I took a deep breath. The air felt different—fresh, almost divine. As if this world itself was guiding me toward something greater.
I have always believed in unseen forces, in the cosmic will of the universe. There is nothing in this world that is too hard for me, no obstacle too great. If I have been looked down upon all this time, it is not because I am weak or worthless—no. It is because no one has ever truly understood my potential. No one has tried to bring out what I am best at.
But that is their failing, not mine.
For now, I shall forget about that. Let me just enjoy this moment—the breath of a new life.
Knock. Knock.
Someone was at my door.
"Coming," I called out, walking toward it.
As I opened the door, a young attendant stood there, looking at me with wide eyes. His face paled as if he had seen something unimaginable.
"Master Karlous… You have been summoned for morning breakfast. Everyone is waiting for you."
There was hesitation in his voice. Shock. Confusion. Maybe even fear.
Strange. Even though I am treated as the disgrace of the Phoenix family, they still call me to breakfast? Perhaps, no matter how much of a 'trash' they think I am, I am still of Phoenix blood.
"Give me a minute. I'll freshen up and come," I said casually.
The attendant gave a stiff nod but didn't move. He just kept staring at me, as if something about me had changed beyond belief.
I ignored it for now and went to freshen up. As I stepped out of my room, I finally noticed something I had never cared to appreciate before.
The stairs were made of pure purple marble, shimmering under the golden glow of the morning sun. Every step I took felt surreal. The textures, the elegance, the warmth—as if I was feeling it all for the first time.
And then, I saw them.
The troubling duo, Karen and Kaile, already at the dining hall, sneering as usual.
My eldest brother, Nox, was seated as if he didn't care about anything. But the moment his gaze fell on me, his relaxed demeanor shifted ever so slightly.
And then there was my eldest sister, Sera.
Her spoon, which was on its way to her lips, halted mid-air as she stared at me, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Strange…?
I walked in confidently, looking at the long table filled with luxurious food. I turned to my stepmothers—Lady Evelynn and Lady Lilliana—who were also looking at me with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
Smiling lightly, I broke the silence.
"Good morning, my mother," I said, bowing slightly toward Lady Elara—the only one I would call 'Mother'. "I hope you have a great day today."
Then, turning toward my brothers and sisters, I added with a smirk, "And to my dear siblings, a happy morning to you all."
Silence.
Their expressions remained frozen. As if they had seen something impossible.
"What's with that look?" I chuckled, stepping toward my seat. "I know I am the most handsome person in the entire empire, but please… don't stare at me like that. I might start feeling a little shy."
A deep silence filled the dining hall.
Everyone. Every single person in the room was staring at me like they had just witnessed the impossible.
The troublesome duo, Karen and Kaile, were choking on their food, their faces turning red as they struggled to swallow. Nox, my eldest brother—normally composed and indifferent—suddenly let out an amused laugh, breaking the tension.
My eldest sister, Sera, was so shocked that her spoon slipped from her hand, clattering onto her plate.
The maids and butlers, always trained to remain expressionless, were all wide-eyed, their faces filled with sheer disbelief.
'Come on, I'm just a human too…' I sighed internally.
Folding my arms, I gave a slightly frustrated look, but I didn't hold it for long.
Because then, he entered.
Father.
Lord Aldric Phoenix, the head of the Phoenix family. A man who could command a battlefield with just his presence. A man whose voice alone could shake even the most powerful nobles.
And for the first time in my life… even he looked shocked.
I turned to him, keeping my composure. With a calm and respectful tone, I greeted him, "Good morning, Father."
That simple act alone stirred the entire room.
Every single person—stepmothers, siblings, servants—everyone immediately responded with a proper greeting.
Father narrowed his eyes slightly, but he nodded. The shock was still visible on his face.
Ignoring their reactions, I sat down and began enjoying my meal.
And gods… the food was divine.
The flavors, the texture, the warmth—it was something I had never truly appreciated before.
But the moment of peace didn't last long.
With a sudden motion, Father threw a punch at me—fast, precise, and powerful.
A test.
I barely tilted my head to the side, dodging it just in time.
Silence.
He leaned back, his gaze sharp. Then, with a voice full of authority, he spoke:
"Karlous."
I looked up at him, still chewing on my food. "Yes, Father?"
His expression turned firm. "Your first-year grades at Empress University are far below average. You barely passed, and that too, only because of the Phoenix family's influence. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Ah. So that's what this was about.
I took my time finishing my bite before setting my utensils down. Then, calmly, I met his gaze.
"Father," I said, my voice steady. "The university is full of fools."
Gasps echoed across the dining hall.
I ignored them and continued.
"They don't even know what they're doing themselves. They only teach two things—the Mage's Path or the Swordmaster's Way. That's it. Nothing else."
Father's eyes narrowed, but he let me speak.
"Neither of those paths interest me, nor has anyone in that university ever managed to ignite my interest in them."
I looked straight into his eyes and said it with conviction.
For the first time in my life, I wasn't bowing my head or making excuses.
I spoke the truth.
Father remained silent.
And for the second time that morning, the entire room was left in shock.
The room was deathly silent.
Everyone was still frozen from my last statement. My father, Lord Aldric Phoenix, the man who rarely showed emotion, narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. His aura was oppressive, yet I didn't flinch.
"Then tell me, Karlous." His voice was steady but sharp. "If you reject the Mage's Path and the Swordmaster's Way, what other paths are there? Even I, as the head of this family, do not know what you speak of."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Father... there are many paths."
He raised an eyebrow, waiting.
I exhaled deeply and began, "Alchemy. Business. Spirit Arts. Divine Arts. Slayer Arts. The Force User's Path. These are just a few among countless others."
Whispers broke out across the dining hall.
I continued, my voice unwavering. "Have you never heard of the legends? The stories of past heroes? The Dragon Slayer, the Demon Slayer, the Celestial Path Users? There are those who walk the path of the sea, those who traverse the stars, those who wield ancient forces beyond what we understand."
I saw the confusion and disbelief in their eyes.
I scoffed slightly. "Come on, Father. We act as if we rule this world, yet we have barely scratched the surface. We've only just begun exploring the lands, yet we pretend we know everything?"
A pause. I let the words settle before driving the point home.
"The oceans are vast. Their creatures are beyond anything we can imagine. We know nothing of their depths, their power, their secrets. For all we know, an entire empire could exist at the bottom of the sea, or perhaps even a god himself rests within its depths."
More gasps. More stunned expressions.
I let out a small chuckle. "It's just a matter of perspective, Father. We are blinded by tradition, thinking only in terms of the Mage's Path or the Swordmaster's Way. But I believe… there is so much more. And once I find my path, I will give it my all. That, I can promise you."
I looked around the room.
No one spoke.
Every single person was silent.
I smiled. "Ah, I see. You can't come up with a counterargument, can you?"
The silence dragged on.
For the first time in my life, I wasn't the one being looked down upon.
I was the one making them question their beliefs.
And I loved it.
The silence in the dining hall was suffocating.
My words had shaken everyone. Even my father, Lord Aldric Phoenix, who had always been a pillar of unwavering authority, looked skeptical.
His sharp eyes studied me for a long moment. He wasn't convinced—not entirely—but deep down, I could tell a part of him believed my words.
And yet, he sighed. A long, tired sigh. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he spoke:
"Do whatever you want."
He leaned back slightly, his voice carrying a sense of finality. "You know the home address."
That was his way of saying, 'Go figure things out yourself.'
I smirked. That was the response I expected from him.
But as I looked at him more closely, I noticed something I hadn't before.
His face… he looked older than I remembered.
There were faint lines of exhaustion. His aura was still strong, still commanding, yet there was something… off. A lingering weariness in his posture.
Frowning slightly, I tilted my head and asked, "Father, you look like an old man who could collapse onto the bed at any moment. Are you feeling unwell?"
Gasps echoed in the hall.
The troublesome duo almost spat out their drinks. My eldest sister, Sera, stared at me in disbelief, while Nox raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
I ignored them and continued, "Can I help with something?"
Father's eyes flickered with a strange emotion—one I couldn't quite place. He looked at me, then exhaled. "Just fix your relationship with your mother. That is enough for me."
A heavy silence followed.
I blinked.
Then, I slowly crossed my arms and said with absolute defiance, "Never."
Everyone flinched.
"I will find a way to flip the entire White Tower upside down," I declared, my voice steady and full of conviction. "That woman… she dares to look down on me? Just wait. I will teach her a lesson."
The dining hall turned deathly silent.
Every single person in the room was completely stunned.
Even my father's expression flickered with shock.
And honestly… even I was a little surprised at myself.
Something inside me had shifted.
This wasn't just about proving myself anymore. This was personal.
The White Magic Tower—the very institution my mother led as Vice President—had ignored me, dismissed me, deemed me unworthy.
But soon, they would all see.
Soon… they would all kneel before me.