Chapter 290 - Mark Of Birth (VI) (2/2)
”I always see you working even at night time. No one works that late and stays awake the whole day. It looks like what my parents said is true that humans are weird creatures.”
”Heh, as much as I can say for myself, this is pretty normal. Also, it is a waste if I just sleep, so I didn't bother sleeping. Besides, sleeping will invite death flags to us. I don't want anyone to die while they are near me after all.”
”Hmm, although I understand a bit of your reasoning, I still don't think I understood your motivation.”
”That is not needed at all. Only those who experienced pain and hardship after losing someone will usually be the only people who can easily understand me, If you try to read me like some kind of book, prepare for a massive headache alright?”
...
Tina went silent and like me, she gazes at the sky, holding the bottle of Nectar Wine. Although she is just holding it, she never actually drank its contents. She was just hugging it.
I didn't bother her and let her relax since she is the one who keeps all of their efforts in check. Not talking to her would allow her to open up if she is ready.
”Defying my parents, do I really have to do this for them to accept me on who I was?”
”Are you getting insecure by that thought?”
”Yes. I never defied my parents' teachings and all of them are memorized in my head, I can even recite them if needed.”
”You are not wrong of doubting your parents. However, I will ask you. Why you didn't receive any marks?”
”Mark? What mark?”
”You don't remember? Queen Tanya asked you this before right? Like the mark of ”acceptance.” It's what they are called in the Insect Kingdom.”
”Mark of Acceptance? What is that?”
”I see, you never knew what it was. Since you never got one at all right? Queen Tanya told me about it but to think you managed to live with your fingers and limbs still attached to your body.”
”Huh? Can you care to explain?”
I shook my head a bit and tried to recall the memories of the time I read about it.
”Mark of Acceptance or mostly known in the Insect Kingdom as the ”Mark of Birth” is something you can call, branding of insect people's babies. The reason it was called the Mark of Acceptance is that it is a mark that signifies you are wanted to be loved in this world and there are still people who loved you. That they don't regret you from being born in this world. They also call it the Mark of Birth since all newborn babies will have this mark to signify they are welcomed.”
”Not only that, but from what I know, the mark also serves as a catalyst for the awakening of something in the person who has the mark. If I remember correctly, it was for power maturation. It allows your strong power to mature and not just to stagnate.”
Tina went quiet before she looked at me again. ”If that is the case, does that mean everyone in the Insect Kingdom has the mark right?”
”Yes, they have it.”
”Then what about those who didn't bear the mark?”
”Pretty obvious. Before they are even able to enjoy the world, they will be killed and disposed of. They label the markless as rejects of societies and useless.”
The moment she heard that she furrowed her eyebrows as sweat slowly appeared on her forehead. Her eyes are wavering and it seems she is struggling at keeping her head cool after learning what is the purpose of the mark.
”I.... I don't have a mark. Is that the main reason, I am not able to develop my abilities at all?!”