Chapter 36: Stagnant Days
Jack did not stay still for long, breaking his line of sight from Cassandra's back he turned around and headed away from the dance floor. For the rest of the time Jack would bounce from group to group gaining little bits of information here and there. While also gaining some reputation within the upper society of Forgemire.
Once the last guest had left Jack immediately plopped himself down on a near by chair rubbing the back of his neck. Not after too long Jack felt the weight of someone's arms placed on his shoulders. Seeing as they were so small and childish giggles were coming from behind him he knew that it was Lizzie leaning on him.
"May I ask what's so funny Ms. Lizzie?"
"Hehe, you uncle Jacky."
Jack turned to face Lizzie making her lose her balance slightly from the sudden lack of support on her arms.
"Aren't I always funny though?"
Lizzie giggled a bit before responding, "Yeah, but tonight Jacky was even funnier, you kept running around to different people! You looked like a squirrel."
Jack scratched his cheek before shaking his head, standing up with a groan Jack headed over towards were Reginald was currently sitting.
"Did you find out anything interesting during the party?"
Reginald who seemed to be very tired as well jerked his head up, pinching himself on the cheeks he turned to look at Jack.
"I don't know if it's of any use but I heard that some of the higher members of society have been acting strange. Father wasn't an exception, although they're all trying to remain calm they are actually all very stressed it seems."
Jack nodded slightly going into his thoughts for a moment before he realized that he was falling asleep, and promptly standing up to wake himself up.
"Well, at least it's something"
Jack was about to start heading out towards his room but paused and turned around to ask Reginald a question.
"Have you heard of anyone named Cassandra?"
Reginald frowned in contemplation for a moment and then shaking his head.
"No, I don't believe I've heard of any body that goes by Cassandra."
"Interesting. Well good night Reg, get some rest you look like you need it."
Reginald smiled and nodded in affirmation to Jack and went up towards his room. Jack followed him halfway up the stairs before realizing that he didn't even need to go upstairs as he had to go back to the church to sleep in his dorm.
Stopping suddenly Jack turned around and saw a frowning Killsman walking up a few meters behind him. Killsman had one hand on his chin and another on his side that he would occasionally scratch.
"Is everything all right Mr. Cast?"
Hearing Jack, Killsman popped his head up and shook it slowly before answering.
"No, I mean yes, yes I am alright just a little tired after today's party."
Jack started walking back down the stairs before stopping again and turning briefly to Killsman.
"By chance do you know of anyone who goes by the name Cassandra?"
Killsman froze for a second but quickly recovered and drummed his fingers against his side. Apparently debating over something he answered curtly.
"It would be best to not get involved with Madam Cassandra."
Killsman left that warning and resumed his ascent up the stairs. Jack watched his back for a moment before looking back ahead at the entrance and making his way over. Walking outside Jack turned invisible and made his way over to the church teleporting inside.
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It had been several days since the promenade passed, and Lilian was becoming restless. Biting her thumb she was pacing back and forth in front of her dresser. Recently her father and Jamar had been keeping a closer eye on her. Thankfully she had completed the drawing of the seal placed on her room so there was significantly less risk of being discovered.
But that did not rule out the fact that she still had a piece of paper that, if found, will get her in more trouble than she'd ever been in her life. But the main reason she was so nervous on this particular night, was because Jack in his recent visits had told her that if he didn't return within 4 days that something had probably happened.
Just as she was about to fear the worst she saw a silhouette outside her window. Swinging open the window she stepped back and opened her arms ready to embrace Jack with a hug. Seeing that she had learned not to jump at him when he was standing precariously on a ledge, he chuckled and dove into her embrace.
Although muffled by the hug Jack whispered to Lilian lovingly.
"I have a wonderful present for you tonight Lilian."
Hearing this Lilian broke the embrace and pulled out the paper with the seal drawn on it.\
"You said that you needed this right?"
Jack smiled at Lilian and took the paper scrutinizing it, reading it over Jack paled for a moment before cracking his fingers and walking towards the window.
"Yeah, this is more than enough, you did great Lilian."
When saying that Jack extended his palm out to the open window and focused his Aura and Mana at the same time onto the seal. This was not an easy task to pull off, and so he quickly started sweating and straining his energy. But after a few moments Lilian heard the sound of glass breaking inside her head as she suddenly felt a large amount of pain be realized.
Dropping to the ground Jack caught her before she hurt anything. Jack quickly checked to see if she was alright, seeing that she was coming around Jack lifted her up.
"I've prepared and extra pair of clothes if you wind up naked."
"Wha-" The still dazed Lilian was barely able to process the words Jack had said before he teleported several times in the span of a few seconds.
Seeing that she was still fully clothed, she gave Jack a glare to which he simply looked away averting his eyes from her stare.
"Hey, I was pretty sure that you wouldn't wind up naked but just to be safe, you know?"
"Still you really should give a lady more of a warning."
Jack put Lilian down and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Ah, yeah, anyways Lilian, how does it feel to be outside for the first time in over a decade?"
Lilian was going to keep reprimanding Jack until she heard what he had just said. Pausing she took a look around her. They were in a small clearing with woods all around them, above was a sky full of magnificently shining stars, the was a quiet murmur of a creek in the background. In the center of the clearing was a large maple tree standing tall and proud, almost as if protecting the small clearing.
Spreading her arms out wide she took in a deep breath letting the wind slightly brush her skin and sway her hair. Jack watched her mesmerized as a single tear trickled down her cheek; looking back down at Jack Lilian smiled wide and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you."
Jack simply embraced her back putting his hand on the back of her head.
"Don't mention it."
After a few seconds Lilian broke away from the embrace and pulled up her dress and started to run through the grass. Giggling happily she jumped up and down and rolled around breathing in the scent of the earth and listening to the sounds of the forest around her.
After 30 minutes Lilian laid down breathing heavily but still grinning madly, her feet dangling in the creek splashing them occasionally. Jack was laying down next to her but instead of looking at the night sky he was looking at Lilian smiling.
"I was right."
Hearing Jack muttering quietly she turned to him.
"Right about what?"
Jack smiled and held her hand bringing it up to his lips and kissing it.
"Your smile is far more beautiful than the night sky."
Hearing Jack's words and seeing his actions Lilian blushed and looked away.
"Stop you don't mean that."
"But I do."
Jack sat up and pulled Lilian into a sitting position and kissed her neck. Slowly making his way up her neck he brought his lips onto hers. Upon feeling Jack's kiss on the lips Lilian responded in kind and gripped Jack pulling up his shirt.
Feeling the tug on his shirt Jack began taking off Lilian's blouse all the while passionately kissing each other. Taking off her blouse Lilian climbed on top of Jack and embraced him.
============
Specter was stumbling drunkenly, stepping into a alley he spat on the ground and punched the wall. Hiccupping he began to mutter angerly.
"Damn that bastard I swear I'll find him it's all his fault, I'll kill him."
"Oh? Those are some lofty goals, if you don't mind we can give you some assistance on that."
A raspy voice called out form behind Specter prompting him to swing a blade at the mans throat. As he swung his blade it stopped and inch from the man, smiling the man approached Specter speaking calmly.
"Now now, don't be like that. We simply just want to help you."
"I don't need your help, you would just get in my way."
"Oh, that wont be the help we would be providing, just think of it as a way to unlock your full potential. With it you wont ever have to obey the rules ever again, you can live the life you always wanted, without regulation."
Specter scowled, "What's the catch, I don't think that you'd do this for free."
To this the man simply chuckled and smiled amicably towards Specter, "All we need is your faith."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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