Chapter 2: A Blessing Unlike Any Other
445 Words
The Grand Hall stood in solemn silence.
Hundreds of eyes rested on the young heir of House Blade.
Echo took a slow breath as he stepped onto the circular platform at the center of the hall. Ancient runes carved into the polished stone shimmered faintly beneath his feet—not to grant a blessing, but to help stabilize the awakening of mana.
At the far end of the hall stood the High Priest, dressed in flowing white robes embroidered with golden threads. Resting in his hands was a crystal no larger than his palm.
The Resonance Crystal.
A relic said to reveal the true nature of every blessing.
The priest smiled warmly.
"Relax, young Echo. Do not force your mana. Simply allow it to flow naturally."
Echo nodded.
"I understand."
He closed his eyes.
For a few moments...
Nothing happened.
The crowd exchanged puzzled glances.
Then...
Hummmmm...
A faint vibration echoed through the hall.
It wasn't loud.
It was gentle.
Almost like the first note of a distant melody.
The banners hanging from the pillars swayed without a breeze.
One by one, the ceremonial swords displayed along the walls began to tremble.
Clink...
Clink...
The sound grew louder as every blade in the hall resonated with the invisible waves.
The High Priest's smile slowly disappeared.
He lifted the Resonance Crystal.
Instead of shining with a single color as it always had...
The crystal flickered.
Silver.
Blue.
Transparent.
Then silver again.
The priest frowned.
"...That's strange."
Whispers filled the hall.
"Has the crystal ever done that?"
"I've never seen it hesitate..."
The vibrations intensified.
Even the armor worn by the royal guards began to hum softly.
Echo opened his eyes in confusion.
"W-What's happening?"
"I... I can't stop it..."
The High Priest infused a little more mana into the crystal.
The flickering finally ceased.
A single word slowly formed within its glowing core.
'Sound '
Silence.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
"...Sound?" an elder murmured.
"There has never been a blessing like that in House Blade."
Another elder stepped forward.
"Not merely in House Blade..."
"...There are no records of such a blessing in the Kingdom of Mystic."
Echo blinked.
"Is... is that bad?"
Before anyone could answer...
A stronger wave burst from his body.
BOOOOOOM!
Every weapon in the Grand Hall rang at once.
The vibrations rushed through the stone floor.
Several windows cracked.
Candles flickered violently.
Some younger children instinctively covered their ears.
Echo stumbled backward.
"I-I didn't mean to!"
The hall fell silent once more.
The High Priest lowered the Resonance Crystal and looked toward the elders of House Blade.
For the first time in many years...
Even they had no answer.
- Writer
