Chapter 28 - Surprise
The sun had started to set as it was getting evening, and Hati's group arrived at the courtyard of a house no smaller than his own. The home was located in the forested part of the Fenrir compound and was thus surrounded by trees.
This was apparently the house of the current leader of the Bönd clan, Mia Bönd. Unlike the Fenrir clan, where the leader was the most powerful man or woman below the elders, the Bönd clan elected its leader among the members of their clan that had reached the fifth revolution.
This person would then rule until death or incompetence, leading to being deposed. The other fifth-revolution Einherjar would then become honorary elders of the Bönd clan with no real power, like Lisa.
This may make it seem like the Bönd clan has its power structure much more consolidated than the Fenrir clan, but the truth is that, although there is no one above the Bönd clan's leader within the Bönd clan itself, the Fenrir clan council of elders still rules supreme.
After all, the Bönd clan was still subordinate to the Fenrir clan, and the Fenrir clan elders had the same rights in the Bönd clan as the Fenrir clan. They could veto any decision the Bönd clan leader made and even replace them whenever they wanted.
The house looked very similar to the home Hati had spent all his time in, except greener. This was the first time he could examine such a house from a little distance, as he had been quickly whisked away for the tour when he left his home for the first time earlier today.
It was mostly made of wood and designed in a way so as to resemble a pyramid, except with a rectangular base instead of a square. It had several floors, each smaller than the last until it ended in a pointy tower.
The closest resemblance Hati could think of was that of a Scandinavian stave church, except modified for residential use. So far, it still resembled Hati's home, but the difference was that this house was largely covered in greenery.
Vines elegantly climbed along the walls, and even the wood used for the house's construction was sprouting greens here and there. It was about what you would expect from the home of a nature fairy.
The courtyard was filled with about a hundred people, all of them younger-generation Fenrir clan members, ranging from age ten to twenty, and their escorts.
This event was the official introduction of the fairies that were currently, or would be by next year, between the ages of fifteen and twenty and would thus become spirit companions to the most promising Fenrir clan youths after next year's contest.
Most of the youths here had already met the fairies in question at some point. This event was just for official purposes and to ensure all the Fenrir clan youths knew who they were.
Hati felt a little apprehensive about entering such a crowd, as he had never liked such situations. He didn't know if he was naturally an introvert, but his previous life had undoubtedly turned him into one.
After all, at the beginning of his life on Earth, he had so little control over himself that entering into a crowd was pretty much guaranteed to lead to disaster.
Then, after he and Luna became mercenaries, any group of people could hide a hundred hidden blades. Making them obvious places to avoid.
Regardless, his pride quickly squashed his apprehension as the people he was with were powerful and would never let anything happen to him.
Speaking of the people he was with, they drew the eyes of everyone in the courtyard. After all, even if no one had seen Sif in a long time, she was still beautiful and powerful, giving off fourth-revolution undulations.
Meanwhile, Fenrir clan elders rarely appeared in public, even during events like this, but Erik's fifth-revolution undulations were hard to miss, and since he did not give off the aura of a nature spirit, he had to be an elder from the Fenrir clan.
Last but not least, everyone recognised the Fenrir clan patriarch. Still, although everyone felt apprehensive about the powerful and influential group that had just arrived, the patriarch's presence was at least expected.
Since this event affected the future of the Fenrir clan younglings and was also hosted in the courtyard of the Bönd clan matriarch, he naturally had to attend.
While Astrid was going mostly ignored, Hati naturally drew plenty of eyes, along with his family; after all, they were wondering who this boy was that he got such an escort.
All the other youths in the courtyard were escorted by third-revolution Einherjar at most, and even those were rare. After all, even though there are plenty of fourth-revolution Einherjar and higher among the Fenrir and Bönd clans, they still weren't common cabbages and who would try to harm the youths inside the Fenrir compound?
"Hey, do you know who the boy is? And why do I feel like he is unawakened?"
"I have no idea, but since he's unawakened, there's no need to pay attention to him."
"Idiot! He's being escorted by the patriarch, an elder, and whoever that beautiful woman is. He's not some kind of servant, either.
Don't you see that maid behind him? Clearly, she's there to take care of the boy. I'm telling you, whoever that boy is, he's not some random unawakened."
While most people gathered there had no idea who he was, some did—mainly those with close ties to the Fenrir clan elders.
"I think I know who that is, young master Garth."
"Oh? What do you know, Uncle Ingmar?"
Garth Fenrir was the grandson of Heraldo Fenrir, an elder who advocated for simply executing or banishing Sif and Hati.
He was 19 years old and already close to starting his first revolution. He still needed at least two years, but most people didn't manage to get this far before they were at least 25, proving his talent. He was one of the favourites for receiving a spirit companion next year.
Responding to his nephew, Ingmar said, "I believe I've heard father talk about this boy. His name should be Hati, and he is the son of Sif Fenrir.
You may not have heard of her, but she is actually the patriarch's sister who disappeared before you were born, making that boy the nephew of the patriarch.
He has been on house arrest together with his mother because Sif is unwilling to talk about where she has been or who the boy's father is. Only recently did the elders decide to let him leave the house, since it appears he cannot become an Einherjar due to a rare condition."
Garth snorted in response, "Hmpf, so he's trash, no matter who his family is. Strength is the only thing that matters in this world, and since he has none, he doesn't matter."
His eyes then took on a fanatical shine as he said with a strange smile, "Let's ignore him and wait for the fairy goddess to arrive."
Ingmar frowned and said, "Remember what your father said. You idealise that woman too much. Remember, the fairies are here to serve us, not the other way around."
Garth managed to roll his eyes without losing any of the fanatical shine in them and said, "Yeah, yeah. I just can't help it. She is so perfect!"
Ingmar rested his face in the palm of his hand as he sighed and lamented the fate of his nephew, who had been turned into a simp by a beautiful and dominant woman.
Unfortunately, they couldn't punish this fairy for turning someone into an obedient simp just by existing. If Garth and this fairy actually became spirit companions in the future, they might have to take some measures to ensure the fairy remembers who's in charge.
Meanwhile, Hati's group was approached by a beautiful, mature woman with green hair. She was Mia Bönd, the Bönd clan's matriarch. She slightly bowed before Erik and welcomed him,
"This matriarch greets elder Erik. I did not anticipate your arrival, but you are always welcome." Although Erik and Mia were both fifth-revolution Einherjar, Erik was still a Fenrir clan elder and, thus, held a position higher than hers.
She then shook Leif's and Sif's hands, welcoming them to the event as well. "We see each other regularly, Leif, but it's a pleasure to see you again and welcome you into my home.
As for you, Sif, I hardly knew you before you left the clan, but I have heard only good things from Lisa, so please, be welcome aswell." She then looked at Hati, who was looking at his surroundings with curiosity while paying little attention to the people.
"And this must be Hati. It's a pleasure to meet you, too. It's a shame you won't be able to participate next year because of your elemental dissonance. However, you are still welcome to participate in the event and meet the future spirit companions."
Hati nodded at her, "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Mia. I must thank you for your words, but I also ask you not to count me out yet." Technically, he could still overcome his problem without his father's help before the contest and compensate for lost time with resources.
It was just unlikely to happen. Still, he wasn't even sure if he wanted a fairy as a spirit companion. After all, there were plenty of secrets hidden in his soul.
Suddenly, a horn sounded, and Mia commented, "Ah! It's time for the introduction." The house's front door opened, and out walked three young people, two women and one man.
The women looked beautiful, and the man looked handsome, which were common traits among nature spirits. But one of the two women was so breathtaking as to take away all the focus from the other two.
Everyone was mesmerised by her looks, but one man was staring at her for a whole different reason.
"Luna?!"