310 The New Talent
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While having lunch, my parents quickly decided to talk to me about something, while my grandma remained mostly in silence. It seemed that they had been discussing this for a while and finally decided to adress this to me in lunch, while we were all gathered and with plenty of time to talk about various topics.
“Blake, dear… With your father, we wanted to talk to you about something.” My mother said, feeling slightly nervous. My father nodded to her words.
“Hm? What is it?” I wondered.
My two parents looked at one another as my father decided to start the conversation.
“As you know… We had gone through a lot lately these months. With the demons, the whole wild boar incident, and the knights… Well, it has been a year filled with many things, so we never truly had the time to think about these things…” My father said, scratching the back of his head. “But, you know, we have been pretty open about your abilities, the powers you choose, and even these new Familiars you can Summon, mostly because we didn’t wanted to annoy you while you were working so hard to maintain the family while I was bedridden…”
“But things have changed now and now that we are slowly going back to our former stability, it would be good if we could adress these things and… your abilities properly, honey.” My mother said.
“My abilities… Hm, I guess you’re right in that. I’ve been mostly assuming you accepted them and I’ve barely explained what they truly are… Or the true nature of my powers.” I sighed. “To be honest, there are things I have not explained to you because I didn’t think you would understand them well, but I suppose if you’re concerned enough, I should share some of it.”
“Yes… W-Well, one of the things I’ve been wondering is… How is it possible for you to summon these weaker Familiar Spirits? Also you can use all sorts of elements of magic, and even healing magic… And above all, this energy you call “Ki”… I know your grandmother said that you might be a Hero or something, but is that really the truth, dear?” My mother asked concerned. “Perhaps the Appraisal Ceremony committed a mistake and you actually might have a Talent for all we know.”
“Yeah, and also about Eleanora, that girl… and the book you got at first place. I believe they’re connected somehow, right? Just what is she?” My father asked.
“Well… I guess I’ll have to explain to you things a bit more properly.” I sighed.
Of course, I wasn’t going to tell them the complete truth of my origins or those of Eleanora, as that would only bring me more misfortune than anything. But for now, giving them better explanations about the powers I have sugar-coated might do the trick to calm them down. I was already half-expecting the day they would begin asking me such questions, so I’ve already thought out about a good excuse and a made up tale about this.
“I was chosen. Grandma wasn’t wrong.” I sighed.
“Eh? S-So it was true?” Asked my mother.
“Are you not lying to us, right?” My father asked.
“No, the Grimoire I received is a wondrous Spirit that contains various powers. When the Appraisal Ceremony ended, it was true that I lacked a Talent and that my Spirit was a Book, but it was in fact named Grimoire, and it has the power to help me grow faster than other people, but only by going through a hundred times more challenging trials.” I answered with a calm and expressionless face. My parents quickly believed it due to my great talent at lying, and well, there was also some truth within such lies.
“M-More challenging trials?” Asked my father. “So… perhaps all you’ve gone through… I know you hunt alone nowadays but… Sigh… So this was intended to you from the very beginning?”
“Blake, are you really telling the truth, dear?” Asked my mother.
“Yes mother… In fact, I’ll show it to you. The Grimoire is always there for me, you simply can’t see it unless I wish for you to see it.” I said, quickly materializing my Grimoire and making it visible for everybody else. My family gasped in unison as the floating book emerged, blazing with a red aura of magic.
“I-Incredible…” My father said.
“It can turn invisible?” Asked my mother.
“Woah!” My grandmother was the most shocked, if it wasn’t for father’s quick response, she would had fallen off the chair.
“Sorry for surprising you… Open.” I ordered, as the grimoire opened its pages and the pages began showing magical words and elemental essences.
“This Grimoire allowed me to conjure elemental magic of low tiers, but as I grow stronger and receive more blessings from the holy spirits by completing their trials, I will be able to develop my magic and powers further.” I answered. I quickly manipulated my Mana and showed them a fireball, a small floating ice, a floating stone, spiraling green winds, and even electricity for a few seconds.
“Y-You’re really someone chosen by the holy spirits, son!” My grandma said with fascination.
“And this…” I said, taking out a card from my Grimoire. “The Grimoire also allowed me to summon these Familiars through cards. Sometimes when I defeat monsters, these monsters will turn into familiars, they’re very weak compared to normal spirits, but they’re useful, I am still developing this power, but it has to do with something else… My new Talent.”
“New Talent?” Asked my family in unison.
This was something I will only tell my family because I’ve lived with them for years, enough to trust them to this extent. But if possible, I would like this to still remain unknown for the most part. If it is ever revealed such as when I enter the Academy, it will make an uproar. I want to prepare for that moment and grow strong enough.
“Yes, my new Talent, Invoker.”
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