Supreme Magus

Chapter 1001 A Gift Like No Other Part 1

”Reserving a suite isnʼt just a good idea, itʼs Great. Iʼd like to live the next few days as if we are the last humans on Mogar, with magical domestic staff that conveniently appears only to do the chores for us.”

Kamila gave Lith one of her radiant smiles that always made him feel like the luckiest man alive.

She had applied months in advance for a few daysʼ leave on her birthday to be sure that nothing would mess with their plans. Even though she had finished working just for a few hours and was dead tired from the long day, she had dressed up for him.

Moreover, Lith still found it hard to believe Kamila could smile like that despite knowing most of his secrets. She treated him as if Lith was just a regular guy rather than a mysterious hybrid implicated in power games that involved beings older than the Kingdom itself.

Having someone like Kamila by his side, who wasnʼt bound to him by blood ties or common interests, but simply by sincere affection, was the greatest gift he could ask for.

”Just like home, then. After all, during your days off you sleep all day and leave buying the groceries, doing the chores, and the cooking to me.” Lith teased her.

”Thatʼs not true. I donʼt sleep all day, only when you let me.” The fact that was the only part she could refute made her blush in embarrassment. ”Jokes aside, this place is fairylike. I canʼt believe they soundproofed the entire building to not disturb the animals.”

Even though the Flying Griffon was fully booked, the guests wouldnʼt hear anything but their own voices and the sounds of nature. Many small animals felt so confident that they would come close to the terraces and accept the snacks the resort provided to each room.

Lith was dolled up as well, wearing a black suit rather than his usual Archmage robe. The first course of their meal was venison stew, a local delicacy, accompanied by red house wine.

Unlike normal hotels, Lithʼs suite was located on the ground floor. It allowed the guests to watch the local fauna through the reinforced magical glass of the terrace and to take a stroll along the lake simply by walking through a door.

The apartment was made of redwood and was comprised of several rooms. It had a living room furnished with a tea table and sofas to spend some time with friends, a terrace where to dine while enjoying the scenery, a huge bathroom, and an even bigger bedroom.

Even though all rooms were magically heated, most of them had their own fireplace for ambiance and the resort was so quiet that, unless the guests called the room service, they had the impression of living in a mountain cottage in the middle of nowhere.

”What did you want to talk about?” Kamila asked.

”Canʼt it wait until after dinner? Or at least after I give you your birthday gift?” Lith said, visibly embarrassed.

”Not a chance. Once you say those accursed words, I canʼt relax until I hear the big secret you decided to share with me and mark it as irrelevant.” She replied.

”Am I really so obvious?”

”If after living together for so long I couldnʼt read you, it would mean that either I donʼt care about you enough to notice or that you never allowed me to know the real you.” Kamila said.

”I get that youʼre full of secrets and Iʼm willing to wait until you are ready to share them with me, but please, donʼt treat me like an idiot. Thatʼs something that I couldnʼt bear.”

Lith nodded and then told Kamila about Death Vision in the details, explaining its quirks to her.

”Let me get this straight. So, unless you focus, everyone around you dies, or at least thatʼs what it looks like to you.” Kamila said and Lith nodded for her to continue.

”However, if someone is your friend, then they are ʼsafeʼ within a few meters, while the members of your family are unaffected by Death Vision as long as they are in your same room, and you ex even from over ten meters (33 feet) distance?”

”Yes. I never mentioned it to you before nor did I have the courage to stop holding Death Vision back in your presence because I didnʼt want to make you feel like you had to compete with Phloria.” Lith said.

”And because you were afraid Death Vision measures not only a personʼs life span, but also the depth of your feelings for them.” Kamila completed the phrase for him.

”Yes.”

”Donʼt worry about hurting my feelings. I wouldʼve done the same in your shoes. A mystical power that tells you who you can or cannot love would be a curse even worse than Death Vision already is.” Kamila held his hand, forcing him to look her in the eyes.

”Whatʼs the verdict?”

Lith took a deep breath to calm down and let go of Death Vision.

”You look gorgeous, like always.” He said.

”Great, at least Iʼm a friend. Now walk to the other side of the suite.” Kamila pointed him the farthest place from their table.

”Wait. You told me not to worry. That you would do the same.” The sudden edge in her voice surprised Lith.

”I did, but you were also right. Maybe itʼs not, but Death Vision sure feels like a damn competition. What about now?” Kamila hated to feel so insecure, but she needed to know at all costs.

ʼFor all I know, Death Vision might not measure Lithʼs feelings towards others but the strength of their bond. It would explain why Phloria was immune from the start whereas even his parents needed time.

ʼNot only did he open with her before anyone else, but also Lith relied on Phloria whereas he considered his family as something to protect. He always kept them in the dark, deeming them unable to cope with the truth.ʼ She thought.

”Youʼre still fine, but I must say youʼre taking this too seriously.” Lith said.

”So says the man who waited two years before mentioning any of this to me.” She sneered while walking through the terraceʼs door.

”Wait, youʼre still barefoot!”

”I donʼt give a damn about some dirt. What about now?” She stood in front of the glass door, about 15 meters (49 feet) away from him, just to be safe.

”Youʼve just terrified several ugly carcasses that I can only guess are actually birds and squirrels. Youʼve also ruined my appetite, but you still look as beautiful as a godʼs dream.” He said.

”I win, I win, I win!” Kamila sprinted back inside the suite, jumping at Lithʼs neck and forcing him to princess carry her before giving him a kiss.

”So much for winning with grace.” He chuckled at her enthusiasm.

”Sorry, I got carried away.” Her radiant smile and excited voice were in stark contrast with her words.

After Lith carried Kamila back to her seat and cleaned the floor with first magic, her inquisitive mind that was now free from self-doubt, forced her to ask:

”Is there a reason why you choose to tell me about this right after settling the matters with the Council?”

”Youʼre on fire tonight. Yes. Now that neither Awakened nor humans can mess with my plans, Iʼm going to Awaken Phloria. Faluel gave me permission to invite her as my plus one for the apprenticeship.” Lith said.