Seconds later, cracks spread all over the cocoon of death light before shattering into glittery fragments. As everyone focused on the young medjay, he stood there in the exact same posture as before, as if nothing in the world could alter his state of mind. When his eyes adjusted to the light and landed on his Uncle Saint, he immediately performed a death god's salute and half bow. This was something that he did naturally. It was out of his own control.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Jody had no idea why everyone was looking at him with strange eyes and no one was making a sound. He hadn't yet processed the actions he just performed. He looked up at his father, who had replaced his mother at some point, only to see the former looking rather stunned.
"Pops?" Jody asked timidly, unsure of how to read the atmosphere.
Osiris seemed to snap out of his daze, and rukh radiated from his body, covering his son in its protection. Jody immediately relaxed a lot.
Sigh…
"Josiah, do you know what the black-diamond crown on your medjay badge means?" Uncle Saint's voice softly echoed through Jody's mind, shocking him greatly.
Was this telepathy?
'Badge of the Medjay? Ah!' It was at this time that Jody noticed for the first time that all ten of the medjay were wearing badges somewhere on their person.
Most of these badges were silver, while some were gold. Jody's father wore a platinum medjay badge.
However, only two people were without the jackal head on their badges.
The Pharaoh Saint Anubis himself, and little Jody!
The latter had no idea when a black badge had appeared on his waist. There was a black-diamond crown that seemed to be made of crystal on the front of the badge.
"That badge means that you are the same as myself, a holy messenger acknowledged by the god of death and ruler of the underworld, the True Pharaoh Anubis. It means you are the true heir to my position." Saint Anubis' voice echoed softly in his mind once more.
Jody was pleased to see that all he needed to do was think to respond to his uncle Saint. However, he was incredibly uncomfortable that this man could just jump into his head like this. Saint Anubis wore a puzzled expression momentarily, wondering how this child's mind worked. He was actually thinking of things wholly unrelated to the topic.
Saint Anubis' sigh once again captured Jody's attention as his fellow envoy continued, "For all intents and purposes, you just became the crown prince. However, I was not even selected as an envoy of Anubis immediately after becoming a medjay. I climbed my way to this position. From this perspective, perhaps it would be wrong to look at you as an heir, and I should rather see you as my equal. This seems to be the will of Anubis."
"But Uncle Saint," Jody immediately protested, "There's no way I can be equal to you or pops. I don't even know magic and stuff yet."
Hearing Jody's thoughts, Saint Anubis secretly relaxed quite a bit.
Although he was an upright and heroic man who pursued true justice, he was also a lord of death who had slaughtered countless enemies to ensure that he could be the man he is today. To encounter such a genius, who could perhaps immediately usurp much of the holy messenger's power and position, almost anyone would consider killing him off. Medjay of the same rank and line could not kill each other, but there were other ways.
However, there was no need to consider doing so when the boy before him was still his own blood kin. Plus, the boy's current character was rather pleasant. The pharaoh believed he could mold this boy into a true hero and ally. By that time, perhaps, revealing his status as an envoy will not be such a detriment.
In fact, it had plenty of benefits.
Meanwhile, Jody also didn't want to be some silk pants crown prince. Weren't his pants already satin? This was fine. He didn't currently have any desire to rule over the entire Saint Anubis Dynasty.
"Indeed, you do not have our strength," Saint Anubis replied calmly. "However, I sense the mark of the death god on you. The day has not yet come when I can teach you about this, but I am also having a long conversation with your mother now. She will be able to teach you in my stead."
Jody suddenly felt the foreign presence in his mind vanish, only now being able to distinguish its absence,
"Young and brave warrior! You are destined for greatness!" Just as everyone was growing increasingly anxious, Saint Anubis' voice echoed throughout the grand hall. "You bear the mark of our death god. From this day forward, you…are a medjay prince of the Saint Anubis Dynasty!"
"Sire!" several officials paled and called out in shock and disagreement.
How could the scion of a mere House Trillwolf receive the title of 'prince.' Even making this child a medjay seemed a bit forced and rushed.
"Hm." Saint Anubis stopped speaking and raised a brow.
He suddenly appeared beside Osiris on the altar and glanced around the hall.
No one dared to meet his gaze whatsoever, nor did they dare to utter a word of defiance. Although many people were unsatisfied with this action for various reasons, the pharaoh was destined never to know who exactly these people were. Who would argue with the pharaoh? Wasn't that considered blaspheming the god Anubis?
Saint Anubis frowned before continuing calmly, "This is the will of Anubis. Who dares to question it?"
"None, great Pharaoh!" the entire hall yelled in concert.
Even Jody shouted, completely against his own will. It was as if his body had been possessed at that moment. It happened before he even noticed. Jody was stunned. What was majesty? This was majesty!
"My pharaoh, your humble medjay requests that my son and I be excused for a moment," Osiris performed a deep bow and asked.
"Of course, Medjay Trillwolf." The pharaoh waved his hand calmly, shattering the invisible barrier seal that covered the altar. He caressed the hair on his chin as he said, "Perhaps it's time I changed how I address you? After all, two of your young sons are also medjay now. Medjay Divine Eagle has already departed for Rodinia. What of our new medjay?"
Osiris scratched his head as he looked down at Jody and said softly, "I am fond of Medjay Trillwolf. It is a name that has followed me since I was a child. It has become an identity that I can not simply abandon on a whim. However, as medjay are meant to maintain order and righteousness, they are of exalted status. As of this moment, you are not simply the young lord of House Trillwolf.
"Once you obtain the Mage level strength, you will be a lord in your own right. Because of that, it is customary for us medjay to choose our title early. Jody, you have already become quite knowledgeable. What would you like to be called, young brave warrior?"
This issue was the very reason Osiris tried to withdraw so swiftly. He wanted to explain some things to his son and examine the changes to his physique.
After hearing this explanation, and also that his elder brother dared to be known as 'Divine Eagle,' Jody considered for less than a second before calling out, "I am Medjay Trill!"
Jody didn't feel as if he needed any fancy or intimidating title. He took advantage of this opportunity to use the name he was most comfortable with. As long as he himself possessed enough merit, his name that carried over through two lifetimes would also be intimidating and respected. What better outcome was there than this?
It was the perfect motivation to kick his daily training up a notch!
Osiris and Saint exchanged a shocked glance. In their opinion, Jody honored his father by using the first character in his title. The boy didn't even hesitate to choose a name that made it clear whose son he was. The medjay under the grand throne all exchanged looks of surprise.
"What a good child," said a middle-aged man wearing a snakeskin hood and burgundy goatee. He smiled warmly, his opinion of this new junior brother growing greatly. "This old one is Medjay Jetstream. Be sure to pay me a visit in the future, boyo."
However, to Medjay Jetstream's shock, when the boy heard his words, a look of horror covered his face. He immediately stepped behind his father's leg.
Medjay Jetstream felt like flipping a table.
How was this still the brat that dared to stare the holy messenger in his eyes? Jetstream wondered if he was truly such a horrifying person. Snickers echoed through the silent hall as the other medjay attempted not to laugh.
"Jetstream, you definitely terrifying the lad," The woman who spoke was cute with sand-colored skin and a delicate face. Her figure was slightly hidden under imposing armor, and she had a rough way of talking. "How's it? You want to wait till he's a bit older before making him tea, yeah? Say, lad, you know your brother's official title is Divine Eagle, but he chose the name Medjay Trillwolf, savvy? Our lord pharaoh tried tricking you. It was yer daddy who recommended the change."
"How smart is this brat, eh, Veronica? He immediately saw through Jet's creepiness and his majesty's trickery," laughed a short but muscular man with low-cut wavy hair.
"Alright, enough," Saint Anubis called out calmly, but his disapproving glare made all of the medjay immediately tense up. "Today, we are here to celebrate the birth of my final medjay! May the feast BEGIN!"
Although Saint said this, only he was aware that his final medjay spot had not been filled. Jody and himself had the same status in the eyes of Anubis. As an envoy, one day, Jody could recruit thirteen vassals into the death court as well.