Chapter 11: Gifts
"So, why did you activate me, my darling? Need my assistance already?" the mouse-like artifact chirped playfully.
"I might've found a potential seed," Elizabeth replied, her tone solemn. "Connect me to Father. Now."
"That fast?" The mouse blinked in surprise and spun toward a hovering blue icon shaped like a human head. "Have you checked the seed's affinities?"
"I haven't," she answered flatly.
The mouse tapped the icon with its tiny paw. A stream of unfamiliar characters flashed across the air before pausing at a single word: Dad.
An invisible pulse of magic radiated from the watch on Elizabeth's wrist—an encoded frequency designed to pierce vast distances.
Moments later, the holographic display flickered, reshaping into the image of a man in his fifties. His face bore the pale-white skin, long white hair, and amber eyes that marked their bloodline. Though his features were worn, his presence remained imposing.
His expression shifted—distant, cautious, unreadable.
His lips moved, but no sound came.
Then, two seconds later, his voice arrived.
"Elizabeth? Can you hear me? How are you doing these days?"
"I found a potential seed, Father," she said without hesitation. "May I return now?"
"Calm yourself," he replied after a brief delay. "Tell me about the seed."
"Raven. Age five. Lives with his sister and aunt. I haven't confirmed his affinities, but I'm fairly certain he awakened the Dawn Goblin's Eldritch Memory skill."
A moment passed in silence. Then the man's eyes gleamed.
"Eldritch Memory, hmm? An excellent bloodline ability. The Family Head might covet it for himself. But you'll need to find one more seed. One seed alone earns you 100 contribution points at the Academy, yes—but that won't be enough for your promotion. And if you choose to share your points with our family's two geniuses, you'll be left with only twenty to thirty."
Elizabeth's face darkened.
"Twenty to thirty? But the Patriarch promised I could keep half. Is he backing out now?" she asked coldly.
"You misunderstand, child." Her father's voice softened. "I'm only allocating some points to your elder brother. If he breaks through to the Radiant Wizard realm, the Academy will funnel more resources into our House. He's promised to assist you in return—and he's already reached the Ninth Circle of the Acolyte stage."
Elizabeth clenched her fists, jaw tightening. After a breath, she nodded.
"I understand."
"And what of your own progress? Have you advanced in the past decade, or are you still stuck at Fifth Circlet Acolyte?"
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"I advanced to Sixth Circlet two years ago, Father."
"Hmph. Still leagues behind your brother." A long sigh escaped him. "Why don't you quit Wizardry altogether? You could run the potion shop in the capital. Your affinities are barely intermediate—some even lower."
"I'm doing what I can," she replied, her voice firm. "But this isn't the time to give up."
"Then find another seed," he ordered. "And get close to this Raven child. Once his academic contract ends, we may induct him into the family. A promising servant."
Elizabeth forced a nod.
"Our members found five other potential seeds in the Baron's neighboring towns—children from merchant and knight families. All showed remarkable skill in battle."
"What town are you in now?"
"Darkcross, a town of Baron Alexander's. We tried to stir things, but the Baron's lands remain... too peaceful. With the Royal Family and Crows' Misery's wizards watching, Velvet Eclipse can't make open moves. One misstep, and we'll lose everything."
"If you find two seeds, you'll return with over sixty contribution points. That's enough to secure resources and complete your Zero-Tier Spell Models. Perhaps even break through to Radiant in a decade."
"I understand," Elizabeth whispered, and cut the transmission.
Silence hung in the air.
In the end, I'm just another pawn to be used and discarded, she thought bitterly, turning toward the kitchen in quiet disappointment.
…
Evening fell.
As usual, Athena picked up Raven from school. After helping him with homework, she busied herself in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Meanwhile, Raven retreated to the bedroom, quietly asking, "Are you still there?"
[Yes, Raven. And from now on, call me 'Zera.']
"Okay." Raven nodded and took out a sleek silver quill from his bag—not a feathered one, but a cylinder with a fine nib at the tip.
"My teacher gave this to me today!" he beamed. "She praised me for memorizing the fourteenth equation. Said I'm the only one who got it right. This pen holds ink inside the barrel—no need to dip it."
[You're in high spirits today, I see. But starting tomorrow, you must hide your abilities.]
Raven blinked. "Why? Shouldn't I keep learning?"
[It's not about learning—it's about perception. A child who masters all of elementary school in one month? That's no longer a genius. That's a threat. People fear what they don't understand.]
"But my teachers are kind! No one can trick me," he pouted.
[Even kind people can make cruel choices when frightened. Today, Elizabeth sees you as intelligent and hardworking. But if you keep showing your absurd memory skills, others might start using you. Be cautious.]
Raven fell silent, lips pressed tight.
[Anyway, there's something more important we need to discuss.]
"More important?" he asked, tilting his head.
[Yes. It's about your fractured soul. After analyzing it further, I believe there's a way to heal you, using the Bloodline Devouring System. But we'll need Bloodline Essence, even from a Rank-0 Magical Beast. And that's no easy task. So for now, we'll train your body.]
"I can become a Knight?" Raven's eyes sparkled.
[It's similar—but superior. However, once you devour a Bloodline Essence, this training won't work anymore. Your body will change, and new rules will apply.]
Raven yawned. "I don't get it…"
[Haa… forget it for now. You're still too young to start training. I'll figure something else out.]
A pause.
[Say, Raven. How about preparing a little gift for your sister's birthday?]
"A gift?" His face lit up. "You have something? Can I see it now?"
[No, those three things you received from the Golden Chest are the only material rewards I can give you right now.]
Raven's eyes widened. "Where are they? Can I use them yet?"
Zera chuckled softly.
A faint blue icon appeared in front of his eyes, different from the usual status window. It displayed twenty square slots. Only one glowed blue; the rest shimmered ominously in red.
[Your rewards are stored in Inventory Slot-1. You have access to twenty slots, but opening more would strain your soul. Just focus on the blue box.]
Raven did—and in a blink, his mind linked to an empty void.
Floating inside were three items: an iron spear, a monocle, and a small vial.
[You can materialize them with a simple thought.]
As Zera spoke, Raven reached out with his mind. A moment later, the Iron Spear materialized before him and fell into his hands.
And then—onto the bed with a loud thud.
"Whoa! That's heavy… Can I sell it?"
[If you try, I'll personally crown you the Number One Idiot of the Era.]
Raven laughed nervously. "J-Just kidding."
[Now take out the monocle.]
He complied, holding the monocle up.
"How do I use this?"
[Put it over your left eye. Then look at the spear.]
He slid it on.
And gasped.
…
[Name: Frozen Ender (Sealed)]
Rank: Common (Evolve)
Experience Comprehension: 0%
Description: None
Unique Skill:
Rank-1 Skill: Frozen Lance (Locked)
→ [Requirement: User must master Basic Spear Mastery and activate Basic Aura]
…