Rebirth - Part 8
The morning wind of Eldenbrook felt different that day—heavier, as if carrying unwelcome news. The small village was usually quiet, but since the accidental magic explosion Eryon released a week ago, all of Eldenbrook seemed to hold its breath collectively.
Aeran stood in front of the house, looking at the dirt road that split the village. Occasionally, he glanced towards the window, where Eryon sat silently, looking at his own two hands. The man could still feel the faint tremor from the incident the other day—the light that burst without warning, the heat that spread so quickly that the entire field was illuminated in a dazzling silver.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Mireille busied herself pretending to grind spices while stealing glances at her adopted son. Her smile was nervous, not as calm as usual.
"Eryon," she called softly. "Are you hungry? Mother has prepared warm porridge."
Eryon turned, his gray eyes full of guilt. "I'm sorry about that day, Mother. I didn't… I didn't mean to scare anyone."
Mireille stopped her hand movements. Her smile softened, though her eyes couldn't fully conceal her worry.
"You did nothing wrong, dear. You are just… different."
The word hung in the air.
'Different.'
Eryon had known it for a long time.
But before he could ask further, a shout from the end of the village startled them all.
"People! There's… there's a magic carriage! From the capital!"
Aeran rushed outside. Mireille instinctively stood behind him. Eryon followed, his heart beating faster than usual.
Eldenbrook's main road was filled with frightened residents. An astral horse with glowing blue eyes pulled a carriage carved with a silver emblem that was utterly foreign to them.
Everyone knew the symbol.
The Arthea Academy.
The largest center of magic on the entire continent.
The carriage stopped right in the middle of the village. From inside descended two figures in deep blue robes. The official robes of Arthea magisters, worn only by those in high positions.
The first was a young woman with dark brown hair, her irises a clear blue like pure magic. Despite her gentle appearance, her sharp aura made the village adults instinctively look down.
The second was a middle-aged man, his face lined with experience, and a white crystal staff hanging on his back.
The woman stepped forward and surveyed the crowd.
"I am Seraphina Caelist, a researcher magister from the Arthea Academy. We received reports of… an unusual magical phenomenon occurring in this village."
The residents exchanged glances. Some backed away. Children hid behind their parents' legs.
Aeran felt the back of his neck tighten. Mireille unconsciously gripped Eryon's hand, as if afraid the magister would snatch him away immediately.
Seraphina continued, her voice clear but carrying a thin pressure,
"We have detected a high-level magic vibration in this area. The resonance… is very different from ordinary magic."
The middle-aged man behind her stepped forward.
"That aura appeared suddenly, was unstable, and breached four layers of the academy's magical protection. Only someone with extraordinary potential could generate a resonance that high."
Seraphina looked directly at Eryon.
Her gaze immediately made the air around him feel heavier.
"…You."
She raised her hand and pointed straight at the little boy.
Eryon froze.
So did Aeran and Mireille.
Seraphina walked closer, her eyes never leaving Eryon.
"This child—he is the source of that resonance."
Panic whispers began to circulate among the residents.
"Is he dangerous?"
"Is he a demon?"
"Could it be… forbidden power?"
Aeran immediately stood in front of Eryon, his body stiff but resolute. "Wait! He is not a threat! He is only—"
Seraphina gently raised her hand, stopping Aeran without a word.
"We did not come to harm anyone. What this child possesses… is too great to be left without guidance."
She knelt to be at Eryon's level.
The look in her eyes changed… softening.
Full of curiosity, but also caution.
"Do you know what you did that day?"
Eryon shook his head slowly. "I was just… scared. And suddenly everything shone."
Seraphina gave a small smile.
"That, precisely, is the problem. Magic that awakens from fear is the most difficult to control."
She rose.
"This child's name?"
Aeran opened his mouth, but Eryon answered first.
"…Eryon Vale."
Seraphina stared at him for a long moment.
Then she spoke with a firm tone, yet it sounded like a fate being decided:
"Eryon Vale, you are invited—no, rather, you are required to come to the Arthea Academy. To be tested. Studied. And trained."
The air fell silent.
Aeran looked at the child he had raised since infancy.
Mireille couldn't hide the tears streaming down her face.
Meanwhile, Eryon…
For the first time since living in Eldenbrook, he felt something strange.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
But… a subtle pull in his chest.
As if the whisper he had heard since he was a baby…
was finally calling him to where he belonged.
"Eryon Vale," Seraphina repeated, "you will depart with us tomorrow morning."
And this is where his destiny changed forever.
-- To be continued