Inside the throne room, Fang Hau and Hope sat at their respective seats. Fang Hau wore a leisurely expression as he listened to Hope asking, "So, why did you call me here?"
"In that case, do you know about Restrictions?" Fang Hau chuckled, asking her.
Hope answered, shrugging her shoulders, "Is that even up for debate? Of course I know."
"Do you know about Restrictions?" He repeated.
Huh? Didn't I just answer his question? Hope commented inwardly, falling silent.
"Do you know about Restrictions?"
"Do you know about Restrictions?"
"Do you know about Restrictions?"
Fang Hau repeated again and again until Hope's expression slowly twisted in both confusion and annoyance. She asked with a frown, "Why are you repeating yourself?"
Fang Hau narrowed his eyes and spoke solemnly, "Restrictions could be called the world's rules formed to create balance. These rules could either stop someone entirely or limit a person's capabilities. Stopping makes the specified action impossible to do, whilst limiting only weakens it. Let's say there's a Restriction which states 'no one can kill,' which category would it be then? Limit or stop?"
He completely ignored me just now… Sigh, let me think, 'no one can kill,' wouldn't the 'can' make it stop? Hope thought for a second and replied.
"After a bit of thinking, I think it's under the stop category."
"How are you so certain that 'can' makes it a stop?" He asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
Hope placed a finger on her lips and replied slowly, "But isn't your example clearly preventing an action, so it has to be 'stop', right?"
Fang Hau didn't argue and affirmed to her, "Indeed, you are right."
After a second, Fang Hau continued, "Since you already understand this, let us turn our attention to the two types of Restrictions. First is the simple type, which is best described by any basic actions, whether it be walking or running. As for the complex-type…"
Fang Hau paused, glancing at Hope's blank expression.
Such indifference, has she lost interest due to my teaching method? I suppose I am quite boring to listen to. However, I trust her. Fang Hau thought, sighing inwardly.
"Complex-type is simply a stack made through joining multiple simple-types. Most Restrictions used are like this. Let's return to the walking example, but let's say it's running instead, and if we add rules such as…"
Fang Hau waved his hand as the fire from the lamps flew out, gathering atop the table. With another wave of Fang Hau's hands, words were spelled using the flames.
"The first determines a location, for example, let's say, a hundred meters." The moment he finished speaking, the sentence was made in the air as a portion split and depicted a person and a destination marked with a line.
"The second is addition, by adding another person, one can enjoy the moment with another." With another wave of his hand, the words were formed, and the depiction added a person.
Third and lastly, there is comparison. By adding a timer, one can compare whoever arrives first." With a flick of his finger, the words and depiction were altered, with the addition of a clock
"And all of a sudden, what we have now is not only a complex type, but also a race, no?" Fang Hau smiled, waving his hand one last time. The flames flew apart, returning to their respective lamps.
Hope fell silent, causing Fang Hau to observe her.
From the beginning, their relationship had been quite complex. It would be lacking if they were called "allies," but "master and servant" wouldn't fit either.
Although Hope trusts me too, it's not out of respect but need. She wants freedom like a sealed bird in a cage, no–she is one. Freedom that can only be attained through the completion of the Contract passed down to her through generations. Fang Hau stood up, circling the table.
He asked, his cyan eyes lighting up, "Have you ever tried breaking free from our Contract the moment it was passed on to you?"
Hope fell silent, her gaze landing on the table. She clenched her fist beneath it, gripping the fabric of her clothes.
"Are–"
And just when Fang Hau was about to speak, she spoke, nodding her head, "Right at the moment my Father died, breaking free had become my mission. And so, I studied but to no avail. There's only so much a Nameless like me could achieve. This contract bound me like a dog on a leash, stopping me from leaving. Do you know how hard it is to even find a book here?!"
Fang Hau frowned, nodding his head.
Hope stood up, her eyes teary from pain, continuing, "I'm lucky that I could even learn up to surface level; otherwise, I'm a complete and utter fool!"
Hope's body trembled from recalling all those years ago, her knees giving in as she fell to the ground with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"And that's why I gave up and ended up working my heart out just for that minuscule chance of freedom." Hope lifted her gaze, staring straight at the man who chained her to Mount Lorebale.
Fang Hau withdrew his gaze, smiling lightly and said, "It was the only thing I could do to achieve what some may call impossible."
Fang Hau walked to her side, patting her shoulders and said, "Well done, you're already above the ordinary."
"Well, then, shall I continue the lesson?" Fang Hau asked her, helping her stand up.
Hope sat down, waving her hand and said, "I'm fine, just go on, I'm listening. Forget that I cried, and don't tell Zixin."
Fang Hau nodded, continuing, "Restrictions can be further separated, whether it is natural or man-made. Either they are born from nature's grace or man's need for efficiency."
"Understood?"
Hope waved her hand, having already taken out her journal and started taking down notes.
"Good. Although there are rules, they can also be broken. However, only Law and Order Holders would be able to do so with ease, but it comes with its own costs, and thus, the rarity." Fang Hau flicked his wrist as purple smoke flew from his purple robe and formed two symbols that represent Law and Order.
"But artifacts could also do so; the one you commissioned should fall under this category as well."
He glanced at her, noticing her constant blinking.
"Don't tell me you don't know what Holders are called?" Fang Hau asked, furrowing his brows.
Hope shook her head and spoke, "No way, I completely understand."
But the moment she finished speaking, her expression suddenly contorted from a realization.
"Wait, what concept would Zixin's ability be?"
Fang Hau rubbed his chin, tilting his head and speaking, "Shouldn't you know better than me? You live with him."
I should? But he only talked about his sub-ability… Snowdrop allows him to experience the most recent seven years of a target's life, right? Huh? Wouldn't this be the time? Hope thought for a second and came to her conclusion.
"Probably a Time Holder."
Fang Hau simply remained silent, neither confirming nor denying her speculations.
"Anyway, have you ever taught when you were alive?"
"No, I do this out of goodwill and necessity." He spoke with a warm smile, sending shivers down her spine.
"Anyhow, there are two more Restrictions."
Upon hearing Fang Hau speak again, Hope's expression once again twisted.
"Why are there so many? Is it passive and active?"
"You know about it?" Fang Hau asked in curiosity.
"It's the first one in my notes. I learned about it on my own. Passive means that it would always be active; for example, the cycle of life essence in Mount Lorebale would be one. As for active, it just needs certain conditions to be met for it to work. My best example would be having to split your mind to enter the White Palace." Hope spoke quickly, explaining with ease.
…
A few minutes later, as they walked through the hallway, Fang Hau asked, "Have you ever wished to be a Holder?"
Hope halted her steps, giving her blunt response, "No."
Fang Hau continued, "Why not?"
Without even a second thought, Hope answered plainly, "Because the life of a Holder is bound to be painful. At least, for me that is."
"How did you end up with such a dreadful conclusion?" Fang Hau raised his brow and asked.
"Based on the rumors that I've heard, Holders die quite young. Isn't that the irony behind the name Longevity Bloodline? Not only that, the advancements are too unfair! Think about it, I could lose my limbs or become a puddle of blood." Hope explained, with her expression twisting by the end of it.
Fang Hau chuckled upon hearing her and said, "Those rumors are greatly exaggerating the scenarios. However, since I have advanced twice, I can attest to the difficulties."
Fang Hau tilted his head, continuing in deep thought, "Becoming a Holder is like being tossed into a pit of fire, leaving you with little time, or perhaps it could be described as being submerged underneath the ocean with no escape. But to be quite frank, the scenarios are heavily dependent on the Holder's abilities. As for advancements… it may at some point become a necessity for survival."
Hope felt a chill run down her spine, jumping back in fright.
Fang Hau chuckled, waving his hand and speaking, "Was that too scary for you? Apologies, perhaps I've read too many articles on the topic."
"Anyhow, where are you headed?"
"Taking a bath at the hot springs." She replies.
…
Inside the hot spring, Hope bathed with a smile, enjoying the warm water.
Was Fang Hau probing back there? He probably was. Maybe he was curious why I'm so eager to follow his commands. It doesn't really matter anymore, as long as I can secure my freedom, I'm happy. Hope thought, closing her eyes.