"Where, My Lord?" Clad and Leo asked together.
"You will be briefed shortly," Rudious replied. "Go and prepare your gear."
The two warriors bowed and slipped away into the manor.
---
Rudious turned his attention to the remaining staff. He spotted John, who was speaking quietly with Butler Hans.
"John," Rudious called out. "Where is Master Aldous?"
John bowed immediately. "My Lord, Master Aldous left early. He and Sir Arthur have gone to the open plains to prepare the grounds for the Awakening Ceremony."
"Good."
---
By the time night fully fell, the manor finally grew quiet.
Despite the exhausting day of meeting endless streams of people, Drake and Veil had still been buzzing with energy. But the moment they ate dinner, they collapsed. Rudious had told them they needed to wake up early for the ceremony, though he wasn't sure if they had even heard him before falling asleep.
Before dawn broke, Clad and Leo were dispatched into the dark under absolute secrecy.
---
The next morning, the carriages were ready.
Sir Jorald rode up front on his armored horse. Behind him, the main carriage carried Rudious, Drake, Veil, and Hans, escorted by two guards.
They left the town behind, heading toward a wide, open plain on the other side of the territory.
It was early spring. The winter snow had melted, leaving the earth damp, and the morning air was a perfect mix of lingering cold and warm sunshine.
---
Inside the carriage, Drake fidgeted with his sleeves. He looked at Rudious, his nervousness finally bubbling over.
"Father... what exactly happens in an Awakening Ceremony?"
Rudious looked up, realizing he hadn't fully explained it. "Ah, I suppose I never told you the details, did I?" He shifted in his seat. "Listen closely, Drake. An Awakening Ceremony is a ritual that connects a person's physical body to their internal energy field. Once connected, it awakens your natural Talent."
"But I already have an energy field inside me," Drake asked, staring at him. "How do I connect it?"
Veil was leaning in too, listening intently, even if he didn't understand most of the big words.
"Every living creature in this world is born with a dormant energy field," Rudious explained patiently. "When that field is awakened, the energy begins to flow through your veins, pumping from your heart, just like blood."
"Oh..." Drake blinked. "But how will I know what my Talent is? What if it's something useless?"
Drake's face fell slightly, and seeing his older brother look sad, Veil immediately mirrored his expression, pouting.
Rudious smiled warmly. "Listen to me. When the awakened energy rushes through your body, it ignites whatever you naturally have an abundance of. If a person has a sharp, highly developed mind, the energy will grant them a Cognitive or Mental Talent—like mine. It can also be inherited from your ancestors. Take Clad and John, for example."
"Really? John and Clad?" Drake looked surprised.
"Yes," Rudious nodded. "Their mother was a gifted Healer and Father was fire mage. That trait passes down."
"I see..." Drake muttered. Then he tilted his head. "But why do we do it now? Why not earlier? And can we only awaken one Talent?"
Rudious's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Veil for a fraction of a second before returning to Drake. "We do it at twelve years old because the body needs time to develop. It has to be strong enough. If we try to awaken someone before their vessel is ready... their body won't be able to handle the sheer force of the power."
Veil blinked innocently, unaware of the heavy implication.
"As for having more than one Talent," Rudious continued, "naturally, you only get one. But over the years, the Magic Tower and the Alchemist Guild have created complex formulas and spell-scrolls. If a person's internal energy pool is massive enough, they can use those tools to wield other types of magic."
"Oh, wow!" Drake's eyes lit up. "Then maybe I'll get a Mental Talent like you! Or... maybe I'll be a Water Mage, like Mom!"
Rudious chuckled. "Perhaps. But remember this, Drake: no matter what Talent you awaken, if you work hard and push your limits, you can become incredibly strong. Just like the Hero."
Drake gasped, a massive smile spreading across his face. "Really?"
"Really," Rudious said softly. "The Hero's inherent Talent was extremely rare... but it was completely useless for combat on the battlefield. Yet, he still became the strongest."
Drake sat with his mouth slightly open in awe.
---
Before he could ask anything else, the carriage slowed to a halt.
"My Lord," Jorald's voice came from outside. "We have arrived."
---
They stepped out into a massive, sprawling plain.
In the center of the field stood two tents—one small and closed off, and another large, open canopy. Sir Arthur approached and greeted Rudious and Jorald. Together, they walked under the canopy where Master Aldous was waiting, surrounded by drawn runic circles.
By the time the preparations were fully set, the sun was high in the sky. It was noon.
Master Aldous instructed Rudious to have Drake sit exactly in the center of the open tent.
"Everyone else," Aldous commanded, his voice carrying the strict authority of a scholar at work, "step outside the canopy. Do not interfere."
Rudious, Veil, Jorald, and the others stepped back, watching from a distance.
---
Aldous handed Drake a small vial filled with a glowing, pale-blue liquid. "Drink this in one breath, boy. And close your eyes."
Drake nodded, squeezed his eyes shut, and downed the liquid.
Instantly, his entire body began to glow.
The reaction was violent. The raw energy inside him became highly unstable. Drake's chest heaved as his breathing turned short and erratic. Even from a distance, they could hear his heart pounding violently.
thump-thump, thump-thump.
Master Aldous stepped behind him and placed a firm hand on Drake's back, pushing his own refined energy into the boy's body to stabilize him.
"Feel the energy, Drake!" Aldous ordered. "Do not fight it! Take deep, long breaths. Pull that chaotic energy down... and anchor it into your heart!"
Drake gritted his teeth, his eyes squeezed shut as he fought for control. Slowly, he began taking deep, rhythmic breaths.
Seeing the boy stabilize, Master Aldous quickly pulled his hand away and took several steps back. He gestured sharply to the others. "Move further back! Let the boy absorb the heavy ambient energy of the nature!"
Drake sat alone in the center of the canopy. He was drawing in the surrounding energy with every breath, exhaling the impurities. His posture relaxed. His body grew completely calm.
Now, it was time for the actual Awakening.
Everyone watched in dead silence.
---
But then... something happen.
Drake's skin didn't just glow. It began to turn red.
Rudious's eyes widened. Jorald took a sudden half-step forward. Their faces paled with sheer disbelief.
Because right before their eyes, as Drake's skin flushed a deep, burning crimson... faint, hissing smoke began rising from his entire body.
---
[Chapter 26 — End]
Fire or blood? Or something worse? Add the story to your library and don't miss what comes next. See you in Chapter 27.
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