When I opened my eyes I saw the white ceiling again.
But something felt different.
I felt like I could see more than the whiteness of the ceiling, could smell and feel more.
Memories of my last memory immediately came back.
The Ritual.
Apollina.
Flirting with her.
The forehead kiss.
And then awakening…
"Oh!"
I raised my body immediately.
I awakened didn't I?
I looked down at my hands.
My finger felt longer and thinner.
And my stomach.
Gone.
All of the fat, every specks and shreds of it gone!
In its instead I had a body perfect sculpted that people would need years to reach it in an ordinary way and inside a gym.
Lean muscles and defined abs, even better than the ones I had as Daniel.
"Quick way to get fit," I smirked slightly flexing my fingers. "Eextre weight program, just plunge into a miniature sun."
And goddamn it works.
I stood up sliding out of the bed, my legs felt light and stronger.
I walked out to the full length mirror in the corner.
I felt momentarily sluggish and lingering headache in the back of my head but nothing as painful as being burned alive.
"Holy Apollina."
When I stopped in front of the mirror I gasped.
All that fat had been hooding my very handsome princely face. Sharper jawline, high cheekbones, and I even gotten taller.
"Now I look like a King," I stroked my chin admiring my features.
My hand fell then on on my chest and arms seeing the golden runes glowing faintly before seeping back into my body.
I remembered father had something like these in his arms.
"I really did it didn't I?"
I had never er felt this satisfied in both of my lives honestly.
I'd have to thank Apollina the next time, so for the next ritual, hopefully not so soon.
Regardless…
I clenched my right first and instantly flames erupted and coiled around my arms in a fluid motion. They felt like extension of my blood.
"I feel so strong…"
Now that was edgy to say that in front of a mirror half naked admiring my own power but that was true.
And I felt very good.
Not just physically but also mentally.
The constant buzz of anxiety that had been Lumiel's head was now clear and flooded with fire and confidence.
Thud!
The door swung open at that time.
I turned my gaze and saw my mother and sister there gaping.
"Lumiel!"
My Mother rushed first toward me pulling me immediately int a strong embrace.
I always felt so small whenever she hugged me and kinda liked it but now I felt she was the small one, and fragile one.
I reached out my hand but seeing her crying and trembling against my body, I froze for a bit.
"I am sorry, Mother to have worried you," I said finally resting my hands on her back. "But I needed to do it."
"It's okay," she sobbed pulling back just enough to cup my face within her hands. She looked at me with teary eyes scanning every inches of my new features.
"You are here, that is all that matters to me…" She chuckled out then. "Look at you, my boy. You resemble your father in his youth now."
"Now I feel it, Mother," I said meeting her gaze. "What father used to say about the Pride of the Sun, I get it now."
Since I awakened it actually, I felt like responsible for the whole Kingdom and the Flame.
She nodded in response smiling.
I was about to smile back but a sharp pain hit my knees.
"You idiot brother!"
It was Lenora.
She stood there glaring at me with reddened eyes from crying too much.
"Lenora, is that how welcome your King back?" I asked wincing a bit.
"We thought you ended your life, you idiot!" She yelled out. "We thought…we thought you were there to die and now you come back and act like nothing happened!"
The anger in her voice was clearly justified and I knew that.
And seeing her crying made me feel guilt and bad as well.
"I am sorry," I replied stepping away from my mother and approached her.
Reaching out I patted her wet cheeks.
"I am really sorry, little sister."
Lenora looked up at me before crumbling and lunched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist tightly, burying her face in my chest sobbing even harder than Mother had.
"Y—You became so tall," she mumbled into my skin. "I miss your soft belly, it used to be a good pillow."
I winced hearing that and pulled her back.
"No more fat Lumiel," I said. "And no more crying Lumiel either from now on."
"Is that so?" She sniffed, looking up before grinning. "But you fainted in front of everyone last time."
"I fainted because that ceremony's was too boring," I said with a shrug. "I fell asleep, that is all."
"Hey!" My Mother reached out and twisted my ear immediately.
"Ow! That hurts, Mother!" I yelped out.
I guess awakening and fire power didn't grant immunity to a mother's scolding.
Lenora giggled looking at that.
"You honestly deserve more beating."
"You would dare beating your King?"
Lenora stuck out her tongue in answer.
"Alright, you rest properly now, Lumiel," Mother said concerned. "You have been gone for a week after all."
"Right a damn week! Wait, I am fine," I shook my head immediately. "I was crowned King a week ago and I haven't shown up since then.? That needs to be addressed immediately, Mother. I assume these old men are already plotting how to use Lenora and take the throne?"
Their silence was answering enough.
"Well, let them plot," I smirked.
"You look scary now, big brother."
"A King needs to instill fear into his subject to rule properly," I said.
"Wow, so Kingly," she rolled her eyes. "What are you planning to do then?"
"First of all, take a bath and I need new clothes, the old ones won't fit me anymore," I said patting my abs.
"I will bring your father's clothes," Mother said as if she waited for this. "They will be fitting you perfectly now."
"Bring me Hyperion as well, Mother," I said.
She froze, surprised in answer and worry flickered right after.
Hyperion wasn't just a sword, it was a symbol and relic, not to be manipulated by anyone.
In fact three years ago, I fainted just by touching it.
It wasn't a blade for a boy who fainted at ceremonies, that was what she must think.
"I will be fine, Mother, don't worry," I said reassuring her. "I have awakened now, I can handle the weight."
She stared at me and nodded slowly. "I believe you can." She smiled and left then.
"Oh my," Lenora giggled besides me. "Brother, you are being so confident and it nearly scares me."
"Well, as the man of the family, I need to be," I said shrugging as I headed toward the lavish bathroom adjacent to my bedroom. "Father trusted me and I have no intents of disappointing him."
"Big brother."
Turning around, I caught Lenora who once again bugged me in another hug, a tighter one.
"Thank you for coming back," she said, her voice and body trembling visibly against my chest.
"Hey," I said gently, placing a finger under her chin and tilted her face up until she looked at me.
I smiled at her like I would when we were kids and added a little of the new me.
She had always been protecting me when I was weak and couldn't fight back, despite she was the little sister that I was supposed to protect instead.
Now however it was my turn.
"I would leave you and Mother alone and I would never let anyone hurt you either," I said seriously.
Her amber gold eyes shimmered as she stared at mine. She sniffed a bit and let out a breathless laugh.
Pulling back, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and walked out of the room.