Assimilate All Talents

Chapter 65: Knew All Along

Hundreds of memories flooded back to Sol; the childhood he knew was an entire fabrication. After overcoming the initial overwhelming sensation of the resurfaced memories, Sol only had one thought.

’Mom and Dad are alive?’

While that was the first thought that came to his mind with his memories restored, he couldn’t help but doubt them. There was a small doubt in the back of his mind whispering that it could all be part of the bald man’s plan to influence his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. It didn’t make sense to change these memories, and Sol had no thoughts of obedience at all, which was their original goal. Additionally, the unsealed memories didn’t erase the fake ones, as if left untouched to allow Sol to determine which were the real memories. There was one last piece of evidence that made Sol determine that they were real, and it was by what became of the bald man who tried to tamper with his mind.

The bald man was now collapsed on the floor with his eyes rolled upwards. Sol saw the barrier leave his mind and travel to the bald man, so he knew this was done by it. It seemed his father left him one final means of protection in the very low chance another psychic ability tried to tamper with his mind.

As much as Sol wanted to understand what all this meant, his current situation did not permit it.

"WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?!" Weaver was furious but held his hand as he had no idea what just occurred. The bald man was still technically breathing, but Weaver could already deduce he was gone forever. While the bald man’s body was alive and breathing, the mind itself had been shattered with no chance of recovery. Even for another specialist in memories and matters of the mind, they would be unable to do anything as the memories were completely erased, there was nothing to save.

Red Sands stood behind Weaver, unfazed by his outburst. Her orders were to protect Gus, but she did not see Sol do anything; hence, she didn’t have to take any action. Though seeing the bald man collapsed on the ground, the edges of her mouth, hidden under the obfuscation of the magical cloak, curved slightly upward.

Sol knew it was caused by the psychic barrier, but he pretended not to know.

"I don’t know! He just collapsed."

"Don’t bullshit me! Fuck! The boss will...!"

Weaver laughed at his claim. Sol believed it was because it sounded too hard to believe.

"I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I took his diary and read how he sold you, but after you got returned, they brainwashed you again! They did the same with you, Red Sands, they took everything from both of you!"

Red Sands stood as poised as she had been the entire time, while Weaver kept laughing.

"Hahaha! You don’t think I know that already?! That bastard used me as his personal secretary for an entire year; I already read his damn diary. Those nobles threw me away because they didn’t like how I behaved! The only person who ever accepted me was that motherfucker, albeit in a twisted way. As long as I obey him and avoid his... punishments, everything is dandy."

Sol couldn’t believe he was fine with this. He was brainwashed and used to commit crimes for someone else’s benefit.

"What about who you used to be? What about all the crimes you committed?!"

"Haha, what about it? Those adventurers don’t give a fuck about me; why should I care what becomes of them. I also get to enjoy certain privileges by working under one of the biggest crime bosses in the city, who can complain. As for my memories, maybe they manipulated me to think this, but I honestly don’t care who I used to be. If anything, fuck the past me for being so weak to get captured."

’He’s too far gone...’

"By the way, is your mana ever gonna run out soon? We still have to wrap this up."

Sol glanced at his mana, which just dipped under 300; he still had plenty of time. While Weaver was a lost cause, maybe Red Sands could be persuaded. Sol wanted to believe it was possible to break free from this brainwashing they were put through.