Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents-Chapter 73: Luminous Soul
Lunar Castle, Dark Forest of the Abyss Lands.
"C-Clarissa...?" Professor Ragnar immediately recognized his now 17-year-old daughter as she lunged forward to his embrace, albeit with reluctance.
"F-Father...?!" She was familiar with the scar streaking down his face, a mark of his restless years.
"F-Father! Huff!" She wept, unable to contain the emotions stored deep in her subconscious throughout all these years.
Gently patting her head to rubbing her back, Professor Ragnar teared up. It was inevitable as he did his best to locate and find her. However, with the power that trampled over the Cetera Territory, blocking or threatening any possible information about its remnants, such an act was proven to be difficult.
"W-why?" Professor Ragnar glanced at me with questioning eyes. After all, even if there was no signed contract, he expected that I would provide the information about his daughter after teaching the former Class Mu where I belonged.
Professor Ragnar never expected that I would not only provide it, but also bring her in front of him. At first, that’s what I planned to do.
Well, people change.
And after deliberation, recalling your daughter’s capability, it’s better to just bring her as soon as possible.
"You could say that it’s my sincerity, Professor. For now, we’ll leave the two of you to catch up."
"T-Thank you, Mister!"
"I’m eternally grateful, Lugh. I will do my best to fulfill your wishes."
The two of them showed their gratitude as they lowered their head.
Don’t worry. I’ll gladly take up on your offer, Professor.
*
The Lunar Castle was indeed a peculiar infrastructure.
It was buried deep into the ground, washed by the sands of time. However, on the ceiling above the dilapidated throne, a circular gap and a celestial object were illuminating what’s beneath.
When I first arrived in this place where I encountered the Apostle of the Unseen, the object resembled that of a moon. But after confirming with Yuridika, it turned out to be something that symbolized the Moon Goddess.
A makeshift realm and sky where Yuridika would always pray to contact the deity who bestowed her with such two fraudulent [Authority].
Then, after the grueling renovation, the sections of the Lunar Castle were bestowed and lightened with magic, providing a serene glow for anyone alive.
The eerie atmosphere, the cobwebs and dust... Everything that defined this place to be seemingly haunted was all cleansed to nothingness. Now, even when situated beneath the corruptive and lifeless soil of the Dark Forest, this place had become lively enough unless one took a peek outside or through its walls.
There was a plan, which was indeed possible, to lift up this castle and settle it aboveground. However, I put it on hold for one reason—the surrounding mindless demonkind was running rampant and becoming unusually aggressive.
But after this process, I believed it would be enough.
Under the celestial mystery that seemed to infinitely shower this place with its moonlight, with the guide of Yuridika, I comfortably sat on the floor in a lotus position.
While doing the same, I sensed her gentle palm on my back as my mana was being pushed by hers. What’s more, surrounding us were pieces of Soulshards, all gleaming and depicting cosmos, required for one’s Soul Ascension.
[You have fulfilled the qualifications of Soul Ascension.]
[Mana Level: 5; Soulshards 0.05kg; and Rare-tier Main Talent.]
It was at that moment that the Soulshards nearby vibrated before the raw mana with my own imprint flowed in the air through my body... to my soul.
It was as though my soul and these shards were being connected to each other as the latter gradually dissipated into oblivion.
"Ugh–!" I gritted my teeth. Without Yuridika, it would be such an agonizing process. However, with her assistance as someone skilled in controlling the disturbance of mana, the process continued smoothly.
My amethyst eyes gleamed, and my entire body manifested an amount of mana with the same hue as my gaze. At this stage of the Soul Order, something known as ’Mana Uniqueness’ would begin to take shape in one’s identity.
Apart from users of holy power such as anyone from the Hero Bloodline, whose unique mana color was exceptionally golden, the others would have their mana color based on their [talents].
After some time, my body calmed down, my mind was more composed, and my soul was clearer as if it had been renewed.
Ding!
[You have successfully ascended from Dim Soul to Luminous Soul!]
[Physical capability drastically increases!]
[Mental capability greatly increases!]
[Resistance against soul corruption increases!]
[Mana Level greatly increases!]
[Mana Level: 5 –> 9]
[Every -Growth-Type Talent- in your arsenal will either have its Growth Stage raised or conditions of growth unlocked.]
[The Plundered Talent: Conceal World has been strengthened!]
[Conditions to increase the Growth Level of the Talent: Weapon Mastery has been unlocked!]
[Conditions to increase the Growth Level of the Talent: False Dragon Physique has been unlocked!]
[Conditions to increase the Growth Level of the Talent: Plunder has been unlocked!]
...
I felt the changes in my being while reading the flood of system messages, which I thought were finished until a few lines popped up.
[Helix Trigger Level of the entity, Alana Sol Astraea: 2%].
[Monitor the Helix Trigger Level and keep it to safe levels to avoid this individual from falling into Divine Corruption.]
...
[Your deep desire and path in mind will be opened up.]
[You have been granted the Path of Plunderer.]
[You have been provided a clue to the Origin of Plunder.]
"..."
Look at this. Whoever’s behind this, he or she... Or perhaps an ’it’ is reading my intentions.
Muttering inwardly, I opened the projected window through my mind.
[Main Quest – Path of Plunderer]
Description: [Don’t you think Talents seem out of place in this world’s system of power where mana, magic, and techniques exist?]
Main Objective/s:
[1] Find the altar of a forgotten deity.
[2] Communicate with Her.
[3] Make a choice.
Clue: "Plundering is a social construct. Since when did humans decide they are the rightful owners of something?"
– 0/13 (?)
*
Leaving the Grand Hall of the Lunar Castle, with my mind occupied as I wondered about the entity behind my transmigration, Morgan, one of my former classmates, sneered at the sight as we encountered her in one of the hallways toward the dining area.
"Why is my beloved mentor getting a ride? She also looks exhausted. What happened?"
Piggybacking Yuridika, who only smiled at her enthusiastic student, she said, "I’m just tired. Go to wherever you’re going, silly brat."
But Morgan’s smile suggested something, causing my body to feel Yuridika’s heat as if she were embarrassed.
I didn’t know what was up with these two.
Ignoring them for a moment, I interjected, "Send me the report of everyone’s progress. Let’s all have lunch together."
"All right, Lugh. It’s been a while. I also heard what you did for Professor Ragnar, and everyone’s viewing it in a positive light. But you know, some of them occasionally wondered about their families, so you should do something about it, or else they wouldn’t be at one hundred percent all the time." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"I see... Don’t worry. Just call everyone for now."
Morgan nodded as she hurriedly left with a wide smile plastered on her face.
Without her presence, I couldn’t help but ask Yuridika out of my curiosity, "What’s wrong with you two? Did something happen?"
"N-No! Don’t mind her!"
What an obvious reaction.
But I guessed I’d let them be.
*
Othenwald County, Count Othenwald’s study.
His butler appeared with numerous documents in his grasp. Upon receiving it, Count Othenwald asked,
"What’s the situation?"
"My lord, it seems the transactions between the Eshu County and the Golden Crown had stopped for some time now..."
"...Hmm?" Sensing that something was troubling the butler, Count Othenwald gestured to him to continue.
"What do you want to do with Eshu County, my lord? According to our intelligence, it seems the young lamb of the former Patriarch is running everything. We didn’t know how he received the funds... But we couldn’t simply ignore it, my lord."
"That’s a valid concern. When I leveled that territory on the ground, the son of its former lord was showered with rumors of being a good-for-nothing. That’s why I left him there to rot. But now, he’s the one running it from scratch? Hahaha! What do you think we should do?"
"..."
"Prepare at least five hundred men, and arm them with two unique artifacts. Take out the roots before they grow any further. This time, leave no traces."
"Yes, my lord.",
The butler then left hastily to heed his order. Considering the previous situation of the Eshu County, Count Othenwald judged that such a number of men would be enough to clean everything up.
"Let’s see what’s happening there. How dare that young brat try to discreetly recover from the ashes?" He mumbled before opening the document containing an insignia of royalty.
It was a message from the Crown Prince, Vaeron Imperius Al Divinia.
Reading the contents of the letter, Count Othenwald sighed.
"Another young lamb who does not know the ways of the world."
