Chapter 5: Talent

After Evans' incessant pleas the studio fell silent again, after a moment Earl Blackstone's sigh could be heard echoing in the air along with his voice containing a tinge of pity.

"how pitiful, you were doing a good job."

Evans who was in a tense and anxious state felt his heart sink as he heard it, he raised his head to look at the earl and tried to say something, but at that moment he heard the earl continue.

"Shadow puppet!"

Evans felt anxious and puzzled because he didn't understand what the earl was referring to, just as he was thinking what to say he suddenly felt a chill, the surrounding temperature seemed to plummet dropping a few degrees rapidly, and out of nowhere he heard to his right side a hoarse and monotonous voice respond

"At your command my lord."

Evans' heart palpitated from fright, he turned his head rigidly to the side to find the source of the voice and after doing so his pupils dilated, he noticed to his right at some point a man kneeling respectfully with his head bowed down.

The man in question was wearing exquisite black armor, his hands were covered with gloves and on his face he wore a mask, the atmosphere around him felt muted giving the impression that instead of a person it was a very realistic mannequin.

Evans eyes opened wide as he watched the man in fear, he was sure that this man was not in the study a moment ago and that he practically appeared out of nowhere at his side; as his thoughts became chaotic the count spoke.

"Take Mr. Evans to the dungeon."

"Yes, my lord."

Evans turned his head towards the earl upon hearing this and while still nervous and confused he tried to beg for forgiveness again, but to his dismay he could not utter a word, his mouth would not even open no matter how hard he tried, and as he panicked he noticed the earl cast him a glance and said.

"Mr Evans I hope you enjoy your stay in the dungeon."

At that moment Evans who was desperately trying to speak was horrified to find that at the earl's words he smiled and replied.

"As you command, my lord."

Evans felt goose bumps all over his body, although he could feel his body he could not control it no matter how hard he tried and even made expressions and spoke against his will; he had no time to consider anything else because shortly after he finished speaking the shadow behind the body of the man next to him rippled and expanded covering them both and a moment later the shadow vanished leaving the place where they stood empty.

Count Blackstone was silent for a moment turned his head to the butler as he said.

"well, we'll have to find another guardian."

The butler nodded his head respectfully as he replied.

"as you command my lord"

Just as he was about to continue speaking both he and the count turned their heads and directed their gaze simultaneously in the direction of Aldous' room, at that moment due to Aldous' emotional turbulence changes manifested in the light of his room and the atmosphere in it became heavy.

At this event both retracted their gaze after a moment and the study was once again silent, after a few minutes the voice of the count was heard

"Aren't you curious?"

At these words the butler was silent for a moment and answered truthfully.

"yes I am my lord."

After saying that, he kept silent and thought for a few seconds before continuing.

"the young master's gifts are impressive, in terms of talent he is on par with the scions of the imperial house."

Hearing this the count nodded and also shook his head as he said.

"to cause such a disturbance in his surroundings without having awakened yet, it can be said that his talent possesses great potential and is at the very least of high grade, and considering that it is a darkness type talent it is definitely of supreme grade"

"supreme grade!"

The butler exclaimed as his expression changed slightly, he looked shocked, excited and worried as he spoke with some hesitation

"but a talent of supreme degree is a bit"

The butler had an uncomfortable expression as he remained silent without finishing his sentence

"I understand your doubts, in fact, to possess such a talent if his will depended solely on my lineage it would be unlikely, at most he would have a high grade talent"

With a slightly trembling voice the butler asked.

"my lord you mean to say it is the result of your lineage and that of the young master's mother"

Count Blackstone sighed as he said.

"that's right, I'm sure that his mother's dark element affinity was even higher than mine"

Hearing this the butler showed an expression of shock as he said.

"but my lord, then she, she, her origin"

speaking up to here he seemed to have thought of something, but he did not continue to speak

The count was also silent, and in that slightly tense and silent atmosphere the time gradually passed.