The Veruvian Mountain range was known to be an uninhabitable region, home to countless monsters. Mortals dared not venture into these mountains, if the cold did not kill them, the frost drakes would.

It was here, on the highest peak in the Veruvian Mountains that you could find the entrance to the City of Nox. It was a dark city, a haven for those who were hated by the rest of the world.

At the very heart of the city, sat a massive castle. Thousands of people had gathered around the castle, many were laying down mats to sit on as they spoke excitedly of what was to come.

Inside the castle, things were much calmer. Around a hundred people stood inside the great hall, watching as dozens of children stepped into a slightly elevated circle at the center of the hall.

“So all these kids have had their first kill, Marcus?” asked a blonde man.

“Yes, the ritual of acceptance is done after a child’s first kill, it just strengthens them slightly and heals any diseases or defects.” said the black haired man next to him.

“You told me there was another one, didn’t you?” said the blonde man.

“Yes, the ritual of awakening. That is done after a Nox turns twenty to awaken their spirit gate and make them a Transcendent. It also has the potential to awaken the Inheritance of House Nox.” said Marcus.

“Of course, most people are unable to awaken it. Those that do awaken it are usually closely related to the highest-ranking members of the family.” he continued.

Right as he said this, his eyes were drawn to his own grandson. Marcus noticed that he seemed a bit dazed, making him wonder if the illness had returned at the worst possible time.

The man in question was currently swaying slightly, as though he was about to faint but a few seconds later, the dazed look was gone and he stood straight up. Though, there seemed to be something different about him.

This is the awakening ceremony! It worked! thought Seifer. The children twitching in discomfort from the ritual, the worried looks on the faces of his aunt and grandfather, it was exactly as he remembered.

Soon the children left the circle and a long haired man stepped forward. His entire being radiated power, he effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone in the hall when he spoke.

“It is today, on Tyris that the first demon was born. It is today that we reaffirm our conviction to fight against the Light Order, the Hand of Justice and Karma itself. Let us now begin the Ritual of Awakening and hope that one day, a new demon will be born from our youth!”

Seifer joined eight other people in stepping into the circle. Unlike with the children, all nine of them lay down with their hands on their chest and a few seconds later, they were all unconscious.

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Marcus looked on with a mask of absolute calm, but his true feelings were anything but. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. A woman with long black hair looked at him in concern and he faked a small smile for her sake.

“Do you really think there’s no hope for him?” she asked sadly.

“I wish I could say there was, Anna. His talent is more than sufficient but he fell ill so recently. If he had a few more months to heal there wouldn’t be a problem.” he said with a deep frown.

“What is it that happened to the young man?” asked the blonde man curiously.

“A bout of the Draconian plague. He recovered just a week ago, his body is still weakened. As you know, a powerful body is a huge help for rituals of this nature. I doubt he will awaken the Inheritance, Arcturus” said Marcus with a sigh.

“And you cannot postpone the ritual?” asked Arcturus.

“It needs to be done on the first Tyris after the twentieth birthday. If it is not awakened then, he will need to wait for it awaken naturally when he reaches the fourth step” said Anna with a sigh.

Meanwhile, Seifer found himself in a dark landscape. He walked by several figures, they all had one common attribute. One of their eyes was a pale blue and the other, a gleaming silver.

As soon as he had been transported here, he had felt a distinct sense of comfort and belonging, which was to be expected. This was the inheritance ground of his family, the Most Venerable House of Nox.

At last, he came across a figure that looked exactly like him except this figure had one silver eye. This clone of his was expressionless, revealing no emotion and simply offered his hand to Seifer.

Last time, he had been unable to awaken the inheritance due to the sheer bad luck of having contracted the Draconian plague right before the ritual, making it difficult for him to rise through the ranks of the family.

But last time doesn’t matter thought Seifer with a wide grin as he clasped his other self’s hand.

The second they touched, a sharp pain spread throughout his body, a pain that was intensified by his weakened state. In his last life, he could only bear a few seconds of it but now he endured it like it was nothing.

Half a minute later, his eyes flew open. Seifer felt the shocked stares of everyone in the hall as he stood up. He was the first to do so, the others were still unconscious. Even the Patriarch was startled, momentarily forgetting his duties before he spoke.

“Congratulations, young Seifer. You awakened the Silver Eye despite your illness. I look forward to your future achievements” he said sincerely, Seifer had genuinely peaked his interest.

“You will now begin your Trial of solitude. Please make your way out of the hall.” continued the Patriarch.

Marcus watched Seifer leave with pride and he could tell that Anna was using up every ounce of self-control she had to stop herself from enveloping Seifer in a tight hug. Strangely, the blonde man next to them seemed just as happy.

Seifer heard fireworks go off as he walked to his quarters. Each year, The House of Nox provided a brilliant fireworks show above the Castle for Tyris.

He was in a good mood as he walked, humming merrily. This new life had started off well, with him successfully awakening the Silver Eye. Not that it mattered at the moment, he couldn’t use its powers until he reached the third step.

Before long, he had reached his quarters. It was more like an apartment within the Castle. The massive doors opened on their own, and he stepped into his luxurious living room.

He smiled slightly at the familiar sight and plopped down on his favorite armchair, right in front of the merrily crackling fire. The ritual of awakening was exhausting, he needed to catch his breath.

A few minutes later, Seifer walked out on to his balcony and right as he did, the full moon came out from behind the clouds. In his last life, he had watched the moon here just like he was doing now and vowed to become the next Patriarch of the House of Nox but things were different now.

The position of Patriarch no longer tempts me, my sights are set on greater goals. In this life, I shall be even better than I was in the last. In my last life, I was the moon but in this life, I will be the Sun!