Chapter 283: Chapter 282: The Oracle’s Inheritance
Part of her wanted to rejoice, finally, someone who could break the grip of destiny, someone who could stand against these children of luck. Yet what she felt was something stranger.
The urge to protect Kairo only grew stronger. From her visions, she saw that children of luck had important roles to play. If they were lost, something terrible could happen.
It almost felt like a voice was whispering to her, pushing her.
Her anger, her revenge, started to fade. Without realizing it, she had turned into the protector of the very thing she once hated.
"What a pitiful fate," Lumberling murmured. "You could see fate itself, yet you were nothing more than its pawn. I suppose not every powerful gift is a blessing."
His thoughts drifted, lingering on a single name.
"Liraeth... destined partners, huh. So that’s how it works? Then what are these so-called children of luck? Are they... the protagonists of this world?"
Silence answered him.
No explanation, no guiding voice, just the echo of his own question. It was the same question Agathis had faced all her life. For him, who had only just known the truth, there was nothing but mystery.
He pressed two fingers against his temple and groaned. "Ugh... this is giving me a headache."
Drawing in a long breath, he steadied himself. The swirl of questions and frustration slowly quieted, and his eyes flickered to the glowing panel only he could see.
(You have stepped onto the Oracle’s path.)
(Oracle Stage: Apprentice Lv. 0 (1/1000))
(Unique Skill: Luck Analyze has been learned.)
(Unique Skill: Fate Glimpsed has been learned. (Skill has no level. Grows Stronger as stage increases.))
Lumberling stilled, his breath slowing as he focused inward. Something new stirred inside his body. It wasn’t mana like the Knights and Mages used, and it wasn’t the Qi that fueled his cultivation either. No, this was different.
It reminded him faintly of the divine blessing he had once received from the Viking gods on his Einherjar path. But this energy wasn’t the same. It was softer, almost translucent, yet it carried a weight that felt otherworldly.
A fourth energy now flowed within him, the same divine power Agathis had wielded.
"Oracle’s Path..." he muttered under his breath. "A path that should have only belong to those born with it. Yet I was able to walk it."
Fragments of Agathis’s memories guided his thoughts. The Oracle’s path was unusual. From Agathis’ memories, no one had ever taught her, yet she still managed to learn and grow on her own.
It was her dreams who had been her teacher. Each time she dreamed, new insight came to her, as though fate itself handed her the next step.
"But Oracles... their growth has a limit," Lumberling recalled. "The stage fate sets for them is their final one. Once they reach that ceiling, they can’t advance, no matter how much they struggle."
He clenched his hands slowly, translucent energy flickering faintly across his palms. It was beautiful, delicate, yet carried an almost divine weight.
"A truly unique path," he whispered. "I wonder... what stage fate has set for Liraeth."
His gaze lingered on the glow dancing over his skin.
"And me? What limit waits for me, since I only inherited Agathis’s essence?"
There were no answers. Only the silent pulse of new power inside him. The only way forward was to live it, to test the path for himself.
’I’ll check those two skills later,’ he thought, feeling the heaviness in his mind. ’Right now... I need rest.’
His eyes slid shut, and before long, sleep claimed him again.
.....
Hours later, Lumberling stirred awake. His body felt lighter, though his mind still carried the weight of everything he had seen. As he rose from the bed and dressed himself, a thought struck him, he had forgotten to ask something important from Skitz earlier.
Pushing the matter aside for now, he slid the door open. To his surprise, Liraeth was still there, seated by the wall as though she hadn’t moved all night. The moment she saw him, she sprang to her feet, her back straight despite the weariness in her eyes.
"Lumberling, you’re awake." She stepped forward quickly, worry written all over her face. "How are you? Are you hurt?"
Before he could answer, her hands moved instinctively, brushing over his arms and shoulders, searching for wounds. When she found none, relief flickered across her face, only to be replaced by a fierce determination as she suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Agathis..." her voice trembled, then hardened, her eyes flashing cold when she pulled back enough to look at him. "And that despicable disciple of hers. I will kill him myself." The air around her seemed to chill with her words, her killing intent barely restrained.
Lumberling gave a faint smile and returned her embrace with steady calm. "I’m fine. Don’t hate Agathis too much. She was only being used. As for Kairo..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Leave him to me."
Her grip softened at his words, her head lowering just a little before she nodded. "Alright... if you say so."
"Liraeth."
She blinked and looked up, puzzled. "Yes? What is it?"
He let a teasing grin tug at his lips. "From now on, call me Master."
Her cheeks flared crimson instantly. "Wh-what are you saying?!" She shoved lightly at his chest, pulling back in a fluster. "This isn’t the time for that!"
Lumberling chuckled, amused by her reaction. "You misunderstand. I’m not talking about that kind of ’master.’"
"Huh? Then what do you mean?" Her brows furrowed, still half-suspicious.
His smile gentled. "I absorbed your master’s memories. From now on, I’ll be the one continuing your lessons."
Liraeth froze, the realization hitting her like a wave. Her lips parted, and for a heartbeat she simply stared at him. Then, with no hesitation, she stepped forward again and hugged him tighter than before.
"...Thank you," she whispered, her voice small but heavy with meaning.
In truth, she didn’t need his lessons, her dreams would one day guide her as they had guided Agathis. But starting early was still better. And maybe, when the time came, she would be the one teaching him instead.