The Void Heart Devourer

Chapter 2: The Day Everyone Has Been Waiting For

The tolling of a giant bell echoed from the heart of the Holy City of Elarion.

Dong...

Dong...

Dong...

The Day of the Aether Heart Awakening had finally arrived.

The main streets were congested with noble carriages, while thousands of families flocked toward the Holy Square. Today, the future of every youth would be decided. Those who awakened a highgrade Aether Heart would be hailed as geniuses, while those who failed would be relegated to the shadows of others.

For some, today was the dawn of glory.

For Akseli Vainio...

today was merely the beginning of the next humiliation.

On the northern edge of the Holy City stood the old Vainio family estate. Cracks riddled the stone walls, the garden had turned into wild brush, and the silver lion emblem above the gate had almost completely lost its color. It was hard to believe the house had once been the symbol of glory for one of Elarion’s founding clans.

Akseli stood before a dulling wooden mirror. He adjusted his white robe, which had been mended so many times that the stitching was visible in several places. The clothing was simple, but at least it was decent enough for the ceremony.

"Are you ready?"

The heavy voice made Akseli turn.

In the doorway stood a middleaged man with a sturdy frame. His face still held the authority of a noble, but his eyes were filled with an exhaustion he could not hide.

"I am ready, Father."

The man observed his son’s appearance for a moment.

"Is that your best clothes?"

Akseli smiled faintly.

"The best I have left."

Silence filled the room.

The man finally sighed.

"Then... go."

Akseli nodded.

As he passed his father, his steps faltered.

"Do not bring further shame to this family."

The tone was flat.

Not angry.

Not harsh, either.

That was precisely what made it feel so cold.

Akseli lowered his head.

"I understand."

He opened the door and stepped out.

The morning air still held the scent of last night’s rain. From the distance, the tolling of the bell continued, as if reminding him that time would wait for no one. Akseli took a deep breath before beginning his walk toward the city center.

"...Happy birthday."

His steps stopped.

He turned.

His father was still standing at the door, but this time, the man’s face was no longer as cold as before.

Today was not just the Day of the Aether Heart Awakening.

Today was also Akseli’s eighteenth birthday.

A thin smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you, Father."

He continued walking without looking back.

The front door slowly closed.

The middleaged man clenched his fists tightly.

"Forgive me..."

His voice was a whisper.

"I couldn't even manage to give you a decent life."

The main road leading to the Holy Square was filled with youths of Akseli’s age. Some came with their families, others accompanied by servants and guards. Laughter, prayers, and hopes intermingled, filling the entire city with a spirit that was hard to describe.

Amidst the crowd...

Akseli walked alone.

Without a carriage.

Without guards.

Without a single companion.

It didn't take long for people to recognize him.

"That's Akseli Vainio."

"The kid without an Aether Heart."

"Still desperate enough to participate."

Whispers began to emerge from all directions.

Some merely glanced.

Others stared openly with sneers.

Akseli kept walking.

To him, such mockery had become part of his daily life.

Thwack!

A small stone hit his shoulder.

"Hey! Vainio trash!"

Akseli turned.

Four boys stood on the side of the road, laughing in satisfaction.

"I heard you’re still joining the ceremony!"

"Do you really expect the heavens to suddenly pity you?"

"Hahaha!"

Their laughter drew the attention of those around them.

No one stopped them.

In fact...

several adults joined in with amused smiles.

Akseli stooped to pick up the stone.

He weighed it in his palm for a moment.

"You threw this?"

"Yeah."

"What do you want?"

Akseli tossed the stone back.

It landed right at the feet of the lead boy.

"If you want to throw again..."

He smiled thinly.

"...use a bigger one."

"A stone that small isn't going to make me faint."

The four boys went silent instantly.

A few pedestrians stopped in their tracks.

No one expected Akseli to retaliate so calmly.

He wasn't angry.

He didn't make threats.

He simply walked on, leaving them stunned in their tracks.

An old merchant shook his head slowly.

"That boy..."

He gave a slight smile.

"...is stronger than they think."

Before the crowd could return to its usual state, the sound of horse hooves echoed from the end of the street.

Everyone turned instinctively.

A goldplated white carriage rolled slowly toward the square. Four Aether Snow Horses pulled the carriage gallantly, while a blue phoenix emblem fluttered at the front.

The crowd immediately cleared a path.

"That's the Laakso Clan's carriage."

"Their daughter has arrived."

Akseli stopped his pace.

His gaze fixed on the phoenix emblem he knew all too well.

Behind that carriage...

was someone who had once been promised as his life partner.

The white carriage stopped right in front of the Holy Square gate.

A servant quickly opened the door and bowed. A moment later, a girl in a light blue dress stepped out with graceful steps. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and the Laakso family crest shimmered on her left chest.

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"That’s Lady Eveliina!"

"She's as beautiful as the rumors say."

"I heard her talent even surpassed her father’s at that age."

Several young men unconsciously straightened their clothes. Others could only gaze in awe. In the eyes of many, Eveliina was more than just a noble daughter. She was the new rising star of Elarion.

However, Eveliina’s gaze did not linger on the crowd.

Her eyes slowly found the figure standing alone on the edge of the road.

Akseli.

For a moment...

she stopped.

Akseli offered a small smile first.

"Good morning."

Eveliina returned a short nod.

"Good morning."

Just two words.

No smile.

No warmth like before.

The silence between them felt far more awkward than the bustle of the crowd around them.

"How have you been?" Akseli asked.

"Well."

The brief answer made Akseli understand.

The distance between them was no longer just a few steps.

It was something invisible.

"I heard today is your birthday," Eveliina said after a while.

"Yes."

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

The conversation stalled again.

They used to be able to spend hours talking about the smallest things. Now, finding even one additional sentence felt difficult.

Eveliina took a quiet breath.

"I hope... your ceremony goes smoothly."

"I hope so too."

Their eyes met again.

For some reason, Eveliina felt that the man before her had changed a great deal. Akseli still smiled as he always did, but that smile now felt calmer... as if he had become accustomed to facing disappointment.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

A man’s voice broke the silence.

A tall youth stepped down from a second carriage. The deep red cloak he wore was adorned with the Kallio family crest, while the sword at his waist emitted an aura signaling it was no ordinary weapon.

He stopped when he saw Akseli.

"Oh..."

The corners of his lips rose.

"So, this is your fiancé?"

Edrik’s gaze swept over Akseli from head to toe.

"Honestly..."

"I imagined he would be a bit more... presentable."

Several young nobles standing nearby chuckled quietly.

Akseli remained calm.

"Have we met?"

Edrik shook his head.

"No."

"But who doesn't know you?"

He stepped closer.

"You're famous throughout all of Elarion."

"Not because you're great."

"But because you’re the only noble born without an Aether Heart."

The crowd began to pay attention.

They knew this conversation would not end well.

"I’m curious," Edrik continued.

"What does it feel like to live without hope?"

Akseli stared at him for a few seconds.

"Not bad."

The answer made Edrik frown.

"Not bad?"

"At least I know..."

Akseli smiled thinly.

"...who respects me for who I am."

Edrik’s smile vanished.

"And then?"

"And who only dares to speak when standing behind their family name."

The atmosphere went suddenly quiet.

Several people who had been laughing now looked at one another.

They had not expected the man known for being weak to be capable of retorting with such composure.

"You're looking for trouble."

A faint aura began to leak from Edrik’s body.

The air around him suddenly felt heavier.

The onlookers immediately backed away a few steps.

"That's a Bronze Realm Aura."

"Edrik has already started controlling Aether."

"If he attacks now, Akseli won't stand a chance."

Edrik sneered.

"Now I understand."

"Understand what?"

"Why everyone says fools often possess the greatest courage."

Akseli only stared at him.

That gaze made Edrik even more annoyed.

"Enough."

Eveliina’s soft voice stopped them both.

"Edrik."

The youth immediately pulled back his aura.

"But he—"

"I said enough."

Edrik clenched his jaw.

A few seconds later, he nodded slowly.

"Very well, My Lady."

Eveliina turned back to Akseli.

Her gaze was no longer as cold as before, but remained difficult to read.

"I'm sorry."

Akseli shook his head.

"It's not your fault."

Silence returned.

But this time, it was Eveliina who broke it.

"Akseli."

"Hm?"

"If..."

She left her sentence hanging.

"If your results later aren't what you hoped for..."

"...don't push yourself too hard."

Akseli smiled slightly.

"It’s too late for that."

Eveliina frowned.

"I have been pushing myself for eighteen years."

The sentence made Eveliina freeze.

She wanted to say something.

But not a single word came out.

Akseli bowed briefly.

"I must go in."

"I hope your ceremony goes well."

He turned and walked away from them.

Edrik snorted softly.

"I don't know why the Vainio family still lets him carry the noble name."

Eveliina did not answer.

Her gaze continued to follow Akseli’s back as he grew more distant.

For the first time...

she felt that the man she had known since childhood was slowly turning into someone she could no longer understand.

In front of the hall gate, an elder in white robes raised his crystal staff.

"All participants of the Day of the Aether Heart Awakening!"

His heavy voice echoed throughout the entire square.

"Enter the Holy Hall immediately!"

The giant stone gates began to open slowly.

From behind the doors, a magnificent hall was visible, with towering white pillars and a blue light radiating from the deepest part of the room.

One by one, the participants stepped inside.

Akseli walked with them.

No one noticed...

that several pairs of eyes from the highest balcony of the hall had been watching him all along.

And their gazes...

were not filled with pity at all.