Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos

Unable to support his weight any longer due to the fatigue accumulated from the fight, Kaeliyus fell to his knees. He threw his bloodied head back, his hair pouring back as he breathed in and out—the sound a bit loud and whooshing.

Kaeliyus gazed up at the vacant sky, his vision wavering between moments of clarity and haze.

"I can't meet the young Lord like this," he breathed, panting softly. "I need to recuperate."

Kaeliyus summoned every last ounce of his energy, vanishing the next second.

*****

Within the association, the commander is seen standing in front of Beni who was seated on a bed in the infirmary. Due to loads of work, the commander was now only approaching Beni to ask him what had happened to have caused him to relapse.

But, standing before the young boy, the commander met not a person who seemed to have relapsed or gone through an episode. Rather, he was firm, sitting upright, and looking as healthy as he could.

The young boy the commander always knew was one that trembled over the littlest of things, and the breakdown he had a while ago should still have had him looking pale. Or the least, trembling. However, there were no such signs—not a single one to show he had indeed broken down except the testimony of the doctor and Zero, who had reported it.

"Tell me, what could have caused you to relapse?" The commander asked, gazing straight at the young boy who avoided eye contact with him.

"I had specifically given orders for no one to bring up the matter ever again, so it can't be that you were reminded by any of them," the commander continued. "And you cannot just remember without something being the trigger, because even you are trying to forget about that incident."

"So, tell me, what did you see?" He asked, voice steady and stern. The young boy—Beni—awkwardly averted his gaze, nervously turning here and there, keeping silent.

At this, the commander's brows drew together, mild anger simmering within him. "Let me rephrase that," he said, his voice thick with impatience. "Who did you see?"

Beni's heart lurched, his muscles locking up, eyes widening in a mixture of fear and shock.

Noting his reaction, the commander thought to himself. So he did see someone. The commander narrowed his eyes slightly at Beni, not saying a word, waiting for the boy to speak up.

Behind the commander, his assistant and the doctor that had treated Beni, stood in silence, watching.

After a moment, Beni lifted his gaze, a tense smile that kept twitching to stay in place, playing on his lips.

"It's not like that at all, commander," he smiled, a sparse sweat of nervousness beading his forehead. "I didn't see anyone. No one triggered my breakdown."

The commander's gaze rested on Beni, silent and unreadable as he watched the boy lie directly to his face.

"I just…I just thought back to it," the boy added, his voice quiet, his gaze cast low.

After responding to the commander's questions, Beni's stiff muscles didn't relax anytime soon. He remained nervous, anticipating what the commander's response would be—whether or not his lie had been detected.

The commander, however, remained eerily silent, his gaze still lingering on the young boy whose head felt glued toward the ground. After a moment, the commander finally spoke. "Alright then," he said in a light tone, causing the boy's head to snap up at him.

"I was only worried that you had encountered someone that could be a danger to you, but I'm glad you're doing fine," he smiled, easing the boy's nervousness.

Beni's stiff muscles relaxed, the tension that had built up inside him, finally dissipating.

Phew! Thank goodness. I overreacted when I saw him, but he said he didn't come for me, so I'm safe in the least. After all, he is one to keep to his words.

"Thank you commander, thank you," Beni cheered, smiling wide. "I'll take my leave now." With a polite bow to both the commander and the doctor, Beni made his way out.

Once the boy was out, the commander turned to his assistant, stern with professional authority.

"Were there any cameras at the scene?" he asked.

"No, not in that area," the assistant replied at once.

"From now on, ensure no public space goes without surveillance—especially outside the dormitories."

"Yes, commander."

"Have Seiya ready for the registration. What about Im Seun, any words?" He asked, making his way out—his assistant following suit.

"Yes. They came in not too long ago, and have settled into their new home."

"So quick," the commander commented, walking away. "After I return from Seiya's registration, have Im Seun meet me."

"Yes sir."

The commander continued on toward his office, expecting his assistant to turn, and get Seiya for the registration procedure. But the young man kept trailing behind him, causing the commander to halt.

"What is it? Do you have anything more to repeat?" He asked, impatient and quite in a hurry.

"The registration procedure, are you really carrying on with it?" His assistant asked. "I mean, are you really going to have an unknown boy bear your family name?"

"I thought we already agreed on this?" The commander turned, resuming his walk.

"Yes, but it's too much of a risk. We don't even know where he's from, or anything about him. I thought you would reconsider after you asked me to investigate him and found nothing."

"It's already a done deal. And really, what harm could he possibly cause? Just one look at him tells you he's a boy who's never known the joys others his age take for granted," the commander said, his tone unwavering. "Now that he's in my care, I'll see to it he lives life to the fullest." With that, he quickened his stride, his assistant matching his pace without hesitation.

The commander abruptly halted mid-step, pivoting sharply and turning to face his assistant who slightly staggered backward—caught off balance by the commander's abrupt turn.

"Be honest with me. Aside from your personal opinion and feeling toward him, have you sensed any malice from him? Any hatred, or negativity from him?" The commander asked, peering straight at his assistant, his gaze heavy with authoritative oppression.

"No, I haven't," the assistant replied softly, casting his gaze low. "None."

"Because he is just a child. A mere human. The only thing is that he's odd, a bit different from kids out there but that shouldn't change the way he's to be treated," the commander turned, ready to walk away.

"Now, go. Bring him out for the registration. Make sure to be kind with him." With that, the commander left for his office and the assistant bowed, even when the commander had turned away—before he left to fetch Seiya.

Later on, Seiya joined the commander in his office, and together, both went over to the department where the registration procedure was to take place.

Seiya was made to go through the procedures, as was the commander who filled every necessary document and answered every question. However, getting to the stage where Seiya's face needed to be scanned for a photo, he refused.

Seiya refused to take off his mask and blindfold as demanded by the workers.

"He can't possibly get the snap with all those on, covering his face," the commander's assistant chimed in. "His face has to be seen, and scanned. How do we recognize him if he wouldn't let us see his face?"

The commander sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. He clearly remembered Kaeliyus warning him never to take off the boy's blindfold, and he's seen in the few days that Seiya had never once taken off the blindfold. So how could he ask for it to be removed?

Within all these deals and bargains, one thing was clear: that the whole situation about adopting the young boy—Seiya—wasn't at all based on normal circumstances. Everything regarding him was strange. Nonetheless, a deal remained a deal.

With a dismissive gesture, the commander said. "Have him take the passport photo like that."

The workers, including the commander's assistant were shocked, passing awkward glances at one another.

"But sir, it's never been done like that. It's against the law, and everything. How can we issue an ID to someone whose face we don't know?" The commander's assistant protested.

"It is against the law, yes. But I have the power to bypass such law. And he's my son, so carry on with it."

Turning to Seiya, the commander asked softly. "Can you at least take off your mask, leaving the blindfold on?"

"Mn."

The procedure continued with the way the commander permitted things. Getting to a point, one of the female workers spoke.

"C-commander, as you're passing as the father, for the mother slot, who should we add?" She asked, a bit nervous because the situation about the commander's wife leaving him wasn't entirely a secret.

"Put me as both parents," the commander responded without hesitation.

After the procedures were completed, Seiya headed back to the chambers, while the commander and his assistant returned to the office.

His assistant had Im Seun summoned, and he sat before the commander on the opposite chair for visitors.

"We are officially allies now, aren't we?" The commander asked, smiling brightly.

"Of course," Im Seun replied.

"And how do you like our services? Are you satisfied? Comfortable? Is it to your liking?" The commander bombarded.

"It is. I am well satisfied with the association's treatment toward me."

"Great, now," the commander's smiley face turned rigid, stern with authority as he peered at Im Seun.

Im Seun shuddered slightly, put off by the abrupt shift in the man's countenance.

"Tell me exactly what happened in the village," the commander said.

Im Seun was taken aback, surprise etched clearly on his face. It seemed he hadn't quite planned this far yet, or he had judged low the probability of this question being asked.

"W-what are you talking about, commander? Why do you have to know?" Im Seun fired back, maintaining his composure.

"Well, the villagers had demanded a variety of supplies from us that we are yet to deliver. So we need you to take down the barrier, so we can provide the villagers with everything they have demanded from us," the commander informed.