thirty-five percent never felt guided enough to be considered gifted or talented in their current or destined professions, and twenty-five percent didn't have any skills at all. So we concluded that people will be indoctrinated by the cult, and will make their best effort to learn what they were destined to be.
To gather evidence of our findings, we decided to measure their mana essence to verify if there is any proof of blessings or an increase in their mana. A common human in the kingdom of Orlos has an average D rank in matters of mana essence quantity; some exceptions can happen, but any individual who receives a blessing would have an increased rank.
After using the proper tools, we identified that seventy-two percent of the subjects have mana essence quantities on the average rank, ten percent are on C rank, fifteen percent are on D minus rank, and only three percent were identified with an elevated rank reaching the maximum of a B rank.
In conclusion, the day of birth means nothing to the talents or desires of the subjects. Whether they follow the teachings of Raianna or any other divinity, the condition known as Berserker is influenced by other means. Now, the second part of our study.
This part is still in progress, and we will need much longer to find the right answer, but this is what we could compile and assert about all the information we have gathered. We have interviewed four individuals cursed by the Berserk affliction, three confessed to turning into blind, bloodthirsty fiends that would not stop until everyone and everything around them was dead. The last one said that he could control his killer instincts and take control of his more fiendish form; he could "summon" at any time he desired the power of the curse.
The difference between these individuals was a single fact that many like to ignore: the treatment they receive from their families. Those who could not control the powers of the curse were outcasts in their families; abused, abandoned, hurt, and many other things I hate the need to explain. While growing in such a hostile environment, they resent everything and everyone that belongs to their families, or at least those who cause them pain. The one who controlled the curse was always loved, no matter the circumstances of his birth, so when the curse manifested in a moment of high tension, the individual never lost his focus and controlled the situation without problem.
Still early to say, my lord. The lack of people cursed with this affliction that are still alive makes it difficult to study properly, but following past interviews and the detailed record of events from the current individuals, we believe the condition can be considered a curse only when the individuals were neglected and abused, so all the negative feelings would turn into pure hate and unleash when they reach the limit.
Finally, as my last report. I still need more time and subjects to confirm my conclusions, but all the subjects that developed the curse were at least rank B on their mana density. It's a shame that many would probably be marvelous assets to the kingdom if they didn't live through scrutiny and ignorance from their peers.
This is the end of my report. Thank you again, my lord, for financing this research. I hope my efforts are satisfactory.
Signed Baron Velrodth Marton.
"At least rank B, this is a terrifying discovery, and at the same time, I feel, more sad than scared." Boltu folds the letter and secures it inside a drawer with a fake compartment at the bottom.
"Oh, my girl... How foolish I was to let my past friendship cloud my eyes. I only hope, whenever you are, you can forgive me." Since her disappearance, Boltu has always had a sad or harsh expression. His thoughts of failing to protect her were affecting his mood. Light knocks on the door called him back to reality.
"Lord Boltu, I have another message to deliver. Can I come in?" A muffled, rough voice comes from the other side of the door.
"Yes, Dullhan. Please come inside."
An elderly butler wearing a red tuxedo enters the room. He carries a red letter with a wax seal of the Felnatus' house coat of arms. After delivering the letter, he left the room. Boltu rolled his eyes and opened the letter.
Lord Boltu Markash, my name is Amiliath Felnatus. I am aware of the mistakes my father committed, and this created a fissure in the friendship between the two families. So with your permission, I would like to visit your dukedom to talk with you and try to start commercial treaties that benefit both of our territories.
Please answer this letter if you agree to the visit being held next month. I would be eternally grateful, and as an incentive for your decision, I can assure you I have information that I guarantee would help you with your problems.
Yours sincerely, Amiliath Felnatus.
"This girl is as annoyingly smart as her father. Her speechcraft is masterful. She could probably earn a noble title by herself if she wanted." He sighs, tired. "But... I am intrigued by what she can offer me. I will bite this bait."
He calls for Dullhan to bring him paper and his wax seal, and after a few minutes, he gives him a sealed letter to deliver.
"Dulhan, give this letter to the mail corps and ask them to urgently deliver it to the Archdukedom of Felnatus. I hope the task is completed in the next two days."
"Anything else, my lord?" Could I suggest you dine together with Madam?"
"Yes, I will accept your suggestion, old friend. Please tell her I will be ready in one hour."
"As you wish, my lord." The old butler leaves the room with a smile on his face.
At the guard's barracks, Elzen was in his room preparing for the meeting with Milla. He was anxious, she was unhappy about the meeting, and his desperate approach created this situation, but it was what he needed: a chance to understand his feelings.
The hours passed, and the evening came. He left the barracks earlier and waited patiently under the tree where they met today. Every minute waiting was excruciating, he was wearing his casual clothes: a simple white long-sleeved shirt, brown long comfortable cotton pants, and black leather boots.
After six agonizing minutes, he saw her, wearing a heavy blue cotton long dress and warm gray boots. She was looking stunning, her heart was beating faster, and her silver hair was like a beam of moonlight dancing over her head.
"Sorry if I'm late, so what do you want from me?" She asked harshly.
"Thank you for coming. I know it was strange and inappropriate to ask, but I hope I can explain myself. We don't know each other; this is my fourth time seeing you in front of me, but something inside me was craving for your attention."
"You are not the first person who says something like this to me. I work hard on my shifts at the tavern, and many drunkards or patrons come to find me outside to try to court me. I don't go to my work wishing to find a partner, and if it's all you wanted to say, I can't even feel anything for you right now."
Her harsh words hurt his soul. He wanted something with her; he didn't know what exactly. Hearing that a door to her heart was closed made his heart cry in sadness, but he was not ready to give up.
"I understand, my lady, and I don't wish to be a problem in your life. I needed to meet you not just because of passion or mesmerized by your beauty. No. Something deep inside my heart told me that I needed to become closer to you, but I don't know why."
"If you don't know, why do you think I would know? We never met before, we are strangers to each other."
"I would love to know the answer to this, but I am confused as you are. Could I approach you, my lady?"
A red flush comes to Milla's face, leaving her cheeks red. Something is bringing that emotion to her. Memories then flashed into her mind, getting some sweet moments Manila had with Elzen and the last moment they shared, the kiss before the kidnapping. With a single nod, she allowed.
At slow-paced steps, Elzen approached Milla, looking deep into her eyes. He had in his mind what would give him the answers he so desperately needed, a deep dive into his inner self through the mirrors of the soul. Like a seasoned diver searching for the fruits of the sea, hoping to bring home his delicious prey to satisfy his hunger.
He was searching for a hint of the answer to his longings. Many bards sing the tale of two lovers, who could find each other in the afterlife, in case they are separated earlier. Those two lovers would find each other by the color and shape of their souls, but how could they see their souls while they were still alive? Through their eyes, their touch, their lips, and their heat.
So close, they could feel each other's breath. Milla's breath was calm and deep, while Elzen's was desperate and quick. He continues glaring deep into her eyes, as time passes, their mana starts to resonate together as one individual, then in a single moment, he feels it.
Deep down, those light brown eyes emanate two different shades of mana. One blue and one red, fighting each other. The red one is almost engulfing the blue one, and that tiny blue spark emanates a feeling of familiarity.
His heartbeat slowly returned to normal, the overwhelming dread disappeared, and he found what he was searching for. He smiled gently.
"Thank you, my lady. I have what I need now. I am sorry if I caused you any discomfort; I know my request was selfish and aggressive, but it meant the world to me. Thank you." He bows respectfully.
"I hope we can meet again in a less desperate situation, and again I am sorry for any inconvenience."
Milla was confused; she felt his mana resonating with her, creating a pleasant wave in her heart with happiness. She felt this once when she became part of Ghord's family, and now this strange connection with Elzen is giving her the same feelings, and it's terrifying.