The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 17

“A Communicator means you haven’t fully blossomed into a Spirit Mage yet, right? You haven’t made a spirit pact? So, what exactly can you do?”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, a researcher’s inquisitiveness. I hesitated for a moment on how to respond, then simply explained.

“I can pick up traces of past information left in a place, or read things like the weather to some extent.”

“What? Wait a minute. How can you say that so nonchalantly? Predicting the weather is one thing, but obtaining past information? I’ve never heard of such an ability.”

Ah, so it’s unusual? Feeling a bit embarrassed, I closed my mouth. Hale then added his input.

“It seems Officer Sei’s abilities are somewhat different from the generally known Spirit Mages. I suspect he has other abilities as well,”

“Other abilities?”

This caught me off guard as well. When I looked at Hale, our eyes met, and he gave me a meaningful smile.

“When the Demonic Beast attacked the Security Department, you were there, right? The report mentioned a fortunate earthquake created an opening for defense. But I have a feeling it wasn’t just a coincidence. Officer Sei, did you do something?”

“…”

Camille looked at me, silently asking if it was true. People with keen insight are always troublesome. How did he figure that out from just one line? I guess he earned the position of head of the investigation for a reason.

“You can cause earthquakes? Does that mean you have earth attributes?”

Lisa had already taken out her notebook. Come to think of it, Spirit Mages do have unique attributes. Their manifested abilities vary accordingly. Realizing the meaning of her question a bit late, I barely managed to respond.

“I’m not sure. To be precise, I wasn’t trying to cause an earthquake. I was attempting something else, and it just happened. It doesn’t always work.”

“What were you trying to do?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Now, now, this isn’t the time to interrogate Officer Sei, is it? We have now clarified his role. If anyone still has questions about the composition of the expedition team, speak now.”

Finally, the eyes that had been focused on me started to scatter. Instead, Hamar became the center of attention. With a smirk, he raised his hands in mock surrender, and Hale’s expression relaxed.

“So, we can now begin the main meeting.”

A wave of intense fatigue washed over me. It was still morning, yet I already missed my cozy dorm room. If I could just quit everything and go lie down on my bed, I wouldn’t ask for more.

Fortunately, the meeting itself was brief. Most plans were already in place and only needed a light review. The main issue was that the one-month one-way journey had to be completed and returned within three months, making ordinary routes nearly impossible. The set departure date was three days away. With the time and place for gathering noted, the day’s agenda concluded.

“Leaving at five in the morning from Dilux is practically the middle of the night. I’ll have to go to bed early the night before. Sei, why not stay at my place and leave together?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Why not? It’d be nice to have dinner together after a long time. Mother’s curious about how you’re doing too.”

“We’re not going on a vacation.”

“I know. That’s why these ordinary moments are even more precious.”

“Enjoy those ordinary moments by yourself.”

My firm response made Camille mumble, but he stepped back obediently.

“By the way, I was really surprised earlier. I didn’t know you were a Spirit Mage.”

“I’m not quite a Spirit Mage yet.”

“Still, you have the potential. If you can already use such abilities, summoning a spirit is just a matter of time. But how did you cause that earthquake back then?”

“It’s a complicated matter.”

“Come on, everything’s already out in the open. You can just tell me.”

Though he grumbled, he didn’t seem genuinely upset. In fact, his expression seemed almost sly, as if he was holding back a laugh. It was a look that didn’t quite suit him, making me instinctively take a step back.

“Why are you making that face?”

“Of course, I’m saying it’s good news.”

“Good news?”

“It’s easy for exceptional abilities like those of a Spirit Mage to earn a title. If we succeed in this expedition, you could at least get a baronetcy. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about your parentage. You could become a noble on your own merits.”

I involuntarily paused. Camille sent a puzzled look my way when he noticed I had stopped moving. I shook my head to signal it was nothing and continued walking. Ignoring it would probably be the best, but an impulse surged within me.

“Do you want me to become a noble, Lord Camille?”

“Huh? Of course.”

“Though you’ve always said I’m just myself, you can’t escape being bound by status after all.”

This time, Camille stopped. His face bore an expression of incredulity, maybe even a hint of anger.

“Hey, that’s because of you!”

“…Because of me?”

“Who do you think caused this situation? Who left without a word? Who changed their easygoing attitude and suddenly started treating me formally? Why did all that change?”

“…”

“Because you’re not a noble! Because you’re a commoner! That’s why you act like this! How is it my fault that I want you to become a noble?”

I couldn’t think of a rebuttal. Even after I acknowledged my mistake and apologized, Camille’s stern expression didn’t soften. It seemed my words had sparked something within him.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your abilities?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier.”

“I’m not asking for an apology. You’re not genuinely sorry anyway. If it weren’t for this mission, you probably wouldn’t have told me at all.”

Indeed, time spent living together is formidable. He knew me too well. Unable to deny it, his gaze grew even sharper.

“What have I ever done wrong to you? Or do you find me so untrustworthy that you can’t share important things with me?”

“That’s not true.”

“Then why do you keep hiding everything? Even the way you left the Duke’s estate. If you had concerns, I would’ve listened and tried to figure things out with you. But you didn’t even leave a simple note. How do you think I felt when I found out you were in the Security Department? And now I’m just learning about your abilities! Why do I have to keep hearing about you from others?”

“Did that upset you?”

“Upset? Do you even hear yourself?”

Fury blazed in his eyes. I thought he might grab me by the collar again, but he merely clenched his fists tightly.

“I thought of you as my brother! Not just a cousin, but a real brother! How can you say it’s just a minor irritation that I didn’t even know my brother was a Spirit Communicator? And now you tell me, ‘we’re bound by status’?”

“Lord Camille, that’s…”

“See! Even now, you call me Lord Camille. Who’s really bound by status here, you or me?”

“…”

I hadn’t considered that. His pointed words struck a cold chord within me. Maybe I was the one truly bound by status, as he said. But could it have been any other way? It was intrinsically part of my life.

“I’m too emotional right now. Let’s talk about this later.”

Camille took a deep breath and turned away. As I watched him walk away, a similar figure merged with his solid silhouette in my memory.

“Leave this place.”

I lifted my head and stared at the dark silhouette standing against the moonlight. Like a towering wall, he was always an insurmountable presence to me. I was relieved he didn’t turn back—just the thought of him gazing at me was suffocating.

I didn’t bother asking if it was because of Camille, or if my existence was a threat to him. The answer was obvious. I knew the whispers behind my back had grown louder lately, and I could already guess that measures would soon be taken.

“Where should I go?”

A file envelope was placed in front of me. Inside, I found an application for the national exam. The name section was already filled out. The name “Sei,” simple and unadorned, with no mention of origin or family, was written.

“There is an entrance exam for the Information Handling Department in a week. Take the exam with that name.”

With the command came a piercing gaze.

“Do you understand what this means?”

“…I discarded the name Lavant a long time ago.”

I never had it to begin with. His quiet nod indicated that my response was satisfactory.

“I told you from the moment I brought you in. I will not let Salvia wreak havoc on my family again.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“The social world is a fickle place. It may seem like everything is forgotten, but that’s not the case. Salvia’s disgrace will forever be on people’s lips, and as long as you carry that blood, you will always be a spark for that fire. Still, I took care of you because you are the only remnant left by my daughter. If you know your place, you won’t act recklessly.”

Lies. I muttered internally.

In truth, abandoning me would tarnish the family’s name. Leaving the only bloodline of the esteemed daughter would mean admitting you cast her aside. Or perhaps it was to prevent me from revealing secrets someday. Regardless, it was evident that this was never about any loving affection for me.

“Live quietly where my gaze can reach, without drawing attention. That’s the utmost consideration I can offer.”

His cold voice pierced like thorns. I felt nothing in particular. I merely thought of my mother, who might have stood in this very spot. I wondered if he had spoken to her the same way when he forced her into an unwanted marriage.

“Thank you for your grace, Duke.”

I bowed my head, the papers clutched to my chest. I felt no regret about leaving. This place was never mine to begin with. Just like the barren estate of the Lavant family, where my mother had passed away.

–
(T/N) : Poor Sei