020
… As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Ilyad suddenly stood up and crawled under the dining table.
Everyone was taken aback, but the family head just chuckled, so no one said anything.
“Here we go!”
“………..!”
A few seconds later, I found myself staring blankly at Ilyad, who confidently lifted the massive dining table above his head, a broad grin on his face.
His strength was truly beyond explanation.
***
“I’m going to become a Vice Admiral someday.”
Shortly afterward, I switched seats with Uncle Nine. I chatted with Ilyad and his twin, Naiad, while Uncle Nine spoke with the Admiral.
“Isn’t it cool? The Admiral will probably be Brother Mikard, so I’ll be there to assist him.”
“Is Brother Mikard stronger?”
“Of course. Brother Mikard is incredible, really amazing.”
Ilyad enthusiastically explained about Brother Mikard.
But Ilyad had just lifted the dining table, so how could someone possibly be stronger than that?
“Well, I’ve never beaten him.”
“Hey, there was that one time you almost did.”
Naiad’s cheeky remark was immediately countered by Ilyad.
Still, it wasn’t a win.
“I’m curious about Brother Mikard.”
Does he know about the new sibling?
Will he like me?
Brother Elzen only slightly warms up to me.
“He’ll be back soon. It’s just taking a bit longer because he went all the way to the end of Radum Mountain.”
“Radum Mountain?”
“The mountain on the western edge of the Pashayen territory, near Velarion.”
Come to think of it, I think I saw it on a map.
Although I wasn’t very good at geography, I eventually understood what he was saying.
“I wish he’d come home soon.”
“Yeah. He could come back quickly if he were alone, but he’s with others.”
I’ll have to ask later what mission it was.
But can I even ask?
“So, do I have to go on missions someday, too?”
“Well, it depends on what abilities you have.”
Ilyad answered my question brightly, then held up three fingers.
“Look, Brother Mikard and I are suited for close combat. People like us often get assigned solo missions. They call us Tanks.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But for group missions, you also need people who can support from the back. Those with abilities suited for long-range weapons or similar supporting skills. They’re called Dealers.”
With that, Ilyad folded down two of his fingers.
“And the last one?”
“Healers. If we have a Sensory, Pashayen becomes invincible. We’ve never lost in territorial battles.”
“Wow.”
Come to think of it, I heard the current Sensory is Grandmother.
Though I’ve never met her.
“The Sensory mustn’t leave the territory lightly. You never know when a territorial battle might break out, so they must be protected as the most valuable.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So, when we go on group missions, we take an Awakened with healing abilities. You could become such a Healer.”
I wondered, what ability would I have?
My heart filled with anticipation.
‘I want to receive missions too.’
I want to be of help to the family.
“If you become a Healer, you could protect everyone who shares meals at this table.”
“Of course, I will!”
When I clenched my fist and made the promise, Uncle Nine looked at me with a pleased expression and gave me a playful pat.
Even the Admiral gave a slight smile.
“Yes. Defending this land and sea as an Awakened and a Pashayen is an honorable duty.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Thinking about fighting enemies already? Admirable indeed.”
Of course, it’s best if there are no conflicts at all. And even better if we can reconcile!
However, if I have to fight to the end… I won’t hold back.
“I won’t let them get away.”
“Right. An enemy who doesn’t know their place must be defeated. Like this.”
Bang!
It all happened in an instant, so fast that my eyes couldn’t keep up.
“Oh, I was going to take care of that!”
“Stay back, Ilyad. It’s not your turn yet.”
Ilyad grumbled, and Uncle Nine warned him.
I couldn’t understand the situation, just blinking in confusion, and it seemed Angela was just as puzzled.
“Goodness, it’s such a hassle just trying to have a meal.”
At that moment, the family head clicked his tongue and cast a stern gaze somewhere. I followed his line of sight.
“Huh.”
There, crouching down, were three people dressed in black masks—obviously villains.
The Admiral had his foot on one of their heads but casually moved it away when he noticed me watching.
[The Spirit King of Fire ‘■■■■■’ explains that those people had been hiding in the shadows since the meal began.]
‘What? Really? I had no idea!’
[The Spirit King of Water ‘■■■■’ reassures you that it’s fine since the adults are handling it.]
‘So, they’re villains?’
[The Spirit King of Fire ‘■■■■■’ confirms it was an enemy attack.]
With the help of the glowing text, I managed to grasp the situation.
“Even when eating, no one disturbs a dog, they say!”
As the masked figures were dragged away, I shouted, and the tense atmosphere seemed to thaw a bit.
The family head let out a hearty laugh.
“Indeed, they’re quite disrespectful. That’s how the Velarion are.”
It seems that Pashayen has a poor relationship with Velarion.
I scratched my cheek and reached for the remaining dessert.
The surprise had made me hungry again.
“Shupetty,”
It was then that the family head suddenly called out to me, and I quickly swallowed what I was eating.
“You seem to be getting along with Ilyad and Naiad. I heard you’ve met Elzen, too. The only one left is Angela, isn’t it?”
Well, not exactly.
‘I kind of had a fight with Angela.’
However, since Angela stayed quiet, I did too.
“Her name is Angela. She’s your cousin.”
“Yes.”
Was he going to ask us to get along?
“You should all know by now. Pashayen has significantly fewer Awakened than other families.”
The family head solemnly addressed everyone after taking his gaze off me.
“Since we have the natural fortress of the sea below us, we don’t have to worry about invasions from other nations, but there are still ongoing disputes, big and small, at the borders connecting to the capital.”
“……….”
“Even a single Awakened is precious in these times. Don’t forget that, no matter the origin, once someone is Awakened, they are adopted into Pashayen and are equal to you who were born into its bloodline.”
The family head looked directly at Aunt Cecilia. She frowned slightly, as if uncomfortable, but didn’t talk back.
“Angela, since you’re the closest in age, treat your younger cousin kindly and guide them.”
“Yes, honorable grandfather.”
Angela replied quietly, and with that, the meal concluded.
***
The Pashayen Successor Training Center.
Currently, 17 children attend here.
This includes adopted children, the head family’s grandchildren, or grandchildren of the head family’s siblings.
They all possess Bijou seats or have already manifested as Awakened. Those who aren’t Awakened must receive separate education from home tutors.
After all, the primary purpose of the Successor Training Center isn’t academics.
Traditionally, the ‘Class Leader’ from each generation becomes the next family head.
The ‘Class Leader’ leads other Awakened children, serving as both a figure of admiration and a rival. Their presence alone is a beacon and pillar for their generation of Awakened.
Because they naturally take on leadership roles from a young age, the family can transition smoothly during generational changes, even when the head is replaced.
So, what role does the Vice Leader play?
They fill in for the busy Class Leader due to individual missions and serve as a position to learn leadership.
Awakened individuals are placed in key roles within the family once they turn 15. To lead the organization effortlessly at that time, they need leadership skills.
This lengthy explanation could actually be summed up in one sentence:
The adults’ pride battle!
Otherwise known as ‘My Kid’s Battle!’
