I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1231: Racism Is Bad!

Northern stared at Nebulous Lord for a long moment, and for some reason—one he couldn’t quite name—he felt certain the two of them were going to have far more in common than strictly necessary.

’Wonderful. Just what I needed.’

Of course, Nebulous Lord looked like he’d turn out vastly different. The kind who’d kill with genuine, earnest enthusiasm, perhaps even a smile. But then again... Northern had to inquire within himself, probe at that uncomfortable question lurking in the back of his mind: was he absolutely sure he wasn’t like that?

From Omniform to countless other aspects, Nebulous Lord had taken from him more than any other summon ever had. The creature had practically turned him into a template, a model of existence to study and dissect. Used him as a rod of learning, absorbing everything Northern was and could be.

Now, all of it was showing.

’This is terrifying...’

He looked at Silver, who was throwing her tiny hand toward him, fingers grasping at air. Maybe wishing she could grab his face, pull him closer. The simple gesture made something warm flicker in his chest. Then he looked back at Nebulous Lord, standing there with that proud, knowing expression.

”So...”

Northern began, keeping his tone casual.

”Were you able to find out anything about the people chasing Mother?”

Nebulous Lord rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the gesture almost comically human.

”Uh, arghh, uhm, well—there’s not much to know from this one’s brain. He’s a small fry.”

He paused, then brightened.

”But! I do know that they think if Mother gets impregnated by the present Elven King—who is Elderwood, and at the same time her father—she’ll most likely give birth to Vitan. Oh, Vitan is some sort of Elven Origin they worshipped. According to what I read from this one’s memory, one could call him the Origination of the Elven race in its entirety. He was the first elf and a partner of the Origin of the Moon.”

Northern cringed immediately.

’No. Absolutely not.’

”Say what now?”

Nebulous Lord nodded, apparently oblivious to Northern’s discomfort.

”He was impregnated and gave birth to the Elven race. They also call him the World Tree. I think the whole endeavor of this... is to revive the World Tree and return the glory of the elves.”

Northern was still cringing.

’Mother impregnated by her own father to birth a deity. What kind of twisted—’

”Isn’t this Vitan person a man?”

Nebulous Lord shook his head, almost pitying Northern’s confusion.

”I don’t think it works like that, Master.” He paused. ”Am I a man?”

Northern thought about it for a while, studying the dark-skinned elf standing before him.

”Technically...”

”Wrong, Master.” Nebulous Lord replied with unmistakable smugness. ”I’m genderless. So was Vitan, so are the Origins. They’re called the Protean gender. Although I am genderless—neither a man nor a woman—Vitan and the Origins can be either whenever they want to. Biology doesn’t really apply to them, so Vitan could mother a child while presenting as male.”

Northern understood better now, the cosmic horror of it clicking into place. But still, he couldn’t help but cringe at the mental image.

’There are some things a person simply shouldn’t have to visualize.’

”So, we could say Vitan was the Elves’ World Tree?” He paused, then added flatly, ”The Moon came down and fucked the World Tree to give birth to the elves?”

Nebulous Lord nodded energetically, like a student proud of his teacher’s comprehension.

”Yes, indeed, Master. The first elves were twins—one with dark skin, one with bright skin. They both married each other and spread the Dark Elven race and the Wood Elven race.”

Northern was impressed despite himself.

’This is the most I’ve come to know about Elven history. And I’m not sure I wanted to know this much.’

He looked at Nebulous Lord with new curiosity.

”And how do you know all of this?”

Nebulous Lord tapped his head with a proud expression, as if the answer should be obvious.

”Here.”

Northern silently observed him—the dark skin, the elven features—before he eventually spoke.

”Of all the elves in that soldier’s memory, why choose a dark-skinned one?”

Nebulous Lord’s expression shifted, eyes narrowing with suspicious scrutiny.

”Master, have you heard of racism?”

His tone carried an edge of reproach.

”It’s a thing common amongst the elves. The dark-skinned elves were ostracized from society and killed because of their skin color. That’s what you’re doing right now, Master.”

’Will you look at this brat calling me a racist.’

Northern exhaled slowly, keeping his expression neutral.

”I’m not being racist. I just called you out on it because I don’t presume you encountered a dark elf in that soldier’s memories. I heard they were rather few and had been banished from the elven lands.”

Nebulous Lord folded his arms and nodded, apparently satisfied.

”Indeed, Master. Indeed.” He glanced down at himself, studying his own dark hands. ”I have no idea, honestly. It just turned out like this when I tried to choose the form.”

Northern nodded, inspecting Nebulous Lord again with a more analytical eye.

’Perhaps Omniform made him adapt to his old dark-skinned form. Yes, that must be it. Omniform is such a racist, not me.’

[...]

’What?’

There was no response, even though just now it had felt like Aoi was about to say something. Interrupt with some sarcastic observation, probably.

’Nothing? Really?’

Still nothing.

Northern brought his focus back to Nebulous Lord, looking at the summon with a mixture of delight and pride. He’d created Nebulous Lord from scratch, after all. Willed him into existence. It had been meant to stall Galahad back in Luinngard, a desperate gambit in a desperate moment. But apparently, the void creature had far outlived his initial purpose and become something much more.

Northern couldn’t help but wonder for a moment—was this his own doggedness driving the evolution, or was it simply the void’s nature? Did the void itself push its creations toward greater heights, or was he somehow responsible?

’I should prepare him to face Chaos Prince and eat him. Nebulous Lord seems like the one person actually capable of killing that bastard.’

”Alright then.” Northern looked at his sister, making funny faces at her. His heart leaped with genuine joy as she laughed back at him, the sound bright and innocent in this strange, tense moment.

Nebulous Lord looked over enviously, as if he wanted to do it too. Join in the simple pleasure of making a child laugh.

But he quickly straightened his expression as Northern returned his gaze to him.

”So...” Northern’s voice turned businesslike again. ”What is this place? What’s the situation here?”