Henry was momentarily taken aback. He rubbed his eyes trying to confirm what he was seeing. He looked at the screen. Paying more attention this time.
There was something different though. He saw something more. Some newer lines of text which he had missed before.
[Mark: unmarked]
[Attribute: undefined]
[New Quest!]
[Awaken your Spirit Core!]
[Time limit: 3 days]
[Reward: ???]
Henry was having a splitting headache. The trip he had just taken wasn't anything pleasant really. This was why, he ignored the screen and turned to look at his surroundings.
See through curtains, soft bed, decorated walls, gold-plated mirrors. Everything around him exuded a sense of luxury.
The 40 years he had lived contained nothing like this. He sighed and looked down. His heart filled with a deep sense of regret.
The screen though, unconcerned to his state of mind stayed right in its original spot.
Henry looked at his clenched fists. If the turning back of the time wasn't enough clue, then his soft hands were enough to tell him what had happened.
He had returned back to the past. Back to when he was young. And seeing how he was in a luxurious room, most likely his own, his family had yet to fall.
A masterfully engraved table lay to his bed's side. A diary laid on top of it. Henry picked it up and turned pages to the last entry.
17th of June,
It's been 4 months since I turned 18. I'll finally be getting my mark in 4 days. I'm excited! I can't wait to know which side I'm inclined to. I guess since both father and mother belong to the Light, I'll be one as well.
I can't stay up too late now, can I?
So goodnight!
Bye!
"So it's 18th today, huh?"
"The Bestowment Ritual is on 21st of June. 3 more days. Isn't that how long the quest is for?"
He turned his gaze to the screen that was still floating through some arcane magic. Some text writtin on it telling him to 'awaken his core'.
His eyes lay on one particular line as they squinted.
[Time limit: 3 days]
"If I don't do anything, I'll get the [0] mark again. Better to try things differently this time... My Spirit Core, huh?"
A strange expression appeared on his face. One filled with confusion and contemplation.
"A person's core appears only after the Bestowment Ritual. How am I supposed to awaken my core before that?"
Just then, Henry heard a knock. Pulling him away from his thoughts. He turned his head to look towards the door. A sound filled with respect and loyalty resuonded.
"Young Master, wake up! The Lord and the Lady are waiting for you!"
Henry stayed silent. His lips unmoving. He could tell whom the voice belonged to. He replied in a cold and calm manner.
"I'll be there in a moment."
"Yes, Young Master!"
"Lord, Lady..."
The words stuck in his head as he recalled his parents.
The decades he had spent escaping his pursuers had already washed away any feelings he had for them. He did not feel any attachment to his parents. But he wouldn't let that show on his face.
He had gotten a new chance and he would make full use of it.
There were people he had to seek revenge on as well, no? 40 years of his life spent in exile. How could he let go of that grudge?
"Just you wait, you bastards! I'll come back at you all~ One by one~ One step at a time~"
Some minutes later he got dressed into an elegant dress. Combing his blonde hair backward and caressing his creases.
He looked into the mirror. His vermillion eyes filled with a burning sensation of revenge.
His saw a smily slowly creep up on his grim face. His attitude changing immediately.
A low voice escaped his lips as he adopted an embarrassing expression.
"Aha father, how are you doing today? Still the strong and valiant knight, right?"
His smile spread wide on his face as an innocent charm emanated from his eyes.
"Let's see father and mother and figure out the situation first. The Ritual aside I hope there isn't anything I'm supposed to forget. I'll find a chance to ask father about he Spirit Core as well. He might have some guesses."
Henry left his room. His gaze taking in the dazzling sights of his villa. Touching the gold-engraved, white marble railings, he got down the stairs towards the dining hall.
The Lord and His Lady had been sitting there already, the former on the Head seat and the latter to his side.
Henry saw his father. A sturdy man with sharp vermillion eyes. His red hair combed back like violent waves and his face stern.
The man, though,smiled upon spotting his son. His lips moved, turning into a smile and a sound soon followed, spreading through the entire hall.
"What took you so long, Henry? You woke up unusually late today."
Henry smiled and gave a courteous bow. In a respectful manner, his voice came.
"I'm sorry father. I was having a strange dream which have me some funny ideas after woke up."
The man laughed, causing the atmosphere to become jolly. Outsiders would never think that the stern Light Warden, the Swordsman, the 5th Knight of the Kingdom, Cascius Korvess would be such with his family. This was an aspect of him that was hidden from the public and something Henry had inherited and been making full use of right now.
"My dear father, how long has it been since I last saw you laugh?"
Henry smiled as he felt something stir in his heart.
He heard the man speaks, "What funny ideas were you having, Henry?"
"Ahaha!"
Henry gave a shy laugh and continued.
"I was wondering if a person could awaken their Spirit Core."
He said with a respectful smile. His gaze casting an innocent glance at the man.
Henry saw his father perk hslis eyebrows up. The smile still decorating his stern yet handsome face as if amused at his son's thoughts.
He paused for a moment and his voice resuonded in the entire hall.
Henry's pupil's dilated as his heart was filled with a newfound excitement. The word the man had said was simple but its meaning was anything but.
"Yes..."