Chapter 48: Chapter 48 : The Mark of Fate
[•••••]
The system remained silent despite his outburst. The warning in each screen a reminder to what role he’d have to play.
[This is the constraints of Fate.]
The system replied curtly.
"Yeah, yeah, Fate or whatsoever, so you’re telling me to just watched them die? " He sneered.
[•••••]
"Who are the one you refer to as ’they?’" Zeres asked, though he had already expected the system to remained quiet. And he was right—the system didn’t even care to reply.
"Yeah right, here you are, ruining my mood yet you won’t even give me the slightest knowledge I could use in the future."
[They have long been searching for you the moment you foolishly unleashed your presence. I can only tell you their name, but with one condition.]
The system shimmered faintly, as if daring Zeres to take the bait to something he’ll regret forever.
"What condition? I’m listening." Zeres crossed his arms, a grave expression cast over his pale features.
[You will have to accept a raise in your assimilation, that’s a requirement for you to know of this knowledge.]
[For the condition, you’ll just have to accept a tattoo I will engrave on your back.]
’The tattoo is suspicious, but it’s not like I have a choice in this. Let’s just gamble and foolishly hope it turns out good. ’
"What bad things will that tattoo bring me? " Zeres asked cautiously.
That tattoo being a condition for such important knowledge means it won’t be a good one.
[It will bind you the moment you interfered with the plot severely.]
The system replied flatly.
"Haha" a butter laugh came out from his mouth as he glared at the red screen hovering before him.
He pondered for a moment, then he nodded."Let’s do it then."
In an instant, a bright luminous red light engulf his entire figure. A wearing pain assaulted his back as if his skin was being torn.
"Fuck" he gritted his teeth as to both make a sound.
His vision blurring, he felt his strength leaving his body before he fell hard on the woven carpet on the ground.
Zeres’ unconscious body shifted, the red light going through his back, then a massive tattoo of the crescent red moon appeared on his back.
[•••••]
The red screen continued to hover mid air, then it stirred, before runes emerged from the red screen itself. It trembled, then it flew straight into Zeres’ head—etching the knowledge within his brain.
______________
Zeres eyes opened slowly, his long white lashes fluttering open.
"What the—I passed out? " he mumbled, his voice dry as he stood up.
Dusting off his pants, a sudden flow of knowledge surfaced inside his head. It wasn’t something that he’d know—that only meant one thing, it was the knowledge the system was talking about.
"Hey system, how come this knowledge is useful? It’s not something I need right now." He said flatly, he had wished the system had a physical fork so he just beat it to death.
[•••••]
"Don’t tell me this is the one I need right now? " Zeres asked, he was confused.
Sure that was a knowledge that not even the royalties or scholar knew—but he didn’t need it right now.
"Haa, nevermind. It’s foolish of me to think things will go the way I want to—this world was set in a dark fantasy after all." He sighed, ruffling his hair—he gazed at the clock hanging on the wall.
"Six hours had already passed?"
"There’s still a banquet scheduled within two days." He said quietly. "This is hectic, can’t even get a rest."
"For now, I’ll just have to make myself presentable within the banquet." He mumbled.
Staring at the red screen hovering before him, he swiped his hands to remove them. Then he crossed the room.
Standing before a massive wardrobe, it’s polished dark oak wood gave it a sense of luxury, as if the clothes inside were of nobles.
Zeres touched the polished surface of the dark oak wooden wardrobe, then he opened the it and stared at the neatly arranged garments.
Inside the wardrobe hung several tailored coats in shades of black, silver, and deep crimson. The garments were expensive, yet surprisingly modest. There were no jewels or excessive embroidery, only fine fabrics and precise craftsmanship.
Zeres scanned them all carefully.
A black suit.
A white collared suit.
A tailcoat.
He stared quietly, then he sighed.
"Nevermind, I’ll do it later." He closed the wardrobe carefully, before throwing himself into his comfortable bed.
______________
"Saelyz, the Trial was interesting. But I wonder why you told me to throw in some coins on the academy staff just so they won’t record your match with that vampire? " a young-looking man asked behind the table.
The surface of his table was filled with books, unopened letters and a quill and ink.
The room stilled for a moment as he stared at Saelyz. The candles flickered.
"It turned out to be a good idea." Saelyz replied flatly. Her long raven-black hair cascading down her back. Curtain bangs covering her forehead and a sharp golden eyes stared straight at the man seating behind the polished table.
"Care to tell me what it is that turned out great? " the man’s golden eyes sharpened, a faint and low smile tugging at his lips.
"That vampire, Zeres—he’s also a dual-affinity gifted."
The man froze, his eyes widened—then he sprang up from his seat.
"You’re telling me this generation have that many dual-affinity? If it’s true, then it’s already three of you kids that are dual-affinity gifted."
"What’s his other affinity aside from blood? " the man asked, the quill on his hand dripped with ink.
"Dark affinity"
"That’s dangerous, we might have to re-think our decision—that may also be the reason why the church is already moving." The man clicked his tongue.
"Before that, the letter you’re supposed to write—it’s dripped with ink already." Saelyz pointed with her slender finger at the parchment resting on her father’s table.
"Ohh, right! " the man sighed, then he held the parchment up.
"Cleanse thy dirt" be chanted.
Saelyz’s calm expression cracked, picking up the pillow on the couch—he threw it straight at the man before her.
"Your chant sounds like a pope of the church. How disgusting."
