CHAPTER 63: WHERE FUTURES BEGINS

Ash’s ears twitched faintly as something stirred deep within his chest- a memory was brought up into his mind.

His own ceremony, if it could even be called that, flashed behind his eyes: the room, the reactions of the butler and Lady Elaria... And then cold stone, a ritual circle.

It hadn’t been anything like a celebration. There had been no family. No audience. Only chains and a ritual that left scars instead of purpose.

He blinked it away hurriedly, not wanting to get a hold on his mind.

’Is this how it’s normally done?’ he asked quietly, not hiding the edge of curiosity and something more in his voice, ’Everyone just gathers and gets tested with parents and others coming to watch?’

Bennett gave a small nod, as though expecting the question, ’I suppose this is something they wouldn’t explain much in Aegaryn.’

He stepped away from the desk, folding his arms behind his back like a lecturer ready to begin.

’The affinities are revealed through a specialized crystal orb,’ Bennett began, his voice steady and instructive, as though he were speaking to a room of first-time heirs, ’Each child is instructed to place their hand on the orb and allow their aether to flow into it naturally. The orb does the rest.’

He stepped forward slightly, folding his hands behind his back, ’In response, the orb produces strands of light—thin, glowing threads that rise and swirl within the crystal. The first thing to appear is the color of the thread, which indicates the child’s elemental affinity. Red for fire. Blue for water. Green for earth. Silver for wind. Each color corresponds to an established branch of elemental or spiritual power.’

He paused, then continued, ’We begin with the foundational four and beyond those are more advanced or rare affinities. These often manifest in children from bloodlines with deep magical roots or exceptional resonance. The orb reveals them unmistakably. There’s no way to manipulate the result.’

Then Bennett’s voice grew slightly lower, more thoughtful, ’But it’s not just the color that matters. It’s the number of strings. One or two indicates latent ability—nothing remarkable, but usable. Three or four suggest a strong magical foundation. Five or more? That’s when heads turn. That’s when names are remembered.’

Ash nodded slowly, acting as if he was hearing this for the first time despite having know about this before. However, as he heard the mention of rarer affinities, a flicker of memory surfaced.

He asked, ’Have you ever seen a string that was dark indigo, with a faint silver glow?’

Bennett turned, raising an eyebrow, ’Indigo with silver? No... not in any of the records I’ve seen. That combination isn’t listed among the standard affinities. It would most likely be an unrecorded rare affinity. Why do you ask? Have you seen one before?’

Ash hummed, thoughtful. The memory of the string shimmered in his mind, strange and untamed.

’Yes, I saw it once,’ he said, ’A long time ago. I didn’t know what it meant then either.’

Bennett crossed his arms, thoughtful, ’The color could signify a rare affinity—or something that hasn’t yet been categorized. Some colors, like silver, are often associated with spiritual or dimensional magic. Indigo... that might suggest mind, or void, or something between.’

He paused.

’If someone awakened with that color, I imagine the nobles would whisper about it for years.’

Ash was silent for a moment, noting Bennet’s insight before shifting the topic.

’Lucas... What do you expect of your son?’

’And what do you expect of your son?’

Bennett’s gaze narrowed—not in dismissal, but in contemplation, like he had already asked himself that question a hundred times.

He stepped away from the window and returned to his desk, placing a hand gently atop a closed leather-bound book.

When he spoke, his voice had shifted—not as head of House Valen, but as a father.

’Lucas is the son of Seraphina and I. Between us, wind, metal, and mind run strong. My side of the family has a history of wind, metal and fire. Seraphina’s line has wind, earth and light. If affinities mean anything, then he would have the highest change of awakening wind. Perhaps all. The talent is there in the bloodline.’

He paused, his gaze unfocused as if looking through the walls of the estate itself.

’I don’t want a perfect result. What I want more than that, I want an honest reaction from Lucas. That whatever the orb reveals—he will face it. And if he falters, he will learn. If he succeeds, he will remember what it cost. That is what I expect. Not brilliance. Not fame. Just a boy willing to grow into a man the House can be proud of.’"

However right after saying this, Bennett’s tone sharpened, "Everyone with a child goes. And today, every eye will be on Lord Lucas. The arena isn’t just a testing ground—it’s a battlefield for legacy. An unspoken war fought with whispers and glances, with titles and expectations. The pressure will be huge on him to do well."

He stepped forward and adjusted his gloves with methodical care, "I want you to accompany him as his guardian. As our hidden strength."

Ding! A system notification came and a new mission had been issued.

Ash nodded once, the gravity of the moment settled in his chest like a weight, as he responded, ’I don’t intend to disappoint...’

Elsewhere in the Valen Estate...

Sunlight streamed through the high-arched windows of the west wing, catching on the polished marble as Seraphina and Lucas walked hand in hand down the corridor toward the estate’s front entrance, the warmth of her palm grounding him, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed the storm inside,

"Do you think I’ll be enough?" Lucas asked, his voice barely above a whisper, "Father was five strings, Grandfather was six... Mother, what if I don’t even match you?"

Seraphina glanced down at him gently, squeezing his hand, "Then you’ll still be Lucas, and that’s more than enough."

"But I’m the heir," he murmured, brows furrowing, "Everyone’s expecting something. What if I disappoint all of you? Not just Father or Grandfather—but you too?"

They continued walking a few more steps before she slowed and stopped, her eyes meeting his. Her free hand came to his cheek.

"Lucas," she said, her tone soft but steady, "responsibility is real. And yes, expectations exist. You’re not wrong to feel them. But they’re not meant to crush you—they’re meant to shape you."

He lowered his gaze, uncertainty pooling in his expression.

"You don’t get to choose the cards you’re dealt," she continued, "None of us do. But you always get to choose how you play them. That choice? That’s where your power lies. Not in the colors that glow, or the number of threads that swirl in the orb—but in what you decide to do once you see them."

Lucas looked up, his eyes searching hers.

"I’m scared," he admitted.

"That’s good," Seraphina said with a small smile, "Fear means you care. Courage isn’t being unafraid—it’s stepping forward even when you are."

She leaned down slightly, pressing her forehead to his. "I love you regardless of what glows in that orb. You’re not being tested on your worth. You’re being given a truth—and what you do with it, that’s what defines you."

Lucas stood a little straighter, the fear still present, but dulled now—tempered by something stronger.

"I’ll play the hand I’m dealt," he said.

Seraphina gave him a proud smile. "And that, my son, is what makes all the difference."

Outside, the estate courtyard buzzed with quiet tension.

The royal black carriage stood ready, drawn by two sleek, black stallions. Gold accents gleamed on the lacquered frame, the sigil of House Valen etched proudly into the door. Stable hands moved with quiet purpose, brushing down the horses, checking the wheels.

Bennett stood beside the open carriage, clad in a dark ceremonial cloak, arms folded behind his back.

Ash waited nearby, still and silent, his eyes surveying the estate grounds with an animal’s precision. His form was cloaked in an attire that allowed for free range of movement but added an air of formality, but the wildness underneath remained.

His steps were composed, but his gaze was ready.

The estate doors swung open.

Lucas emerged with Seraphina at his side, their conversation fading behind them. He walked toward the carriage, nerves pulling at the edges of his composure.

"Father," he greeted as he approached.

Bennett turned toward his son, appraising him with a nod of approval. "You look strong, Lucas. Remember—blood runs thicker than water. But it’s not blood alone that makes a Valen."

Lucas met his father’s gaze, swallowing tightly. "I won’t let the pressure get to me."

Bennett rested a hand on his shoulder, firm but not heavy. "Pressure shapes. It doesn’t crush. Let it mold you, not bury you. I know you can do it, my son."

Lucas nodded, then turned to Ash, "You’re going to be accompanying me, right?"

Ash gave a short nod, "Yes, Lucas. I’m going to be with you throughout the ceremony today."

At this, some of the tightness in Lucas’s frame eased and he let out a quiet breath, giving Ash a faint smile, "Thank you. That will help a lot."

They climbed into the carriage, the door shutting with a quiet finality as the carriage began to move, Ash trailing on the side, immediately beginning his task of protection.