Morning came gently to the Morvain estate.
Sunlight filtered through tall glass windows, casting pale gold lines across polished floors and silk curtains. The servants moved quietly, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace that hovered in the air.
Julien Morvain lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, one arm resting over his eyes.
One month.
It had been exactly one month since Noah woke up in this body.
One month since he inherited the life—and the fate—of the original Julien Morvain.
He let out a slow breath.
The original Julien…
The thought came uninvited, as it often did in the mornings.
In the novel, Julien Morvain had been a second-rate villain. Not talented. Not loved. Manipulated by demons. Forced to awaken into a class he never wanted. Slowly twisted into someone who would die pathetically at the hands of Daniel.
Julien closed his eyes.
He wasn't evil at first, he thought. He was just… desperate.
A boy who lost his family. A boy who grasped at power. A boy who chose the wrong hand to hold.
And now, that life belonged to him.
He rolled onto his side and stared at his palm.
I don't even know what class I'll get.
In this world, awakening defined everything. Warrior. Mage. Healer. Support. Or something stranger.
In the novel, his class had been Demi-Human, forced upon him by demons.
Julien's lips curved faintly.
Let's hope fate has better taste this time.
Downstairs, the Morvain estate was already awake.
Servants bustled through the corridors carrying breakfast trays. The scent of bread and tea drifted through the air. Julien dressed slowly, deliberately, choosing comfort over ceremony.
When he entered the dining hall, his family was already there.
His mother noticed him first.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Surprisingly," Julien replied casually. "No prophetic dreams, no sudden revelations. Very disappointing."
His father snorted behind his cup.
Joshua, seven years old and barely able to sit still, jumped from his chair and ran to him.
"Brother! Today is your birthday!"
"Yes," Julien said, ruffling his hair. "I survived another year. A remarkable achievement."
Joshua looked at him with bright eyes.
"Will you awaken today?"
Julien paused for half a second.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. "We'll see what the world decides."
Joshua puffed his chest. "When I'm fifteen, I'll awaken too! I'll protect everyone!"
Julien smiled gently.
"Good ambition. Just don't start protecting people before homework."
The door opened.
A familiar presence filled the hall.
Alicia Morvain had arrived.
Her posture was straight, her uniform immaculate, her presence commanding even without effort. Student council president. Genius. Pride of the family.
She approached Julien and studied him closely.
"Happy birthday," she said. Then, immediately,
"You look too relaxed."
Julien shrugged.
"Relaxation is a lifestyle choice."
"You're supposed to be nervous," Alicia said.
"Then I am rebelling against tradition."
She shook her head but smiled faintly.
Later that morning, in the garden pavilion, Helior found him.
The old man leaned on his cane, eyes sharp as ever.
"Fifteen already," Helior said. "Time passes quickly."
Julien poured tea for both of them.
"Do you feel anything?" Helior asked. "Any sign of awakening?"
Julien shook his head.
"No, grandfather. Nothing yet."
Helior studied him in silence for a long moment.
Then he sighed softly.
"That is fine. Awakening is not a race."
Julien hesitated, then asked, "Were you nervous on your awakening day?"
Helior chuckled.
"Terrified. I thought I would disappoint everyone."
"And did you?"
"No," Helior said. "But more importantly, I learned that power is not what decides a man's worth."
He placed a hand on Julien's shoulder.
"Whatever class you receive… remember, you are already enough."
Julien felt a strange tightness in his chest.
For a brief moment, a memory surfaced.
A different grandfather.
A hospital room.
A childish mistake.
A belief that his carelessness had cost someone precious.
He lowered his head slightly.
"I'll remember," he said quietly.
When Helior left, Julien remained alone in the pavilion.
The air was peaceful. Birds chirped softly. The estate looked calm.
Too calm.
His gaze shifted toward the outer walls.
According to the novel… today is the day the vampires make their move.
He exhaled slowly.
He had no intention of saving the world.
No intention of changing fate dramatically.
He only had one goal.
Protect my family.
That was all.
He had already arranged subtle precautions. Extra guards near the courtyard. Alicia kept nearby. Joshua instructed not to wander alone.
No heroics.
No grand destiny.
Just preparation.
Julien leaned back in his chair and smiled faintly.
"All due respect, fate…" he murmured to himself, though his tone was still casual, still unawakened.
"Let's try not to ruin the party today."
And somewhere, beyond the peaceful walls of the estate, something ugly was already moving.