The night passed, and dawn broke over the horizon. Tiny birds chirped outside the window sill, their songs greeting the first light. Sunlight streamed into the room, lifting everyone's spirits—except Danir, still sunk into his bed, wincing from the delayed muscle soreness after yesterday's grueling workout.
Only two days remained before they would enter the Adventurer's Academy.
"Let's go, little bro! Father wants to see us in the forum hall. Hurry up!" Ulfzar called in a joyful tone. Seeing Danir struggle from the soreness, he gently lifted him and carried him to the hall.
"Aww! Aww!" Danir protested weakly as Ulfzar set him down at his designated seat.
By now, all of Jared's sons were gathered in the hall, except for Alec.
"Where did Alec go?" Jared wondered aloud.
"Father, I'm afraid he hasn't returned since that day we had an argument." Zeke replied.
"Very well. I guessed we'll start without him... Boys, since we're family, let's show our stats. Start with the youngest." Jared instructed.
Danir spoke first. "Father, I haven't leveled up yet, but my BP is 504, MP is still zero, my attributes are 4 Str, 3 Spd, 2 End, and my Int is zero."
"Not bad! That's a good start. Keep it up," Jared complimented.
Next, Ulfzar shared, "I'm a level 6 Mage Ursaine now. BP: 1,730; Str and End: 1,030, thanks to my blessed bloodline; MP: 1,700; Spd: 60; Int: 1,200. I only have low-level illusion magic."
Danir's eyes widened. "Big bro Ulfzar is already a prodigy, even at his age."
Caspi followed. "Level 8 Duskborn Skiver. BP: 1,210; MP: 660; Str: 160; Spd: 1,000; End: 80; Int: 160. My spells: Shadow Blink-Steps and Shadow Swap-Step."
Danir muttered in admiration, "Caspi is fast… clever too."
Nezcar proudly announced, "Level 6 Dwarven Gunslinger. BP: 1,620; MP: 170; Str: 1,200; Spd, End, Int: 120 each. Magic spell: Deadeye."
Danir noted, "Dwarves may not have a blessed bloodline, but he's still strong."
Zebion shared next, "Level 9 Centaur Knight-Paladin. BP: 4,750; Str: 1,900; Spd & End: 1,450; MP: 225; Int: 45. Spells: Healing, Purification, Strength of the Sacred Light."
Danir's thoughts raced: "Zebion is so reliable… I'd better not mess with him."
Zeke spoke last among the brothers. "Level 20 Lycan Archer. BP: 5,700; Str: 5,000; Spd & End: 1,400; MP: 800; Int: 400. Spell: Robin's Eye."
Danir thought in awe, "Lycan strength is incredible… Zeke is truly dependable."
Jared then asked, "Yuri, your status?"
"I am Yuri of the House of Granger, Level 115 Human Knight-Paladin. BP: 29,250; MP: 2,875; Str: 11,500; Spd & End: 5,750; Int: 575. My spells: Blade Smite, Shield of the Sacred Light, 30-minute Buff, Healing, Purification," Yuri replied calmly.
Danir felt dizzy. "Still human? That's insane…"
Zeke explained, "Don't worry, little bro. They had already fought in over ten demon warlords just below the level of a demonlord that's why they reached that kind of level now."
Ulfzar encouraged him, "Chin up. We'll reach their level one day."
Gadreel shared next. "Level 120 Human Knight-Paladin. BP: 30,500; MP: 3,100; Str: 12,000; Spd & End: 6,000; Int: 600. Spells same as Yuri."
Danir thought, "They're all terrifyingly strong… I can't wait to grow like them."
Finally, Jared spoke, his voice calm but commanding. "Level 200 Human Knight-Paladin. BP: 50,500; MP: 5,000; Str: 20,000; Spd & End: 10,000; Int: 1,000. My Purification magic can now debuff higher-level curses and exorcise higher-level demons and spirits."
After the status sharing, Danir felt small and inadequate. "I should have chosen Knight-Paladin… I'm pathetic compared to them."
Just then, Jared entered his room.
"Son, I know how you feel. But a mistake or unlucky choice doesn't define your future. Keep working hard, trust your instincts, and stay composed. The world doesn't yet know the true strength of a BladeMagus. You will show it first." Jared said gently.
Tears streamed down Danir's face. "Father… I'm just scared… scared I'll die without proving myself."
Jared knelt beside him. "What matters is what you do for others. Those lives you touch… that will endure. That is true strength."
He handed Danir a pair of finely forged Quillon Daggers. "Blades made of obsidian for throwing weight, coated with molten mithril for durability. Take good care of them."
"They're beautiful, Father. Slightly heavy, but they feel light when swung. Thank you—I will protect them." Danir said gratefully.
Meanwhile, Alec had been hiding away in a brothel, his usual escape whenever family tensions arose, growing increasingly independent from them.
In the mansion, the remaining brothers held a small feast in celebration.
"For our brother! The first BladeMagus to survive! Cheers!" Ulfzar shouted, raising his glass of lemonade as though it were fine wine.
They laughed, pretending to be tipsy, the joy of camaraderie filling the hall.
Alec finally showed himself up as returned home later that night but ignored the gathering, retreating immediately into his room without a word.
Alec already knew the consequences that awaited him once his father learned of his actions. The weight of his defiance and mischief pressed heavily on his conscience, even if he tried to ignore it as his ability on realizing his mistakes always came up late.