After all the intense discussion, everyone realized they hadn't eaten—and that they'd unintentionally kept a hungry kid waiting for a meal, too. With shared glances and a few chuckles, they quickly decided it was time to remedy that.
Kael sat down gracefully and waited, followed by Zephiron. The servers and maids entered, tying a napkin around Kael's neck, arranging his plate, and serving the food with practiced care before stepping back. As Kael began eating, Zephiron followed suit, subtly highlighting Kael's superior status.
Kael took the fork and knife in hand, cutting a small piece of steak. He softly dipped it into the cream sauce and placed it in his mouth with a blend of refined precision and subtle, amateurish movements, wanting to appear less noble in front of the workers.
As he savored the first bite, he couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. The flavors danced on his tongue, and he relished the moment, momentarily forgetting the weight of his status and the conversations that had preceded this meal.
As the rich flavor of the steak and sauce enveloped his palate, his cheeks flushed with delight. The meat dissolved effortlessly, showcasing its perfect preparation. It had been far too long since he'd enjoyed something this exquisite.
Regaining his composure, he swiftly removed the fork from his mouth, carefully cut the steak into smaller portions, and resumed eating with a measured calm, concealing any trace of his earlier lapse in decorum.
After finishing his meal, Kael set down his knife and fork and glanced at Zephiron and the others, who had completed their meals long ago and were patiently awaiting his conclusion.
As Zephiron observed the scene, he rose and cleared his throat, exuding an air of authority. In a measured and commanding tone, he addressed his butler Voss, saying, "At the break of dawn tomorrow, it is imperative that you announce to the public that I, Zephiron Eryndor Arcelius, have taken on an apprentice and formally designated him as my official heir."
"No! I don't want my name to be made public just yet," Kael said, a hint of unease in his voice. "My family name is still known to some, and there are many branch families out there. Their motivations remain uncertain, and I cannot risk drawing attention to myself."
Zephiron, acknowledging Kael's concerns, recognized the validity of his young master's apprehensions. However, as a member of the Council of Deities—a congregation that had long sought the Ceasarcrests—he felt it was his responsibility to convey this tragedy and his findings to the council.
With these thoughts weighing on his mind, he resolved to persuade his young master and apprentice of the necessity of this course of action.
"But, young master, this news will not be broadcasted to the entire world. It will be shared only with the Council of Deities and the people of Grimhold. As for your status as the heir of the Ceasarcrest clan, only the deities will be aware of this fact, and the other council members will be informed of your origins, nothing more."
Zephiron continued, "This information will be highly beneficial. If the deities become aware of your identity, you will be better positioned to navigate the outside world. Their support can provide you with the authority and resources necessary to thrive, especially since I am not one to seek the spotlight myself."
Emphasizing the significance of the situation and the benefits it could bring, Zephiron elaborated on his points, carefully laying out the advantages before him. He then waited patiently for Kael's response.
"Ok"
"As long as it isn't known to many people I'm fine from it, and as for the council, I'd like to meet with every member personally, especially the branch families, they are few of my only living kin here" Kael responded lightly and finished with a slight pained voice in the end, not completely convinced but still accepting the terms.
Voss, the fox-eared butler, nodded at all the arrangements, and though not understanding the reason for the sudden change in Zephiron's attitude toward Kael, still wrote it down and started thinking about the situation here.
As he wasn't here all this time, he was indeed shocked, as before, Zephiron had only treated the youth as a promising talent. But now it seemed as if the roles had been changed—as if this young lad, Kael, was somehow superior to his lord.
Since he hadn't truly known Zephiron for long, he just shrugged it off. It wasn't his position to judge, anyway.
"Now that all pressing matters have been attended to, young master, I shall show you around the mansion," Zephiron said with a pleased smile. "Though it's not the grandest, it's still among the largest in my collection."
With that, Zephiron led the way out of the hall, followed by his two generals and an entourage of maids, while Kael walked closely behind at his own pace.
"This here, young master, is one of my most prized collections—the Jade Horns of Wyrm. In my time, I had to slay it to prove my strength to the hero's party."
"And over there is the Sword of the Humming Crane," he continued, gesturing toward a sleek blade. "It was the extended weapon of a unique crane, it was a rank four beast. I was at that rank myself when I slew it. This sword holds an enchantment that boosts the wielder's speed to the next rank—what a challenge that was!"
Zephiron moved to another display, his voice filled with excitement. "And this is the vial containing the Blood of Witch Hunter Alaric. They say his blood can repel any undead or dark sorcery."
As he went on, a subtle intensity colored his words. But just as Kael drew close to the vial, it suddenly shattered, scattering glass and startling everyone. Zephiron immediately pulled Kael back, a worried look crossing his face.
Now facing Zephiron's questioning gaze, Kael calmly checked himself for any glass shards and confirmed he was untouched by the blood as well. He then explained unhurriedly, "I'm reactive to items that oppose or repel dark energy, due to my class."
Zephiron's eyes widened with interest. "So, you have a Jobclass as well, young master? May I ask what it is? Knowing could improve your ascension potential."
In the myriad realms of Aethyrias, possessing a Jobclass is a remarkable advantage for any mortal. For humankind especially, who often start with a slight edge through early Jobclass awakenings, walking the divine path becomes a natural pursuit. It's not uncommon for these fortunate individuals to receive their Jobclass in their youth. However, when it comes to the Ceasarcrests, their true nature and origins remain a mystery.
Awakening a divine path early brings significant benefits, yet the strength of one's Jobclass plays an even greater role. The more powerful the class, the more challenging it becomes to progress, but with each advancement, the path bearer grows exponentially stronger.
Knowing that his young master held a divine path Jobclass, Zephiron was overjoyed. Understanding its nature would greatly enhance the efficiency of his master's ascension, unlocking new potential at each step.
Seeing that his grand plan of wandering around his mentor's mansion had come to a halt, Kael decided it was time to reveal his Jobclass. He was the heir of the mighty Ceasarcrests, but at just ten years old, he was still a child, blissfully unaware of the weight his class might carry. He had little understanding of Jobclasses or the divine paths that shaped the world around him. So, he figured it was better to speak up and dispel the mystery hanging in the air.
---
[System Notification]
[Profile]
Name: Kael Seraphim von Ceasarcrest
Title: Inheritor of the Hellvringer
Race: Celestial Progenitor
Rank: Adept Mage (Rank II)
---
[Attributes]
Strength: Above Average
Agility: High
Intelligence: Divine Cognition
Endurance: Moderate
Divine Affinity: Eternal Abyssal Resonance
---
[Jobclass]
Class: Crowned Apparition
Potential Rank: Unknown, though speculated to be extraordinarily powerful.
---
[Progression Path]
Current Realm: Venerable (Exalted Humane Realm)
Next Realm: Spirit Paragon Realm (Requirements: Mastery of Divine Foundations)
---
As he looked at the Sigilus floating in the air, invisible to all except him, Kael felt a sense of familiarity with its sudden appearance. It was just how it always did.
Glancing at the bottom of his profile index, he spoke aloud to clear the confusion from everyone's faces. "My Jobclass is Echoing Shade."
---
[System Prompt]
[Veiled version of the Jobclass: Echoing Shade (Crowned Apparition)]