Lucile became Asura's kin and would be registered in the Subjugation Compendium. After entrusting Lucile and the others to Asura right away, I received a report regarding the aftermath of the incident.
"Did you handle the boys who visited this mansion as planned?"
I turned to Asta beside me to ask about the cleanup.
"First of all, the boy named Kuzuki, who had been fused with that bug bearing the grandiose title of Curse King, was safely separated."
"Did being absorbed leave him with any lingering aftereffects?"
When we discovered him, he had been bound quite deeply to that so-called King of Curses. I assumed tearing them apart by force would inevitably take a toll on the boy's soul and body, which was why I had instructed Asta—who excelled at that sort of art—to handle the separation.
"To my surprise, none occurred whatsoever. Rather than that King of Curses absorbing him, it seemed more as if..."
As Asta trailed off uncharacteristically, I pressed him.
"Rather what? Don't beat around the bush; spit it out."
"I have no intention of beating around the bush. It is merely that when I laid eyes upon the spell formula, it appeared to me as though that child of a human had absorbed the winged bug instead."
"Huh? That boy absorbed the King of Curses? I have no idea what you're talking about."
If the boy had been the one absorbing her, it wouldn't explain why the King of Curses' ego remained dominant. Between Princess Fly's interrogation and the details regarding the monster known as the King of Curses that we gathered from Lucile and the spirits, there was no choice but to conclude the entity was indeed the King of Curses. Above all, that body had apparently been an evolution of the King of Curses' own flesh.
"That is precisely why even I do not fully comprehend the spell formula. However, the one thing that can be said with certainty is that the child of a human named Kuzuki is far from ordinary."
Far from ordinary, huh? Indeed, that flame lizard known as the Flame Snake Duke had said something along those lines. Something about an ability to let others assimilate magical power and evolve. To fools looking to gain power without putting in any effort, such an ability would certainly be something they'd give their right arm for.
"Then being enrolled at Ouboro Academy is actually convenient."
It would be a headache if a mess like this happened again and again. At the very least, he needs to acquire the strength to protect himself.
"Lumine and Kuzuki. Ten to one, they are Singularities. And they attend the same human academy as you, Master. I simply cannot believe that to be a mere coincidence."
"Come on, dragging me into this all the time is a bad habit of yours."
Asta tended to treat me a bit too specially. I'm strictly a swordsman—nothing more, nothing less. There's no way I'd go around triggering some bizarre chemical reaction.
Besides, why lump Lumine into this? Just like me, she's a trash Gift Holder with something called 'Fallen Life.' She shouldn't be anything grandiose.
"Singularities are the balance breakers of this world. Master, two of them have already gathered by your side. I am not naive enough to believe there is no causal relationship at play."
Asta clearly had no intention of backing down, his mouth set in a firm, stubborn line. Debating the matter any further would probably be futile. Better to move the conversation along.
"So, what about the other boys?"
"With the exception of one, their memories of this place have been altered, and they were sent back to their respective dormitories."
"Hm? I thought I told you to modify everyone's memories."
The root of this incident lay in my feud with Rasputin Grahart. Dragging children into an ugly political struggle between adults went against my principles. That was why I had all their memories of this mansion erased, altered so they would remember visiting another famous test-of-courage spot in Babel, and had them delivered back to their dorms. That way, the boys wouldn't be subjected to unjust interrogation from Rasputin's faction.
"It was the individual's own wish. Regarding that matter, they have requested an audience with you, Master."
Their own wish, huh? Still, publicly, I intend to maintain that this estate was completely harmless. To that end, the very fact that those boys came here is an inconvenience. Furthermore, it would leave a bitter taste in my mouth if someone carelessly stuck their nose into our dispute only to be purged by Rasputin. If possible, I'd rather modify this child's memory just like the others.
And yet, this time Asta had refrained from altering the child's memory without checking with me first. He was usually entirely devoted to my will, which meant there had to be a compelling reason behind his choice.
"Understood. I'll at least hear them out."
It won't be too late to decide what to do with the kid's memories after we meet.
"Then I shall bring them in."
Bowing respectfully, Asta turned and left the room.