"Ugh… It would be nice if this was done somewhere else…" Damian thought bitterly.
The Awakening could technically be done anywhere, but tradition favored secluded locations. Why? Because during the process, the body often went limp and vulnerable—leaving one wide open for an assassination.
For nobles who disliked taking chances, it was better to carry it out in secluded places like this room—no doors and windows, just a simple door as it entrance.
"I guess it can't be helped." he shrugged.
With his awakening complete, it was time for the next step. Moments later, Sir Winston—the royal butler, stepped forward with an artifact—an enchanted monocle used to assess one's status. He activated it, the lens flashing briefly before projecting Damian's results in glowing letters.
Name: Damian Blackthorne
Class: Swordsman
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Stamina: 10
Intelligence: 10
Skills: Sword Arts
Winston furrowed his brows and for a moment, something flickered his eyes— something like surprise?.
But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by thinly veiled disappointment as he read out his stats.
Kaia laughed immediately. "Seriously? Swordsman? How pathetic. Couldn't even afford a proper class, huh? Not that it's surprising, considering you're a low-born commoner."
Damian just smiled. 'Yeah right, says the sister of this 'commoner' he thought. 'besides, that's just my surface stats..'
—Flashback—
Right after selecting his class and skill, a new prompt appeared—another skill slot. The class option was greyed out this time. He'd expected two classes, but apparently, half-bloods weren't worth the luxury.
Still, half a loaf was better than none.
He scanned the skill list and selected something seemingly unimpressive.
[You have acquired the skill: Illusion]
It wasn't flashy, nor powerful on the surface. But to him? It was perfect.
"If I want to outmaneuver the vipers in this house, smoke and mirrors will be more valuable than brute force."
• • •
Back to the present, Damian was smirking as Winston read his stats out aloud.
The more he read, the more it sounded fairly average. But Damian didn't care about looking impressive, not in the slightest. His goal was to become the king, but that didn't mean he would just follow a frontal approach. It would be the same as digging his grave.
He asked, feigning concern, "Is it that bad, Sir Winston?"
The butler scoffed and walked away without answering. As the head steward of the royal family, Winston didn't owe the seventh prince anything—especially one of mixed blood. In truth, his status in the estate was higher than some of the king's legitimate children.
As Winston left, only the royal siblings remained.
"Ha! You really are a commoner through and through," Kai scoffed.
"I know, right?" Kaia chimed in, eyes gleaming with wicked amusement.
The insults came like clockwork. Damian had endured their venom for years. Each jab used to rattle him. Still did, if he was being honest.
But today? Something had changed.
He smiled—nervous, and crooked, but still a smile nonetheless. Afterall, he was standing before the two people that taught him the meaning of fear.
Then Kaia leaned in smugly, "I bet the seducing hag begged the heavens just for you to get a bunch scraps hahaha."
"Hag?..." Damian flinched.
That did it.
The fear melted and rage simmered beneath his skin.
"Sister Kaia," Damian said, voice sharp, "I guess no one's taught you, but isn't it disrespectful to insult your elders? I mean, that's 'common' knowledge… wouldn't you agree?"
He dragged the word common out, throwing their unusual insult right back at them.
Aeron's polite facade cracked. His smile vanished after realizing the insult.
"How dare you—!" Aeron surged forward.
'That one hit the spot,' Damian thought darkly.
He never understood why Aeron always acted as the siblings' mouthpiece. Maybe to score favor, maybe to assert control. Damian didn't really care either way.
"I know exactly who I'm talking to..." he said aloud, eyes narrowing. "Just a bunch of spoiled seniors."
'More like brats' he added in his thoughts.
Kai lunged forward and grabbed Damian by the collar, hoisting him up.
"You mind saying that again, commoner?!" A vein throbbed on his temple.
"Get some hits in for me, kay!" Kaia called out cheerily.
Damian grinned, even as he struggled to breathe. "Yes, brother, I do mind that you're choking me." He mocked.
That pushed Kai over the edge. He reared his fist back, his rage clearly burning in his gaze.
'This is gonna sting...' Damian braced himself. 'Unless...'
KNOCK-KNOCK.
The fist stopped mid-air.
"Who dares interrupt?!" Kai roared.
A servant's voice replied nervously, "The king summons his children, my lords."
Kai growled. "Father? Now?!"
The servant cleared his throat again. "Yes young master...And..." the servant hesitated. "His Majesty has asked for the seventh to be present as well."
Damian's smirk widened.
Perfect.
The words struck Kai like a slap to the face. It had been years since the king summoned all his children together—and never once had he called for Damian.
Kai's rage boiled, his confusion clearly written all over his face.
"Tch... Let's go, Kaia," he sneered, dropping Damian unceremoniously. "Don't think this is over, commoner... just wait."
The siblings exited, slamming the door behind them.
Damian lay on the ground, sprawled out and rubbing his aching butt and letting out a heavy sigh.
"Phew… That went surprisingly well," he muttered with a grin. "Good thing I knew Father would call us today, and the timing couldn't be any more perfect."
He rubbed his cheek where Kai had nearly hit him while thanking his gods for the save.
"It's the same, just like before… before my regression."
He stood, brushing himself off.
"Alright then." He smirked childishly. "I shouldn't keep the king waiting, now should I?"