CHAPTER 49: AWAKENING CEREMONY (PART 2)

Azrael silently looked at the holographic projection of the newly appeared man.

The man had a head full of white hair and looked to be around fifty years old. He had a handsome and dignified face, with a neatly groomed mustache and beard. He was wearing golden-black battle armor that seemed to be made of high-end materials, and the calm and collected look on his face indicated that he had held a high position in society for a long time.

Azrael carefully observed the man, who was known to be the strongest person in the Thorne Family, when someone suddenly rushed past him.

"Grandpa!" Kael excitedly rushed toward Zyrek the moment he saw him.

The composed look on Zyrek’s face immediately crumbled upon hearing Kael’s voice, and a doting smile appeared on his face.

The next moment, Azrael was completely baffled as he watched Zyrek squat down slightly and lift Kael into his arms.

Azrael felt his mind malfunction for a second, wondering if he was seeing things right.

But when the scene before him didn’t change even after he rubbed his eyes, his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

’Just what kind of f*cking super high-end holographic projection is this?’

Ashara had been paying attention to Azrael’s expression, and when she saw him rubbing his eyes, she nearly laughed out loud.

But at the same time, she felt a twinge of sadness upon seeing his reaction after laying eyes on Zyrek.

Similar to Kael, Azrael used to be very close to Zyrek as well. But now—

’That damn trait...’ She cursed inwardly and sighed.

Azrael didn’t notice Ashara’s complex mood. While Kael conversed with Zyrek, he looked at the small crystal orb that Ashara had used to summon the holographic projection.

’Is it because of this holographic device, or does it have something to do with his powers?’

Azrael was confused as to how a holographic projection could touch things—much less lift them—but he quickly dropped the thought.

’There are even people in this world who use planets to play football. What’s the big deal about a projection being able to lift a kid?’

"Father, thank you for making time and joining us today," Ashara said as she walked over to Zyrek, a smile on her face.

"Today is my grandson’s awakening. Of course, I had to see it with my own eyes no matter what," Zyrek responded with a laugh. "Speaking of which, where is that devil?"

He finally shifted his gaze from Kael in his arms and spotted Silas standing off to the side.

He looked at him briefly, then ignored him. It was the same old handsome face—one he had seen many times and no longer cared to see.

Instead of talking to his son, who was no longer cute, he preferred to speak to his adorable grandchildren.

Silas’ mouth twitched as he was completely ignored, and he felt like an abandoned child.

Zyrek eyes soon landed on Azrael, who was standing calmly nearby. For a brief moment, a complex look flashed across his face.

"So he awakened that trait, huh..." He muttered under his breath, recalling what Ashara had told him earlier when he informed her he would be joining them.

"Have you told him about the nature of his trait?" He asked Ashara.

"Yes, Father," She replied with a slight smile. "And you don’t have to worry—he’s actually doing far better than I did. In fact, if you ignore his obsession with training and his desire to grow stronger, he’s still the same boy... just more composed and mature."

Zyrek was surprised by Ashara’s words and felt relieved, but the next second, a dissatisfied look crossed his face.

"What do you mean he’s still the same? Look, he didn’t even come running to me and demand an expensive gift like he used to in the past."

Azrael’s expression turned a bit strange when he heard Zyrek’s words, and he recalled Silas’ advice about trying to rip off his grandfather.

’Don’t tell me the Azrael of this world used to demand expensive gifts because Dad told him to...’

As that thought crossed his mind, he finally understood why Zyrek had ignored Silas.

He looked at Zyrek once again and, seeing the man’s somewhat downcast expression, felt the same pang of sorrow he’d experienced when he saw Ashara nearly break down upon learning he had awakened the Cold Blooded trait.

After arriving in this world, Azrael had learned a few things about Silas and Ashara through the memories of his Earth self.

But on Earth, he had never met Zyrek. Like Rowan, Zyrek was a completely new face to him.

So when he realized he was feeling genuinely sad after seeing the man’s downcast face—a man he had supposedly just met—his guess about his situation became even more confirmed.

All of these thoughts flashed through Azrael’s mind in an instant under the power of Infinite Comprehension, and when Zyrek looked at him, Azrael nodded calmly.

"It’s been a while, Gramps."

He had heard from Ashara that he used to call Zyrek "Gramps", so he did the same even now.

"Call me Grandpa, you brat," Zyrek rolled his eyes at Azrael’s words, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips after hearing the familiar nickname.

He took a deep breath and spoke seriously to Azrael.

"Traits originate from the soul. It’s our power—something we need to control. Remember, you are the one controlling the power; don’t let the power control you."

Azrael’s eyes flashed when he heard Zyrek’s words, and he nodded with a smile.

"I understand. Thanks for the advice, Gramps."

Zyrek also smiled at Azrael’s response. "When I return, I’ll take you fishing again. Let’s catch a Dragon Fish next time."

"Me too, me too!" Kael immediately raised his hand like a good student. "I also want to catch a Dragon Fish!"

"Sure, let’s all go together," Zyrek said, then looked at Azrael.

"You must be really excited..." He smiled and nodded. "Go ahead. Show me what you’ve got, brat."

Azrael looked at the awakening stone placed on the pillar and after taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

He stared at the transparent round stone for a moment before placing his hand on it.

The moment his hand touched the stone, the formation covering the floor of the entire room lit up.

The awakening stone began to glow at the same time and Azrael’s Awakening finally begun.