Alistair Thorne, upon learning of Skyler's return, burst into the royal castle's dining hall after hearing the young man had left the underground chamber.
He was breathing heavily, having rushed back, abandoning his previous task, only to find an unfamiliar yet familiar man seated at the head of the dining table, surrounded by an array of delicacies, issuing orders to the servants as if he owned the place.
Alistair sighed in relief, then scoffed.
Striding into the grand hall, he made his way toward the long table, gleaming under the glowing chandelier. The air echoed with the clinking of silverware as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from Skyler. His sharp, probing gaze fixed on his body.
"Not even a greeting? On my way here, I observed the many missing items. The servants informed me that you've taken every gleaming object you saw."
Skyler placed his cutlery aside, meeting Alistair's gaze without a hint of remorse.
As if he'd confess to having pocketed the temperature-regulating crystals, especially the one he had seen upon his arrival at the castle, and many other shimmering objects he had seen on his way to the dining hall.
He swiftly changed the subject.
"Uncle, I was hungry, so I came here. Let's skip the pleasantries. I went through a lot within that tomb. I nearly met my end!"
Alistair tapped his fingers on the table.
With a gesture, he dismissed the servants, who retreated. Then scrutinized him from head to toe, his expression unreadable.
The change in Skyler was undeniable.
"You've grown taller. Considerably. It's only been seven days since I last saw you. Just what the hell did you eat within the tomb?"
He leaned forward, his curiosity piqued, a mix of inquiry and solemnity in his voice. The air crackled with unspoken questions, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"Also, am I to ignore the many elemental crystals I detect within your body? A week ago, you were but a tri-elementist, but now your body holds five elemental crystals."
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Seeing a penta-elementist is rare—so rare that such individuals are seen only once a decade. Yet here one sits before me. What exactly happened inside the tomb? You will tell me, won't you, dear nephew? Or will you lie and claim you originally awakened five affinities from the start? If so, don't bother."
Alistair's lips curled up into a smirk.
"I already know Skyler Ironhart awakened only one affinity and had a 1-star potential. It didn't take me long to uncover your past."
Skyler's shoulders tensed.
He let out an awkward laugh, shifting in place as if looking for a way to dodge the questions being hurled at him.
His gaze flicked to his Status.
_______
Status:
Name: Skyler Ironhart
Race: Mix: Dragon, 40% // Angel, 20% // Demon, 20% // Spirit, 19% // Human, 1%
Elemental Affinity with:
1) Light: 10-star (Final stage)
2) Darkness: 10-star (Final stage)
3) Space: 10-star (Final stage)
4) Lightning 10-star: (Final stage)
5) Water 10-star: (Final stage)
6) Earth 5-star: (Initial stage)
7) Wind 3-star: (Middle stage)
8) Fire: (Locked)
9) ???
Overall Strength:
10-star Adept (Final stage)
Potential: 15-star Epic
(Currently locked due to 'Special Spirit Constitution'. No further information.)
Class: None
Skills/Spells: (17)
15) Voidstep: (Mythic tier)
The caster steps through the fabric of space, instantly reappearing at a chosen location—either one they envision or can see. The distance traveled depends on the amount of Space Evol utilized.
16) Wind Blades: (Novice tier)
A self-learned wind skill that generates several sharp, fast-moving blades of wind capable of slicing through the air, although it doesn't deal significant damage.
17) Earth Fortress: (Legendary tier)
A simple yet powerful earth-element skill that raises a towering, nearly impenetrable fortress around the caster. The stone walls are reinforced with Evol. With enough Evol, the caster can even expand the fortress to shield allies or ensnare enemies within.
System 505 Functions:
- System store: (Closed)
- System points: 21,450
Imagine pressing the words to:
- Enter 2nd level of Battle Royal (Locked)
- Exit Battle Royal (Not available)
_______
Should he feel relieved that Alistair could sense only five crystals within his body?
Fortunately, the calamity had given him a ring-type artifact—one that concealed the presence of all his remaining elements. As long as he wore the ring, it ensured others could detect only five elemental crystals in his body, no matter how strong they were.
Unable to bear Alistair's gaze any longer, Skyler ended up voicing his thoughts.
"Yes, please ignore the changes in me!"
Alistair raised an eyebrow.
"You do realize that's not possible."
Skyler's mind raced, but then a familiar innocent expression settled on his face—one he used while spouting nonsense.
"Uncle, some things are better left unsaid. But I suppose you won't let me go without an answer. So, I will only tell you this: I am not entirely human. I believe you know this better than I do. The changes you're seeing in me manifested alongside my true race."
With those simple words, he successfully shocked Alistair Thorne, who stood up, his chair scraping back with a loud sound. His dark eyes, flecked with blue, widened.
"What? How... you are not even a direct descendant! Then how... just how..."
Skyler showed perplexity outwardly but inwardly burst into his signature laugh.
Good. It was really his mother's side that wasn't entirely from the human race. Well, he inherited blue eyes, and considering the Queen also had blue eyes, it was possible she was a dragon or an angel. After all, he could tell he inherited his spirit and demon side from the figures in his subconscious.
Nevertheless, he had to admit—what an amazing idea he'd come up with on the spot! He always knew he was awesome!
Now that he had successfully diverted the man's attention, Alistair would assume that all the changes in his appearance—and the fact that he now had five affinities despite awakening only one—were due to his race!
His eyes secretly shone with satisfaction.
"Why not, uncle? It's possible. The genes can manifest in any generation, even if the direct descendants don't get those genes."