I was so pissed.
Not only had I been subjected to pain like none other I could even imagine, but these old fuck were laughing their asses off.
So I did the most obvious thing someone in my situation would do.
"So? What's so funny? I wanna have fun too! After all that pain this is literally the minimum!"
Each and every person in the room looked at me like a was an alien and in the fraction of a secon they started laughing again.
This time I felt it.
The resonance, the mana brimming with joy, tickling at me to join them.
The power of laughter.
So I joined them.
At first, it started with a light giggle, but the more they were crackling up, the louder I laughed with them. I didn't know when, but at some point it felt like a real concert.
Then a soft light started emitting from my chest, the mana was stirring, asking me to take form, so I did what was needed.
I laughed harder, truly enjoying the moment. Unfazed by the lack of motivation.
What's wrong in laughing for the laugh itself?
That was when the brilliance erupted and I found in my right hand a kopis, a single edge sword with a slight curve. I recognised it because it was the preferred weapon of the main families, at the same time I felt some weight added to my pocket that I decided to leave unnoticed.
"Well then, with this we can definitely say he's not blood from Beyond."
The fuck?
"Why do I have a sword in my hand? And what do you mean blood from Beyond? Do I seem like a monster."
Théo smirked, like I was a fool. Which was technically true, but still.
Just as I was about to open my loud mouth, he proceeded to finally explain.
"That is the weapon directed created by the rune of [confusion], it's unique for our bloodline because it can change form, only once and only in the family of swords, but it helps adjust to the style anyone prefers. As you might have noticed, we mostly use rapiers here."
"Brother, I have noticed nothing. First thing first, the moment we entered Merridion I was assaulted by migrain and when I was just about to get used to that, you four stuffed me with 3 pills as if I've not been eating pills the whole fucking day."
"Fair enough."
"Also I don't know jack shit about weapons, I only recognised the kopis because there were many essays on its importance during the war in the library."
Everyone was silent at my admission. Whatever they expected I couldn't really give them. The deadliest weapon I've ever held was my poverty.
Damn, that's a nice joke.
While the four mafia bosses decided to have an hushed chat, I gave in to curiosity and looked at my new and hopefully worth it status.
[Walker of Illusion: Error
Name: Crow
Bloodline: Error (3% purity)
Body: E- -> E
Mind: E+
Inherited mana: Error
Runes: Illusion, Confusion
Artefacts: Trirune's Reflection (partially sealed), The drunken sword (replica)
Skills:
•Erratic body: nothing wrong here, look away!
Immunity to all status effect. Higher adaptability.
•Undeluded: U tryna convince who?
Unmovable sense of self. Immune to illusions, high resistance to mental attacks of your same rank.]
Now that is what I call adequate compensation.
After all that pain it was only natural that the skills matched the suffering. I was also pretty much sure these skills were more like a defence system against myself.
Error mana could never be something good, so maybe, just maybe, this auto protection was sufficient, at least for now.
Then it was time to check on the weapon, no, artefacts I had received throughout all that resonance shit.
[The Drunken sword (replica):
Type: weapon
just like the original sword, the drunken sword is the perfect artifact for poisoning, however, unlike the original, this replica can only be changed into a Rapier or a Katana.]
[Trirune's Reflection (partially sealed):
Type: catalyst
The Coyote's laugh, 1st effect: enables ability [Echo of Action], silent casting is improved.
The Kitsune's Veil, 2nd effect: sealed.
The Serpent's Whisper, 3rd effect: sealed.
A set of 3 earrings, one black, one golden and one silver, each with a mirror pendant.
The only catalyst for the Error.
[Echo of Action]: create a repeating illusion of past actions.]
Wow. The catalyst…
"So have you chosen what weapon do you want to morph the kopis into? Or you're gonna experience a little before?"
Oh it seems they are done talking.
"Well, it's not like I have experience with handling blades, since you say the rapier is the most used here… let's just go with that, at least wherever you send me, I'll find a teacher."
That seemed to please everyone, not that I cared much, magic was much more interesting in my book.
I also had some sneaky suspicions.
Am I about to embark on the actual path of the Gigolo?
Whatever was needed, I'd do.
"Good, let's leave the weapon for later, you can change it on your own with the System. It's time to decide what to do with you."
Here it comes.
"It goes without saying, that you are officially admitted to Vinegrad. That's really the only place to cultivate you, also from this year, all the heirs of the main families will join Vinegrad."
"What? Why?"
"You don't need to know, but it'll be more fun! Just imagine the competition hahahahaha."
"Yeah, sure."
I smirked, but I was really thinking that fate seemed to bless me with runes at my disposal wherever I turned.
"You will also stay here with the core members, your [confusion] mana is too pure, and to find a way to mask your… unfortunate upbringing, you will be trained to be the young master's personal butler."
"The hell?"
"It's not so bad really, it's basically the same status as a core family member, I'm also sure the young master will share with you only the best of the best. Your general training starts tomorrow."
"What about my past, everyone with a brain cell will know for sure I don't belong to the elites of the elites, also, how are you so sure this young master will treat me like a human being?"
"Well, for your past we have already destroyed everything, it's not [Disorder] just for show. As for the young master… he might ask for something more than basic butler duties, it honestly depends on how your performance has been."
"Why the past tense? Have I already met him?"
I was starting to have cold sweats.
No, it's not possible. He couldn't possibly be, right? RIGHT?
"Well, you did meet him, ate with him, got pills from him and than ate him as well."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."