Chapter 338 — Why Are They So High?

Damian’s expression relaxed slightly, something almost like a smile touching his features.

"Robert. Good to see you."

Robert’s gaze shifted to Luna, and his eyes widened with recognition.

"And this must be Miss Luna Valcor. The first-ranked student from the entrance examinations."

He bowed slightly, showing her the same courteous respect.

"It brings us great honor to serve someone of your talent and accomplishment. I never expected Sir’s family to be even more talented than Sir himself."

Luna felt the wave of genuine emotion from the old man.

Pride, happiness and hope.

He meant every word, and the sincerity of it made her chest tighten.

"Thank you," she managed. "But Damian is far more accomplished than I am."

Robert’s smile widened.

"Spoken like true family. Please, both of you, come inside."

They followed him into the building, through familiar hallways that Damian had walked countless times before.

The main council chamber was empty, chairs pushed in neatly around the long obsidian table.

Robert led them past it, toward one of the administrative offices.

"I must say, Young Sir, your timing for that tournament was impeccable."

The old man’s voice carried satisfaction.

"I won quite substantially on that bet."

Damian’s eyebrows rose slightly.

"You actually went through with it?"

"Every credit I had."

Robert pulled out his communicator, showed them the betting slip and the payout confirmation.

"500-to-1 odds. The bookmakers thought I was mad."

He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine.

"But I’ve served in this Academy for sixty years, Young Sir. I know talent when I see it. And I knew betting against you was the worst financial decision anyone could make."

Luna felt the surge of pride from the old man, the absolute conviction in his faith in Damian.

It made her own anger from earlier feel small and petty in comparison.

’This man never doubted him. Not for a second.’

Damian shook his head, but something like amusement touched his features.

"I’m glad it worked out for you, Robert."

"As am I, sir. As am I."

Robert settled into the office chair, pulling up forms on the terminal.

Then his expression shifted slightly, showing confusion.

"Actually, there is one thing that puzzles me."

He glanced at Damian.

"President Elizabeth hasn’t returned yet. The orientation for new students is tomorrow, and she’s always here at least two days early to oversee preparations."

Damian’s expression went neutral, his body language not changing, but Luna felt the shift in his emotions.

Slight concern, sharp and immediate.

"She hasn’t sent word?"

"Nothing. No communication, no explanation."

Robert’s weathered face showed genuine worry now.

"It’s completely unlike her. I’ve already prepared everything for the orientation myself, but..."

He trailed off, clearly uncomfortable with the President’s absence.

Damian said nothing for a moment, his mind clearly working through possibilities.

Then he pushed the concern aside, filed it away to deal with later.

"I need two Academy watches. One for me, one for Luna."

His voice came out businesslike.

"And handle all of Luna’s admission procedures. She’s officially enrolled, but the paperwork needs processing."

"Of course, sir. Immediately."

Robert’s fingers flew across the terminal, pulling up forms and inputting information with practiced efficiency.

Within minutes, he’d retrieved two Academy watches from the secure storage, the devices gleaming under office lighting.

He handed one to Damian, one to Luna.

"Miss Luna, your dormitory assignment is already processed. First-year female dormitory, Building C, Room 207. I’ve taken the liberty of having your luggage transferred there already."

Luna accepted the watch, feeling its weight in her palm.

"Thank you."

Robert stood, bowing slightly to both of them.

"Is there anything else you require this evening?"

Damian glanced at Luna, then back at Robert.

"Give us the room for a bit. I need to discuss something with Luna privately."

"Of course, sir. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

Robert left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

****

The office fell silent except for the hum of the terminal.

Damian turned to face Luna directly, his crimson eyes studying her with that analytical intensity she’d come to recognize.

"There’s something I need to ask you."

His voice came out serious.

"Something that’s been bothering me since you awakened your core."

Luna’s hands clenched slightly, knowing what was coming.

"Everyone trusts you."

Damian continued, his tone thoughtful.

"Not just friendly or welcoming. Actual and immediate trust. The Mafia members, the orphanage children, even Granny Helena who takes months to warm up to anyone."

He stepped closer.

"They look at you and immediately feel safe. Immediately want to confide in you. That’s not normal, even for someone with your personality."

Luna met his gaze, her silver eyes steady despite the nervousness churning in her stomach.

"It’s part of my innate skill."

She lifted her wrist, activated the Academy watch.

The holographic interface sprang to life, displaying her status screen in blue light.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Name: Luna Valcor

Age: 15

Rank: E-

Talent: SSS

Core Attributes:

Strength: 30

Speed: 33

Stamina: 27

Vitality: 30

Aura: E-

Will: 104

Perception: 110

Skills:

– Empath: SSS (Innate)

Emotional Spectrum Vision: Perceives all emotions as colored auras around individuals. Can detect lies through emotional inconsistencies, read genuine intent behind words, and identify mental states. Cannot be deactivated.

Saintly Presence (Passive): Projects an aura of absolute calm and trustworthiness that makes others naturally inclined to confide in and believe her. Individuals with Will stat significantly higher than host can resist this effect.

Emotional Void (Active): Completely removes all emotions from self or target for limited duration, creating a state of pure logic and rationality. Target becomes unaffected by fear, attachment, or moral hesitation.

????: Note: More Sub-skills will be unlocked based on understanding.

Warning: Due to Empath Skill being SSS rank, the host is unable to fully control it.

Side Effect 1: All emotions are magnified by a factor of 100.

Side Effect 2: Surrounding emotions affect the host by a factor of 10.

Side Effect 3: Emotional Spectrum Vision remains active at all times.

– Hand Combat: D

– Chain Manipulation: D

– Silent Step: C

– Multi-Tasking: D

– Aura Control: E-

Weapon Arts:

Chained Blade Art - Serpent’s Lament - SS: Initiated

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Damian stared at the holographic display, his expression going blank.

Then he just kept staring, his eyes scanning each line multiple times.

Luna watched his face, feeling the cascade of emotions flowing through him in rapid succession before he locked it down behind his usual control.

"...Fuck."

The word came out quiet, almost reverent in its disbelief.

Luna actually laughed despite herself, the sound coming out slightly hysterical.

"That was my reaction too when I saw it after awakening."

Damian’s eyes stayed fixed on the status screen, specifically on the sub-skills section.

And his mind raced through the implications.

’These aren’t just support skills... These are manipulation tools. Weapons disguised as empathy skills.’

He looked at her directly.

"The Emotional Spectrum Vision... you said you always had that active even before awakening."

Luna nodded.

"It was the only sub-skill I had back then. The side effect just said the skill was active all the time, but it was specifically referring to that vision."

She gestured at the holographic display.

"Ever since I awakened, two more sub-skills appeared. And those question marks suggest I’ll develop even more as my understanding deepens."

Damian’s gaze dropped to her other skills.

Hand combat, chain manipulation, silent step.

"You’ve been training."

It wasn’t a question.

"Mom taught me for over a year."

Luna’s voice came out steadier now, more confident.

"She wanted me to have something beyond just the empathy skill. Some way to protect myself that didn’t rely purely on reading emotions."

"The weapon art?"

"Serpent’s Lament... It’s Mom’s art. Mind-based, designed for chained blades."

Luna’s silver eyes held his.

"She passed it to me personally. Said every Valcor woman in her family should learn it...hehe. She talked as if our family was big."

Damian’s attention shifted to her attribute stats, stopping on two numbers that stood out.

"Your Will is 104 and your Perception is 110."

He looked at her face.

"Why are they so high? Mine didn’t break 100 until after... everything."