“Your movements aren’t exactly innocent, especially when it comes to your Bond.”
“What do you mean…?”
Kael questioned as he stared at Elira with a frown on his face.
“A Fire Wyvern is known for its ferociousness. No one has ever seen a shy Fire Wyvern.”
Elira spoke as she looked into Kael’s eyes.
“Bu-“
Before Kael could even counter her words, the Court Mage continued,
“Sure, your Fire Wyvern might be an exception, but for you to so adamantly refuse anyone’s help and allow your Bond to hide Sanctuary for as long as it wants attracts too much suspicion.
Some have even come up with a theory that you have killed your Bond and absorbed its powers.”
“What…?”
Kael stared at the Court Mage, dumbfounded.
He couldn’t believe the absurdity of the statement.
Elira, however, just shrugged,
“This is what happens when you allow people’s imagination to run wild. They will think of the worst-case scenarios and believe them to be true.
Right now, you are the Hope of Nerathis. So what’s the worst-case scenario?
It would be that you aren’t the hope everyone believes in, but a demon who thrives by killing his own Bonds.”
“That’s just absurd.”
“This is how people are, Kael.”
Elira spoke, her eyes shining with intelligent light.
“What other theories do these people believe in?”
Kael questioned carefully, and Elira smiled,
“You want me to tell you everything so you can know if anyone has gotten close to the truth or not, huh…
I didn’t think you would start using me like this. I thought we were allies.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
He didn’t like how the mage was reading his intentions like it was nothing.
Elira chuckled at his reaction, and then, she started,
“There are many theories.
Some say you never formed a Bond to begin with.
Some say your Bond is too weak, so you’re hiding it from the world to hide your embarrassment, while some believe that your Bond is so strong that you are hiding it so that you do not attract too much attention.”
The Court Mage started. Every time she mentioned a possibility, she looked into Kael’s eyes, trying to find out if any of it was true or not. Till now, however, she hadn’t found anything.
Kael managed to keep a poker face.
“However, the one that is most troublesome and popular is that…
You are Corrupted.”
“Huh?”
Kael blinked, surprised.
“They believe that you somehow got your hands on the Seed of Corruption and corrupted your Bond for more power since you were scared after being summoned to this world.”
“…”
Kael turned silent. He wanted to retort, but honestly, even he could see how people would believe that.
After all, even the Princess, who had everything, fell to corruption. What was stopping the Hero, who wasn’t even from this world, from doing the same?
Rather, it would make more sense for him to fall to corruption. After all, it would be much easier for a foreign being with no connection to Magic Beasts to fall to corruption than beings from this world, who loved their Bonds.
At the very least, he was glad that none of the suspicions were regarding his talent.
“So none of it is true, huh…”
Just as Kael inwardly sighed in relief, Elira spoke up. It was almost as if the woman could read his mind.
He stared at the woman to understand what gave him away. The woman, however, just grinned.
“I was right.”
Kael frowned in confusion. Elira, however, wasn’t done yet.
“It would make sense. None of these reasons would explain why you would hide your power from the King and not get another Beast.
Now I am curious,
What is this secret of yours?”
“…”
Kael stayed silent as he stared at the woman in front of him.
Obviously, he wouldn’t say anything.
Elira didn’t mind either. If anything, she liked that Kael was suspicious of even her. The Hero cannot be too gullible, else he will be fooled by everyone.
He needed to be able to think on his own and find people he could trust. Especially when he was surrounded by enemies with different agendas.
This, however, didn’t mean Elira wouldn’t address the important matters.
“You know, I can’t hide the fact that you are a Third Circle Mage for much longer. Even if me and Arlan do not say anything, other instructors would catch up. I can only buy you a week at most.”
“That will be enough.”
Kael smiled.
He just needed to get to level 30 and become an Adept Tamer within a week, and he would be able to Bond with another Beast.
Yes, it wasn’t a long-term plan and had many flaws, but what mattered the most was that he had time in his hands. He would have to reveal all his Bonds eventually. He just needed some time to make a distinction between his enemies and allies.
“So you actually do want me to hide the fact that you have become a Third Circle Mage from the King? You do realize that this could get me executed, correct?
You want me to take so much risk without ever telling me your secret. That’s not fair, now is i-“
“I am not telling you anything, and you will keep my secret.”
Kael spoke directly, not wanting to play her games.
“You think you can order me around like this?”
Elira raised her eyebrow.
And Kael…
“I can.”
He nodded as he finally walked out of the carriage, leaving the mage behind.
“Tsk.”
In the end, the Mage could only click her tongue in annoyance as she walked out and caught up to him.
Yes, they were finally at Arlan’s, and just as Kael stepped forward towards the Commander’s house,
‘Father.’
Igni called out.
‘Be careful.’
The Dragon warned him about a being who had sensed his arrival and was already rushing towards him with a big smile on her face.
“Hero Kael, I finally get to see you.”
Yes, Veylara Stormhold, one of the Strongest Warriors in all of Nerathis, was here.