One day, one month, one year, then two passed, and Elwyn reached the age of ten.

  Ten years marks the end of the second third of his childhood, before he becomes fully an adult, according to human custom. It is from this age that a child’s future begins to be determined.

  What kind of work will he do as an adult?

  Will he go study at an academy? And if so, what kind of studies will he pursue?

  Will he train directly under a master craftsman? And if so, in which trade will he specialize?

  Will he become an adventurer? A soldier? A court magician?

  Does he already have an idea of whom he might marry?

  …All these questions will start to arise at that time, though not necessarily all at once.

  However, for Elwyn there are a few little matters to settle within himself before anyone even begins to ask about his future. And to address this, Deity Ogme took the opportunity to have a serious discussion with him the day after his birthday celebration.

  The Deity and the young boy sat together around the kitchen table, exchanging silent looks.

  The room was under the influence of the Deity’s aura, making it perfectly soundproof.

  — Elwyn, you have now reached the age of ten. Do you know what that means?

  — Yes, I must begin to think about my future.

  The Deity nodded in agreement.

  — That is indeed so. However, you find yourself in quite a peculiar situation.

  At these words, the young boy’s expression hardened slightly.

  — What do you mean?

  — What I mean is that you are not yet whole enough to be able to make any decision about your own future.

  Elwyn’s gaze shifted, now filled with questioning.

  — What are you implying? Does this have something to do with my ‘Heart’?

  The Deity sighed softly and rose from his chair to sit next to the young boy.

  — Elwyn, I must confess something to you. The day your mother entrusted you to me, I sealed away a certain part of your memory with my powers.

  This revetion left Elwyn astonished, though he still awaited further expnation.

  — Elwyn, before I restore your lost memory, I must first apologize for having had to do that to you.

  — Alright, but… for what reason? Why did you do it?

  — To protect you, and to protect everyone around you.

  — From what? the young boy pressed insistently.

  The Deity did not answer immediately but instead drew closer and gently pced his right hand on the boy’s head.

  Elwyn allowed it, and suddenly a jolt of electrifying energy surged through his entire skull, leaving him nauseous and with an especially acute headache for a brief moment.

  Once he recovered, Elwyn’s expression had changed. It had become like that of the Deity before him, empty of expression, devoid of humanity. And for long minutes, the young nephilim seemed elsewhere, as if disconnected from the world and unresponsive.

  — Elwyn? Are you alright?

  The young nephilim blinked rapidly, a sign that he had returned to himself, and then fixed his gaze on the Deity.

  — I… see… I am… now… complete, Deity Ogme of the Domain of Knowledge and Understanding.

  Ogme sighed.

  — Indeed, you are. But you, Elwyn, belong to the Domain of Life.

  The young nephilim sighed again.

  — And tell me, for what precise reason did you do that to me, Deity Ogme?

  — Because of your power. You are the only one, along with your mother Akeso, the Deity of Life, capable of healing all forms of life from any mady. The other Entities in your Domain are very few compared to those in other Domains, yet they surpass all the healers of Ilnolia. However, they cannot match the gift bestowed upon the Deity of Life, and now, that gift, that power, resides solely in you, because the Deity of Life disappeared shortly after she entrusted you to me.

  At this revetion, Elwyn showed no sign of reaction. He simply listened intently to what Ogme was saying, without even flinching.

  — I see… And what about my father? Is he dead? he asked calmly.

  The Deity nodded in agreement.

  The young nephilim sighed.

  — Elwyn, I am sorry, said the Deity, his tone edging toward compassion.

  — Sorry for what? You are not responsible for what happened to them, are you? One only apologizes when one has something to atone for, replied the young nephilim simply.

  Ogme settled more comfortably on his chair and grew pensive. He was contempting just how fitting that remark was, a reflection worthy of an Entity. Elwyn, now fully complete, standing before him, had little left of his human side except his appearance. The young nephilim had become the very definition of an Entity.

  He had become a cold, discerning, and pragmatic being.

  — Deity Ogme? Elwyn inquired.

  The Deity then resumed his composure.

  — You are right. I had nothing to do with what happened to them; it was simply done for the greater good.

  The young nephilim then sat back down on his chair.

  — In that case, I thank you for your concern over my fate. And I ask you now: what happened to my mother? Who killed my father? And finally, what does my future hold?

  Ogme then raised his eyes to the ceiling for several long seconds before retrieving from one of his pouches a small piece of cloth that appeared to conceal a little round object.

  The Deity unwrapped the object carefully and pced it delicately on the table between himself and Elwyn.

  The object was a gold neckce, with a round pendant about the size of a walnut, depicting a tree of life with leaves finely carved in emerald.

  The young nephilim’s gaze was lost in this magnificent jewel, whose design clearly reminded him of Ophélia’s, but this pendant was made entirely of silver.

  — Elwyn, I think that for the rest of our discussion, we should call upon Ophélia and Volden.

  The young nephilim did not respond, his attention entirely fixed on the jewel.

  — Elwyn?

  — Yes. Well, provided that their presence does not prevent you from telling me everything, finally replied the young nephilim after managing to divert his gaze from the jewel back to the Deity.

  The Deity then rose from his chair and went to fetch the two adoptive parents, who were in the living room.

  Once everyone was gathered in the kitchen, while Le?na was occupied with her writing lesson with Uvina, the real discussion could finally begin.

  Ophélia and Volden sat side by side at the table, facing Elwyn and Ogme, respectively.

  It was Deity Ogme who initiated the discussion, while Ophélia tried to understand why Elwyn’s face had, in a way, gone bnk.

  — Ophélia, Volden, I have called you here so that we may discuss what I was unable to say on the day of my first visit.

  Volden was, as usual, tense in front of the Deity, while Ophélia kept her eyes fixed on Elwyn, who continued to gaze at the gold neckce on the table.

  — The day Akeso entrusted Elwyn to me, she had earlier sent me a letter via an ethereal messenger to quickly expin her situation and to designate a meeting pce.

  Ogme produced from one of his pouches a letter and pced it on the table.

  Ogme,

  I am sincerely sorry to disturb you at work, but I need your help, my friend, my brother.

  It appears that I am being sought by one of our own.

  I would like for us to meet in ten days at the entrance of Balimar so that I may confide something important to you.

  Akeso

  Once everyone had read the letter, the Deity continued his expnation.

  — Once there, she entrusted me with her son and her gold neckce, while her father entrusted me with his writing tools, in case anything happened to them.

  — Of course, something did happen, added Elwyn.

  — Unfortunately, indeed. Tristian died in battle and Akeso disappeared at the same time.

  Volden then interjected.

  — Disappeared? How can a Deity just vanish?

  Ogme sighed.

  — It’s very simple: no one in Ilnolia has heard from her since, and no Entity of Life has become a Deity to repce her. So ‘disappeared’ means she still exists somewhere, but no one has seen her since.

  — I see… Volden sighed, dismayed by the news.

  A heavy silence settled for several long seconds, and then Elwyn, in the utmost calm, spoke.

  — Deity Ogme, that still does not answer my question about who is responsible. We only know that it was a Deity, but we have neither her name, nor her Domain, nor even the reason for her actions, he said, looking directly into the Deity’s eyes.

  At these blunt words, Ophélia turned pale, and her blood seemed to freeze instantly.

  The coldness with which Elwyn spoke and reacted to the entire discussion was inhuman, evoking sadness in the young woman.

  — Elwyn, I see what you are trying to do, and I will say nothing. You are not yet capable of standing before a Deity, replied Ogme calmly.

  — I know, but I believe I have the right to know what happened and why, replied Elwyn equally calmly.

  — In that case, I can only tell you that I still do not know the reason for her actions and that you will have to wait a little longer for her name.

  — I see… just a little longer…

  In those final words there was no trace of impatience, nor anger or frustration.

  There was only acceptance.

  It was as if he already knew something that would allow him to endure, and Ogme had understood that, he even knew what it was about.

  Throughout this exchange, Volden kept gncing from one speaker to another, feeling as if a knot had formed in his stomach, while Ophélia trembled with fear over the words spoken and the manner in which they were exchanged in this surreal discussion.

  This mix of negative emotions then created a heavy and oppressive silence in the room.

  It was only by reflex, in response to the negative atmosphere, that Elwyn’s gaze finally turned toward his adoptive parents, whose eyes he had avoided since they entered the room.

  Seeing the great discomfort on their faces, Elwyn tried to dissipate it as best he could, speaking as reassuringly as possible.

  — Do not worry. I will not attempt anything foolish until I am sure of myself and my abilities. I just need to understand why my life has been so turned upside down and plunged into an absolute secret.

  The pallid face of Ophélia then shed a tear, then another, and finally the young woman broke down in sobs.

  That time, it was too much for her.

  Even though everything that had been said so far was true, there was no emotion in it. Since regaining his memory, Elwyn had become an empty shell. He felt no consideration for the parents he had lost. Nor had he shown any regard in his words about killing a Deity, which is simply impossible for him and would only lead to his downfall.

  And worse yet, he could no longer truly express any emotion on his face or in his eyes, despite his desire to do well.

  Volden then took his companion in his arms and tried to comfort her by gently stroking her ashen hair.

  — Mother-Ophélia…

  The young nephilim then wondered what he had done wrong and what he could do to make it right.

  At that moment, Deity Ogme pced his right hand on Elwyn’s shoulder and made it clear that it was best for him to remain silent for the time being.

  The young nephilim obeyed and waited until Ophélia regained her composure, at least until he remembered something from his sealed memory.

  Among all his sealed memories were those of his Entity powers and his Domain of Life. And among these, he attempted to use his aura, a power that can be employed in such situations.

  Elwyn then concentrated and shifted his internal ether flow to his heart, releasing gentle discharges synchronized with each heartbeat around him.

  With every slow, very regur beat, a soft wave of soothing warmth and reassurance spread around the young nephilim, a sensation of being held in the arms of a loved one.

  With each beat, Ophélia rexed a little more and gradually calmed down.

  With every beat, a certain drowsiness began to settle over both Volden and Ophélia.

  With every beat, Elwyn recalled the feeling of having been cradled in his real mother’s arms.

  With every beat, Ogme saw his sister Akeso superimpose herself upon Elwyn.

  After a minute of this treatment, Elwyn ceased his aura before Volden and Ophélia eventually fell completely asleep and he exhausted all his energy.

  In the next moment, Volden chased away the remaining traces of fatigue, and Ophélia did the same, though she rested her head against her husband’s shoulder.

  Deity Ogme then spoke.

  — I see that the situation has completely gotten out of hand, and I apologize for that. I would also like to add that Elwyn’s mind has not yet recovered from its unsealing, so it is natural that his behavior is very… different at the moment.

  At these words, Volden continued to stroke Ophélia’s hair, and she sighed softly at this somewhat reassuring statement.

  — Anyway, I think it’s best for everyone if we change the subject and move on to the question regarding Elwyn’s future, added the Deity.

  Volden nodded.

  — I think so too.

  Ophélia and Elwyn then followed suit.

  — Perfect. In that case, Elwyn, I propose that you join my academy next year, for the next four years.

  — You want me to join you at Agnos?

  — Indeed. That will allow you to meet people from all walks of life and from different species. Not to mention, you will have access to the Great Library, as well as the most competent teachers on the continent. You can also continue to improve your vocabury and grammar, learn biology, physics, mathematics, hone your combat skills, not to mention your Entity abilities, and much more.

  Although all these expnations were very enticing to Elwyn, he did not immediately reply. Instead, he turned toward Ophélia, who had once been a student at that academy, and awaited her reaction.

  The young woman then turned to Ogme, who did nothing to urge her to influence Elwyn’s choice.

  She then decided to turn to her husband, who did not seem inclined to take a stance, or rather, did not oppose the idea.

  Ophélia then found herself alone in this difficult situation, for things had become quite complicated during this discussion.

  The fact that the Deity of Life had disappeared almost ten years ago and that its unique power now resided in Elwyn made it difficult to take a clear position.

  But she had known from the beginning that caring for a half-Entity would be challenging and that, at some point, he must be allowed to leave and spread his wings. They must experience their power and their Domain in the world, as well as understand their role in it all. And above all, they must also experience the various hidden emotions within them.

  Thinking of all this, the young woman subconsciously rested her hand against her belly and recalled the day of her childbirth.

  She remembered the gentle warmth that had washed over her when she was at her lowest.

  From those two caring and reassuring little hands

  From those two magnificent, bright, silver eyes, like stars filled with hope and serenity watching over the dark night.

  Remembering this, she also recalled her work as a healer, and her gaze then turned to that magnificent and unique gold pendant studded with finely carved emeralds.

  The unique pendant of the Deity of Life.

  The pendant of the fifth rank.

  The pendant unattainable for mere mortals.

  In that moment, the young woman understood that she could not keep it for herself.

  She then turned her gaze toward Elwyn, who was still waiting for an answer.

  Ophélia took a deep breath to summon some courage.

  — Elwyn, I think that… going to the Academy of Agnos is a very good thing for you. Perhaps you will see a dragon or even someone connected to one, or maybe even other half-Entities. In any case, one thing is certain: you will meet a sylph.

  At these sincere words from her, the young woman noticed that the young nephilim’s eyes began to sparkle with excitement.

  At those heartfelt words, she understood that she had made the right choice.