Lain looked between Kaida and the box in his hands, a stunned look fixed to his face.
Then, he proceeded to open the second box, revealing a similar orb with a blue burning star with specks of other colors within.
These were skills that had remained in a beast's core after it was slain.
Kaida sighed before explaining.
"Honestly, I was aiming to get you a Heart—even if it was a Grade 3—but you're leaving soon, and with your declarations stirring trouble, it's harder to obtain items like that now.
"But with your Artifact, this skill, and the Bloodline traits you awakened, you should do well."
Pointing at the orb with a blue star, she added, "This skill seems to be of the evolvable type, so it's of high quality too."
Actually, skills aren't really evolvable—except in specific situations—but some seem to conceal hidden abilities the source beast didn't wield, and if someone comprehends them enough, they can reveal a new ability.
"Captain, you really don't have to explain," Lain said with a smile. "I know the worth of this, and I'm very grateful."
'This is exactly why I like her. She's a family woman, and she's also my strongest partner!'
Kaida pointed at the orb with black energy and said, "Oh, that's for your partner. It should complement her current skill."
Hearing this, Lain's lips twitched.
'I'm yet to tell her I plan to go with Thea.'
His reaction put a smile on Kaida's face as she said.
"What? It's not hard to guess. She's your only option."
Lain was stunned. "What are you trying to imply?"
Kaida smirked. "That you've only got one 'friend.'"
Lain remained silent with a fake smile for a bit.
Shifting the topic, Lain asked, "How's her condition? Mother mentioned she's able to move now."
"I already told her about the situation. She has decided to stay with her parents before you depart."
Kaida raised her brow as she said, "I also asked him about the information of the enemy you told me about..."
'Oh, no.' Lain gulped silently.
To convince Kaida to go along with his plan, Lain cited information from the novel about the traitor's supporting organization outside the clan, claiming Thea had overheard it while eavesdropping.
Lain was supposed to meet Thea and hint at her to lie, but he was unable to do that because he was occupied.
As Lain's face remained a calm smile, Kaida concluded her statement, tilting her head to look at him well.
"She initially didn't tell me anything relating to it, but after I asked specifically, she claimed you instructed him not to tell anyone and claimed his mind was jumbled."
'Huh…' Lain was surprised by how that went. He could only chuckle dryly.
"Ah... that girl, she should have known you were on my side and told you. She's so oblivious..."
Kaida remained silent for some seconds, before sighing and putting her hand on his shoulder.
She said, "You've really changed, Lain. And I'm glad it is for the better… for the most part."
'Hey, what do you mean "for the most part."'
Without waiting for him to reply, she added:
"Honestly, I have my doubts... But please, remember your roots. The world is dangerous, so please be aware of yourself."
'She doesn't trust me completely…' Lain opened his mouth slightly, but a reply to convince her didn't come out.
"Oh, I have one more thing for you." Kaida removed a white ring she wore, and handed it to Lain.
"This ring's been with me since I joined my first squad—your father gave it to me."
Memories of Lain's father flashed through his mind, making him turn a bit somber.
"Now, I'm giving it to you. It conceals your presence well when you're not using mana, but it becomes less effective the higher stage you attain.
"It's better than giving you items that improve your mana control. Our family's control is naturally exceptional, and yours seems to be even better.
"It also has our family emblem on it—I use it to remind myself what I fight for."
Accepting the ring, Lain forced a smile as he expressed his gratitude. "I'll use it well."
After that, Kaida gave Lain some advice that she believed would be helpful to him in the outside world.
It was a short three minute talk and she reminded Lain to rest properly before she left him.
'Ahh, this is why I wanted to leave early, too many interactions…Technically, I even know more about the outside world than the Captain. But oh well, it's good to know people care.'
As more time passed, Lain began to like certain aspects of this world.
Because he wanted to enjoy it more, he was going to survive all that was coming and grow stronger—then he'd be free to explore the things he liked.
Firstly, his aim was to become the Heir once more.
- - -
An hour to dawn the next morning, the building Lain and his family lived in was active.
A group of leviathans had arrived that morning to guide Lain out of the town based on Kaida's instructions.
Lain, dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and brown pants, had leather armor along with a black hunter's boot.
His sheathed silver sword was fastened to his belt with a brown traveling bag strapped over his shoulders.
He wore a silver ring with a blue emblem of a blade stabbing into a sea-creature etched on its glistening surface.
His longsword was wrapped in clothing and was fixed well in his backpack.
Lain, escorted by his mother, sister and Anatalia, walked to the gate of the building's compound.
Patting his sister's head, their golden eyes locked as he said, "I'll make sure to bring something for you when I return."
Liana smiled and said, "Okay!"
Lain then turned to Anatalia, the blonde haired girl with blue eyes, and was briefly speechless.
He barely knew her, and didn't quite know what to say. Still, he nodded with a polite smile.
"Hum, please keep my sister safe."
Anatalia was startled by his words and looked to the ground as she replied. "Ah- O-okay…"
Liana pursed her lips as she said, "I'll keep myself safe…and mother too. I'll do it on your behalf!"
Lain let out a soft chuckle, "You do that then!"
His sister reached out and tugged his sleeve gently. "Promise you'll come back?"
Lain crouched slightly to her level and ruffled her hair. "Not even the Divine could stop me."
Lain then turned to his mother.
She had a gentle gaze as she smiled and brought her hand to Lain's face.
"My darling, you look all grown up… Be safe, alright?"
"I will be," Lain replied as he made a move to hug her.
'At the very least…I experienced what it was like to have a mother.'
Releasing his mother, Lain stepped back and bowed to his mother, his sister, the onlookers and to the Solmere's family building.
"May Nalmere be with you," his mother said, holding back tears.
"Await my return. Goodbye."
Then, he turned around, glanced towards a high floor of the building and saw Kaida.
Flashing a brief salute, Lain took a deep breath as he walked to the Leviathan members and Thea, who was already with them.
They were all sitting on white lizards with green scales, each as big as a war-horse.
Lain sat on one of the lizard's backs along with its rider and waved as he set out.
Thea, sitting on a beast close to him, mouthed. "Fuck you."
'What?' Before Lain could respond, the beast Thea was on moved forward.
In the town, many people who had heard the news of Lain's exile woke up early to see him leave.
People stood at the edge of the streets watching him go.
Some expressed happiness at letting the unfit Heir go while those who were moved by Lain's actions or respected the Solmere family bowed.
From various corners of the town, the Elders and elites of the clan paid attention to Lain's departure with floods of thoughts and emotions.
This moment would be marked in the history of books of the Nalmere Clan.