CHAPTER 3: THE CODEX CEREMONY

THE CODEX CEREMONY

Eighteen years.

That was how long Kevin Riven had waited for this day.

The day every young mage in Valeris dreamed about. The day their magic would be recognised and their future would begin.

The Codex Ceremony.

Bells rang from the highest towers as morning light spilled over the capital. Nobles in expensive robes filled the streets. Families gathered around the great ceremonial square, and young men and women waited nervously among their relatives for the moment the ancient crystal would reveal their Codex.

For most of them, it was a celebration.

For Kevin, it was a question.

What if nothing happens?

He stood in front of the tall mirror in his room, fixing the collar of his ceremonial coat. He looked older now. Taller. Years of training had given him broader shoulders and stronger arms, and the softness had gone from his face.

The only thing that hadn't changed was his magic.

"Today," he whispered, his fingers curling into fists. "Today I'll prove them wrong."

A knock came at the door.

Arena stood there, completely calm. Her long ceremonial dress shimmered softly, and even before receiving her Codex, she carried herself like someone everyone already knew the answer for. Arena Riven, the prodigy, the daughter everyone praised.

"Ready?"

"I think so."

"You don't sound convinced."

He laughed quietly. "I'm trying not to think about it."

"That means you're thinking about it."

He looked away. Arena walked over to him.

"Kevin. No matter what happens today, you're still my brother."

"I know."

"And nothing in that ceremony changes that."

"I know."

"Good."

Kevin looked at the mirror again. "Arena... what if I don't get one?"

Her expression softened. "Then we'll figure out what comes next."

He nodded. He wanted to believe her, he really did. But deep inside, another voice kept whispering.

You won't get one. You never have. Why would today be different?

...

The ceremonial square was already packed when they arrived.

At the centre stood the Codex Altar, a massive crystal structure rising from a platform of white stone carved with ancient symbols. Behind it hung six towering banners, one for each Magical Knight Order.

The crowd went quiet as the Riven family entered. Then the whispers started.

"That's Arena Riven."

"The one who beat three senior students in training?"

"I heard the Sky Order already wants her."

"And her twin?"

"Kevin?" A few people laughed. "I heard he still can't control basic magic."

Kevin heard every word. He kept walking.

Arena glanced at him. "I'm fine," he said, before she could ask.

She didn't believe him. Neither did he.

At the front of the altar stood the ceremonial elder, his silver robes moving in the wind.

"Today," he announced, his voice carrying across the square, "we witness the awakening of the Codex."

Silence.

"Every mage has a path. Some are born with extraordinary gifts. Others must struggle before they discover their potential." His eyes moved across the young candidates. "But the Codex does not answer to wealth. It does not answer to family or reputation. It answers to the magic within the soul."

Kevin swallowed.

Names were called one after another. A boy stepped forward, the crystal glowed, and a Codex appeared. The crowd cheered. Another candidate, another Codex, more applause.

Kevin's heart pounded harder with every name.

Then, "Arena Riven."

The whole square changed. People leaned forward.

Kevin watched his sister walk beneath the enormous crystal and place her hand on the stone. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the crystal exploded with light.

WHOOM!

Wind tore through the square. Arena's hair rose behind her as brilliant energy surrounded her body, and the ground trembled. Above her, something appeared.

A Codex.

But not an ordinary one. It had four distinct points, forming a shape so rare that the crowd gasped before they even understood why. Its pages opened on their own, and magic poured out of it.

"A four-point Codex!"

"Impossible!"

"That's a royal-grade Codex!"

Even the elders traded looks. One of them whispered, "She truly inherited it."

Arena reached out. The Codex floated into her hands, and the moment she touched it, the pressure in the air disappeared.

Silence.

Then the square erupted.

"ARENA RIVEN!"

"THE PRODIGY!"

"THE FUTURE OF VALERIS!"

Kevin stood frozen. He was proud, he truly was. His sister had done everything everyone expected of her.

But underneath the pride, a small, painful thought crept in.

Now it's my turn.

Arena looked across at him. Their eyes met. She smiled, and he smiled back.

Then, "Kevin Riven."

Silence again. The crowd turned toward him.

Every step to the altar felt heavier than the last. The crystal towered above him. He placed his hand on the stone.

Nothing.

He waited. Five seconds. Ten.

Nothing.

He closed his eyes. Come on.

The elder watched the crystal carefully. Still nothing.

The whispers began.

"Is that all?"

"Maybe his magic is too weak."

"He's a Riven. How embarrassing."

Kevin's breathing grew uneven. He pushed his magic into the crystal as hard as he could. His hands started to tremble.

"Come on..."

Someone in the crowd laughed. Not everyone, but enough. Kevin heard every laugh, every whisper, every disappointed sigh. He looked toward his family. His father stayed silent. His older siblings looked away. Arena looked worried.

He turned back to the crystal and pushed again. For one brief second, a tiny spark flickered at his fingertips.

Then it vanished.

The square fell silent. The elder slowly shook his head.

"Kevin Riven... the Codex has not answered."

Not failed. Not answered.

But Kevin heard something else.

You are not enough.

Another laugh rose from the crowd, then another.

"No Codex."

"Two children, and only one worthy heir."

"Imagine being her twin."

Kevin's face burned. His hands slowly dropped to his sides. For eighteen years he had trained. He had fallen, failed, been mocked, and got back up. Again and again and again.

And now this.

Nothing.

"Kevin..." Arena stepped toward him. She wanted to say something. Anything.

But he gave her a small smile. "Congratulations."

His voice cracked.

"Kevin, I..."

"I'm happy for you."

He turned away. And for the first time in years, Kevin Riven didn't want to train. He didn't want to fight, and he didn't want to prove anyone wrong. He just wanted to disappear.

Behind him, the crowd went back to celebrating Arena. The girl with the rare Codex. The future.

Kevin walked out of the ceremony with empty hands. No Codex, no applause, no answers. Eighteen years of failure walked home with him.

But somewhere deep inside, something remained. Something small and stubborn that had survived every defeat. A voice, so quiet it was almost impossible to hear.

Not yet.

Kevin stopped walking. His fists tightened. He looked toward the distant horizon.

"I won't give up," he whispered.

And he walked on.