CHAPTER 321: CHAPTER 320: ESSENCE AND TRUST

All three elves stared at him, each showing a different emotion.

Aurelya’s face was a mix of shock, pride, and quiet awe.

Thessalia’s calm eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Vaenyra’s gaze, however, was steady, filled with something warmer. Not just admiration, but pride... the kind one held for someone dear.

Lumberling met her eyes, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That’s the idea," he said softly. "But it’s not as simple as it sounds. Power like this always comes with a price."

Thessalia folded her arms. "Of course it does. No strength worth having ever comes free."

Lumberling nodded slightly. "When I devour essence, I don’t just take their power," he explained. "I also take their memories. Their emotions. Sometimes... even fragments of who they were."

The air grew still.

"When I devoured the Legate’s essence, it wasn’t just his power that entered me, it was his mind too. Centuries of memories, his thoughts, his will... all of it pressing into mine, trying to make me forget who I am."

A faint shiver passed through Aurelya. Thessalia’s expression hardened slightly, while Vaenyra’s hand unconsciously brushed against his arm.

The three elves exchanged uneasy glances, and even Liraeth, who had been quietly standing by his side, frowned deeply.

"Don’t ever do something that dangerous again," Liraeth said firmly. There was no hesitation in her voice, only concern.

"I agree with her," Aurelya added, stepping closer, her brows knitting. "Why would you put yourself at such risk? Power isn’t worth losing who you are."

Lumberling scratched the back of his head, trying to ease the tension. "Sorry. Guess I couldn’t help myself," he said, letting out a small laugh.

But no one laughed with him.

"Don’t joke about this," Vaenyra said, her tone low and serious. "You must never do that again. Promise us."

Seeing all of them staring at him so seriously, Lumberling raised both hands in surrender, his smile turning awkward. "Alright, alright. I promise."

Thessalia’s voice broke the silence after a short pause, thoughtful as always. "So that means you can’t just keep absorbing essence endlessly. The stronger the essence, the greater the risk of... contamination." She narrowed her eyes slightly. "In other words, your power can consume you too."

"You’re right," Lumberling admitted, nodding slightly. "But I’ve found ways to lessen the risk. The meditation I taught you all, it helps strengthen the mind. It keeps the will firm, makes it harder for foreign memories to take root. I also have a skill that constantly trains and fortifies my mind. As long as the essence I absorb doesn’t belong to someone far stronger than me, it should be manageable."

Thessalia frowned, still unconvinced. "Even so, you have to be careful. Anything that can touch your mind or twist your sense of self isn’t something to take lightly."

"I know," Lumberling said with a faint smile. "I’ve learned that the hard way."

A moment of silence followed before Aurelya suddenly spoke, her tone sharp with realization. "Wait, you said meditation strengthens the mind. And I’ve seen most of your subordinates doing it too..." She trailed off, her eyes widening as the thought formed. "Don’t tell me, you can share that devour skill of yours?"

Lumberling didn’t answer, but the slight shift in his expression was enough.

Thessalia and Vaenyra both turned to him, their eyes widening in disbelief as the weight of that truth sank in.

If before, his ability alone already defied logic, now the idea that he could pass it on was something else entirely. Its potential was boundless.

"That’s right, I’ve shared it with my trusted aids and my most loyal subordinates," Lumberling said calmly. "That’s how they grew quickly."

Aurelya rubbed her temple, her golden brows furrowing as she let out a quiet groan. "I... I don’t even know what to say anymore," she muttered. "You’re unbelievable."

Lumberling gave a faint, apologetic smile. "I should’ve told you all earlier. But honestly, I’m still learning what this ability truly is. I’m still figuring it out myself."

The three elves looked at each other in silence. No words were needed, their eyes said enough. For him to share something this dangerous meant he trusted them completely. This wasn’t just a confession, it was his life, laid bare before them. And in their hearts, they each felt the weight of that trust.

"Anyway," Lumberling said, breaking the silence, "from now on, don’t kill enemies carelessly."

"What?" Aurelya blinked, frowning in confusion. "Wait, you mean..." Her eyes widened. "You’re planning to share essence with us too?"

"Of course," Lumberling said with an easy grin. "Why not? You’re my lovers. You’re already bound to me in more ways than one."

All three elves blinked, caught completely off guard by his words.

Thessalia opened her mouth first, her tone uncertain. "Lumberling, this is not..."

He cut her off with a playful grin. "What? You’re really rejecting a gift from your lover?" he teased, crossing his arms as if offended. "With how strong your minds are as mage-knights, absorbing essence should be nothing for you three. I bet you could handle the essence of dozens of True Knights without even breaking a sweat."

Aurelya sighed, shaking her head but unable to hide her smile. "You make it sound so casual."

Vaenyra watched him quietly, faintly amused. "You really have no idea how reckless you sound sometimes," she said, though there was warmth in her tone.

Lumberling’s grin softened into something gentler. "Maybe," he admitted. "But I mean what I said. You’ll understand once you try it yourselves someday."

His voice carried calm assurance and full of trust. For a moment, none of them could bring themselves to argue.

Aurelya stepped closer, her expression softening as she slowly wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice gentle.

Lumberling smiled faintly and returned the hug, resting a hand lightly on her back.

Then Aurelya suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened as a thought hit her. "Wait..." She pulled back slightly, looking between him and Liraeth. "Don’t tell me, did she already know about this before us?"

Liraeth’s lips curved into a faint, guilty smile. "Maybe," she admitted softly.

Aurelya gasped in mock offense. "Unbelievable! You knew and didn’t tell us?"

Thessalia laughed quietly. "Looks like someone had an early advantage."

Vaenyra raised a brow. "I’m not surprised. She’s always around him when we’re away."

"Hey, don’t gang up on her now," Lumberling said, chuckling. "You know I love you all the same."

Aurelya huffed but smiled, crossing her arms. "You better. Because next time, we all want to be the first to know your secrets."

Lumberling laughed. "I’ll try my best."

The tension melted away, replaced by quiet laughter that filled the tent.