Chapter 36: Let me particepate!

A short moment before the little clash between the strongest occurred in the corridor guards that were headed to their posts for today watched in astonishment seeing the ruined wall. 

"...The hell happened here?" 

"That's a good ass question" 

A few of the soldiers were sweeping away the dust and ruble away from the pathway.

"..This is some bullshit!"

"We have to d servants work because Sir. Solan think he can do whatever he wants!" 

The officer watched closely at the soldier's complaint before lashing out.

"Get to work again! Its our duty as marine to take care of our base no matter who destroyed it!" 

"...Still, Sir.Solan gets away with things easily because he possesses a vessel"

"Having a vessel sure gives you a lot of privileges"

The officer huffed, amused by their remark.

"Just put the ruble in your bags already" the officer told before starting to lash out again seeing one of the members in the corner lazing around.

***

"you did what?" 

Within the office room of Lumine Solan stood silently, Lumine sitting over her desk rubbing the temple of her nose displaying a visible disappointment on her face.

"Sighs...".

"I didn't mean it, I was just in the moment when it happened".

"I'm sure you other safer ways to protect yourself then unleash a explosion".

"..Please forgive me"

Lumine gazed at Solan before her face softening having to forget it for now.

"Just know that life isn't always this wonderful. I'll let you go but I'll send the bill to the lighting division".

Solan sat down on the couch right by her desk table before his hand wandering off to the baked cookies. 

"Talking about the lighting division, where is my master?"

"Sarah is in the arena with admiral Katama adjusting it for the upcoming tournament".

'I see, so my master is being put to work with a man she can't tolerate. Sometimes I wonder if Lumine even knows that Sarah despise Katama' 

Clearing his throat Solan spoke clear and confidently

"I see, the tournament... Well, i actually came here to talk about it. You know I don't want to beat around the bush so I'll tell you that I want to participate in the upcoming tournament"

After coming with his explanation he clutched off his helmet, laying it down by the desk where the same cookies were.

Lumine's brow raised.

'So that's why he's here?'

"I'm not entirely sure if I can make that happen Solan, the bracket list is already full of people this time...".

'Full? couldn't anyone participate as long as they had powers?'

"We already have 6 different vessel users if you exclude the 2 admirals that will too compete".

"W-What?"

Solan was a bit disappointed and annoyed. This was important for his current progress. 

"So that makes 8 people... the bracket list is already full...".

"Yes, and even if we did include another person from the marine it could cause an uproar amongst the people who came to watch... your aware of the current state of the marines right?"

Lumine told, eyeing him closely with an serious expression.

"...The corruption?"

"Yes, people are already pissed that two of the marines are going to participate. They are theorizing that we're going to rig this tournament so that we'll still have the right of the elder blood".

Solan looked at the baked cookies, watching the smooth edges and crusty with a few chocolate bits.

"...So there's nothing I can do? I'll just have to watch?"

"For now yes, unless some of the participant wants to withdraw within 3 days which I find very unlikely".

"Though, why is it you want to participate?"

Lumine asked, curious knowing there's some deeper intentions to why he came all the way to her.

Solan went silence, thinking about his next words carefully.

It was for his personal progress that he never liked to share. He never explained the long rabbit hole of his vessel because he himself didn't know much either. 

But having Lumine by his side, a influential woman across the 4 major seas and being related to the royal family of Daimon he could get anything as long as it benefitted the marines.

"I need prize, the elder blood will let me continue train my vessel...".

"The elder blood? are you planning on drinking it despite already having a vessel?"

"Yes...I don't know a lot except that's what my vessel tells me, that I must drink blood to unlock the next steps".

Lumine looked at Solan, surprised by his explanation before seeing the determination in his eyes. 

He was serious.

"...Solan, I'll let you know... I've witnessed what can happen when someone tries to gain two vessels".

"I can tell you, its not a sight nor something I like to tell people about".

"I've done my own research and once you have two vessels within, the two will clash... disintegrate your body. The vessels disappearing alongside it".

"What makes you so sure that the same thing wont happen to you?"

Solan started twirling with the cookie in hand. 

"My vessel, it has a long story.... A story that I'm sure your not familiar with".

Lumine looked at him, an amused smile appearing on her face which startled Solan a bit.

"...Oh I'm aware, in fact I'm the only one whose aware of your power":

"It comes from the legend of Pierre".

Solan was silent, his eyes widening slightly.

'She knows about him?!'

"A vessel that can control the dead, though I've only been given reports about other abilities I'm familiar with the true nature of your power".

Solan was slightly scared yet excited. In the past he did everything to find clues about this "Pierre" that his former pre-successor was always speaking about... and here Lumine knew about him!?

"Though the story has been forgotten by the seas, his name is still mentioned in old journals that I have contained in my room stored by my previous masters"

"There aren't a lot written in the book except the mention of Pierre being one of the first ever vessel users right after the 'Anax' itself".

For starters Anax was the first elder beast that was ever slain and used to harvest its power. Anax was slain by a mercenary captain that everyone knows the name of 'Captain Edwards Lugo'

Finding a way to harvest its powers and using it against the Leviathans he introduced it to his fellow comrades he met along his journey. 

Once he gained fame and wealth he started the biggest legacy throughout history which today is known as the 'Anax guild'

"The book was written by the first master of Soldat. He was on the same crew as Edward Lugo and witnessed the start of a legacy":

"Throughout his life he journaled and wrote about the journeys and adventures their crew faced".

"Pierre already carried a vessel when their crew first met him. They explained his power as eerie, taboo and... something that the seas should've forbidden".

Solan listened intently, leaning in closer taking mental notes of what she said.

"Pierre could resurrect the dead from the abyss and control them however he liked. Abusing this horrifying power that no one knew came from Edward had decided to hunt him down before he caused any trouble".

"The first master of Soldat didn't know that much except the fact Edward fought him somewhere where the crew wasn't present, and in the end Edward returned safely telling everything had been taken care of".

"...is that it?" 

Solan asked, expecting more. 

"...Yes, though, you possess the same vessel as Pierre I'm not sure if its because of elder beast just has the same abilities... or you somehow are connected to him":

"...I am, in some way I am".

"I received this power, I can see the former people that used this power too...". Solan explained standing up from the couch.

"So you are connected, that sure is surprising".

Lumine didn't seem all too shocked, though despite her young looks it was easy to tell she had been around for many decades to not find anything too surprising anymore. 

The longer you live the more feelings you lose.

"I'm not sure what happened to Pierre after his encounter with Edward"

"but it seems a lot of things must've happened now that his vessel is still alive to this day, and importantly within you"

Lumine said, eyeing Solan with keen smile and soft eyes. Though it felt there were some deeper intentions behind them.

She was suspicious.

"I can't resurrect the dead like him yet, I've tried but it takes a heavy toll on me... I become easily fatigued and exhausted"

"for now, I can only use a bit of the other people who used this power...":

"I see, that explains the varieties of reports on the different use of your powers, Telekinesis and armor... that explains a lot, these people must've adapted other powers while having the vessel?"

Solan was startled, she sure had a sharp mind as what she mostly said was true.

For now, no of the former users had been capable of even resurrecting anything. 

Solan had done it once when he was younger, but not anymore.

He guessed the reason was because when he was a child his mind had no limits at all, as absurd as it sounded every child had their unstoppable imagination and dreams.

And also with the existence of vessels who know what they could possible do when they're young.

***

Summarizing the small meeting I had with her. This is what I learnt.

I can't participate in the tournament for now. 

Lumine knows the existence of Pierre.

And.

She'll help me with the research the true nature of my power.