Chapter 120: Chapter 114: Conceptual
After Dean had left, the boys just lay in their beds. They seemed to have a lot on their minds.
Cass asked, "You excited?"
Zeke asked back, "About what?"
Cass replied, "About tomorrow. I mean, we’re finally revealing ourselves to the world. Until now, we’ve done a lot, but we’ve mostly stayed in the shadows."
Zeke replied, "Hmm... but we’re not really revealing ourselves, are we? We’re just solidifying the facade that we’ve created even more."
Cass said, "Still. We are gonna be battling some of the greatest geniuses of our generation."
Zeke replied, "Well, you’re not wrong, but we can easily crush them all. But it will be interesting. I haven’t fought against them before."
Cass asked, "Who?"
Zeke replied, "The Imperials."
Cass could see a curious glint in Zeke’s eyes. He knew there was more to it than Zeke was letting on, so he decided to push him a little bit.
He asked, "Are the Imperials special somehow? You seem a bit too interested."
Zeke said, "Oh, they’re special, alright. Real special."
Cass asked, "Special how?"
Zeke replied, "Have you ever wondered why only these four families were granted the status of Imperial Families? Or why they were allowed to maintain autonomy, even if it was only to a certain extent? I mean, there were many others who made great contributions to the Federation, so why only them?"
Cass replied, "I have not. But now that you bring it up, it is quite weird."
Zeke continued, "The answer lies in their affinities."
Cass asked, "Their affinities? How?"
Zeke replied, "Hmm... how should I say this... they don’t have normal affinities."
Cass asked, clearly frustrated, "Will you stop talking in riddles?"
Zeke said, "Their affinities are not elemental in nature. They are conceptual."
Cass asked, "What?"
Zeke replied, "So the Mauryas from the Eastern Region have an affinity for Buddhism and Slaughter."
Cass was confused. Could even Buddhism and Slaughter be affinities? And even if they could, weren’t the two opposites in nature?
Zeke continued, "Let me explain. First of all, these conceptual affinities are quite mysterious in nature. The Buddhism affinity, for example, is a mix of Soul, Light, and another component that I hadn’t been able to figure out."
Cass noticed the use of ’had’ instead of ’have’ and asked, "So you have figured it out now?"
Zeke nodded and said, "Intent. The answer is Intent. Buddhism consists of Soul, Light, and the Intents of Benevolence, Selflessness, Purification, and a few others.
"All four Imperial Houses have conceptual affinities. House Ra from the Southern Region has an affinity for Truth. I don’t know the specific components. They are like the wizard civilization in webnovels.
"House Thorsson from the Northern Region has an affinity for Storm—i.e., Wind, Lightning, and the Intent of Destruction, Freedom, among others.
"Finally, we have House Windsor from the West. Their affinity is very unique, even by my standards."
Cass asked, "What is it?"
Zeke replied, "Plunder. They can steal their opponents’ skills and stats for a short while. The time and the skills depend on their attunement with the affinity. It’s more like a skill but at the same time, not."
Cass said, "Couldn’t that be dangerous for us? Also, how overpowered is that?!"
Zeke replied, "Well, if they can handle those skills and stats is another matter. Also, no, it’s not dangerous at all. Cause I have a plan. So here’s what we’re gonna do..."
Zeke proceeded to tell Cass what he was planning. By the time he was done, Cass was speechless.
He asked, "Were the Imperials your enemies in the past? Or were they traitors?"
Zeke asked back, "No, but why do you ask that?"
Cass put his hand on his forehead in disbelief as he asked, "Why do I...? You wanna traumatize these kids. They are kids!"
Zeke said, "They’re the same age as us. And we’ve been through much worse."
Cass said, "That is no excuse—"
Zeke cut him off, "And it made us stronger. We might be extremely strong for our Grades, but we have suffered just as much for that strength. These kids have potential. A lot of potential. Potential that could be compared to the you in my other life.
"But they are wildly arrogant. And that arrogance will claim their lives. So they need someone else to dial that arrogance back to confidence. Someone like..."
Cass completed his sentence, "... someone like us."
Zeke said, "Exactly. We have been born in the golden age of the Federation. Talent that would usually be born once in 50 years or even a century is now popping up like mold on wet bread. If this talent is nurtured well, we might just end up winning this war."
Cass sighed and said, "You’re probably right. But still, I pity these kids."
Zeke said, "You don’t have to participate, then."
Cass’s expression changed as he said, "No, I should also contribute."
Zeke said, "There’s really no need. I would be enough—"
Cass said, "No, I’ll do it."
Zeke suddenly smiled and said, "Wait a minute. You want to participate in the plan, don’t you? Is Mr. Goody Two Shoes finally showing his true colors?"
Cass said in a high-pitched voice, "Whaaat??! Nooo!!!"
Zeke said, "Then don’t take part in it. I dare you."
Cass fumbled with words for a second before saying, "Oh, dammit, fine. It actually sounds fun."
Zeke asked, "So you’re in?"
Cass replied, "Yes, I’m in. I swear to god, your company has ruined me. I used to be so nice."
Zeke said, "Whatever lets you sleep at night."
The boys decided that it was time to turn in. Cass was about to sleep when he suddenly had a question.
He asked, "Wait, who wins?"
Zeke just smiled and said, "Whoever’s stronger."
Then he closed his eyes. Cass pestered him a little more but stopped when Zeke continued to ignore him. Cass also went to sleep.
What they didn’t know was that Dean had returned for a minute and had inadvertently eavesdropped on their conversation.
