Chapter 3: A Blessing Without a Path
389 Words
Morning turned into weeks.
Weeks became months.
Then months became a year.
Since the day of the ceremony, Echo's life had changed completely.
Every dawn began the same way.
Training.
Again.
And again.
And again.
"Focus on the flow of your mana!"
A swordsman lunged toward Echo.
Echo raised his hand.
A faint hum filled the training ground.
Instead of strengthening his control...
Every sword on the weapon rack suddenly leapt into the air before crashing back to the ground.
Clang!
The instructor sighed.
"...Again."
The next day, the High Priest tried.
"Mana follows intention. Calm your heart."
Echo closed his eyes.
The vibration grew softer.
For a brief moment...
Everyone smiled.
Then—
BOOM!
The temple bells rang on their own.
Birds scattered into the sky.
Even the Resonance Crystal trembled.
The priest lowered his head.
"...Again."
The months passed.
Sword masters.
Royal mages.
Scholars.
Even wandering sages.
One after another, they all attempted to understand the Sound Blessing.
Every answer ended the same way.
"I don't know."
Rumors spread throughout the kingdom.
"The heir of House Blade can't control his blessing."
"They say his magic has no form."
"I heard even the High Priest gave up."
Echo pretended not to hear.
But every whisper reached his ears.
Perhaps...
That was the curse of Sound.
One evening, Echo sat alone on the roof of the manor.
The wind was quiet.
For the first time in days...
So was he.
He looked down at his hands.
"...Why me?"
"I only wanted to make Father proud."
A tiny bird landed beside him.
It tilted its head.
Echo smiled faintly.
"...At least you don't think I'm strange."
The bird chirped.
For just an instant...
The vibration around Echo became gentle.
Not destructive.
Not chaotic.
Almost...
Peaceful.
Before he could understand it...
The moment disappeared.
Eighteen Months Later
The council chamber of House Blade.
Every elder was present.
No one spoke.
Finally...
The head of House Blade broke the silence.
"We have exhausted every method available to us."
Another elder closed an ancient book.
"There exists no known discipline capable of guiding the Sound Blessing."
A third elder sighed.
"It is not his fault."
"...But neither is it ours."
Silence filled the chamber.
Outside the doors...
Echo stood alone.
He had heard...
Every single word.
He quietly lowered his head.
"...I understand
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