Chapter 2: The Awakening Room
Ethan hurried down the long, marbled halls of the Yagami estate, his soft slippers barely making a sound. Sunlight poured in through the tall windows, painting golden streaks across the polished floors.
Despite his rush, he didn't ignore the familiar faces around him.
The moment the servants and knights caught sight of him, their expressions brightened.
"Young Master Ethan, how was your morning?"
"Did you sleep well? I'm making breakfast—I'll prepare something special just for you!"
"Young Master, did you like the decorations I arranged in your chamber yesterday?"
The sheer warmth in their voices made it impossible not to smile. Ethan's lips curled into that signature gentle, sweet smile—the one that never failed to melt hearts.
His presence was like a warm breeze, effortless yet comforting.
"I slept great! I hope you all did too." He responded cheerfully, waving as he walked past. Then, with a playful glint in his green eyes, he added, "I'll come play with you after my Awakening Ceremony, so start preparing the games."
Laughter rippled through the servants and knights.
Even on such an important day, their young master remained the same.
But beneath their amusement, some of them exchanged uncertain glances.
"Do you think Young Master Ethan will awaken a powerful talent like Young Master Lucas or Young Mistress Eva?" a maid whispered.
Ethan was different from his siblings. Unlike Lucas, who trained relentlessly, or Eva, who carried herself with unwavering discipline, Ethan spent his days playing, sleeping, and avoiding anything remotely exhausting.
He had trained once. Only once.
Then promptly declared it "too straining" and never stepped onto the training grounds again.
Yet, despite his lack of effort, not a single servant resented him for it. How could they?
He treated them with kindness, without a shred of arrogance. He never looked down on them, never saw them as lesser. He played alongside them without hesitation.
He was their "Kind Noble."
"Even if he awakens a useless talent," one of the maids said firmly, "we'll always be here to support him."
"That's right," another agreed.
"Then let's prepare something to cheer him up—just in case!"
With that, the servants hurried off, determined to make sure their young master never felt disappointed.
Inside the Awakening Room
Ethan stepped through the towering wooden doors into a vast chamber bathed in a soft, mystical glow. The air hummed faintly with magic. At the center of the room stood a large crystal orb, shimmering with countless colors, shifting and twisting like a living entity.
His gaze landed on the two figures standing behind it—his father and mother.
His father, Lionnel Yagami, was a man of undeniable presence. Tall and broad-shouldered, his black hair was streaked with hints of silver, his piercing green eyes carrying the weight of authority. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression as stern as ever.
Beside him, his mother, Iris Yagami, was his perfect contrast. Ethereal and graceful, with flowing crimson hair and piercing red eyes, she radiated warmth despite her noble bearing.
To the right, Ethan spotted two girls.
His eldest sister, Eva Yagami, stood poised and elegant, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. She bore their mother's red eyes, but unlike Iris's warmth, hers were sharp—cool, calculating. A wall of discipline.
And standing beside her, a much smaller figure.
A little girl, no older than five, with the same dark hair and bright red eyes. The moment Chloe spotted him, her face lit up like a festival lantern.
"Big Brother! You're finally here!"
She sprinted toward him at full speed, her tiny feet pattering against the floor.
Ethan barely had time to react before she crashed into his chest, wrapping her small arms around his waist. He chuckled, bending down to ruffle her hair.
"Sorry, I overslept," he admitted with a sheepish smile.
As he said this, he stole a glance at his father—half-expecting a long, drawn-out lecture about responsibility.
Lionnel merely exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "Ethan, come. We've wasted enough time."
Ethan inwardly sighed in relief. No lecture today. Perfect.
His mother, however, simply smiled at him.
"No matter what happens, my dear, don't worry."
Her words were soft, yet firm. A promise.
Ethan nodded lightly. "I know, Mother."
He carefully set Chloe back down, giving her a reassuring pat before stepping toward the Awakening Crystal.
Eva, who had remained silent this entire time, simply gave him a curt nod as he passed. Ethan, used to her reserved nature, smirked slightly.
His big sister wasn't cold—she just didn't know how to express herself well.
He stopped just before the crystal, staring at its swirling lights.
The Awakening Crystal—a sacred artifact that infused mana into a person's body, unlocking their latent talent.
No two talents were ever truly the same. Even if two people awakened abilities of the same name, their effects would be vastly different. Because talents were born from the very core of one's soul.
His father's voice cut through the air.
"Prepare yourself. The moment you touch it, mana will flood your body. It will feel… unsettling, like a thousand hands reaching into you."
Iris gave him a gentle look. "And don't worry about the grade of your talent, my love. No matter what, we will support you."
Ethan took a deep breath.
Then, with steady hands, he placed his palm against the crystal.
Instantly—
A blinding light erupted from the orb.
The entire room was swallowed in a burst of radiant energy.
'Ah damn typical awakening scene…'
—End of Chapter 2—