Differing reactions rippled through the hall at Lyra's presence.
After the initial shock, the atmosphere shifted. Narrowed eyes, thoughtful frowns, creased brows, warm smiles, raised eyebrows, smirks. Each elder processed her arrival in their own way. Some remained silent, calculating, while others found amusement in the unexpected development.
Among the children, however, there was nothing but admiration, especially from the lone girl among their group of six.
Lyra's presence at this meeting carried heavy implications.
Even with the faint cracks still lingering in her aura, it was undeniable that she was recovering rapidly. This alone sent waves of speculation through the minds of those present.
Was this a power play? A bold move to solidify Kallen's claim as the next Patriarch? No one had voiced it aloud yet, but it wasn't hard to guess that some within the family would undoubtedly oppose Kallen's succession due to his inability to naturally awaken his core. Lyra, as a 4th Ascendant powerhouse in her own right, could be here to stake her claim in his favor.
But that theory wasn't foolproof.
Everyone knew how much Luiz resented Kallen for what had happened to Lyra during childbirth. Could it be that he was having a change of heart now that she was recovering? That seemed unlikely. Luiz wasn't the sentimental type.
Perhaps he simply wanted to keep the Patriarch's position within their direct lineage. But even that didn't quite align with his character.
Or maybe… this was just Lyra's motherly instincts pushing her to be present for her son on such an important day.
It could be one of these possibilities. It could be a combination of them. Or it could be something else entirely.
As she reached the throne behind him, Kallen finally spoke.
"Mother."
A brilliant smile broke across Lyra's face, lighting up the entire hall. It was warm and genuine, an filled with love that, for a moment, shattered the heavy atmosphere and dismissed all speculation.
The children seated together reacted differently to her presence. Their gazes reflected awe, admiration, respect.
The lone girl in their midst, a twelve-year-old named Genevieve stared at Lyra with deep reverence. She had heard countless stories about her. Lyra was her role model. It was rumored that before her injury, she had been even stronger and more talented than Luiz himself, a man capable of crushing anyone below Sainthood within the Crimson family, and the whole of Xenith—the human domain at large.
At the forefront of the rows where the other 3rd Ascendants and below were seated, another girl of about ten years old, watched Lyra with burning intensity. A purple headband was tied around her forehead, the only splash of color against her dark attire. Her aura, was powerful, beastly and savage for her age.
Alita.
This was her first time attending any family gathering since her own coming-of-age ceremony, an appearance made purely out of obligation.
And yet, on the very same occasion, her sister-in-law had chosen to make an appearance too.
As Luiz turned his gaze back to the assembly, a heavy silence settled over the hall. It was the kind of silence that weighed on the air. Oppressive and watchful. Everyone was keenly observing one another, trying to gauge reactions, to decipher unspoken thoughts lurking behind guarded expressions.
Then, breaking the tension, a calm yet authoritative voice echoed through the chamber.
"The Crimson Family stands here today not just to conduct our usual affairs, but to formally acknowledge Kallen Koa Luiz Crimson."
It was Thaddeus. At some unknown moment, he had appeared beside the throne, his presence seamless and simple. His gaze swept across the gathered individuals as he continued with a measured tone.
"From this day forth, he no longer stands among us as a mere child, but as a man of reason and responsibility. As the heir to the Patriarch's position."
His words carried weight, but causing no visible reactions among them.
"Following in the footsteps of his father and those before him, the Crimson Family shall continue to flourish, rising to even greater heights."
Silence followed his declaration, thick with implications. Eyes flickered toward Luiz who simply had the same stoic look on his face, then to Kallen, who was simply unreactive.
"Do you understand what power is, Kallen?"
Luiz's voice cut through the air like a sledgehammer.
A few brows rose in surprise at the question, and soon, all eyes turned toward Kallen with keen interest, eager to hear his response.
But Kallen did not answer immediately.
A long, contemplative silence stretched between them as he delved deep into his own thoughts. The question stirred something within him, unraveling memories and reflections from his previous life. Scenes of his time on Earth played out in slow motion, each moment shaping his understanding of the world and its unspoken rules.
Finally, his voice emerged, smooth yet distant, like waves lapping against the shore of a forgotten dream.
"Power is the ability to shape the reality around you, whether through influence, manipulation, force, knowledge, or authority, while possessing the wisdom to wield it without being consumed."
The hall remained still, absorbing his words.
"True power is control. Power is freedom… or rather, power grants freedom."
A flicker of something darker crossed his mind, a thought he did not speak aloud but felt settle deep in his core.
'The power to decide all things, to control not just one's own fate, but the fate of others—to hold the world in the palm of your hand. That is true power.'
His crimson gaze flickered with an unreadable depth as he concluded his answer.
Silence stretched across the hall as many delved into their own thoughts, trying to extract some deeper meaning from Kallen's words, seeking the profundity of his perspective.
Then, a calm yet probing voice echoed through the chamber.
"But that's only one side of it," the man mused. "To the weak, what is power? To the righteous, what is power? And to those who live for the sake of others, or for the sake of a particular goal... what is power?"
The voice belonged to Silas. He sat with an amicable smile, his eyes carrying a sharp glint of curiosity as he regarded Kallen.
At his words, a few individuals narrowed their eyes. Even among the elders present, these were questions that required deep introspection. Asking them of a seven-year-old felt almost like bullying.
The children, too, frowned slightly, sensing the weight of the inquiry. The questions seemed paradoxical—so close yet impossibly distant. The harder one tried to grasp their answers, the more they slipped away. Yet even if one simply let them be, understanding remained elusive.
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[Let's see if we can make it to the power rankings before the end of the weak. Promise 5 chapters mass release. Enjoy in the mean time.]