Overpowered!

Count Hugo's throne room could only be described with one word—Grand. Elevated ceilings lined with chandeliers of different designs.

Nine pillars entangled with gold vines held up the room, and statues of golden lions were scattered everywhere to the point it seemed like an obsession—even the count's throne was a massive lion-themed golden throne. 

Creak! 

Towering golden doors slid open with oversized lion door knobs dangling loudly like drums. Lady Fyra walked in and headed straight to the throne where Count Hugo was seated.

She walked up to the flight of stairs but didn't dare ascend—Lady Fyra shot her big brother a smile before giving a respectful bow. 

"I already told you there is no need for formalities. Especially when we are alone." Count Hugo complained. "Just tell me about your observation of the Ross boy. Can he compare to my Little Leo?"

Hugo's question was met with an apologetic frown and reluctant glares. She knew how much her brother adored his only child—he would be shattered to know his child was badly outclassed.

"Spit it out already!" He yelled, his voice brimming with impatience.

 "It would be an insult to Silas, to put him in the same conversation with Leo," Fyra said with a heavy exhale.

And silence followed.

Count Hugo picked up his goblet and threw it with murderous intent but Fyra had foreseen this—she clutched her head and ducked to the left.

"You didn't have to put it that way!" Hugo cursed.

"You said I should spit it out!" Fyra yelled back. "And by the way it's true. After tutoring that boy for a day, I feel like we are all trash."

Fyra walked up the stairs and stopped at Hugo's table. She picked up one of the many golden goblets and filled it up with fresh wine in Hugo's favorite wine jar.

She didn't move.

Hugo watched Fyra gobble down all the wind like a lady lost in the desert for five days with no water. She refilled the goblet before walking to the armrest of his throne and sitting there.

"How talented is he?" Hugo asked. "Give me a comparison."

Fyra was about to sip her wine but froze. Her eyes narrowed did a moment before clarity and certainty returned.

"Martial Saint Kratus." She answered decisively.

IMPOSSIBLE!

Hugo sprang to his feet with a knitted brown Fyra didn't fidget.

"He mastered Elemental Channeling in one glance." She said before shoving the goblet to her face.

Gulping sounds rang loudly and two drops of wine ran down the edges of her lips.

Buzz!

Hugo froze in shock—-he didn't think Fyra would think so highly of him after their first day together but he understood why now.

But, was that even possible?

Elemental Channeling was the core technique needed to become a magic knight but it can't be mastered that easily. One needed to go through body tempering—this was basically the repetitive circulation of mana through the body to improve constitution and endurance. 

It helped the body adapt to the stress of mana circulation, making it easier to endure elemental channeling.

Only with reasonable endurance could one channel the power of an element through their body. That was why Silas needed to upgrade his {Vitality} stat. 

Even Martial saint Kratus, rumored to be the most powerful magus in the history of humanity, needed a week to learn and cast elemental channeling. 

If the story that it took Silas one look to master the technique got out, people would call them liars and curse them out.

"Also his undead is not a puppet but a fully functioning corpse with a complete soul. He binds the souls to himself, so his undead act independently and speak—"

"Speak?" Hugo blurted out—his head spinning from all the information.

It took Leonard three months and he felt extremely proud because that was a family record. After what he heard tonight, Hugo was sure he wouldn't be able to see his son the same way.

"You know what's worse? His undead regenerates—no—regrows like entire limbs. I thought it would take a while to teach him the basics and even told other students to wait until he was ready. How do I tell them he only needed a 30-minute class to surpass all of them?" Fyra kept rambling like a broken toy.

While Hugo wondered what he would tell the emperor. He already sent a letter to the capital to declare the discovery of an anomaly in Loth—what would he tell them when they ask him about his progress and learning process?

He came with all the packages?

YES! That is what they will tell them.

Hugo started laughing hysterically and Fyra quickly distanced herself with a suspicious look.

"Loth has been relegated to the shadows for a long while. Now we can shine, we will shine as bright as ever!" Count Hugo's eyes dazzled with excitement.

It didn't matter if his son wasn't the savior he wanted him to be. As long as the Loth Kingdom got its Messiah, he didn't care who it was.

— Meanwhile —

Silas sat in his room stunned as he received an unexpected notification.

{+10 Devotee}

{Devotees: 15}

{New Achievement Unlocked: Smooth Sailing}

{Host has successfully attained the support of Count Hugo and his sister, Fyra Emberfall. You have earned yourself a safe and supportive environment to grow.}

 {New Ability acquired: Deathrend}

{Deathrend}{Necromancy Magic}

{Coats a weapon in cursed necrotic energy, allowing it to cut through both flesh and spirit while draining the target's vitality.}

Silas was about to go to bed when these notifications popped up. He was extremely exhausted due to the side effects of using elemental channeling. 

His new life was exciting—filled with limitless capabilities, but it lacked the peace his old life assured.

Yes, they ran a couple of times every month, but outside life was pretty quiet and peaceful. 

Wearing cool clothes and eating a good meal was nice, but somehow, it didn't taste as good as Ruth's bean cakes.

"That reminds me, she's still not speaking to me—"