Devourer's Legacy: I Regressed With The Primordial Crest-Chapter 14: Not All Wanderers Seek Home (2)

The Awakening Ceremony.

Every year, the Grim House held a special event: the Awakening Ceremony. All fifteen-year-olds in the land of Grim would travel to the main estate to receive the Essence of Providence, giving them a chance to awaken their powers.

After the awakening, based on their abilities, the seven Patricians, rulers of different regions within the Grim territory, would choose promising individuals to take under their wing.

Renard would soon turn fifteen, and the ceremony was just two months away. As the heir to Tiara Castle, he would have the authority of a Patrician himself. This meant that he wouldn't just be awakening his own powers—he'd also be choosing others to join his side.

But that could wait. Right now, what worried Renard the most was the person behind his assassination attempt.

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Since the attack on his life had failed, the family would start investigating. Soon, they'd start digging to find the culprits—and that would be when things would turn more dangerous.

Cornered people often resorted to desperate measures.

If the real conspirators feared being discovered, they might even try to silence Renard for good.

He needed to stay safe, at least until the Awakening Ceremony. His grandfather's protection was strong, but Renard wanted something more—something that would make any potential attacker think twice.

That was why he had asked for the Blood Hounds as his guards.

"Now that my safety is handled, let's look at this."

Renard then opened his Providence state and studied the changes:

[Providence State]

 [Name: Renard Grim]

 [Age: 14 ]

 [Gender: Male]

 [Zone: Awakened Zone]

 [Title: Devourer's Heir]

 [Blood Crest: Eternal Hunger]

 [Crest-Rank: Primordial]

 [Crest Abilities: Devour(F) | Prajna (F)]

 [Stolen Abilities: Night Vision(F)]

 [Devoured Abilities(1/1): Beast Mimicry(F)]

 [Sealed Abilities: Devour's Rage(F)]

The ability he had taken from Victor was not listed as a "stolen ability" – exactly what it sounded like. If his theory was correct, he could keep devoured abilities forever as long as he practiced them enough.

Following that logic, he probably needed more practice with Beast Mimicry since it was still listed under "Devoured Abilities."

But there were still many things he didn't understand.

What determines if he has truly mastered an ability? How many could he steal? Were there any side effects of stealing the abilities?

And then there was this new "Sealed Abilities" section.

Since it used the word "abilities" instead of "ability," it implied that there had to be more powers hidden away that he hadn't found yet and were waiting to be discovered. Maybe they would reveal themselves as Devourer's Rage had – showing up only when the right conditions were met.

He didn't even know what Devourer's Rage could do, but with a name like that, it had to be powerful.

Of course, he couldn't use it while it was sealed, and he had no idea how to unlock it.

But he'd figure it out. Eventually...

"The Devourer's power is amazing," Renard whispered to himself.

He needed to learn more about it. Maybe the answers lay within the Heavenly Archives – though he couldn't go there anytime soon.

For now, he had to focus on getting stronger.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Young master," Gerald's voice called out.

"Yes, Gerald?"

"Warrior Jin has returned."

Finally!

Renard smiled.

"Where is he?"

His first move would be to get the wandering warrior on his side.

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Audience with a Noble – it was just fancy words used to upkeep the status.

Usually, these meetings happened in elegant rooms with expensive tea and sweet treats laid out on fancy tables.

But Renard didn't care for such shows of power for formality.

Not with Jin.

Instead of summoning the warrior to him, Renard went to where Jin was.

He found Jin at the training grounds, his sword gliding in flowing arcs as he practiced his forms.

Even now, watching Jin's graceful movements made Renard's heart ache with memories of a future that would never be, at least in this life.

"Warrior Jin," Renard called out, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning inside him.

Jin paused mid-stance, turning to face Renard with curious eyes. A light sheen of sweat covered his forehead, but his breathing was as calm as if he had merely been taking a leisurely walk.

"Young master. Should you be up and about so soon?"

"A few scratches won't keep me down. As you can see, I am all healed," Renard said with a small smile.

"Besides, I wanted to properly thank you for saving our lives."

Jin sheathed his sword with practiced ease. "No need for thanks. I simply did what any warrior would do."

"We both know that's not true," Renard replied. "Most would have turned away. You didn't."

He paused, watching Jin's reaction before continuing.

"That's why... I have a proposal for you."

Jin sheathed his sword, giving Renard his full attention. "Oh?"

Renard met his gaze. "Become my sword," his words were direct. "Stay in Tiara Castle. With your strength and my support, we could—"

"No."

Jin's response was firm yet gentle.

Renard fell silent, taken aback by the immediate rejection.

Even though he knew Jin had never stayed in one place for long in his past life, being turned down so quickly stung more than he'd expected.

But Renard wasn't one to give up easily.

"Think about it, Jin. You have real talent. With the right support, you could reach heights you haven't even imagined. You'd have resources, training... a place to call home."

"Not all who wander seek a home, young master," Jin continued, his eyes distant, looking at something Renard couldn't see. "Some walk to bury their sorrows beneath the horizon."

Renard looked at Jin—not yet the legend he would become, but already carrying the weight of untold burdens.

Jin had died protecting the innocent from Renard's own twisted vengeance. That was why Renard wanted to help him somehow. But as he stood before him, he realized the truth—he was being too arrogant. He wasn't yet qualified or powerful enough to have such a strong sword by his side.

"I understand," Renard said at last.

He exhaled, letting go of his earlier assumptions. "I was too presumptuous. Right now, I'm neither strong enough nor worthy enough to ask for your sword." Then, he met Jin's eyes with determination. "But know this—when I am qualified, when I have grown strong enough, I will come seeking your strength again."

Then, to Jin's visible surprise, Renard bowed deeply.

"Young master, please—" Jin stepped forward hastily, clearly uncomfortable with such formality from a noble.

His hands moved as if to raise Renard up but stopped short of touching him. "There's no need for this."

But Renard maintained his bow. "Thank you for saving my life and my sister's. We owe you a debt that cannot be measured."

Jin shifted uneasily, glancing around as if worried that someone might see a noble bowing to a wandering warrior. "Please rise, young master. Such gestures aren't meant for someone like me."

Straightening up, Renard reached for a pouch at his belt. "Then, at least accept this as payment for your help." He held out several gold coins.

Jin started to refuse, but Renard pressed on. "And know this—you will always be welcome in Tiara Castle as my honored guest. If you ever need help, seek me out. My favor will be yours."

"Ha...ha, bold words from such a young master," Jin murmured, though with a slight smile, still unsettled by Renard's earlier display of humility.

"Don't take my words lightly," Renard replied, his eyes sharp like a knife. "There will come a day when my favor will mean more than any gold."

Something in Renard's tone made Jin regard him more carefully.

"You speak like an old man, young master."

"Perhaps I am," Renard smiled mysteriously and turned around.

"Safe travels, Warrior Jin. May your path lead you where you need to be."

Jin was already in the Master Zone and would soon step into the realm of Transcendent.

He would have made a powerful ally. But some paths couldn't be changed. The wandering warrior needed to walk his own road, gathering the strength and wisdom that would one day make him a Supreme.

'At least this time,' Renard thought, 'when we meet again, it won't be as enemies.'

He turned back toward the manor, his mind already shifting to tomorrow's tasks. The Blood Hounds would arrive soon, and he needed to be ready. Jin might have chosen to walk alone, but Renard would make sure he had other allies—ones who would stand with him against the coming darkness.

After all, he had a future to change.

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