Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Monster of the North (4)

It only took Lucius a few seconds to decide to push her away. But before he could, the woman in his arms let go and stepped back on her own. Once again, he found himself caught unprepared by her actions. Women who usually "fell into his arms" held on tightly before being forced off.

Well, of course, she’d let him go.

Aurora’s foresight warned her that he’d push her away. And with his full strength at that! If she didn’t let go, she would have embarrassingly fallen on her bottom.

Lowering her head, she hid the disgust and reluctance on her face. Just touching a noble made her want to give up and just leave. But she didn’t reveal her true feeling and locked it deep inside her. “I’m…sorry, Your Grace.”

“……??” Lucius tensed. Although she was acting as though she was infatuated with him, he clearly sensed her revulsion towards him. This was another effect of the bond between a familiar and the summoner.

Emotions.

The summoner can sense their familiar’s emotions towards them, while at the same time, the familiar was also sensitive towards the summoner’s emotions.

This ability and the one to feel if the other was in danger was a skill called Empathic Sense. The stronger the bond, the stronger the skill. And the more the two can sense each other, the more abilities they can use.

If what he truly felt from her was revulsion, then her actions were contradictory. She seemed to hate him, and yet she obviously threw herself at him on purpose. Why? He’d never met her before this.

“Please have a seat.” Lucius directed her to the chair. It was at this time the others left the room, leaving the two of them alone.

Aurora wanted to reject his offer but nodded when she saw him sitting down.

“You may already know, but let me formally introduce myself. My name is Lucius Rizar, the Duke of Rizar.” Aurora opened her mouth, planning on greeting him, but he held up a hand. “I’ve heard that you have trouble talking, so no need to speak unless I ask you a question.”

She hesitantly closed her mouth. Aurora questioned if he was being thoughtful, or just thought of it as a bother. To her, either way was fine.

“Can you tell me your name?”

“Aurora…” Although she quickly answered him, her throat was still sore, making her voice come out rough.

His eyebrows scrunched. “Is that it? What about your family name?” Due to meeting that man earlier, he wasn’t in an entertaining mood. He wanted to quickly figure out what this woman was up to and get it over with.

Aurora shook her head. “Don’t……know...”

Lucius raised his head, and at that moment, their eyes met. Now that he got a better look at her, he realized she was indeed gorgeous. Even though she was only at the tender age of 15, her figure was that of a mature woman. The plain dress she wore only further accented her figure. While her emerald eyes made one want to stare at her all day. Lucius had seen his fair share of fair woman, but she was on another level.

Still, as a man who lived on the battlefield, he wasn’t one who cared for such things. “Then, where were you born? How old are you? Before coming here, where were you last?”

Aurora bashfully shook her head. “Don’t…remember. No memories……besides name…”

She was lying. He could tell.

He couldn’t tell which part she was lying about, but she wasn’t telling him the complete truth.

“Is that really all you remember?” He narrowed his eyes. The temperature in the room dropped in a matter of seconds.

“Y-yes.” She answered, twiddling with her thumbs.

Lucius retracted his aura. Well, never mind. He won’t call her out on her lie for now. “I see. Then, I will tell you what I know.” He sat back in the chair and put his hand on his chin. “You are a person with a very powerful and rare mana core, otherwise known as a Witch.”

Aurora panicked. How did he find out?? Was he able to look at her status?! How?! What else does he know??

Her body tensed up as she waited for his verdict. She was truly afraid of what would come next. He would have killed her already if he wanted to, but as they say, there was a fate worse than death.

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Lucius silently observed her. Even though she still wore that disgustingly shy expression, he felt the number of emotions she went through in just a few seconds. Shocked. Angry. Scared. Anxious.

She was especially frightened and nervous when he mentioned her being a Witch. This just further confused him.

Witches are the only ones who can use their mana core, unlike humans who have to rely on their familiars and rune magic. However, they were on the verge of being extinct. The last one was born fifty years ago. Not only was she still alive, but she was also being protected and cherished by the Holy Temple as a saint.

So, why fear being found out of her status as a Witch?

The more Lucius learned about this woman, the more questions he had.

“During the ritual to summon my familiar, you somehow responded to my call. Although the contract has not been completed, you now carry the status of a Sacred Familiar.”

“…Fa…miliar?” Summoned? A summoning ritual?

Aurora tilted her head.

She knew about summoning rituals. When humans lost the ability to use their mana core, they used an ancient summoning ritual to make a contract with spirit beasts. The summoners mostly hailed from powerful noble families.

Since when were they called Familiars?

That’s right. Now that she thinks about it, her Father was also one. A summoner.

After the Black Witch's curse, he summoned one of the four heavenly beasts, the White Tiger. The White Tiger was a special existence amongst the spirit beasts due to having the rare light attribute.

Lucius picked up on her genuine curiosity and answered her question. “Familiars are contracted spirit beasts summoned from the spirit realm. The spirit beast serves as the summoner’s companion, protector, and partner.”

W-what? She has to protect him?? She can barely protect herself! Besides, she planned on leaving here the moment she saw a chance!

As though sensing her thoughts, he spoke. “Don’t worry. The contract between us is incomplete, and I have no intention of completing it. Although your status says, ‘Sacred Familiar’ it doesn’t necessarily state whose.”

Aurora put a hand on her chest and sighed in relief.

But…how was she summoned as a Familiar? She wasn't a spirit beast!! Things were only getting more complicated...

Ignoring her blatant joy of not having to be his Familiar, Lucius continued the discussion. “I’ve heard Witches can no longer use magic after going through their 2nd awakening at 16 years and instead gain a very special, unique ability…but…”

Aurora jumped in shock and then tensed in response as she waited for him to continue.

“Seeing as you’re still 15, you haven’t awakened yours yet, yes?”

“…?? 15…?”

Lucius nodded his head in confirmation. It didn't seem like she was pretending this time. It was as though she really didn't know her own age.

Aurora didn't know what to think. She was only 15 years old, but she still had her foresight ability. Then, what will happen when she turned 16?

“I…don’t….kn….ow.”

She could only give him the half-truth.