Chapter 196: An offer you can’t refuse
"Cass...that’s..." Fiona trailed off, looking uncomfortable and Cass knew that he absolutely bit off more than he was allowed to chew. From the looks of the other faces he could see, it wasn’t something that was questioned. He wasn’t even sure he could use the ’other life’ as an excuse since that was supposed to be something that Lord Blackburn knew. Cass swallowed, his hands clenching.
Lucian’s hand landed on his shoulder, giving him a squeeze.
"He’s just saying it out of concern, not because he is doubting the temple. Given what he’s done already today, we should take what he’s saying to heart. It isn’t as if we are blind, and this isn’t the first time Lady Ava has ended up like this." Lucian backed Cass up and that seemed to soften the rest of them. Cass was actually a little bit surprised that he did, even with all of his recent behaviour.
It was one thing to be flirting with Cass. It was another thing to back him up in a setting where he previously didn’t.
Vespertine was the first to sigh, running his hand over his face as he began to nod slowly.
"I...I understand what you’re saying. I...let’s hold off on this line of thought until after we’ve woken up Ava and spoken to her about this." Vespertine said and Cass nodded. This was impacting her, after all.
Cass dropped it, mainly because he could feel the tension in the room. If they were this tense from him bringing it up, he wondered how Lady Ava was going to take it? He felt like he was going to witness her personally collapsing, and they were only going to take his words seriously when that happened.
That was okay. He was just getting too nosy. He would have to learn to reel it back in again. This dungeon had his emotions all over the place. It could only get worse if the dungeon showed him his sister in any capacity.
Cass shuddered at what he’d just thought. He was a fool for even thinking that.
It was Vespertine who turned to Lady Ava to wake her up, but Cass could tell that Fiona was the one who wanted to do it. She had a complicated look on her face, while Cass wasn’t able to see Lord Ridgewood’s face because he had turned it away to look at Lady Ava.
Lady Ava took a minute to stir. It seemed like she had been really, truly exhausted. Her face scrunched up as she attempted to wake. Cass wasn’t such an asshole that he didn’t have some sympathy for her. His concern for her was based out of survival, but also as a fellow human to another.
"W-What?" She croaked as she stirred, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Her hand clenched around the blanket, holding it to her chest as if she was in her own bed and they had walked in on her.
"Morning, Avie. How are you feeling? Sorry we had to wake you up. We tried to let you sleep as much as you needed but we have to get moving." Vespertine’s voice was soft in a way that Cass hadn’t heard outside of when Vespertine had basically cornered him and kissed him.
Cass felt his face heat at the memory, and what that voice was associated with to him.
Lady Ava, for her part, woke up rather quickly. She dropped her blanket, her eyes losing the sleepy edge that they had in seconds and she dropped her hand holding the blanket to her chest.
"Is it over?" She asked, not answering any of the questions that Vespertine had asked. It was a point to Lady Ava that she cared more about the others instead of herself. Vespertine gave a tight smile.
"Yes, it’s over." Vespertine told her and Lady Ava toook a moment to look around. Her eyes widened as she realised what was surrounding them before her eyes darted to Cass.
"A-Are you alright? How long have you-"
"I appreciate your concern." Cass cut her off, "but I’m okay, Lady Ava. How are you feeling? Are you feeling more charged?" Cass asked and watched as she swallowed. She looked a little green, a little pale still and Cass felt ike he knew the answer to that.
"I...a little bit." She mumbled and Cass let out a soft sigh. Soft enough that only Lucian beside him heard.
Cass bent, getting onto one knee to stare into her eyes. Lady Ava blinked a few times, before her expression shifted and she looked a bit like a child about to be scolded, as if she knew what was coming.
Cass was glad that she did. It was going to make this easier, but he also wasn’t going to yell at her again. Unless she said something stupid. Then he might yell.
"Ava, you need to be honest with us. Do you know what your max capacity for your powers are? And are you near that point?" Cass asked quietly and Ava looked down, away from his gaze. That in and of itself was an answer to Cass.
"I...I think I know what my levels are, and...I’m close to my limit." She admitted and Cass let out an exhale.
"Okay. Is there anything I or anyone can do to help you? Either regain more or transfer? I’m not quite sure how holy powers work, so as the resident expert you need to help me out here." Cass said and Lady Ava nodded. She swallowed, before her gaze slid to Lucian.
"I think I might be able to convert some of Lucy’s powers to holy powers, but it might take me a while." She admitted quietly and Cass turned his head to look at Lucian. Lucian had a stern, stoic face but he nodded solemnly.
"I can help. I haven’t used much of my magic at all, so I have a lot I can give you. You just let me know." Lucian told her and her expression relaxed. Cass, however, wasn’t done.
"Ava," Cass began, and could feel how the three others around him tensed. Cass continued ahead, since she was awake, aware, and was willing to listen. So far. "I have a question, and if it seems offensive you can tell me so. I’m just curious because I have no idea how holy powers work. Do you get training, like mages do, on how to use the least amount of power for the biggest impact?" Cass could see that the wheels were turning in Lady Ava’s head.
She remained silent for a moment while with each passing second the tension skyrocketed. Cass could feel that Lord Ridgewood and Vespertine were the more tense of the two. Both appeared to be rather devout followers of the gods. For Vespertine it made sense. His family was the leading family behind the temple. If he wasn’t a devout follower, he would be even more of a black sheep in his family.
Lord Ridgewood? He wasn’t so sure. Did it stem from him being close childhood friends with Vespertine? Or was that from his family and their stance as knights? Particulary as knights who backed the royal family and were prone to a serious level of devotion already? He didn’t know, but there was a chance that he would find out eventually.
Cass felt like he was probably going to find out whether he wanted to or not.
"I, uh, I don’t know. I’ve never...I’ve never considered..." From Ava’s weak response, Cass wasn’t sure what to glean. It wasn’t until she spoke her next words that Cass felt like he was safe. "I actually was always jealous of how much training you and and Eddie got. I don’t...have all the books like you guys do. Most of what I know I learned as a child and that was it." She admitted and Cass felt a sick sense of satisfaction.
"Alright. Well, I might not be the best teacher in that regard, but if we have time, I am willing to listen to you and go through what you know and maybe we can work on ways to expand your knowledge. Because what you did earlier? That was very dangerous, Ava. Very. If you had passed out? You not only would have left Vespertine in danger, but everyone else. We need your powers to get through the rest of the dungeon. That’s not me trying to put pressure on you, that’s just a simple fact. So, let’s find ways that you can use less of your power, and get more results. It might feel weird and strange, and not all of the things I suggest might work. Are you interested?" Cass asked.
Everyone, including Lucian, seemed surprised at Cass’ offer. Hell, Cass was a little bit surprised himself, but hell, if it would mean that he didn’t ahve to worry about them after he was out of the party, he would do it.
It would not do this world any good if the hero party wasn’t able to defeat the demon king. That was the whole fucking point as to why he was here. To make sure that the demon king was defeated.
It took Lady Ava all of a few seconds before she was nodding, her eyes bright, lit from within with a fire that Cass had only previously seen when she was being a bigot and insane.
"I’m committed to learning more. No, I want to learn more. Are you sure it’s okay? Won’t that put a strain on you?" She asked, careful, cautious. Cass felt his lips turn up.
"Ava, there is a high chance that my magical pool is bigger than yours. If we can train you to use your powers, that barrier you created before? You might be able to hold it as long, if not longer than I can." Cass told her and watched as her expression went through several emotions. Then, she nodded again.
"Alright. I’m going to hold you to that, Cass. I want to get better at managing my powers, and I’m not in a position where I can be picky who I get that help from. I’m also sure you’re underselling yourself. I bet you’re going to be a great teacher." Lady Ava said, a smile touching her lips as she looked up at Cass.
Cass was glad that she was so receptive, and that he didn’t have to put up a fight at all. That boded well for him. Whether he was a good teacher or not, she needed some more instruction. It would also be a good distraction from the dungeon itself. Cass could already tell it was going to help him balance himself.
Having another responsibility was going to be good for him.