Silvia's voice cut through the air, laced with skepticism. "So you wish to give Starvol to this little brat, Heinrich? Shouldn't you be doing that for your son, or am I missing something?" Her inquiry held a note of challenge, probing for an explanation.
Heinrich, unfazed by Silvia's scrutiny, responded with a calm resolve. "Due to current circumstances, my son no longer holds the right to wield Starvol. His path diverges from the will of both my grandfather and myself." His words held a weight of conviction, emphasising the gravity of the situation.
Silvia heaved a resigned sigh, her gaze lingering on Heinrich before turning to Lucien with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. "Very well, Heinrich. I will trust your judgment in this matter." Yet, her skepticism lingered, evident in the subtle furrow of her brow.
"But seriously, this kid," she continued, her tone laced with disdain as she pointed a finger at Lucien. Her distaste was palpable, casting a shadow over the room.
Lucien, feeling the weight of Silvia's scrutiny, lowered his gaze with a tinge of sorrow in his eyes. Yet, as if gathering his resolve, he straightened his posture and, with a respectful bow, began to plead his case to Silvia.
"I truly apologise for my previous comment," he started, his voice humble yet resolute. "I am fully aware of my own limitations and acknowledge that I may not be deemed worthy of wielding Starvol. However, given the current circumstances, I find myself with no other choice but to take up this mantle. I implore you to understand the precarious position we find ourselves in."
His words carried a sincerity born from the depths of his conviction, a plea for understanding in the face of daunting challenges.
"Oi, don't bow down yourself for me, it's embarrassing," Silvia interjected, her tone gruff yet oddly affectionate. "Fine, just lift your head up, pun—ah, I mean, Lucien."
Lucien complied, raising his head slowly, though the sorrow in his eyes remained palpable, a silent testament to the weight of his burden.
Silvia's demeanour softened slightly as she caught sight of Lucien's melancholy expression. "Hey, cut out with the sad eyes," she remarked with a grumble, her attempt at lightening the mood evident. "I've already accepted your apology."
Her words carried a hint of exasperation, tinged with genuine concern. It was clear that despite her brusque exterior, Silvia harboured a degree of empathy for Lucien's plight.
Heinrich's interruption came with a happy clap, dispersing the tension that had lingered in the air. "Well then, now that all that tension has gone away, why don't we start the bestowal ceremony? After all, time is not on our side, isn't that right, Lucien?" he suggested with a cheerful tone.
Lucien replied with a nod of understanding. "You're right," he affirmed, acknowledging the urgency of the situation.
With a solemn expression, Heinrich retrieved Starvol and placed it on the ground between himself and Lucien. Turning to Silvia, he inquired, "Are you ready, Silvia?"
Silvia's response carried a hint of resignation. "Well, I always get sick doing this, but I ain't got much of a choice, do I?" Despite her reluctance, she prepared herself for the task ahead.
Heinrich, sensing Silvia's discomfort, offered a quick apology before proceeding with the ceremony. However, before he initiated the ritual, he felt compelled to impart a crucial piece of information to Lucien.
"Listen, Lucien," Heinrich began, his tone serious and earnest. "When you obtain Starvol, it will be as if you have become one with the bow. This means that if you were to meet your demise, so too would Starvol, along with Silvia. That's why the predecessors always passed down Starvol as soon as they could; the future is always unpredictable."
Lucien's understanding widened as he absorbed the weight of Heinrich's words. "I see," he murmured, his tone contemplative. "So that's why the old haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-ppy lady with beautiful skin has been alive for all those years," he added, catching himself before he could inadvertently insult Silvia once more.
A fleeting glimpse of amusement crossed Silvia's features as she caught Lucien's slip, her gaze taunting him with a hint of playful reproach. It was clear that even in the solemnity of the moment, there was room for a touch of lightheartedness.
Heinrich's voice carried a solemn plea as he continued, his words echoing with a sense of urgency. "And so, I ask of you, Lucien, not to succumb to death. Not only because you are my grandson, but also because you bear the weight of two significant legacies: that of the Agar family and that of Starvol."
Lucien's response was resolute, his gaze unwavering as he met Heinrich's eyes. In that moment, his determination shone through, casting a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them.
The sight of Lucien's determined eyes brought a measure of relief to Heinrich's stressed demeanour. It was as if, in that steadfast gaze, he found reassurance that his grandson was prepared to shoulder the burdens placed upon him.
And thus, the ceremony had begun.
Heinrich's actions were deliberate as he pressed his thumb against his teeth, drawing forth a bead of crimson. With a steady hand, he allowed the droplet to fall onto the surface of Starvol. For a fleeting moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft patter of the droplet upon the bow's surface.
Then, as if responding to an unseen command, Starvol erupted with a series of luminous blue cracks that spidered across its form. In an instant, a holographic interface materialised above the bow, its ethereal glow casting an otherworldly light.
The holographic text materialised, an enigmatic message that beckoned the attention of those present. "Starvol operating system online - what is it you require," it proclaimed in a font that seemed to shimmer with arcane energy.
Heinrich wasted no time, his voice steady as he issued the command to activate the bestowal software. "Activate bestowal software," he intoned, his words resonating with authority.
In response, Starvol's interface flickered with anticipation, processing Heinrich's request with meticulous precision. "Bestowal software in operation... Blood of successor required," it declared in luminous letters that danced across the holographic display.
Turning to Lucien, Heinrich conveyed the next step in the ceremony with a sense of urgency. "Lucien, you must do the same as I did. Try and obtain a drop of blood to place on Starvol," he instructed, his tone imbued with a hint of paternal concern.
Lucien nodded in understanding, though a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "Well, I've never resorted to biting myself to the point of drawing blood, so I'll just have to settle for another method," he remarked with a wry smile, his determination undeterred.
With a sense of purpose, Lucien darted around the room, his gaze scanning for a suitable alternative. In a matter of moments, he returned with a small dagger clutched in his hand, its blade glinting in the ambient light.
Pressing the blade against his thumb, Lucien winced as he drew forth a small drop of blood. With a practiced motion, he allowed the droplet to fall onto Starvol's surface, his resolve evident in the determined set of his jaw.
As the holographic interface hummed with activity, Starvol embarked on its analysis of the blood sample provided by Lucien. For a tense moment, the room was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation, each heartbeat echoing in the stillness.
Then, at last, Starvol's proclamation rang out, confirming the lineage of the successor before it. "Blood sample analysed, confirmation of Fritz Agar descendant," it declared, its words carrying the weight of destiny fulfilled.
Heinrich's voice resonated with a mixture of relief and solemnity as he addressed Lucien. "It has confirmed that you are indeed a descendant of Fritz Agar. Only his descendants are permitted to wield the bow, provided the inscriptions remain unchanged," he explained, his words carrying the weight of centuries-old tradition.
"Now then, Silvia, it's your turn," Heinrich continued, turning his attention to the ethereal spirit residing within Starvol.
Silvia approached Lucien with a resigned expression, her demeanour betraying her reluctance. Placing her hand over Lucien's heart, she spoke with a mixture of solemnity and affection. "From now on, I will reside within your heart. This may be goodbye for now, but if you ever find yourself in a moment of need, do not hesitate to call upon me."
Before Lucien could utter a word in response, Silvia, with a resolute command, declared. "Engage, vortex," she declared, her voice tinged with resignation.
In an instant, a small black hole materialised above Lucien's chest, its ominous presence heralding the beginning of Silvia's departure. With a violent whirl, Silvia was drawn into the abyss, her form twisting and contorting as she vanished from sight.
"This is why I hate this shi—" Silvia's words were cut short as she was consumed by the swirling vortex, her voice fading into the void.
As the black hole continued to expand, threatening to engulf everything in its path, panic seized the room. Chairs, curtains, and books were violently sucked into the abyss, their existence swallowed by the insatiable hunger of the void.
In the midst of the chaos, Lucien's paralysed brother, Alex, became ensnared in the vortex's grasp. His helpless form was dragged closer and closer to the gaping maw of the black hole, his expression frozen in terror.
With a swift motion, Heinrich intervened, reaching out to grasp Alex and pull him back from the brink of oblivion. His actions were swift and decisive, saving Alex from the same fate that befell the surrounding objects.
As the vortex reached its climax, its hunger sated, it gradually dissipated into nothingness. With a final shudder, the room returned to a state of uneasy calm, the remnants of its chaotic rampage scattered across the floor.
Exhausted and drained, Lucien collapsed to the ground, his body trembling with the aftershocks of the ordeal. The weight of what had transpired hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked within the realm of quirk abilities.
Heinrich's voice cut through the chaos, his words carrying a sense of urgency. "We're almost finished. That noise will surely attract attention. Let's wrap this up quickly."
Lucien, his body weary from the ordeal, nodded in agreement. The events of the ceremony had taken their toll, but he remained determined to see it through.
Heinrich's instructions were clear and concise. "Grab Starvol quickly. We can't afford to waste any more time."
Despite the urgency of the situation, Heinrich's voice remained composed. "Ideally, we would have done this under more controlled circumstances, but perhaps the adrenaline will work in our favor."
He turned his attention to Lucien, his gaze steady and reassuring. "Now that Silvia resides in your heart, you have a connection to Starvol. But you must complete that connection."
He explained the next steps patiently, his words a guiding light in the midst of uncertainty. "You can feel the essence of its power, but now you must learn to control it. Absorb that power into yourself, and Starvol will merge with you."
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Lucien grappled with the overwhelming energy of Starvol. Each moment felt like an eternity as he struggled to harness its power, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity.
The sound of the door crashing open echoed through the room, followed by Draven Darkholm's concerned voice. "Master Lucien, Master Alex, are you alright?"
Lucien greeted Draven with a casual smile, attempting to downplay the situation. "Hey, what's up, Draven?"
Draven's shock was evident as he surveyed the room. "What was that noise, and what on earth happened to your belongings?"
Lucien waved off the concern with a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, it was nothing. I think Alex was just using his quirk unconsciously in his sleep."
Draven nodded, seemingly relieved by the explanation. "Ah, I see. That would explain why everything is missing. Is Master Alex alright?"
Lucien reassured him with a grin. "Yes, he's fine. Still sleeping soundly, so no need to worry. You can go back now."
"Very well, Sir. If there's anything, please do say," Draven replied before exiting the room.
Once alone again, Lucien released a heavy sigh, his exhaustion evident. "That old geezer sure is quick," he remarked to himself, his tone laced with a mixture of awe and amusement.
As he glanced at his hands, faint streaks of blue energy crackled around them, a visual reminder of the power now coursing through him.
Suddenly, Heinrich's voice startled him as he leaped onto the window sill from outside.
"By the ancient rites of our lineage, I hereby name you, Lucien Agar, as the rightful heir and guardian of Starvol, and henceforth, the head of the Agar family."