Void Graveyard Ceremony

'It was thanks to the purple-eyed white cow's milk that I didn't need to feed on my mother's.'

Similar to every ordinary human under the indiscriminating flow of time, it had already been three years since Zil van Avernus was reincarnated into this world, which, after putting the puzzles he had heard or seen so far throughout his helpless years as a toddler, uncannily resembled the descriptive world his lover—Alina—had written in her last novel named 'Author X Assassin.'

That being said, it would be a lie to say that Zil van Avernus did not feel a sense of existential crisis, especially when all he could do throughout these years was to only think about Alina, the notoriety of Veil Order, and whatever the hell was this reincarnation's about.

"To learn aside, why do you like reading so much?"

It was a question he once asked his lover during one of their leisure moments.

'Hmm- to survive...?'

It was an ambiguous answer from her.

Knock, knock!

"Young Master Zil, it's reading time." The female voice of a young maid echoed behind the intricate brown-hued door, snapping him back to his new reality, something he was still reluctant to accept.

However… by learning about this world should he only be able to move forward.

"Okay… Wait."

*

Secondary Void Library, Annex House of the Avernus Clan.

One to two-year-old Zil was utterly crippled in terms of mobility, causing his mind to strain him to sleep since thinking was everything he could do given his unfavorable circumstances.

During those times, he was bound to learn a few things about his family, thanks to the gossip from the maids' mouths while being catered to by his mother in her embrace as they walked around the peaceful garden or backyard.

To begin with, Zil was part of the renowned Avernus Clan, which belonged to one of the four major powers of the Vodinica Continent, the Vodwartch Empire.

Hearing this information was one of those moments that he had doubted his ears, knowing these familiar names from the very lips of Alina, his lover who perished at the hands of the Veil Order.

'My father's a Marquis, but why's he such… I didn't even get a glimpse of him these past three years.'

Even if he was deprived of understanding what family meant because of his nature in his previous life, Avernus was at least aware that his familial circumstances were outside of what the modern world was like.

'He has four wives… and my mother's the fourth one, but I'm not the youngest... Can't he control his damn rod?'

Facing a stack of books as his purple eyes were glued on one that read 'Genealogy of the Avernus Clan,' he couldn't help but think of such frivolous things.

After some time, as he read another book one after the other, Zil repeatedly cross-referenced everything based on the ideas and short storytelling he heard from his lover. Unfortunately…

'Alina… I don't know why this did happen… but you should have let me read your beloved work…'

—she only told him to read it after the story's finished, which was something that did not happen because of the Veil Order's interference.

"Let's do this again."

Sometimes, Zil looked similar to a madman; it was an expression that a three-year-old child should never have. Even though his mind was already aware, his heart still could not accept that this was the same world that Alina created—because the guilt seemed everlasting.

'Is this my punishment for all the lives I've taken until now? To remember you… alone? Your last, unfinished work… Your ideas… for me to live in it?'

It was both bliss and emotional torture.

Sadly, the latter weighed more than the former.

Because of Zil's tendency to cry out of nowhere, those unfaithful to his mother began to secretly call him the 'Crybaby of the Avernus Clan.'

*

"Why are you so interested in geography, my son?"

Zil, now seven years old, glanced behind for a moment, seeing his beautiful mother—both of them possessed unrivaled gem-like purple eyes.

Time passed by similar to the sands of an endless desert, and he began to accept his predicament—he had no choice but to live... and to learn.

He did not know the forces at work behind the scenes.

Whether his reincarnation had something to do with the Twelve Gods of this world, the 12 Divine Arcana Arsenals, the Twelve Guardian Zodiacs...

Whether it was coincidence that this world's natural design was highly likely the one that Alina told him about as they embraced each other in bed...

'I will live in it... for you.'

"...because I want to explore the world someday, Mother." Zil rarely responded, taking his mother by surprise.

Reputation-wise, Zil became an object of mockery.

One of the mighty clans of the Vodwartch Empire... yet had a direct child that cries out of nowhere?

It was nothing but shame in the blood of Avernus!

His mother was momentarily at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry, mother. Because of me, no one seems to truly respect you."

"Sob. Hey, i-it's okay... I-I'm okay..."

In this tranquil library, Zil's mother lunged forward to feel his warmth.

A minute or two had passed, facing each other, his mother then asked, "Zil... you're my son. I don't care about what others think, but I'm not ashamed of being your mother... and you should not be ashamed that you are my son either, okay?"

Zil awkwardly yet gradually moved his lips—it was an uncertain smile.

Seeing the expression of his mother, which he, unfortunately, neglected all these years because of his shattered soul, Zil felt something in him... something pleasant... something only those who were genuinely loved could feel.

"Mother... I will be okay."

Somewhat confused, his mother slightly tilted her head as her knees were on the floor to level his height while seated. She then muttered, "What do–"

However, before she could finish her words, Zil continued, "I will participate in the Void Graveyard Ceremony."

'It's time to finally make good use of this Wheel of Fortune.'

*

Void Graveyard Ceremony—a test of blood and will—was a long-standing tradition of the Avernus Clan as the first qualification to move forward in becoming void knights.

One could say that it was some sort of training, from basics to combat-ready at such a young age. However, even if it was considered as such, it was a cruel test that did not regard for human life even within the direct bloodlines of the Avernus.

It was conducted at the age of seven to nine, which meant that as a seven-year-old, Zil still had two years of preparation.

Of course, it was possible to not participate in this test. But as someone from the direct blood of the Avernus Patriarch, rejecting to participate was not an option.

To be trampled. To be shamed. To be killed.

That would be his fate and his mother's if their current situation didn't change.

Anyhow, it was expected for the direct blood of Avernus to participate at the age of seven, which Zil intended to do.

'I will raise your reputation in this territory, mother.' He muttered inwardly.

*

Void Graveyard—a graveyard where life was fleeting, located in the backyard of the Main House of the Avernus Clan's vast territory.

After some time had passed, as the winter fell, though, with adamant refusal from his mother, Zil managed to convince her.

Now, at this moment, they arrived at a small piece of Roman-like arena filled with rusted weapons, indistinguishable ashes of the dead, and remains of those who struggled.

This place was never cleaned; it held memories since the Avernus Clan was founded.

It was a mountain of forgotten blood.

"Hey, is that the crybaby of the clan?"

"I heard he's mentally ill, crying for no reason. Should we be concerned? What if I surprise him a bit and he cries? Fufu."

"I also heard the Patriarch never visited him all this time. Haha, what a pity. That's what you get for being the last in line."

The murmurs of mockery continued blatantly.

One moment later, the overseer of the Void Graveyard Ceremony arrived—it was one of the trusted men the Patriarch had.

This person was donning a rough black armor—his eyes were also purple and looked so dead, with short black hair and a notable scar from his left eye down to his left cheek.

On his waist, there was a sword emanating an ominous aura, something that resembled darkness itself—cold and serene.

Considering his past life, Zil knew that he was the kind of person who overcame death countless times... a veteran.

Silence pervaded the open area.

"The Patriarch will be watching from afar!" His voice reached the audience.

Hearing this, everyone instinctively stood up and simultaneously bowed to where their face was directed.

"Now, to become void knights, one must pass a total of three tests...

"But one must remember—you can refuse to take the first and second test and wait until you are sixteen years old to take the last test. However, you must be aware of the advantages of passing the first and second tests before proceeding with the last one... and that this is absolute!

"Even if you are an untrained bastard of the clan, with no experience, or someone who takes an interest in something other than serving the clan, you cannot be excluded from the last test... and anyone who dares to do so will be outrightly executed!"

It would be inevitable, that's why his mother also had no choice but to trust her son.

"Everyone participating in the first exam in becoming void knights, come forward!"

It was at that moment that around 40 children, aged seven to nine, arrived at the arena—surprisingly, there was another direct blood.

Distancing from each other, as they stood on the opposite side of the overseer, many eyes were focused on the Crybaby of the Avernus.

"The mission's simple—take mana crystals from the lowest-rank beasts that I will release.

"The more you have by the end of the test, the more likely you will be rewarded. Of course... if you survive, that is."

The overseer then extended his hand to space, cracking it open as he pulled a small cage filled with miniature creatures. It was as though these moving entities were downscaled to such a pathetic state.

"Then, let's begin!"

*

Forty children faced a strange creature that emerged from the small, swaying cage.

[One-eyed Horned Rabbit]

Simultaneously, their numbers increased and peacefully scattered throughout the Void Graveyard, doubling the number of participants.

"Oh, that's a one-eyed horned rabbit! There's no need to worry then. They never attack first; we're good!"

Murmurs continued, seemingly doubtful of the docile creatures that were recorded and proven to never attack first.

"What's this crybaby going to do?"

"Hey, don't nag him. You'll make him cry."

"Haha, this shit's direct blood of the Patriarch?! It pisses me off when I think about it. Should we just kill him?!" A boy around nine years old approached Zil, who remained silent as he observed the monsters looking for their food.

It was then that they witnessed it for the first time... Zil...

"Sob..." Zil lowered his head, his hand rubbing one of his teary eyes.

"Huh? What the hell?? He's really going to bawl his eyes out! HAHAHA!"

The murmurs continued, though some others began with their hunt.

The same boy then tapped his shoulder a few times.

"Why are you crying? Want some companion to cry with you? Huhu."

It was clearly an act of mockery.

However... Zil raised his gaze, meeting the arrogant boy's eyes.

"These tears are for you..."

Before the boy could process what he had just heard, Zil's words serenely echoed,

"...For your funeral."

Slash!

Spurt!