Leom brought the newborn into the town.
It glistened with the liveliness of its people. Though the people here were strange in the most ordinary way — some bore qualities that were anything but human. Horns curved from their heads, and eyes sharp as an owl's tracked movement through the crowd without effort, scars trailed for others. In the town, most buildings were homes, while some consisted of goods and services. Though what really caught the eye were the buildings powered by mana — they floated slightly, only descending when someone was entering or leaving. Among the lively crowd and the beautiful architecture, there was another factor worth noting. Across the distance, a stone wall surrounded the town — made of pure stone, seemingly built for defense.
This was the town of Xi's, located in the country of Minerva, which was surrounded by the ocean, making it one of the most reliable countries to trade with. All in all, the kingdom flourished, thriving in its golden era.
Leom walked through the town. Stares followed him from every direction.
"Seeker Leom is back," a child with dainty hair said.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Is he holding a child?" someone asked.
"By the gods, he is."
"What is he doing with a child?"
Leom walked past them without a second glance, not bothering to answer their questions. He went straight to one of the buildings in the town, the boy still cradled in his arms.
Upon entering, the building greeted him with the sound of wood creaking underfoot. The decor was filled with chandeliers, making the interior as bright as day. The halls carried the smell of medicine.
Leom walked across the wooden halls, reaching the reception desk.
The elderly woman looked up.
"Ah, Reverend Leom. What brings you here?" She smiled at the familiar face.
"Is Healer Ez here?"
The lady gazed at Leom holding the newborn, then tilted her head upward toward the ceiling.
"He should arrive any moment now." She chuckled.
The ceiling began to creak. Leom looked up.
"Not again," he sighed.
In the next moment the ceiling caved in. Dust filled the room as wood split across the floor, and a silhouette dropped through the opening — legs crossed, seated calmly in the middle of the rubble.
"Leom! Is that your voice I hear?" a hearty voice said.
The man rushed toward him, quickly towering over Leom.
"Look at you, lad. How have you been?"
Ez was a man of imposing figure — pale-skinned, with ginger hair and a coat draped over his broad frame. To top it off, a hearty smile that seemed to take up most of his face.
"I've been well." They shook hands.
"What brings you to my humble shop?" Ez asked.
"I was wondering if you could take a look at the boy."
Ez leaned down toward the newborn in Leom's arms and nodded.
"Of course. Though — how did you come by the kid?" he asked, slightly awkwardly.
"I found him at a nearby shipwreck."
Ez nodded, as though it were a common occurrence — even though it wasn't.
"Sure then. I'll take a look at the wee lad."
He waved his hand, and behind him the split wood rose back into place, the caved-in ceiling restoring itself as though nothing had happened.
Ez led Leom to a room filled with strange objects, most likely for medicinal purposes, and a table in the center large enough to accommodate patients.
"Place the little one here for me, please."
Leom did as told, carefully setting Ivel down on the table. The boy remained sound asleep.
Ez pulled on a pair of leather gloves and began his examination.
"Let's see what we're working with."
He carefully examined the boy's body, pressing gently on his limbs and tendons, ensuring everything was in place.
"Physically he seems normal — for a baby, that is." The man laughed heartily.
Ez placed his hand on the boy's abdomen, as though searching for something beneath the surface.
"Oh... oh no."
Leom's heart raced.
"What is it?"
Ez paused for a long moment, a solemn expression replacing his usual demeanor.
"I think the lad... might have... just passed gas."
Ez held his nose in disgust while Leom sighed in relief and pressed his palm to his forehead.
"All in all, I'm only really concerned about one thing."
"What is it? And please don't tell me it's something like he needs to be changed."
Ez laughed heartily.
"No, no. Nothing like that." His smile faded.
"It's serious. Grave, even." He paused. "I'm afraid he's been exposed to far too much mana."
"Though that isn't my greatest concern. What I'm really worried about is how the young lad has survived this long."
Ez sighed, his eyes drifting toward the child.
Leom, on the other hand, felt a quiet flicker of happiness.
"Why would that be a bad thing? The child is alive — that's all that matters."
Ez turned to him with a look of softness and sympathy.
"We both know why it is an unfortunate fate." He paused and looked at the child once more. "The boy will most likely be cursed — when his adaptations and starting qualities form."
He looked at Ivel with quiet sympathy.
"Cursed or not, he still has the chance to live. That is enough." Leom carefully gathered the boy back into his arms.
"Thank you for your help, Ez."
Ez looked at the boy with a solemn expression.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more." He paused and looked back at Leom.
"What will you do with the child?"
Leom looked down at the boy for a moment. Ivel slept soundly in his arms, as though he had always belonged there.
"I..."
"Don't know."
"I'll take care of him for the coming months. Just to see if he survives."
"And if he does, Leom?"
Leom was silent for a moment before finally making up his mind.
He smiled, looking down at the boy.
"It would only be fair to give him a life worth living."
He walked off, carrying the boy toward home.
Ez watched him go, a smile spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming with quiet joy.
"You've always done exactly what you wanted to, haven't you?"
"Leom of Revenant."