Dreambreaker

Chapter 106: Truth and lies

"This way, please"— Ophelia Delacroix guided me through the labyrinthine manor of Darkthorn's.

As I walked, I couldn't help but recall the conversation I had with Master Seraphina just yesterday:

-"Your classes are set to begin in a week, which leaves me with less than a week to teach you anything. That's why, I've decided to send Seneschal Liam to Arcanum Blades academy. By using the Darkthorn family insignia, we will secure special permissions and privileges for you at the Academy. This means you won't have to formally request a leave of absence."

-"Leave... of...absence?"

-"You will be training under me for a whole month, before you're allowed to go back to the academy."

-"What? You can't do that!"

-"Oh but, I can? I am Seraphina Darkthorn, and I can do whatever I want."

-"This is absurd!...People will learn that I am your pupil. My secrets will be spilled!"

-"I see no problem in others discovering your affiliation with me."

-"B-But-"

-"Even after your return to the academy, I will continue to provide personal training, once a week, and occasionally whenever I have the time. You will be expected to be present without any excuses. Noah Grey, remember this: you are my disciple, and you will obey my every instruction."

...

Curses.

I cursed under my breath, frustrated with myself for underestimating the gravity of the situation.

I had only anticipated learning a few secret techniques, not this level of commitment.

And what did she even meant by 'training'? Something tells me it won't anything pleasant.

But the biggest problem of all is that after the revelation at the Academy, when the news is spread, I would have to explain the entire situation to uncle Ethan...my company, my finances...

News outlets, the main cast, the hero program... Too much nonsense

But thinking about it logically, it is not such a big deal....

I mean, the real reason why I was even laying low and hiding my true capabilities was that I didn't had any background.

I was simply a nobody in this world.

I didn't have a protagonist plot armor.

There was no grand family lineage to boast of, nor did I have close-knit relationships with influential friends or relatives who could offer support.

Every action I took had consequences, which is why I constantly concealed my abilities and true intentions.

Everything I have, everything which I have achieved thus far has been through my own efforts— everything, except for my life.

My life is a gift given by my parents, safeguarded by grandfather, and guided by the whims of fate.

But now, I don't have to hide anything... I have Seraphina as my backer.

I don't need to lay low anymore. I can just be myself.

And that's good.

In the not-so-distant future, the name of Arcanum Blades Academy will be ringing all over the world.

Arcanum will become a famous institution.

Naturally, everyone will come to know about a young boy named Aeravat and the main cast.

But it's unheard of, for a 16 year old like Aeravat to reach (C-) rank. It will draw a lot of attention.

Many are unaware, but the demons have recently started to aim for High priority targets in every domain.

In human domain, demons are constantly infiltrating the Revati continent. And the reason for that is Hero of light, Rune Valtari, who is currently only 17 years old. Rune Valtari, along with many other talented teenagers, are considered to be powerful assets for the future of humanity. Soon, the names of the main cast will join this high-priority list.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what will happen next.

In the original novel, main cast was barely able to survive when the demons invaded Arcanum blades Academy. Many students died.

But this time, when that invasion

happens, I would be there with all of my power.

And as the disciple of Seraphina Darkthorn, I wouldn't have to answer any questions from authorities about why or how I possess such immense strength. Nor would I have to explain the origin of my unusual gadgets and 'mysterious' artifacts.

"We're here," Ophelia alerted, jolting me back to reality.

"Her Excellency Seraphina is waiting inside. You may proceed," Ophelia graciously held the door open for me.

"What about you? Won't you join me?" I asked.

"No, this is a private matter, pertaining to your business. Unless you insist on my presence at the meeting, I see no reason for me to come along."

"Hmm, that's true."—I said, looking inside the beautiful room. My eyes slowly caught the view of glass chambers here and there.

"But I wouldn't exactly call it as a business meeting," I said, stepping into the Remains Sanctum.

It was the place where preserved body parts of mythical and legendary creatures, slain by the Darkthorns, were stored.

***

Seraphina Darkthorn's POV:

"You're familiar with the first human-demon War?" I casually asked, without bothering to turn around as I strolled through the halls of the Remains Sanctum.

"Year 367, marking the end of the Hafling Era," Noah swiftly answered.

Rows of display cases, filled with the preserved body parts of legendary beasts, lined both sides of the corridor. I paid no mind to them, simply continuing onward. "And what do you know about the history behind the creation of St. Sebastin?"

"Rebecca, the Goddess of Light, aided the lineage of King Sebastin in uniting the fragmented estates, forming the grand kingdom known as St. Sebastin. This occurred 150 years prior to the first Human-Demon War, in the year 217," Noah promptly replied.

'He's sharp.,' I pondered.

"You know, Noah, the Human-Demon war that you've been taught never actually took place," I casually dropped the bombshell, causing Noah to come to a sudden halt. I could hear his footsteps cease behind me.

With a sly smile, I turned to look at him over my shoulder.

"What do you mean, Master?" Noah asked, clearly perplexed.

Motioning for him to follow, we resumed our walk through the expansive hallway.

"The truth is, Noah, the Human-Demon war is nothing but a fabrication. In fact, there has never been a grand war between humans and demons, as depicted in history books, folklore, legends and tales. It's all a cleverly concocted lie that has been fed to the masses. Only a select few people in this world knows the true knowledge of history."

"Anything catch your eye yet?" I casually asked, gesturing towards the lifeless remains of the creatures.

"No..." he weakly responded, his mind still grappling with the information I had shared. We continued walking down the corridor.

"While it is true that the Goddess of Light played a role in the establishment of St. Sebastin, it wasn't exactly Rebecca," I revealed, maintaining our steady pace.

"W-what do you mean, Master?" This time Noah stammered.

"Rebecca was not the first Goddess of Light; there were many before her. 'Goddess of Light' is not a title, it's a position," I replied with a smile forming on my lips. Before he had a chance to regain clarity from my words, I added, "So, Noah, what are the different arts of magic?"

"...The arts of magic are..." His brows furrowed as he slowly answered, "Elemental Conjuring, Mana Augmentation, Spells, Man-Armis, Enhanced Perception, and Scutums. A total of six arts-."

"Eight," I interrupted. "There are eight arts of magic."

"W-what are you talking about, Master? Eight? The entire world only knows about six arts of magic," he asked, visibly shaken.

"Indeed, very few people are aware of the other two arts of magic—Disruption Magic and... Curse. The reason I'm sharing this with you, Noah, is because I want you to unlearn everything you have been taught thus far. Much of what you believe to be true is either a half-truth or a complete lie."

Moving closer to him, I flicked his forehead playfully.

"Ouch! That hurt! Why did you do that?" he said, rubbing his forehead.

"You'll have plenty of time to be shaken by what I teach. For now, let's focus on our agreement. You wanted the carapace of a deceased mythical beast, correct?" I inquired.

He nodded in affirmation.

I proceeded to walk ahead and opened the door that separated the current chamber from the one ahead.

"Here, you'll find body parts from mythical beasts—Phoenix, Dragons, Krakens, Basilisks... Take your pick," I stated.

Flashing a playful smile and raising an eyebrow I leaned against a pillar ,adding, "Although I am curious about why you need the deceased body parts of a mythical beast... I won't pry."

***

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Also, I was sick kind of so... late update