CHAPTER 99: RARE DUAL-LINER

Since Fian couldn’t speak, Gara answered on his behalf—his personal details, name, origin, and more. Then came the questions about his Bloodline and Talent.

Some of the questions forced Gara to admit that Fian was technically his slave. But that wasn’t an issue, as long as the slavery was official.

The fact that Fian couldn’t speak wasn’t a problem either, as long as he had truly awakened.

"Two Bloodlines and Talents, huh? Which one is primary?" Kala asked.

Gara had once discussed the matter of dual Bloodline–Talents with Idris. Rare, yes. But not impossible.

Back then, Idris had explained, "It usually happens to someone who grows up in a race different from their own. Like Fian. He carries an Elf Bloodline because he’s an elf, but he also developed an Elemental Bloodline since he grew up among humans."

"So... does that mean Fian’s stronger than other Liners?" Gara had asked.

"Maybe yes, maybe no," Idris had replied. "If his primary Bloodline ends up being Elemental, then he’s bound to become strong. Elemental is the human bloodline, not an elf’s. And that Glacial Spike Talent of his? Definitely powerful.

It gives him enormous potential. But if his Elf Bloodline develops instead—Ghost Walk, in his case—it isn’t nearly as strong. That Talent doesn’t sound all that impressive."

Gara had frowned. "So if someone could develop both, they’d be incredible, right?"

"Dual Liners," Idris had said matter-of-factly. "Almost all of them fail to cultivate both. Only one Bloodline ever matures fully. The other tends to stagnate, or never active at all."

"But there’s still a chance, isn’t there?" Gara had pressed. "Like how certain races sometimes awaken Bloodlines that didn’t match with their race."

Idris had gone quiet, then nodded slowly. "I only know of one case. When I was very young—three hundred years ago—the elder brother of the current Lord of the Dragon.

He became the strongest Liner on the continent, the spearhead who led the charge against the mist monsters. But even he eventually fell.

His younger brother, the current Lord, inherited the title. Everyone knows he’s incompetent. Spoiled rotten by his brother, never learned a thing.

After taking the throne, he couldn’t lead the dragon race properly. Wracked with guilt over his brother’s death, he doted endlessly on his own children. That weakness dragged their race into decline."

Three hundred years ago—that was fifteen times Gara’s entire lifespan!

He hadn’t answered Idris after that.

The world was crumbling, and this was just another proof. For three centuries, no native had ever mastered two Talents at once. Yet Gara had needed only a few months in this world to make his three Talents work.

Unlimited Water worked perfectly. And he could feel the subtle strength of his own other Talents, Divine Fertility and Max Charm. Passive though they were, they functioned perfectly.

Fian, too, wielded both his Talents with ease—Ghost Walk, which he used unconsciously, almost constantly, and Glacial Spike, which he trained deliberately.

Choosing not to draw attention, he kept quiet.

Back in the present, Gara finally answered Kala’s question: "Elf Bloodline, Ghost Walk Talent."

For now, as Gara’s slave, no one would approach Fian. But Gara had no intention of keeping him bound forever. When that day came, he wanted Fian safe, not dragged off to the battlefield.

"In that case, let’s head to the next hall and check his Talents," said Kala.

On the way to the Community Hall, Gara tugged Fian slightly behind the others and whispered,

"For Glacial Spike, take it easy. Don’t show everything. Just the basics, the same as when you first awakened it."

Fian nodded obediently.

When they reached the hall, they didn’t stop there. Instead, they continued through the doors at the far end and stepped out into the wide courtyard behind it. Just in case the Glacial Spike burst from the ground and tore through the wooden floors inside.

Out in the open yard, the first thing Fian showed was Ghost Walk.

As they watched, Fian’s figure faded—silent, invisible, moving like a phantom.

Kala’s eyes widened in awe. "I’ve never seen a movement-type Talent this refined. This could turn the tide of a battle."

Gara scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh. Idris had once said the name Ghost Walk sounded weak, so Gara had chosen it without much thought.

He’d forgotten that the healer had never actually seen Fian use it before.

"Alright, next. Glacial Spike."

With his usual calm, not moving a muscle, his face unreadable as always, three ice spikes as tall as a grown man’s thigh erupted from the ground exactly where Fian’s gaze landed.

Kala gasped again. "Your ice-based Talent is this powerful too?!"

Gara’s expression stiffened. Random ice spikes like that were considered powerful? Or was it just that Kala, living in a small town, rarely saw stronger Talents?

But then Kala said something that made Gara’s stomach drop. "It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Dual-Liner whose two Talents were both this strong."

"Really? If I’d known Fian’s ice-based Talent was this good, I would’ve told him to focus on training it instead," Gara replied, feigning ignorance.

Kala shook her head at once. "That’s unnecessary. Forcing someone to train both usually leads to no progress at all. Better to let him concentrate on his movement-type Talent."

No progress, huh? Gara almost smiled at that.

But he quickly masked it and gave a regretful look. "Is that so? What a shame. Still, having two strong Talents is already amazing."

And with that, Fian’s identity as a Dual-Liner was confirmed.

They returned to the Liner Affairs office next door.

"Fian’s Liner card will take some time to finish. It won’t be ready before you leave this evening. I’ll write a letter as proof for now," Kala said.

"Understood, Madam. Would it be possible for Liner Madha to pick up the card later on his behalf?"

"That’s fine," she nodded.

With the paperwork completed, only one thing remained. "Wait here. I’ll bring your Liner robes."

For some reason, Gara’s heart raced. He finally could have one for himself!

...