A day after slicing through that dummy and seeing the screen call me a glitch, I still hadn't slept right. The courtyard Challenge mission kept flashing in my head, like it was poking me to get moving. Now, I was stuck at the table with the family staring at me like I was a book nobody could read. Alaric, sitting there like he'd seen it all. Elira, her eyes trying to sell me on something I didn't buy. Kael, grinning like we were buddies. Syra, with a half-smile that said, "Let's see how far you go." And Lirien, fussing with things that didn't need fussing, looking at me like I might shatter. I don't shatter. I don't bend.
— Riveny, — Alaric said, his voice steady but firm. — You're a Valthorne. That name carries weight. Our family's been shaping Gravemarch for centuries.
— Weight? — I raised an eyebrow, my tone dry. — Feels more like everyone just gives me the side-eye.
Syra let out a low laugh, her gaze sharp. — They call you the Shadow Heir, Riveny. A name that makes people whisper. They say you'll either burn it all down… or save it.
— Shadow Heir? — I tilted my head, playing it cool, but the words kept hammering in my skull. — So that's why the servants scatter? They think I'm gonna torch the place?
Elira leaned in, her voice soft. — It's not true. It's just a name, Riveny. You can be more than their fear.
— More? — I gave a half-smirk, dripping sarcasm. — Or just a problem with a fancy title?
Kael jumped in, all eager. — It's not like that. You're our brother. That name… it's like a legend. People say the Shadow Heir changes everything. You could be epic.
I rolled my eyes. — Epic for who? You guys? Or this screen that keeps calling me a glitch?
Lirien spoke up, her voice quiet, almost hesitant. — The name's a burden, young master. But what you do with it… that's up to you.
I stared at her, curious despite myself. She didn't seem to be lying, but she didn't seem to know me either. Nobody here did. Still, her words stuck, like a stone that wouldn't budge.
Alaric stood, his gaze steady. — You want to question the weight of your name? Prove you can carry it. — He raised his hand, and a sphere of light appeared, spinning with a steady, controlled glow. — This is mana. Try it.
I studied the sphere, my mind catching every detail. I mimicked him, and my sphere came out bigger, shakier, almost slipping free. I grinned, mockingly. — If it's that easy, why're you all staring?
Alaric didn't smile. — Because you did it without training. Let's see if you can handle more. — He moved his hand, and his sphere split into three, each spinning at a different rhythm, flawless. — Control all three. Now.
I frowned but took the challenge. My mind latched onto the pattern, and I conjured three spheres, copying him. Mine started trembling, out of sync. I pushed harder, but one exploded in a flash, and the others collapsed. Alaric raised a hand, and his spheres stopped, perfect, before vanishing. — Experience matters, Riveny. Your power's strong, but without control, it's just a mess.
I froze, my face burning. He'd won. Not because he was stronger, but because he knew what he was doing. For the first time, he didn't just seem like some bossy lord. Maybe he had something worth learning. I wasn't about to admit it, though. — You're good, — I muttered, my tone dry, practically choking on the words.
Kael laughed, trying to lighten the mood. — He's Rank A, Riveny. Not just anybody.
Elira stepped forward, her tone hopeful. — You could be like that, Riveny. You could use this gift for something good.
— Good? — I laughed, but it came out weaker, like her look had caught me off guard. I didn't like it. — I didn't pick this name. Or being here.
Syra tilted her head, her smile sharp. — The Shadow Heir doesn't ask permission, Riveny. He takes what he wants. Or he lets the system take him.
I looked at her, and for the first time, I felt a spark of curiosity. She wasn't pretending, not like the others. But I still didn't trust her. — So what do I do? Wait for the system to decide for me?
— You fight, — Alaric said, his voice firm. — Missions, duels, tournaments. The system tests you, and you prove you're more. But be careful. The Shadow Heir draws enemies.
— Enemies? — I raised an eyebrow, the sarcasm creeping back. — Sounds like I've already got plenty, starting with this screen.
The screen flashed: Mission: Survive the courtyard Challenge. Reward: 100 EXP, Bronze Rank. Penalty: Level Loss. I paused, suspicion mixing with something new. Curiosity, maybe. If the system wanted to test me, I'd play. But on my terms.
— The courtyard Challenge, — Syra said, like she'd read my mind. — It's tomorrow. Show them who you are, or the name will swallow you.
I looked at each of them. Alaric, with something I now saw as more than secrets. Elira, with a gaze that almost made me waver. Kael, trying to be my friend. Syra, challenging me without lies. Lirien, with words still spinning in my head. They wanted an heir? They were gonna get something they didn't expect.
I stood, my chest tight with a mix of defiance and something I didn't want to name. They thought they knew me, but they didn't know a thing. I grabbed the training sword off the table and headed for the door, the system's screen blinking like an invitation. The courtyard Challenge was waiting, and I was gonna show that name—Shadow Heir—wouldn't hold me down.