NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: Back Home
My breath caught in my throat. "I… I did it." But what was that last thing? Did Derrick just say Adjudicator's Binding Chains?
Azazel's expression wasn't visible behind his mask, but his eyes widened in what looked like shock. He was staring at me, and I couldn't tell if it was faint approval or disbelief. Are those chains really that special? I wondered. He was an Adjudicator, so he had them too, right?
Derrick sounded satisfied and impressed. "Not bad for a cub. Now you are a special cub. You're still way behind the strength you need to fight that demon on your own, but the foundation is there."
"The demon will come back," he continued, "but for now, I have damaged it greatly. It will be a while before it comes for you." He then turned to his adjudicator. "Azazel, what do you think?"
Azazel inclined his head, his voice smooth but with a thoughtful weight to it. "His intent is sloppy. His control lacks refinement. And his chains are not pristine—not close to what they should be."
Ouch, I'm standing right here, you know, I thought. Rude. I literally just got an awakened core and this chain thing.
Azazel finished with a more positive note. "But he has the potential, and without a doubt, anyone gifted by you must be worthy of such. That alone is... extraordinary."
Derrick turned back to me and said, "Azazel, what exactly is he? Someone who wields an Ashborn's binding chains?"
"We call him an Adjudicator," Azazel replied.
What? Was he serious? An Adjudicator? Wasn't that a high-ranking position? "No... what an Adjudicator? Don't you think that's a bit too much, greatest grandfather?" I asked, my mind reeling. What exactly is an Adjudicator? It sounds like a very important title, but what do they actually do? I thought to myself.
The old Ashborn lord's gaze deepened. "Tell him yourself, Azazel."
Azazel shifted his posture, his hand pressing to his chest in solemnity. "An Adjudicator serves as the binding hand of the Ashborn. We carry authority over seals of all levels capable of weaving or unraveling them in the space of a heartbeat. We are masters of intent magic, seamless in casting at a split second. And…" his gaze met mine, unblinking. "…we are summoners. I alone can call forth the Barbaric Brothers knights bound to guard the Master's tomb gate."
Wait, he could summon those two knights at the gate? My mind raced. No way. He had authority over them. The Adjudicator role was not bad at all. I could easily summon those two to finish off that demon well, Galahad at least. I knew what he was capable of, but Isoldrick was a complete mystery.
Azazel seemed to sense my thoughts and brought me back to focus. "We must protect and also punish Ashborn who go against the traditions set by our master, for the Ashborns. That alone is our sole purpose. If we fail that, we are bound to an eternity of damnation."
The room seemed to grow colder as he spoke, and the weight of his words pressed down on me.
I blinked. Seals, intent, summoning knights from beyond the grave… this was the role of an Adjudicator?
Derrick's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. "And now, Azazel… greet the second Adjudicator of the Ashborns."
My heart skipped. "Wait… what?" I knew this was coming, but hearing it again didn't lessen the shock at all.
Azazel raised his head, his eyes narrowing as they fell upon me. "...Astraga Fula," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, as if carving my name into stone. "Second Adjudicator of the Ashborns. I acknowledge you."
Wow, just like that? He didn't even show a hint of doubt. What kind of man was Derrick Ashborn to command this level of respect? Could I ever achieve that?
The feather mark across my stomach burned again, not with pain, but with power. It seemed to enjoy the acknowledgment.
Derrick spoke again. "Stand, Azazel. You have indeed redeemed yourself. Now, Astraga, you are able to use your Adjudicator powers in my realm easily, but do not expect the same for the world of the living."
Azazel added, "Like I said earlier, the reason for this is because this realm favors the master's disciples."
So I get it now, I thought. This realm makes you function at your best, and maybe gives some good luck, too. I'm a bit confused, but I assume that's what he means.
"Exactly, Astraga, what he said is true," Derrick confirmed. "You will have three tasks ahead of you. One: you will need to train your new core. Two: learn how to use your binding chains. And three: do whatever you can to find the origins of that pendant on your neck. The faster you unlock its powers, the faster you can find a way to use it."
"It's time for you to go home now, Astraga. Your body can't hold much longer in the world of the living," Derrick revealed. "Azazel, you take him home, and a few pieces of advice along the way wouldn't be bad. Hahahaha. Goodbye, Astraga. Remember this: I gave you that gift to enforce my laws in the world of the living. Some Ashborns are about to cause trouble in the near future. When you're much grown, we'll discuss more. For now, farewell, cub...I mean, special cub."
A loud bang sounded as a spiraling blue vortex portal opened right in front of us. Azazel spoke aloud, "Time to go, Astraga."
"Bye, grandpa," I said, my voice filled with genuine warmth this time. He chuckled, and we both entered the portal as it pulled us in.
It was as if we were traveling through time and space. All that was visible to my eyes were different spectrums of dashing lights, and the journey felt surprisingly quiet. I expected this to be instantaneous. As I began to wonder what to talk about, Azazel spoke, cutting off my thoughts before I could even ask a question about my new title.
"I honestly don't believe you deserve the gift Master has given you. You show no talent," he said with a sigh. "But I can't deny our Master is an excellent judge of potential. Be warned, Astraga, do not believe we are of equal strength. I am miles ahead of your candlelight of an ability."
"As for what abilities those chains have," he continued, "they are called the Chains of Judgment. They possess the power called Judgment Time, and whoever is bound by them will face judgment for their crimes, but only if they're proven guilty. Khetemu of Revelation is a necessary combination."
He then added, "We are almost there now, Astraga. Do not consider yourself to be part of the main branch of the Ashborns. Never do that. You are much higher than that now. You will get to understand your role soon enough. Those same chains will guide you as you get stronger."
Before we reached our destination, I had one important question, and I coughed to get his attention. But again, before I could speak, he answered my question.
"Yes, you would be able to summon any of the two knights, and if I'm in a good mood, even me. But you will not be ready now, and might never be. To summon is an extremely difficult task. The chains, as I said, will guide you. Listen to them; they will reveal when they see you are ready."
"We are here," he said, and instantly, everything that had seemed to be a blur of time and space came to an abrupt halt. It was as if someone had slammed on the brakes. With a firm push, he sent me through the vacuum. I watched my spirit form emerge from the vortex, hovering above my lifeless body. It was a bizarre sight, seeing myself like that.
***
Blink, blink, blink.
"Huh? I'm alive! Hahaha, I'm alive!"
I took a deep breath, the air so fresh. I stood up, feeling my body. Nothing beat the sensation of knowing I was alive. I looked at my reflection with the nearby fish pond. It wasn't a dream.
I immediately took a meditative position, just like a monk. I needed to feel it.
Breathe in, breathe out.
I could feel it. The different types of mana were coursing through me, and a wide grin stretched across my face. This was it...the big test. I focused, imagining the same intent as I had in Derrick's realm.