The Absolute and those who can rule it

Chapter 20 [Revelation]

The acrid smell of burnt sugar and magic still lingers in the air as I stare at Lucil, my mind reeling from the information she's just shared. My hand trembles as I cover my mouth, trying to process the magnitude of this revelation. In all my years of studying magic, ornaments, and the intricacies of the Absolute, nothing could have prepared me for this.

"Are you... are you absolutely sure?" I manage to whisper, searching Lucil's face for any sign of doubt or jest. But her usually mischievous expression is uncharacteristically solemn, her wild hair seeming to droop under the weight of her words.

Lucil nods grimly, her fingers nervously fiddling with a vial on her workbench. "This is what allows them to become an Absolute Resonator instead of just a regular Holder."

I lean back in my chair, the room suddenly spinning. My hands move to my temples, massaging them as a dull ache begins to throb behind my eyes. The Implications of this... they're staggering. "When?" I ask, my voice barely audible. "When did you discover this?"

Lucil's gaze drifts to a far corner of her cluttered laboratory, lost in recollection. "It was four years ago," she says softly, absently twirling a lock of her unkempt hair. "Remember when you asked me to create that cat as your physical medium? The one that lets you transfer your consciousness between worlds?"

I nod, recalling the intricate spell work involved in that project. Lucil continues, "That's when I first noticed. After I created that cat, random thought crossed my mind. What would happen if pure magic circuit was planted? After I run some tests, I realized that..."

Her voice trails off, and for a moment, the only sound in the room is the quiet bubbling of a forgotten potion in the corner. Then Lucil's eyes lock onto mine, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her gaze. "So, what are you going to do, Saria? Are you going to tell him?"

The question hangs In the air, heavy with implications. I close my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. Aruta's face flashes in my mind - his kind eyes, his determined expression when facing challenges. He rarely speaks of his past, a fact that had never seemed significant until now. Could Lucil be right? The pieces fit together with a terrible, perfect logic that makes my stomach churn.

But if it's true... what then? The potential consequences unfold in my mind like a horrifying tapestry. I can almost see Aruta's face contorted in anguish as he grapples with this truth about himself. And Noarin... sweet, fiery Noarin. What would this mean for their relationship?

My eyes snap open as a chilling thought crosses my mind. How would Noarin react to learning that the man she loves, is not... is not...

I can't even bring myself to complete the thought. The words stick in my throat, too terrible to voice aloud. My gaze meets Lucil's, and I see my own fear and uncertainty reflected in her eyes.

"I... I don't know," I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "This changes everything, Lucil. And yet... and yet it changes nothing. He's still Aruta. Still the same person who's fighting to protect both our worlds."

Lucil nods slowly, understanding the weight of my words. "But he doesn't know," she says softly. "He doesn't know that he's-"

"No," I cut her off, not ready to hear it spoken aloud. "No, he doesn't. And for now... for now, perhaps it's better that way."

As I sit there, the weight of this secret pressing down on me, I can't help but wonder: in trying to protect Aruta, am I making the right choice? Or am I setting the stage for an even greater heartbreak down the line?

The answers elude me, lost in a swirling vortex of what-ifs and maybes. All I know is that nothing will ever be the same again.

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