After the awakening, Azrael was in his room. He wore a crisp white shirt tucked into his rugged but sleek brown jeans; over it all, he donned a heavy dark robe that added a sense of bold dignity and authority.
He got ready and headed to the Duke's office.
It was evening around 7(p.m.) just a little before dinner.
The Duke was working in his office, going over the day's details, as he was supposed to inform the royal family about the number of awakened beings.
He heard a knock on the door. He looked up and asked,
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Azrael. Father, I have something important to say."
Even though he didn't show it much, Ragnar was very happy with Azrael's performance. For the common people, Azrael's talent was outstanding and he would be smooth sailing to tier-6. But for the Duke he saw a potential.. a potential for tier-7 or, who knows, maybe even a tier-8, which would be impossible without the royal family's help.
Knowing that it was Azrael, he put down the paperwork and ordered him to enter,
"Come in."
Azrael entered the room, it was a simple room made of wood, with no excessive decorations. Two shelves filled with books lined each side of the room. With a backdrop of an open window, one simple table was placed at the centre with a seat for the Duke. In front of the table, there were two chairs to accommodate guests.
"What is it?" Ragnar asked.
Azrael straightened his posture, bowed, and with utmost seriousness said,
"I request an official audience in the main hall, Duke Ragnar."
The Duke immediately frowned. He expected many things that Azrael might ask, a weapon, a skill, or anything that would help him advance to tier-2. What he didn't expect was an official audience, especially right after the awakening.
The Duke was silent for a while.
"Why?" He asked with a solemn tone.
"I have an important matter to convey about and for myself, which requires the presence of an official crowd to recognize the magnitude and credibility of my words. So, I request a gathering at the main hall in your presence." Azrael spoke in one breath without faltering.
The Duke wanted to question him more, but seeing his serious expression, he held back. This was the first time Azrael had acted out differently in sixteen years; usually he did not entertain ideas or events like this.
The Duke carried a stern face and didn't express much, but he still felt a lot of guilt for not being there for Azrael, and this was the first time his son has asked something from him. So, even if he found it nonsensical, he allowed it.
"Remember, if it turns out to be something ordinary and not important, you will be punished accordingly for wasting everyone's time." He said with a stern face.
"I understand. If you don't consider this matter important. I will readily accept whatever punishment."
"Very well, then we will be having the official gathering in half an hour," said the Duke.
The Duke called for a soldier stationed outside and instructed him to inform all the top echelons of an official meeting in the main hall, and also to put out a notice for the common people to be present as well. Because Azrael requested an official audience, not just a meeting.
Half an hour later—In the main hall,
Azrael is standing in the centre of the hall, with a sword tied to his waist.
Duke Ragnar was seated on the grand black throne; by his side is Duchess Elyndra. Julius Vaeloreth was standing on the right side of the Duke, and Howard Finch was on the left side. Cesia was standing behind Elyndra with a maid helping her.
The first two rows are filled with the top echelons of the Vaeloreth dukedom, and the other side was occupied by many viscounts and barons who had visited the awakening ceremony. Normally they wouldn't be here, but today was the awakening ceremony and all of their children had also attended it to be awakened. To conduct an awakening ceremony, only someone of the rank of Marquis or above is permitted. So, anyone below that nobility had to align themselves with someone of higher standing.
This was also one of the reasons that Azrael chose this particular day— to spread the word as fast as possible. And what better way to do it, than in the presence of talkative nobels?!
The people of importance were already seated and the commoners were making their way into the hall. Later, when the hall was filled to the brim, the gates of the main hall closed and everybody focused their attention on the Duke.
The Duke stayed silent for a while, then, looking at Azrael, he said.
"You can begin now." The whole crowd was confused, they thought it would be the Duke speaking, and that impressed by Azrael's performance, he would be granted a title or a position in the army. But listening to the Duke's word, it was clear that it was Azrael who had requested the meeting. This made them even more doubtful as to what would a sixteen-year-old boy who had just awakened would have to say to them.
Azrael cleared his throat, his eyes unnervingly focused, and with a steady and calm voice, he turned towards the seated audience and said:
"Good evening, everyone."
"I apologise for taking up your precious time, for this untimely meeting."
"But I need your eyes and ears to be witnesses, to prove the credibility of the words that I am going to say now."
Many of the peoples curiosity was pricked by the these words and they listened more intently, Azrael continued:
"From a very young age, I have been living alone as both of my parents were not present."
The Duke frowned at these words, but Azrael was not concerned about it.
"Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming them; on the contrary, I fully understand their situation and respect their decision. But this doesn't change the fact of their absence. Due to this I made my source of entertainment and knowledge the books in the library, Which have been helpful to me to this day. I learned many things, understood many emotions from the descriptions in the books, but never felt them. I never indulged myself in anything, as those things never gave me the pleasure and the emotions I wanted."
"But today everything changed, and for the first time in my short life, I truly felt excited and euphoric. It was during the time of awakening that I really understood what I want." His eyes shone with light as he said that. It was the eyes of someone who was addicted.
"Today, I finally understood that I am not motivated by materialistic things and basic emotions. What I really want is to cultivate and ascend the ladder of existence from a mortal to a tier-1 and then to tier-2, tier-3 and so on."
"I want to lead an ascetic lifestyle, where my only focus is cultivation—the one thing I truly desire. I don't want to be involved in any political or worldly struggles. I don't want to fight for any materialistic possessions or indulge in the satisfaction of the basic emotions."
Azrael raised his voice, and drew the sword in his hands:
"So, I, Azrael Vaeloreth, in full control of my body, mind, and soul, declare an — ABANDONMENT OF SUCCESSION!"
Hearing that, the Duke tightened his grip on the armrest of the throne. Both Julius and Howard were the first ones to react, and they both were scared by what this kid just said,
"Stop! Azrael—
"You don't have to do this, young master—
Both of them moved to stop Azrael from doing anything, but they were too late.
Azrael, with a light smile on his face took the sword, placed it on his right dominant hand and with a swift firm motion severed it.
Blood started flowing profusely. He fell down to his knees and gritted his teeth to not let out a scream of pain. The area around him was covered in red.
Julius and Howard were frozen, their hands were extended and was stuck in that position. Not only them, every single member of the audience was dumbstruck by what had just happened. They stood there with wide eyes looking at the pool of blood around Azrael.
The younger generation was even more stupefied by Azrael's actions and were scared to look at this scene. The most affected by this scene was Cesia, as she couldn't process what had just occurred.
A deathly silence settled over the place. Then, a low voice was heard:
"I accept." It was Duke Ragnar.
"Father, you can't—" Julius tried to intervene, but was interrupted by the Duke.
"Silence! There will be no more discussions. The pool of blood that is flowing is his determination, and I won't disrespect it."
Azrael looked at the Duke and smiled genuinely. Hearing the acceptance, as if on cue he took out a vial of green liquid and gulped it down.
The blood stopped flowing, the severed wound closed up, and new tissue growth could be seen happening as it started to heal.
Yes, it wasn't a permanent amputation. But a sort of performative declaration to convey the sincerity of his words.
The crowd was still in a daze as to what had just happened; even the exchange between the Duke and Azrael was not registered by them. They finally came back to their senses after they heard the sound of sobbing. It was Cesia, she had tears raining down from her eyes uncontrollably. The maid behind her was also confused as to what to do.
The audience came back to their senses and started whispering; many of the commoners didn't understand what had happened and even some of the nobles were confused. Seeing the situation getting out of control, Howard was about to raise his voice, but Azrael stopped him.
He raised his voice and said,
"Everyone, I want to to pay attention to what I am about to say next."
Hearing him speak, all the noise died down, as he was the centre and cause of all the commotion.
"All of you present here are the eyewitnesses to the ritual of Abandonment of succession performed by me in the presence of my family."
"So, if any future complications occur, then you will have to support my decision with your credibility."
"That's all from me, and I would once again like to apologize for taking your precious time for my personal matters."
He turned towards the Duke.
"I would like to excuse myself, as I have lost too much blood and I need to rest."
The Duke simply nodded, as too much was happening even for him to understand.
With that, Azrael excused himself, leaving behind a hall of full of people with different emotions. Some were confused by his actions, some were scared by his determination, and some were amazed by his decisiveness. But they all agreed and understood one thing: Azrael Vaeloreth is not as simple as he appears to be.