Reborn As Noble

Chapter 386: The Abyss of Power ( 386 )

Javier looked at Liana and Gloria, his expression filled with worry.

”Liana? Gloria?”

Liana turned toward him, her usual gentle smile unwavering. ”Yes, young master?”

Gloria, ever composed, adjusted her glasses. ”You seem troubled.”

Javier hesitated before speaking, his sharp eyes scanning them for any sign of change. ”You both… okay?”

Liana tilted her head slightly. ”Hmm? I donʼt feel anything strange.”

Gloria crossed her arms. ”Neither do I. If something were wrong, I would have noticed immediately.”

Javier narrowed his eyes. He could still feel the remnants of powerful magic lingering in the air, but neither Liana nor Gloria seemed any different.

Javier frowned. ”And… where are they? Aria and Ari?”

Liana placed a hand over her chest, her eyes glimmering in the soft light. ”I think theyʼre inside us. Maybe.”

”Maybe?” Javierʼs voice rose slightly.

Gloria sighed. ”They arenʼt trying to control us, if thatʼs what youʼre worried about.”

Liana nodded. ”I can sense Ariʼs presence. Itʼs… soft, like a whisper in the back of my mind. She doesnʼt feel like a threat.”

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”And Aria?”

Gloria exhaled through her nose. ”Knowing her, sheʼs just waiting for the right time to make a dramatic entrance.”

And right on cue—

”Oh? Worried about me, boy~?” Ariaʼs teasing voice echoed from within Gloria.

Gloria stiffened slightly before muttering, ”Annoying.”

Aria chuckled. ”Oho~ This is quite comfortable. I must say, you have an excellent mind, Gloria. Very refined, very logical… I might just make myself at home.”

Javier sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ”I already regret this.”

Meanwhile, a softer voice emerged from Liana.

”U-Um… Javier?” Ariʼs hesitant tone carried a shyness that contrasted with Ariaʼs boldness.

Javierʼs eyes widened slightly. ”Ari?”

Liana closed her eyes for a moment before smiling. ”She says thank you.”

Javier let out a breath he hadnʼt realized he was holding. ”You two are absolutely sure youʼre still yourselves?”

Liana giggled. ”Of course. Though, I suppose… I feel a little warmer inside.”

Gloria sighed, looking mildly annoyed. ”Iʼll tolerate this arrangement. But if she tries to act up—”

”What? Youʼll scold me?” Aria teased.

Gloria smirked. ”No. Iʼll find a way to make you regret it.”

Javier rubbed his temples. ”I really hope I didnʼt just make the biggest mistake of my life.”

Marcellus then asked, ”Esteemed Father, is this how Celestials form contracts?”

Garius shook his head. ”Hmm? No.”

He glanced at the lingering magical energy in the air before continuing. ”What you witnessed was a ritual reinforced by your mother and me. Normally, when a Celestial chooses a vessel, the process is far more unstable, often resulting in the Celestial fully dominating the host.”

Marcellus frowned. ”Then what did you and Mother do?”

Gariusʼs eyes glowed faintly as he explained, ”We ensured the bond was balanced. The magic we used stabilized the connection, preventing the Celestials from overtaking their vessels. Instead of a one-sided possession, this is now a mutual coexistence.”

Francesca smiled, her glowing wings flickering softly behind her. ”Simply put, we made sure Aria and Ari cannot take control of Liana and Gloria. They may exist within them, but they do not own them.”

Javier exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders. ”Good. Because if that wasnʼt the case—”

Gloria adjusted her glasses. ”Youʼd try to crush them, yes, we know.”

Aria laughed from within Gloria. ”So violent, little lord~ I might start falling for you.”

Javier scowled. ”No thanks.”

Then, everyone finally noticed.

”Umm... Mother?” Javier hesitated.

”Hmm?” Francesca responded calmly, tilting her head slightly.

Marcellus pointed. ”Whatʼs with the wings?”

For a moment, silence filled the area as all eyes focused on the radiant, ethereal wings glowing softly behind Francesca.

Francesca remained completely composed and waved a hand dismissively. ”Oh, this? Itʼs just one of my skills.”

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”Really?”

”Yes~” Francesca smiled sweetly.

Cedric crossed his arms. ”Really?”

”Yes~” she repeated in the same gentle tone.

”Then why havenʼt we seen it before?”

Francesca let out a soft chuckle, her wings flickering slightly before vanishing into thin air. ”Because I never had a reason to show them before~” she said smoothly.

”Right, dear~?” Francesca smiled gently at Garius.

Garius, sensing the curious and suspicious gazes of his children, quickly responded, ”Yes, honey.”

For a brief moment, the room was filled with an awkward silence.

Then—

”Hah—if you all want to kno—”

Aria, now residing within Gloria, was about to speak when—

”Aria~”

Francescaʼs soft, melodic voice called her name.

Aria froze.

A strange, instinctive chill ran down her spine. It didnʼt make sense—she was now a Celestial residing within a vessel. She shouldnʼt even have a body to react this way, yet she still felt it.

It was as if something primal within her recognized a threat.

Gloria, sensing Ariaʼs sudden tension, adjusted her glasses slightly. ”Aria?”

”...N-nothing,” Aria muttered, her tone quieter than before.

Francescaʼs gentle smile remained unchanged.

”Good girl~”

Javier, watching the exchange, narrowed his eyes. ”...Mother, why does it feel like theyʼre scared of you?”

Francesca simply hummed in amusement. ”Fufufu~ Who knows?”

Javierʼs gaze sharpened. ”Esteemed Father, how do other Celestials form contracts?”

Gariusʼs expression darkened. ”Youʼre better off not knowing.” His voice was firm, carrying a rare weight that made the room fall silent.

Francesca, however, only smiled. ”Dear, wouldnʼt it be better if you told them?”

Garius exhaled heavily, closing his eyes for a moment before speaking.

”The method most Celestials use… is sacrifice.”

A tense atmosphere filled the room.

”They require something—someone—to be offered. A life taken in exchange for power. The stronger the sacrifice, the greater the Celestialʼs strength. They devour the very essence of the offering, refining their power until it reaches its peak. Only then will they bond with a vessel. And the moment the contract is formed, the vessel inherits that power, becoming stronger as a result.”

His voice grew heavier. ”The more sacrifices they take, the stronger both the Celestial and the vessel become.”

Silence followed.

But Garius wasnʼt done. His next words were even more chilling.

”For truly wicked Celestials… the ideal sacrifice is someone close to the vessel....They make them kill someone they love.”

Francesca replied, her tone calm but firm. ”That is why we cannot allow the other Celestials to roam freely. We do not know who their vessels are, but we can assume the worst.”

Javier exhaled slowly, his gaze sharpening.

”Then we stop them.”

( End of Chapter )