Chapter 17: That Which the Gods Bestow

Nolan fell asleep near dawn.

Perhaps because of the constant patrols, the guard dogs’ barking continued through the early night, only quieting in the latter half, letting the boy sleep.

When he woke, it was nearly noon.

Blinding sunlight leaked through the cracks in the old barn’s planks, falling on his face.

Nolan propped himself up with his good hand, glancing at the makeshift prison’s door, puzzled.

“Strange… why’s the door ajar? Did the Village Chief come by?”

Nolan scratched his head, scanning the surroundings.

The sight that met his eyes nearly made him shout.

“You—”

“Don’t yell!”

The gray-haired girl leaning against a haystack rushed forward, covering his mouth.

Nolan, caught off balance, toppled into the hay.

“Mmph… mmph!”

Nolan squirmed, trying to break free from the girl pinning him.

She spoke slowly.

“Don’t make a sound, and I’ll let go—”

Nolan blinked, noticing Kritiya’s emerald eyes, now bloodshot, her face clouded and grim.

He quieted, nodding.

“Really?”

“Mm-hm—”

‘Mm-hm’— I took that as a yes, so I let go, looking down at Nolan.

“I’m just… resting here for a bit.”

“Well—resting’s fine, I don’t mind being your cushion, but the hay’s softer…”

“Oh.”

I felt my face twitch, so I stood up, acting nonchalant.

“Anyway, don’t worry, I’ll leave soon—”

“But your face looks bad. Are you sick?”

Nolan sat up, brushing dirt off his clothes, asking with concern.

“I’m… fine,” I said after a pause, swallowing hard, as if that could quell the restless Seed of the Evil God.

Yes, I finally understood the Evil God’s contract.

It wasn’t just handing me black magic knowledge for free.

In exchange, I had to follow the Seed’s guidance, destroying its chosen enemies—

The first target was that jackal-man Emo became.

I remembered last night, barely resisting the urge to rush out and fight.

I only trailed the jackal-man in secret.

I knew I couldn’t beat it alone.

Though I had the Evil God’s black magic knowledge and the Seed gave some power, Kritiya was just a frail girl.

This weak body couldn’t handle dangerous black magic.

I made the contract to save Kritiya and myself—there was no other choice then.

But dying for it would defeat the purpose.

“How long can I hold out… seven days? Five? Three?” I thought.

The Seed’s hunting urge seemed to grow stronger with time.

I didn’t know what’d happen if I kept resisting, but it wouldn’t be good.

“Wait, why’d you bring that?”

Nolan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

His eyes flicked to my hand, where I held The Epic of the Dragon Hero, the book Kritiya brought.

Ah—I’d almost forgotten.

I’d been clutching it unconsciously, like a reflex.

“Now, of all times… to read poetry? You didn’t come for that, did you?”

Nolan looked at me, giving a wry smile.

“Here, take it back then.”

I meant to toss it to him but thought better of it and handed it over properly.

“No need to read now, but… you can use it to pass the time.”

“Uh… thanks for thinking of me.”

Nolan set the book on his knee, flipping it open casually.

“I could read now, I guess—nothing else to do.”

“Oh… really?”

Watching the boy flip through the pages, for some reason I didn’t understand, I asked.

“That page with the willow leaf—what’s it mean?”

“Huh… you saw that?”

Nolan scratched his hair, embarrassed, his face reddening.

“Well, um…”

“What’s up? Don’t hem and haw,” I pressed.

Normally, I wouldn’t be so impatient, but the Seed’s influence left me anxious.

“Because that day, you said, ‘May courage be with you.’ I thought it was a line from the book, so I kept looking and found this page…”

He looked up, at me—or rather, at Kritiya.

“Sorry… for venting at you that day. I felt something off about those jackals, but I blamed you in front of others… I don’t fully get it, but I think this epic says to face your own thoughts, not to… not to be…”

“I said it, you heard right,” I cut in abruptly, hearing his fumbling book report.

“No, but…”

He seemed to want to say more, but I heard footsteps outside the barn.

Tensing, I made a shushing gesture.

“Quiet, don’t talk—someone’s coming!”

“What’s wrong?”

I ignored Nolan, looking for a hiding spot.

All I saw was the haystack, so I darted over, burrowed in, and pulled straw over myself.

“It’s… hide-and-seek. I’m hiding here, don’t tell anyone.”

Seeing Nolan’s stunned look, I winked, then covered my face with straw.

***

“Strange… the door’s open?”

Scribe Berly pushed the barn door, spotting Nolan by the haystack.

“Oh, you’re here? What’s up?”

Nolan smiled, but his eyes flicked to Diya, who followed, her face still dark.

Diya’s still mad…

Nolan felt guilty, recalling yesterday when she brought food, crying and scolding him top to bottom.

Her expression now seemed a bit softer, but knowing something was hidden in the hay behind him made him guiltier.

“It’s a long story, Nolan,” Berly said, hands behind his back, pausing.

“I heard from the Village Chief you felt something dangerous about those jackal corpses, so you snuck into Emo’s to destroy them. Is that right?”

“Uh… yeah, that’s right.”

“Let me explain the situation. It seems the problem is indeed with those jackals—your feeling wasn’t wrong,” Berly said, glancing at Diya.

“I suspect this might involve Radiance. You know, knights who awaken Radiance have their potential stirred by divine power. Some have heightened instincts or premonitions enhanced by Radiance.”

“You mean I’ve been sparked by Radiance?”

Nolan blinked.

“But you know I can’t feel Radiance.”

“Hm… it’s not certain. Usually, gifted kids show potential between six and eight, but there are exceptions, so I’d like to test you again.”

“Test me?”

Nolan looked up at Berly.

“I remember Diya’s aptitude test was at Romern’s temple.”

“Yes, it needs someone with Radiance or Holy Light to guide the power,” Berly nodded.

“But you don’t need that hassle—we’ll keep it simple.”

“Simple? By you?”

Nolan guessed, but Berly shook his head.

“No, I don’t wield Holy Light, so Diya will do it. That’s why I brought her.”

“Diya?”

Nolan froze, then seemed to realize something, asking urgently.

“Wait, don’t you need to be twelve and at the Knight Preparatory Academy to awaken Radiance?”

He glanced at Diya, who avoided his eyes.

“Brother… I…”

Diya’s gaze darted away, but Berly spoke matter-of-factly.

“That’s for ordinary talents, but Diya’s different. She doesn’t need academy lessons to awaken on her own. Now, want to try again? If you’re ready, I’ll have Diya start.”

“Okay…”

Nolan stared at Diya’s turned face for a moment, then nodded heavily.

“Go ahead.”

“Diya, stand in front of your brother, place your hand on his forehead. Nolan, just sit still,” Berly directed.

He began chanting a prayer.

“We look to you, Lord of Light, Eternal Flame, Dawn’s Radiance.”

“Grant us your mercy, bestow boundless divine might—”

The chant held no power but served as a suggestion.

A faint white glow enveloped Diya, her light blonde hair shimmering.

After about fifteen minutes, Diya’s glow faded, and she looked weary.

Berly turned to Nolan, eyes closed.

“Well?”

“Nothing… still nothing.”

Nolan answered, head down, his tone flat.

From my angle in the haystack, I saw the boy’s face, clearly showing disappointment.