READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 5: Family
Before I could even fully collect my thoughts, there came a soft knock at the door.
"Young master," the voice from outside called, soft yet respectful.
I stiffened, forcing myself to sit upright. My body still ached from the excruciating awakening process, but I quickly composed myself. With Zephyx's soul now fully merged with mine, it felt oddly natural to adopt his demeanor.
"Come in," I said, my voice carrying the same imperious tone that Zephyx himself would use.
The door creaked open, and a young maid stepped inside. Her posture was respectful, her hands folded neatly in front of her as she bowed slightly. "Young master, it is time for lunch," she announced, her voice soft yet formal.
I followed her gaze briefly, noticing the ornate clock on the wall. It was indeed the time for the midday meal. With a slight nod, I straightened myself further and replied in a tone that felt effortlessly regal, "Very well. Inform them I'll be there shortly."
The maid curtsied. "As you wish, young master."
She exited the room as quickly as she had come, closing the door softly behind her. For a moment, I remained seated, staring at the door. The interaction had been brief, but it struck me how seamless it felt. Zephyx's soul had become so integrated with mine that acting like him wasn't a struggle—it was instinctual.
I stood, smoothing out the creases in my clothes as I prepared to leave.
As I stepped out of my room, the grandeur of the Everblade mansion greeted me. The long hallway stretched ahead, lined with towering windows that bathed the corridor in soft, golden light. Ornate paintings and intricate carvings adorned the walls, a testament to the wealth and prestige of the Everblade family.
Drawing from Zephyx's memories, I began walking toward the dining room.As I moved, my gaze wandered, taking in the view of the mansion that was now my home—a blend of elegance and opulence that felt both awe-inspiring and suffocating.
The journey through the hallways brought me to the large double doors of the dining room. The polished wood gleamed under the light of a crystal chandelier hanging above. Pushing the doors open, I stepped inside and immediately felt the weight of the gazes that turned toward me.
At the head of the table was my father, the patriarch of the Everblade family—Darius Everblade. His jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes gave him a commanding presence, and the subtle aura of authority he radiated was unmistakable. Even seated, he exuded a sense of power that reminded me why this man was both respected and feared.
To his right sat my stepmother, Evelyn Everblade. Her striking blue hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her warm yellow eyes held a gentle, almost maternal glow. She had always carried an air of grace and calmness.
I moved to my seat, which was located to the left of my father without greeting anyone. As I sat down, my gaze fell on the young woman seated across from me. Liliana Everblade, my stepsister. Her black hair, much like our father's , and her sharp yellow eyes locked onto mine for a fleeting moment before she returned her attention to the book she had brought to the table.
The servants entered the room in a seamless line, each carrying silver trays laden with an assortment of dishes that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. Without waiting for anyone's permission, I reached for the nearest dish—a perfectly roasted piece of meat glistening with herbs—and began eating. Zephyx's arrogance surged to the forefront of my behavior, and I didn't bother acknowledging the disapproving glance my father sent in my direction.
Darius Everblade, ever the pillar of authority, cleared his throat but said nothing. Moments later, he gave a curt nod. "You may begin," he announced, granting permission to the others.
Across from me, Liliana immediately brightened, clapping her hands softly in delight. "Finally! I thought I'd starve!" she said cheerfully, reaching for the fruit salad. Her bubbly demeanor filled the room, a stark contrast to my aloofness and our father's stoicism. Evelyn, seated beside him, smiled faintly at her daughter's enthusiasm and began serving herself with graceful precision.
The meal progressed, the clinking of cutlery occasionally interrupted by idle conversation. Liliana, as usual, was full of chatter, asking Evelyn about a new dress she'd seen and pestering Darius about when they could visit the capital again.
"I heard the gardens in the royal palace are blooming this season!" she said brightly, turning to me suddenly. "What do you think, Zephyx? Wouldn't it be wonderful to see them together?"
My gaze lingered on Liliana, in the game, was not only one of the heroines but also a member of the protagonist's harem. She was the one who revealed the critical weakness of the Everblade Wrath Bloodline—a flaw she herself carried within her veins. Seeing her asking me a question I felt even disgusted only by seeing her face but i masked my emotions with a calm face outside.
"I don't want to go anywhere with you," I replied flatly, my expression as bored as ever.
Liliana's face instantly fell, her cheerful demeanor faltering for a split second before she quickly masked her disappointment with a forced smile. "Oh... well, that's okay," she said, her voice lacking its usual vibrancy.
Darius, sitting at the head of the table, observed the exchange silently, his piercing blue eyes narrowing slightly in disapproval. The briefest flicker of irritation passed across his face, though he said nothing. He was accustomed to Zephyx's cold demeanor, but this was a tad too much, even for him.
Evelyn, on the other hand, sighed softly, her yellow eyes casting a gentle yet weary glance toward me. "Zephyx," she spoke quietly, her voice carrying a tinge of motherly concern, "you should at least try to engage more with your sister. She's only trying to be kind."
"She is not my sister," I said coldly, my voice unwavering as I stared down at my plate. The words hung in the air, sharp and final.
Liliana's smile faltered entirely, the bright spark in her yellow eyes dimming for a moment as the sting of my words settled in. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat but quickly regained her composure, turning her gaze downward, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Darius' eyes flickered with a cold, unreadable expression, his hands clasped together tightly on the table. His silence was more telling than any words could be—he had expected this kind of behavior from Zephyx, but it didn't make it any less bothersome.
Evelyn's face softened with concern, but she sighed deeply, clearly at a loss for how to bridge the gap between us. "Zephyx, you must understand..." She trailed off, her voice laced with a quiet sadness, but she didn't push further, knowing well that such conversations rarely had any effect on him.
I, however, remained indifferent, pretending not to notice the tension building in the room as I continued to eat, the weight of my cold indifference hanging between us all.
After a long, uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch on endlessly, Darius finally broke the stillness. His voice was calm, but there was an underlying firmness that immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Both of you," he began, his piercing blue eyes shifting between Liliana and me, "the Awakening Ceremony will be held one week from today."
Liliana's eyes instantly brightened at the mention of the ceremony, her enthusiasm momentarily lifting the weight in the room. "A week? That's so soon!" she exclaimed, her bubbly nature resurfacing. "I can't wait to see what powers I'll awaken!"
I, however, remained unmoved, my expression unchanged. The mention of the ceremony had no effect on me. Edgar's memories, already brimming with expectations of the event, told me all I needed to know.
Darius continued, ignoring Liliana's bubbly response. "Prepare yourselves accordingly. This ceremony is important for both of you. I expect you to fully focus in the coming days." His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, as if measuring my reaction, but I offered no response.
Liliana, still full of energy, glanced at me with a mischievous smile. "We'll do our best, won't we, Zephyx?" she said, her voice playful, though it was clear she was trying to draw me into her excitement.
I gave her a brief, indifferent glance. "Don't talk to me," I muttered, not bothering to add anything else
Liliana's playful smile faltered slightly at my harsh response, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a forced grin. "Oh, fine," she said with exaggerated cheerfulness, but the hurt was evident in her eyes for just a moment before she looked away, pretending to focus on her food.
After finishing lunch, I returned to my room, the weight of the conversation still hanging in the air. I threw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as I let my thoughts wander. Suddenly, the familiar sound of [Ding~] filled the air, and a translucent box appeared before me, materializing with a soft glow.
[New Quest: Daily Training Quest (1 week)]
Objective:
Run 5 kilometers daily
Perform 100 push-ups daily
Perform 100 sit-ups daily
Pull-ups: 50 daily
Squats: 200 daily
Meditation: 30 minutes daily
Reward:
+2 to all stats (Strength, Intelligence, Agility, Stamina)