Paragon of Death

Chapter 38: Chapter 37: Moon stone

The next day, Damon could be seen attending a class like the others which made Duke Hail and the other two frown. There was something wrong with Damon! How the hell did he not turn?

This is the first time they have ever encountered something like this. But watching him pass from above with a cloaking spell, they could pick the scent of a werewolf from Damon, which meant he had the curse. Then how did he resist turning?

Unknown to them even Gin, Klien, and Cyrus were confused as well. They would have sworn Damon would turn that night and they were prepared for a fight far worse than battling a berserk orc but suddenly the transformation process stopped and Damon was back to normal.

What they didn’t know was that every guardian spirit host is entitled to one assistance from his guardian spirit. What Damon chose was to hide his abilities. If he were to transform into a werewolf, his death magic would have mixed with the curse, altering his werewolf appearance.

Let’s just say he won’t be the typical werewolf people see and that would have blown his cover. As per their agreement, Death interfered and superseded the curse, preventing the transformation.

From the little Damon knew, he can only complete the transformation if he wants to. When death explained why it happened, Damon was shocked and felt lucky he chose that as a first request. That explains why even Pope Light couldn’t detect the death magic even with his holy power.

After class, Damon was summoned to the Archmage’s office which he didn’t find too surprising. If the freaky old man in holy robes knew about werewolves why wouldn’t the Archmage of the kingdom not know?

.....

Walking into the office, Damon was greeted by the freaky old priest, Duke Hail, and the Archmage. At this point, he could already sense danger but there was nothing he could do.

“Is there a problem?” Damon asked so casually the three frowned. It wasn’t what he said that they found disturbing but how calm he can be after the previous night.

He is meant to have experienced the transformation yet he still remained calm. Why wouldn’t they feel disturbed?

“I am aware of what you have become and I am aware of the fact that you refused to be a part of it and I respect your decision. But I do have a question. How did you not change?” Archmage Kratos asked with a slight frown.

Hearing this Damon frowned and clutched his fist.

“You knew what they were going to make me and you still let it happen? Am I not entitled to make such an important decision for my life?” Damon asked coldly.

Archmage Kratos coughed at this and looked away. He didn’t think the calm kid would strike in this manner. As expected of someone who was able to cast a combination magic in such a bad condition and a dire situation.

“I apologize if you feel offended but that’s the way the kingdom works. The blood clan is a major threat to us, so the Hails have the authority to pick whoever they choose. But they cannot force them to stay.” Archmage Kratos said calmly.

Hearing this, Damon finally understood why Duke Hail didn’t try to stop him but none of that made any sense. If they have the authority to turn you, your life is wrecked.

If Damon had gone rampage the previous night, they would have brought him down and declared him dead, leaving him with no choice but to work with the Hails under the shadows or die for real since he will be considered a threat to everyone around him during full moons.

It is a cunning plan and he couldn’t help but wonder how many people must have been trapped by this system or must have lost their lives to it. Damon felt disgusted and he didn’t hide it in his facial expression.

Right now he concluded in his mind that the kingdom is corrupt at all levels and needs to be purged. He sighed.

“I changed, almost. I just controlled it and prevented myself from completing the transformation” Damon said earnestly but his words made the jaws of all three men drop.

Does Damon know it is a grave crime to lie against such important figures?

“If that is the case then I would like to give it a try, I hope you are okay with it?” Duke Hail maintained his polite tone as he unveiled a golden box that was the size of a fist.

Seeing it Damon frowned and turned his attention to Kratos and the Pope.

“If I do this and prove I can control this curse that means I don’t have to go with the Hails right?” Damon asked with a frown.

Hearing his words question the pope and Archmage nod in agreement as they all lean forward. They all pay attention in hopes of not missing a single moment.

“It is clear called the moonstone. Used by the Hail family in battle. When we find ourselves in a precarious situation and we need all members at full power we make use of it. It allows us to transform without the full moon. Or should I say, it forces us to transform without a full moon” Duke Hail said calmly as he opened the box and the Gray rock within lit up fiercely, filling the room with a strange power.

Suddenly the hunger and instincts returned causing Damon to fall to his knees with glowing purple eyes. Fangs and nails began sprouting as bone-breaking sounds could be heard but even then he made no sound. His forehead was covered with sweat but his eyes carried his resilience and defiance in them.

“You see, Only Alpha’s can transform at will and only Alpha’s can choose not to transform. The best a beta can do is regain control even in their werewolf form. But they are only limited to the full moon. That’s when they can transform. So I find it hard to believe you were able to stop the transformation last night” Duke Hail said with a frown.