Aldric walked slowly around them, like a predator assessing its prey.
"The merchant who found you said you were near a demonic summoning site sealed fifty years ago." He stopped in front of Darius. "He said the monsters around you had been slaughtered using advanced combat techniques. Far too advanced for children your age."
Tense silence.
"However," Aldric continued, "your bodies do not show the extensive training such abilities would require. Which means one of two things: either someone else killed those creatures and you are witnesses. Or…" his eyes narrowed, "you possess some kind of latent power."
[Critical moment detected. Your next response will determine House Valorian's initial perception of you.]
Kael activated his Empathic Perception, focusing on Aldric. He felt… curiosity. Suspicion. But also… hope? Aldric wanted them to be special.
Of course, Kael thought. House Valorian is always searching for talent. Powerful adopted children would increase their prestige.
"I… felt something," Darius said suddenly, his voice trembling. "When the monsters attacked us. It was like my body knew what to do. Like someone else was controlling me. And there was… light. Golden light coming out of my hands."
Aldric's eyes lit up. Celeste leaned forward, interested.
"Golden light?" Celeste asked. "Warm? Did it heal or destroy?"
"Both," Darius admitted. "I felt it burning the monsters, but… it also made me feel good. Strong."
Isabelle let out a sharp gasp.
"It's holy magic," she whispered. "Like that of paladins."
Aldric and Celeste exchanged a meaningful look.
[Alert: Key event in progress. Your brother is being identified as a bearer of divine blessing.]
Kael clenched his fists. So this was where it all began. The Valorian family had seen Darius's potential from the very first day, recognizing the marks of a future hero. And he… he had been nothing more than the shadow that came with the package.
"And you?" Aldric asked, turning to Kael. "Do you feel something similar?"
This was his chance. He could lie, say he had powers too. But Kael knew that would only invite tests he couldn't pass right now.
"No light," he said carefully. "But… I knew where the monsters would attack before they did. As if I could sense their intentions. And I knew… words. Words that made them retreat."
"What kind of words?" Celeste asked urgently.
"In an ancient language. I don't know which. They just… come out of my mouth."
[Charisma +1 for a credible and mysterious answer.]
Aldric stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Instinctive holy magic and innate arcane knowledge." He looked at his wife. "What do you think?"
"They're special," Celeste replied without hesitation. "Both of them. Perhaps survivors of some lost lineage. Or…" she hesitated. "It could be an omen."
"An omen of what?" Isabelle asked, unable to contain herself any longer.
"That," Aldric said slowly, "is what we must discover."
He walked to the desk and took out two blank documents.
"I have a proposal for you. House Valorian will adopt both of you as foreign sons. You will not have full succession rights, but you will be educated, trained, and protected like any noble. In return…" his voice grew stern, "you will swear absolute loyalty to this house. You will serve the kingdom. And you will allow us to study your abilities."
"And if we refuse?" Kael asked calmly.
Aldric looked him straight in the eyes.
"Then you will be sent to a common orphanage. Or worse—if it is determined that you represent a threat, you will be handed over to the Inquisition for intensive interrogation."
It wasn't really a choice.
"I accept," Darius said immediately, gratitude evident in his voice.
Kael waited a moment longer, allowing Aldric to feel his resistance, before bowing his head.
"I also accept."
[Mission completed!]
[Adoption secured by House Valorian]
[Reward: +100 XP, New skill unlocked, +10 to all statistics]
[Level up!]
[Level 1 → Level 2]
[New skill: Social Mask Lv.1 – Allows you to conceal your true emotions and read micro-expressions in others]
A surge of energy flowed through Kael's body. It wasn't strong enough to be obvious externally, but he felt his muscles strengthen slightly, his mind sharpen.
"Excellent," Aldric said, smiling for the first time. "Welcome to House Valorian… Darius Valorian and Kael Valorian."
Isabelle let out a squeal of excitement and ran toward them.
"I have brothers! I finally have brothers!"
She threw her arms around Darius first, who blushed to the tips of his ears. Then, to Kael's surprise, she hugged him as well.
"We're going to be the best family," she said with a bright smile. "You'll see!"
Kael felt something tighten in his chest. In his past life, he had never truly experienced this moment. He had been too afraid, too insecure. Now, with the perspective of time, he could see what he had missed.
A sister who genuinely wanted to accept them.
[Connection established: Isabelle Valorian (Family)]
[Affection level: 25/100]
[Secondary mission completed]
[Reward: +5 Charisma, Information unlocked]
[Information revealed: In the original timeline, Isabelle Valorian died at age 19 defending the fortress from a demonic attack that your brother Darius "accidentally" allowed to occur in order to eliminate witnesses to his dealings with the Abyss.]
Kael froze.
Isabelle… had died. Because of Darius. And he had never known, because by then he had already been banished from the fortress, sent on suicidal missions far from home.
He looked at the girl hugging him so warmly, so full of life and hope, and felt something dark and cold settle in his stomach.
Not this time, he swore silently. This time, I won't let them hurt you.
Celeste approached and gently separated Isabelle from them.
"Give your new brothers some space, dear. They've had a very long day."
"Tonight we'll dine as a family," Aldric announced. "Tomorrow your evaluation and training will begin. Rest for now."
They were escorted to their new rooms—adjacent chambers in the east wing of the castle, reserved for younger members of the family. They were spacious, with comfortable beds, desks, and windows overlooking the mountains.
When he was finally alone, Kael collapsed onto the bed and closed his eyes.
[Do you wish to review your updated status?]
Later, he thought wearily.
But the system continued anyway:
[Kael Valorian – Level 2
Statistics:
Strength: 13/100
Agility: 14/100
Intelligence: 35/100
Charisma: 18/100
Magic: 20/100
Skills:
Empathic Perception Lv.1
Social Mask Lv.1
Knowledge of the Future
Connections:
Duchess Celeste Valorian: 18/100 (Maternal)
Isabelle Valorian: 25/100 (Family)
Active Missions:
Prevent the premature death of Isabelle Valorian (Time limit: 6 years)
Discover the origin of your amnesia
Investigate the first signs of corruption in Darius]
Six years. He had six years before the events he remembered led to Isabelle's death. Enough time to change things.
Enough time to grow stronger.
And this time, when he encountered Seraphina Luminara again…
Kael closed his eyes with a bitter smile. That was a complication he would have to face when the time came.
For now, he had a family to protect.
And a brother to watch closely.
To be continued…