Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Zephya Lightborn
Vahn began running up the stairs like a bull. The pressure that had overwhelmed him just moments ago eased by a lot.
He didn’t notice it yet, but his spirit energy was steadily increasing. It was as though he was turning the pressure into his own strength.
The crowd below gasped in shock. Never before had they seen anyone run across the stairs like this.
Within seconds, Vahn had already reached the forty-fifth step.
The red-haired youth suddenly felt a shift of wind behind him, but before he could turn, a figure flashed past.
His eyes widened. It was him: the Saintess’ servant.
’Impossible... how can this be?’
Before he could process his shock, an elbow slammed into his ribcage with a sickening kacha.
"Ahhh!"
The red-haired young man screamed as his body was sent flying. He rolled down the stairs and crashed heavily at the very first step, several bones broken in the process.
Saintess Seraphina stood just a short distance away. Her cold, unyielding gaze fell upon him, and he felt even more humiliated as he howled like a wounded beast.
Her eyes soon left him, locking instead onto Vahn’s figure as he climbed higher and higher beyond the fiftieth step.
"I knew you could do it, Vahn," she murmured softly. "You have always been our source of strength. So how could your potential ever be that low?"
Her lips curved faintly.
"You are bound to become a rising star."
Just then, a little girl about eight to ten years old with platinum-blonde hair walked toward her. Her small face lit up with relief and happiness.
"Master, you’re back! I was waiting for you in the cave so eagerly. But what are you doing here?" she asked with a pout.
Seraphina gazed at her and smiled. "Zephya, you actually climbed down the mountain? How rare..."
"Hmph, hmph... And I only did it for you! But who are you waiting for, Master? May I know who could hold such importance?"
Seraphina’s eyes drifted to the stairway, where Vahn had already crossed the seventieth step, though his pace had slowed.
Zephya’s little emerald-green eyes followed her gaze, and she frowned at the sight of the boy.
"Who is he? Oh, let me guess. He must be someone you’ve recommended to join the Holy Land, right?" she asked with a trace of unease.
Seraphina shook her head gently. "He is the destined one. The person I am married to."
"Whaaaaat!"
Zephya’s mouth dropped open so wide it looked like an egg could fit inside after hearing Seraphina’s sudden revelation.
Meanwhile, up ahead, Vahn finally stopped at the 75th step.
He looked tired, but a faint, hidden smile lingered beneath that facade. He had not stopped because of exhaustion, nor because he had reached his limit. In truth, he could have gone much further.
The pressure felt more like training to him, his body brimming with vitality and energy.
But for the sake of keeping his true talent concealed, he deliberately halted at the 75th step. He needed to appear as though he could not go beyond this point.
He knew countless eyes were watching. To fool them into thinking his potential was inferior, this was only the first step.
But when Vahn walked back down to the beginning, he saw a little girl with platinum hair standing beside Seraphina. For some reason, she looked greatly displeased.
"So... you’re him?" She squinted her adorable eyes at him. "I can’t believe such a disgrace of talent could be that person. Do you even want to know how many steps Master Seraphina crossed on her first try?"
After a dramatic pause, she declared,
"One thousand... something you could never hope to achieve." Her voice carried disdain, though Vahn found her tone oddly amusing.
Vahn was surprisd by the number, but also curious about the little girl.
"That’s impressive. But who are you, little girl?" he asked with a faint smile.
Zephya, though clearly displeased, placed her hand proudly on her chest and introduced herself,
"I am Zephya Lightborn, the one and only most favored disciple of Saintess Seraphina. Some call me the Child of Light
, others as the Little Dawn."As she announced her titles, radiant light flared from her body, nearly blinding his eyes.
From the look of things, she loved to praise herself a little too much and was far too obsessed with being Seraphina’s favorite.
Nevertheless, Vahn showed a gentleman’s smile.
"It’s nice to meet you, Zephya. My name is Vahn Ne—Woodinson." He nearly slipped out his true family name but corrected himself just in time.
Although, he was sure Seraphina already knew his original name.
Seraphina interrupted gently, her tone calm,
"Alright, there’s no need for further introductions, Vahn. I’ve already explained everything to her. Just think of Zephya as your little sister."
Her smile was warm.
But Zephya’s frown only deepened.
After that, Vahn was officially given the identity of an Outer Court disciple. A white robe and a special badge were handed to him.
With this badge, not only would he be allowed entry into the Outer Court, but he would also have access to the Sacred Peaks under the pretense of performing servant duties for the Saintess. At least, that was what everyone else would believe.
After leaving the administration hall, Seraphina and Vahn had to part ways. Before leaving, however, she told him to come to her if he ever needed anything.
Her words rang in his ears like a forbidden invitation. Whether she said it out of habit or care, he wasn’t sure.
Still, the thought of seeing her again stirred his excitement. It wasn’t just her beauty that moved him. Her very presence brought warmth and comfort to his heart.
Even as she walked away toward her peak, her grace and elegance continued to stir his soul.
But when he finally reached the Outer Court and saw his assigned residence, his mood plummeted. The row of houses looked more like a rundown village than the foundation of the Holy Land. The walls were cracked, the roofs patched with uneven tiles, and the paths were covered in weeds. His hut in particular was nothing more than a small stone chamber with a straw mat for a bed and a wooden bucket in the corner. There was no decoration, no comfort, nothing resembling the sacred majesty of the Holy Land he had imagined.
The difference in treatment struck him sharply. One moment, he stood beside a Saintess whose radiance lit up heaven and earth. The next, he was left in a shabby corner of the sect, forced to live among hundreds of disciples who all struggled for scraps of opportunity.
Vahn let out a small sigh and pushed open the creaking door.