Void Core: The Last Awakener

6. The Festival of Awakening

The Veyr Territory became lively once again several days later.

Colorful banners decorated the streets while merchants filled the marketplace with laughter and music. Knights patrolled proudly through the city as noble families from nearby regions arrived one after another in luxurious carriages.

The Festival of Awakening had begun.

It was one of the most important traditions within the northern territories. Every year, young children showing talent in mana arts would demonstrate their abilities before nobles, instructors, and influential guests.

For the Veyr Clan—

This year’s festival belonged entirely to Leon.

“The young genius of the Veyr Clan…”

“They say he awakened Wind Affinity at only five years old.”

“A terrifying talent.”

Excited whispers spread everywhere throughout the territory while servants prepared the grand arena near the center plaza. Even outsiders had begun hearing rumors about Leon’s extraordinary abilities.

Meanwhile—

Very different rumors followed Kael’s name.

“The cursed child still lives?”

“I heard strange things happen around him.”

“They should’ve exiled him years ago.”

Kael quietly lowered his head while walking through the crowded streets alone. People instinctively moved away whenever he passed nearby, their expressions filled with discomfort and fear.

Some adults pulled their children aside immediately.

Others whispered openly without caring whether he heard them or not.

Kael had already grown used to it.

But that did not make it hurt less.

The young boy eventually stopped near a small bakery hidden along the quieter side of the market. The smell of fresh bread filled the air warmly while several customers chatted happily nearby.

Kael silently stared through the window for several moments.

He was hungry.

But before he could enter—

The bakery owner noticed him.

The middle-aged man’s expression immediately changed.

“…You.”

Kael hesitated slightly.

“I only wanted to buy—”

“We’re closed.”

Kael blinked.

The bakery was clearly open.

Several nearby customers awkwardly avoided looking at him while the owner stepped closer with visible discomfort.

“Go somewhere else.”

Kael slowly lowered his gaze.

“…Sorry.”

Without arguing further, he quietly turned away from the bakery.

Behind him, whispers immediately followed.

“Poor child…”

“No, it’s dangerous keeping him nearby.”

“I heard the monsters came because of him.”

Kael clenched his fists tightly as he continued walking through the crowded streets alone.

“…They fear you…”

The whisper echoed softly inside his mind once more.

Kael immediately grabbed his chest.

“Stop…” he muttered under his breath.

The shadows near his feet shifted slightly before returning to normal moments later.

By the time Kael returned toward the castle grounds, the festival had already begun officially. Loud cheers echoed from the massive arena while nobles filled the surrounding seats excitedly.

At the center arena—

Leon stood proudly beneath the sunlight.

Silver wind spiraled around his body beautifully while the crowd watched with amazement.

“Incredible!”

“A natural-born genius!”

“The Veyr Clan truly produced an extraordinary heir!”

Leon raised one hand calmly.

Multiple wind blades instantly formed around him before shooting across the arena with explosive speed.

BOOM!

The targets shattered apart completely.

The crowd erupted into applause immediately.

Even the visiting nobles looked impressed.

One elderly noble leaned toward Magnus while smiling.

“Your nephew possesses remarkable talent, Lord Magnus.”

Magnus gave a slight nod.

“He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Kael quietly stood far behind the crowd watching the celebration alone.

The difference between him and Leon felt painfully obvious.

Leon stood beneath admiration and applause.

Kael stood hidden among whispers and fear.

Then suddenly—

A group of older boys noticed him again.

“Well, look who showed up.”

“The cursed child came to watch the genius.”

Kael immediately recognized them.

The same boys who bullied him before.

One stepped closer while smirking mockingly.

“Didn’t your father tell you not to come here?”

Kael remained silent and tried walking past them.

But another boy blocked his path immediately.

“Answer him.”

The surrounding people noticed the confrontation.

Yet nobody intervened.

Because once again—

Nobody cared about Kael.

One of the boys suddenly shoved him hard.

Kael stumbled backward before falling onto the stone pavement roughly. Laughter immediately erupted around him while several nearby spectators simply watched silently.

The boy smirked coldly.

“Pathetic.”

Kael slowly pushed himself upward while lowering his head.

“…Kill them…”

The whisper returned instantly.

“…They deserve it…”

A freezing sensation spread violently throughout Kael’s chest while the shadows beneath the alley walls trembled unnaturally.

The air suddenly became colder.

One of the boys frowned slightly.

“…What’s happening?”

Kael’s breathing became uneven.

Black veins briefly surfaced beneath his skin again while dark energy flickered faintly around his trembling fingers.

“…Let them suffer…”

The shadows suddenly stretched unnaturally toward the boys.

Fear appeared across their faces immediately.

“What the hell is that?!”

Then suddenly—

“KAEL.”

A powerful voice echoed sharply across the area.

The freezing pressure vanished instantly.

The shadows returned to normal while the strange black energy disappeared completely from Kael’s body.

Everyone turned immediately toward the source of the voice.

Grand Elder Seraph stood several meters away with a dark expression on his face.

The old mage slowly approached while observing Kael carefully.

The boys immediately stepped backward nervously before lowering their heads respectfully.

“G-Grand Elder…”

Seraph ignored them completely.

His sharp eyes remained fixed on Kael.

Then quietly—

“Come with me.”

Kael lowered his gaze silently before following the old man away from the festival crowds.

Neither of them spoke while walking through the quieter castle corridors. Only after reaching the western garden did Seraph finally stop moving.

The old mage turned toward Kael slowly.

“You’re losing control faster than I expected.”

Kael clenched his fists tightly.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“But you wanted to.”

Kael froze immediately.

Seraph’s expression darkened.

“That voice inside you… it grows stronger whenever your emotions spiral out of control.”

Kael lowered his head silently.

“…I hate it.”

The old man sighed softly before looking toward the distant sky.

“You must learn restraint,” he said quietly. “Because if the clan ever sees what’s truly happening around you…”

He paused briefly.

“They will fear you even more.”

Kael’s chest tightened painfully.

“…They already do.”

For several moments, Seraph remained silent.

Because deep down—

He knew the boy was right.

Far beneath the endless darkness of the Abyss, enormous chains trembled violently while black energy spread endlessly throughout the void.

Ancient crimson eyes slowly narrowed.

And deep inside the ancient prison—

Something smiled.

“The hatred grows.”