Path to Transcendence

Chapter 761: Compensation

Lily looked over at him and smiled. “Julius, this is Leander and his younger sister, Phoebe.”

He nodded to himself slightly. He didn’t want to make assumptions, but he’d already suspected that was the case. They looked so familiar that he would have been more surprised if they weren’t.

While Lily introduced him, she also sent over a discreet message telepathically, letting him know that she had already given their minds a brief examination and didn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

Julius stood up. “Thank you, Lily,” he said to her and returned his gaze to the three new guests. “It is good to meet you. I hope your trip was without trouble,” he said politely.

The older brother gave him a surprisingly low bow. “We did, and we appreciate you taking the time to meet with us, especially after the mess Soren’s made,” he said that last part with a dark glower towards the young man who was meekly standing behind him.

Julius took the time to finally look at Soren. Unlike before, Soren was a lot quieter and had his shoulders hunched as if he’d rather be anywhere but here right now.

Phoebe, who was standing next to Soren, jammed her elbow into Soren aggressively. “Don’t you have something you need to say to him?”

Soren clenched his jaw but eventually gazed up at Julius and bowed ninety degrees. “I deeply apologize for my behavior. I have no excuse for my insolence and pretentious behavior. I hope you can accept this apology.”

Julius was actually impressed by how sincere the apology sounded. Soren’s aura had a hint of reluctance, but that was to be expected from someone as prideful as he was. However, the words seemed genuine enough, and that was more than Julius anticipated from someone like Soren.

That being said, he’d been prepared by Lily as to how to reply to the apology.

He nodded softly. “I appreciate the apology, and I sense it is quite sincere. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact of what happened and the trouble caused.”

Soren grimaced as if he expected this response. “I understand.”

Leander stepped forward. “Clan Dawnfield understands that a slight like this isn’t something that can be pushed under the rug. Soren has been formally adopted into the main branch of the family, which also means we are responsible for his actions, the good and bad. We are prepared to offer compensation for your troubles, whatever it might be.”

Julius frowned. From the sounds of it, Clan Dawnfield were a little more persistent about settling the issue with him. They had even outright come out and said they’d compensate him “whatever he wanted”, which was pretty much an open-ended request. Lily already informed him that he should be prepared for them to offer a lot, but this seemed a bit much, even for that.

Julius narrowed his brows. “Do you even have the authority to offer that much?”

Leander nodded firmly. “My uncle, the patriarch, has already given me the full authority to settle this matter however I deem necessary."

Julius paused upon that reveal. He hadn’t known that Leander was directly related to the current patriarch. It was also quite shocking that someone of such importance would be involved in dealing with this issue. He had severely underestimated the significance of this meeting and what Clan Dawnfield desired.

He chewed on the inside of his cheek before responding. “And why’s that? Why is someone of your status here in person?”

Leander looked at him with a slightly confused expression. “It’s because a member of our clan insulted you. And we do not wish to anger the personal disciple of Master Cain.”

Julius nodded. So they did know about Cain and their relationship. It was nice to have that settled. Though he took note of how Leander addressed Cain. Normally, people called him Lord Cain or used his official title.

“So you’re worried about Cain retaliating against your clan?”

Leander nodded. “Yes, but also because we owe Master Cain a great deal of our gratitude.”

He furrowed his brows, interested in what that could mean. “Why’s that?”

“Because my father came across Master Cain many years ago and was saved by him. Not to mention that I used to be a student of the Shattered Winter School, so naturally I owe a personal debt to Master Cain,” Leander said, dropping a bombshell casually.

Julius froze and stared at Leander with a blank expression. “I’m sorry?”

“While I only stayed there for two years, I spent some time in the Northern Regions when I was a Tier 3, learning from the instructors at the Shattered Winter School.”

Even Lily seemed to be shocked by this revelation. She didn’t show it, but he knew her well enough to see the signs of confusion.

“I’m not surprised you didn’t know. One of the conditions of my learning there was to keep it secret. I even attended there under a false name. It was actually thanks to my father that Master Cain even agreed to it. I probably would not have been accepted to attend if I were not his son. My father doesn’t tell anyone about his relationship with the Shattered Winter School. Under Master Cain’s insistence, of course.”

“And so you were sent here because of your association with the Shattered Winter School…” Julius said slowly. He didn’t know if Leander was telling the truth, but Julius was leaning toward believing him. It would make sense why he addressed Cain as Master Cain. Most of the students used master as an honorific when speaking of Cain and Freya. Only a few people chose to use other titles.

Also, he doubted many people would lie about it, having learned from the Shattered Winter School. If Cain found out, he’d probably be irritated. The man had an alarmingly large sense of pride when it came to his school. And if there was one thing Julius learned early on, it was that an irritated Cain wasn’t a good Cain. For anyone.

“Correct. It was thought that someone who had some kind of connection to you and Master Cain would be better to act as an intermediary. I am glad to hear you are alive, though. Reports stated you died in the Empire, but I see they were mistaken.”

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Julius nodded, but he still wasn’t a hundred percent convinced that Leander was indeed from the Shattered Winter School.

“If you say you attended the Shattered Winter School, then I’m sure you know certain things about it, correct?”

Leander didn’t look insulted at all by the cynicism in Julius’s voice. “That is correct. Do you wish me to answer some questions that might verify my claims?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead. I can’t promise I know everything about all of the current events, but I will answer as best as I can.”

Julius nodded. He already had several questions in mind.

“Who is the best healer at the school?”

Leander almost looked disappointed by the question.

“Master Freya, of course,” he said with zero hesitation.

“Nobody else?”

“You could say that Master Galten is the most knowledgeable and experienced, but he was still only at Tier 5 the last time I saw him,” Leander added with a thoughtful expression.

Julius hummed. Honestly, that showed a lot more knowledge than he suspected anyone would have about the school. Master Galten was technically a healer, but if someone was researching the school, that wouldn’t be something they would look into as much.

Julius wasn’t done, though, and asked a few more questions. They were a lot more niche and specific. Questions such as where the cafeteria and sparring rooms were located.

Leander answered these questions with zero hesitation, and Julius was quickly convinced that Leander was telling the truth or had at least spent enough time at the Shattered Winter School to know all of this.

“Okay, I believe you are telling the truth. That being said, why are you convinced I am Cain's disciple and not some pretender?”

“I knew the truth the second I saw you,” Leander said with conviction, his dark blue eyes not wavering for a second.

Julius frowned. “Why’s that?”

“Your kinetic energy,” Leander said as if it were obvious.

“What about it?”

The blue-haired man tilted his head curiously. “You don’t notice it?”

Julius frowned. “Notice what?”

“It feels very similar to Master Cain’s.”

He laughed amusedly. “Definitely not.”

Feel like Cain’s? What was this guy talking about? Julius remembered how oppressive and tyrannical Cain’s kinetic energy felt. In fact, he still had nightmares from when Cain used to beat the shit out of him in their spars. The feeling of the kinetic energy pounding into his skull wasn’t something he’d forget anytime soon.

He had gotten stronger, sure, but his kinetic energy was still nowhere close to Cain’s. Leander was either just stroking his ego at this point or simply mistaken.

Leander crossed his arms and furrowed his brows. “I’m serious. While it doesn’t have the same strength and domineering spirit. It has similar traits for sure. The brutal and relentless nature is unmistakable.”

“Sure, but that’s just what kinetic energy is like,” Julius pointed out dismissively.

Leander scoffed. “That’s like comparing a snake to a dragon just because they both have scales and sharp teeth. Don’t misconstrue it; most kinetic force users do not radiate such oppressiveness.”

Julius shook his head and sighed.

Leander frowned deeply. “You still don’t believe me? Just take a look at mine.”

He felt Leander suddenly release a dense bubble of kinetic energy, which coalesced in his palm. Julius leaned forward with his eyes squinted as he inspected the orb of kinetic energy. It had been a while since he’d observed anyone else using kinetic energy, so it was quite fascinating.

The last time he saw people other than him and Cain really using kinetic energy was when he was in the Northern Regions. And during that period, he didn’t have the senses he did currently. He was still a weak little Tier 3 back then.

“Do you see what I mean?” Leander asked with an expectant look.

Julius was about to dismiss the man’s claims out of sheer stubbornness, but before he could, he truly looked at the ball of energy. As much as he hated to admit it, he did sense something different.

Julius didn’t care about whether it looked rude or not, and stepped closer, grabbing Leander’s arm gently. The man didn’t seem bothered by this at all; rather, he let down some of his body’s natural defenses so that Julius could get a closer look.

Leander’s kinetic energy was strong, definitely. In fact, it was frighteningly strong and pure. Something he’d only noticed from people who only cultivated and trained kinetic energy. Not like his own, where it had a mix of fire and life mana.

It was barely noticeable, and perhaps it was only due to his recent improvement in his senses; there was a lack of something… Something visceral and rugged. Something that he couldn't quite put his hand on or explain.

It was almost like Leander’s kinetic energy was too pure… Or rather, too balanced. It didn’t feel as violent or volatile as his own or Cain’s.

He began to see what Leander meant by his kinetic energy feeling different.

“What makes it so different?”

Leander pulled his arm away and looked at Julius. “You understand the concept of other variations and paths for people who have the same affinity, correct?”

Julius nodded.

“Well, it's similar. Take two people who have the fire affinity. Perhaps one of these people decides to pursue a path of extreme destruction. Whereas the other chooses a path more focused on warmth and stability. Both still use fire mana, but for vastly different purposes. Same idea.”

“I get that, but why do you make it sound like only Cain and I can use kinetic energy in such a manner?”

He was met with what could only be described as pity and disbelief.

“You really think most people would be able to handle your kind of kinetic energy?” Leander asked with a flat expression.

Julius shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Okay, take the fire affinity example again. The person who went down the destructive path will tend to use external techniques. You know the reason why, yes?”

Julius pressed his lips together. “Yeah, because the destructive nature of the fire mana would be extremely taxing on the body.”

“Exactly, but not only on the body. But on the mind and soul as well. Controlling such a dangerous source of mana is asking for too much when you are busy wrestling a monster trying to eat your face.”

Julius nodded contemplatively. “Still, I imagine some people don’t let this stop them.”

“Of course not. People still try it, no matter how ill-advised it might be,” he admitted, but for some reason glanced over to his side where his sister stood. “For example, Phoebe is actually one of these people. She is trying to walk down a similar path to your own.”

Julius looked over at the young woman who was busy giving her brother a stubborn glare. “And I will. Stop trying to discourage me and my decisions. I made up my mind.”

Leander sighed and glanced back at Julius. “As you can see, she certainly has the spirit.”

Julius didn’t know what to say; instead, he gave her an awkward smile and a thumbs-up. “Nice?”

For some reason, she frowned sharply at him. Did he say something wrong, or was he just too awkward? He dropped his hand and used his other hand to rub his head sheepishly.

Lily saved him, though, and gently cleared her throat. "With the pleasantries out of the way. I think we should get back to business. I believe you were talking about compensation for your clan's actions against Julius, correct?"

A pained smile appeared on Leander's face. "Of course, of course."

Julius sent her a telepathic nudge, thanking her. He was glad that she was here; with her by his side, he was sure to get as much out of this as he could.