The corridors of Thornhold Castle felt colder than usual as Aelric Vael Thorn walked between the two silent retainers. The massive mana surge and the complete absence of any Class had now been declared publicly in the grand hall. The Duke had spoken the words of disowning. The anomaly had been revealed for all to see. Yet the full weight of what that meant was only beginning to spread through the castle like ripples across a still pond.
Aelric kept his steps even and his face calm. The faint hum of mana that remained in his veins pulsed steadily, almost reassuring in its quiet persistence. He had already accepted the judgment in his heart. The system that defined worth by Class had cast him out. Now the nobles and attendants would react in their own ways, some with confusion, many with disdain.
Behind him in the grand hall the voices had not quieted. Even with the heavy doors closed the sound carried faintly down the stone passageways.
Lord Harlan's booming tone echoed first. "Confusion does not begin to describe it. The boy flooded the Altar with mana brighter than any awakening in living memory. How can the gods grant nothing in return? Is this a test of the house or a flaw in the sacred crystal itself?"
Another uncle, Lord Merrick, replied with clear disdain dripping from every word. "Flaw in the crystal? Nonsense. The Altar has stood infallible for centuries. The flaw is in the boy. Massive mana with no Class means he is broken. House Thorn cannot afford to carry dead weight. The Duke is right to cut him loose before the news reaches the capital."
A group of retainers clustered near the side entrance nodded in agreement. One of them, a mid level steward named Garrick, spoke loud enough for Aelric to hear as he passed. "Disdain is the only proper response. We trained our own sons to awaken proper Classes. Warriors, Mages, Stewards. And this one, the Duke's own blood, produces nothing but a light show and silence. Better he disappears to Eldridge Reach than stain the family name here."
Aelric did not turn his head. He continued walking, but inside another layer of understanding settled. These people who had served the house for years now looked at him as something contaminated. Their confusion came from fear that the same fate could touch their own children. Their disdain came from the comfort of knowing they still belonged while he did not.
Lady Elowen had left the hall shortly after the Duke's declaration. She caught up to the small procession in the eastern corridor, her emerald gown rustling urgently. One of the retainers stepped aside respectfully but did not stop the escort.
"Aelric, wait a moment," she said, her voice soft yet strained.
The retainers paused at her command. Aelric turned to face his mother. Her eyes were red rimmed though no tears fell. She reached out and touched his shoulder with a gentleness he had rarely felt in public.
"I tried to change his mind," she whispered. "The mana you showed was real. I felt it even from my seat. Massive power with no direction. The Duke sees only the lack of Class. I see a child who has always watched and learned more than anyone gave him credit for."
Aelric met her gaze steadily. "I understand, Mother. The decision is made. Eldridge Reach will be my home now."
Lady Elowen glanced at the retainers, then lowered her voice further. "I cannot stop the exile, but I will ensure you have more than the bare minimum they plan to give. A warmer cloak, extra rations, a few coins hidden in your things. It is not much, but it is what I can do without defying your father openly."
One of the retainers shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. Disdain for the boy did not extend to openly contradicting the Duchess.
Kaelric appeared at the end of the corridor, striding forward with purposeful steps. His ceremonial sword bounced at his hip. "Mother, still hovering over the discarded child? The entire hall is buzzing with confusion. Some fools actually suggest the Altar might be faulty. Others rightly show disdain and call for the boy to be gone before sunset."
He stopped a few paces away and looked Aelric up and down with open contempt. "Massive mana, they keep saying. Yet no Class. You are a walking contradiction, little brother. Or should I say former brother. Enjoy the rocks and thin soil of Eldridge Reach. Maybe the mana storms there will finally put that useless power to rest."
Seraphine followed a few steps behind Kaelric, her lavender gown graceful even in haste. She studied Aelric with the same analytical curiosity she had shown in the hall. "The confusion is understandable. The Altar has never failed to grant a Class to noble blood. The disdain comes from fear. If one Thorn can produce massive mana with no outcome, what does that say about the reliability of the entire system?"
She tilted her head slightly. "I sensed the overflow. It did not behave like normal mana. It felt almost aware. You should remember that in the wilds, Kaelric. It may serve you better than any Class would have."
Kaelric snorted. "Aware? You coddle him with mysticism now, sister? The Duke has decided. Disown and discard. That is the only logical response. The nobles are already whispering that keeping him would weaken alliances. House Caldon would laugh at us."
More attendants had gathered in the corridor by now. Maids and lesser servants watched from doorways. A senior scribe stood nearby, still scribbling notes for the official record. Their faces showed a mixture of confusion and clear disdain.
One maid whispered to another, "He looked so ordinary. Then the crystal lit up like the sun. And then nothing. How can the gods be so cruel?"
The other replied with a sniff of disdain, "Cruel or just. Either way, the Duke is wise to send him away. We do not need anomalies living among us."
Aelric listened to every word without reaction on his face. Inside, the epiphany that had begun during the test deepened. These people defined their entire lives by the Classes the Altar granted. Their confusion came from a world suddenly uncertain. Their disdain came from the need to distance themselves from anything that challenged that certainty. He no longer belonged to their world, and that realization brought a strange freedom rather than pain.
Duke Vael Thorn appeared at the far end of the corridor, flanked by two advisors. His presence silenced the whispers instantly. He approached with measured steps and stopped before Aelric.
"The decision is final," the Duke said, his voice carrying the weight of law. "You revealed massive mana but received no Class. House Thorn cannot tolerate such an anomaly in its core. You will depart at first light tomorrow for Eldridge Reach. The territory is neglected and harsh. You will be given minimal supplies, a basic cart, and two guards to deliver you. No more."
Lady Elowen opened her mouth to speak, but the Duke raised a hand.
"Enough, Elowen. The house must present strength. The nobles already show confusion and disdain. Some question the Altar. Others question our blood. Sending the boy away cleanly ends the matter."
Kaelric grinned. "Cleanly and finally."
Seraphine remained silent, but her eyes lingered on Aelric with quiet interest.
Aelric bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment, the reserved gesture he had used all his life. "I will not cause further embarrassment."
The Duke studied him for a long moment, as if searching for any sign of rebellion. Finding none, he nodded once. "See that you do not. The retainers will prepare your departure. The rest of the household will continue as if this day never happened."
As the Duke turned and walked away, the corridor slowly emptied. Servants returned to their duties. Retainers dispersed. Only Lady Elowen remained a moment longer, pressing a small silk pouch into Aelric's hand.
"Take this," she whispered. "And remember you are still my son, no matter what the Altar said."
Then she too withdrew, leaving Aelric with the two escorts.
The retainers led him toward the modest chambers that had been his. Along the way more whispers followed.
"Confusion in the kitchens already. Some say the mana surge means he is cursed."
"Disdain from the stables. They refuse to prepare any fine horse for him. Only the old cart."
Aelric entered his room and looked around at the few belongings he would be allowed to take. A plain trunk stood ready. The faint hum of mana in his veins continued its steady rhythm.
He sat on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes briefly. The rejection was complete. The nobles had shown their confusion and disdain. The Duke had confirmed the disowning and the discard.
Tomorrow the journey to Eldridge Reach would begin.
A quiet resolve filled the ten year old boy. The massive mana and the empty Altar had stripped him of everything the world valued.
Now nothing stood in the way of becoming something new.