Lilith held me under her arm like a prized poodle as she exited the estate.
Nobles all over stared at me with pity. Like this was a horrible situation to be in. But really I didn't feel that way.
When you spend your whole life being hated or ignored, this kinda attention feels like winning the lottery. Besides, if anything were to happen between us, it's not like we're blood-related.
Still, I couldn't help but feel like this whole trip was nothing but a waste of time. We didn't even accomplish anything.
Well, I guess I know about Melissa now.
— — —
It's been about a month since the funeral.
I was currently in the training hall with the sole intention of mastering the water clone technique. See, I've discovered something crucial about the technique.
Usually, when summoning a water clone it takes six hand gestures. But I could never translate the hand gesture into a feeling.
That was before meeting Melissa. When she suppressed my Ouro two things happened.
One, I automatically tapped into the chaos energy. I didn't have to imagine touching the ring of self, I just did it.
Two, because I was able to do that, I no longer had to mimic the feeling of a hand sign.
Which means all I needed to do was think 'clone'.
A stream of water shot from my foot and snaked along the floor. It then swirled into a clone that matched my portions perfectly.
With a manic grin, I rushed over to observe the thing. But as I stood in front of it, nothing happened. I had basically created a water statue.
Had I somehow screwed up?
The dragon was sleeping as usual, but I didn't feel like bothering him for something so trivial.
As I observed my water statue, the door to the training room opened. Lilith walked through with a crumpled letter in her hands and a scowl on her face.
"Lafayette," she grumbled. "We need to talk."
I dissolved the water clone and approached her. "Yes, mother?"
She narrowed her eyes and held up the letter. "Ren won the selection, you know?"
She didn't sound happy.
I shook my head. "I did not know that, mother."
Lilith rolled her eyes and tossed the paper aside. "Of course not, you're too busy for something so insignificant. Unfortunately, because of his victory, I'll be going to war."
I stared at her in silence.
Lilith frowned.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" She pressed, stepping closer. "Don't you fear for me? I'm going to war, don't you know what that means?"
I stepped back and swallowed.
Of course, I knew what it meant, I just didn't know how to react.
The truth was I really didn't care.
I mean I kinda did, in a way. But really only as far as it inconvenienced me.
I probably shouldn't say that.
I shook my head. "No mother, I'm not exactly sure what war is. But you're going to fight bad guys, right?"
Lilith blinked, then laughed. "I'm such an idiot, I almost forgot you were five."
Gaslighting success!
As the last chuckle reached my ear, Lilith let out a long sigh. She then knelt before me and gripped my shoulders.
"Lafayette, war is when we kill to dominate. It's something you use when words get to…" her tongue swirled in her mouth as she searched for the right word. "…boring."
She grinned. "Personally I love it, the smell of blood, the screams of the fallen, the cries of the victims."
She laughed darkly. "Oh but that's beside the point, what's important is that this upcoming war is going to take me from you."
My face twitched in a struggle to show the right emotion. I was shocked at how much of a freak she was, but damn if that's not hot.
Wait, I should be panicking right?
I forced tears to my eyes and pushed forward to hug her. My arms wrapped around her stomach as I buried my face in her breasts.
Solely to sell the act you see.
No other reason.
"Mother! That sounds awful." I cried, my voice muffled. "How could you possibly enjoy something so suffocating? So big. So overwhelming."
Lilith brought her hand behind my head, her fingers dug into my hair. "Oh my, so you do love me? Hahahaha, I was a little worried you didn't care."
I looked up to catch my breath and meet her eyes. "Why would you think that?! You're the finest woman I've ever met! Er… I mean you're my mom! Of course I'd care for you."
Lilith stared down at me with half-lidded eyes. "I suppose that's a given, still, it's nice to know my love isn't one-sided." She closed her eyes."
Her body shivered.
I raised an eyebrow. "Mother?"
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Right, I'll be joining Ren and the first imperial army to eradicate an elven tribe far up north. This little crusade is probably going to be the better part of 5 years at least. Which usually wouldn't bother me."
"But." She lowered her head. "That was before I had you. Now I'm faced with a dilemma. Do I leave you alone, or call my ex-husband?"
"Who's your ex-husband?" I asked innocently.
"He's a duke in the Equili kingdom." She smirked. "Oh, he has a kid too, a little brat who controls light and darkness."
No this can't be.
I thought I was supposed to be a special kid. Now you're telling me someone got a cooler set of powers than me? I want a damn refund!
"Ah, you know I think I should stay here by myself, mother." I forced a sweet smile.
I didn't say this to make life easier for her, but for myself. If I had to deal with a kid who was just as special as I was, I doubt I'd win.
Which means I could be bullied again.
Lilith frowned. "I thought the same, but I've made some enemies in this empire. Someone can target me through you."
"I can handle myself."
"Against fodder? I have no doubt. But you don't stand a chance against a real threat."
Lilith stood up with a huff. "Besides, he owes me."
"For?"
Lilith placed a hand on her hip. "For not killing him after the divorce. The least he can do is protect you."
She turned and walked down the hall. "Find Jinnah, we're leaving tonight." She called without looking back.
I stood there.
Defeated.
I lost my hot psycho mom and what do I gain? A stay with strangers and my future nemesis, how fucking convenient.
— — —
I emerged from the estate dressed in clothes for travel. Behind me carrying a blade and dressed in leather armor, was Jinnah.
Yes, Jinnah had not only been my wet nurse, but she was what they called a blade maiden.
Lilith sat near the fountain in the center of the courtyard. She stared at the gate that encased the estate with a hand under her chin.
When she heard us approaching, she stood to her feet. "Finally." She stepped away from the fountain and raised a hand into the sky.
"Summon." The words were spoken with a casual confidence.
A massive waterball swirled in her raised palm. Jets of water shot out from the ball and arched to form the wireframe of a dragon.
Water then flooded into the frame. Massive wings exploded out as a neck rose high to form a head.
My jaw dropped as I watched the process. I knew it was possible to summon a dragon.
Hell, I even knew Lilith could summon one.
But actually seeing it with my own eyes?
It was a sight to behold.
The massive creature loomed behind her and looked down on me in Jinnah. Lilith stood under its head with her hands on her hips.
"Come on, let's go."