Hearing Agu say this, all the feathered people felt inspired.
During this period, as they matured, their understanding of the world increased rapidly. They were a mythical race. Although, apart from Agu, the others were not created directly by God, the life within them had been diverted from God through Agu.
More than ten days had been enough for them to pass from childhood into maturity.
Such was the strength of the first generation of feathered people.
In the past few days, they had grown restless inside the shelter. However, Agu had begun intense teaching during that time. Etiquette, written language, and basic knowledge of the world were instilled in them within only a few days.
Whenever they asked when they would be allowed to leave freely, Agu gave a single answer.
"When you receive your name."
Once named, even if they left the tribe and traveled elsewhere in the future, Agu would support them.
For this reason, they had long awaited this ceremony.
"Come forward, one by one," Agu said, standing before the stone slab.
A relatively tall winged man stepped forward first. None of the others objected.
When Agu saw him, his eyes flickered. Fragments of the dream he had experienced earlier surfaced briefly in his mind. The images passed quickly and left no clear trace.
Yet the winged man standing beneath the stone slab seemed to sense something. He looked up at Agu, searching his expression, but saw nothing unusual.
Still, something lingered in the depths of his subconscious.
As Agu observed him, his thoughts grew complicated.
He regarded the glory of God as everything. Yet in order to fulfill God's mission more completely, he now had to share that glory with these winged people.
He loved the lives born because of him.
But he also feared that one day they might seize his glory and take over his mission.
For a brief moment, his heart was conflicted.
Nevertheless, he made his decision.
Calming himself, Agu placed one wing upon the stone slab and lowered the other over the head of the winged man before him.
"We feathered people are beings granted by God," Agu said solemnly.
"I have been given a name by God and have received His glory."
"I have shared my life with you. Now I will share my glory with you."
Hearing these words, the feathered people folded their wings and lowered their heads. Their eyes shone with anticipation.
God created everything, and the pursuit of His glory was engraved in their very being. Even without Agu's teachings, that instinct would have existed.
In truth, when Agu's feathers first evolved into eggs and his spirit entered one of them, his spiritual fluctuations had already influenced the surrounding eggs. That imprint had taken root at the deepest level of life.
When Agu later enlightened them and revealed the existence of God, that dormant pursuit awakened fully.
"You shall be called Spiritfeather."
Agu spoke the name clearly.
Spiritfeather possessed a striking feather at the crown of his head, making him stand out among the others. His physical strength and wisdom were equally outstanding.
"Spiritfeather," the winged man repeated softly.
He raised his head and spread his wings.
At that moment, the naming ceremony was complete.
Spiritfeather had become an adult. As long as he did not violate the ritual code of the feathered people, he was free to act according to his own will.
After Spiritfeather came another.
A female feathered person stepped forward.
Agu named her Bluefeather.
Among her tail feathers were streaks of deep blue, vivid and beautiful.
Bluefeather differed from Spiritfeather. She did not possess his natural leadership, but she was widely recognized as one of the most beautiful among them.
The feathered people were divided into male and female, and they possessed their own aesthetic sense. Through comparisons of height, feather length, coloration, the sharpness of claws and beaks, and overall presence, a shared standard of beauty naturally formed among them.
One by one, the rest received their names.
Soon, all the feathered people became independent individuals.
Looking at them, Agu felt genuine happiness.
Standing before the stone slab, he addressed them.
"From today onward, you are adults. The next step is to expand our numbers and begin shaping this world."
"Those who are willing to follow me may remain in this valley. We will make this place our base, establish a gathering, and eventually form our own nation."
After naming them, Agu no longer regarded them as children to discipline, but as companions.
His tone and manner changed accordingly. He did not command them to follow him. He respected their personal will.
If someone chose not to follow him, that choice would be permitted.
However, they would have to leave.
This region possessed rich geography and abundant resources. It was also the birthplace of life, with the most plentiful materials.
Agu was unwilling to surrender it to those who did not stand with him.
When Agu finished speaking, silence fell.
Many feathered people turned their gaze toward Spiritfeather.
Even Agu looked at him.
In recent days, Spiritfeather had subtly gathered followers and, intentionally or not, challenged Agu's authority.
One reason was that Agu had never emphasized his leadership strongly. He taught them to worship God, but rarely elevated himself. Nor did he heavily stress the kindness he had shown them.
The feathered people matured too quickly. In barely ten days, they possessed complete intelligence.
Within that limited time, concepts such as hierarchy and superiority had never fully formed in their minds. Apart from their reverence for God, no rigid social order had been established.
The reasons they had once obeyed Agu no longer carried the same weight.
They had received a share of divine glory. They had grown. Their strength was now not much weaker than Agu's.
As for resources, they were no longer confined. With their abilities, they could secure food and territory on their own. Ordinary beasts could not hinder them.
In truth, Agu no longer possessed overwhelming advantages over them.
Of course, not all stood with Spiritfeather. Some still believed firmly that Agu was the one recognized by God, the true origin, and they remained loyal to him.
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, Spiritfeather stepped forward.
He bowed to Agu and performed the proper ritual salute.
"I am willing to follow you."