Olivia ran down the hill with Arlen on her back. The boy was still unconscious and she was rushing him to the infirmary. As she went down she could see the sun setting on the other side of town.
—You're unconscious, but know that you owe me a meal for making me miss this view.
The girl sped downstairs and took him to the infirmary. There he was attended to and Olivia stood waiting to see what had happened to him.
She had no idea, but Arlen had woken up his bloodline, and it was something the nurse was quick to notice after the first few tests. Confirming that this was something that wasn't in the report she decided to call a teacher.
—So you're telling me that the boy has awakened his bloodline and has an ability?
Professor Lewa was surprised. Both were things that last night he didn't have and that you're not supposed to be able to get whenever you want. Besides, the bloodline is a thing that at the latest you usually get when you are 12 years old, how could a boy who is going to be 17 possibly wake it up.
With no answer Lewa decided to call the only person who knew the boy and might know something, Brand.
When Brand found out he asked Lewa to stay with the boy and not let Olivia leave, he was about to go into a meeting he had requested in the morning with the head of the combat department and the head of the Academy.
As Brand hung up on Lewa he walked through a large white door and into an office where the big bear and director of the combat department, Krist, was already waiting for him. Next to him a person as tall as him, but instead quite thin, the director of the Academy, Luca.
—Good morning, directors.
—Don't be so formal Brand, we've known each other for a long time. But I am surprised that you asked for a meeting, did something happen?
—No, I came to ask for information.
—Information?
That came as quite a surprise to the directors. If he just wanted information there was no need for a meeting like that, unless the information was something that was not easy to obtain.
—It's about Gon Ober and Ava Bell.
As soon as Brand said those names Krist and Luca tensed. They knew perfectly well who they were, two people who were really important in the war against the Reddaj, two heroes in the shadows, very few really know about the existence of those two.
—Brand —Luca began—, you know perfectly well that we can't say anything about them.
—Luca, don't give me excuses, please, I also have the right to know what happened.
Brand kept looking at Luca until the Academy director gave up.
—You really can be a stubborn old fart, eh, Brand.
—I don't know what you're talking about.
—I'm going to tell you a little bit, but you are forbidden to say it, we've known each other for many years and I know you won't say anything to your family, but above all else, keep this a secret. It is about the history of the origin of the division of humanity, the origin of IOH and those who founded IOH. About the war against the Reddaj and the fate that awaits your protégé.
After a little more than an hour Brand arrived at the infirmary where Lewa and Olivia were waiting for him. Both were already a little impatient to wait and for the moment Arlen was still not awake.
—What's wrong Brand, how is it possible for a boy to have an ability overnight and wake up his bloodline? What does this mean?
Brand scratched his bald head as he thought about what to say. He could lie, but what could he say, that the boy is special? That was like telling the truth. But if he told the truth he had to be careful what he said so he didn't blurt out too much. He also didn't know how much the two girls in front of him knew about Arlen or what they had seen, so he preferred to return the question.
—What do you know about Arlen? And Miss Wolf, what happened while you two were alone?
—I what it said in the report —Lewa answered quickly.
—I don't know much. I know he has no family and that yesterday he had no ability and today he did. We were talking about the academy and what we expected from it when suddenly he had a seizure, marks appeared on his body and disappeared like nothing. That was the moment he lost consciousness and has not gotten up again.
Brand sighed.
—That was Arlen's blood awakening.
—But it's supposed to be painless and pass without you noticing.
—Yes, that's true. Maybe it was because he woke up so late, don't worry about it, according to the nurse he's fine and will wake up any minute now.
—Brand —said Lewa in a serious tone—, many studies have shown that no one can wake up his blood so late, on top of the lines on his body, what's going on Brand?
—Take it as a random kid who awakened his bloodline a little too late, because that's what it is. The rest is the boy's life, which he will share with whomever he wants and however he wants. I'm not one to say anything about him.
Olivia listened to the two teachers talk about Arlen and seemed to be right about him being a boy with something special.
—Miss Olivia —Brand addressed her—, I ask you please not to say anything about what you just heard. It may be complicated, but I have a feeling you will be one of the first people to hear the truth from Arlen. I just ask for your patience and trust.
Olivia was a little shocked, but that was fine with her. She knew Arlen from yesterday afternoon and today was the first time they had spoken, so what she knew of him was what little he had told her this afternoon, but she had a sense of trust towards him that she didn't quite know why.
When the two girls decided to do as Brand had told them they left the infirmary to rest. Instead, Brand stayed waiting until a while later when Arlen woke up.
'Where am I?'
"Good morning master. Looks like you've finally woken up."
'Edgar, tell me what happened.'
"You have awakened your bloodline."
[Name: Arlen Ober]
[Level: 1 (0/20)]
[Ability: Telekinesis 6%]
[Awaken state: Novice]
[Bloodline power: 5]
[HP: 20/20]
[Strong: 12]
[Agility: 11]
[Stamina: 12]
[Points: 10]
[>Skills]
[>Quests]
[>Inventory]
'Really Edgar, have I really awakened my bloodline?'
"Of course."
'And what have I awakened? What bloodline have I inherited from my parents?'
"A Phoenix. Arlen, you are a descendant of the Phoenix family."
Arlen was a bit shocked to hear that.
'The Phoenix family, what's a Phoenix?'
Edgar was a little shocked to hear that last question, but it was true that he had never heard of what a Phoenix was.
"Really? I think you should look up the information on your own, I don't want you to depend on me for everything."
Arlen smiled when he heard that and went back to looking at the system he had open. He noticed that he had 10 more points to put between his characteristics and decided to even everything up to 15.
[Strong: 15]
[Agility: 15]
[Stamina: 15]
When he finished he noticed how some sort of energy coursed through his body and felt like he had really gotten stronger.'It's an incredible feeling.'
"I'm glad you like it, but don't think you're invincible. There's a phrase you should always remember: 'There will always be someone stronger'."
Arlen glad for the new situation, but with a thousand questions in his head decided to leave the room to find Brand sitting up.
—Good morning sleeping beauty, though it's almost bedtime.
—Hello Brand.
—How are you feeling?
—I'm feeling stronger than ever.
—By the way, congratulations on awaking your bloodline, it seems no one can say anything about it anymore.
At that moment Arlen realized what Brand was saying. He had awakened his bloodline, people like Charles Foix who mistreated him for not awakening his bloodline will cease to exist. When Arlen thought that all the suffering he had gone through at school had come to an end, he began to cry with joy.
—It's over, isn't it? I don't have to go through beatings and insults anymore, do I Brand?
Brand hugged him back and stroked his head.
—Of course.
Brand smiled and held back tears from watching that crying, suffering child grow older.
'I promise you Arlen, neither IOH, nor the 5 families, no one will tell you what to do while I am here. Grow up, grow up at your own pace, without worries. Create friendships, be happy, fall in love, learn life's lessons, I will be here always.'
But Brand couldn't say those words out loud. He didn't want to worry the boy in front of him. That was the promise he had to keep quietly.