44 The Clan (3)

{A/N- This chapter is too cringe. So do proceed with caution}

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Tense.

That was the current situation in the hall. Each and every person present there exuded tension. The reason for their unease was evident— except for a select few elders, none of them had ever witnessed the old man's laughter in their lifetimes. It had been over two centuries since he last indulged in a bout of mirth.

The experience was unsettling. They couldn't predict how the patriarch would react after his rare display of amusement. He was far too unpredictable, and his actions had defied their expectations time and again.

"Ha..." The old man's unusual laughter subsided, and he fixed his gaze upon Auric with an expression filled with amusement. "So, little guy, how do you plan to devour everyone?"

In truth, the patriarch found great entertainment in this situation. It had been ages since someone had dared to meet his eyes and speak with such audacity. And to think that it was a mere brat, who was not even 1/100th of his age.

"I shall rise above everyone and consume them by obliterating any obstacles in my path," Auric declared, his voice brimming with unshakable confidence. "I will unleash an unstoppable fury, honed through relentless training and unwavering commitment. No one shall be spared from the inferno of my ambition. I will consume their weaknesses, doubts, and fears until I stand alone, the pinnacle of strength."

'After breaking through to rank 7 and reaching rank 8, it has been decades since I felt this excited. Every eye in this room is fixed on this kid, and yet he speaks with unwavering confidence,' the old man mused.

As Auric's words lingered in the air, challenging the very foundations of the family's hierarchy, his audacity sent ripples through the clan members. Even the patriarch, who had grown weary of their mundane lives, found a glimmer of amusement in Auric's audacious response.

'Well, things are about to get interesting,' the old man thought with a smirk. 'Let's make it even more intriguing.'

*Tap!*

A thunderous sound reverberated in the room, its source being the old man, and the clan members turned silent.

'How strong is he? And his control!' Auric wondered to himself, taken aback by the strength and mastery exhibited by the old man.

With a light tap of his right toe on the ground, the old man created such a sound, yet it caused no harm. It was a level of mastery in the martial arts that only a few could achieve.

"How old are you?" the old man inquired.

"Ten," Auric replied.

"Bring forth all the trainees from the youth training hall," the old man commanded. In response, several young children, ranging from younger to older, approached. Most of them seemed to be around Auric's age.

"Look here, kid. All these children are between the ages of 8 and 12 and are currently undergoing training. Most of them have already reached rank 2, even those younger than you. But you, on the other hand, seem to have just entered rank 1. Perhaps it's because of your different race, but it doesn't change the fact that you are weaker than an eight-year-old in this clan. On the battlefield, your race and bloodline mean nothing. If you are weaker... you are 'devoured.'"

As Auric heard those words, he fell silent. The patriarch's words rang true. Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth wouldn't alter the fact that he was weaker than a young child.

"Patriarch, if I may—" Magnus attempted to speak from the back, but he immediately fell silent, stifled by the patriarch's gaze.

"Do you not see me speaking? Do you dare interrupt?" the patriarch calmly inquired, but Auric could sense the intense sweating among all the elders.

'...'

"No," Magnus replied.

"Very well. Ah, where was I? Ah, yes! So, as I was saying, you are weak. Your hands seem to suggest that you've only held a sword a few days ago. But it seems you possess potential...I will give you five years. You must rise to the top of the Intermediate Training Hall. If you fail, I will kill you for wasting my time."

"And you brats, if you tarnish my bloodline, you shall face punishment," the patriarch said to the trembling children, though some showed signs of relief, perhaps because they believed no human could overpower them.

"Magnus."

"Yes!" Magnus immediately kneeled and responded as the patriarch called him.

"I appoint you as his guardian. Teach him the rules, train him, and ensure he its enough to enter the training hall within a month."

"Yes!"

"I now declare Auric as a part of the Emberclaw clan. As the son of Evangeline, he will take her place as the successor of the House of Blackthorn."

As the patriarch made that announcement, murmurs began to sweep through the hall. It was clear that not everyone was pleased with the fact that Auric was accepted into the direct line, despite his human blood.

*TAP!* Once again, the sound of thunder filled the room, silencing everyone.

"Lords of the Houses, do any of you have anything to say?"

As the old man posed the question, a few individuals in their forties stepped forward. "No, patriarch."

"Very well then. I shall retreat into seclusion for a few years. Joseph will be in charge. The hall is dismissed." With those words, the patriarch rose and made his way toward the exit, his footsteps heavy.

As he neared Ellie and Magnus, Ellie looked at him curiously. Noticing her gaze, the patriarch unexpectedly bowed, bringing himself to her eye level.

"What is your name, young one?" he asked, a smile gracing his face.

"E-Ellie," she answered, flustered.

"Oh, that's a lovely name." He then retrieved something from his ring and handed it to her, it seemed candies, patting her head affectionately. "Take care." With that, he continued on toward the giant doors.

'So, he is a kind man. And he even gave Ellie some royal gold candies. But why did he have them?' Auric pondered, but he pushed the thought aside. Now was not the time for such questions. He had to become stronger, or he would meet his end.

Frustrated by these foreboding signs, Auric found himself suddenly embraced by Ellie.

As he patted her head, he noticed the gazes from those exiting the hall. Truthfully, Auric didn't appreciate those looks.

'I will crush all of you.'

While the clan members were not his enemies, it was evident from their expressions that they despised the inclusion of an outsider, a son of a runaway, into the clan's direct line. It infuriated them.

And there was no doubt that they would challenge him. To be the last one standing in this battle royale, he would need to undergo rigorous training to make up for lost time.

Lost in his thoughts, he observed a couple approaching him, the same couple he had noticed sharing a connection when he entered the hall.

'Are they my grandparents, perhaps?'

As they neared, Auric bowed to them. The lady then moved forward and suddenly hugged him. "Oh, my little boy!"

In that instant, Auric felt something—a sensation akin to the moment he was born into this world, the same feeling he experienced when he was with his mother, in this life and in his previous life. The feeling of maternal love and protection.

Emotions surged within him. The lady was beautiful and bore a resemblance to his mother, Evangeline. Tears welled up in his eyes. In the background, both the man accompanying the lady and Magnus also had tears in their eyes, witnessing the reunion.

However, as everyone became teary-eyed, Ellie started crying loudly. Children were the same, regardless of the world. When someone wept in front of them, they couldn't help but join in.

"Oh my!" Hearing Ellie's cry, the lady let go of Auric and lifted Ellie into her arms. "Shh, why are you crying, my girl? It's okay, it's okay."

The lady tried to soothe Ellie.

"What is your name?"

"Hic... E-hic... Ellie..." she answered between sobs.

"Oh, such a pretty name. Do you know who I am?"

"Hic... No... Hic..."

"I am your grandmother," the lady replied, patting Ellie's head with a smile on her face.

"Young lad," the man suddenly grasped Auric's shoulders, wearing a wide grin. "Your eyes resemble your mother's when she was your age. I'm sure she would be proud of you right now."

"Now come here and give your grandpa a hug." With a smile, the man opened his arms, and without hesitation, Auric embraced him.

'It feels good to have grandparents once again,' Auric thought to himself.

In his past life, his paternal grandparents lived in the countryside, while his maternal grandparents had passed away when he was just a toddler. Whenever he visited his grandparents' home, they showered him with love, never once blaming him for his sister's death. Instead, they helped him overcome his self-blame.

'I hope they are still alive and well. Grandma, grandpa, I am doing well. And now I have loving grandparents in this life too. Take care of each other...'

'It's good to be home.'