As I returned to my room, my mind was consumed by thoughts of the ceremony. Knowing my father would be there was infuriating. Any other neglected child might try to prove themselves to a man like him, but not me. I remember. I remember all the hurt he caused her. I remember all the pain from my last life and I won't go through any form of abuse ever again.
Every night growing up, I'd hear my mother's cries. No matter how hard she tried to muffle her sobs, I could still hear them. The thought of having him present today was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, there was one reason I allowed it—I wanted him to admit he was wrong.
I wasn't sure who else would be there, but I knew my half-siblings might show up. Over the years, I pieced together the structure of the Ashbourne clan. My father was married to three women: my mother and my two stepmothers. Between them, he had sired four children—two older than me, one younger.
Then there was my grandfather, Edmund Ashbourne, the true power of the family. Once the Duke of Noctirion, he relinquished the title to my father to retire. I'd heard stories of his strength and wisdom, though I had yet to meet him.
Let's hope they aren't as bad as the rumors make them out to be. Strangely, there wasn't much gossip about my grandfather, but I suppose there is a story behind it.
"Everything's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine," I muttered to myself. Repeating to myself, but it didn't help. Although was better than silence.
I headed to the bathroom, took a shower, and slipped into my pajamas before crawling into bed.
I awoke to the light sound of my mother's footsteps approaching my door. Rising quickly, I greeted her with a smile, which she returned warmly.
"Good morning, Ragnar," she said softly, handing me something delicate.
I traced my fingers over the object—an earring I assume. "What is this?"
"It's an earring, it was given to me by my late mother. Now it's yours."
Though I wasn't a fan of jewelry, I put it on without complaint. Standing up, I followed her out of the room, using the faint sound of her footsteps to guide me.
After several turns, she stopped. The sound of a door creaking open signaled our arrival. We stepped into a spacious room with minimal furniture. I quickly used the echoes to map out my surroundings. There were about a dozen people here, their varying heights and statures scattered across the room.
Then his voice cut through the air.
"The circle and the aether crystal are ready," my father announced. "Head to the center of the room and sit down."
I followed his instructions, ignoring the hushed whispers that erupted around me. My steps were steady, but the weight of their stares was seriously annoying me. As soon as I sat in the circle, a dome of aether formed around me.
"The crystals will soon emit aether," my father continued, his tone detached. "Absorb as much as you can handle and condense it into a core near your heart."
Closing my eyes, I focused.
3rd person pov
As Ragnar sat in the center, the murmurs grew louder among the onlookers.
"Why bother with him? He's blind."
"He'll never amount to anything in the Ashbourne clan. What a waste."
"Do you think Selene regrets letting him show up?"
At the back of the room, a tall man approached Aldrin. His sharp gaze pinned the Duke in place.
"So, Aldrin," the man began in a low voice, "what's this I hear about you neglecting that boy?"
Aldrin stiffened before bowing. "Father."
Edmund's presence was commanding, his tone as sharp as a blade. "Answer me."
"The boy is useless in every regard," Aldrin replied, his voice steady but cold. "He was born blind so he'll never be able to use our clan's most powerful ability."
"That doesn't excuse abandoning him," Edmund snapped. "I thought I raised you better than this. It's too late to regret the past. So, what will you do if his potential turns out to be promising? Will you finally take responsibility and train him?"
Aldrin hesitated. "I won't. I'll hire someone to teach him. When he's of age, I'll send him to the academy."
Edmund's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing further. Instead, his gaze shifted to the boy at the center of the room.
The ceremony began. Most awakenings lasted between 15 and 20 minutes for an average individual. Even talented members of the Ashborne family, like Aldrin, rarely exceeded 45 minutes.
But Ragnar defied expectations.
As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Scorn turned to indifference, then to disbelief.
Twenty minutes passed
Then thirty-five
Then fifty.
An hour.
The whispers ceased entirely, and all eyes were locked on Ragnar.
When the dome finally dissipated, the boy slumped forward, sweat dripping from his brow. Before anyone could react, Selene rushed to his side, pulling him into a fierce embrace.
"Mom, that hurts," Ragnar groaned, his voice weak but teasing.
"My sweet boy," Selene said with relief, her warmth evident. "You have made me proud."
Ragnar was about to respond when he was interrupted by his father's sharp voice. "Now that your core is formed, place your hand on this orb. It will reveal what race skills you unlocked and what elemental affinities you awakened"
Ragnar hesitated as his father's voice cut through the haze of exhaustion.
"Place your hand on the orb," Aldrin instructed. "I don't have all day."
Ragnar cursed under his breath, he reached out, his fingers brushing the cool surface of the orb. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, and he braced himself for whatever revelation awaited.
The orb flared to life, colors swirling and pulsing with energy. A powerful voice sounded out.
Name: Ragnar Ashbourne
Blessings: Nox's Blessing(B+), Avarciel's Blessing(SSS)
Ragnar's mind reeled. Two blessings? Most people had only one with only the most talented of geniuses gaining another. I knew what the Nox's blessing was, it was the blessing every vampire receives. The ranking represents how potent the blessing is, rankings go from E- to SSS. I do wonder what Avarciel's blessing truly entails.
The room fell silent, the weight of his words crashing down like a tidal wave.
"Two blessings?" one of his half-siblings muttered, their voice dripping with disbelief.
"That's impossible!" one of his stepmothers exclaimed. "How could he—"
"He is still blind. He won't be able to fight even with all of that power," one of his half-brothers interjected, his tone smug." His Nox blessing is weaker than mine and he can't use Charm. He is useless especially since our charm is stronger than most."
The murmurs resumed, a mixture of skepticism and disdain rippling through the crowd. Only one person remained silent: Edmund Ashborne.
The elder Duke stepped forward, his imposing presence silencing the room once more. His sharp eyes scrutinized Ragnar as if weighing him against an invisible scale. Then, after a tense pause, his lips curled into a faint, approving smile.
"I will train him myself. And a warning to everyone present, if I hear any news of what happened in this room..."
"Father, you can't be serious!" Aldrin protested, his voice rising in disbelief. "He's blind! He can't become a warrior, let alone a valuable member of the clan. It's a waste of time—"
"Enough!" Edmund's voice thundered, cutting Aldrin off mid-sentence. His piercing gaze pinned his son in place. "You've done nothing but neglect and dismiss this boy since his birth. If you're too blind to see his potential, that's your shortcomings—not his."
Aldrin opened his mouth to argue, but the weight of Edmund's authority bore down on him, silencing him once more.
Edmund turned back to Ragnar, his expression softening ever so slightly. "You've exceeded all expectations boy. In three days, I will return to begin your training. Be ready."
He then turned to Selene, nodding respectfully. "Ensure he's prepared."
Selene's face lit up with pride, and she inclined her head. "Of course."
As the murmurs and whispers reignited, Ragnar's thoughts raced. His grandfather—the man mysterious figure has taken a personal interest in him. Despite the doubts and scorn of the others, Ragnar's chest swelled with a newfound pride.