My Trash Talent Is Actually OP!

Nova's eyes narrowed. Asher giving Naomi a second chance was funny, but somehow true. Knowing Asher, he would, but also knowing him, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

"He didn't give Naomi a second chance," Nova shook her head, laughing softly. "After her first semester, he would evaluate her to see if she's strong enough to use. If she isn't, he'll ask me to drain her mana pool, then Zero burns her to ashes."

"If she is, then he'll kill her, with his own hands anyway... she's one of those who deserve a second chance, but as mindless zombies."

"Uhm... mindless? Are you sure about that? Zero isn't mindless. The others' raised souls aren't mindless... Zain definitely is not mindless. He might even be more intelligent than Asher... maybe Sinnett...."

"No, no," Nova shook her head again. "Sinnett... as much as I hate his guts too, among us all, he remains the wisest, the all-knowing, self-centered, arrogant incubus bastard...."

"His brains, multiple abilities, and his hybrid whatever going on in his bloodline... and Asher's humanity coupled with his power, they've got something great going."

"The fact we dragons had to go back to the Morgans for help says a lot, and then the fact we would also be affiliated with a Varrow definitely says a lot... Zain spoke and smiled with Sinnett, which is impossible."

Cinder laughed, glad that Nova could still talk to her without threats or like she wanted to kill her, then she watched Nova's eyes linger on Asher for an unhealthy amount of time that it got her smiling.

"He's young. But wise. Sharp. Too perfect sometimes." She glanced at Nova. "Your master has more restraint than most I've ever met."

Nova's jaw tightened slightly. "He's not perfect."

"No," Cinder agreed. "But he's getting there. And that scares people like Zain. Because unlike them, he's still human... a human with the mind of a dragon... even worse, the Monarch himself."

Nova didn't reply.

After a pause, Cinder looked into the fire and sighed. "I'm sorry."

Nova's head turned slowly toward her. "What?"

"For what I did. For everything. For what happened with Zero. With you." Her voice was quiet, sincere, with no attempt at defensiveness.

Nova's expression didn't soften. "Why?"

Cinder's eyes didn't leave the fire. "Because I was following orders. Orders that were meant to keep the important dragons alive. To preserve what little was left of us."

Nova scoffed. "That's the dumbest plan I've ever heard. Zero was important too. She didn't deserve to die for some twisted idea of preservation."

"I didn't want her dead," Cinder said. "I knew Asher would bring her back. Stronger. I've seen it happen before when I was searching for the new Necromancer. I released others too, like the first dragon he met in the dungeon before he found you."

Nova blinked, surprised. "You... let some of them go?"

Cinder nodded slowly. "I couldn't wipe out our race. No matter what they did to me. Not completely."

The fire crackled as silence filled the air between them.

"If I wanted to destroy everything," Cinder continued, her voice lower now, "I'd have done what Zain did. Annihilate every human. Every soul linked to the ones who hurt us. But I didn't."

Nova stared at her, eyes narrowed. "Then why act like you did?"

Cinder's lips tightened into a bitter smile. "Because I needed to be hated to survive. And because Asher needed to see who would follow him even when they hated what he stood for."

A long silence passed between them. Nova looked back at the fire, then at Asher again, still dodging a new wave of projectiles from Zain.

He moved better now, less brute force, more rhythm, more instinct.

Cinder followed her gaze. "He could do it, you know. Burn the world down if someone gave him the right reason."

Nova's shoulders tensed. "He wouldn't."

Cinder's voice was calm. "No... not yet. But if he lost the wrong person, if the wrong enemy made it personal... he'd snap. Not out of hate, but justice. Because he doesn't hate easily... but he doesn't forgive easily either."

Nova didn't respond, but she didn't deny it. Asher had that look in his eyes that if anyone did so much as draw blood from the people he loves, that would be able to trigger something familiar in him.

Hate? Maybe.

Revenge? Definitely.

But that dark side that would make him want to turn against every race and wipe them out just because he can't bring back those he lost.

Yes, Necromancy has more than just power; a curse. It was impossible to raise those you love, especially family.

Because it was like a rule. To be a Necromancer, you must raise others for your benefit and in ways they shall serve you, not as slaves but soldiers... but never to raise a loved one because that would be just for emotional benefits.

Cinder sat quietly for a few more seconds before whispering, "You're lucky to be by his side. Just don't become the trigger and don't die, because I'm not sure he might be able to raise you."

"Why's that?"

Cinder smiled. "Have you told him how you feel yet?"

Nova's cheek turned pink, then she quickly turned away. "He's in love with Emma."

Cinder smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I saw him kiss her anyway... well, she kissed him, and he didn't show much emotion... maybe human guys are like that...."

"... showing their tough side. I wonder how it would be if you kissed him."

"That's impossible. It would never happen."

Cinder shrugged. "I could help you out, but then..." She released a breath. "We aren't really sure if he loves Emma or if he's just confused, and we can't say for sure if we can trust that timid human, or believe she loves him... or maybe she's just using him."

Nova's eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, a flicker of her dragon self sparked behind them. The thought of Emma just pretending was near impossible, but from what she gathered about humans... especially the girls.

They paint themselves as victims to get whatever they want, even if that means someone else has to get hurt.

But then, Emma didn't seem like that. She was incredibly nice, and didn't show herself as a victim. She didn't do anything wrong but never fought back if someone challenged her.

She was strong, but emotionally weak, and that disgusted her. Nevertheless, the person who could actually show Asher love was her anyway, since she was human.

The downside of being a lich, too: the inability to show much emotion, even when deeply hurt. Not even Zain could cry, even after watching his mother's head get smashed by a beast.

"You either, don't be a trigger too," she said, her voice firm.

Cinder gave a slow nod. "Anyways, I'll head back in before Sinnett wakes and scolds me about walking. It's nice talking to you like this, Nova," she smiled.

"At least you don't hate me anymore." She bowed slightly and stood up without another word, walking back toward the tent.

Nova stayed by the fire, her thoughts tangled like vines in her chest. As the wind picked up and Zain's training arrows fell silent for a moment, she closed her eyes and whispered to herself:

"This will be a hell of a journey."