The afternoon sun filtered through the sprawling branches of the estate's ancient oaks. The garden was alive with quiet sounds—the distant laughter of Alys and Elen, the soft murmur of servants tending to their tasks.
Kael stood alone beneath the shade of a massive tree. His eyes closed briefly, then opened to a faint shimmer before him—an interface only he could see.
System Interface
Name: Kael Ardent
Age: 15
House: Ardent
Family: Noble Lineage
Skills: 4 locked
The display was simple, showing only the most basic information. There were no detailed stats or explanations, just his name, age, house, family, and a set of skills locked.
Kael's face remained unreadable. The presence of this system was unfamiliar, but it brought no shock or confusion. It was simply there.
Nearby, footsteps approached quietly. Maris appeared from behind a row of trimmed hedges, her calm gaze settling on him.
"You shouldn't linger out here too long, Master Kael," she said, her voice low but firm.
He nodded once. "Understood."
Without another word, Maris moved away, leaving Kael alone again with the faint rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of life within the estate.
The shimmer faded, and the garden returned to its normal state—the twins' laughter echoing softly in the background.
From the manor, a servant's voice called softly, "Dinner is ready in the great hall."
In the distance, two maids approached the garden, carefully gathering Alys and Elen. The twins exchanged a brief, playful scuffle before settling obediently, their bright eyes curious but respectful toward their aloof elder brother.
As Kael turned from the tree, the grand silhouette of the manor came into view—its towering spires and wide stone walls a testament to the House of Ardent's legacy.
Inside, the house masters held their court in quiet harmony.
Lord Varric Ardent, stern and aloof, stood with hands clasped behind his back, his sharp gaze never lingering long on Kael. He was a man of few words, serious in demeanor, and unyielding in expectations—especially of his son. Yet when his twin daughters came near, a softer warmth touched his features, his rare smiles reserved only for them.
Opposite him was Lady Selene Ardent, light-footed and radiant. Her easy laugh echoed through the hall as she toyed gently with the twins' hair. Playful and warm, she was the heart of the family's rare moments of ease—a stark contrast to her husband's stoic presence.
Kael's eyes passed over them briefly, impassive. The weight of their expectations was known but never voiced directly.
The estate was quiet, but beneath the surface, the family's complex ties held steady—unseen but unbroken.
Kael turned and began walking toward the manor, the faint weight of those locked skills resting at the edge of his thoughts.
The day's light softened, and the house prepared for the evening ahead.