Festival

After preparing everything they needed, Nathan and the others began training to control their supernatural powers. Seraphina patiently guided them, though she sometimes had to hold back laughter at their confusion.

Johan, who possessed The Moon card, still struggled to understand the meaning behind his ability. Occasionally, he complained that his power was too abstract and difficult to use in combat. Rovan, with the Justice card, was getting used to his ability to read the truth in someone's intentions. Diana, the owner of The Lovers card, had yet to fully grasp how her power worked, but she felt something within her slowly awakening.

Nathan, who had The Fool card, began to feel energy flowing through his body. Seraphina explained that The Fool symbolized a new beginning, full of limitless possibilities. This meant that his power could develop in ways they couldn't even imagine yet. Even so, Nathan still felt that mastering this power was no easy task.

A week passed quickly. They had become much better at controlling their abilities, though they still needed more practice. However, there was no time to linger. The festival in the Rembrad Mountains was about to begin, and they had to get ready.

The night before their departure, they gathered in Seraphina's room to plan their disguises. Alistair looked at each of them and said, "We can't go there with our real identities. We need to disguise ourselves to avoid drawing attention."

They agreed with the idea and began preparing costumes. Alistair prepared masks covering their eyes, similar to glasses with dark lenses. Additionally, they wore hats adorned with bird feathers on the sides to blend in with the festival atmosphere. Seraphina, different from the others, still wore her signature black attire—a long black gown, a thin black veil slightly transparent, and a black cloth covering one of her eyes.

"Why aren't you wearing a disguise?" Johan asked curiously.

Seraphina gave a small smile. "I don't need one. Besides, who would suspect a blind fortune teller at a noble festival?"

Johan shrugged, unable to argue. Once everything was ready, they rested for the next day's journey.

The following morning, they set off for the Rembrad Mountains. The journey took quite a while, but the atmosphere around them was peaceful. The road to the mountains was filled with horse-drawn carriages and groups of people also heading to the festival. Nobles from various regions arrived in their luxurious attire, accompanied by servants and guards ensuring their safety.

Nathan and the others remained among the crowd, trying not to stand out. However, he still felt something was off. Since hearing about this festival, he had sensed something strange, as if there was an unspoken truth behind the news.

Alistair felt the same way. "We need to stay alert. I don't believe the nobles are hosting such a grand festival just to celebrate their new member."

They all nodded in agreement. This festival might be more than just a lavish party. Something was hidden beneath its splendor, and they had to uncover it.

Nathan and the others decided to split up to observe the situation more freely. Nathan paired with Diana, Rovan with Johan, while Alistair stayed with Seraphina. They dispersed throughout the festival, pretending to be regular visitors while occasionally conversing with others to avoid suspicion. The festival was lively, with various merchants selling regional delicacies and musical performances entertaining the guests.

As Nathan was talking to a middle-aged man, he suddenly froze when his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure—his younger self. His breath hitched, emotions swirling between shock and confusion. He never expected to see his childhood self at this festival. Momentarily forgetting his surroundings, he started moving toward young Nathan, but before he could reach him, a noble servant's voice echoed through the festival grounds.

"Attention! Attention! Our new noble has arrived!"

The once lively atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Everyone turned toward an elegant carriage slowly making its way down the festival's main road. Through a slightly open window, a young man's face was visible—handsome and exuding an aura of immense power. His attire was lavish, a dark suit adorned with golden embroidery. Women in the crowd whispered among themselves, some visibly captivated by his presence. However, unlike the others, Nathan only glanced briefly before refocusing on his original goal—his younger self.

Nathan quickened his pace and finally stood before his childhood version. Young Nathan looked wary, his expression a mix of confusion and fear. Understandable, as for him, the adult standing before him was a stranger who had been acting oddly.

"Don't be afraid," Nathan said softly, trying to calm both himself and his younger self. "I just want to talk for a moment."

Young Nathan still seemed hesitant but did not immediately run or scream, which Nathan took as a good sign. In a low voice, Nathan began explaining something crucial.

"I know this will sound strange, but listen carefully. Something dangerous is going to happen, and you must be careful."

Young Nathan furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

Nathan looked straight into his eyes. "Vampires. They're real. They're not just scary stories."

Hearing this, young Nathan's eyes widened. "That's a lie! Vampires aren't real!"

"But you've seen strange things in this city, haven't you? Things you can't explain?"

Young Nathan bit his lip. Of course, he had seen oddities, but admitting it felt difficult. Seeing his reaction, Nathan knew he was beginning to understand.

"I can't explain everything now, but I need you to do one thing. Protect your parents."

Young Nathan still looked confused and scared, but he eventually nodded slowly.

Nathan finally returned to Diana's side after leaving his younger self. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his thoughts after the encounter. Meanwhile, the festival grew livelier. At the center of the plaza, the newly introduced noble stood on a small stage, ready to give his speech.

The man exuded authority, with neatly styled black hair that slightly curled and piercing eyes that captivated those who met his gaze. His attire was entirely black, with golden embellishments on the collar and cuffs, marking his high status. He introduced himself with a commanding voice that echoed throughout the plaza.

"Greetings to you all. My name is Leopold von Amsberg, and I stand before you as the newly appointed noble to bring change to this region."

The crowd murmured, most in awe of him. Diana glanced at Nathan, who was still watching the man with suspicion.

"As a noble, I do not only wish to provide protection but also bestow blessings upon my people. I am not merely a leader—I am a divine envoy sent to bring light into your lives!"

Those words immediately made Nathan and the others tense. Seraphina, standing with Alistair elsewhere in the festival, slightly furrowed her brows.

"A divine envoy?" Alistair muttered skeptically.

Leopold raised both hands toward the sky, as if in prayer. At that moment, his body began emitting a golden light, dazzling everyone. Nathan squinted, trying to comprehend what was happening. The light then expanded, spreading like a wave, enveloping everyone in the plaza.

Nathan and his friends felt something different. Though the light washed over them, instead of warmth, they sensed something peculiar—something trying to enter their bodies but being blocked.

"What is this...?" Diana whispered, gripping Nathan's arm tightly.

People around them appeared overjoyed, smiling and cheering. Some even knelt, raising their hands toward Leopold in admiration.

"We are blessed!" one shouted.

"Long live Lord Leopold!" another exclaimed.

Leopold smiled in satisfaction and lowered his hands. The light slowly faded, but his aura remained strong.

Nathan glanced at Diana, Rovan, Johan, and Alistair. Their faces mirrored his own—confusion mixed with disbelief.

"Something's not right," Nathan muttered.

Seraphina, who had been observing from afar, let out a quiet sigh, her veiled eyes slightly tense.

"What is really happening here...?"

Nathan became more alert after witnessing the strange scene. The light that was claimed to be the noble's blessing felt different to him and his friends. There was no warmth or soothing sensation like what the others experienced. Instead, there was something odd and oppressive surrounding them.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, trying to use her ability to see through the noble's identity. However, the moment she attempted it, her head felt heavy, as if a thick curtain was blocking her vision. She frowned, feeling an unusual discomfort. "Something is wrong... I can't see him," she said in a quiet yet warning tone.

Nathan, who had been suspicious from the beginning, was now even more convinced that the noble was hiding something. He quickly turned to Diana. "We need to go back and see young Nathan. I have to make sure he's okay and warn him," he said firmly.

Diana nodded without asking questions. The two of them moved swiftly, leaving the festival crowd and slipping through the visitors. Behind them, Rovan, Johan, Alistair, and Seraphina remained on guard, searching for other clues that might uncover the truth behind this strange event.

When Nathan and Diana finally found young Nathan, the child looked confused. He didn't seem to fully understand what was happening, but his gaze showed that he also sensed something was wrong. "Uncle? Why did you come back?" he asked in a small voice, slightly wary after his previous experience.

Nathan crouched to be at eye level with his younger self, placing his hands on the child's shoulders. "Listen, you need to be more careful. I don't know exactly what's going on, but there's something suspicious about that noble. Don't trust people you just met too easily, understand?" he said seriously.

Young Nathan bit his lip, looking hesitant. "But... everyone seems happy with the blessing..."

Diana crouched beside Nathan. "That's the problem. They're too quick to trust. We just want to make sure you and your family stay safe."

Young Nathan slowly nodded. "Okay... I'll be more careful."

Nathan gave a small smile. "Good. Don't hesitate to leave if you feel something is off."

Suddenly, the cheerful shouts from the festival echoed again. Nathan and Diana exchanged glances. They knew they didn't have much time. "We have to go back. You too—stay with your parents and don't wander away from the crowd," Nathan said before he and Diana hurried back to the festival.

When they arrived, they found Alistair, Seraphina, Johan, and Rovan already gathered, their faces serious. "We have a big problem," Alistair said quietly. "That noble hasn't just gained the people's trust, but also... something far more dangerous."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "I can feel an immense energy around him. This isn't just an ordinary blessing... It's something much darker than we imagined."