Chapter 69: Chapter 68: A Bit Of Normality Part 3

Carl and Klaire stood on the surface of Archyon, where they had been practicing aura control and manipulation under Lillim’s tutelage all day.

Their brows were drenched in sweat. For the past two hours they had been standing adjacent to one another. Their task was simple, keep their auras in contact at all times, but not in conflict.

This was made undeniably more difficult by the fact that Lillim was periodically using her powers to shift them closer and further apart random distances and despite the fact they were on a desolate world, it was far from distraction free.

The planet was periodically struck by stellar objects, making the ground shake violently, any which were close enough to harm them were destroyed by Lillim, or the interception system that he had installed on the forward base. The shockwaves rippling through the thin atmosphere he had given the world temporarily deprived them of air, whilst also scorching them as the area was heated.

On top of that, Squidge was doing his own training. His was more aggressive, fighting off an endless wave of guerilla tactics employed by Lillim’s daughters and they weren’t shy about running through their auras. Even though running through Carl’s made the ones who didn’t have an aura of their own, or not strong enough to resist his, want to get closer to him.

When that happened, it was diffucult for Klaire to remain focused. Despite knowing that Carl wouldn’t use it like, she couldn’t help but be a little concerned about what would happen if he accidentally pulled a strong foe under his control.

Lillim making jokes about him seducing her daughters was what was breaking his concentration the most, he was slowly growing to hate his aura, the fact it’s natural ability was so similar to succubi’s.

“Focus.”

“Can you please tell me how to control the effects. I did it once reflexively, but haven’t been able to since.”

“That’s what we are doing idiot, if you cannot control its reach, how do you intend to control its nature? Now shut up and focus, we aren’t out here for the scenery.”

Suddenly the daughters training Squidge, switched out tactics, they all targeted Carl and Klaire. The attack wasn’t in earnest obviously, they simply wanted to force Squidge into responding, but it didn’t quite go to plan as Klaire’s aura reflexively turned aggressive and blocked their path without disconnecting from Carl’s

Their souls were ripped from their bodies as they entered the space.

“Ugh, damn my stupid children, that’s enough for today you two. Help me push their souls back in, then you can call it a day.”

The daughters looked a bit baffled as they came to, these were more demonic than human in appearance; with four arms, each hand tipped with eight-inch dagger-like nails, bright lavender skin and legs like an animals.

They sniffed the air around Klaire, as though not entirely sure she was a hybrid. “No, I’m not Faylorna, I’m her heir, okay? It’s lovely to meet you ladies, but can I please go grab my husband so we can make a pit stop before home.”

“Pi-”

“Don’t ask, just come with me. Lillim can you and Squidge go gather up everyone else up ready for dinner at HQ please.”

“Yes dear, I can give you two time to reconnect…” Her words made Klaire freeze and turn bright red. “Yes dear, remember that all demons of my lineage inherit their abilities from me, that includes succubi.”

“I shall remember that in future…”

“Can somebody please tell me what’s going on?”

“You should thank Ishtar for making him so oblivious, or curse her, not sure which… Either way, you best be off to your “pit stop” dinner time approaches.”

As Klaire dragged him away with increasing speed, one of Lillim’s daughters spoke, her voice sem disjointed as it escaped the mouth which looked to be stitched close with string of its own skin.

“Why is the heir to Faylorn in such a rush to produce an heir of her own, does she not know she will be immortal one way or another, or is she preparing for a battle where that doesn’t matter?”

“Neither, she is just young and knows her mate is too dense to pick up on subtleties.” Her words made some of her younger daughters wonder if that means they should be looking for mates to ravish and Lillim shook her head at the influence Carl and Klaire were having on their extended family.

“That’s enough girls, you are free to return home.”

“Mother, a few of us would like to explore…”

“Fine then…” She sighed. “…But no bloodshed or manipulation to find a mate, if I have to be lectured by my grandson I’ll rip you apart.”

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LILLIM : MY DAUGHTERS WISH TO EXPLORE, THEY HAVE ORDERS NOT TO ENGAGE IN BLOODSHED OR NON-NATURAL SEDUCTION… INFORM ME IMMEDIATELY IF THOSE ORDERS ARE IGNORED. ]

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM GILLIAN : “NON-NATURAL SEDUCTION”? ]

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LILLIM : MAGICAL, PHEROMONAL ABILITIES… I DON’T THINK YOU NEED TO WORRY LITTLE WOLF CUB. ]

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM ALYSSE : IS KLAIRE HAVING AN EFFECT ON YOU BECAUSE… DAMN! SHOTS FIRED BY GRANDMA LILLIM! LYDIA TO GIL’S SIDE ASAP! ]

Lillim wanted to be annoyed by the adolescent nonsense, but she smiled despite herself, then mumbled. “I do believe I’m growing soft in my old age.”

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LILLIM : THE MATRIARCH HAS ASKED ME TO GATHER EVERYONE FOR DINNER AT HQ, I DO BELIEVE THEY WANT REPORTS READY, BE THERE IN ABOUT AN HOUR… MAYBE TWO. ]

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LYDIA : WHY DO I GET THE FEELING I NEED TO BRING HEALY WITH ME? I’LL TELL LEANNA NOT TO RUSH BACK FROM WORK. ]

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LILLIM : THAT WOULD BE ADVISABLE, MAYBE YOU SHOULD BRING SOMETHING TO EDUCATE YOUNG CARL ON THE SIGNS HE NEEDS TO PLAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO, HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. I HONESTLY FELT A BIT BAD FOR THE GIRL. ]

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LYDIA : UGH, BETWEEN HIM AND BLANC, MAYBE I SHOULD GIVE THEM ALL A LESSON IN ADOLESCENT HORMONES. THE ONLY ONES THAT KNOW WHAT THEY WANT ARE KLAIRE, SOPHIE AND, I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M SAYING THIS, ALYSSE. ]

—Back on SATS—

Leanna received official orders:

“Dear Madam Director Leanna,

Your decision to join the recognised separatist faction, headed by your adoptive son, Carl Bashe-Reaga, is hereby recognised unanimously by the committee. We hereby relinquish any right for present or future interference in your personal affairs aside from the temporary resumption of your position as Madam Director.

Your final duty shall be to determine your successor, we have provided a list of supported applicants, but we fully welcome you to make the decision in your own way.

We thank you for your dedication, we thank you for your years of exemplary service.”

“Shame it took an eighteen year old’s, not as empty as I ’d likes, threats to get any respect… Though I guess we weren’t any older when we vilified ourselves to begin with.”

’Mum, is Carl going to be alright?’ Coral asked, clearly a bit conflicted about being in the position of her Creator’s brother.

’Will he survive it? Yes. Will he still be the same? No, I don’t think he will. I just hope when it happens, he changes for the better.’ Leanna then gathered herself.

After tapping a few buttons on her slate, she made an announcement…

“Attention all faculty, final period is cancelled, please report to assembly floor for an advisory meeting.”

Leanna looked about her office. It was a strange feeling, all of committee territory had felt like a prison for decades and yet now she was free if it, she could only think of the change she had achieved and those she was abandoning.

“How cruel can a mind be to itself?… She muttered, quickly feeling Coral’s comforting ability kick in.

She made her way through the halls that felt almost haunted by her memories, a harrowing journey of reminiscence both sweet and bitter.

She arrived well ahead of schedule, remembering every time she had stood on the stage from her first to now. “I never dreamed I’d have a child, I never dreamed he’d stand on this stage, let alone as a married man.” Suddenly, a series of beeps came from her slate to notify her of a new message:

“Apologies,we must also ask you to announce the immediate resignation of professor Kon and any other faculty who wish to join Carl’s faction. Though I have been asked to implicitly convey, they shall be eligible for re-employment should appropriate diplomatic agreements be made.”

Leanna tensed, concerned about how exactly Kon would respond, he was an avid and dedicated teacher who loved his job.

Leanna sent a message explaining the situation to him immediately, the idea of him finding out while she was briefing everyone from some third-party’s message not sitting right with her.

[ MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM KON : I FIGURED AS MUCH, AM I PERMITTED TO BID FAREWELL TO MY COLLEAGUES? ]

She told him honestly that they hadn’t “implicitly” forbidden it, but it was something that should be done sooner rather than later, but to keep sitter close-by so Carl could bring the cavalry.

As the first faculty members arrived, seeing the Madam Director sitting on the stage looking dejected, they immediately realised this wouldn’t be an everyday meeting. By the time the final members of staff arrived, at what should have been the final period, the atmosphere was visibly apprehensive.

Leanna giving such a vague sense of assembly time had been worrying in itself for one so strict and organised, the fact she required prodding upon the final arrivals was deflating for everyone.

She stood, moved to the podium and engaged the monitors and directed speakers, so that all one-hundred thousand faculty members could hear and see her.

“Apologies for the disruption to the usual timetable and I would like you to please pass that on to the students as well. Please hold any questions until I am done…

As some of you may know, my son, Carl Bashe-Reaga, began his optional two-year settlement management program at the end of last year. As the only human with a plus, I am aware in the interest many had in his growth and plans for the future.

What became clear at the graduation assembly, as I am sure you are all aware, is that his growth has been explosive since the material gathering exam.

What you most likely don’t know, or have been holding secret, is that Carl has been recognised by numerous Omina-class entities and as a result became head of a faction separate from the committee.

Since then, he has also brought several beings and families under his wing; namely the celestial fox Kyubi, the Kilili line, the mother of demons Lillim and as a result of his marriage to Klaire Bashe, who has since been named as the heir of Faylorn… Faylorna has sworn her loyalty and that of the entire clan Bashe to him.

Also, he has established positive relations and formal alliances with the twin dragon gods Tiamat and Bahamut, close to a finalised agreement with the chasm-dwarves and counts the elder god Nergal among his associates…”

The brief pause Leanna gave to let her words sink in and catch her breath, was almost all the crowd required to forget her request to hold all questions, forcing her to continue before they lost their discipline to uncertainty and curiosity.

“…Since the assembly where their quite frankly absurd rate of growth was put on full display, Carl has also achieved his first star and has been recognised formally as a separate entity.

Due to my position as his adoptive mother, it is no longer in the best interests of either myself or the committee, to hold my position here. I have also been asked to make it known, that no member of staff who signs on with his faction will be allowed to hold their position here… At this time, that includes professor Kon and although she wasn’t technically acknowledged as faculty, Lydia.

Professor Kon, has informed me he intends to come and say his farewells personally, though as it is a diplomatic issue and not an employment issue, we are unsure if that will be allowed. If it isn’t, please allow me now, to offer you his sincerest gratitude for welcoming him and being such fine colleagues.

On that same note however, the committee has made it clear that since the issue is diplomatic, any who join Carl would become eligible for re-employment at such a time an appropriate level of diplomatic cooperation has been reached.

On a personal note, I would like to say this now in case the situation changes…

Thank you, everyone, for everything. When I first started my tenure as Madam Director, this place of learning still had fresh scars from the equality movement, the students both pure and half bloods were scared. The staff were the same, with the added uncertainty of race being tied to employment.

Thank you for supporting me, thank you for standing by me over the last seven years as we made this a place of equal education through sacrifice and example and held the tide of racial injustice and institutional ignorance and gave the next generation a chance to see what could be if we stopped looking for flaws in one another.

Thank you…”

For the first time in the decades she had served the institution, she cried in front of her peers. Peers who thanked her and applauded her with unwavering support and respect.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep