Kyle gulped, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
Cassian walked over from Kyle to Nuna, who was beside him. Gave a pat on the shoulder and a reassuring smile.
"Thank you for taking care of my foolish son. I know he will be a handful, but do be patient with him."
"Yes, my Lord." Nuna bowed deeply, her ears red with embarrassment.
"Hmmm, that doesn't sound right. Since we are essentially family now, you can call me father."
"Uhm, yes, father," Nuna said, trying to calm her raging heart. The happiness she was feeling threatened to overwhelm her.
"That sounds better." Cassian smiled.
He sighed, a complex mix of emotions playing across his face. 'Boys will be boys.'
He knew his son was reaching adulthood, but part of him wished Kyle would stay innocent for longer.
Cassian nodded slowly, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
Still, he couldn't deny the pride he felt at his son's maturity and courage. He moved on to the more pressing matter.
"And the dual cultivation Technique? Where did you find it?"
"Uhm, when I woke up after the incident, it was in my head, the whole thing," Kyle responded.
He did not know how his father would react to this explanation, but he decided to go with this route.
Cassian's brow furrowed as he considered Kyle's words. Cultivation techniques being in his mind upon awakening was rare, but not unheard of.
Was it a technique related to the bloodline that awakened because of certain conditions being met?
Families like theirs with ancient bloodlines sometimes awakened rare techniques and talents in certain individuals.
'That would also explain how Kyle's Dantians and meridians were suddenly healed.' He thought.
Even Cassian Ravenshade could not say he knew absolutely everything there was to know about the Ravenshade bloodline.
Such secrets were closely guarded by powerful noble families and sects, passed down through generations. And some were lost in history.
'Maybe, in a near-death state, his bloodline awakened?' That was the only reasonable explanation. And it was very likely.
Regardless, he decided to probe Kyle a little bit; maybe the art came with some information.
"In your mind, huh?" Cassian asked, trying to mask his skepticism. "Did it come with anything else, some memories perhaps?"
Kyle shrugged, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. "No, not as of now. It was just there, like it had always been, nothing else."
Cassian nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. There was clearly more to this situation than met the eye.
"Well," Cassian said after a moment's pause, "We'll have to investigate further. For now, focus on your training and cultivation. Keep pushing yourself to new heights."
Cassian couldn't shake the feeling that Kyle's awakening was no mere coincidence; maybe it was even linked to his talent and cultivation being blocked at birth.
He would need to look into this matter more deeply, perhaps even seeking counsel with the ancestor who might shed light on what was happening to his son.
...
A week flew by...
It was now the day before Kyle's coming of age celebration. Everything was set. The invitations had been sent out.
"You have grown, Kyle," Cassian said to Kyle after their usual session. Kyle was lying on the floor, breathing heavily.
"And I mean it in more ways than one. From tomorrow, you are officially an adult. Make the most of it."
Kyle nodded silently.
"That reminds me, wear this." Cassian threw a plain silver ring at Kyle.
It had a singular red stone in the middle. But it was so small that it was barely visible.
"What's this?"
"It's an artefact to conceal your cultivation. There will be people who can see through your strength tomorrow, and they will ask questions.
I'm sure you know, nobles can be shrewd people. And smart as you are, I think you know who wants you dead.
I have held back from talking about it till now, because we do not have concrete evidence, but it should be obvious. Be careful."
"Yes, Father." Kyle nodded. He stayed on the floor recovering. While his father put his equipment away.
Kyle slid the ring onto his finger. It pulsed slightly, a wave spreading around his body, and then went completely silent.
'Looks like it's working.' Even Cassian could no longer get a read on Kyle's strength.
Kyle spoke again. "Can I go out into the city, Father? I have barely been outside lately."
Cassian hesitated. He was concerned about Kyle's safety, being too careful never hurt anyone.
But he knew Kyle must be feeling suffocated. The word going around was, the young master was extremely injured, and he was still recovering from the attempt on his life.
"Alright, but you are to take Nuna with you, stay together at all times, and also wear a disguise just to be safe."
"Understood."
They left the training hall right after.
Kyle went straight to his room, calling a servant to find Nuna for him on the way. He took a quick bath, got dressed in the plainest clothes he had available, and a grey cloak on top.
Knock knock knock.
A knock came on his door not long after.
'That must be her.'
"Enter..."
Nuna entered with light steps, dressed in the usual. She closed the door behind her.
Kyle had thought about having Nuna leave her duties as a maid, suggesting that she become his official partner instead.
But she had been initially refused. It seemed like she had some sort of inferiority complex against herself.
Her exact words were, "I do not deserve to be with you, Kyle. It is only because I acted selfishly and let my love for you dictate my thoughts, but it would wound my heart if my actions were to harm you, and so I'm completely satisfied with just being beside you. Besides, you have Lady Jasmine as your official partner. That's enough."
She had been very stern on the matter.
It was odd how the timid and shy Nuna could be so straightforward when it came to his well-being. And in bed.
It seemed like she would not budge on that matter. She was stubborn, but so was Kyle. So after a long conversation, they reached a concession.
Nuna would, for the moment, continue her duties, but be given proper status as a wife in the future.