Nate's hand lingered on the door handle for a moment before he pulled it open.
The head butler stood there, composed and upright, his presence immediately signaling authority.
Even without movement, Nate could sense the aura of a Sovereign+ warrior—peak skill subtly radiating in the smallest gestures.
His silver-streaked hair was tied neatly back, eyes calm but sharp, a lifetime of service and experience evident in the way he carried himself.
"Good morning, Master Othriel," the butler said with measured respect. "Your father requests your presence at dinner this evening. There is an important matter he wishes to discuss with you."
Nate blinked, taking a step back and gesturing for the butler to enter first.
He noted the careful tone—the way the words were chosen, respectful but not patronizing.
This wasn't a summons for the whole family, just him.
He remembered from Othriel's memories that his siblings, the twins, were away at the academy for most of the year.
Their summer break had begun, but with only two months until the next academy term, the family had been gathering irregularly.
He followed silently, letting the butler lead him through the grand halls of the Veyndral estate.
The architecture was elegant but functional: polished marble floors that reflected the morning light, intricately carved archways, and tapestries depicting heroic deeds of past dukes.
Nate's senses, heightened by the memories and instincts of Othriel, picked up details that would have been easy to miss—the subtle shift in temperature near a mana-infused corridor, the faint scent of herbs used for wards, even the faint hum of energy lingering in the walls from centuries of awakened nobles walking these halls.
Walking side by side with the head butler, Nate thought about the family he had just inherited.
His father, the Duke of Veyndral Duchy, was a stern but fair man—highly respected across the Valdareth Empire.
His mother was wise, graceful, and had a quiet presence that commanded attention without effort.
Then there were the twins, his older siblings—always competitive, always teasing, but not unkind.
Their rivalry had always been friendly, honed through years of rigorous training at the academy.
And now, with him—the youngest—he was stepping fully into a world where each action, each decision, could ripple across the family and the duchy.
The butler moved with efficiency and poise, clearly experienced in managing high-ranking nobility.
Every gesture precise, every footstep quiet, yet weighted with authority.
Nate found himself noting the subtle ways the man's presence controlled the household, maintaining order without overt commands. A Sovereign+ warrior, indeed.
The thought amused him slightly, imagining the power that lay behind those calm, measured motions.
As they walked, Nate's mind began to wander, piecing together what he knew from the novel and Othriel's memories.
The Veyndral family was influential, wealthy, and respected—not just for their wealth, but for their mastery of mana and affinities.
Othriel himself had awakened only two weeks ago, stepping into the same Novice rank he now inhabited, and had been refining his Death affinity under the watchful eye of the family tutors.
The system interface pulsed quietly in his mind:
⸻
[Status Window]
[Othriel Veyndral]
[Titles: None]
[Age: 16]
[Affinity: Death (Tier 1, Level 1)]
[Talent: Mythic ]
[Rank: Novice]
[AP: 0]
[SHOP: Available]
[QUESTS: Available]
[Starter Pack: Available]
⸻
Nate's fingers itched with anticipation as he considered the system.
The starter pack held tools, basic equipment, and information to get him started, but he knew it was more than that—it was a guide, a buffer, a way to ensure his survival while mastering this new life.
With a Death affinity, few among awakeners, and the system to back him, the world suddenly felt… manageable.
Elysian Hall stretched before him—vast, with high arched ceilings, tall windows streaming golden light, and a long polished oak table stretching nearly the length of the chamber.
Portraits of dukes past lined the walls, observing each visitor with eyes that seemed alive.
The butler gestured toward the chairs reserved for the family, and Nate allowed himself a moment to consider the scene.
He imagined his father at the head of the table, calm and commanding, the mother beside him, exuding poise and quiet intelligence.
The twins would occupy their usual seats—competitive, always aware of each other's presence, yet inseparable in their shared history. And he—Othriel—was expected to join them, this evening.
Nate exhaled quietly. Memories and instincts of Othriel flowed seamlessly through him, as if he had always lived this life.
The anticipation wasn't fear—it was calculation, observation, and understanding.
He knew the family dynamics, the expectations, the subtle cues of etiquette, and the weight of his name.
The butler's voice broke through his thoughts. "Master Othriel, your seat awaits. I will ensure everything is prepared for your father's discussion."
Nate nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "…Lead the way."
As he settled into the hall, he couldn't help but think about the broader world.
Atria was vast, filled with countless races—from forest spirits to dragons, the pinnacle of draconic might.
Other realms existed too: the Demon World, the Spirit realm, and countless realms beyond.
Talent levels determined potential, and affinity tiered mastery dictated the ease of ranking up.
Mana ranks, talent levels, and affinity tiers—all intertwined to form a system of growth, power, and survival.
He knew that mastering Death affinity wouldn't just be about raw power—it would be about control, finesse, and understanding the subtle flow of life and decay.
And the system, the starter pack, and the safety net provided would ensure he had every advantage.
Yet, there was still the matter of the dinner. The reason his father had requested him—an important discussion meant only for him—loomed in the back of his mind.
Nate didn't know the specifics yet, but the tension was tangible.
This was no ordinary evening meal. It was the first test of his understanding, awareness, and composure within the family structure.
And for the first time, he felt the full weight—and the full promise—of the life he had stepped into.