I stared at the Patriarch, my eyes widening just slightly as his words settled into me.
"We Spartans… are unable to use magic."
For a heartbeat, the world felt unreal. The thought of that possibility never crossed my mind. Not in my last life or, back on Earth when I read the books. I just took the Spartans as prideful warriors, who saw magic as a shortcut.
In the books their were a few characters from Sparta who did use magic. Mind you not openly, but they still were not ashamed of using magic for all it's practical uses. But now that I look back it was mostly officers or high ranking Spartan warriors, who were mainly not from the Blud Clan. Some where even from other clans or where descendants.
Then I spoke.
"Sir," I asked carefully, "what do you mean by… we Spartans are unable to use magic?"
Leonidas studied me in silence. It wasn't the silence of uncertainty—it was the kind used by commanders deciding how much truth his troops can handle.
"Youngest," he said at last, "I should correct myself so there is no confusion."
Leonidas stood from his throne and clasped his hands behind his back, his presence filling the hall even without releasing his aura. "Children of the Blud Clan, especially those of the main house, those closest in blood to the gods. Ares, Athena, Hercules, Enyo, and the others—are gifted with bodies and minds beyond most clans."
I listened intently, committing every word to memory.
"For generations," Leonidas continued, "we have been the strongest warriors across the universe. Our minds are sharp. Our bodies and spirits endure what should kill others. Our Battle Aura is refined to a degree very few can match."
He paused, then said, " But such powerful resilience does come at a toll. For the power we have gained, we have also lost something in return. Do you know what we lost, Adonis?"
"No, sir," I answered honestly. "And if I may ask… how long has it been since we were able to use mana?"
Leonidas's voice turned colder. "Since the time of the First Patriarch. The very founder of House Blud. Roughly nine hundred years."
My brows knit together. Nine hundred years. That wasn't decay. That was systemic.
"And to this day," Leonidas said bluntly, "we do not know why."
That answer struck me hard and left me even more confused. I narrowed my eyes slightly, thoughts racing. How does no one know?
Leonidas continued, as if he could hear the question echoing in my mind. "Some believed it was a curse, laid by a rival pantheon or enemy clan. The strongest witches of Hecate were called to check. But they said no curse was found."
He shifted his stance.
"Others believe it is a consequence of our rituals on the children. Or that our powerfully developed Battle Aura, and our resistance to magic grew so absolute that we lost the ability to touch it altogether."
He exhaled once, sharply. "That is the most common belief. To hide this fact from our enemies and the universe as a whole." He continued.
"Former clan heads in the past started the rumor that, Spartan warriors did not need to use magic. Saying it was the tool of cowards and witches, and lacked spirit and grit. That is why in the Empires galaxy no schools of magic are taught, the only thing we openly condone is rune magic and thaumaturgy, or blessings and boons from the gods, or the mystical arts, and services provided by the house of Aphrodite, and the School of the Crossroads, or as they are known as the Witches of Hecate.
So that was the lie told to the galaxy. By the leaders of the Spartans themselves. It's not that Spartan warriors have no need of magic. It's because they couldn't use it.
This revelation snapped something into place. This explains so much. The stares when I used spells as a mercenary after people found out I was clan reject from Sparta.
A Spartan exile or not touching mana wasn't just rare, it was basically impossible. But I'm still confused, one of the MC's companions from the book, was a member of a branch house of the Blud clan. That person was able to have a high potential for magic as well. So why can they, and why can I?
Leonidas's voice cut through my thoughts. " Know this Adonis. You are not the first to be able to use magic from the main house. You are but the Fifth."
My head snapped up. The fifth?
Then Leonidas continued. "Come forth."
Footsteps echoed, as three figures stepped forward. My siblings, and I recognized them instantly.
The First Daughter—Helena
She was tall and breathtaking. She had the signature Blud clans features. Light sun-kissed brown skin, lavender eyes, with long black hair flowing freely. She stood at six foot one inches. Her physique was curvy yet lean, with toned muscles, from her godly blood and honed by countless battles. She is beautiful yet intimidating, even though her face is always so stoic and calm. She is the poster child for a demigod that descends from the, Ares and Aphrodite bloodline.
Beside her was my oldest brother.
The First Son—Pleistarchos
He stood at five foot eleven inches, and was handsome, with broad shoulders, a medium muscular physique a disciplined posture, and charming disposition. With the signature Light brown, sun-kissed skin. With Black hair cut in a short military fade. With sharp- facial features, and black eyes that had a calculating look to them. He was considered the handsome and prodigal son of the Spartan Empire.
And The Third Daughter—Otrera
She stood at five foot eleven inches as well. She had the signature golden-amber eyes that gleamed like a predator's. Sunkissed light brown skin. A voluptuous lean muscular physique. With long black hair with bangs that cascaded freely. She was the most openly dangerous person of the Blud children.
I remembered them all.
Helena was the most indifferent to me, but she was never cruel or hurt me. After I was exiled she was more open to me emotionally. Well open enough in her own way at least.
Pleistarchos never paid my existence any mind, but his gaze. It was always so distant yet watchful, hiding something behind his eyes. It just felt off. Not to mention his charming personality reminded me of a politicians. And I personally hate politicians, they are always hiding something.
Otrera Is terrifying, but never needlessly cruel, especially to me. She lived for battle, for trials, for proving herself against anyone, but I know all she wanted was a good fight. In my first life, she was known as. The Lioness. She also had another secret nickname she went by. Honey Badger.
That was because she was the only person in the whole universe that got a literal Honey Badger as a pet. Some say their personalities, and I don't give a fuck attitude were so in sync. The Badger saw her as one if it's own.
She was such a badass in the books. At one point the moon planet of New Themyscira had wanted her as their Queen.
Then Leonidas spoke again.
"Throughout the generation of the Blud clan, they're have been the occasional child born with the ability to touch or use mana. This generation for right now, in the main house alone only five. Including you youngest. But we hid this from the universe, only the users of the magic, and high ranking clan officers know."
Jonathan noticed how the patriarch said that again. Five children in the main house. Only three stood before him, and he was the fourth. So whose the fifth? But I don't understand why they would keep something like, having children with magical abilities hidden.
Leonidas continued, but did not explain the fifth child.
"This is First Daughter, Helena," Leonidas said. "She possesses immense mana reserves and an innate talent for mid-level rudimentary magic in the form of self-augmentation and healing. As well as a incredible Battle Aura"
Understanding clicked into place in Jonathan's mind. Leonidas was disclosing the older children that can use magic. And also giving him info of their abilities, if he wanted to challenge them for the right of succession.
This is a pretty important time right now to pay attention. Not saying the older children won't have more abilities, or tricks up their sleeves. But incase anyone of them or all of them cursed me I have more info on them.
As for Helena, this explains so much about her character in the book.
Her incredible strength, stamina, and impossible endurance. And why she was once considered an unchallenged candidate for the next Matriarch and leader of the house and clan Blood, and the Spartan empire before she refused it. The books and lore never fully explained why though.
She wandered the universe as a elite Spartan warrior. While answering the calls of the family for battle as a high ranking Spartan Officer, and she occasionally taught the main character.
Readers thought she was one of the three secret 'boss-tier' characters. But uncle Jasen had once said, she's incredibly power and close to that level of power. But she's not even close enough to be considered in the top three of the strongest female characters in the series, or even the thirteen ranked demigods. She has the potential, but not the heart to do what it takes to reach that level.
He never explained more then that. Saying the seventh book would explain everything. But that never happened.
Leonidas continued.
"This is First Son, Pleistarchos, he is a low-level thaumaturgist, nearing mid-level. He manages much of the Empire's internal operations, as well as Blud clan responsibilities. When your mother and I are absent."
I wasn't surprised by that statement.
In my past life, rumors claimed Pleistarchos became Patriarch after Leonidas was lost in the Unknown Region. Seraphine who should have been acting leader until the next head was decided disappeared, and with that the main house broke apart.
Another thought came to Jonathan's mind. Where he was in his last life the events of the fifth book should have been occurring. In that book, the companion of the MC. Found out that their house and the rest of the Blud clan had rallied with demons against the Eden Galaxy. Which was causing a civil war to occur.
But something still didn't add up.
Leonidas turned and continued.
"And this is, Third Daughter, Otrera. She is a mid-level rudimentary self-augmenter as well, with a high mana reserve. She has Exceptional battle aura mastery."
Of course she did. Otrera in the books and lore had completed more divine trials than anyone else in the books. Her feats were legendary. She was considered the next strongest to big sister Helena. I thought she was possibly gonna be the next demigod ranked in the series. Uncle Jasen did say she was one his two favorite characters.
Then Leonidas looked at me. "Now Adonis. Show us what you can do."
I nodded. "Yes, sir."
I took a step forward and breathed in slowly. I began to summon the mana from inside my body. The mana responded instantly. A translucent aura bloomed around me.
Helena's eyes sharpened with interest.
Otrera smiled slightly with intrigue
Pleistarchos looked… uninterested.
Seraphine crossed her arms. " Youngest. Is that all you are capable of?" she asked coolly, sounding unimpressed.
I clenched my jaw. Alright. now is the time. I said I wanted to make a good first impression, so I better go all out. I centered my mana inward, compressing it and letting it build. While summoning the mana from around me. The air began to shift and bend.
My teacher's voice echoed in my mind.
Remember this Adonis. If your ever in trouble and need a quick burst of power to get through any situation, then do this, but remember it will drain your all mana and stamina in one go, so don't miss. It's called. Mana burst.
A short build up of mana in your body. That's when Adonis's mana aura began to change. The clear translucence mana darkened, a blood red color seeped in. Then tinges of black hues appeared.
Blood-red mana flickered violently around me, pulsing like a living thing. I don't know or how this is happening, but I kept pushing. The air warped and temperature shifted. My blood felt like it was boiling in my veins. My muscles swelled subtly as veins rose along my neck and arms.
I felt the power build in my body, but it felt unstable. I didn't know if it was pride or anger, but I wasn't gonna let go of this feeling. I wanted this to be my message to the others. Your curse failed, and I'm coming for you."
The hall went silent. All the officer siblings were captivated. Even Pleistarchos was taken back slightly by what he was seeing. Leonidas stood there stoically and watched. But he was intrigued by what he was seeing and felt. Seraphine's eyes narrowed, not in disapproval, but intrigue by her youngest's display.
Then when I felt I hit the peak of my build up. I cut the flow of mana. The blackish blood red mana dissipated slowly, embers fading into nothing. I stood straight, sweat beginning to form on my face. my breathing became a little hard, as exhaustion crept up to me, but I kept myself standing straight.
Leonidas studied me closely. Then he spoke. "That… was interesting. You seem to be a rudimentary magic user. With a significant mana reserve."
Then he stood closer to me and looked down upon me and asked me a question. "Adonis. Since you are one of the few in our family who can touch mana. What do you intend to use this tool for?"
The moment I heard that question, I already knew the answer, I didn't hesitate to speak it. "I want too, no I will use this tool in pursuit of my own ambitions and dreams."
Across the room. Leonidas and Seraphine both smirked proudly.
Otrera grinned, with her sharp white canines flashing.
"Understood," Leonidas said. Seraphine then rose.
"High officers of House Blud," Leonidas commanded. "You are dismissed. Go be with your warriors. Eat, drink, and rest. We depart Mars Castle in two hours."
The siblings then did a Spartan salute. Standing at military attention, their right fist to chest, struck twice. Then they turned and left.
As Otrera walked past me, she glanced at me and waved.
As the the doors opened. Harmonia rushed in. The moment my parents passed me—My body gave out, and darkness swallowed me. Harmonia caught me instantly before I hit the ground.
Later.
The dining hall roared with quiet conversation and clinking goblets. Leonidas and Seraphine sat at the head table with their children, minus Otrera, who sat among her warriors, drinking and laughing.
As the others ate in silence. Leonidas and Seraphine spoke. "The youngest is bold."
Seraphine replied calmly, "Yes. He reminds me of you."
Leonidas stared into his wine, seeing his reflection, and golden-amber eyes staring back. "How do you feel about him not calling us father or mother?"
Seraphine chuckled dryly. "He said that to you husband. Not to me. But I knew he meant both." She scanned the hall. " And that is his right he is choosing. Some clan heads or house leaders are very involved in their children's upbringing. Some not so much to the point it's just absent parenting. Some have a good balance. There is no perfect method."
She took another bite.
"Since he respects our authority and follows the rules, that is all we need concern ourselves with, for the time being at least."
Leonidas glanced at his wife. "Is that the Matriarch speaking… or the youngest's mother?"
Seraphine paused mid bite and said indifferently. "It doesn't matter, because it's the truth." She continued, "After what we did to Helena and Andromeda… and what it did to the others… we chose this parenting style."
Leonidas sighed. "It would be nice if we can go a generation without siblings trying to kill one another. But that's a natural part of a war of succession."
Seraphine swirled her goblet of wine. " Remember how you tried to end it in our generation."
"I ended up doing more harm than good," Leonidas admitted.
"But you also obtained the power and title of demigod," Seraphine countered. "And secured House Blud as the ruling house and clan of the Greek pantheon on our side of the universe."
Leonidas exhaled. "For now." He leaned back. "If the Zeus, Poseidon, or Hades clans had a leader who reached the level of demigod… my reign ends. At worst I will be the fourth strongest in the Universe. But I can only be the strongest for so long. Then that war for succession will be true hell when I stop, then our clan, our house, and in the whole Greek galaxy. "
Seraphine held his hand. Then Leonidas's gaze sharpened. "But more importantly the youngest… he possibly has potential to touch the realm of the demigod"
Seraphine looked at him. "Like Helena and Andromeda?"
Leonidas shook his head. "No. He has no where near as much raw talent as those two." He paused. "But that blackish blood-red mana… it matched what the story said about the founder of house Blud. Cain Blud. The strongest of the new generation of scions of demigods ."
Seraphine's eyes turned cold, then she leaned closer. "Are you gonna push him like we did them."
Leonidas stood. "No. But I will speak to him in private" He turned toward the exit.
Otrera watched him leave, and began to smirk deviously.
Adonis's chamber.
Adonis laid in his bed, with Harmonia seated at his side. Then a knock sounded.
Harmonie rose, and answered the door promptly . When she opened the door, she bowed deeply after seeing the Patriarch. "Lord Leonidas."
Leonidas stepped inside, and saw Adonis in the bed. "How is the youngest?"
"He is sleeping," Harmonia said softly.
Leonidas nodded. "Wait outside. And guard the door."
"Yes, my lord." Harmonie said. She bowed and left the chamber promptly.
As the door closed. Leonidas stood at the foot of the bed, arms behind his back. "I know you are awake, son," he said calmly. "Stop pretending and get up. We need to talk."
I opened my eyes and sat up. "Yes, sir."
I rose to my feet, and moved towards the patriarch, then stood a few feet away at parade rest. My Lavender eyes met his golden amber.
The only notable sound in the room was the crackling fire from the hearth behind me.
The silence stretched.
And for the first time in both my lives. I stood face to face with my father, this time not knowing what to expect.