"That, any mage could do," Elder Azemir's dry voice cut in. "Anyone your age with intermediate mana affinity could manage the same."
"You're right, Elder Azemir," I admitted. "It's true that anyone could. Even my older sister can form water orbs or streams… while murmuring an incantation."
That was when I felt Elise's presence move. She walked until she stood beside me and said, her voice firm enough for the entire hall to hear:
"However, he doesn't need to chant to use magic."
The pride in her voice warmed my chest.
But that warmth was quickly smothered by the murmurs spreading through the hall. This time, though, they weren't whispers of contempt toward me… but toward Elise. They called her a liar.
The soft yet steady voice of Elder Nefertiti rose above the noise.
"Lady Elise, are you certain of what you're claiming?"
"Yes, Elder Nefertiti. I'm absolutely certain," she replied without hesitation. "Not only him… but his older sister, Emanuelle, can do it as well."
My heart skipped a beat. Why bring my sister into this? What was the point? Worry hit me like a blow… but deep down, I knew Elise wouldn't put my family at risk without a reason.
It was the Prime Minister who broke the heavy silence that followed.
"Prove to us that you're telling the truth," he said, his voice carrying authority, almost like a challenge. "Bring out a target for him. Now."
Two mages moved immediately—one of them with a sword at his hip. They set a target twenty meters away from me.
"This target absorbs magical energy. It won't take any damage," the sword-bearing mage informed me, his tone making it clear he wanted to see exactly what I could do.
I positioned myself facing the target. The same mage who had set it up stood at my side, vigilant, as if trying to catch even the smallest movement of my lips. His presence was a clear reminder—there would be no excuses if I failed.
I drew a deep breath and raised my hands. My eyes locked on the exact point I wanted to hit. Before me, the air shifted as I compacted the earth into a thirty-centimeter spear.
Before releasing it, I visualized the spell in my mind—a vortex of wind swirling around it, like invisible blades, spinning faster and faster.
A sharp hum began to rise, faint at first, but growing in intensity as the spear gained rotation. Dust was torn from its surface, caught in the spiraling wind, making the cutting aura around it visible. Then, I released it.
Less than a second later, the impact echoed through the hall. The target remained unscathed, absorbing the magic, but the sound of the strike reverberated like a heavy blow.
"Elders and Prime Minister…" the mage beside me spoke, his voice laced with surprise, "…he truly didn't use any incantation."
A stir spread like wildfire. I caught fragments of sentences but couldn't make out all of them. Elder Marduk, who had been silent until then, broke the moment.
"This is… impressive." His pause was long enough to make me tense. His red eyes locked onto mine before he continued. "However, for this alone… I cannot accept you. Is there anything more?"
Anything more? What did he want? For me to spit fire? To turn into a dragon? I had already shown him everything I had.
"Are you out of your mind, Elder Marduk?" Elder Azemir's voice was sharp with indignation. "What he just did is something many mages can't manage. I'm talking about combining two different spells, not to mention the fact that he doesn't need incantations at all."
"I know what I saw, Elder Azemir," Marduk replied, his tone unchanged. "But I want something more."
His gaze didn't leave mine. I felt as if he was dissecting me, trying to tear away secrets I didn't want to reveal.
Something more… Now I understood.
I didn't want to talk about it. Not here. I thought it would only be necessary if I was accepted—maybe in private. But clearly, he was forcing me to bring it out before everyone.
I stared straight into Elder Marduk's eyes, feeling the pressure of that crimson glare piercing through my skin. I drew in a breath, trying to keep my voice steady, and said what I believed he wanted to hear.
"I completed the first tunnel of the Qliphoth."
The effect was immediate. The hall erupted in murmurs. The sound bounced off the oval walls like the buzzing of a swarm. The members of the Dark Throne, especially, looked at me with disbelief—and rightly so. I knew only veteran mages, hardened by time, typically crossed the first tunnel.
Beside me, Elise stood frozen. Her once-calm eyes now widened, as if my words made no sense to her. It was as if she were trying to decide whether to believe me or not.
In absolute contrast, Marduk smiled—a subtle smile, but one filled with something I couldn't tell was approval… or calculation.
"Which tunnel was it… and who helped you overcome it?" he asked, his voice firm, yet tinged with genuine interest.
"It was the Tunnel of Guilt, Elder Marduk…" I answered, my voice breaking before I could stop it. The memories came back like cold blades cutting at my throat. "…and the one who helped me overcome it… was my father."
The silence that followed was almost suffocating. The crackling of the fireplaces, once faint, now roared in my ears. No one dared speak. Not even the council's most talkative members.
Finally, Marduk broke the silence.
"By the proper standard… one becomes a member of the Great Orders at twelve years old." He tilted his head slightly. "What are you—five… six?"
"I'm five, Elder."
"I see…" he said, resting his chin in his hand, eyes still locked on me. "Normally, we'd wait. But…" he paused deliberately, "…since you've already overcome the first tunnel, I see no reason to delay."
More murmurs rippled through the hall. This time, I clearly heard Baron Hoffmann's voice—low, but dripping with venom.
Then Marduk straightened in his seat and declared:
"From this day forward, I declare Elian a member of the Dark Throne." His voice struck like a hammer on steel. "You will be my direct apprentice… and you will begin training with me immediately."
My heart raced, yet at the same time, a heavy weight pressed me down. He was already rising to leave when I felt I couldn't let it end like this.
"Elder Marduk…" My voice cut through the air. "…I know it's impolite, but I would like to make two requests."
He stopped, turned slowly, and looked at me in silence, granting permission to continue.
"First… I'd like my training to start only in two years. I just lost my father… and I don't want to leave my mother so soon."
He didn't answer. I waited a few seconds before making my second request.
"And… if it's not asking too much…" I chose my words carefully, measuring each syllable, "…I would like you to assign mages to protect my mother and my family."
I looked directly at Baron Hoffmann as I said this, and I noticed Marduk glance his way as well, as if gauging his reaction.
"For your first request, no," he replied coldly. "But I can extend it to a year. As for the second…" he paused briefly, "…it's done. I will assign three mages from the order for their protection."
Before I could even thank him, he turned and left the hall. Elise, at my side, squeezed my shoulder firmly, her faint smile carrying a silent pride. The Baron, on the other hand, shot me a look that burned—pure, thinly veiled rage.
As we made for the exit, a mage intercepted us.
"Lady Elise, Elder Azemir wishes to see you. He requests a meeting tomorrow."
"Tell him I'll be there," she answered without hesitation.
We left together, the distant murmur of voices trailing behind us like the echoes of a storm yet to come.