13 The Faults of Society

The tests at Maximillian's manor were a complete success. While Kathina was startled by Persephone's abrupt change of attitude once she started using her magic as well as when she stopped, she was glad that it was success. Persephone's gleeful eyes of insanity when she was testing her magic lay in complete stark contrast with those disdainful, hateful eyes once she finally stopped. Thankfully they were able to confirm that Kathina was indeed the source that calmed Persephone down the first time at the courtyard. Afterwards they tested the effectiveness of the G-Pills which also proved to be a success. Shortly after they enjoyed a nice dinner served by Maximillian's personal chefs, before preparing to leave.

"It's getting dark, guess I'll be going home now."

Persephone seemed rather downcast compared to her usual lively self. Kathina thought that perhaps the confirmation that her magic is inherently 'evil' in nature is damaging Persephone's sense of self. Kathina turned to look at Maximillian to find that he seemed rather nonchalant about her change of character. Perhaps he knew that it was better to leave Persephone alone on that matter for now and that perhaps Kathina should follow suit. Howver, before Kathina could bid farewell to Maximillian, he suddenly spoke up.

"You go on ahead there's something I need to confirm with Kathina... alone."

"Haaah? What could you possibly talk about alone with Kathina?!"

The sudden turn of events left Kathina speechless, she could only watch on in dreadful anticipation of the volatile situation.

"What? Is there a problem?"

"No it's-"

"It's what? Are you implying that there's some special reason why I shouldn't be able to confirm something with Kathina alone?"

"What are you sayin-"

"I'm saying that unless you have some hidden agenda there should really be no problem at all with Kathina staying with me for a while alone. Correct?"

A light blush appeared on Persephones face as she frantically scrambled to explain herself.

"Ahah... well... well I... you see... it's because..."

"Well... go on. What's wrong?"

Persephone mouth struggled to piece together any sort of structured sentence while only muttering gibberish. Her cheeks grew rosier with every passing moment while when Kathina took a glance at Maximillian, she can see some sort of childish yet sadistic delight in his eyes.

In the end, the red faced Persephone rushed home with a quick "goodbye."

"Sorry I had to you through all that. You know how persistent she can be."

When faced with the apology, Kathina could only barely hold back her light chuckle.

"Please don't mind it. Normally I would criticise you for being unnecessarily cruel but we both know that Persephone would probably forget about this by tomorrow."

"Exactly. I've been using a that strategy for quite a long time, it's hard to believe that she still doesn't learn."

"But it's what makes her so charming correct?"

"I guess you could say that, sometimes I wonder what would have happened to that naive child if I wasn't around..."

"But you'll always be there for her right?"

"Why would I not?.."

Once Maximillian let out his answer, an awkward silence fell in the room. However, Maximillian broke the silence shortly after, regaining control of the conversation's pacing.

"Anyway we didn't even get to why I wanted some private time with you."

"Oh yeah... well? What was it?"

"You see I wanted to talk about something which I would rather not talk about with Persephone."

"And that is?"

"This society that we live in right now."

"What do you mean?"

"We live in a society where every single person is defined by two things. Their birthright and more importantly their trait. Everything about a single person in our society, their properties, their status, their future, everything is decided the day you are born. Wether you are lucky to be born into a wealthy family with a desirable trait or you are born in a poverty stricken family with an undesirable trait, because of how our current society operates, your fate is written the day you are born."

"Um... I don't really understand what you are trying to say."

"I'm saying that our current society is unacceptable. It doesn't matter how capable you truly are as a person. If you are deemed 'undesirable' by society you end up being worth more than nothing but trash. It's a sick waste of human lives. Not in the same sense that people are killed for no reason but rather that people are thrown to the wayside just because they were unlucky enough to be born an undesirable."

Kathina was surprised at the sudden change of tone, Maximillian revealing his inner thoughts turned the atmosphere dark. [So this is what Maximillian really feels on the inside. While I can't say I agree with him completely I just can't bring myself to outright deny him. Perhaps it's because deep down inside... I know he's right]. With this in mind Kathina opened her mouth.

"It is rather sad and pitiable. I mean look at Persephone when her trait was first revealed, everybody was deathly scared of her! But look, look at the changes she's been making, with her we can change this right?"

"No."

"What are you-"

"It's because the people who stand to lose from this change are the ones in power. And the ones

who stand to gain from this change have no power."

"but-"

"Even if people are convinced about Persephone, it will be under the idea that she's "unique" among the undesirables and those at top will do everything in their power to ensure that the undesirables won't benefit in the end."

"Well..."

"Come with me. I know it's late in the night but I wanna take you someplace. Show you something. Then you can decide for yourself if we can actually make a change in society."