Morning arrived without asking permission.
Sunlight slipped through the tall windows of the Morvain estate, touching broken walls that had already been repaired overnight, warming marble floors scrubbed clean of blood and dust.
If someone had not witnessed the night before, they might have believed nothing had happened at all.
But the world outside remembered.
Voices filled the breakfast hall before breakfast itself.
"…confirmed vampire infiltration at a noble estate—"
"…heroic resistance led by War Hero Helior Morvain—"
"…an unknown young heir reportedly manifested a barrier skill—"
Crystal screens floated near the walls, displaying news channels. Reporters spoke rapidly, excitement barely hidden behind professional tones.
A shaky aerial image showed the collapsed section of the banquet hall.
Another showed guests being evacuated.
Another froze on a blurred figure standing before rubble, smiling faintly.
"The identity of the young boy remains unconfirmed," the reporter said.
"Sources suggest he may be the second child of the Morvain family—"
Click.
The screen went dark.
David Morvain lowered his hand, exhaling slowly.
"That's enough before breakfast," he said.
Maria poured tea with steady hands, though her eyes were tired.
Alicia sat upright, posture perfect as always, but the faint shadows beneath her eyes betrayed a sleepless night.
And at the far end of the table—
Julien poked at his food.
The mood was strange.
Not tense.
Not heavy.
But careful.
Like everyone was afraid a wrong word might break something invisible.
Joshua finally broke the silence.
"Big brother saved me," he said proudly.
Everyone froze.
Julien nearly dropped his spoon.
Joshua looked around, confused.
"And he saved the baby too."
Maria stood at once, walked over, and hugged Julien without warning.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Not as a noble.
Not as an administrator.
As a mother.
David followed, placing a hand on Julien's shoulder.
Alicia smiled faintly.
Helior entered last.
The room straightened the moment he appeared.
He looked at Julien.
For a long second.
Then said simply:
"After breakfast. Meeting room."
The meeting room of the Morvain estate was not grand.
No throne.
No banners.
Only a long wooden table, shelves of old records, and sunlight filtered through tall windows.
Family only.
No servants.
No guards.
Julien stood near the door, hands in his pockets.
Helior sat at the head.
David and Maria took their seats.
Alicia leaned against the window.
Joshua was gently escorted out.
This was not for children.
Helior spoke first.
"You manifested a skill last night."
"Yes."
"You formed a water barrier."
"Yes."
"You did it with awakening age."
"Yes."
Silence followed.
Then Helior said:
"Show us."
Julien hesitated.
Then nodded.
He closed his eyes.
Focused.
The faint familiar pressure formed behind his eyes.
Light unfolded.
The status screen appeared.
He turned it outward.
They could not see the letters.
But they could feel the presence.
"The system has recognized you," Helior said quietly.
Julien swallowed.
"My potential rank is only SS," he said.
"Not SSS."
No one spoke.
He continued.
"And My class is… Jester."
Alicia blinked.
David raised an eyebrow.
Maria looked confused.
Helior only listened.
"My unique trait was corrupted. My unique skill was unknown."
He bowed slightly.
"I'm sorry."
For a moment, no one reacted.
Then—
Maria laughed softly.
"Sorry for what?" she asked.
David smiled.
"You saved your brother and a stranger's child on your first manifestation."
Alicia crossed the room and flicked his forehead lightly.
"You're fifteen and already better than half the academy students."
Helior leaned back in his chair.
"Potential is not destiny," he said.
"Results are."
Then he stood.
"And your result is that my grandson is alive because of you."
Julien froze.
"Thank you," Helior said.
Not as a war hero.
As a grandfather.
Something loosened in Julien's chest.
'…So this is what acceptance feels like.'
The meeting ended lightly.
Too lightly.
Laughter returned.
Plans for repairs were discussed.
Joshua was brought back in.
For a brief moment—
It felt like a normal family morning.
Later that day, Julien wandered alone through the estate.
He did not intend to go anywhere.
His feet simply carried him.
Until he stopped.
Before a glass case.
Inside it rested a deck of old playing cards.
Not magical.
Not famous.
Just a decorative relic.
A gift from some forgotten guest long ago.
Placed there as a showpiece.
Julien stared.
For no reason.
Then—
The air shifted.
A faint vibration.
The cards trembled.
Just slightly.
Julien frowned.
'…That's new.'
The deck rattled again.
Soft.
Like something knocking from inside.
Light flashed.
The familiar pressure returned.
The status screen appeared.
A new line formed.
Notification: Synchronisation in progress…
Source detected: System Weapon (Dormant)
Resonance rate: 67%
Synchronisation completed.
Updating Unique Skill…
The glass case cracked.
Not shattered.
Cracked.
The deck of cards lifted.
Slowly.
One by one.
Floating.
Spinning.
Obeying.
Julien's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
The screen changed.
Name: Julien Morvain
Age: 15
Class: Jester
Potential: SS
Unique Trait: Happy Face (1/3)
Unique Skill: Kartenokinesis (Card Telekinesis)
Affinity: Wind, Water
Skills:
Dash
Barrier
The cards settled gently back into the case.
The glass sealed itself.
Silence returned.
Julien stared.
Then slowly covered his face with both hands.
'…Of all weapons.'
'Of all possible powers.'
'I get a deck of cards.'
A laugh escaped him.
Quiet.
Helpless.
Then another.
Then he sighed.
"Of course."
The words glitched on the screen caught his attention.
Happy Face (1/3)
Only one part active.
Incomplete.
Unfinished.
Dangerous.
'So that smile last night… was just the first layer.'
He leaned against the wall.
Not scared.
Not excited.
Just—
Amused.
'New day.'
'New start.'
'And apparently… a new circus career.'
Outside, the world buzzed with rumors.
Inside, fate quietly rearranged its pieces.
And Julien Morvain—
Jester of the Morvain family—
Took his first real step into a life that promised many things.
Most of them absurd.
And somehow—
That felt exactly right.