Kairo slipped past the hall without the shield.
The weight of Zyrith's gift remained unclaimed, but he didn't care.
The door to his room creaked softly as he pushed it open.
Inside, dim moonlight spilled across the bed.
He collapsed onto it, letting the blankets swallow him.
His mind stirred, restless even in exhaustion.
Nice… Mom.
His thoughts hissed in silence.
I'm your blood, yet you didn't let me take the shield. Gave it to Ketlos instead.
A bitter laugh curled on his lips. Exactly what you wanted… huh?
He clenched his fists under the blanket.
If I had cultivation power… maybe they would have treated me differently. Maybe Ketlos wouldn't even exist. But no matter… at least I've seen the true face of the family. Royal, noble, golden names in society… all of them would kill their own children to shine brighter in the eyes of the world.
The thought lingered like a dark flame.
if I had cultivation… if I could control my body, if I understood the power of the red stone…
He paused.
His fingers traced the edge of the blanket, cold and firm.
And what happened this morning… that stone, that power… I still don't understand it. Where did the cultivation book go? Why did it vanish?
Even as he thought, his eyelids grew heavy.
Sleep pulled at him, stubborn and dark.
The estate outside was alive.
By eight in the evening, the Kelric family had gathered in the main hall.
Laughter, chatter, and the clinking of fine china filled the space.
Zyrith stood by the head table, Krothe beside him.
The sisters—Sofia, Elena, Louisa, and Mayra—fluttered around the room, voices light, but sharp in tone.
Parents presided over it all with careful smiles.
Grandfather's eyes, sharp behind his spectacles, scanned everyone, making sure nothing went awry.
Cousins, uncles, and aunts moved among the tables, discussing the plans for the next day's party.
The air was thick with happiness, but Kairo could almost taste the falseness of it, even from his room above.
Tomorrow's party must be perfect,
Grandfather said, his voice firm, carrying through the hall.
Rest well tonight, everyone. Be prepared. It will be spectacular.
Yes, Grandfather, chorused the family in unison, voices light but eager.
Dinner continued. Laughter, toasts, polite teasing…
all polished, all precise. No one noticed the shadow that lingered above them, watching, thinking, waiting.
Back in his room, Kairo lay under the blanket, eyes closed.
The faint silver moonlight touched his face.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the color of his eyes began to shift.
A subtle crimson glimmer crawled across his irises, faint at first… like blood spreading under still water.
And even in sleep, a smirk flickered at the corner of his lips.
The red pulsed deeper, spreading from the core of his eyes, dark and liquid.
Something ancient stirred inside him… a presence waiting, patient, hungry.
The world above remained ignorant, laughing, eating, celebrating.
But Kairo's awakening had begun.
And the night held its breath.