To be entirely honest, the white streak didn't look bad. In fact, it looked quite cool. The reason Nero was able to stay so calm despite the sudden change within his eye was because this was something he had already anticipated, although admittedly it had slipped his mind while he focused on testing his new innate abilities' limits.
His eyes and hair had turned blue because of the elemental affinity of his cryoflame, which appeared as a blue flame. By that logic, it was completely reasonable for his eye colour to change to the colour corresponding to his second ability.
What was interesting, however, was that instead of silver, like the moonlight, the streak in his eye was white.
Internally, Nero changed his ability back to cryoflame, and then summoned a tiny flame on his finger to see if the white streak disappeared. Unfortunately, the change was not immediate. It would take some time.
This was something he had to address. At the same time, he was certain that his mother, at the very least, had already seen the change in his eye colour though she hadn't mentioned it. His father might have noticed it as well, since he was the one who sent Nero to the bathroom.
That was good, since he wanted them to know that there was something going on, though he dared not share the secret just yet.
It was less because he didn't trust them, and more because he wasn't sure what was possible. There were too many abilities and Eldrim cards out there, and Nero wasn't sure how they might be able to detect his secret. In that case, it was best to leave it unsaid.
But since his parents had an idea that he was hiding something important, they could give him good advice and lead him in the right direction.
He extinguished the flame on his finger, and carried the bucket of water to his father.
"Old man, you're good with illusions. What's a good way to keep people from noticing the oddity in my eyes if it crops up? I don't want people looking at me oddly," Nero said, directly addressing the topic instead of tiptoeing around it.
While Nero did not even trust Gabriel properly, there was no one he trusted more than his family.
"What's wrong with your eye?" Edward finally asked, looking at Nero carefully. "It's not some curse, is it?"
"Vitamin C deficiency," Nero answered, and sat down opposite his father and looked down at the food. For once, it was not processed rations. Instead, they were eating food that they had hunted themselves.
Both his parents had taken the time to show him how to check the meat for any traces of curses, disease, parasites and such, and then prepare it for consumption in case he ever needed it.
Edward snorted, and then laughed.
"I remember when Patrick started keeping secrets for the first time. He managed to keep it for a whole two hours before he asked me to meet him outside, and then spilled the beans. He'd kissed a girl for the first time and thought that it made her pregnant. That's the day…"
"Yes, I remember it clearly, no need to revisit," Nero said in an annoyed tone, getting horrific flashbacks to the traumatic day his father had given him and Patrick the talk about the birds and the bees.
The metaphor was apt, for birds and bees, cursed or not, were some of the most deadly creatures in existence, and encountering them would be a traumatic experience for anyone.
"I'll give you a simple illusion card. Since it's limited to your own body, no one should notice - unless they get close enough for a kiss."
Edward winked at Nero, but the teenager only groaned.
"On a serious note, though, I think I'm going to have to leave tonight, so it's time for a conversation I was hoping to have a few days later."
Nero suddenly found himself in the familiar illusionscape of Luminalink, and saw his father's expression in front of him turn quite serious.
"Nero, you've always been a good kid. Your mother and I are proud of you, and of how much you've grown. But unfortunately, kid, you need to grow up much faster now. The situation in Kolar is bad, and it's going to get a whole lot worse."
"We were just at war with the whole world. How can it get worse?" Nero asked.
Edward shook his head.
"Nero, we have access to Eldrim ruins. Although it appears like the worst is behind us, it's not. The whole world is going to change, and whether it's fortunate or unfortunate, we're going to be caught up in the turmoil caused by that change. You need to quickly get stronger if you want to have any hope of surviving such a drastic change, let alone affect it in any way.
"But it's not just that. The danger's we're facing now are a lot worse than before. Ever since that silver moon has appeared in the sky, things are slowly heading in a negative direction. It's not been officially announced yet, but about eight hours ago, near the western arm of the Aether mountain range, a city was overrun by curses.
Everyone, including the Ascendant incharge of the city, are suspected dead at this time.
"It's only going to get more chaotic from here on out. I'm not certain, but from what I was able to find out, the reason you're being sent to Fordham is because they're interested in the curse elimination effect of your innate ability. But even I wasn't able to find out exactly what they intend to use you for. Whatever it is, it's going to be dangerous."
Nero nodded, taking his fathers warning very seriously.
"You're also going to begin your military career. Actually, you already have, but I wasn't there at the time to give you any advice, so I'm going to give it to you now. Although you don't show it, I know you have a bit of a short temper. Try not to offend everyone you meet - making friends is a lot more useful than making enemies."
Through immense self control, Nero managed to resist blushing. He had flashbacks of himself beating up Bael, and then Arter, of speaking down to Maximilian. The flashbacks didn't end there - even during his training, while he was in the draft, as long as anyone irritated him, or got in the way of his objective, Nero was not pleasant to them - to put it mildly.
"I have more friends than anyone," Nero lied with a straight face. "I only make contacts, not enemies."
Edward studied Nero for a moment, and then placed his hand on Nero's shoulder and said, "I'm proud of how good you've become at lying. If I wasn't the one cleaning up your messes, I would have believed you."
This time, Nero did blush from embarrassment.
"But on a serious note, make contacts. Make them with your peers, and make them with your seniors. Be a little tolerant of others, though not to the point where they take your tolerance for weakness. But where possible, try not to offend your CO (commanding officer). They're going to be mean and harsh, but you're not a kid anymore. You can't act out because someone hurt your feelings.
"Most importantly, Nero, do not for a second start thinking that you're actually the best, or the strongest. You've had some successes recently, which means that this is the point where your success goes to your head. Don't make that mistake. Do not underestimate anyone. It's fine to say such things on a podium and on a stage - rhetoric is the language of the masses.
"But never actually believe that you are the best, because the moment you start thinking that, you will begin to underestimate your opponents, and that will cause you to lose."
Nero nodded, and listened to his fathers guidance seriously. Although Edward liked to joke most of the time, he was also the one mainly responsible for Nero's training and upbringing.
Any time he was in trouble, Nero referred to the words or guidance of his father, and so far it had not led him astray. Almost immediately, Nero altered the way he talked to himself, no longer deluding himself in thinking that he was the best. He was only very good.
"Of course, if anyone bullies you, don't forget that I have your back. But neither I, nor you, nor the Sages can go against the whole world. Even the emperor could not take on the whole world. So pick your battles carefully.
"There's also a few more things I wanted to tell you. After our last chat about Radix Augmentation, we did a little more research. It seems that the stronger versions of the card, which we specifically designed for the Initiate and Arcanist realm, do not have the effect of strengthening the body from killing curses.
We do not know why, so for now, I'm going to recommend that you stick to Radix even after you reach the next levels, though the efficiency will decrease."
"If everything goes according to plan, in the next six months I should reach the Initiate level."
Edward nodded.
"Good. The stronger you are, the better it is for us. The dangers we face are more than just curses. I got a lead on who was targeting you in Lumina, and then in the courts. The situation has become extremely complicated."