Kuno Kaspar
The man standing beside me had an air of distance about him. I could tell he was only doing this because he was told to. Yet, he still spoke to me with acquired elegance. Like I was the master deserving of respect and he was below me.
I attempted to probe his mind for any insight into his character, but was locked out. Like his head had a shield around it, a bulwark to fend off any attack.
He eyed me suspiciously. His eyebrows lowered, clearly withdrawn. I felt foreign essence enter my mind, slingshotting across my skull. The essence dampened mine, causing it to go haywire and blitz my brain, sending a ringing pulse through my head.
Recoiling in shock, I clutched my forehead, wincing in pain.
Noted, he must be a Mind-Will Holder. My new instructor.
Great-Uncle said my new teacher would be a capable Holder, but it still hurt being sent away.
Moderate doesn't matter when you already had the best. I need perfection. How can this man compare to someone like Great-Uncle?
"If you wish to know more, Noble Kuno, you need only ask." The man said.
"I'll keep that in mind." I added as much enthusiasm as I could muster, my voice cracking from the pain.
That's right! And after all this time with the transfer, the man hasn't even told me his name yet! Damn Grimwalds!
I clenched my fist in annoyance. Lowering it from my head.
The blitz quickly passed.
The man didn't unleash a lot of essence in his mind attack, and I retracted the essence from my head as soon as he did.
Not wishing to cause a scene before I even met the Lord, I stared blankly at the closed doors. Eagerly waiting to arrive on the designated floor.
For quite a modest-sized estate, this elevator ride is taking longer than I thought it would.
"I understand Lord Oberfell is quite the intense man, but you shouldn't take everything he says face value. There is much to learn from many people. Lord Oberfell is wise and exceptional, but that is all. He does not know everything. Despite what he would like you to believe." The man looks at me with a warm smile.
Respecting my elders and the Elites was the first thing taught to me as a noble. But after talking about great-uncle like that, I couldn't help but speak with an impertinent tone.
"Sure. I'll try to remember that."
"I'm sure you will find this change in mentorship good for your soul, and mind." Shifting his gaze back at the wall doors of the elevator.
At the exact moment he looked away, they silently slid open. It was as if they were waiting for our conversation to finish before releasing me from this prison.
Opening up into a training studio, I was surprised to be confined to such a small box. This room could barely hold a handful of people training.
Compared to the training studios Great-Uncle owns, this place was pathetic. I mean, it's not bad or anything, but these people are supposed to be the best assassins in the kingdom. I would have expected their equipment to be a lot grander, and advanced.
I guess they don't train them like they used to.
The man led the way, walking straight to the people standing at the other end of the room.
There were three of them. Two looked about my age, while the other was a bit older. At least he only looked a bit older. No doubt he was quite ancient. Not my Great-Uncle ancient, but still old.
They looked intimidating enough, but as we got closer, their Auras alone put a slight strain on my essence.
All they were doing was talking, but they all held themselves in a way that made them hard to approach, almost menacing.
The older man, who was no doubt Lord Grimwald, held himself with confidence, but without the elegance of the man who brought me here.
However, his confidence is misplaced if you ask me. He's not even an actual Lord. But his demeanour says otherwise, and his aura is nothing to scoff at either. It was the most potent in the room, and the most crushing.
The next strongest was the black-haired one, who I assumed was his son, Leo, relaxed in a laid-back posture with his hands behind his head. His Aura, while not at the level of his father, its strength wasn't nothing. In fact, it was quite strong for someone his age. But I got the sense he was hiding its true power.
He glanced an eye at me, his lips curling up with this creepy grin.
Shaking the chills from my spine, I observed the third person.
The one with the white hair.
I wasn't sure who he was, but he had the weakest Aura. Great-Uncle told me that Elgin kept insisting on finding a Lord-Frost Will Holder, but there was no way that was him. That boy was hardly impressive. His Aura alone was below average for someone his age. It was hard to tell exactly what stage of Integration he was at, but I could sense him to be a Mid-Will Holder. So why did he hold himself with such esteem?
The way he looked around reminded me of my great-uncle. Not just studying his surroundings and environment, but actively comparing them. Judging them. He looked as if everything was beneath him, his face giving off no evidence of emotion. Whether he was curious about what he saw, confused, or impressed, I couldn't say. But one thing was certain: everything caught his attention, and everything interested him. The way his eyes locked onto something, and stuck; He wasn't the type to look away.
And that alone drew my attention to him the most.
As we walked closer, the strength of their Auras grew. Despite being the weakest of the three, the frigid cold of the white-haired boy's Aura chilled me to my core. He was clearly flaunting it, but he didn't even have anything worth flaunting. So why did I feel it so much?
Because of the biggest flaw of my Will—the whole reason Great-Uncle sent me away—I didn't start unleashing my Aura until I was close enough to hear their conversation.
Ignoring it, or not feeling it at all, they continued with their conversation as normal.
"…You sure you're up for this, Rin?" The Grimwald son asked the white-haired nobody.
Waving his worry away, he responded, "It's been over a week. Recovering and training my strength. I'm fine."
Why are they so cautious of that boy? Aren't assassins supposed to be emotionless and ruthless killers?
I tried probing their minds for more information.
The Grimwald son's Will was stronger than mine, which made it more difficult to access his mind, and the white-haired boy had a Frost Will. So even though I could get more from him, Water and Frost Wills still provide more metal fortitude than the other Attributes.
As both were unwilling probes, their memories and thoughts came more as feelings and emotions.
When asked that question from the Grimwald son, the white-haired boy was filled with… anger, and dread.
Despite not getting much from their minds, I kept the probing link open.
"Good." Elgin said flatly, his concern blatantly less than his sons. "Because this is the next part of your training." He finished just as the elegant man and I stopped right in front of them.
Elgin walked forward, thanking the man for his assistance. He moved to the side, leaving me face to face with the Lord of the house.
Swallowing hard, only one thought in my mind.
This is the Beast's den. There are no laws here. I am not as safe as I am with Great-Uncle.
He stared down at me with only his eyes, not bothering to move his head. Their azure-golden hue shone with angry radiance. He was quiet, sizing me up, taking in every aspect of me he could from just my looks.
My face was a mixture of worry and disdain.
Does he really think he could look down on me?! I mean, I know I'm small, but I have more willing connections than he does. Who does he think he is?
"You think you are too good to be here. That right." Elgin said steadily. His deep voice belittling me. He bent closer, his head turning towards me. "You are here because that is not the case. Usually, I only teach those who are worth it, but unfortunately, I owe Lord Oberfell a favour." He straightened, moving his arms behind his back. His face lightened a bit. "Allow me to introduce you to your new associates."
His words cut deep. My essence vibrated sporadically in my head from my agitated mind.
Speaking loud enough for everyone to hear, he continued, "This is Kuno Kaspar. Grandnephew of Lord Oberfell. Beginning today, he will be training with us. As a favour, I owe Lord Oberfell."
Did he really have to mention that?!
Turning, he looked at the other three in attendance. Introducing them.