The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 364: Chapter 359 — Talk

Zephyrion practically threw himself into his room and spun towards the door, intending on shutting it behind him. Lumi, meanwhile, seemed to be having the time of her life, gleefully flicking off the army of screaming cadets who’d pursued him all the way there.

”Prime! Please, just one minute! I swear I’ll make it worth your while!”

”Your Lordship! I can cook! Clean! I don’t even need a salary!”

”Prime! My sister is single! She’s beautiful! Please, just meet her once!”

Eventually, Zephyrion had enough and slammed the door shut. Lumi immediately scrunched up her face, shooting him an accusing look before signing that she wasn’t done having fun.

”You can go join them outside.”

Lumi folded her arms and shook her head vehemently before pointing at him, making it clear that he was the one she wanted to torment.

Sighing, Zephyrion took a seat on his bed and stared at his glowing rune tab, still struggling to believe what he was seeing.

’This is... a lot.’

...

Academy Rankings.

Zephyrion Calderalth — 8780 >> 50,680

Arcturus Aur Eryndor — 6500 >> 21,420

Malach Sanct Sarakhel — 6450 >> 12,300

Rhaena Kharadun — 6200 >> 9940

...

He’d expected a substantial amount, but never this much. With these points, even the most sought-after apprenticeships in the empire were practically his for the taking. He could probably request to become the king’s personal assistant and still have enough left over to hire someone to do the actual work.

Of course, the rankings were visible to every cadet and had even been circulated among Ferrans across the empire. The benefits of such recognition were astounding, which explained why cadets had flocked to him the moment the rankings were posted.

Some wanted his favour, others wanted his friendship, and a concerning number seemed perfectly willing to become his servants. At this rate, he wouldn’t be surprised if someone offered him their firstborn child.

Still, of everything, Zephyrion was most thrilled that he’d earned the freedom to choose wherever he wanted for his apprenticeship.

’Now, I can finally get to the bottom of... that.’

Clearing his thoughts, he lifted his head and found Lumi busy cleaning the room. Having destroyed half the building during his breakthrough, they’d been moved to a newly built room, one that was still covered in dust.

Lumi, however, didn’t seem to mind. She was cheerfully wiping down the table, humming soundlessly to herself as she worked, occasionally stopping to admire her handiwork before moving on to the next dusty spot.

Watching her, Zephyrion felt a familiar knot tighten in his chest. He sighed.

’I’ve put this off long enough. It’s time.’

Steeling himself, he called out,

”Lumi.”

Lumi turned towards him, raising a questioning brow.

”Come here. I need to talk to you about something.”

Her curiosity piqued, she set the towel aside and hurried over to him, signing.

What is it?

”You know what happens after the academy, right?”

Lumi thought for a moment and nodded.

’Here goes.’

”Your apprenticeship will last for a year, and I want you to spend it at an academy in Dusktown. I’ve already spoken to Uncle Garrick. He’ll be joining you there.”

Lumi nodded again, seemingly understanding.

’Erm, protégé... I don’t think she understands,’ Demorian suddenly said. Zephyrion had unknowingly released the ancestor’s restrictions during his battle and subsequent breakthrough.

Leave it to Demorian to state the obvious.

’...I can see that.’

Exhaling, Zephyrion spoke up once more.

”But... you’ll be going alone. I’ll be doing my apprenticeship somewhere else.”

Lumi tilted her head, her brows drawing together. Then, a moment later, she signed.

Without you?

Zephyrion silently nodded.

Lumi immediately shook her head, her hands moving rapidly.

No. I want to go with you.

”...You can’t.”

Why not?

Zephyrion’s expression hardened as he slowly clenched his fists.

”Because you need this, Lumi. You need to learn how to read, learn more about the world, and learn how to live without me making every decision for you. I’ve kept you from all that for too long, and I don’t want to keep doing it.”

Lumi shook her head, pointing at him as she signed.

Then teach me. I can learn with you.

Zephyrion shook his head firmly. ”No, Lumi. You can’t.”

He couldn’t trust himself not to take control of her life again, interfering with every little thing she did. If this was going to work, they had to be apart. She had to find what works for her, not what he decided.

Lumi was already shaking her head fiercely when he placed a firm hand on her tiny shoulder, drawing her attention to him.

”Look at me. It’s just one year. After that, I promise we’ll see each other again. I know you don’t want this, and I know it’s hard, but... please, Lumi. Do this for me.”

Lumi’s eyes slowly filled with tears until they spilled down her cheeks. Zephyrion felt the knot in his chest tighten at the sight, but he forced himself to remain composed.

The last thing he needed was to show how much this was affecting him, too. He had to be the cold one, for her sake.

Eventually, after crying until her face was red and swollen, Lumi wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and reluctantly nodded.

Zephyrion felt a pang in his chest and reached out to pat her head, but she suddenly rose to her feet and headed towards the door.

”...You don’t have to leave now. You can stay here until it’s time to go,” Zephyrion said.

Lumi paused at the door for several seconds before shaking her head and opening it, disappearing amid the roaring cadets.

The door closed, leaving the room in silence.

Zephyrion slumped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath it.

He’d known it wasn’t going to be easy, but this was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

A moment later, he sighed and shut his eyes, drowning in the silence.