The wrist fell unnaturally slowly, as if time itself had slowed. It made no sound when it plopped into the water. Ripples spread for a moment before a pain-filled scream echoed through the hall. Blood gushed from where the wrist had been. No one dared breathe too loudly, most caught completely off guard.
Then the bowl began to shimmer, drenched in a blinding white light. No one dared look directly at it, fearing blindness.
What kind of father says "a little blood" and then actually chops off my wrist? It hurt so much… Wait, what's this? I feel warmth. Am I going to die from blood loss? No, this warmth is… calming. And it's slowly spreading from my heart to my wrist. Now that I think about it, it doesn't hurt anymore.
"Hello, Child. Your father has called upon me to give you, my blessing. I'll need to take a look inside your mind to see what's best for you."
Is this the same voice as before? No—it's different, but it resonates inside my head. It feels sane, like last time. Almost as if my thoughts have become theirs.
"What an interesting life. It seems you've even met someone higher than me, though I can't tell who it is. Huh… what's this? You already have a blessing? Not mine. Ah, you are an Anew… in other words, this isn't your first life. You also seem to have an elemental affinity—I wouldn't expect less from someone like you.
Anyway, my blessing… yes. I shall grant you the power to take the abilities of others upon killing them. Isn't that fun? Use it wisely… or don't. I don't give a flying fuck—byeee." the voice said in a sarcastic tone.
The light finally stopped. Slowly, everyone's eyes adjusted, and all gazes fell on the spot where the bloodied stump had been.
The king laughed, and the queen smirked, eyes sparkling as they looked at Roland's brand-new hand.
"THIS… THIS IS THE PHOENIX'S POWER!" the king exclaimed, spreading his arms like a man drunk on his own authority.
My hand… it's healed. It might even be better than before. My body felt different too. No, this sensation had been there from the start—I just couldn't place it. Almost as if I had dormant powers, like a key piece of me was missing. Anyway, this was insane. The power to take other people's abilities… but terrifying, since it requires killing.
At that moment the king began to speak. "As you know, not many have the privilege of blessings. Us Royals, we all do. My blessing is said to be one of the most powerful, and with my fire affinity for magic, it has become the greatest destructive force in the empire.
I have never stayed out of battles regarding the kingdom of Kentaria. This rare gift of blessings was granted to us by the first king of Kentaria over 1,500 years ago. He made a contract with a god: he would protect the people if the god gave our bloodline power for all generations. This is why the Line of Ketsra has ruled this nation for so long.
Now, another genius is among us. May we feast in Roland's honor today, as he one day becomes someone everyone here can be proud of."
Cheers erupted. Charlotte grabbed Roland's hands and clapped them playfully. Loki, keeping a polite smile, clapped slowly. Cora, as if realizing she had a new toy, narrowed her eyes and smirked. Cid clapped passionately—or at least it seemed so—but Rolands gut told him that Cid only saw him as a pawn. Natalie just stood there, back straight, head down.
Then Arthur approached Charlotte and Roland, scooped him up, and sat down, placing Roland on his lap facing him. The king looked into his eyes and suddenly hugged him.
"I am so sorry, Roland. I didn't want to do it, but I had to cut off your wrist. I'm really sorry." Roland felt something wet run down my cheek.
My dad… he's crying. Such a big man, and he's capable of crying. He's a good dad.
"It's okay, Dad. You did it for me. Also… the mister came to talk to me."
"I… I see. What did he say, bud?"
"He said that I have an elemental thingy."
"An elemental affinity?"
"Yes."
"Just like your old man. I'm so proud. But it'll take you a long time to discover which one you have. Just hang in there."
"I will, Dada."
"You are so cute," said the king, squishing Rolands cheek.
"Your Majesty, hello," said an old, frail-looking man, kneeling.
"Well, hello, Duke Albert. How can I help you?"
"Nothing, sir. I just wish to congratulate you on your son's achievements."
"Then you should tell him yourself, as well as my wife. She's the one who birthed him, after all."
"Of course, sir. My apologies. Madam, I congratulate you and your son, Young Master Roland, and hope that all will go according to your will."
"Thank you, mister."
"Thank you, Duke Albert."
This continued all day. Nobles came one by one to congratulate Arthur, Charlotte, and Roland. Some even congratulated the other Royal children. Exhausted from the day's chaos, Roland eventually drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, I woke to Camilla bringing in porridge.
Eh… I'll pretend I'm sleeping. I'm just tired of human interaction for now. But that porridge smells good. I'm sure she'll just leave it there.
"You think I'm stupid, Young Master? You aren't the only one with a blessing. I have one too. One for reading emotions."
Of course she does.
"I'm tired, Camilla. That why I was petending."
"You can stop talking like that, dear. I'm sure you can speak clearly now. Especially after the blessing was granted. Any blessing increases your mental capacity so you don't go crazy after receiving such power."
"Oh… I did feel smarter afterward."
"Considering your bloodline, blessing and all, Young Master, you should have the mental ability of a 21-year-old by age four."
"That's so cool! I'll be like an adult."
"Yes, that's exactly right."
"Camilla."
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Can you teach me history?"
"Of course I can!" Camilla expressed with joy "I'll also teach you geography. Let me go quickly get some books."
As Roland sat in a room painted white—large enough to frolic with a horse, with a bed big enough for an elephant, two massive art pieces, as well as two knight statues next to the art as if they were protecting it, and a massive fireplace—Roland thought:
I really have become royalty in a new world, haven't I?