After obtaining Jon's consent, Ethan, Kevin, and Jon went into the forest together. They found two small creatures eating their prey and planted the Seed of Light in them. Two days later Ethan returned to the forest, dragged Little Bell to his side, and stroked him all over, making the little direwolf howl and roll on the ground. Only after confirming that his body was normal did he release him.
"Jon, Kevin," Ethan said, dusting off his hands, "at least physically they seem fine. But regarding the change in their hearts—since they can't speak, it's ultimately difficult to confirm. Have you thought it through?"
Kevin immediately countered, "What else is there to consider?"
Jon quickly replied, "Teacher, I've already thought it through."
Ethan nodded. "All right. Tonight, let the brothers of the warband witness me officially bestowing upon you the power of light."
Ignoring Ghost and Little Bell for the moment, Kevin and Jon would be the only two Sunwalkers in this world at that moment.
As their teacher and guide, Ethan also wanted to preside over their ascension ceremony in a magnificent sanctuary.
However, this was a chaotic era, and the Anshe faith did not yet have that much influence. Having their own sanctuary was out of the question, so they could only make do and hold the ceremony in the camp.
Even with limited resources, Ethan wanted to make the ceremony as solemn and serious as possible. This was not only for his students but also to give the other members of the Silver Hand something to look forward to—increasing their sense of honor and their desire to become Sunwalkers.
That night, everyone in the Silver Hand chapter—having been notified in advance—gathered in the open space in the center of the camp as darkness fell.
The Silver Hand's banner fluttered in the night wind, and several torches stood at the edge of the open space. All the members of the chapter quietly awaited Ethan's command.
After everyone had arrived, Ethan walked up to them and said, "Brothers and sisters of the Silver Hand, you have followed me for many days, heard the teachings of the Sun God Anshe, and witnessed me invoking the Sun God's divine grace to save lives on the verge of death.
Many of you have privately asked me whether you could possess the power of the Holy Light, and at the time I was unable to give you a definite answer.
But now I want to tell you that any of you, as long as you are willing to accept and practice the path of the Light, has the opportunity to wield the power of the Light like me.
Today I have gathered you here to witness Kevin Turner of the Fingers and Jon Snow of Winterfell become true Sunwalkers like me."
Then Ethan instructed his two students, "Come forward."
On this solemn day Kevin and Jon had specially washed their armor thoroughly.
Months of battle and weathering had worn away the ornate patterns on Kevin's armor, causing them to shimmer and ripple under the moonlight.
Meanwhile Jon Snow wore a limited-edition set of black leather armor—a Winterfell noble's set. While not as opulent as Kevin's, it was equally dignified and solemn.
The two brothers stepped out from their respective squads, knelt before Ethan, and said in unison, "Master."
Ethan solemnly asked, "Are you willing to follow the path of the Light?"
"We are!" they answered in unison.
Ethan continued, "Are you willing to practice the path of the Light?"
"We are!" their voices grew even stronger.
"Then are you willing to give your lives—and everything—for the cause of Anshe?" Ethan asked again.
"We are!" their answer echoed through the night.
Ethan nodded solemnly, then summoned a resonance crystal that hovered above their heads. Two drops of golden liquid immediately dripped from the crystal, landing on their heads.
A moment later Kevin's eyes shone with golden light and he exclaimed excitedly, "Teacher, I feel like I'm seeing the whole world!"
Jon's eyes filled with golden mist and he exclaimed in amazement, "Teacher, is this the power of the Light?" He raised his hand, and a beam of golden light appeared in his palm.
Ethan smiled at the two and said solemnly, "Then, in the name of the Sun God Anshe, I bestow upon you the power of the Light. From this day forward, you are Sunwalkers."
Ethan was also very excited, but he tried to suppress his emotions and said solemnly, "Sunwalkers, turn around and face your brothers. Let them see you clearly."
Kevin and Jon turned around. A silver-white figure and a black figure stood side by side, while their teacher Ethan stood behind them in bronze armor that gleamed in the moonlight.
From that moment on, the world gained two more Sunwalkers—one wielding light in one hand and a sword in the other.
After the brief but solemn ceremony the warriors remained excited. Their leader had told them that if they could prove themselves in the future they could all become Sunwalkers.
However Ethan did not elaborate on what the test was or how to prove themselves. Even when asked he only mysteriously said they would find out in time.
Although it sounded like pie in the sky, the pie was big and round enough to fill everyone with anticipation.
Starting the next morning Ethan began teaching his two students the experience of using Light magic, but this was merely experience.
According to Kevin and Jon, after the Seed of Light entered their bodies the knowledge of how to use this power was imprinted on their minds.
The Seed of Light not only activated Jon and Kevin's mana bars but also came with a tutorial on using the power of the Light, saving Ethan a lot of teaching time.
However, given their current abilities they could only cast a limited number of spells.
Kevin had learned Holy Light, the Crusader's Seal, Judgment, and Purification; while Jon had learned Flash of Light, the Seal of Justice, the Shield of Justice, and Purification.
Ethan guessed that they might need further rigorous practice to master all the Sunwalker's skills.
So for the next few days Ethan took Kevin and Jon among the refugees, treating the sick.
As the Riverlands nobles returned to their respective territories, the number of refugees outside Riverrun gradually decreased.
However the Northern army stationed at Riverrun remained inactive, its thousands of soldiers idling and wasting resources.
This made Brother John—who had originally planned to bid farewell to Ethan only after the Northern army departed—unable to wait any longer.
During this time he had been following Ethan and his apprentices in the refugee camp, healing the sick and helping Ethan comfort the refugees who believed in the Seven. Brother John had heard from the refugees about the atrocities committed by the Westerlands army and was deeply worried about the safety of his family.
It had been more than three years since John had last returned home. At that time he had just returned from his travels in Highgarden and was preparing to return to St. Morse Abbey.
During his short stay at home he saw that his sister had married and had a lovely baby boy with her brother-in-law, who worked as a stonemason, and that his two younger brothers had inherited their father's skills and become excellent carpenters. He had been very happy.
John did not want it to be the last time they met.
So after helping the Silver Hand reinforce the carriage, Brother John put on the old robes he had worn when they first met and went to Ethan's tent to bid him farewell.
It was just dawn and the sky was still somewhat dark. Ethan looked at his friend with reluctance and advised, "Are you leaving so soon? The roads are dangerous now—it might be dangerous for you to go home alone."
Brother John smiled and said dismissively, "It's not that serious. I'm just a poor monk; my entire possessions don't even fill a single bundle.
What would they want with me?"
Despite Brother John's words, Ethan was still worried. "John, how about I take some people to escort you back?"
"Never mind," John shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "You're in the army—you can't come and go as you please. What if the army suddenly mobilizes when you leave? The Silver Hand can do without me, but not without you."
Ethan sighed. "I don't even know what I'm doing here. It's been almost half a month, and bad news keeps coming from all over the Riverlands, while the Young Wolf is still holding back."
John patted Ethan's shoulder, comforting him. "Great men have their considerations, and small men have their concerns."
Ethan knew he couldn't persuade John. John had interrupted his pilgrimage in the North precisely to go home.
So he changed the subject. "John, I have a gift for you."
"What gift?" John asked curiously.
"Close your eyes." Ethan smiled mysteriously.
"Hmm? What are you planning? Don't play tricks on me." John looked at Ethan warily.
"Ha—when have I ever tricked you?"
"Hey, you think I don't remember?" John mumbled, closing his eyes. "Last time you and Lennar somehow got hold of a bottle of sour wine and tricked me into thinking it was some good wine from Green Pavilion Island, making me drink a whole glass—"
Just as John was lost in his memories, Ethan swiftly summoned the Resonance Crystal and, with lightning speed, dripped a drop of the Seed of Light onto John's head.
Then he pulled out the sheathed dagger he had brought all the way from Azeroth from his waist and held it in his hand.
When John opened his eyes Ethan asked, "John, did you sense anything?"
John shook his head. "Sense what? Nothing."
Ethan thought to himself that John had always been quite resistant to the Anshe faith, so it was understandable that he had not sensed the presence of the Seed of Light.
So he stopped dwelling on the matter and instead handed the dagger to John. "The journey is long and arduous—who knows when we'll meet again? This is a dagger I brought from my homeland. It's nothing valuable, but please keep it as a memento."
John took the dagger from Ethan, drew it, and examined it closely.
The dagger had an elegant, streamlined blade about ten centimeters long and of moderate width. It maintained sufficient sharpness while being easy to grip and control.
The handle was exquisitely designed, made of a type of wood he had never seen before, with beautifully carved patterns. The blade was also engraved with delicate textures, gleaming coldly.
John knew a little about blacksmithing and knew this dagger was quite valuable.
However he did not refuse it; as Ethan said, it was a testament to their friendship, and there was no need to be overly concerned about it.
So John tore off the hammer pendant from his chest and handed it to Ethan. "I don't have anything valuable on me. I've worn this pendant for almost six years. If you don't mind, please accept it."
At this moment Lennar arrived after receiving the news. While pulling up his sleeves he complained, "John, why didn't you tell me you were leaving? Ethan is your friend, but am I not?"
John laughed and explained, "I originally wanted to ask Ethan to pass on my message, but I'm not very good at these kinds of situations."
After exchanging a few words John and Lennar hugged tightly. Then John left Riverrun at dawn.
Ethan watched John's departing figure, feeling a pang of emotion. "Will we ever see him again?"
Lennar replied, "Perhaps we will, perhaps we won't. May Anshe protect him."
Ethan nodded and added, "May Anshe, the Old Gods, and the Seven Gods all protect him."
Seven or eight days after John left, the Young Wolf's guards finally delivered the new battle order: All troops prepare to advance westward immediately!
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