I have a Phoenix near me. I can say whatever I want!
I cleared my throat and looked into Aurelian's eyes.
"To align a sentient being with your propaganda is blasphemy. I would advise silence if you don't want to be branded a heretic," I said with a smile.
Nyx let out more wisps, as if she agreed.
Aurelian's eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself with a smirk.
"I can't point out hypocrisy and be called a heretic now," he said in a mocking tone, raising his hands in fake surrender.
"God forgives those who ask for it," I said, giving him a close-eyed smile.
UGH. What am I? A priest?
Aurelian raised his eyebrows in amusement.
I could feel the stares from Tessron and Dumont. I'm just going to assume they're impressed.
I glanced at the crowd—some wore troubled expressions, while a few bowed, apparently accepting my nonsense.
"Well played. I'll give you that, brother," he said, walking away with his hands in his pockets.
Brother? He is NOT giving up on associating with me now, is he?
"You should've smited him when you had the chance," Nyx muttered through the bond.
I felt a hand on my head. I looked up to see Tessron with a satisfied smirk.
The rest of the dinner passed in a blur—forced smiles, fake sermons, and awkward toasts.
That night, I went back to my room, now filled with birthday presents from various elite families trying to win my favor.
I went from an unknown last child to a celebrity overnight.
I'm happy I probably can't be kidnapped anymore...
But whatever I do now will have an impact.
The next day was equally chaotic. Everyone in the estate was either asking for pictures or bowing to me on sight. I tried to avoid people as much as possible.
I was hiding in the garden under a huge tree that sparkled with a golden aura.
"Aren't you too chill after stirring up so much drama?"
I looked up to see Valeria. She had her red hair in braids, and Arxia was next to her in his miniature dragon form.
"What can I do? I didn't invite trouble," I said in a bored tone.
"I blame Tessron too," Arxia agreed, transforming into a human and sitting cross-legged across from me.
"You don't know the seriousness! See this!" Valeria said, throwing me her phone.
I saw various news articles, my face plastered across the front pages with glowing backdrops and wild titles like:
Viktor Voltaries: Heir at Six, Selected by God—or Is It a Skit for Gold?
The Rise of the Phoenix Prophet! A New Era Begins for the Voltaries Family.
'Are You Equalitarian?' Aurelian Gets His Legitimate Question Shot Down with a Single Word: 'Heretic'
Okay, he definitely paid for the last one.
I sighed deeply and handed the phone back.
"Not something I can control." I closed my eyes and laid on the grass.
"At least they can't say we're a family of rebels who fund terrorists," I continued.
Arxia snorted. Valeria looked mildly annoyed.
"If you had agreed with him, you'd be branded a rebel. But now you have to spend years in the temple," Valeria said, her voice sharp.
WHAT?
I sat up with my eyes wide open.
"Wait! I have to do what?" I asked, looking between a smug Arxia and an annoyed Valeria.
"You spoke like a priest! The temple wants to use you now! If you'd said, 'yes, mixed-bloods are not inferior,' they wouldn't have bothered to recruit you!" Valeria said, arms on her hips.
"I didn't want attention. I got a divine bird, a cult following, and a PR crisis. Congrats, me," I said, sulking.
Valeria sighed and plopped down next to me.
"Father and Gramps will talk to you about this over dinner, just so you know," she said, ruffling my hair.
And just like that,
"You have to go to the temple for a while, Viktor," Dumont said solemnly.
"I still don't understand what the need is-" Tessron grumbled, cutting his steak.
"It's better if he's somewhere they can't touch him," Dumont said.Or was it just easier if I weren't here?
I sighed and accepted my fate. I mean, what harm can a bunch of old priests do?
It might be a good thing. Imagine: No Aurelian, no Voltaries politics, just incense and inner peace.
A week after that, my stay in the temple was officially announced, and it caused a stir with all the news outlets.
A month later, I stood in front of a transportation gate, my black hair tied at the back with a hair tie, and I wore a golden headpiece. I was dressed up in white and gold temple garb, which had long sleeves, and the pants were baggy.
Tessron embraced me, and Dumont removed his ring and gave it to me in public, like announcing to the world it's NOT an exile.
Valeria ruffled my hair, still annoyed about the turn of events, but her fingers lingered a little longer than usual.Maybe she was worried. Maybe I was, too.
Arxia hugged me and whispered, 'Stay out of trouble, kid.'
I stood at the gate waiting for Nyx to finish her goodbyes and join me. She got attached to 'my' family more than I did.
I waved goodbye as a blue aura wrapped around us, and the scene outside changed.
The fog cleared out, and we landed on a floating island surrounded by clouds. The island was covered with trees, and I saw a steep mountain filled with stairs that led to the temple.
The temple was made with half marble and half gold, and in front of the temple was the statue of a golden phoenix.
It was breathtaking—too perfect, too clean. Like a place that expected me to kneel. Well, good luck with that.
"Welcome, Lord Viktor!" I heard a cheerful voice.
I turned to see a young boy a few years older than me, with his head shaved, wearing a similar garb.
"I am Cyrun, I am here to assist the young Lord and messenger of the gods," he said, giving us a low bow.
"That's how you show respect! Watch and learn, you brat!" Nyx snipped through our bond. She let out wisps to acknowledge Cyrun.
"Hello," I said awkwardly, already regretting my decisions.