Nero noticed the visible disappointment on the doctor’s face and could only smirk. Her obsession with studying his body was unusual to say the least, but she was reliable at least, and had kept his secret. Even though he had told her that the colour change was due to what he encountered in Perilith, it was a relatively weak defense.
Sure, it was more believable than having two innate abilities, so if it was ever leaked, Nero expected that the story would stand. But the problem was that upon intense scrutiny his story would crumble because he didn’t have actual knowledge about what could change his eye and hair colour. Yes, he could continue to make things up, but such things could only work for so long. So, her discretion was greatly appreciated by Nero.
"Thank you for everything you’ve done, Dr. Iris," Nero said with full sincerity, clenching and unclenching his hand as he did. With Dr. Iris reversing whatever she had done to restrict his body, he could once again feel his full strength, and it was far, far beyond what he had when he faced the Exarch. Nero almost felt like he had too much strength and energy coursing through his body.
A side effect, though, was that as the suppression on his body was lifted, he felt a strain on his mind increase as well. It seemed Dr. Iris had somehow suppressed his fluctuating emotions during this time as well.
"If it hadn’t been for your help, I probably would not have survived," he continued. "Hopefully, we will get a chance to work again in the future."
"Don’t count on it," Iris said dismissively. "Kolar is pretty big, and doctors are always in short supply. If we end up meeting again, it will likely be on another battlefield."
"There would be no place more reassuring to see you," Nero said with a smile, and meant every word. What better place to find a doctor than on a battlefield?
Iris snorted, and then dismissed him, allowing Nero to gather his things and leave. She seemed quite upset at his departure, but the moment he left the room, a smirk appeared on her face.
She opened a file she had been holding, and right at the top of the file was a letter of acceptance for her application as a teacher in KMA. There was no way she was going to give up on such a valuable research subject after finding it.
Speaking of transfers, her thoughts went to Earl, and her smirk faded. He had also put in a request for transfer, and she had heard that Sage Triss herself had approved his application.
Thinking about Earl’s son, that cute little boy, she could not help but sigh. It seemed things were getting chaotic again.
Despite how dangerous the curses of this world were, the most devastation was always caused by other humans. It seemed Kolar’s performance of waging a world war had deterred overt competition, but incited covert operations. That was always the hardest to look out for.
Nero meanwhile, blissfully unaware of Iris’ plans, had to try hard to keep himself from bouncing off the walls. He had gone from having barely any energy at all to suddenly having too much energy, not to mention that walking had never felt easier. In fact, it was so easy that it was actually hard not to launch into a fast paced walk.
His enthusiasm, however, needed to come to an end. Almost as soon as he left the hospital, he ran into the soldiers from corporal Thomas’ team, of which he was also a part. They took Nero back to his official barracks where Nero quickly got into uniform, grabbed his gear and followed them.
It seemed that Nero wasn’t the only one returning. A large number of soldiers were leaving the base, including many scientists, almost as if they were disbanding the base. How could that be? Had the wooden tavern stopped teleporting people, or was there some other issue?
Whatever the case, Nero would be accompanying many soldiers to their return to Fordham. Thus, the Corporal and all others were in a very serious mood.
Their arrival was a grand affair, and it was the very size of their caravan then that had attracted so many curses. Now, though, they were in a smaller overall group, yet the relative difficulty should be the same.
Nothing like traveling crosscountry with a military caravan to humble a newly elevated Initiate, but that could not damper Nero’s mood. For one, he was already in a somewhat bad mood owing to what happened with Noman. Secondly, the possibility of tough fights excited Nero, not discouraged him.
Yet just as Nero was about to follow his team to their assigned vehicles in the caravan, he received an unexpected summons from Lieutenant Earl.
Being singled out like that was highly unusual, and Nero could not think of what reason the lieutenant might have to summon him. Fortunately, he did not need to wonder for long.
In a rush, Nero was brought back to the lieutenants room which was now filled with even more files.
Before Nero even got time to report, or say something, the lieutenant waved at him to come over.
"I’ve summoned you here because of an urgent report that has been transmitted to all high level officers in Kolar," Earl said, pointing at the very report in your hand. "This report has the names of all Kolari citizens who have been deemed likely assassination targets. Your name is on the list as well."
Nero was stunned. He had just walked over and had only glanced at the document, not even getting a chance to read it yet, when he heard the lieutenant’s words and froze. Now why was he in danger of assassination?
"This is in response to something that is happening not just in Kolar, but globally," Earl continued. "All Card Masters who have any means to combat cursed energy are being targeted for assassination by a very powerful cult. Whether it’s through unique recipes for various cards, or through innate abilities, anyone with the ability to directly combat cursed energy is a target.
"We have reason to believe that Noman, too, was targeted for his ability to seal cursed objects. His contributions during the Lumina ruins were too prominent as compared to his level. Your fire’s ability to wear out cursed energy is also relatively well known by now, and that has put you in danger too."
Nero tried to grasp at what he was being told. Assassinations were being conducted across the world? Was there really a cult so powerful?
"How can that be? How can a mere cult stand up against so many countries?" Nero asked, confused.
Earl grimaced at the question, then looked towards Nero.
"Just as we use Blank Template Cards at the moment of stabilisation to turn people into Neophytes, members of this cult are known for using special means to gain access to cursed energy, all without losing their minds. Basically, they are Tainted, but without the corresponding bloodlust and insanity," Earl answered, his gaze distant.
Nero’s horizons were expanded, for this was something he had never heard of before. Tainted were people or animals that had basically been corrupted by Cursed energy, their minds destroyed and their bodies becoming a vessel for the curse.
The vine that infested his dormitory back in Mount Aidin came to mind, though the students then still didn’t count as fully Tainted since they were only being used as aether batteries.
"They call themselves the Cult of Eldruin. Do not let the name fool you, they are a devastatingly powerful force that has caused the death of multiple Sages back in the day. We previously thought that they had already been destroyed, but it seems that is not the case.
"The reason I’m telling you all this is because, well, you need to be made aware of this. One reason is so that you can pay better attention to your own security, but another is because you have been tagged as a priority recruit, to be sent to a special, secure location until your term at KMA can begin."
Nero frowned, his mind quickly deliberating between the pros and cons of the situation.
"Can I choose to complete my sentence?" Nero asked, turning to look at the lieutenant who had not been expecting that.
"You can, but you will get no special privileges under me. Your future might be more secure if you choose to go under protection."
Nero resisted the urge to scoff.
"My sister-in-law was tagged as having a special innate ability and kept in one of these safety centers. The last I heard of her, she had been kidnapped by Clear Path. I will not rely on others for my security - I would rather continue to accumulate my own strength, and I think I can do that better at Fordham," Nero answered with a mix of sincerity and tactful omission.
Technically , the last he heard of Irene, she had escaped from Clear Path, but whatever. That didn’t matter now.