Breakfast in House Velerion was a ritual of power.
Gold-rimmed plates. Crystal goblets. A hall so long that it echoed every breath. A place where nobility displayed their worth—not through kindness or love, but by the strength in their words and the mana in their veins.
And I, Arjen Velerion, the cursed bastard, walked back into that world.
It had been less than a week since I'd awakened in this body again. I wore simple robes, the color of ash. No crest. No aura. Just the forgotten son playing the part of the family disgrace.
Perfect.
---
At the long dining table sat the stars of House Velerion.
Eldric, the first son—tall, golden-haired, a natural-born hero with a noble smile and enough charm to fool the empire.
Kael, the second—quiet, calculative, always watching. He hid daggers behind diplomacy.
And Vion, the third—arrogant, explosive, full of raw talent and louder than a thunderstorm.
I remembered what they were capable of. And I remembered how they laughed when Father exiled me to the cursed forest.
"Look who crawled out of his hole," Vion said, sneering. "Did the rats get boring?"
I lowered my head. "Apologies… I didn't mean to disturb."
Eldric smiled gently. That fake, knightly smile that melted noble ladies and masked his disdain.
"You're not disturbing, Arjen. Every family needs a… reminder of what failure looks like."
Kael didn't speak. He just sipped his tea, watching me with sharp, amused eyes.
I took my seat at the far end, away from the warmth of the chandelier.
---
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Threat Level Detected: House Velerion – Internal (High)
Quest Available: Survive Among Predators
Reward: Passive Skill – Mask of the Fallen (LV 1)
---
I accepted the quest silently.
As servants placed plates in front of me, I pretended to struggle lifting the fork. My hand shook just slightly—just enough for Eldric to glance with pity, and Vion to grin like a shark.
I was playing the weakling role better than ever.
Let them believe I was still the cursed runt.
Let them lower their guard.
Because I had a plan.
---
Later that day, I visited the library. Not the main one—too many eyes. I slipped into the Servants' Annex, where old records and dusty books were tossed away.
There, I began researching two things:
1. The bloodlines of hero candidates across the empire.
2. The nature of cursed marks sealed beneath the skin.
If I was going to survive this life, I needed to find my first kill… and break the seal choking my potential.
---
A familiar voice called from the doorway. "Still pretending to read, Arjen?"
Kael.
I didn't turn.
"Still pretending to care, brother?"
There was a pause… then a soft chuckle.
"You've changed."
I smiled without showing it.
You have no idea.
---