The Start of Revelation II

Several hours had gone by, and Victoria had finally run a test on Xavier, just as Adam had requested.

Holding up the test results, Victoria walked into the medic room where Xavier and the others were gathered. "The results came in," she said, gripping the papers in one hand and holding up a small sample of Xavier's blood in the other. "And it turns out that Adam's theory was correct. You tested positive for the Superium Serum."

Adam's expression remained calm, yet beneath his composed exterior, excitement burned like wildfire. I knew it, he thought, his heart pounding in exhilaration. My research, my years of digging into the past—it wasn't for nothing. The moment I saw you, Xavier, I knew you were different.

On the other hand, the rest of the room was filled with puzzled faces, uncertain of the weight behind Victoria's words.

"I'm sorry, but what even is 'the Superium Serum'?" Anastasia asked, visibly perplexed. "And what does my master have to do with it? Why is this so important?"

Adjusting her glasses, Victoria stepped closer to Xavier as she began explaining. "To put it simply, a long time ago, multiple governments across the world collaborated on a project to create a serum known as the 'Superium Serum.' The goal was to turn ordinary humans into living weapons, capable of combating 'gifted' individuals. This initiative was later named Project Superior."

She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice lowering as the weight of her words sank in. "The way the Superium Serum works is terrifying. When injected, the molecules of the serum begin mutating the host's body, gathering at a single focal point—the ethereal core. The serum forcefully attempts to break into it, tearing through barriers that were never meant to be breached."

"We all know that every living being possesses an ethereal core—the container of the source of life, ethereal energy. 'Gifteds' are those who are naturally able to tap into this energy, while most humans and other races cannot. But the Superium Serum tries to mimic this process artificially, cracking open the core and allowing the individual to access their ethereal energy." She exhaled sharply, adjusting her glasses. "It grants immense physical power—enhancing strength, speed, and durability to a superhuman level.Though you still wouldn't be granted any form of supernatural power. But… it all comes at a terrible cost."

Her voice grew somber. "Death."

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

"From our research, we discovered that the serum was only injected into infants. The fatality rate was absolute for anyone older. Newborns were stolen from their families—including you, Xavier. And of those who were subjected to the serum… nearly all perished."

Xavier's breath hitched. Anastasia covered her mouth in shock, horror etched across her face. "T-They experimented on babies? Who—what kind of monsters would do this?!"

Alcmena scoffed in disgust, his golden eyes dark with contempt. Humans… Even after centuries, you never fail to disgust me. To subject your own kind to such horrors—you're no different from the ancient calamities that wiped out entire civilizations.

Victoria's gaze softened as she looked at Xavier, who sat frozen in disbelief. "Only a handful—less than eight—survived the serum. You are one of them."

Xavier's stomach twisted, his hands trembling. He had always felt like something was missing in him, but this? This was far worse than anything he could have imagined.

"But… you weren't as lucky as the others," Victoria added, her tone tinged with regret.

Xavier's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Victoria hesitated before answering. "While you survived the serum's mutation, your ethereal core did not. It was shattered in the process. You… should not even be alive. It's like having your heart ripped from your chest and somehow still breathing."

Xavier's pulse roared in his ears. So that's why… His mind raced. That's why I was born without an ethereal core, and why I'm so physically weak. Because of this stupid serum.

Victoria handed him another document—thicker than the test results, filled with files and records. "Adam told me about your agreement. That you wanted to learn about your past." She placed the folder in his hands. "Inside, you'll find everything we could uncover about your background—your origins, your parents… and more. Adam had already been investigating you long before you even met. With that head start, we managed to dig up even more."

Xavier stared down at the folder in his lap, his heart pounding against his ribs. His fingers trembled as he hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar weight settle in his chest. Hope? Fear? A mix of both?

"T-Thank you," he whispered, voice strained.

Victoria smiled warmly. "You deserve to know the truth."

From the side, Anastasia and Alcmena watched in silence. Anastasia's hands were clenched at her sides, her eyes filled with worry. Xavier had been through so much—too much—and yet, there was still more he had to uncover.

Swallowing hard, Xavier finally flipped open the file. His eyes darted across the words, absorbing the revelations written in ink. His past. His stolen infancy. His parents.

His vision blurred, his breath uneven. His world, once filled with unanswered questions, was now flooding with truths he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

—

Section: Parents - Mother

Name: Julia

Last Name: Beaumont

Nationality: French

Birthplace: Paris

Occupation: Florist

Relation: Daughter of the commoner family, Beaumont. Wife of Andrew Laurent. Birth Mother of Xavier Laurent.

Section: Parents - Father

Name: Andrew

Last Name: Laurent

Nationality: French

Birthplace: Annecy

Occupation: Coal Miner

Relation: Son of the commoner family, Laurent. Husband of Julia Beaumont. Birth Father of Xavier Laurent.

Reading through the documents, Xavier felt the weight of the words pressing against his chest. This was what he had been searching for—answers, the truth about his past, about his parents. And yet, now that he had it, his emotions twisted into an unreadable storm. A lump formed in his throat, and before he could stop them, silent tears slipped down his cheeks, dotting the pages like ink stains.

"Young Master..." Anastasia murmured, her usual cool demeanor shaken as she watched him struggle with his emotions.

Xavier sat there for several minutes, eyes tracing every letter, every word, as if engraving them into his soul. When he finally closed the file, he let out a deep, uneven sigh. Relief? No, it was something heavier. It was like a shackle had loosened, but the weight of it still lingered.

"Are you alright, Young Master?" Anastasia asked, her voice laced with concern.

Xavier wiped at his face hastily, as if ashamed of his tears. "Yeah... I'm fine. You don't need to worry."

Anastasia didn't look convinced, and neither did Alcmena, who spoke telepathically. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Xavier reassured, firmer this time. "And I mean it."

Silence settled for a moment before Xavier turned his gaze to Victoria. "Miss Victoria, may I ask who was behind the creation of this so-called 'Superium Serum'? I'd like to know."

Victoria and Adam exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them before she sighed and met Xavier's gaze with hesitance. "Xavier... The man behind it all—the one who orchestrated everything—is the person currently regarded as the 'Smartest Man to Ever Live.' He spearheaded the Industrial Revolution, introduced steam cars, steam ships, and phones. Politically and economically, he is one of the most influential figures in the world, standing alongside the Grand Monarchs of the Four Head Families of humanity. The man who holds this era in his palm—Percival Ashford."

She hesitated for a beat before finishing, "Otherwise known as Percival, the Grand Monarch of Sentience, Duke of Pride, Veil of Deception... or as you might know him—your uncle."

The room fell into suffocating silence. Xavier's breath hitched, his hands trembling. His pupils shrank, his body locked in place as though he had been struck by lightning. The color drained from his face, and for the first time in a long while, Xavier Laurent—the boy who had faced death countless times—felt true terror.

"No... No, no, no..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His chest heaved, heart hammering so violently it felt like it would burst. "That man... That man took everything from me. And now... you're telling me he had control over my life even before I met him?!"

His voice cracked, raw and filled with unrestrained despair. "I refuse! I won't accept this! I CAN'T!"

Anastasia reached out, trying to grab his arm. "Xavier, please—"

"DON'T!" he snapped, shoving her back, his breathing erratic. "Don't tell me to calm down! Don't tell me to accept this! How am I supposed to accept that the monster who ruined my life had his claws in me from the very start?!"

Victoria took a cautious step forward. "Your Highness, I—"

But Xavier was already moving. Without another word, he stormed out, his footsteps echoing in the corridor. The moment he vanished from sight, Anastasia's eyes widened in panic. "WAIT, XAVIER!"

She started after him, but Adam blocked her path. "Let him go. He needs time."

Anastasia slapped his hand away, fury flashing in her eyes. "Are you seriously telling me to abandon my Master when he needs me the most? Who the hell do you think you are? Know your place, Adam. If you ever stand in my way again, I won't be so forgiving."

Their eyes locked, tension crackling between them like a storm ready to break. Adam's gaze was unreadable, his aura coiling like a shadowed beast, while Anastasia's venomous presence flared in defiance.

Adam exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "Do what you want. I don't care."

"Good." Anastasia turned on her heel and ran after Xavier.

Perched on her shoulder, Alcmena's thoughts swirled with worry. Xavier... is this truly what you wished for? He closed his eyes, regret weighing heavily in his mind. Why didn't you listen? Why did we have to come here? I knew something like this would happen... I should have stopped you. I should have protected you.

His tiny claws dug into Anastasia's shoulder as they raced down the halls, his heart echoing a single, painful thought.

This is my fault...

—

Time passed, and Xavier found himself curled up on a worn wooden bench near a park fountain. The fading light of the evening star bathed his back in a soft glow, while the distant laughter of children filled the air—carefree, blissful, untouched by pain. Yet, Xavier remained still, his body trembling, his mind spiraling under the weight of revelation. Tears carved silent paths down his cheeks.

Why me? he thought bitterly. Why must I be the one to suffer this pain?

His fingers dug into his arms as his breathing grew ragged. I can't do this anymore.

I just... want to give up. I want to—

A sudden pressure against his lower back snapped him from his downward spiral. Something small. Something solid.

"Mister," a soft, delicate voice called out. "Do you want a candy?"

Xavier turned, sluggish and exhausted, and his teary eyes met something unexpected—no, something surreal. Kneeling before him was a girl around his age, stunningly beautiful in a way that seemed almost unnatural. She wore glasses that framed her ruby-red eyes, twin pools of fire and warmth. Her hair shimmered between shades of black and gold-blond, shifting under the twilight like woven sunlight. But what truly caught him off guard was the way her eyes reflected his pain—as if she understood it.

"Do you want one of my candies, mister?" she repeated, holding out a small treat.

Xavier hesitated. He didn't want this. He didn't want kindness. He wanted to wallow in his misery, undisturbed. So he ignored her, turning away as if she weren't there. But she was persistent.

"It's really good!" she chirped. "I promise it'll make you feel better."

Again, silence. Again, she waited. Then again, she asked.

Something inside Xavier snapped.

"I said I don't want your stupid candy!" he lashed out, his voice raw, venomous.

The girl recoiled, her eyes widening. Her lips trembled, and then—her face crumpled. Tears welled up like a child who had just been told the most heartbreaking truth in the world.

"Oh... okay..." she sniffled, lowering her head. "I'm sorry for bothering you, mister... I'll go now."

Guilt slammed into Xavier like a freight train. His stomach twisted painfully as he watched her retreating form. Damn it...

He shot up from the bench, reaching for her before she could leave. "Wait! I'm sorry."

She paused.

"I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It wasn't fair of me," he said, sincerity thick in his voice. "Please, forgive me."

She wiped her tears and turned back, offering a small, hesitant smile. "I understand. I saw you crying, and it hurt to see someone like that while everyone else was happy. So... I thought giving you a candy might help. It always helps me."

Xavier exhaled softly. She's just... a kind person.

"In that case," he said, forcing the smallest of smiles, "I'd be honored to have one."

The transformation in her expression was immediate. Her eyes lit up like the stars, radiating pure joy. She eagerly handed him a candy before settling beside him on the bench, her presence light and comforting.

"My name is Teslaine Nikola!" she introduced herself, grinning. "Nice to meet you!"

Xavier chuckled softly, her energy somewhat infectious. "Xavier Ivanovich. A pleasure."

Teslaine blinked. "Ivanovich? You mean the Ivanovich? As in Saint Gavriil Ivanovich?"

"Yes," Xavier confirmed, amused by her sudden enthusiasm.

Her jaw dropped. "No way! A real-life prince?! This is amazing!"

Xavier let out a quiet laugh. Her excitement... it's strangely comforting.

"So tell me, Prince Xavier," Teslaine continued playfully. "What's someone like you doing all alone in London? And—more importantly—why were you crying?"

His smile wavered. That one stings.

But instead of avoiding it, he answered, "I came here to find out who I am. What I am."

Teslaine tilted her head. "Who you are?"

He nodded. "It's... complicated."

She hummed in thought. "Well, if you ask me, I wouldn't mind helping you figure it out!" Her voice softened. "I'm looking for my own worth in this world, too."

Xavier turned to her, intrigued. "Why's that?"

Teslaine sighed. "I want to prove myself to someone I admire. He's smart, kind, helps people, and dreams big."

"Sounds like an incredible person. Who is he?"

She beamed. "My father!"

Xavier's eyes widened. "Your father?"

"Yes! I look up to him so much, and I want to be just like him one day. That's why I've been working so hard—to prove myself, to him and to myself."

Xavier exhaled softly, lowering his gaze. Your father, huh...? He thought of Jonathan. The man who had raised him. The man who had loved him like a son, despite their lack of blood ties. I know that feeling all too well.

He turned back to Teslaine. "Well, if you ask me, you already match part of your father's description. You're kind, and you help people in need. All that's left is the rest."

Teslaine's eyes widened slightly before a deep pink hue dusted her cheeks. For a moment, she simply stared at him, her ruby eyes locked onto his cosmic blue ones, as if seeing something mesmerizing.

Xavier noticed the shift. "Teslaine?"

She flinched, quickly fixing her posture and pushing back a loose strand of hair. "Nothing! I'm fine! Nothing to worry about!" she said quickly, a bright, flustered grin plastered on her face.

Xavier watched her for a moment, a strange sense of familiarity washing over him. It wasn't just her smile—it was her entire presence. As if they had met before, in another time, another place. He couldn't explain it, but something about her felt right.

Tilting her head with a playful blush, Teslaine suddenly asked, "Xavier, do you want to be friends?"

He blinked. "Friends?"

She nodded eagerly. "I think we'd make great friends!"

A small chuckle escaped him. He popped the candy into his mouth, savoring the sweetness before saying, "I'd be honored to be your friend, Teslaine."

Teslaine's grin stretched wider, her beauty radiant as she clasped her hands together. "I'm happy to hear that!"