Seeing the shock on his parent’s faces, Ezekiel felt his heart tighten up in his chest. He might have the memories of his previous life, and these might not have been his first parents. But the love and affection they had for him, as well as the genuine care they took in raising him had caused him to feel the same love for them as he had for his parents in his previous life. The thought that his parents were rejecting him was devastating.
For Evelyn and Warren, however, their thoughts couldn’t have been further from what Ezekiel was fearing, and seeing the sorrow on their son’s face, they both hurried to bend down to hold him.
“Oh Ezekiel, my little boy. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Evelyn whispered as she held onto her son in an attempt to console him. It took Ezekiel everything he had to stop himself from crying.
Warren said nothing as he held his family tight. Looking towards the rest of the people in the room, he could see some of them sending dismissive looks their way. Others were looking at them like they were scum, whilst the minority were looking at them with pity and shock.
The Alkena family were amongst the latter, with both Sherra and Allon looking at their friends as they held their son. Shari just looked confused, while Aldor looked like he had sucked on a lemon. He obviously thought little of Ezekiel, but he quickly suppressed any negative thoughts, keeping his face neutral for his family’s sake.
Allon quietly nodded towards the back of the room while pulling his family to block off the rest of the room’s line of sight towards the Luminance family.
Warren nodded in thanks as he pulled his family towards the back of the room. Most of the room clearly knew what was happening but kept quiet as they focused on the awakening of the rest of the children in the room. Marid himself barely spared a glance towards the family as they retreated from the large group. As long as they didn’t disturb the ceremony, he wouldn’t stop them from comforting their son.
At the back of the room, at least a dozen or so feet away from the rest of the people in the room, Evelyn and Warren pulled away from Ezekiel, who had relaxed a little after hearing his mother’s words and being reassured of his parents' love and care.
That didn’t stop his eyes from watering though. Even if he was mentally older, his body was still that of a child’s, and after his death, his new parents were the only ones he could rely on. Even the expectation that he would be a void mage couldn’t dispel the worry in his heart, and the disappointment that he felt in knowing that, even with magic, there was no way he could learn how to use it.
“Ezekiel,” Warren’s voice entered Ezekiel’s ears with a stern tone that he had never heard from his father before, “I want you to look at me Ezekiel.”
Turning from his mother, who had been holding him tightly, Ezekiel looked at his father and was shocked at what he saw.
His father’s features were still the same, but there was a seriousness in his eyes, as well as a difference in posture, even as he bent down to look Ezekiel in the eye, that made him look like an entirely different person.
No longer did his father hold himself like a city guardsman, a supporter who fought from the back lines to aid and heal the front. Warren now held the demeanor of a man who demanded respect, a man who stood above all others, even if his power did not indicate that he was as such. This was the bearing of a noble, a person who lorded over men and women as one who held the lives of the many within his hands. Ezekiel was amazed, and could not turn away as his father’s gaze, and his own shock and awe, held him in place.
“We love you, Ezekiel. You are our son, and nothing will change that. Do you understand?” Warren’s eyes held an intensity in them that shone just as radiantly as his magic, but there was a gentleness to them that showed his words were not forced nor untrue.
“I need you to know that this is not your fault. Magic works strangely, and one’s parentage is no guarantee for determining a child’s magical affinity. Sometimes these things happen at random, and sometimes certain circumstances make things like this more likely than usual. Such as the case where people of opposing elements have a child.” Warren said, his voice trailing off as his looked down, his expression and posture changing to display a sense of guilt.
“Opposing...” Ezekiel whispered. He was confused; wasn’t the reason he had the void element because he was reincarnated, and was inclined to the void due to his past life and interactions with the Ancient of Void?
“It’s also not because of you that we’re upset,” Warren continued as if he hadn’t heard Ezekiel’s whisper, “it’s the hardships you’ll be forced to go through due to other people’s misconceptions, and the fact that you love magic so much, but won’t be able to use it as you’ve always wished.”
Hearing his father’s reassurance made Ezekiel relax, content with the knowledge that his parents weren’t going to be ashamed of him or abandon him. This was the one thing he was most concerned with when his parents first mentioned the different elements. Their hesitation when mentioning the void element earlier had caused him to be worried. Unfortunately, no amount of expectation was able to alleviate his fears of rejection by the people he cared for most.
Luckily, this was not the case, and Ezekiel now knew that he could rely on his parent’s support for as long as he did nothing to betray their faith in him. The fact that the world itself would be against him due to discrimination for reasons he didn’t know was annoying, but besides being seen as useless, there wasn’t much reason he could see for people to dislike him.
Ezekiel’s question was clearly displayed on his face, so Warren decided to elaborate while Evelyn just stayed quiet, content to run her fingers through Ezekiel’s hair and hold her son close to her.
“It’s not just that void mages are considered useless by most people. Due to certain... issues that occurred in the past era’s, most void mages are looked at in a negative light. Admittedly, those events back then only occurred due to the wretched discriminations of the overprivileged monsters who ruled during the Age of Hubris.” Warren said as he tried to explain the reason why void mages were looked down on.
“Ultimately, it was discovered that void mages could use magic. But not the elemental magic that humans use. For Void mages, the only known way to grant them usable magic is for them to turn into a Cruorian, a monster with a twisted and warped existence that only seeks to destroy every human, every bit of life, that is not as warped and twisted as they are. Not to say that others can’t become Cruorians either, but only Void mages can become their Broodlords.”
Ezekiel didn’t say anything. Just the thought that the only way to use magic for a void mage was to become a monster horrified him. He might want magic more than most things in this life but becoming a monster in the process was not the way he wanted to get it.
“Dear...” Evelyn spoke up in a worried voice. This was neither the time nor place to speak of such things. Warren could recognize the tone of his wife’s voice and didn’t disagree.
“Well... that’s a matter for another time, for now, all you need to know is that we will always love you, and you will never be a disappointment in our eyes. Regardless of what anyone else says.” Warren told his son, pulling him into another hug as he did.
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
The Luminance family stayed like that for a while as the ceremony going on behind them finally started to wrap up. The Alkena family came over to them after the ceremony had ended. The rest of the folks in the room have decided to clear out. Looks of derision crossing over the faces of several families as they left. Scholar Marid packed up before leaving through the door he came through originally, giving the family a look of pity as he exited with the pedestal and prismatic orb.
“Are you okay?” Sherra said in a surprisingly subdued voice that seemed very out of character for her regular personality.
“Yes, I think we’re fine, Sherra, thank you.” Evelyn replied as she stood up from where she was crouched down to hold Ezekiel.
“However, I do think that we’ll need to figure some things out before we try to set any meetings in the future. Hopefully we’ll be able to get together again sooner, rather than later, but I don’t know how likely that will be.”
Sherra and Allon just nodded their heads while their children weren’t paying attention; or in Aldor’s case, was purposely ignoring Ezekiel’s presence while also trying to subtly glare at Ezekiel as best he could without getting noticed. He wasn’t discreet enough, however, as both Warren and Evelyn noticed and gave him a disapproving glance. Ezekiel noticed as well but didn’t move to indicate he had.
“Perhaps it’d be best if you taught your children the unbiased history of the void mages before we try to set a meeting up? I wouldn’t want any inappropriate behavior to come about due to misunderstandings.” Warren said as he stared directly at the now nervously fidgeting Allon.
Turning towards their son, Sherra and Allon are surprised at their son’s reaction to Ezekiel’s element. They had never disparaged Void mages in their home before, and they had always taught their children to respect the Ancients of every aspect.
“Indeed. It seems as though we will need to take a firm hand in our children’s education regarding the Ancient’s and their gift of magic. Specifically, the revered position of the Ancient Void, and the incorrect and improper perception of Void mages by society.” Allon stated as he looked down on his son.
“... it’s not incorrect...” Aldor muttered under his breath, hoping his parents wouldn’t hear him. He refused to believe that a Void mage could amount to anything. All his friends from the noble families and high-end businesses that his parents mingled with agreed; Void mages were worthless, worse yet, they were the leaders of the Cruor.
“OUCH!” the moment he closed his mouth, Aldor cried out in pain as his mother pinched and twisted his ear, “Mother! Ow. Let go, mother, please!”
“How dare you! I don’t care what you’ve heard from your upper classmen. I’ll not have my son disgracing himself by showing prejudice and discrimination against someone just because of their element.” Sherra said as she pulled her son’s ear. “Now apologize for your insult, before I twist your other ear.”
Aldor started to cry as his ear began to feel as though it would tear off. Aldlon just looked on in disappointment, while Shari looked extremely confused, and a little worried at seeing her brother breaking into tears.
“Why!? Why must I apologize for saying what’s true? Void mages have never broken past Tier 1, and that only with the help of mana stones, and those that do, can’t even use any spells. Only being able to release mana into the atmosphere and activate Runic Arrays.” Aldor’s voice began to rise as he cried out in pained malcontent. “The Church of Light says that even if the Ancient Void was once revered, those with its element cannot contribute to society. They aren’t even accepted by Spirits! So why should I apologize? If the Paladins of Light can say such things, then why aren’t I right?”
“Enough!” the room stilled as the few occupants within turned towards the source of the order that echoed throughout the room. That source being Ezekiel, still being held between his parent’s arms.
Ezekiel himself was surprised at how commanding he had sounded. In his past life he had always been relatively withdrawn in public, and in this life, he had only really interacted with his parents and the few workers at his family’s shop. However, after seeing his father’s change in character, Ezekiel had subconsciously tried to imitate the natural presence that his father had shown, brief as it was, to command the respect of those around him.
The scene was mostly comical. A small child, held between both of his parents, was trying to stand straight and tall like a king standing proud before his people. Yet there was nothing comical about the look in Ezekiel’s eyes. There was a sharpness in them, and the coldness of someone who had seen death and stared it down.
So surprised they were, that Sherra let her son’s ear go. Of course, the lack of pain jolted him out of his stupor, and he immediately moved to the other side of the room, trying to avoid getting his ear yanked again.
Ezekiel had hoped that his request would garneer a bit of thanks in the young man, but Aldor just glared at Ezekiel with a newly burning hatred at having suffered for being, in Aldor’s eyes, feeling correct in his opinions on Void mages. Unfortunate, but it seems like Ezekiel would be doomed to suffer from people like Allen no matter what world he lived in. Ironic given the similarities in their names.
Ezekiel couldn’t be bothered with the grudges of a child, however, so he turned to Sherra and Aldor and focused his attention on them.
“I get it. There’s a lot of stupid people in the world. There are only two things I can do, accept it, deny it, or defy it. I refuse to be worthless, and I refuse to be a monster. So, I guess I’ll just have to prove the world wrong about Void mages, and find out how to train my magic on my own.” Ezekiel said to both the Alkena’s and his parents. “So, it’s fine if your son hates me. I don’t really care, because I’m going to prove him wrong.”
The scene occurring within the awakening chamber of the Cathedral was almost laughable to an outsider. A young boy being held by his parents was talking down to a couple, who had their youngest child hiding behind their legs, and their eldest having retreated to the far side of the room and reassuring them of his eventual upheaval of society.
Yet no one said anything. There was a conviction in Ezekiel’s voice, his gaze, his posture, that made it difficult to believe that he would be able to do as he said he would.
“Well...” Allon paused to clear his throat, “I can certainly tell that this boy is definitely your two’s son. I look forward to seeing how you progress in the future, young man.” He said as he regained his composure.
“Sherra, Shari, I think that we should go now.” Allon turned towards his son, narrowing his eyes as he did. Aldor flinched a little before straightening up in defiance, which only made his father glare harder. He was going to have to have a talk with his son regarding just what he had been learning from the Church of Light. As far as he was aware, there shouldn’t have been any times where those fanatical zealots could’ve made contact with his family.
“Perhaps you’re right.” Sherra’s voice was much quieter than it was before. Shaken by the strange turn of events. “Come along Shari, it’s time to get you home. Warren, I’ll see you at work, Evelyn, always a pleasure. And Ezekiel...”
She paused, briefly, trying to find the right words to say.
“Don’t let the world knock you down.” She said halfheartedly, knowing that the world would do exactly that.
“If it does, I’ll just get up again.” Ezekiel replied, as if there was no other possible answer.
That got a smile out of Sherra as she turned to pick up her daughter. Shari looked just as confused as ever. The picture-perfect image of a five-year-old who didn’t know what to do. She just stared at Ezekiel for a few seconds, not saying anything, just as she had the whole day so far.
The Luminance family was quiet as the room finally cleared out.
“Son...” Warren trailed off. While he was proud of how Ezekiel had handled himself, he knew full well how difficult, how seemingly impossible, the task Ezekiel had declared himself to undertake would be. He didn’t know whether or not to be worried for his son’s future, after witnessing such a scene.
Evelyn, however, was far less conflicted.
“Ezekiel, I’m so proud of you.” She said after the room had been cleared. “You stood up for yourself without resorting to violence, and I’m sure that, one day, you’ll get the magic you’ve always wanted.”
Ezekiel looked up at his mother in surprise. “You really think I can do it?”
His parents just smiled and laughed, happy that, in their eyes, their son was still a child.
“Of course, we do.” Warren replied before Evelyn could. “You’re our son, so we’ll always believe in you.”
They fell into another family hug before Warren raised Ezekiel up and placed him on his shoulders. Carrying him towards the door as he wrapped one arm around his wife and used the other to hold onto Ezekiel’s leg to keep him steady.
“Now, it seems like we need to hurry. There’s lots of stuff to buy if you want to get ready for school tomorrow.”
Unfortunately, the joyful mood was gracelessly interrupted by Scholar Marid reentering the room, alongside two Church guards.
“Excuse me, mister Luminance, but I’m going to have to ask you and your family to accompany me to another room. There is an... issue... that’s come up regarding your son’s registry for his schooling.”