Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Lieutenant John's eyes widened as he realized what his Gift had become. He stared in awe at Young Lord Asher and didn't even know what to say.

"My Gift… is now Epic Rank?"

"Yes, just like your daughter's." Lucius chuckled wryly. "I do not know if this is something that you wish to report to others, Lieutenant John but I would suggest that you keep it to yourself and then use it as a chance to catch enemies off guard. Your enemies underestimating you is a great way to overcome them."

Lucius didn't have to tell others that much to keep it a secret, mostly because it was understood how special it was to have someone who was capable of increasing one's Gift rank.

However, Lieutenant John immediately bowed and smiled. "I merely wish to report it to your father, Count Gabriel, and perhaps to my wife as well, Young Lord Asher. I hope that will be fine?"

"Very well. I do not think there will be any harm in letting a select others know about it. However, keep the fact that your gift has upgraded being something that came from me a secret." Lucius said. "While this may elevate the rank of the Inanis Family, it will also draw the ire and envy of others. The gifts that I have with me, the knowledge that I am sharing and bestowing, I prefer to be the one who chooses where to put my resources into."

"Of course, it is your Gift. It should be yours to control." Lieutenant John agreed.

"But I am quite curious in seeing how well your Gift can function. Kiana here has an Epic Rank gift as well, so please allow her to use her gift in one of your mirrors if you will, Sir John." Lucius said.

"Of course." 

A beautiful silver-like mirror appeared around the wall of the inn. Some hesitation appeared on John's face.

"If I were unable to reflect the attack, I am afraid that the damage we may cause is…"

"Have more confidence in yourself, Lieutenant John. This gift is yours, you know it best and to what extent it can take," Lucius said, not bothering to explain that he also knew the contents of said gift.

"I will start weakly first, Lieutenant John." Kiana said as her palm released one Sting. It was around the length of her finger and she allowed it to attack at a moderate speed towards the mirror.

John's mirror immediately reflected the attack back at Kiana to which she quickly dodged. Her eyes widened, but she was impressed and so was Lucius.

'While it is easier to see how it works against Kiana's gift that works as a projectile, I am curious about how it will work on others less easy to comprehend. Barty's wind gift, Bergan's poison in his hand… those things cannot be easily reflected, can it?' Lucius thought.

"Was that satisfactory?" Lieutenant John asked. He was proud of himself for being able to do something.

'In the past, I have witnessed Kiana's attack kill a great number of bandits. The fact that I can do such a thing now means that I truly have grown stronger.' Lieutenant John thought.

'Once again, another person has grown able to withstand my attacks.' Kiana thought with some displeasure as she hid it in her expression. 'Viscountess Blackshield's shield that blocks everything to Lieutenant John, who can now reflect attacks. If I were to attempt to shower a multitude of Sting Sniper at him, I would simply find myself having to dodge the effects of my own attack.' Kiana thought.

"Indeed it was, Sir John. I can imagine that it will be a great asset in the future for you and for others," Lucius said.

The conversation didn't last that long and soon enough, Sir John asked permission to return to Dionysia Brewery.

"I will need to come and fetch Alessa to share the good news." Sir John said with a smile. "Perhaps we could even share a bottle of Humble Blaze before the price increase happens, haha."

The Lieutenant was earnest and decisive, and Lucius didn't realize that it was something that the man possessed.

'When you have a clear goal in life, whether it is to protect your family or conquer the world, the vision is clear in your eyes and you know which path to go.' Lucius thought.

Even though there was a great difference between Lucius and Lieutenant John and the path that they walked on, the two at least were both clear and had clarity on their vision.

"Come now, Kiana. We should head back." Lucius said.

Along their carriage ride back to the Inanis Mansion, Lucius glanced out at the window.

"We will need to work on the others who need their gifts to be upgraded. Who do you suggest we work on next, Kiana?"

"You spoke with Miss Finch earlier, didn't you and asked her to come with Gellor this week. Do you have enough time to upgrade someone else's gift, Asher?"

Even though Kiana did not have the concept of Hell Energy, she was under the presumption that all Gifts required Aether and thus Asher was in a weaker position after he upgraded someone else's gift.

"I do. I was actually thinking of one particular candidate. He has served the Inanis Family for a long time, and while I would have liked to upgrade an Epic rank gift now to Legendary… at this particular point in time, it will be great to focus on those with Rare Rank Gifts and then go from there."

"That makes Asher. It is far better to focus on building more people under you." Kiana agreed. "And if you were to simply keep upgrading and upgrading, it does make sense that some would take it for granted…"

"Why does it seem like you are talking about yourself, Kiana?" Lucius asked with slight humor in his voice.

It had been quite some time that Lucius had been in this world, and thus, it was not exactly wrong to say that he had a certain grasp on other people.

"… It's fine, Asher. Who will you be upgrading next?"