Chapter 5: 5. Two Mothers [Fixed]

The Sigurd House was shaken — the Young Master lost his memories.

 

At first, they doubt the authenticity of this rumor.

 

But something else happened that made them think otherwise. 

 

Something so shocking that it rendered them absolutely dumbfounded.

 

The Young Master started reading again.

 

~The Leian Region ruled by the Sigurd Household is famous for many things.

 

~Renowned sights.

 

~Low tax.

 

~Mighty Knights.

 

~Mixed cultural.

 

~Politically Neutral

 

~And many more.

 

~Its Capital City, aptly named Fang, was built on the plains where Dragon Blood was spilled.

 

~ Alba was a Hero who completed an [Adventure].

 

~Alba "The Dragon Slayer" Sigurd, the man who was just a Commoner until he established his own Territor. Marching into the Desolate Plains with his army and his two wives, slew the Corrupted Desolate Dragon, then found the Leian Region.

 

 

'Father…. I mean, Alba defeated a Corrupted Dragon with the help of Mothers… I mean his Wives! Wives, yeah, so that means that they have good relations... dammit, my recognition of the family is forcefully changed to the original's way of thought. He gives me missing memories and interferes with my investigation… tsk; I would abandon your request if it wouldn't leave an ugly taste in my mouth. DAMMIT!'

 

Theo cursed... 

 

'Now where was I...' He 

 

"Sir Theo, here are the other set of the Family Records." a sweet voice pulled Theo away from the grasps of his thoughts.

 

"Thank you."

 

Theo turned to the beautiful woman with long orchid hair neatly tied into a bun, a pair of circular glasses hanging on her dainty nose. This lady was none other than Rose.

 

She placed three more books next to Theo and sat close in front of him... smiling.

 

'Again?' Theo sent her a few awkward glances, but she just shrugged them off with a beautiful smile. Theo moved, and Rose followed - he gave up after the third time, 'She's relentless.'

 

At the moment, he and Rose were both in the Family Library. Levia, who was supposed to help them escape and left all the work to Rose soon after learning Theo retained his ability to read, "I am going off on a mission, I leave the rest to you, Sister-in-Law."

 

She snuck out the window and left without a trace. 

 

Surprisingly, Rose did not complain. Instead, she accompanied Theo to the Family Library and helped him gather the books he needed.

 

This lady Rose Breakblade is Theo Sigurd’s fiancée. It had not been long since it was decided that she and Theo would be married off to each other after one drunken night their father shared — at least, that was what Theo learned from Rose.

 

Though nothing had been signed on paper, Rose already completed an Ancient Tradition of her Church called [March of Trial]. According to a non-verbal but sacred agreement, they were already engaged.

 

'I can't fight that.' Theo gave up escaping the marriage for the time being.

 

He just sighed before burying his nose into seeking out information.

 

'An [Adventure], an act of accomplishing a feat in the name of your God. So, an Adventure is considered Sacred here, huh. Gods' existence is already a given, but they are more proactive here compared to the other Worlds.'

 

Theo could understand that Alba has two wives — Thalia Sigurd and Laura Sigurd; all three were of common birth.

 

Supporting one another, they rose to be formidable warriors and eventually became strong enough to subjugate strong monsters. The three got married when they turned 17.

 

Slowly, they gathered people around them and led the charge to fight a Dragon.

 

After which, Alba and his two wives, with the help of connections, established the Neutral Region of Leian.

 

Their children~

 

The wastrel~

 

Rose to prominence~

 

Turned to be monster prodigies~

 

For three hours straight, Theo continued reading about his family, and when he finished them all, he learned a lot of things...

 

'This family is nice… I mean, really nice to one another.'

 

Which made it even weirder for him. He wanted to smash his head on the wall for the idiocy of the request he received, 'So what am I supposed to save it from? Kindness? This is why I hate cryptic requests.'

 

Frustrated, he released a deep sigh, 'I need to confirm something.'

 

"Is something the matter, Sir Theo?" Rose asked, seeing Theo abruptly standing up.

 

"My, mother… I want to meet her."

 

Rose hesitated to answer, but, "I will talk to Lady Thalia about the matter."

 

"Thank you." Theo bobbed his head as Rose left the room.

 

'Now, that I am left with time, I should read something good... Ah found one.'

 

[The Path of Power — Research of "Gift" and "Arts" Vol. 1]

 

[By: Maester Argus Eltallen]

 

Absorbing every bit of knowledge, he could, one after the other, Theo emptied a row of books. Theo could easily read 70 to 100 pages a minute.

 

If this was Earth, he would hold a World Record, but for Mages, this was simple.

 

If this was his 917th life, Theo would read 10 books a minute... though this feat had drugs involved a win's a win.

 

'Magia the power that exists in the world at all times. Its form is similar to that of air… so it's like mana. Should've just called it mana for simplicity's sake.' Theo wasn't really that surprised.

 

The power system of every world was the same though they vary in the name. Qi, Heavenly Essence, Chakra, Mana, Magicules all of these were basically the same.

 

They could give form to any power if you're ingenious enough.

 

Theo already tried using Kamehameha before... he succeeded.

 

Assessing the information, matching them with his own methods.

 

When taking over a body, there would always be a time when he's free to do what he wants. Realigning techniques and methods were one of the many things he did in such times. 

 

~Magia allows the user to mold their own powers. Physical Enhancement, Magic, Formations, Taming, Curses, Blood Pacts, Divine Powers, Illusions, all of these are possible. However, one cannot have the other. Thus it is split into three different Arts — Martial Arts, Spell Arts, and Illusory Arts. 

 

'So, the powers to access these are limited to different paths. But, there's also the [Gift], that should be the good stuff...'

 

~Gifts are special abilities from the Gods etched in a person's soul. It is a power that can be inherited from one's parents, a variant of their lineage gift, or something vastly different. They could be used outside of Magia and training. 

 

'So, Gifts are different from Arts.'

 

He closed his eyes and began thinking.

 

'According to the book, Arts were created so that those who couldn't manifest their Gifts will still be able to grow stronger... that backfired immensely, didn't it?'

 

Even those with Gift could learn an Art.

 

'Gifts are one's primary power, then that makes Arts the auxiliary force. Arts are also varied, so if a Gift and Art are complementary. If someone half the brain utilizes their Gifts and Arts, that would make them virtually invincible.'

 

Theo had little knowledge about Illusions from his past lives, so he turned to Martial and Spell Arts. 

 

'This body has no ounce of Magia. The muscles are oddly defined, but the core strength is limited. Lacking in training and undisciplined... I read that the Gift the Sigurd family has is supposedly good... taking that into account... I finally understand why Theo fell into depravity. He didn't manifest his Family's Gift.'

 

The truth was tied to simple information, and seeing how Theo was treated and how his siblings were so different from him, he vaguely guessed what was happening.

 

'From the looks of it, the progress halted because he feared that learning an Art would hinder himself from improving his unknown Gift. That would explain the oddly defined muscle. He didn't stop hoping for its appearance, I see.'

 

Theo absorbed the information he gathered and fell silent. 'He's destined to be a Hero after all.'

 

A weak to strong kind of fate. 

 

"I can understand the logic, but I am already past the age of 18. I should learn an Art. I still don't know anything about my Gift or if it would manifest. My body is past its prime in learning martial arts. I think Spell Arts have much greater potential."

 

Being a decisive man, Theo already made the decision.

 

"Theo, dear! Have you finally decided to learn an Art?"

 

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"Yes!!??"

 

"Kyaaa! You finally decided to learn!" The face of a beautiful woman with luscious red hair bloomed, "And to think you would choose Spell Arts, you have made this mother of yours so happy! Don't worry, I'll teach you everything I can!!" her eyes shining as she hugged Theo.

 

Tears threatened to leave her eyes as she tightly embraced Theo.

 

Theo, of course, fought back awkwardly. However, he did not expend too much strength.

 

'Sh-she's strong.'

 

He recognized who this woman was from a drawing from the books, Thalia Sigurd, Levia's birth mother.

 

Thalia separated from Theo, "Hmm? Why are you acting like you've seen a ghost! What did I tell you about getting embarrassed from simple skinship! Do you think you'd be able to satisfy your wife if you acted like a coward? Gods, you take after Alba too much."

 

'She's a little, too straightforward, isn't she?'

 

"Lady Thalia, Sir Theo had just lost his memories, remember?"

 

"AH! That's right! I was too overwhelmed by your decision to learn Spell Arts that I forgot! I'm sorry, baby, I would have gone check on you if not for urgent business!" Thalia rubbed her cheeks on 

 

"Oh yeah, Rose said that you wish to see Laura?" 

 

Theo nodded.

 

"Then let us go. This is a perfect time." Thalia led the way. Theo left the book in the library, walked past several hallways, and stopped at a black wooden door. 

 

Heavy.

 

Theo looked at the wooden doors... his heartbeat wildly... he was afraid... guilt-stricken... he did not understand why.

 

Thalia touched its surface, but she did not enter right away, "Theo, Laura just woke up, so she has yet to know about your situation, so… do you want me to tell her first before you enter? Or—"

 

"I… do not know." Theo was hesitant.

 

"…stay here for the time being. I'll talk to Laura first about the situation."

 

Theo was left outside. He touched the door while forcing his heart to stop beating so wildly.

 

'Is the resonance with this soul so strong that it is also affecting me?' It was confusing.

 

The doors opened gently, "Theo, come in; Laura wants to see you."

 

Theo swallowed his saliva as he stepped inside the room; his heart already steeled, and his resolve set. Yet… he could not keep his heart from being bothered by what he saw. His heart beat faster, anxiousness plagued him.

 

The desire to run up to his mother and hug her appeared, 'Stop!' he forced himself to be calm.

 

From the records, there was a painting of his parents. Laura had beautiful straight black hair, her eyes clear like a still like the stars, her skin vibrant filled with life. She was beautiful on all fronts.

 

"I see… you have indeed lost your memories, Theo," Laura spoke weakly, so soft as though they were whispers. She was weak, but she showed him a relieved smile, "At least you are well."

 

Theo's eyes wavered. On a bed was his birth mother, weak; her skin was like a withering flower. Her eyes, sunken and surrounded by dark circles.

 

Incense filled the room to mask an unknown scent. No one would notice it if they were ordinary people, but the current Theo could. He approached Laura's bed but was stopped by Thalia, "You do not know this right now, Theo, but… other than your father and I, no one can approach her due to the nature of the poison."

 

Hearing that allowed Theo to see the white line surrounding Laura's bed frame.

 

"Why? What is wrong with my mother?"

 

"Theo!" it was not Thalia who yelled, but Laura; she was weak and coughed soon after, but she continued her words, "You must not remember it but, I told you… that we are both your mothers. When we are together… call us Mother Laura… or Mother Thalia… understand?"

 

"Ye-yes!" it was a sincere answer. Theo lowered his head, his emotions hard to process, 'My mother was poison—ack!'

 

An invisible force struck Theo's forehead. Theo saw Laura had flicked her fingers, "Don't worry too much about me." Laura laughed softly.

 

"Yes, Mother."

 

"Mother… what?"

 

"Mother Laura."

 

"Good boy."

 

Theo did not know why, but he still couldn't understand how a mother could control him even after living so many lives. He inwardly complained but nothing more.

 

"Laura, listen, I have some good news." Thalia excitedly spoke.

 

"Mm?"

 

"You see, Theo decided to pick an Art!"

 

"Really? That's good then. It seems like I need to get better soon so that I can train him."

 

"Yes, yes, you should do that, obviously… but, you see, he's going to train in Spell Arts with me, not in the Martial Arts."

 

"What?" Laura, still weakened by the poison, did her best to look her son in the eyes, "Theo… you said you would learn it… you promised me…."

 

"I…" Theo wavered.

 

"Theo! Don't fall for her tricks!" Thalia covered Theo's eyes and ears, "Don't be deceived! Believe in the Spell Arts!"

 

The two mothers bickered. Though Laura was poisoned and weakened, she argued the merit of mastering Martial Arts to Theo. Thalia did her best to cover Theo's ears while cursing at Laura.

 

All the while this happened, Rose watched from behind. 

 

She and Theo met eyes.

 

'How Cute.' was Rose's genuine, harmless sentiment.

 

'How unsettling.' Theo did not think kindly to her invisible judgment.

 

The bickering of two mothers lasted for ten minutes. The winner was Thalia, and it was decided that Theo would learn Spell Arts.

 

"I win."

 

"Tsk."

 

"Hey, don't click your tongue. It was decided that the children get to pick what Arts they want to train."

 

"You also… acted… out… when Levia and Titus chose Martial… Arts."

 

"That… who cares about that? This is this, and that is that!" Thalia lost this time.

 

Laura returned her attention to her son, only to see him exchanging a passionate gaze with Rose. Laura raised her brows with excitement, 'Thalia, look at that. We might be getting a grandchild soon.'

 

'A grandchild? I hope so; Levia doesn't seem interested in marriage. It seems like Theo losing his memory has its advantages as well.'

 

'I agree.' Laura nodded to Thalia's words.

 

'Should we push it through?'

 

'We should watch first. Remember how the Emperor tried to force Alba to marry someone?' 

 

'Yeah, we should avoid that kind of future. To think that's the reason why we can't trade with the Iliyas Empire.'

 

'Hehe, we should allow the children to live the way…they… want… huh? That's… not good.' 

 

'Laura? What's wrong-'

 

Thalia paused, then her eyes widened, seeing how blood flowed out of Laura's mouth.

 

"LAURA!" she shouted.

 

"Mothe Laura!" Theo was also alarmed. He shouted, but Laura just raised her hand in response, "Wha-what's happening to her?"

 

"I-I'm fine, Thalia, lead them out for… now." Laura's voice got weaker and weaker. However, her smile never disappeared.

 

"Wa-wait! What's happening?" Theo felt his knees weakening. Guilt flooded him, seeing Laura in such a state.

 

"Theo, please, go out for a moment." Thalia pushed Rose and Theo out of the room.

 

BAM!

 

The doors slammed on them. 

 

But from the gaps before the doors' closing, Theo saw Laura vomiting black blood laced with a purple light.

 

A split second, but that was enough to break down his steeled heart.

 

"Mo-MOTHER!"

 

Heartfelt emotions without a hint of a lie burst out. Tears fell, not knowing if it was from Theo or Heruzen.