Void Core: The Last Awakener

12. The Forbidden Records

The western wing no longer felt like part of the Veyr Manor.

It felt like a prison.

Guards stood outside every corridor entrance day and night while servants avoided the area completely. Even the atmosphere itself had changed after the assassin incident.

Fear lingered everywhere now.

Not rumors.

Not whispers.

Real fear.

Inside his chamber, Kael sat silently beside the repaired window while pale morning light entered through the curtains. He had barely slept at all.

Every time he closed his eyes—

He heard the voice again.

“…You are my vessel…”

Kael tightened his grip around the blanket resting across his lap.

Those words continued echoing endlessly inside his mind.

Vessel.

End.

Void.

None of it made sense.

Knock.

Knock.

Kael slowly looked toward the door.

“Enter.”

The chamber opened carefully as Grand Elder Seraph stepped inside carrying several thick ancient books wrapped in dark cloth. Unlike usual, the old mage immediately activated a mana barrier around the room after entering.

Blue symbols illuminated briefly across the walls before fading.

Kael noticed immediately.

“…Why did you seal the room?”

Seraph’s expression remained grim.

“Because what we discuss today must not be heard by anyone else.”

Kael’s chest tightened slightly.

The old mage slowly placed the books onto the table before turning toward him.

“The assassin last night confirmed something important.”

Kael lowered his gaze.

“That I’m dangerous?”

“No.”

Seraph’s answer came immediately.

“It confirmed that others already know about the Void.”

Silence filled the room briefly.

Kael frowned slightly.

“…Others?”

Seraph nodded slowly.

“The Abyss Cult.”

The old mage unwrapped one of the ancient books carefully before opening several worn pages filled with faded symbols.

“For centuries, humanity believed the Abyss Cult disappeared after the ancient wars.”

Kael quietly listened.

“But according to forbidden records…” Seraph continued softly, “they never vanished completely.”

The pages revealed strange illustrations of hooded figures kneeling before massive shadow-like beings surrounded by darkness.

At the center of every image—

The same black circle appeared repeatedly.

The Void symbol.

Kael immediately felt cold again.

“…They worship the Abyss?” he asked quietly.

Seraph’s expression darkened slightly.

“They worship destruction.”

The old mage turned another page.

Long paragraphs of ancient text filled the parchment while faded ink described catastrophic battles and fallen kingdoms.

Then Seraph stopped at one particular illustration.

A dark figure stood surrounded by shadows swallowing the sky itself while countless people fled beneath it.

At the bottom of the page—

One title was written clearly.

THE VOID MONARCH.

Kael’s breathing stopped briefly.

“…What is that?”

Seraph remained silent for several moments before answering carefully.

“According to legend, the Void Monarch was an existence capable of devouring mana itself.”

The old mage’s voice lowered further.

“A being feared even during the ancient era.”

Kael instinctively looked toward his trembling hands.

“…You think that’s connected to me?”

Seraph did not answer immediately.

Because deep down—

Both of them already knew the answer.

The old mage sighed softly.

“The Void should not exist anymore,” he admitted quietly. “Most records claim it was erased from the world long ago.”

“…Then why do I have it?”

That question lingered heavily inside the chamber.

Seraph slowly closed the ancient book.

“I don’t know.”

For the first time in years—

The old mage looked genuinely uncertain.

Kael lowered his gaze again.

The fear inside his chest continued growing heavier with every answer he received.

Because every truth only created more terrifying questions.

Then suddenly—

Footsteps echoed outside the chamber.

Both Kael and Seraph immediately looked toward the door.

A moment later—

A guard’s nervous voice spoke from outside.

“Grand Elder… Lord Magnus requests your presence in the main hall immediately.”

Seraph frowned slightly.

“At this hour?”

“The clan elders have gathered.”

Silence followed briefly.

Seraph’s expression darkened immediately.

They were discussing Kael.

The old mage slowly looked toward him.

“Remain inside this room,” Seraph said seriously. “Do not leave the western wing under any circumstances.”

Kael nodded quietly.

“…Understood.”

Before leaving, Seraph hesitated briefly near the doorway.

Then finally—

“Kael.”

The boy looked up.

“No matter what happens today…”

The old mage’s expression softened slightly.

“You are not a monster.”

Then Seraph left.

The chamber fell silent once more.

Kael slowly looked toward the ancient book resting atop the table. The illustration of the Void Monarch remained visible beneath the dim light.

A king of darkness.

A monster feared by the world.

Was that truly his future?

“…Yes…”

Kael froze instantly.

The voice returned again.

“…That is what you will become…”

The shadows near the walls shifted unnaturally.

Kael grabbed the edge of the table tightly.

“No…”

“…They will force you to become it…”

The whisper sounded calmer now.

Almost patient.

“…The world always creates the monsters it fears…”

Kael squeezed his eyes shut.

“Leave me alone.”

A soft laugh echoed inside his mind.

“…You already know I cannot…”

Meanwhile—

Inside the main hall of the Veyr Clan, tension filled the air heavily.

Clan elders sat around the massive chamber while knights guarded every entrance. The atmosphere felt colder than usual as discussions spread quietly among the gathered nobles.

At the center stood Magnus Veyr.

His expression remained unreadable.

One elder slammed his hand against the table angrily.

“That child is dangerous!”

Another elder nodded immediately.

“The assassin called him the Void Child!”

“If the rumors spread outside the clan, the northern territories may panic.”

Several elders began arguing loudly at once.

“We should seal him immediately!”

“No—exile him before the kingdoms discover this!”

“He could destroy the entire clan someday!”

Magnus remained silent while listening to them.

Then finally—

Seraph entered the chamber.

Every eye immediately shifted toward him.

One elder spoke sharply.

“Grand Elder Seraph. Explain yourself.”

The old mage calmly approached the center hall.

“What explanation do you seek?”

“You hid the child’s condition from us for years!”

Seraph’s expression remained composed.

“Because panic without understanding creates foolish decisions.”

“Foolish?!” another elder shouted angrily. “An Abyss assassin infiltrated our territory specifically searching for that boy!”

Murmurs spread across the hall again.

“The Void Child…”

“That title alone is dangerous.”

“If the royal families hear this—”

“They will fear him,” Seraph finished calmly.

Silence followed instantly.

The old mage’s eyes slowly swept across the gathered elders.

“But fear does not justify cruelty.”

One elder scoffed coldly.

“So we should simply ignore the monster growing inside our clan?”

Magnus’ expression darkened slightly at the word monster.

But he still remained silent.

Seraph’s voice sharpened faintly.

“He is still a child.”

“A child connected to the Abyss!”

“He has harmed no one.”

“Yet.”

The atmosphere became heavier immediately.

Magnus finally spoke.

“Enough.”

Silence instantly swallowed the chamber.

The clan head slowly looked toward Seraph.

“How dangerous is the Void?”

The question lingered heavily throughout the hall.

Seraph remained quiet briefly before answering honestly.

“…Potentially catastrophic.”

Several elders paled immediately.

“But,” Seraph continued firmly, “Kael himself is not evil.”

One elder narrowed his eyes.

“Can you guarantee he never loses control again?”

Seraph fell silent.

Because he could not.

That silence alone became answer enough.

The elders immediately erupted into louder arguments.

“We cannot risk this!”

“The boy must be sealed!”

“If the Abyss Cult truly seeks him, disaster will follow!”

Magnus closed his eyes briefly.

Then finally—

He gave his decision.

“Kael Veyr will remain confined within the western wing under constant supervision.”

The hall quieted instantly.

“No information regarding the Void Child will leave this clan.”

His golden eyes slowly opened again.

“And if Kael loses control once more…”

Magnus paused briefly.

“…I will personally deal with it.”

Far away inside the western wing—

Kael suddenly felt a sharp pain spread through his chest.

The whisper inside his mind laughed softly.

“…Even your father prepares to kill you…”