I looked at Anne like I couldn't understand what she was talking about. Of course that's exactly what I meant, but there's no need for the others to know that.
"How is that your conclusion, I meant that since I never had sex, of course it couldn't be my fault for the law changing!"
Anne stifled a laugh, Duke Morvane sighed exasperated and even if no one really believed me, the doubt that my upbringing could be at fault eased their anger.
"Either way, you still need to be punished."
The pleasant good sport I laughed with replaying the pranks I made during the banquet was nowhere to be seen, this was really the Duke and he was going to teach me a lesson.
I didn't even acknowledge his remarks and moved away from him like he was the embodiment of a pest.
"Don't act like that Crow, chaos and disorder are two different things, you also went out of your way to make everyone uncomfortable."
"I gave them the chance to bribe me! That must count for something."
"After you already tricked three of the heirs."
The young nobles smirked at the duke's words, they were pleased he didn't just let me off the hook, but I wasn't.
How can you offer bribes without knowing what's coming for you if you don't pay up? He also was making me a scapegoat to not have any issues with the other families.
I wanted to show everyone that he too was laughing with me at them, but the Duke was no ordinary human and my neck felt strangely weak when I thought of exposing him.
"Fine, let's hear this punishment."
"You too will sign the treaty with the 12 heirs, so that nobody can kill each other."
I glared with an intensity that couldn't be masked.
My Error mana started to fluctuate, my blood boiling.
New fucking chains. This bastard, even after asking me what I wanted to do, decided on his own.
The mana spread with clear disdain, everyone felt it, something was deeply wrong.
Some even tried to defend themselves with their own mana, only to find it way harder than usual to manipulate it, but when the duke uttered his next sentence, everything shattered like it was a dream.
"You are also banned from the library and will only focus on your martial prowess until the academy begins."
"NO! WE HAVE A CONTRACT!"
"Shut up. That is not negotiable."
I slumped to the ground. Actual tears running down my face and everyone realised, just like Rovan, that I wasn't kidding.
I hated moving, I hated fighting and definitely hated using a weapon.
It took me a while to be able to get back to my feet, but I managed to and directly moved out of the way. I went to Anne and looked directly into her soul.
"Is my presence needed for the treaty, or is my blood sufficient?"
"Your blood is sufficient. Young master."
I picked up my jian, cut my hand and filled a vial I had for my chemical experiments with blood. I left without even receiving healing.
"See you tomorrow at the training ground miss Anne."
And disappeared right in front of their eyes.
Chains are meant to be broken. You're trying to force me a little too much Duke Morvane.
______________________
"Is it really alright? To have a mere servant sign for a Lord?" -Juste
"There will be no problem, he also can't possibly trick my eyes as of yet, when he disappeared for your eyes he was actually in a corner of the room meditating." -Dionen
They proceeded to the banquet hall where the treaty would be signed, nobody questioned my absence at first, but when the blood left the vial in Anne's hand and formed the words Crow Morvane, people started whispering again.
Alas the promised peace came to be, the heir left one after the others and the duke with his rightful heir went to the top floor to finally break the curse.
"Is it really fine dad? I know he was out of place, but isn't his research actually important?"
"You don't need to worry, his research is light years from being hindered from merely a week of punishment and you also know that despite his ability to move in unpredictable ways, his body is too weak."
They didn't talk after that and proceeded to the elders' dwelling.
_____________________
When all was done and silent I dispelled my illusion so that my shadow butler could find me.
He didn't disappoint.
"Young master Crow, you need to understand that the duke is right…"
"Have I asked for comfort William? No, I just appeared so you can find me. I have a few commissions for you."
"By your will, master Crow."
"Steal everything you possibly can regarding the rune of divinity. Effects, resonance with mana, cultivation methods, spell formations. And I repeat, steal. I don't want you to buy anything, nor do I want exchanges."
"That will be difficult young master…"
"I don't give a fuck. Pay someone if you need to."
The butler was conflicted, first of all, this mission had no purpose whatsoever, even with that knowledge there was nothing for me to do with it and second, this was information regarding one of the main families…
"Is it because Lord Auriel disrespected miss Anne?"
"No."
"Then…"
"I want to create mirages of miracles."
"But you're banned from the library…"
"Hugo, just fucking follow my orders and leave, I have something to ponder about."
I left without turning back and made way towards my own Royal suite. If everyone wanted me so fucking chained up to them, I would obviously become a chain that seared their own hands.
Inside my room I finally had time and solitude to check on my system unbothered by any kind of nonsense.
[Rune of Divinity, granted.]
[mana signatures available: Error, Confusion, Holy. As of now others will perceive your mana as the Confusion inheritance. Learn the mana manipulation passive skill to change it at will.]
[new quest available]
[quests:
-enter Vinegrad academy as a member of Disorder.
-create 3 Holy and 3 Unholy spells.]
That was an hint I didn't know I needed until it came.
"So the [Divinity] rune is responsible for both holy and unholy magic, that's good… but I don't think the path of Moon owns the same rune as the Sun…"
I took out my new and improved phone and sent a message to Anne. There was something I needed to investigate about.
______________________
"Patriarch, young master, everything is ready for the ritual to remove the curse."
A splendid runic circle was drawn on the ground, at his center, in a triangular formation, three drops of blood were positioned to be the catalysts of the ritual and with the stolen pardon already received, it was just a question of time.
Yom finally entered the circle, tension building up, but at the same time he felt slightly guilty. After all Crow had done for him, they went and punished him instead of thanking him.
The pride of a noble couldn't simply let this go and he promised that he'd pay him back somehow.
"Maybe we should give him a better manual to ready him for the next step…"
"He already has the same you own but refuses to use it, he said that he'd make his own manual."
"That foolish brat…"
"Son, don't think little of him, he is actually succeeding and with great results. It's just that his manual in the making is completely useless or even damaging for those who tried to use it."
"What? That doesn't make sense whatsoever?!"
"Even his resonance doesn't make sense, it must be because of his blood."
Yom knew there was something wrong with Crow, he knew his ears were normal before the link with the system, but he had told everyone that he had always been like that.
Sure he felt guilty for how they had treated him, but… what if he was dangerous?
"Don't dwell on useless things, let's break this curse once and for all. You can play with your brother later."
"Yeah sure, as if he'd accept to even look at my face. If he doesn't try to kill me, it will be a miracle."
"He can't, the treaty is already binding."
At the duke's announcement, everything became much clearer.
"I'm not a fool Yom, his contract with us is only for a year, but the treaty is valid until he graduates. You are protected."