Arcane Journey

2.Comes with oneself

The setting sun pierced through the crimson clouds, casting its light on the solemn Adrion Cathedral Square. The small sun the bishop held had lost its brilliance and was now hanging on his chest as he turned and walked into the cathedral.

In the center of the square, the beautiful witch in black robes had been reduced to ashes, but her maniacal laughter and curses seemed to linger in the air, causing several onlookers to shudder involuntarily. They glanced around nervously before following the bishop and priests into the church, where they confessed their sins and prayed sincerely under the watchful gaze of the Lord.

The dazzling white light still seemed to linger before Lucien's eyes, and the sacred, majestic power it contained could still be faintly felt. Under this impact, Lucien had accepted his identity, burying everything from the past deep within his heart, not daring to show any signs of difference.

"The power of divine magic is so strong. I wonder if I'll have the chance to learn it?"

Lucien thought to himself, his heart and mind in turmoil, devoid of the reverence typical of ordinary people. Suddenly, a huge force landed on Lucien's left shoulder, causing him to lean to the side uncontrollably, nearly losing his balance.

"Oh, my poor little Evans, thank God you're safe! It's all the Lord's protection. I thought you'd end up like your father, falling ill and never getting back up again. Thank the Lord, you're still here, such a fine young man."

The forceful pat brought Lucien back to his senses. He saw a large, broad-shouldered woman with brown hair standing beside him, wiping her tears while repeatedly patting his shoulder with a hand as powerful as a bear's paw.

Lucien stepped aside slightly to avoid getting hurt by the heavy pats. He opened his mouth to speak but realized he didn't know what to say. "How should I address this lady? It seems my full name should be Lucien Evans?"

Seeing Lucien step away, the woman looked even more saddened. "Poor little Evans, you must be confused from your illness. Look at your little face, you're so thin I can see your bones..."

As she babbled on, Lucien felt extremely awkward. After being transported here, apart from understanding and speaking the local language, he hadn't inherited any memories. If he responded incorrectly, people might suspect him of being possessed by a demon. Of course, in a way, Lucien had indeed had his soul taken over by a demon.

Thankfully, a middle-aged man standing nearby patted the large woman and comforted her, "Elisa, little Evans just recovered. He must be feeling weak. Don't pester him. Evan, help your mother. Let's go home."

This middle-aged man was quite thin, with a slightly stooped back and short blond hair tinged with gray. Despite the marks time had left on his face, traces of his youthful handsomeness were still visible.

But to Lucien, this middle-aged uncle seemed like an angel with a white halo, pulling him out of his embarrassment and tension.

"Aunt Elisa, I'm completely recovered, just a bit dizzy still," Lucien said, carefully choosing his words to avoid giving himself away.

The boy who had brought Lucien to watch the witch burning, Evan, half-supported his mother and made a face. "Brother Lucien isn't the type to die from a single illness. Only you still treat him like a helpless child."

Aunt Elisa wiped her tears. "Little Evans, seeing you well again is such a relief. It's all that damned, evil, hell-bound witch's fault."

With Evan supporting her, Aunt Elisa slowly walked forward, continuing her chatter. "When she first moved next door to you, she seemed so quiet and beautiful, so gentle and elegant. I even thought if little John could marry such a girl, it would be a blessing from the Lord. But she turned out to be a witch, and she even went to the graveyard to steal corpses for her wicked magic. Fortunately, the Lord's light shines on all, and the Inquisition's night watchman was there in the graveyard, catching her red-handed. Otherwise, who knows how many people in Adrion would've died from her prepared evil spells..."