THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Salomonis leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on David. "So, if you're a seer, does that mean you already know much about me?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity and skepticism.

David shook his head with a slight chuckle. "That's not how it works."

Salomonis raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? And how does it work, then? This 'seer' skill of yours?"

David's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Enough with the games, Salomonis. You didn't bring me here to interrogate me about my abilities."

The minister smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll drop the act." He leaned back in his chair and brushed his chin thoughtfully. "Where to begin…" His eyes brightened with an idea. "Ah, yes." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the artifact—the Eye of Solomon. The fractured patterns on its surface shimmered under the fading sunlight, casting intricate reflections on the stone archway.

"This," Salomonis began, holding the orb delicately, "is not just an artifact to keep hidden. It is a key—a key to limitless knowledge when paired with another ancient artifact, the Codex of the Sea."

David's mind raced at the mention of the codex. The term felt eerily familiar, tugging at a memory buried deep in his mind. He scoured his thoughts, trying to recall where he had heard it before. Salomonis noticed his silence and continued, "It has been my life's ambition to locate the Codex of the Sea. Legend says it appears during the Leviathan's Abyss raid, an event that happens once every few years along the Golden Coast. But no one has ever managed to find it."

A sudden flashback hit David. He remembered reading about the Leviathan's Abyss raid in the novel. Around this time, it had gone disastrously wrong—everyone who participated met a gruesome fate. The details of the raid's failure and the carnage it caused were vivid in his memory. He stared at Salomonis, wondering if this minister had any idea of the danger that awaited.

"You should probably try again during the next raid," David said cautiously, trying to mask his concern.

Salomonis's sharp eyes narrowed. "You speak as though you know something about it."

David shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. "Just a suggestion."

For a moment, Salomonis studied him, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface of the Eye of Solomon. Then, with a sigh, he relented. "Fine. I'll let it go—for now."

The conversation shifted as the two men delved into other topics. Salomonis spoke with unrestrained enthusiasm about his inventions, particularly his ambitious project to create flying ships. "The concept is sound," he explained, gesturing animatedly, "but the problem lies in the magic configuration. No matter how many times I tweak the design, the magic circuits cannot support the ship's weight."

David leaned back in his chair, intrigued. He decided to share some insights from his knowledge of modern technology. "What if you think of the magic circuits as something akin to wiring? You need a system to distribute the weight evenly, like aerodynamics. And instead of relying solely on magic for propulsion, what about integrating a mechanical component—like a turbine?"

Salomonis's eyes widened, his mind visibly racing with possibilities. "A turbine… Mechanical integration… That could work!" He clasped his hands together, a grin spreading across his face. "You, David, are a treasure trove of ideas."

As the day wore on, the maid came by several times to serve tea, each time bowing deeply before retreating. The two men continued their discussion, exchanging ideas and theories. Despite their earlier tension, a strange camaraderie began to form. Salomonis was captivated by David's unconventional suggestions, while David found himself reluctantly admiring the minister's brilliance and passion.

By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Salomonis stood abruptly. "This has been… enlightening," he declared. His tone was genuinely appreciative. "But time is of the essence. You've given me much to think about."

David raised an eyebrow as the minister brushed off his robes, already lost in thought. Salomonis turned to him with a parting smile. "We must do this again, David. But for now, I must return to my office. I need to revisit those blueprints with the insights you've provided."

Without waiting for a response, Salomonis strode away, the Eye of Solomon safely tucked back into his pocket. David watched him go, a strange feeling settling in his chest. The man was eccentric, brilliant, and frustratingly enigmatic—but he couldn't shake the sense that their paths were deeply intertwined.

As Salomonis disappeared into the distance, David leaned back in his chair, the weight of the day's revelations pressing on him. The Leviathan's Abyss raid, the Codex of the Sea, and the Eye of Solomon—all pieces of a puzzle he hadn't expected to face. And yet, he knew he couldn't ignore them.

For better or worse, his journey was only beginning.

David stretched languidly as he opened his eyes. Luna's voice chimed from his shadow, light and teasing. "You seemed to enjoy your conversation with Minister Salomonis. Quite the riveting talk, wasn't it?"

He yawned, ruffling his white hair before glancing lazily toward the corner of the room. "Enjoy? You think so?" he asked, his tone laced with mild amusement.

Luna's ethereal figure emerged slightly from the shadows, her expression a mix of curiosity and bemusement. "Well, I tried following along from my place, but halfway through, I got… confused. Too many terms, theories, and weirdly specific things about ships."

David chuckled, standing up and stretching again. "That's fair. Everyone has their strong suit, Luna." He turned toward her with a genuine smile. "And yours is having my back. I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Luna's gaze softened, and she nodded, the faintest hint of a blush gracing her cheeks.

David sat back down, his mind drifting to one of his sub-skills:

[Haem Bond]

. A peculiar ability tied to his relationships with his companions—one he hadn't fully explored. He leaned back, closing his eyes, and thought about experimenting. His thoughts drifted instinctively, and without realizing it, he imagined Seraphina's sharp, elegant features. In his mind, he called out her name.

Seraphina…

To his shock, her voice echoed back immediately, laced with surprise.

David? How are we… What's going on? Am I going mad?

David's eyes snapped open, his heart racing as the mental connection solidified. His voice trembled with a mix of excitement and confusion as he mentally replied.

I… I'm not entirely sure. I was trying something with one of my skills, and now we're… connected, I guess?

Before he could process Seraphina's response, another voice chimed in—soft and demure yet unmistakably familiar.

David? Is that really you?

It was Katrina, her voice tinged with both shyness and awe.

Following her came a third, this one vibrant and teasing.

Well, well, look who's showing off new tricks. Don't forget about me!

Shay's playful tone rang out clearly.

The sheer novelty of the situation made David pause. It wasn't just Seraphina—one by one, all the women tied to him were somehow joining this strange mental conversation. He rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of it all. Meanwhile, Luna, still partially materialized, crossed her arms, observing him intently.

"Something's… off," she muttered to herself. Her eyes trailed to her abdomen, where a faint, glowing symbol had formed. It pulsed faintly with energy, marking her with a unique and intricate pattern. Her expression shifted as realization dawned. "This… This is connected to you, isn't it?"

David glanced at her, startled. "What do you mean?"

Luna pointed at the symbol, her tone steady but curious. "This mark—it appeared just now. I think it's a sign of our bond. I'd bet the others have it too."

David blinked, piecing together her words with the events unfolding in his mind. It made sense. Somehow,

[Haem Bond]

had marked his companions and linked them to him. The implications were staggering.

Meanwhile, in his mind, the voices continued. Seraphina's, sharp and probing:

David, this is unlike anything I've ever experienced. What did you do?

Katrina's, gentle and concerned:

Are you okay? Is everything all right?

And Shay's, teasing as always:

This is great and all, but I was in the middle of unpacking! Now I can't focus!

He sighed, his mental voice projecting calm reassurance.

It's okay. I was experimenting with a skill, and… this happened. I didn't mean to disturb you.

Katrina's warm response came first.

You didn't disturb me at all. It's nice to hear you, even like this.

Shay quipped back,

Same, though maybe next time, a little warning would be nice!

Seraphina's voice softened.

It's strange, but… I don't mind. It feels… personal.

David smiled faintly, their affection cutting through his initial surprise. Still, he decided not to let this oddity unsettle them. "You all mentioned unpacking—are you in the capital?"

Seraphina's tone turned wry.

Yes, we just arrived. I'm sure you've noticed we're always a step behind you. We're settling into the quarters arranged for us.

Shay chimed in, amused.

Of course, someone had to make sure you don't get into too much trouble.

David couldn't help but laugh, their voices a comforting presence in his mind. Meanwhile, Luna observed him carefully. She smirked, crossing her arms. "Looks like you're enjoying this connection, aren't you?"

David raised an eyebrow at her. "Is it that obvious?"

"Painfully," Luna retorted, though her tone was playful. She glanced at the symbol again and mused, "So… this means we're all

marked

, huh?"

David shrugged, standing and stretching once more. "Seems that way."

As he prepared to step outside, Seraphina's voice cut in, almost wistful.

There goes our alone time with him.

David paused, a chuckle escaping him.

I wouldn't count on that just yet. Let's see what happens next.

With that, he set off into the evening air, the day's revelations swirling in his mind as his companions' voices lingered warmly in his thoughts.

****

A/N: Vivian was asleep at the time, Poor Vivian lol.