“This is your stage, little brother. I’m sure there will be some nonsense for you to deal with today, but you’re one of mine. I won’t let you be bullied, and if you feel the need to go wild, go wild.”
Sigil patted Theron’s shoulder with a wide grin. It looked like he was more excited to see Theron go wild than anything else.
Theron got the feeling that Sigil didn’t really want to hold this banquet but had been strong-armed into it. So the only way for him to make it up to himself was to get Theron to do something to make it worth his while.
To this, Theron could only chuckle.
“I’ll be trying my best to keep a low profile.”
“Low profile?” Sigil erupted with laughter. “They’ve all definitely heard about your credit spree by now. Those also weren’t the actions of someone who wanted to keep a low profile.”
Theron smiled. “I’m sure you understand what I did there.”
Sigil paused.
Right then, the two were in a small green room of sorts. There were plush couches around and luxury abound, not to mention the patented wooden accents the Thistles loved so much.
“You’re quite straightforward, aren’t you?”
Theron shrugged, leaning back into his plush chair.
“You’ve already said it, I’m no noble. And as a noble yourself, I’m sure you know exactly how nobles came into power.”
There was a flash in the old man’s eyes as he looked toward Theron.
“That’s… quite the dangerous thing to say, little brother,” Sigil said, his smile remaining light.
“Not really. A Soul Imprint has already been placed on me.”
Sigil frowned. “What?”
Theron raised an internal eyebrow while the old man slowly looked away as though he hadn’t heard a thing.
It wasn’t within Theron’s expectations that Sigil wouldn’t know of this, so he decided to adjust some things in his mind. This was actually an interesting development in his estimation. ℞ƝÔꞖƐṠ
“I’m one of your Clan’s vassals now; I don’t think speaking of such things around you is very dangerous at all.”
Sigil’s frown only deepened.
“… I’m not a fan of this, but my words don’t carry much weight right now. Fair enough, it seems that I’ve underestimated the state of things a bit.”
Sigil didn’t apologize for the actions of his family, nor did Theron really feel like he should have to either.
“I already expected this to happen. Your sympathy is unnecessary.”
Sigil chuckled. “Why are you bringing this up now, then?”
“I’m very interested in understanding something. But Burne is a very annoying handler to have. I have no interest in dealing with him and he will make my sacrifice worthless.”
For the second time, the old man looked over.
Theron was well and truly towing a very dangerous line right now, one that had already stirred his killing intent, not once, but twice already.
“That’s twice already,” Sigil said with a smile. “Old man Barren has been with me since I was a child. He truly doesn’t react to much.”
Theron shrugged. “I’m only speaking the truth. There’s no secret that he and I have never seen eye to eye.”
“Burne is my father’s most trusted advisor. He won’t even listen to my words over his. In addition, if Burne doesn’t trust you even with a Soul Imprint in place, it can only mean that he has a very good reason.”
“His reason is that I am too talented and he’s worried that I can’t be controlled.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing. Like I said, I’m just very interested in something that I doubt I can claw out of him.”
Sigil raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”
“Imbued Resonance. What is that?” Theron’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. For the first time, he actually did look like a 14-year-old boy.
Sigil blinked for a moment and then erupted into a fit of laughter. He laughed so hard he wiped tears from his cheeks.
Old man Barren once more went back to not paying attention.
Theron blinked for a while. “What? Did I say something funny?”
“No… No…” Sigil tried to catch his breath. “It’s just that… ah… never mind… I thought you were about to ask me for family secrets or something. Imbued Resonance is not a secret. You probably only haven’t learned about it because it doesn’t appear often in books circulated amongst mortals. Third and Fourth Year martial stream books mention it all the time.
“The secret of Imbued Resonance is the first part of its moniker. Those that reach Imbued Resonance can mimic the abilities and control of Imbued Mancer Beasts. Sometimes that is literal, as in it comes from Echoes. At other times, it’s not so literal…
“Flux Mancers, for example, can reach Imbued Resonance with their fists or their weapons. Elemental Mancers are more on the literal side of things and can touch shocking levels of control with their elements.
“The Ironharts—you’ll meet some today—are an excellent example. Earth Mancy has an incredibly high ceiling, but an incredibly low floor at the same time. There is Earth Mana literally all around us, and in large quantities at that, unlike Wind Mana. But the Heavens are fair and balanced.
“Because of this, controlling Earth Mana imbued into the ground is incredibly difficult. The Ironharts, however, can… imbue their Mana into the ground, converting the Earth Mana and controlling it with far greater ease.
“This is Imbued Resonance.”
Theron’s eyes glowed from start to finish, hanging on every word.
“Of course, it can get much more complicated. For example, Soul and Spirit Mancers, due to their proximity and affinity with Flux Mancers, can sometimes gain their sort of Imbued Resonance abilities too—and vice versa.
“Flux and Elemental Mancers are on opposite sides of the spectrum, so we usually have no luck in that regard. But we have a small chance at some Soul Mancer abilities like Treasure Control and such…”
Sigil paused. “Ah, seems I’ve spoken too much. It’s your time to be introduced now, go on.”
Theron snapped out of his intent listening and stood.
“Thank you for the explanation. See you soon.”
With that, he turned and left for the banquet.