MMM: Chapter Eighteen: Humans' vs. Monsters' Physiques
After locking Thanks in a cell, the Vice Commander ensured that all Groups assigned to the night shift had moved to their designated positions. Once confirmed, she attended to other duties and personal matters before finally retiring at an unholy hour.
Meanwhile, August, Ines, and the still-hidden Lady Ursula observed from a short distance as Licht and Giselle walked back together. Their conversation flowed with an unguarded ease, each word peeling back a layer of their personalities.
"I don't know about that," Giselle said, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Chess seems like such a hard game. Isn't it something only adults play?"
Licht shook his head, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Not at all. I've been playing against my mom and Ines for years, and they've never beaten me."
Giselle's brows arched in curiosity. Her gaze briefly flicked to the blue-haired maid walking beside them before returning to Licht. "Never? Not even once? Did it ever occur to you that maybe they were letting you win?"
Licht let out a confident laugh, wagging a finger in mock wisdom. "No way! We took it seriously every time. Each game had something on the line. Like one time—Ines and I argued over who'd get the last piece of fried chicken. We settled it with a game of chess. And let me tell you, Ines would fight a bloody war over fried chicken!"
All eyes turned to Ines, who blushed furiously under their scrutiny. She covered her mouth with a hand, failing to suppress her laughter. "Master Licht… you were four years old at the time! You still remember that?"
Licht's grin widened at her rare flustered state. "Of course I do! I remember everything from the day I was born!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he froze, realizing how outrageous it sounded. Panic flickered across his face before he quickly backpedaled, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish laugh. "Ahem. Okay, maybe I exaggerated a little. But I do remember everything from when I was four."
Ines giggled softly. "Master Licht has always been extraordinary, even as a baby. When he was born, he didn't cry like most newborns. We actually had to pinch him to make sure he was alive! And even then, he only cried when absolutely necessary. Hungry, cold, hot—never anything unnecessary. He's been sharp since day one."
Giselle's eyes widened in awe. "Wow! That's incredible!"
Behind them, Mercedes listened quietly, processing every detail of the lighthearted banter. Though she remained silent, it was clear she was piecing together an image of Licht's life and personality.
Meanwhile, August observed with quiet satisfaction. His sharp gaze noted the subtle but significant shift in Giselle's demeanor around Licht. Her usual guarded coldness, forged by the loss of her father and brother, seemed to thaw. Seeing her laugh and talk so naturally was a promising change. If Licht could offer her some warmth, August welcomed it. Bonds with someone of Licht's background could only benefit her and her family.
The group strolled until they arrived at the opulent Hitler Hotel, its grand facade gleaming under the moonlight.
"This is my stop," Licht announced, glancing at Giselle.
Both Giselle and August marveled inwardly at the sheer extravagance of the hotel. Though August, as a Tier 4 existence, could afford such luxury, the grandeur still impressed. They quickly masked their awe.
Mercedes, however, had no such reservations. Her face lit up with excitement. "This is where my party is staying too!" she exclaimed.
Licht raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yup!" she chirped. "Can I go ahead?"
Licht hesitated before nodding. "I guess… yeah."
"Great!" Without waiting for a reply, Mercedes dashed inside, disappearing through the glass doors toward the stairs.
Licht chuckled at her enthusiasm before turning to Giselle. "So, I guess this is goodnight?"
Giselle nodded, her tone calm but warm. "Mm. Goodnight, Licht."
A thoughtful pause lingered between them before Giselle turned and walked away, joining her teacher. Licht watched her retreating figure before addressing August.
"Goodnight, Uncle," Licht said with a respectful nod.
"Goodnight, lad," August replied with a faint smile. "And to you as well, Ms. Ines."
Ines dipped her head politely. "Goodnight, Sir August."
As the teacher-disciple pair disappeared down the road, Licht and Ines stepped into the hotel. They ascended the left-hand staircase, stopping at Lady Ursula's room, which was closest to the stairs.
Licht knocked softly. Moments later, the door opened to reveal his mother, now dressed in elegant white nightwear. She leaned against the doorframe, her expression playful yet affectionate.
"Oh? My little light finally remembers he has a mother," she teased with a pout. "You were out there having so much fun with Ines that you forgot all about me, didn't you?"
Licht scratched his head awkwardly, laughing. "Hehe. Mother, it's not like that. Something came up, and—"
Lady Ursula held up a hand, cutting him off. "Hold it. Have you eaten yet?"
Licht instinctively patted his stomach. "Not particularly hungry. Ines treated me to a bunch of the capital's specialties earlier."
Lady Ursula's gaze shifted to Ines, her smile warm but layered with subtle scrutiny. "Is that so?"
Under her master's gaze, Ines felt a wave of invisible pressure. She avoided Lady Ursula's eyes. "I… Master Licht seemed a bit down when we arrived, so I thought I'd cheer him up."
Lady Ursula's eyes lingered on her maid before turning to her son. She gently grabbed his wrist and ushered him inside. "Come in, my little one. Share some late-night snacks with Mommy and tell me all about your day."
Licht didn't resist—nor did he want to. As his mother closed the door, he mouthed a quick "Goodnight" to Ines. She smiled and nodded before leaving.
Inside, Licht relayed the events of his day over cookies and milk. He left nothing out, from the people he met to the token Ines had revealed.
When he brought up the token, Lady Ursula offered no explanation, and Licht didn't press. He had learned that when his mother chose silence, persistence was futile. Her silence about his father had taught him that.
"It sounds like you had quite the day," she said with a soft smile, ruffling his pink hair. "You should take a shower and get some rest. Tomorrow, it'll be my turn to take you sightseeing."
Licht tilted his head, cookie crumbs clinging to the corner of his mouth. "What do you mean, 'your turn,' Mother? That makes it sound like Ines can't come too."
Lady Ursula shook her head firmly. "Of course she can't."
Licht blinked. "…"
"She had you all to herself today, and I didn't interfere," Lady Ursula added with a teasing smirk. "Why can't I enjoy the same privilege?"
Licht sighed, wiping his mouth. "Right! I almost forgot. You told me to remind you about Monster Cores."
Lady Ursula reclined in her chair, considering. "It's late. You should—"
"I'm not sleepy yet," Licht cut in eagerly.
She narrowed her eyes but relented. "Fine. But after this, straight to bed. Agreed?"
"Agreed!"
Satisfied, Lady Ursula began. "As I've mentioned, both Humans and Monsters have Mana Veins. But the difference lies in their functions. Humans store Mana in their Mana Veins, while Monsters cannot. Instead, they have a separate organ: the Mana Core."
Licht leaned forward, fascinated. "So their Mana Veins are just channels?"
"Exactly. And their Mana is slightly different from ours."
"How so?"
"Monster Mana can cast spells and empower their bodies," Lady Ursula explained.
Licht's eyes lit up. "Wait, so it's like a hybrid of Mana and Aura?"
Lady Ursula nodded.
"Whoa! That means all monsters are like Dual Path Transcendents! That's incredible!"
Lady Ursula chuckled. "Not quite. While they have that advantage, nature is fair. Monsters cannot train indoors as we do. They grow stronger by killing others and claiming their Cores."
Licht frowned. "That's… kind of sad."
"It is," Lady Ursula agreed solemnly. "Their strength comes at a steep cost: standing atop the corpses of their kind, constantly risking their lives."
Licht sat back, letting the weight of her words sink in. Nature's balance, it seemed, was both beautiful and cruel.