A Trait.
A power blessed by our ancestors to their descendants to continue their lineage. We were always a powerful family, and nothing less than 10 stars was expected from our family heads, but to get to this stage, we required a trait.
It is unique to an existent member of the Jun family but they are all powers that once existed within our heritage. Our forefather and the founder of the Jun family, Mario Jun, and the eleven other members of the 12 great families defeated the Demon Lord and sealed the gates of Hades.
They were blessed by the goddess of casualties and granted immense powers for their contribution.
These powers were spread to their descendants and a wider and far greater range of skills began to appear.
All of these skills became our traits and were passed down through generations. When a Jun dies, their powers return to our blood and are once again sprouted in their future descendants.
A person can upgrade this trait and make it completely theirs.
In my past life, I obtained the trait I SEE YOU. A skill I was unable to use until my death because of my lack of understanding but after going through so many books at our family library, I found a way to use it.
'It's such a shame I wasn't able to use this OP skill in my past life'.
"Are you listening to me? Ralph ?"
"Sorry Dad….too much information to process"
"Oh…well..it's something I was supposed to tell you when you reached the 5th star but who could have thought…" he sighed. "Maybe until.."
"NO !.... I'm ready…for anything you throw at me, Father ''.
I fixed my gaze on his gaze for him to see my determination. If anything, my trait is one thing I need to get.
My father chuckled. "Alright...I will give you a week to prepare for it…" he said before getting up to leave but, next week was when…..
"Father? Didn't you have an expedition next week?".
He stopped at the door and stared at me with a baffled expression.
"....I was walking past your study when I overheard"
In my previous life, my father didn't go for the expedition because he had to oversee my training since I was being too lax…but this time. I have to make sure he goes with her.
"Oh…well, your mother can take care of that…she's a 9th star after all," he smiled at himself.
"Father? Have you forgotten from the legends of old..of how cunning demons were…"
I could see his wary expression. He seemed tired.
"You want me to go with her don't you?...this Mother's Child". He sat back down on the bed.
"Well…if I agree to go, it means I'll have to postpone your rite till I return.."
"But father…can't it be done tomorrow ?"
His expression slowly turned from amused to worried.
"Do not…be overconfident my son…the rites are not something to be ridiculed"
"...I'm not….I'm simply saying that I can at least give it a try to ease your worry going forward.."
My dad stared at me as if contemplating what I had said. He rubbed his temples and stood up. "Well….you can always try again when you reach the 7th star…though getting there is much harder than reaching the 5th". "Alright….I agree".
He headed towards the door. "I give you 15 hours….at midnight tomorrow, you shall begin your rites".
"Yes, Father! I shall not let you down".
"I truly hope so". He nodded and walked out of my room.
'He must be feeling like I'm being overconfident….but…I've been through the rites before…and this time…I intend on passing with flying colors.
*****
Michelo POV.
"How was it ?"
I could hear the lovely voice of my wife as I stepped into our room.
I didn't realize when I had sighed and walked up to her, lying down on the king's size bed while resting my head on her thighs.
"Since when did a 10-year-old become so smart ?".
She chuckled. Her laugh always made my heart flutter.
"You silly woman..What kind of genius did you birth for me?". I couldn't help but chuckle as well.
"Did something happen ?"
"Yes..he insisted I follow you for the Demon subjugation"
I could feel her faint disbelief with the way she suddenly stopped stroking my hair and then continued after a moment's breath.
"And how did he find out ?"
".... he heard our conversation while walking past my study…."
"Oh….wasn't he supposed to go through the rites during that time ?"
"That's the part that baffles me the most….".
The Rite of Passage was a sacred act where I instilled the mana of our forefathers into their bodies.
It's a process where they lie in a state of dormant rest, unable to wake up until they go through the trials of our forefathers with a similar faith to them.
"He insists on taking it tomorrow…"
"That child !...you didn't agree, did you ?"
I could feel her worry from the shake of her voice.
'My lovely Rachael'.
I sat up and held her face while gazing into her eyes. Her eyes made her seem like she was blind and I loved it about her. I thought it was a shame that my daughters couldn't inherit such beautiful eyes.
"He's getting overconfident, dear….it's not something he can do without proper rest, and he will face the consequences….he can try again once he reaches the 7th star, so let's just let him see what could happen to overconfident kids".
"...." she stared at me with a worried look. Her eyes seemed like they stared deep into my soul.
"Silly man…you don't truly wish that for your son….but…..I understand…if it is my Lord's will…then I won't complain". She laid her head on my chest causing my lips to curl into a smile.
'She always had this effect on me…making me smile'.
I patted her and slowly turned off the reading lamp next to the book she had been reading.
"Thank you, my dear….".
******
Raffaello POV.
The next day had come as soon as I wanted it.
I yawned as the blinding lights seeped their way through my room.
"Close the windows, Serena".
'Shitty light…I hate how blinding it can get'.
Serena quickly walked up to the window and lifted the blinders down.
"Look who's still sleeping at 11 am"
"Hmm..".
I turned to the door to meet the greeting eyes of Morganna.
'Shitt…this troublemaker'
"Morning Morganna….what do you want ?"
I queried as I climbed down my bed.
'I'm still too short….when did my growth sprout occur again…'
"You insist on taking the rite at 12 today don't you ?"
'Oh right…there was that…'
"I'll get ready soon….Serena..prepare my breakfast by the time I'm done dressing".
"Yes, master".
"You insist on it ?" Morganna asked with an expression I didn't seem to get used to. "I don't have a star so I couldn't go through it…but.."
"Then you should….either a star or a mana circle…as long as it's at the 5th state…you should be able to get through the trials".
In my past life, Morganna and Thalia had not gone through the trials…my eldest sister, Gloria, had gotten the trait ONE WITH NATURE…she became the Queen of Thorns on the Battlefield. Rebecca died too early but she gained the double traits SOLDIER OF LIGHT and RAINBOW VALLEY. Whatever the hell that means, we weren't able to find out since she passed away. Fiona gained the trait of LIGHTNING GOD, and I still remember how powerful she was.
"...it's not something I need to…"
".....We aren't always going to be together Morganna, Thalia as well…you girls should think about your future safety…at least…".
I left for the bathroom to get prepared.
There was no time to waste since the subjugation was fast approaching.
"Seriously….that's not something a 10-year-old should be saying." I could hear her sigh as I went in.
Morganna turned towards Serena with a knowing look. She nodded and walked out of the room with Morganna.
It wasn't long before an hour had passed when I finally found my way to my father's study.
My sisters were worriedly staring at me, while my mother and father had indifferent looks.
'I'm sure it was hard for them to decide…..a ten-year-old is about to take the rite….and just after forming his 5th star too…it's irresponsible, to be honest…but the sooner.., the better'.
I walked up to my father and bowed.
"Ready for the rite ! Father !".
I could hear his sigh as the chair he sat on shifted.
He walked up to me and tapped my shoulder.
"Alright then….I shall now..infuse the mana…be prepared…"
I nodded my head in agreement as I stood up straight.
"Alright then…"
The initial process was always the most annoying…you wouldn't know when you've suddenly passed out due to the influx of ma-....na….
Normal POV.
Raffaello fell to the ground like a piece of wood as he felt the sudden surge of mana that flowed through his body. His father's hand glowed bright blue as he panted lightly.
"The rest…is all up to him…" He said silently as he went back to his chair.
His family stared at him hopeful…that his confident demeanor was more than enough for him to make it out in one piece.
Meanwhile, in the mansion, the maids were going about their usual tasks when Charmy walked into the kitchen.
"Where's the head cook ?" He asked.
The cooks all pointed towards the storage room and he nodded, walking towards the room.
The door opened just as he got there, and an old woman in her late 50s walked out. "Oh….how may I help you today ?". She asked why looking around the kitchen. "Focus on your tasks !" She screamed out after noticing their nosy looks.
"Seems like we need a better place to talk.." Charmy said as he walked into the storage. She followed after him, locking it behind.
"Have you gathered enough?"
"Of course….the money was given to buy food supplies…I've secured enough.."
"That's good…we should send news to the King so we can get out of this house once and for all…"
"Indeed.." the cook sighed. "How is the child ?"
"He's begun his trial…"
"Oh…then all the family members must be locked up in there…"
"Yes…isn't that why I've come to visit you ?"
"Oh…is that so….".
They stared at each other silently, as if aware of each other's thoughts.
"That child…is dangerous isn't he ?" The cook asked.
"Indeed…as if that devil..the 3rd daughter wasn't enough…"
"We'll just have to include their son in the assassination as well".
"True..but..why do I feel like it won't go as planned ?"
"....according to my ears and eyes…the patriarch might leave with his wife for the expedition.."
"..if That's the case…then..the children will be left unsupervised".
"Not necessarily….he might summon his younger brother"
"Oh….you must mean Phillip"
"Who else? Retard"
Charmy glared at the woman with a disgusted expression. "Don't…you dare…say that again" he said as he suddenly pointed a knife close to her neck.
The woman chuckled.
"...you…think I'm afraid of you ?...fallen noble…."
His eyes exuded blood lust that could not be contained, yet he turned a blind eye and walked out of the storage room before leaving, he said.
"Wait for further instructions and we'll….discuss this matter in detail soon.."
The woman's lips curled into a devious smile as she cleaned the drop of blood that dribbled down her neck.
"What an idiot…"