Imminent Death (7)

"Good to see you are well Liliath, how are you feeling?"

"I am well mister, thank you for your concern." Liliath waved her hands as if to dismiss Keaton's remark.

Very princess-like.

"Enoch."

"Yes sir."

Keaton's subordinate placed the flower on the table beside Liliath. I see— there's a little card there that says 'get well soon'. How thoughtful.

Though.. our plans had just begun.

Before this, Liliath, being the smart princess and demon lord she was, discussed the risk of the shop function being exposed. Not to the general public but the higher-ups. Trisha had already explained as such.

As such, we came up with a story to explain the matter.

Having a capable princess who knows her stuff is truly a blessing huh?

"Let's get straight to the point, mister Keaton," Liliath said, upholding her divine smile.

"And what do you mean by that?" Keaton looked— genuinely confused.. ah, right.. this is the modern world. No wonder Liliath's absolute manner of speaking makes no sense, rather, her politic-like manner of speech doesn't even sound like modern politicians..

I should have told her to tone down a little. Opps.

"Uh, mister Keaton, just.. well, I know you have questions you want to ask so we just want to get that over with," I gestured my hands to invite both Enoch and Keaton to sit on the couch.

Liliath sent me a funny look.

Yeah right, princess speech literally destroyed the tension.. sorry for not saying it sooner… we're not having a meeting.

I sent her an apologetic look in response.

"I think I get a gist of what you're trying to say here," Keaton sat down on the sofa, leaning against the soft cushion, "About the elixir, first of all, where did you get such a thing?"

"I'll have Liliath explain that.."

Enoch, who had a bewildered expression, continued to stare at me.

I get it, I get it. You're weirded out because there's an actual princess in the room— not that he knows.. or does he know?

Keaton looked towards Liliath in anticipation.

"It was something I brought along with me when I was summoned, does that answer your question?" Liliath said.

"I see— was there anything else you brought along with you? Anything else crossed over to our world?"

Enoch was even more befuddled.

Yup. Crossing worlds, totally didn't expect that huh?

"The ragged clothes I wore.." Liliath muttered, "Though, it had been disposed of."

"It's alright then. And just a side note, the tube that contained the elixir before is sent to the lab for testing, I'm sure you two wouldn't mind?"

I saw Keaton's brow flinch a little. Don't tell me he's interested in that rag too? No fucking way.. no.. in fact, It would make sense wouldn't it? It might be made of some unknown material. Heck! Why didn't I think of that?! It could be sold for thousands of dollars!

I killed the voice in my mind, maintaining my stiff, cramped smile.

Damn it, I knew I should've used my brain a little more.. or did my mom not dispose of it yet.. I'll have to ask her. There's also that slave collar—

I probably shouldn't.

"I don't foresee any issues with that. Though, I digress that elixir is something bestowed by the Gods and cannot be procured through ordinary methods."

"Really?" I asked.

I'm surprised I even asked. Maybe this would make the play more realistic.

"Yes," Liliath graced me a diplomatic smile.

I slap my hand to my face. Gosh darn, we aren't in some kind of official meeting for gosh sake. I couldn't help but hit myself.

"Next on the agenda. Enoch, please introduce yourself."

"Yes sir," Enoch stood up and gave a gentlemanly bow. "My name is Enoch. My TALENT allows me decipher another person's TALENT into tangible words."

"Well, every student starting from this year has to go through his screening, but please be informed that the information won't be improperly divulged and be kept in all secrecy," Keaton supplemented.

"Okay.. so that means you can tell what my TALENT is?"

That's… surprising.

"To explain again," Enoch's voice was the sharp, freshman kind of tone. He looked like he just graduated or something, barely 20 years old in my eyes. "My TALENT allows me to put into words the ability of an individual's TALENT."

"So I'll ask for your permission here.. though.. your parents are not around?" Keaton looked around. It was apparent I needed to sign some sort of form or get permission.

"I can contact them if needed?"

"It's just a few forms, I think I'll just pass it to you. Have them sign after confirmation and pass it back to me during school enrollment, no problems with getting a cool name for your TALENT I presume?" Keaton held out the file to me.

"Yup, no problems there."

School enrollment. Ah right. There's that too.. I totally forgot..

"So, Enoch, what reading did you get?"

"It's a surprising one actually."

"What could it be?" Liliath asked.

Urged by all of us, Enoch spoke.

"Something to do with creation.. and real life?" Enoch said, a finger to his chin and pondering, "I think it can be called, like 'Manifestation into Reality'. That's the name I most appropriate for your TALENT."

Huh?

What?

My mind went blank for a second there.

"Come again?"

"Manifestation into reality. I think that's the most accurate name I can come up with."

My TALENT isn't a gacha app thing? No, rather, I should be surprised that I even had a TALENT. So it's confirmed, I have a TALENT after all. That's relieving.. not.

The name of my TALENT sounded like something crazy big somehow..

Manifestation Into Reality?

Huh?

Seriously?

WHat the hEck?

"It might have a large impact on the world.. I think.." Enoch's voice echoed as we indulged in our stupor. Keaton, like me, showed dismay.

Don't tell me my TALENT could possibly have the potential to destroy the world— that can't be the case can it?

"T-That's not an error, right? Isn't my TALENT just a summoning.."

At this rate, wouldn't all my secrets be unravelled?

Sucks to know but I guess I have no choice..

But there's a danger to it.. if by any chance they learn that my TALENT has something useful, especially the shop function, I'll definitely be recruited by the government, just like little Enoch there. Oh, right, I forgot to mention that Enoch is shorter than me— taller than Liliath though.

I want my own freedom..

I gritted my teeth.

"Have you experienced any unusual abilities besides summoning Liliath, Noel?" Keaton, who regained himself, asked.

"Liliath's sudden illness is one right? And the elixir.."

No.. I can't tell him about it.. not yet.. give me some time to think over my next plan. Should I or should I not reveal it?

"I see. Be sure to report if you learn anything new about your TALENT," Keaton said in a serious matter-of-fact tone.

"I understand," I replied while hanging my head.

"Is there anything wrong Noel?" Keaton asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. I just didn't expect to have this sort of TALENT. I'll be on watch 24/7 from now on isn't it?"

"Relax, we don't intend to violate your privacy," Keaton replied with a shrewd smile.

Yeah right.. I can tell from that smile of yours that you're hinting at my interaction with Liliath, son of a..

"Next thing on the list, Liliath."

"Yes?"

"Regarding your education, It seems we would have to decide on an option to deal with that matter. I understand that you are very familiar and well equipped with knowledge in your world, but this world practices a different education system. With this said, can I first hear your opinion regarding how you would like us to help support you in furnishing yourself with the necessary skills from our world?"

"Noel can help out with that, correct?" Liliath gave a 'normal' short reply in response.

"So as long as Noel is there huh?" Keaton muttered.

Ugh.. What did you just say Liliath..

"Alright, I guess it's alright if you study together with Noel is that right? Though, there will be a steep learning curve in the beginning but if that's your wish then I won't go against it."

"I never did say that such was my wish, I merely expressed my thoughts about the matter. That said, I will accept the proposal, I intend to give my all in regards to assimilating what I need to know about this world."

Like shooting bullets at each other, I shifted my gaze between Liliath and Keaton. Was it just me or is Keaton trying to speak like a medieval politician? No.. real medieval politicians wouldn't speak in this way.. it's the 'made-up' and 'exaggerated' kings and queens kind of discussions found between the pages of light novels.

"I guess we can end it here."

"Eh.. what?"

"Let's go Enoch, thank you for your time Noel and Lady Liliath."

"Likewise. Thank you for dropping by," Liliath smiled.

"Uh.. what.."

I felt like I just missed out on a truck ton of information there.. so in the end.. what did they decide on? I had a brain fog.

Welp, I'll know about it when it comes to it..

With them gone, I heard Liliath leak a heavy sigh.

I turned to her to see her staring right back at me with a serious look.

"Yes?"

"It's a serious matter don't you think? Your abilities are to be exposed if they continue piecing the puzzle pieces together. You mentioned before that you wanted to keep yourself under the shadows?"

"Y-yeah.."

Liliath is quick to the uptake.. I kinda wonder what goes through her head at times like these.. must be some serious shenanigans.

"Doesn't that put us at risk?" Liliath queried.

"Not really.. it's more of an emotional thing.. I think? It's not like we'll have to enter politics if we were found out, just.."

I couldn't really think of anything. I myself don't really know why I'm trying to hide my TALENT. In the first place, hiding my TALENT would be much riskier than revealing it? Actually, both have their pros and cons.. Ugh.. I don't know really.

I guess I should really just tell Keaton about my TALENT huh? It's inevitable that it will be found out about anyways.

"I think I can understand your sentiments Noel," Liliath said, "It's to do with each person's values, perhaps working for those with high positions, being requested to do tasks against your will due to the responsibility you bear as the individual in possession of a powerful ability."

Wow… how the heck did Liliath figure that out? I didn't even say anything?

Liliath smiled wryly at my dumbfounded expression.

"I understand how you feel Noel, I've been there myself."

…

So the hypothesis where Liliath and I have the ability to tacitly understand each other's thoughts are true huh?

How the heck does that work?