As the applause faded, Roman and Kelam stood amidst the crowd, basking in the warm glow of their accomplishment. Excited whispers filled the air as the guests marveled at the display of their newly awakened abilities.
Kelam turned to Roman, a grin spreading across his face. "Can you believe it, Roman? We actually did it! We awakened our souls!" he exclaimed, his voice sparkling with excitement.
Roman nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Yeah, it's pretty incredible," he replied, a hint of awe in his voice. "I can't wait to see what else we can do with these talents."
Meanwhile, Alexandre couldn't contain his excitement any longer. With boundless energy, he jumped up and down, tugging at his father's arm. "Father, did you see that? I'm gonna awaken my soul too, just like Roman and Kelam!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Emperor Aneki chuckled at his son's enthusiasm, ruffling his hair affectionately. "I have no doubt you will, my boy," he replied, his voice filled with pride. "You have the spirit of a true king."
As the guests began to disperse, Lucian made his way towards Roman and Kelam, with Victoria following closely behind him. In her arms, she cradled Leonna's spear, its once plain exterior now adorned with intricate blue and golden patterns, a symbol of its newfound power. The shaft of the spear gleamed with a polished sheen, while the blade shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance.
Beside it, a long black magical staff with a floating green orb emanated a faint aura of mystique. Carved runes adorned its length, pulsing with ancient energy as if whispering secrets of the past.
Lucian smiled warmly at the two boys, a sense of pride evident in his eyes. "Roman, Kelam, I have something for you," he said, gesturing towards the weapons held by Victoria.
Victoria stepped forward, handing Leonna's upgraded spear to Roman and the magical staff to Kelam. "These are your birthday gifts," she explained, her voice tinged with reverence. "May they serve you well on your journey ahead."
Roman and Kelam accepted the weapons with gratitude, marveling at their newfound strength. Roman ran his fingers along the intricate patterns adorning the spear, feeling a surge of power coursing through him. Kelam twirled the staff in his hands, the green orb glowing with an inner light as if eager to unleash its potential.
With a sense of determination, they vowed to honor Leonna's memory and make the most of their gifts.
As the night wore on, Emperor Aneki approached Lucian, his expression serious. "I must leave now," he said, his voice tinged with urgency. "I have a meeting with the Emperor Muroshi, im sure you know the reasons for this. "
Lucian nodded understandingly, his gaze flickering to Alexandre. "Of course, Your Majesty," he replied. "I will also ensure Alexandre is well taken care of in your absence."
Emperor Aneki smiled gratefully, clasping Lucian's hand in a firm handshake. "Thank you, Lucian," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I trust him to your care."
With that, Emperor Aneki bid farewell to the guests and departed, leaving behind a few ghoul guards to ensure the safety of the estate.
As the party continued into the night , Lucian's demeanor shifted from solemn to lighthearted, his jokes and anecdotes injecting a sense of warmth and camaraderie into the gathering. He regaled the guests with tales of his own misadventures, weaving humor and wisdom into each story.
Roman and Kelam found themselves drawn to the lively atmosphere, their worries momentarily forgotten as they laughed and joked with their mentor and newfound friends. But beneath the surface, a shadow lingered—a reminder of the trials they had faced and the challenges that lay ahead.
As they stood together in a quiet corner of the garden, Roman couldn't shake the nagging thought that had been gnawing at him since they received their gifts. "Kelam," he began tentatively, his voice soft against the backdrop of laughter and music, "do you ever think... about taking off your mask?"
Kelam's expression darkened, his gaze drifting to the ground as memories of the attack flooded his mind. "Sometimes," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "But... the scars..."
Roman placed a comforting hand on Kelam's shoulder, his gaze steady and reassuring. "You don't have to hide, Kelam," he said earnestly. "You're stronger than you think, and one day, when the time is right, you'll be ready to face the world without it."
Kelam's eyes met Roman's, gratitude shining in their depths. "Thank you, Roman," he said quietly, a flicker of determination in his voice. "And I promise, together, we'll put an end to the cult that did this to us."
Roman's jaw tightened with resolve, his eyes flashing with determination as he spoke. "No matter what it takes," he vowed, his voice low but unwavering. "I swear, I'll hunt them down and make them pay for what they've done."
Just then, Lucian's voice cut through the air, his jovial tone drawing them back into the heart of the celebration. "Ah, there you are, my young adventurers!" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost in the shadows!"
Roman and Kelam exchanged a glance, a smile tugging at the corners of their lips as they joined Lucian once more. "Sorry, Master Lucian," Roman replied with a grin. "We were just... discussing our plans for the future."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between the two boys with keen interest. "Oh? And what plans might those be?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Kelam's eyes sparkled with determination as he spoke up. "We were just talking about how we're going to become the greatest adventurers Eldravia has ever seen!" he declared boldly, his voice ringing out with conviction.
Lucian chuckled, a fondness evident in his gaze as he regarded his young disciples. "Ah, aiming high, I see," he remarked with a smile. "Well, with your determination and spirit, I have no doubt you'll achieve great things."
As Lucian watched Roman and Kelam, a mischievous twinkle danced in his eyes. "Ah, my young adventurers, i almost forgot..." he exclaimed, his voice carrying over the din of the party. "I have an exciting announcement to make."
Roman and Kelam turned their attention to Lucian, curiosity shining in their eyes. "What is it, Master Lucian?" Roman asked, a sense of anticipation in his voice.
Lucian grinned, gesturing towards the energetic figure of Prince Alexandre, who was still bouncing with excitement nearby. "Prince Alexandre will be staying with us for a while," he announced, his tone playful. "Consider him your newest roommate and fellow student."
Roman and Kelam exchanged surprised glances, their eyes widening with astonishment. "You mean... we get to train with the prince?" Kelam exclaimed, disbelief coloring his tone.
Lucian nodded, his grin widening. "Indeed," he confirmed. "Alexandre has expressed a keen interest in honing his skills alongside you two. I believe you'll make excellent sparring partners."
As Victoria approached with Alexandre in tow, the prince's eyes lit up with admiration as he looked at Roman and Kelam. "You two are amazing!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine awe. "I've never seen anyone awaken their souls before. It's like something out of a legend!"
Roman and Kelam exchanged a glance, a sense of pride swelling within them at Alexandre's words. "Thanks, Alexandre," Roman replied, a smile spreading across his face. "We're glad to have you join us."
Alexandre's eyes sparkled with excitement as he joined them, the bond between the three boys growing stronger with each passing moment. As they laughed and chatted, their voices blending with the music and laughter of the party, they knew that their journey was just beginning.
Meanwhile back in veridia in the dimly lit room of the orphanage, Inoue sat by the window, her piercing red eyes gazing out at the moonlit sky. Her once warm and innocent demeanor had been replaced by a calm but determined resolve, evident in the set of her jaw and the intensity of her gaze. She wore a simple yet worn-out tunic, its fabric faded from countless washes and mending. Over it, a dark cloak draped her slender frame, its edges frayed from years of use, but it provided her a sense of comfort and protection against the chill of the night air. Her blond hair, once bright and cheery, now hung in stark contrast, grossly dyed black as if to mirror the darkness that had settled in her heart.
Beside her stood Sister Mary, a vision of serenity amidst the somber surroundings. The young nun's blonde hair cascaded in gentle waves around her shoulders, framing a face of ethereal beauty. She wore the traditional habit of her order, a long black robe that flowed gracefully around her, its fabric soft and well-maintained despite its age. A white wimple covered her hair, accentuating the serene blue of her eyes and the gentle curve of her lips. Her hands, folded neatly in front of her, held a quiet strength that belied her gentle appearance, a testament to the years of dedication and service she had devoted to caring for the children of the orphanage.
As they conversed, their voices hushed in the stillness of the night, Inoue's red eyes reflected a fire of determination that burned within her. "I should have done something back then. I should have helped him or gone with him. It's my fault he's gone," she insisted, her voice tinged with a mixture of guilt and determination.
Sister Mary sighed, realizing the depth of Inoue's pain. "It's not your responsibility. You were just a child. Blaming yourself won't bring Roman back," she gently reminded her, her hand reaching out to offer comfort.
However, as Inoue's eleventh birthday neared, a transformation unfolded within her. The weight of her guilt was replaced by a singular purpose — to join the Adventurers Guild and search for Roman. As she spoke, her voice carried a steely resolve that sent a chill through the air.
"Sister Mary, I've made up my mind. As soon as I turn eleven and awaken, I'm joining the Adventurers Guild. I need to find Roman, and I can't wait any longer," she declared, her tone firm and unwavering.
Sister Mary, torn between wanting to protect Inoue and understanding her pain, pleaded, "it's a dangerous path. You're too young for such risks. Please reconsider."
But Inoue's determination remained steadfast. "I can't wait for someone else to find him. I have to do this on my own," she asserted, her red eyes blazing with determination.
"Inoue, my child, I understand your need to find Roman, but this path is fraught with dangers. I can't stop you, but I won't let you go unprepared," Sister Mary finally conceded, her voice tinged with concern.
The red-eyed girl nodded solemnly, her blond hair falling in disarray around her face. "I accept, Sister. Teach me everything you know. I want to be strong, not just for myself but to bring Roman back," she vowed, her voice resolute.
And so, under the watchful guidance of Sister Mary, the quiet corners of the orphanage echoed with the sound of whispered incantations and the gentle flow of water conjured by the nun's experienced hands. Inoue embraced the rigorous training with a stoic determination, her red eyes reflecting the fire of her resolve as she delved into the mysteries of water magic.