"First of all, I'd like to apologize for the fight. But it was necessary to confirm that you were worthy of wielding the whip."
Leon spoke calmly. Trevor simply nodded before asking,
"Is that common? Does every Belmont have to go through something like that?"
"No. But in your case… it's different. The whip itself chose to test you."
"My case…?"
Trevor asked, trying to hide what he already suspected.
Leon looked at him with a faint smile.
"There's no need to hide it. The whip sensed it the moment you touched it. Your blood is Belmont… but your soul is a fusion of two."
Trevor took a deep breath before answering,
"Yeah… there's not much to say. It's true. But it wasn't my choice… and I don't intend to harm anyone."
"I know."
Leon replied without hesitation.
"You fought with ferocity, but only because I attacked first. And when the whip connected with you, it also sensed your intent. There's no malice in you… nor any influence from darkness."
Trevor relaxed slightly.
"I'm glad you trust me. But… if you already knew that, why test me at all?"
"For two reasons."
Leon raised two fingers.
"First: when someone who isn't a Belmont tries to use the whip at its full capacity, they must undergo a ritual. Otherwise, prolonged use would drain their life."
He paused briefly.
"Second… we needed to be sure."
"We?"
"The previous wielders of the whip."
Trevor's eyes widened.
"They… are here too?"
"Yes. They watched our fight… and our conversation. But only I can speak to you right now. I was the one summoned to test you."
Leon turned his head slightly, as if listening to something distant.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Your mother asked me to tell you something."
Trevor froze.
"She said she's very proud of the man you've become… that you are still her son… and that she loves you very much."
Trevor couldn't hold it back.
A tear slid down his face.
Even after everything… she still saw him as her son.
And she still loved him.
He lowered his head for a few seconds, taking a deep breath before wiping his tears.
"Thank you… Leon."
He looked around, as if he could be heard.
"I love you too, Mom."
Then he turned back to Leon.
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes."
Leon crossed his arms.
"Do you know why someone who isn't a Belmont has their life drained when using the whip?"
Trevor thought for a moment.
"Because… the whip is jealous?"
Leon let out a soft chuckle.
"In a way. The Vampire Killer is a magical weapon created through a ritual that binds it to Belmont blood. When an outsider tries to use it, the whip forces the user's body and soul… draining their life in the process."
"But… if they go through the ritual?"
"Then the whip acknowledges them as worthy. It stops forcing their body and allows them to use its full power."
Trevor frowned.
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"The fusion of your soul… combined with the fact that you underwent this ritual and came into contact with other souls… awakened something dormant."
Trevor focused.
"What you would call the Belmonts' 'magic gene.'"
Trevor's eyes widened.
He looked at his own hands, expecting something to happen.
But nothing did.
Leon laughed at his reaction.
"I said you'll feel it over time. That power has been dormant for centuries… it needs to awaken gradually."
"Right…"
"One more thing."
Leon's expression grew serious.
"This ritual created a connection. From now on… other Belmonts may be able to reach out to you."
Trevor's eyes lit up.
"You mean—"
"Yes. But only when necessary. It won't be constant."
Trevor nodded, still slightly disappointed.
Leon then stood and extended his hand.
"Well… that's everything. It was a pleasure meeting you, Trevor. We have high expectations for you."
Trevor stood as well and shook his hand.
"The pleasure was mine. I'll do everything I can to live up to them."
Leon smiled.
"We'll be watching."
In the next instant, Trevor opened his eyes.
He was back in his room.
His grandfather was sitting beside the bed.
As soon as Trevor sat up, Lucius woke and smiled in relief.
"Trevor!"
He quickly stood and pulled him into a hug, checking him for injuries.
"Thank God… when you grabbed the Vampire Killer, you passed out… and you wouldn't let go of the whip no matter what."
Only then did Trevor notice.
The whip was still tightly clenched in his hand.
He loosened his grip, revealing deep marks in his palm.
"I… was pulled into a strange place. I had to fight… Leon Belmont."
Lucius froze.
"Leon Belmont?! What do you mean?!"
"Relax, let me finish."
Trevor took a deep breath.
"He tested me. Said I needed to prove I was worthy of using the whip."
"That's never happened before…"
"I know. But… he said that because of it, the ritual awakened the family's magic gene."
For a moment, Lucius went silent.
Then—
"What?!"
And he burst out laughing.
"I knew it! I knew it! My grandson is a genius!"
Trevor blinked… then ended up laughing as well.
After calming down, Lucius said,
"We need to go to the family archives. Now. There has to be something about this."
"Alright… but we need to be quick. I still have a trip to make."
Lucius paused.
"Are you sure about this?"
Trevor looked at him firmly.
"I am."
Lucius tried to say something… but found no words.
He simply placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"I trust you. And I know you'll do great things. I'll help however I can."
Trevor smiled, moved.
"Thank you for everything, Grandpa. I'll do my best."
A short while later…
Trevor was seated on a plane.
Bound for Beacon Hills.
A new chapter of his life was about to begin.