Season 1; Lightning and Steel.

"This prescription will help you reduce the pain. And here are some ingredients that may help you endure the internal or mental symptoms. We've given you a blessing, but that blessing will soon rot in the presence of the curse. Again, we're sorry for being unable to fix your troubles, your highness." the Cardinal expressed his apologies.

I am disappointed, knowing that I cannot rid myself of this curse right now. But I haven't given up.

I mustn't lose hope. I just need to find more knowledge. Until then, I must endure while continuing the path of knighthood.

"Be wary, Prince Civil. Now that you know more, your awakening could trigger any moment. Those suppressants we've given you don't suppress the awakening. It only slows it down. So, if tomorrow is your supposedly when it's gonna happen, with suppressants, it will just give you another day to live free of that curse. But it could happen anytime. Until then, I suggest you go back to your safe zone," the Cardinal warned.

Do I have no other choice than to go back to the Dukedom of de Valois? But it is already too late. I am here, in Count Luis's lands. Backing down now is futile and would only tarnish my stained history. I can imagine headlines with titles "The Heir of de Valois Runs away but then comes back a few days later tarnishes the reputation of his own and family." Hell no, would I like that.

"Thank you for your help and hospitality, Cardinal, Archbishop. But we must continue forth." I declared.

They both nodded.

"It seems we must part ways," I added.

The Cardinal smiled, "If fate brought us today, then we will see each other again."

We were escorted by a deacon out of the temple. But this time, I felt no vicious stares. That part relaxed me, except the one beside me.

"Thank you for your visit, guests." the deacon bowed.

We continued to the tables and took our horses. Where to now? I honestly don't know. I looked at Sebastian, who looked way more upset than I imagined.

"I'm sorry," I uttered.

He scoffed, "Well, fuck that sorry of yours."

"Don't be like that, Seth. I was faced with the unknown. What better would it do if I told you." I explained.

He glared at me, dead straight at the eyes. "I have the right to know whether I sleep beside with a Necromancer, don't you think? Here I thought we had mutual trust. Guess it was only on the battlefield."

I sighed. "Stop whining. You know now, don't you?" I paused. "What will you do now? Will you continue to follow this secretive prince?"

He still had a sulky face but looked straight at the dirt road. He did not answer me.

"I will go to the northwest, City of Drarc, to find my path as a Knight. Then I will venture south from there to the City of Ezlodon to find a Knight Master. Last, I must visit the City of Citburgh to go to the ancient library."

He scoffed, "You think I'll allow you to continue your plan? Hell no. You will go with me back to the Dukedom until you're problem is resolved."

I sighed. I knew this was gonna happen. But what can I do now? I have to change my plans. I have no plans to go back to the Dukedom. Not now, not yet.

So, I really have to resort to deceiving even Seth, huh?

I looked at him earnestly, "We'll stay back in the Inn for seven nights. Then we'll go back to the Dukedom. I will seek help from Duke de Valois for this, but for now, let's do an Adventure together around Count Luis's lands." I informed. I did not expect an answer since I knew he'd stay quiet.

And just like I expected, he was quiet throughout our journey back to the Inn. I went to my lodging while he stayed below to indulge in alcohol.

So he's that mad... Well, he will be much more than angry after his sleep. I plan on leaving down to North to the City of Erast to lose that mutt. Even if it means going into a territory of an enemy.

The city of Erast belongs to Marquis Victr. The vicious and cruel Marquis. He's sharp and influential. Top of the market chain. Best merchant out there in this Country. Even the harsh North flourished because of reign. I'm sure he is cruel and vicious but like any scamming merchant out there. He holds secrets and power that many noble houses don't know. And he's got far better surveillance throughout his lands.

If I sneak up there, I must be wary and careful. I can't be careless. I might need to stay there for a week or two to get rid of the knights that may be sent out to find me. If I'm correct, after running away from Sebastian, he's probably going to contact my Father, who I predict will ask the help of the Count to find me at all cost.

Tonight, at exactly midnight, I will leave.

Now that I think about it since I've got more time ahead, shall I go read what's the Fiery Lightning and Fortress of Steel is all about? I haven't read them yet, and I've got spare time to figure them out.

"Elle Stelsel," I muttered as I pressed on the empty air and slid the tip of my finger to the right.

[ List of Panels ]

- < Transferring Data Status { Adventurer ID }

- < Transferred Data { System Function }

- < System Name Added

- < Details of the Curse of Death

- < Details of the Fiery Lightning

- < Details of the Fortress of Steel

I pressed on the "Details of the Fiery Lightning."

[ Details of the Fiery Lightning. { Open }, { Close } ]

I clicked on the { Open } button, and the panel's input changed into a loading screen. How do I know what is a "loading screen"? Well, because of the Transferred Data I got. I suppose it's like when you open a site, it loads due to some lag or loading what's inside it? Well, only this time, it's not lag or requires a wi-fi or internet connection. It just needs to unveil and gather intel.

[ Unveiling the Information of Fiery Lightning | Status: Complete ]

The screen then went to a loading screen once more, and the input changed into a vertical rectangle panel, where I could scroll down, just like a phone.

Again, I only know these "things" thanks to the Transferred Data.

[ Fiery Lightning ]

- < Information: "Fiery Lightning is an elemental trait that an affliant could possess for them to be able to use the element of lightning. But Fiery Lightning is no ordinary elemental trait. Fiery Lightning consists of different types of lightning that bonded with different elements. The pink element is the blood retribution lightning, the yellow is the sound lightning, the white lightning is Zeus's lightning, the purple lightning is the darkness lightning, and the blue lightning is the ice lightning. This element is the most destructive and most dangerous amongst the elements along with the dark element. Most that possessed the Fiery Lightning died from the awakening phase. Those that survived had their minds messed up. But those that endured the pain and suffering became one of the stronger beings amongst the affliants."

- < Skills:

"Descendez des cieux [ { S } Tier ] - The ability to summon lightning from the heavens."

"Devenir [ { A } Tier ] - The ability to manifest lightning by using your essence."

"Devenez on [ { SS } Tier ] - The ability to combine the lightning with another element."

"Unifier [ { Passive } Tier ] - The ability to support 'Devenez on' in unifying two or more elements with lightning."

- < Un-awakened Phase: "The un-awakened trait will become burdensome for the holder. When the day comes when the possessor of this element, he/she will experience the loudest roar of lightning and feel the extreme pain of being shocked by thousands of lightning strikes."

Holy shit. Are you crazy? This is even worse than Curse of Death! Who would want this? Fuck power! Who would want to be struck by thousands of lightning! And I have this latched into my body and soul? Is this why I am an Elemental Necromancer, like what Isaiah thought I'd become? Then it's true.

I must look further into this in the Ancient Library. There, I might find the answers to prevent my awakening along with the Curse of Death.

Oh, Isaiah, you just gave me another reason to not pursue the path of a Mage. Fuck, I must ready myself with what comes next to this. I'm sure the Fortress of Steel would be the same as these two fucking "talents."

"Elle Stelsel." I did the same thing and opened the list once again. Only this time, click the 'Details of the Fortress of Steel.'

[ Details of the Fortress of Steel. { Open }, { Close } ]

I pressed the { Open } button and waited for the intel I was about to get.

[ Unveiling the Information of the Fortress of Steel | Status: Complete ]

It then loaded in front of me, the vertical rectangle.

[ The Fortress of Steel ]

- < Information: "The Fortress of Steel is the most durable and defensive steel. It's not just any ordinary steel, but steel made out of mithril ore. The rarest amongst the Iron Family. This magical trait allows you to use Mithril Steel in any way, but you will have to become a renowned blacksmith to control such elements. This is an element that can be bonded with other elements. After the de Valois family became the sword of the empire long ago, instead of becoming the shield, they were forced to stop the tradition of the smithy. That was the fall of the elemental control of The Fortress of Steel. But it is said that any direct descendants of Callisto Valois Macgowan, the first holder of the element Mithril, more specifically the Fortress of Steel. Only the de Callisto, de Valois, and de Macgowan descendants are capable of awakening such element."

- < Skills:

" Fortress of Steel [ { DVN } Tier ] - The skill to manipulate steel and create a fortress out of it."

" Weapon Creation [ { SS } Tier ] - The skill that allows the magical trait possessor manifest a sword made out of steel."

" Strength of Steel [ { SSS IV } Tier ] - The skill that allows you to become as durable and mighty like steel. No ordinary sword would scratch you."

" Steel Manipulation [ { SS } Tier ] - The skill that allows the magical trait possessor to manipulate the element and mold it into any shape he/she wants."

" Steel Bond [ { PRSTC } Tier ] - Is a parasitic tier skill that allows the M.T.P. to make a portion of his/her body a steel in a form or shape he/she likes."

" Unification of Elements [ { SS } Tier ] - Allows the M.T.P. to unify steel with other compatible elements and become dependent with one another."

" Steel Unscathed [ { Passive } Tier ] - Is the ability to not get hurt when attacked by any type of steel."

" Blessings of God Steel [ { AZ } Tier ] - The ability to hand out a blessing to a person, limited to only a person, and make them invincible against any type of steel."

- < Un-awakened Phase: "The trait possessor will have no choice but to go through steelification and blacksmith's madness before becoming an awakened Steel of Fortress successor. It does not do anything to you physically but will give you terror mentally. All you can do this time is to rely on your sheer willpower."

What is this? Isn't this just perfect for me? Wait... de Valois is just a branch family? I thought the de Valois is a founding family. But they're just a branch family of the founding family? Well, nevertheless. To think that de Valois had this kind of potential. Does Isaiah know about this?

That aside, I didn't know Callisto and Macgowan were our relatives. Is that why the head of Duchy Macgowan was always so nice?

Also, it said that the direct descendants are de Valois, de Macgowan, and de Callisto. But it didn't say that we don't have any other more branch families. To think that these were all hidden from me... I would've stayed ignorant if it wasn't for Stelsel.

The de Callisto Family, if I remember, resides further west? Aren't they known for their merchandise and marketing in the west? They own The Piers Of Roxling, well to say that they own it is quite an exaggeration. But! They do own most of the properties there. I'm sure some nobles reside in that area, too.

"That damn master! Who does he think he is!" Sebastian's voice sounded on the halls of the second floor.

That guy. He's making a ruckus!

"Shush, sweetie. Let's get you into bed." a woman.

Look at him. To think we are at the same age. Unbelievable.

"Are you gonna comfort me in my bed?" he seductively whispered. Well, loud enough for me to hear inside my chambers. Guess that doesn't count as a whisper.

And why the hell am I even listening to this bull crap? I'm sorry, virgins out there. He just can't contain himself.

This is all going in my favor. As soon as they start hitting it off, I can take the opportunity and leave. I'm sure he won't like the news, but he will accept it eventually.