Eden walked down the hallway with his wet hair sticking to his face.
He wore a simple black pant along with a grey half shirt that leaned on the vintage old style.
Lira walked in front of him guiding him towards the dining room.
As they walked silently Eden couldn't help but think about his 'older brother.'
From what he saw in his memories, Abel was a year older than him.
He is good looking mainly because he inherited mostly from their mother.
The one thing that Abel didn't inherit was talent.
He neither got his father's sturdy body nor their mother's intelligence.
But Abel was loved and he never actually bullied Eden….
…until a year ago.
The time when he became the laughing stock of the kingdom.
Eden's steps slowed as he thought about it.
That part of the memory wasn't pleasant but it didn't stop his parents from supporting him.
Lira suddenly stopped, making him bump into her back.
"Watch where you're going," she said without turning around.
"Maybe don't stop in the middle of the hall next time," he muttered.
She gave him a side glance, before opening a large double door ahead.
The dining hall stretched wide and elegant.
A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, and sunlight poured through high windows.
At the far end sat a woman with silver-blonde hair and calm blue eyes.
Her every movement radiated grace—Lady Evelynn, his supposed mother.
Beside her sat a broad-shouldered man with chubby features, reading through a stack of papers while sipping tea.
'Damn, he is huge and…. fucking fat.'
The man was so big that he was sitting on a large sofa instead of a chair.
He has the same features as Eden with short white hair and crimson eyes.
That was the head of the family and Eden's father…. Osmund Idris Ramsey.
And next to him… was Abel.
His expression was relaxed, but when his gaze flicked toward Eden, a faint smirk crossed his face.
'Yeah,' Eden thought, 'that's the kind of smile that hides a lot of trouble.'
"Eden!"
Lady Evelynn beamed as she quickly got up, walking towards him.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Eden drew in a deep breath as he bowed slightly. "Yes, mother—amp!"
His words muffled as Evelynn hugged him tightly.
Eden froze for a moment, caught completely off guard by the sudden warmth pressing against him.
'…What the hell?'
"You scared me," Evelynn murmured, her voice trembling faintly. "A whole week of fever… I thought I was going to lose you."
Eden blinked, awkwardly raising his arms before lightly patting her back. "I'm fine now. Really."
She pulled away, smiling with relief. "That's good to hear."
Behind her, Abel's smirk grew a little wider. "What's the point, he will live like a corpse anyway."
'Ah, mocking me for not training day and night like him…'
Evelynn turned sharply toward Abel. "Abel."
He raised his hands mockingly. "Just kidding, Mother."
Eden could tell from the tone that he wasn't.
"Sit down," Evelynn said, brushing her hands together before guiding Eden toward the long dining table. "You need to eat something."
Lira quietly pulled out a chair for him.
The smell of warm bread, roasted meat, and herbs filled the air, making Eden's stomach growl slightly.
He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
Osmund who was looking at him from afar finally spoke. "Are you feeling alright?"
Eden nodded as he sat down. "…Yes."
Evelynn served food with her own hands making sure to give him an extra portion.
Osmund leaned in grabbing his hand to send a pulse of mana through his skin.
Eden felt a jolt but he didn't resist, he would face a recoil if he did.
"You are fine from the outside." He spoke softly. "…Traveling to Capital City should be fine, right?"
Eden nodded without saying anything else.
Every year there is an event in the capital city where youth of age sixteen is gathered.
They all join the event for their Class Awakening.
From his memories, it was one of the biggest events in the kingdom.
An ancient ritual where the mana inside one's body was awakened and their class determined by fate.
Some got swordsman, mage, or archer… others, something rare.
But there is the rarest class out there…. that is [Classless].
A class who with enough knowledge can get any class in the world.
But it's really hard so despite it being rare, it's classified as the most worthless class.
And that's what had happened to Eden's older brother.
Eden glanced at Abel while eating his food.
Abel noticed his gaze as he barked. "What!?"
"How much longer till you get swordsman class?" Eden asked 'innocently', "it's almost been a yea—."
"Shut up, you stupid cunt!" Abel snapped, glaring at him.
"Aye, Abel!" Evelynn glared back at him. "Is this how you talk to your younger brother?"
Abel's gaze shifted at her but his anger quickly vanished when he saw her face.
Without saying anything, Abel stood up as he walked out of the room.
Osmund let out a sigh rubbing his temples. "There he goes to train again."
Eden smiled, satisfied with the outcome.
The original Eden used to endure Abel's bullying because he really cared about him.
But it's a completely different case for the current Eden.
'…Serves him right.'
Eden began to eat his food peacefully.
Evelynn sighed softly, sitting back down beside Osmund. "How are things going for you?"
Osmund leaned back on his chair as he mumbled. "Not really well."
Evelynn tilted her head, confusion clear on her face. "…Why?" She asked. "Didn't you find the hideout of the Slave Market?"
Eden's ears twitched as he looked at them.
The concept of slaves was new to him and even though he knew it was banned in the kingdom.
….People still buy and sell them illegally.
Osmund folded his hands as he said grimly. "Things didn't go well." He mumbled. "When our soldiers arrived the slave traders had already run away."
"…What about the slaves?" Eden chimed in. "Did they take them away as well?"
Osmund shook his head. "…They killed them." He spoke. "All three hundred of them."
Eden froze mid-bite, his fork hanging in the air.
"…All of them?" he asked quietly.
Osmund nodded, his tone flat. "Men, women, children. They didn't leave a single one alive."
The room went silent.
Evelynn's hand trembled slightly as she placed her cup down.
"Those bastards," she whispered. "Killing innocents just to erase their trail…"
Osmund sighed heavily.
"We've been tracking that group for over a year. The moment we got close, they vanished again."
Eden looked down at his plate.
He could still feel the faint heat of the roasted meat, but his appetite was gone.
"Did you find out who's behind it?" Evelynn asked, her voice tight.
Osmund leaned back, his crimson eyes darkening. "No. But we found their symbol again—the chained serpent."
Evelynn's gaze remained on her husband. "Hey… they threatened to kill you if you don't stop, right?"
"They can bark all they want." He spoke firmly. "Not like they can touch me."
Evelynn closed her eyes for a moment, clearly concerned.
Eden leaned on his hand, his mind drifting as he stared at the table.
'Slave traders threatening nobles, huh?'
Evelynn finally broke the silence, her voice low but steady. "You'll catch them next time."
Osmund gave a small nod, though he didn't look convinced.
"I'll try. But for now, I'll have to focus on the Capital Summit. The King will expect a report."
Eden stood up after finishing his food as well. "I will see you—."
"Eden." Evelynn said, standing up as well. "Come with me."
Though confused, Eden did as she told him walking behind as she led him.
She brought him to a quiet place as her tender gaze shifted on him.
"There is no problem with you right?" She asked, looking at his face. "Not physically or… mentally."
Eden blinked, a little thrown off by her sudden question.
"I'm fine," he said, trying to sound casual. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
Evelynn didn't answer immediately.
She stepped closer, brushing a lock of his damp hair away from his forehead.
"You were burning with fever for days," she said softly. "Even the healers couldn't understand why. You were… talking in your sleep."
"Please don't worry." Eden spoke softly. "I am fine."
Evelynn smiled faintly, her blue eyes glimmering with warmth. "…I'm glad."
She brought her hand behind his ear as she pulled out a heavy ring out of thin air.
"This is for you." Evelynn said, placing the ring on his hand. "…And always take care of yourself."
Eden nodded as Evelynn ruffled his hair before walking away.
Left alone Eden stared at the ring as he found its structure a little odd.
'…Hmm?'
When Eden gently touched the gem, the ring turned into five different rings.
'…What's this supposed to mean?'