Vermas and the Clan Head stood at the edge of the Mirror Lake, their gazes fixed on the still water, anticipation heavy in the air.
Despite everything the siblings had endured, only ten minutes had passed in the outside world.
"Who do you think will appear first?" Vermas asked, his tone calm but curious.
The Clan Head pondered for a moment. "I'd bet 10 gold coins on Lunaris. He has the will to become the next Clan Head. Caelrisu, on the other hand… she despises situations like this. Even if she awakens before him, I doubt she'll come out immediately."
Vermas chuckled softly. "Then I suppose I'll bet 10 gold coins on the Young Lady. No matter how cheerful she seems, everyone in the upper echelons knows that she will do anything for her revenge for her father. If she plays it right, she might even rise as Clan Heir, simply to secure the resources she needs."
The Clan Head's thoughtful gaze lingered on the lake. "Perhaps. Let's see who will pay for the drinks tonight."
"Sure, sure. You're just like your brother, Clan Head," Vermas replied with a faint smile.
Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long.
Within seconds, ripples began to form across the surface of the water.
Every child at the back, as well as the Clan Head and Vermas, turned their attention toward the lake, anticipation written on their faces.
While the children's expressions were full of excitement and wonder, the Clan Head had a calm look and Vermas an extremely tense one; he was quietly preparing the spells, just in case the siblings had been overtaken by [Faceless Beings] and needed to be put down immediately.
Slowly, the ripples on the Mirror Lake grew larger, spreading outward in widening circles. A slate-grey head emerged first, breaking the water's surface, followed by the rest of the figure.
Lunaris stepped out of the Mirror Lake, water cascading down his body. Naked, his skin glistened in the light, the muscles of his chest and arms taut and defined. A collective gasp rose from the children; girls blushed as their focus was on the lower body, while the boys stared, stunned by the sight of his looks.
His appearance was still that of a 13-14-year-old boy, but there was a hidden undertone that Vermas couldn't describe.
Seeing the reactions, the Clan Head waved a hand. In an instant, Lunaris was clothed in an oversized white shirt and loose-fitting pants, the fabric still damp but modestly covering him.
"How was your Awakening, boy?" Vermas asked, his voice calm but carrying hidden fear and despair.
Lunaris swept his slate-grey gaze toward Vermas, a serene yet confident smile playing across his lips.
"It was great, Elder. Similar to Mother, I've obtained the power to control fire."
He then turned to the Clan Head, bowing slightly in respect.
"I will report to your office for further details, Clan Head. There are things I don't fully understand yet. So it may take time."
The Clan Head chuckled, a warm sound that cut through the lingering tension.
"Fine, we will do it after the ceremony," he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he laughed, fully understanding what he meant.
After Vermas confirmed that Lunaris had not been replaced by a [Faceless Entity], he finally allowed the other children to approach.
They swarmed him instantly, excitement buzzing in the air.
"Your hair, it turned grey-white! How?"
"And your eyes… they look so strange, so bright. Why?"
"You even look older now, like you're fourteen instead of twelve. What happened inside the lake?"
Questions piled on top of each other, eager voices cutting through the air, every child drawn by awe and curiosity.
Then, another voice slipped through the crowd, smooth and deliberate.
"Congratulations, young master. You are now the worthy successor of the Clan."
Vipera stepped forward, her serene eyes fixed on him. Yet, beneath her composed tone lingered the faintest trace of dissatisfaction, as if the outcome was not quite the one she desired.
Lunaris's smile sharpened. He listened to the sound of wind whispering to him.
'They wanted Cael to awaken first… and bind her revenge to their leash. But who are 'they'? Someone in the Elder Council? Or perhaps a spy from Solisrisu… or Vesperion?'
He tilted his head slightly, replying with effortless charm.
"Yes, thanks to your suggestion of the Ritual, I was able to claim my rightful seat. You truly paved the way for me."
Vipera's lips curved into a flawless smile.
"Oh, the pleasure is mine. I only did what was necessary to aid you."
Their laughter followed, light and polite on the surface, yet beneath it both of them tugged on invisible threads, two players indulging in a quiet game of masks.
But while their performance unfolded, the Mirror Lake stirred once more. The ripples spread wider and darker, as if something vast was rising from its depths.
Every gaze snapped back to the water as the ripples deepened, spreading like dark veins across the surface.
Slowly, Caelrisu rose from the Mirror Lake. Naked. Water slid from her pale skin in silver streams, smoothly dripping away. Her raven-black hair, twice as long as her body, unfurled behind her like a living waterfall.
Her beauty, still, was that of the fragile softness of a child, but there was something otherworldly, almost perilous, underneath her. Each motion carried a strange energy, her very presence tugging at the fear of those who looked upon her as if looking at someone who is dead rather than alive. Although it was quickly dying.
Gasps echoed. The girls froze, their expressions wavering between envy and disbelief, while the boys stood wide-eyed, understanding the joy of being in love.
For a heartbeat, the world itself seemed to hold still.
And then Caelrisu's crimson-flecked eyes opened, eyes that carried the same innocent luster she always had.
Just then, every single one of them felt it, an icy caress brushing their hearts, as though unseen fingers had reached into their chests and stroked the very core of their being.
The sensation froze them in place, stunning them, before a sharp, inexplicable pain snapped them back to awareness. Gasps broke the silence, and terror briefly flickered behind their admiration.
Fremileo's expression twisted in disgust as he had to use his ability just to wake them from their reverie.
With quick, sharp gestures he formed crude hand signs, conjuring a robe over Caelrisu's body, a poorly woven spell, its fabric ill-fitted, the shirt rumpled, and the skirt quite long.
Compared to the spell the Clan Head had seamlessly used for Lunaris, this was a pale imitation, clumsy and rushed.
For a moment, Fremileo wondered why the Clan Head hadn't done it himself immediately. Then his gaze caught the man's expression, a faint, knowing smile resting on the Clan Head's lips as he looked straight at him.
As an old fox himself, Fremileo understood instantly.
'He left her exposed on purpose, to create an impression between her and me. To make her remember this act… and have a feeling of gratefulness. He could almost hear him say, 'you could do it' or 'way to go'.'
His stomach tightened. Another thought struck him like ice.
'But how the hell did he know I'd even be capable of using the spell? The truth is, I managed it only because of 'their' assistance. How scary.'
"Thank you, Frem," Caelrisu said suddenly, walking toward him. Her voice was gentle, her smile radiant, carrying the kind of sweetness that seemed to brighten even the solemn air around the lake.
"You're welcome," Fremileo replied smoothly, matching her smile with one of his own.
Before the moment lingered, Vermas stepped forward. His expression softened into a warm, almost paternal smile, his eyes brimming with fondness, while he was constantly shooting daggers to Fremileo.
"How was your awakening, Caelrisu?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine doting care.
Caelrisu tilted her head, her crimson-flecked eyes shimmering with innocent joy.
"It was nice, Uncle Vermas," she said softly. "It granted me an ability to accelerate my thoughts. Although…," she laughed lightly, the sound bright and melodic, "…the upper limit is still unclear."
Hearing this, the Clan Head had a strange and contemplative look on his face.
While the children nearby let out soft gasps of wonder, admiration sparkling in their gazes. To them, she looked not only beautiful but also blessed, as though touched by something divine.
"Nice, nice," Vermas said, his smile broadening with unmistakable pride. "You will surely have a great future ahead of you, my dear." His words carried not just encouragement but the warmth of someone who truly believed in her.