"After hearing your report and evaluating all the elements you have provided us, this committee unanimously praise you for your endeavor . Words are cheap, though, so I would like to reward you properly . Are you sure you don't want a higher rank or a noble title?"
"Thanks, your Majesty, but I'm no leader . A higher rank would only hinder me, while a noble title would chain me . I would be forced to spend what's left of my life caring for the people living in my lands . They deserve better than a reluctant lord . "
Meron sighed, but he had anticipated Lith's reply .
"I'm deeply worried about your health . I won't ask you to stop searching for a cure . Magic is all about research and hard work . If someone can find a solution to such a cruel fate, that's you .
"I believe that with your talent, you can perform another miracle . I watched you grow and I hope to have the privilege of seeing you grow old . That said, would you be interested in marriage? I could introduce you to many noble dames .
"It would be a pity if your bloodline were to die with you . Also, I think that having someone to return to would give you even more strength . "
"Thanks again, your Majesty, but no . I know myself . If I raise a family of my own, I will not be able to leave them . That's why I made sure to teach my sister Tista everything I know . Even if I were to die tomorrow, my legacy will live through her .
"Please, take care of her in my absence . " Lith said with a rueful voice while making his eyes watery with magic .
He had no intention of having children and was well aware that being an Awakened, even a crippled life force was enough to last more than one hundred years . There was no reason for the King to know it, of course .
For the first time in centuries, Tyris had a hard time suppressing a chuckle .
'By Mogar, Lith sure has his way with words . Everything he's said since he stepped inside the room is neither entirely true or false . He is playing Meron like a fiddle . Aside from being a cynical, manipulative, stingy, compulsive liar of a hybrid, he reminds me of Valeron . ' She thought .
"You have my word . " Meron said with watery eyes while considering that Tista was unmarried too . If he could secure her trust, whatever Lith left behind it would be hers . There was no harm in nurturing someone so beautiful and talented .
"Until I draw breath, I'll protect your family like it's my own . "
Lith's face seemed to be moved, but Tyris could see his other scaly face grinning from ear to ear like a predator in front of a dumb animal . It took her sheer willpower to not laugh at the scene .
A ceremonial sword made of silver appeared in the King's right hand .
"I wanted to avoid this, since it will surely kick a hornet nest, but you leave me no choice . No amount of money is worth your sacrifices for the Kingdom . Please, kneel . "
Lith had no idea what was happening but he obeyed nonetheless .
'Solus?' He asked .
'No clue . ' She replied after checking all the books inside Soluspedia .
"Lith Verhen, I bestow upon you the title of Great Mage of the Griffon Kingdom . " The King said while patting with the flat side of the sword Lith's left shoulder, then the right one, and lastly the top of his head .
'Oh, fuck me sideways! I forgot about the Mage ranking system . ' Lith thought . 'What's the average age for a Great Mage?'
'For a new magical bloodline with no noble title, around fifty . ' Solus replied .
'I knew it! No good deed goes unpunished . Now I have another target painted behind my back . '
'It's not that bad . ' Solus tried to cheer him up . 'The King just promised his protection and now you'll have access to more tomes . The glass is half full, okay?'
Lith's inner expression finally matched the one he was showing on the outside . The General and the King left the room after congratulating him, leaving only Tyris behind .
"It's been a pleasure finally meeting you . " She took his hands as a cold shiver ran down his spine . "I hope to see you again in happier circumstances . "
After she walked out the door, Lith felt so drained he had to sit down again .
'See? Half full . Seems you are on a roll with the ladies . ' Solus giggled .
'On a roll my pale ass . Why do you think I avoided Brinja like a disease? The entrance fee for that kind of fair is marriage . A fling with a Royal would be like putting a slave collar around my neck . Speaking of flings…'
Lith took his communication amulet out of his pocket and called Kamila .
"Sorry, but I'm really busy . Is it important?" For the first time she had activated the hologram projector . He could see her nervously turning around while watching out for her supervisor .
"Yes . I want you to hear it from me before it comes out on the interlink . " The pain in his voice was tangible . Kamila stopped abruptly and focused on him .
"Oh, gods! Don't tell me you got demoted? Or relocated? I was afraid some envious noble might try to get back at you . Now that Belius is safe, the trade routes will change and someone will lose a lot of money . Did they send you to a suicide mission?" She bit her nails out of stress .
"Not even I'm that paranoid! Don't kill me off like that . It's complicated . Bottom line, I'm screwed . The King made me a Great Mage . "
"What!" She jumped off her chair, drawing the attention of all her colleagues .
"Yeah, I know . It means a lot of trouble . General Morn Griffon is already out for my blood . Between him and the ancient noble households I'm walking on eggshells here . I think it's better if…"
"It's wonderful news! What did your parents say?" She cut him short .
"Nothing because they still don't know . I'm going straight home now . I need to warn them of…"
"Wait, are you saying I'm the only one who knows about it?"
"You, me, the King, General Morn, and some Royal Constable . Why?" Lith's headache was getting worse .
"It's wonderful news!" She repeated with a radiant smile . "Call me when you arrive home . See you . " The hologram disappeared as the call ended .
'I swear, this is just like with Phloria . Even if you keep talking women stop listening and start giggling . It's not like I…'
Lith stopped drowning in self-pity and replayed the conversation in his head, walking a mile in Kamila's shoes .
'I'm an idiot . ' Was the final judgment .
'Worse . You are self-centered . ' Solus scolded him . 'You are always focused against your enemies yet you overlook the feelings of those close to you . You're lucky you two only had one date, otherwise that poor girl would probably think you are in love with her .
'Keep acting like this and one day, someone is going to get hurt . '
Lith could only agree with her . When he reached the Warp Gate for the capitol of the Distar Marquisate, Derios, he was still cursing at himself .
Meanwhile, in the Control Room where analysts and handlers worked, the supervisor had an important announcement to make .
"In case someone missed it, Lieutenant Kamila Yehval is dating a Great Mage . Today the first round is on her . "
A booming applause was followed by congratulations as all of her colleagues wished Kamila all the best, yet all she wanted was to disappear .
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