Chapter 10-302: Promises, Promises (2/2)

There was seeing high Stat numbers, and then Seeing those Stats for yourself.

She could barely register hundreds of thousands and more Lights beyond and about her, each of them individual, and even the slightest glance zooming in to realize that they were singular and could not be misidentified, connected via bonds immaterial yet as strong as steel going back and forth.

Seven other Vassals, Directs, she could see in their Seats around Lady Traveler, and her eyes widened as they fell upon the Sinbound Warlock there...

Jet and Silver, indeed...

She saw each of the Vassals were regarding her, and saw their acknowledgements. None of them were less than Seven, even Abigail, who had joined the expedition of Heavenbound Hall’s members to shut down the Shroudzones slowly and thoroughly, raising her own Levels in the meantime to do so.

She swallowed as she stared at Traveler, her new Master, again, and a gentle pressure pushed her back behind that Door in her mind, and quietly closed it.

The Aura and Presence fell away sharply, but unlike before, she could still feel it there, on the other side of that Door, where it could not be hidden from her.

Her Monarch and Master could not hide what she was from her.

Azaia swallowed and remembered to breathe. Such incredible power, incredible mental ability. She had never imagined it was possible to be so formidable, and had nothing to compare the experience to.

She found herself smiling, for her sisters and her mother would similarly have utterly no fucking clue about this either, and she knew for certain that none of them even knew that Lady Traveler was related to them.

Indeed, her mother could not conceive that the daughter she’d borne that had no magic could possibly be this person, and her older sisters basically ignored the fact she existed, by both preference and the Geas their mother had put upon them.

“A Blessing for my Apprentice,” Traveler said softly, lifting her chin up so that she could place a cool kiss on Azaia’s brow.

Silvery light flowed across Azaia’s mind. She gasped at the sensation, which was similar to, but not the same, as Stat-Enhancing magic. This was purer, deeper; not a physical change, but a metaphysical one. It felt like her instinctive understanding, her quiet will, and deep connection with magic had grown deeper, fuller. She sighed despite herself at the sensation.

“In a few hours, I am going to be leaving for southeast Asia once again, Azaia. I am going to be exposing you to Cultivators and all that they are, and what they have done. Commander Haru’Ara will be coming with me to help guide the Chinese who are whelming to fight them, and you need to meet Sama and Briggs.

“Before then, we need to talk about your future, and get you Drained.” She calmly helped Azaia up, while Azaia tried to forget the automatic overlay of that mental image on top of her half-sister in front of her.

It was reeeeeeally hard to do so...

Probably a good thing. She would have absolutely no problem at all maintaining a very healthy level of respect for her Master.

“What manner of future, Master?” she had to ask.

“What Levels you are going to take once we drain you down to Three.” Traveler smiled warmly at her. “And yes, I have a way to do so. Better yet, I can retain the Karma involved, and when you exceed your Level, you can have it returned to you.” A diamond as big as a baby’s fist was suddenly glistening between her fingers with the Positive glow of Life energy. Azaia swallowed at the sight of a stone which could fuel the power to Raise the Dead. She had not quite been at Nine when news of that feat had spread throughout the world, and had actually been looking forward to being able to do so herself.

Another thing to be pushed off to the future...

“Establishing a firm foundation to gain power in the future,” Azaia agreed, and paused a moment. “My Lady, may I ask... how many Classes have you followed?” She grimaced slightly herself. “I had only followed two, and had just taken my first in Sorcerer...”

Traveler gestured, and the whole... list of... Classes...

Azaia read them all slowly, one by one, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “This...” She literally did not know what to say.

So many Classes! It was unbelievable!

“It is entirely possible for you to catch me, if we handle this correctly.” Azaia blinked in shock, despite herself. Traveler smiled slightly at her. “I did not take so many Classes of my own will. For whatever reasons, probably so that I would be prepared to operate alone, the Shroud has forced me to take all of this. There naturally is no reason for you to do so.

“In terms of pure power, I am at a point where I do not ‘need’ to further advance, although I most certainly ‘can’ advance. The Shroud, however, has decided to make up for its pressure on me.

“Thus, I am currently being forced to take all the extra Masteries I am entitled to, one by one, day by day, without further Advancing... although I am quite capable of doing so. Based on the number of Classes and Levels that were not fully taken, I am not going to be able to Advance again for almost an entire year.”

Azaia blinked. “You went from no magic, to this,” she could only wince and wave at the list of Classes, “in less than six months, and now you can’t Advance further?”

Lady Traveler only shrugged at her. “It is not my choice. There are definitely things I want to do and take, but I am not being allowed to.

“On the other hand, it places emphasis on getting my Gear up to snuff. No reason to fall behind on what I still have to do, no?”

Azaia could only agree...