Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: A Special Constitution
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"You be well now, Aileen. We'll see each other again soon."
Helena and Ian left sooner than I'd expected.
I thought they would stay for a while, but they were only here for three days.
"You have to come visit us later. All right?"
Helena seemed sad to part ways, urging me over and over again to come visit.
As for Ian.
"Make sure you've grown by the next time I see you. Understand?"
He had become strangely obsessed with my growth.
It seemed he'd gotten the wrong idea after seeing me drop my fork that one time.
I didn't know where to even begin correcting him, so I just let it be. Now it was too late to turn back.
"Okay, I'll come visit."
"And make sure you're properly prepared for the children's shedding."
"Understood."
"You all take care as well. I hope to hear good news next time."
After saying a few words to each of us who had lined up to see them off, the two departed.
A carriage prepared by the family was waiting to take them back.
*Phew.* I felt like I'd just been through a major ordeal.
I sighed, feeling both relieved and a little sad.
I thought we'd grown rather close in that short time, and now they were already gone.
"Lady Aileen."
"Kasana?"
"I've come to escort you."
Kasana was waiting at the main gate.
I hadn't noticed while seeing them off, but it must be time for my lesson.
Before heading to my lesson, I said goodbye to my family.
"Bye-bye. I'm off now."
"Pay attention in your lesson."
"Mhm. See you later, brothers."
After a quick farewell, I entered the forest with Kasana.
The forest wasn't far from the main gate, so we arrived quickly. I wondered what I would be learning today.
To be honest, I found the theory lessons a bit more fun. They were never dull and were full of interesting stories.
That wasn't to say I disliked having my lessons in the forest, though.
"Today, we will be learning about the properties of your pheromones, Lady Aileen."
"Pheromone properties? There's such a thing?"
"Yes. Each Su-in is born with an innate classification. For example, I am an offensive type, whereas Lady Hestia is a support type."
...That can't be right. From what I've seen, they're all definitely offensive types.
If Hestia was a support type, how could any other Su-in stand it? It was just unfair.
"The distribution of types does tend to be skewed by clan. Among the Black Mambas, the offensive type is overwhelmingly common."
I knew it. Hestia must be a very rare case, then.
Kasana continued her explanation.
"Offensive types tend to have pheromones with a strong outward-projecting property, while defensive types have the opposite trait, causing them to condense. Support types are a bit different from these two, possessing exceptional sensory and healing abilities. And..."
Kasana held up two fingers.
"Those born with two or more are considered to have a special constitution. They are almost unheard of."
So that was it. It was a little complicated, but I thought I understood.
"The way you train your pheromones will depend on your type, so we must first determine your constitution."
"How do we check?"
Kasana picked up a leaf from the ground and showed it to me.
"It can be tested with anything, but it's best to use something that breaks easily."
A leaf rested on Kasana's palm. The moment she infused it with her pheromones, it shattered into tiny pieces.
It was an incredible sight.
Seeing that I couldn't tear my eyes away, Kasana handed me a leaf and told me to try.
"We test for one's constitution during childhood, when pheromones can't be properly controlled."
"Why?"
"Because during childhood, one's pheromones naturally emerge in the form that is easiest for them to use. Would you like to try?"
"Mhm, okay."
I stared down at the vibrant green leaf, which was nearly the size of my palm.
I was nervous to see what type I would be.
I didn't think I'd be an offensive type. It seemed more likely I'd be defensive or support.
I slowly began to infuse the leaf with my pheromones.
But nothing happened to the leaf.
"...What's this? It's not changing."
"That is normal. You are a support type, Lady Aileen. To be precise, you have a developed sensory ability within the support classification."
"But nothing changed?"
"The leaf's appearance changes according to the trait, but there is no visible change for sensory abilities."
"That's amazing. What happens with the other types?"
"For the healing type, the leaf becomes more vibrant. For the defensive type, the pheromones condense and cause it to warp."
I nodded, showing I understood.
So I was a support type, and a sensory one at that.
"The sensory type is most common among the Bird Clan. It allows you to define a wide area to pinpoint an opponent's location."
"I see."
"It's perfect for both finding and avoiding opponents."
From her explanation, it sounded like a more useful ability than I'd expected.
So, how would my lessons proceed from now on?
I could guess how the lessons for offensive or defensive types might go, but I had no idea about the sensory type.
I reached out and touched a tree that soared high into the sky.
"Does this mean I'll never be able to knock something like this over?"
I had hoped that when I grew up, I'd be able to uproot a tree as easily as everyone else.
"It's impossible for now, but you'll be able to when you're older. Don't be too disheartened."
"Okay."
I wonder when I'll finally grow up.
I'd wanted it even more after hearing the news about Set and Arban reaching adulthood during dinner.
I didn't want to be the only one left in a child's body while everyone else was an adult.
Besides, Arban would surely tease me relentlessly. I couldn't stand the thought of having to see that smug look on his face.
"Ugh."
The very thought of it soured my mood.
I wanted to have some incredible news of my own to surprise them with.
Like, for example, being able to effortlessly topple the tree in front of me with a single hand...
*Thump.*
"Huh?"
I flinched at the strange sensation I felt inside my body.
"Is something wrong?"
"Huh?"
Kasana asked, seeing me with a hand placed over my chest.
What was that? Something definitely throbbed.
I thought it was my heart pounding, but it wasn't.
It was more like something squirmed, as if it were alive.
I shook my head.
"It's nothing. I just felt a little strange for a second."
"I see. Then let us begin the lesson."
"Okay."
"First, would you please place your hand on that tree?"
"Okay."
I did as Kasana said and placed my hand on the tree.
*Crack.*
"...Huh?"
What was that sound?
I instinctively looked down at where my hand rested on the trunk.
The tree was snapping apart, right where my hand was.
"What is this?!"
"Lady Aileen, get back!"
Casting a huge shadow, the tree began to topple in my direction.
What... what in the world was happening?
Kasana grabbed my arm, yanking me back as I stood frozen to the spot.
The tree came down with a cloud of dust and dirt.
I flinched instinctively at the deafening roar that pierced my ears.
"K-Kasana..."
"..."
"You said... I was a support type."
Is this also a support type ability?
It certainly didn't seem like one. Shouldn't we do the test again?
In my opinion, this seemed much closer to an offensive type than a support type.
"Should we test it again?"
"That won't be necessary."
"...Huh?"
What did she mean, it wouldn't be necessary?
"You are indeed a support type, Lady Aileen."
"But look at that."
"Of course. That is also correct."
Kasana let out a soft sigh.
She didn't look particularly surprised, as if she had already anticipated this to some extent.
*Thump.*
In that moment, something began to stir inside my body once more.
"I don't know if you've noticed it yourself, Lady Aileen, but..."
Kasana helped me to my feet.
She continued, meticulously brushing the dirt from my clothes.
"You have two pheromones, my lady."
"Two?!"
"Yes. You have a special constitution."
My jaw dropped.
Hadn't she just said that a special constitution was practically unheard of?
But now she was telling me I had one? It didn't add up.
I couldn't believe it. I was speechless.
"Have you never felt it before?"
I started to shake my head no, but then I stopped.
A memory surfaced.
The day Kasana had infused me with her own pheromones to awaken mine.
"You have, haven't you?"
"I have."
"I'm relieved you were already aware. For the time being, you must not tell anyone about this. It must absolutely not become known."
"Not even Rosaria?"
"Correct. Currently, only you, I, and the Lord know of this."
"Why can't I tell anyone?"
"The Roisar family is scheduled to arrive soon."
Kasana looked more serious than I had ever seen her.
My expression grew serious as well at the mention of the Roisar family, whom I had momentarily forgotten.
I lowered my voice.
"What does their arrival have to do with it?"
"If they were to learn that your pheromones are special, they would never give up on you."
* * *
And a few days later, an envoy arrived from the east.