SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant

Andrew did not take long to answer after Trafalgar told him to start from the beginning.

”As you know, you caused a great commotion back then. People spoke quite a lot about Leon being put in his place and things like that.” Andrew let out a tired breath. ”I have to say the truth is that it did happen. I suppose that was the moment Augusto started drawing attention. He had a rare mineral like mithril to sell without any shortage, and that caught people’s interest. Of course, many already connected him to you, and his shop became much more popular because of it.”

Trafalgar gave a small nod.

”Yes, that is exactly what happened. Augusto himself told me the shop became quite popular. He also said there were always people asking about me.”

Andrew raised his teacup, though his hand was not fully steady.

”That is the point I wanted to reach. You are a major center of attention now. Well, leaving aside the neutral force of the Council of Sages, which has gained a great deal of weight everywhere and overshadowed the news a little. Even so, the fact remains that there is a new SSS talent in the world, and that is you.”

Trafalgar understood before Andrew even finished shaping the rest.

”I think I see where this is going. Because of my talent, and because I had been connected to Augusto before, they may have been watching his shop for some time already. They were simply waiting for the moment I appeared there so they could finally strike. Is that what you mean?”

Andrew lowered the cup with a quiet clink.

”I do not think I could have said it better myself, Lord Trafalgar. So yes. That is exactly it.” He adjusted himself on the sofa. ”The rumors were about that. There were people moving strangely around Augusto’s shop. That is all I know. I am a busy man, and since nothing happened at the time, the matter calmed down and was not investigated any further.”

”I see.” Trafalgar’s voice stayed even. ”Thank you for telling me. At least now I know one thing clearly. Someone has had me as a target for some time already.”

Zafira spoke for the first time since Andrew had begun explaining.

”Do you have any idea who it could be?”

Trafalgar let out a quiet breath, his expression unchanged.

”Just like the assassin said, it could have been anyone who truly stands against my family. If my family has produced a talent like this, it would make sense for certain people to want me dead before I grow into something worse for them.” He rested one arm along the side of the sofa. ”But they are moving carefully. They do not want their identity exposed, which means they have resources, and they are not foolish enough to reveal themselves to the world over one attempt.”

Andrew shifted in his seat.

He had already heard enough to regret hearing this much. The deeper the conversation moved into enemies, Great Families, and hidden resources, the less he wanted his name anywhere near it. His voice came out timid despite his efforts.

”Em... forgive me for interrupting, Trafalgar, but I do not think this is a matter I should be involved in. In fact, I would appreciate knowing as little as possible.”

Trafalgar turned his head toward him.

”Right. Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts.”

Andrew forced a polite smile that did not sit comfortably on his face.

Trafalgar rose from the sofa, and Zafira followed a heartbeat later.

”Well, thank you for everything, Andrew. We will probably meet again if your son does end up entering the neutral force of the Council of Sages.”

Andrew murmured under his breath, too low for an ordinary man to catch.

”I would rather not...”

Trafalgar paused.

”Did you say something. Lord Andrew?”

Andrew’s whole body tightened. A fresh line of sweat rolled down the heavy fold beneath his chin.

”Nothing at all. I said it will be a pleasure to see you again when that day comes.” He forced the smile wider. ”I only hope that despite everything, you have had a good time in Mariven Port.”

Trafalgar did not press him.

”Of course.”

The farewells were short after that. No one in the mansion tried to keep them any longer than necessary. The guards at the entrance stepped aside without issue once Andrew’s order reached them, and the matter, at least on the surface, had been settled.

But questions remained, as always.

Trafalgar stepped out into the night with Zafira beside him, the port air cooler now that the worst of the chaos had passed. Their footsteps carried them away from the mansion at an unhurried pace while his thoughts kept turning over the same point.

’Who would be foolish enough to try something like this against me?’

It was not someone from inside the family. On that much he was certain. There

were enough knives inside House Morgain already, but this did not feel like one of theirs. The method had been too distant, careful and anonymous.

So who, then?

It was a good question, and one he would probably answer in time.

For now, the only comforting part was simple. He would be back at the academy soon. Touching him there would be far harder than trying something in a place like Mariven Port.

Trafalgar glanced back at Zafira, who had fallen a little behind him during the

walk.

”Well, are we going back now?”

Zafira’s lips pressed together slightly.

”That is not fun. I thought we were going to have a good time here, but nothing

good happened in the end.”

Trafalgar let that sit for a moment while his body quietly did its work.

Most of the poison was already gone. The Primordial bloodline had torn

through almost all of it on its own. What remained was faint enough that he

could ignore it now.

”The Primordial bloodline really is absurd, he thought. ’I suppose we are still on

vacation.’

He turned more fully toward her.

”Did you not want to go to the beach?”

Her disappointment eased a little.

”Yes. I did. Are we going?”

”We can come back tomorrow with the others.”

Zafira did not hide the faint drop in her mood. She had wanted it now, not tomorrow, and Trafalgar could tell. Even so, she did not reject the idea.

”Fine,” she said. ”Tomorrow, then.”

Trafalgar gave a small nod, and the two of them continued through the night streets of Mariven Port, leaving behind Andrew’s mansion, the ruined rooftop, and the beginning of a problem that had clearly started long before this trip.