Family dinners like this were rather rare among the Moonveils. The patriarch, often occupied on the front lines repelling the sanguines, was not always present, and the same went for their mother, absorbed by her own responsibilities. Lucian was tied up at Haven — the military academy — while Selene commanded her own unit as a renowned strategist.
Liam had expected a solemn, tense atmosphere, but that was far from the case. The others chatted comfortably among themselves, while he remained in the background, observing.
"Father, is it true that the clashes in the West are getting more violent since you eliminated one of those damn sanguines' big shots?" asked Lucian.
Qamar nodded in response to his son.
"Indeed," he replied calmly, chewing a piece of meat. "But it's nothing particularly extraordinary. They temporarily lost one of their key assets for the conquest of the West. It caught them off guard long enough for me to push them back. In response, they had to deploy more soldiers to face us."
The Moonveil family was one of the six ruling families of the continent — the dominant families, each wielding immense power, and each overseeing a part of the war against the sanguines.
For centuries, the Moonveils had managed the Western front, one of the deadliest battlefields, unlike the East, which was calmer due to its distance from the sanguine continent — though not entirely spared.
Lucian smiled, satisfied with his father's answer. Needless to say, he was proud, perhaps a little too proud, of his family name and of Qamar's accomplishments.
"And what about you, Lucian? How are things going at Haven?" asked the patriarch.
"Father, you know your son. He's probably trying to prove to everyone just how powerful the Moonveil family is," Selene said mockingly.
Lucian looked at her, slightly exasperated, cleared his throat, and then addressed his father.
"Don't worry, everything's fine. I can say, rather proudly, that I'm crushing the competition, hehe."
"Crushing the competition while being ranked third in your class?" their mother interjected.
Lucian swallowed, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Don't get me wrong, mom. Although I'm third, the difference between me and the top two is barely noticeable. By the end of the year, you'll see, I'll turn things around, for sure."
Lucian turned his head toward Liam, ready to provoke him once again.
"And what about you, little brother?" he teased. "You're entering Haven in a year… I doubt anyone who's never held a sword will last long. Actually… no, I doubt they'll even accept you, hahaha."
Liam smiled and replied calmly:
"Speaking of that, I have something to ask you, father," he said, turning to Qamar.
The family was slightly taken aback. Clearly, Liam was different today — everyone had noticed.
"Oh? And what is it?" Qamar asked, intrigued.
"Ah… I should warn you, if you're hoping to skip the academy, forget it," added Qamar, anticipating Liam's request. But what Liam was about to say went completely against expectations.
"I know, I plan to enter, don't worry. Actually, I have a request: may I accompany you to the front lines? I'll also take the opportunity to learn how to wield a sword."
Liam dropped the bomb with a calm, confident tone. A heavy silence filled the room. No one knew how to react. Even Selene was left speechless.
Liam had already been showing signs of change, but asking to go to the battlefield and wield a sword… Liam? The same frail boy who hated combat and blood? It could have been a joke, but once they met his eyes, it became clear: he was completely serious.
"What? What are you saying, Liam? I don't know what's gotten into you today, but that's enough."
Helen intervened authoritatively. Her youngest son was behaving strangely… enough for today. Yet, deep down, her heart raced.
'Could Liam have finally found his resolve? This fragile boy, who was always afraid of hurting himself or others, has finally accepted his duty?'
Many thoughts ran through Helen's mind, so sudden was this change.
Liam had always been the shame of the Moonveil family. Admittedly, he possessed an S-rank talent — inferior to Lucian or Selene — but that wasn't the real problem. The true problem was his personality.
It was tradition for a Moonveil to begin sword training in childhood. It wasn't for lack of trying with Liam: they had attempted countless times. But nothing worked. He didn't like it. Worse, it was as if he were allergic to it.
Combat, swords, blood, killing — all were commonplace in a world at war like theirs. For his own good, Liam had been too innocent. He preferred other pastimes.
Needless to say, whenever Liam's behavior came up in important discussions with other families, everyone was embarrassed on his behalf. A weakling born into a family of warriors… that was what he was.
At least, that's what he should have been… until he announced that he wanted to accompany Qamar to the battlefield.
Seeing the reactions around the table, Liam cleared his throat and quickly explained:
"I know this may seem sudden, but I've been thinking about it for a while. In a year, I'll enter Haven. By then, my life will change, and I won't be able to avoid confrontations or combat, even if I wanted to. And even after Haven, most graduates go to war. To put it simply: no matter how much I try to change my fate, I won't succeed. So I've simply accepted it."
He spoke with such conviction that he almost believed his own words.
"I don't believe you! I feel like I didn't hit you hard enough last time… wait!"
Lucian abruptly rose from his seat, furious at his brother.
Selene no longer smiled. She was genuinely surprised by the turn this dinner had taken. She had noticed her youngest brother had changed somewhat, but this… this was on a whole other level.
"Enough."
A cold, commanding voice silenced everyone. All eyes turned to Qamar.
He stared at Liam with a glacial, unreadable gaze.
"Let me ask you something. What do you hope to accomplish by coming to the battlefield with me? Do you think you can survive? Do you think this is a game? Only death awaits you there. This is an absurd request. Years of being useless won't change that."
Liam held Qamar's gaze. Behind his father's coldness, behind his mother's denial, he could sense a small spark of hope growing in them.
'Look at this… After years of being rejected by my own family, called every name in the book, beaten by my brother… Years of my mother turning away, hoping it would make me stronger. Years of exclusion from social circles, labeled a coward and a disgrace. Years of being treated as if I weren't even your son, treated like a stranger…'
'Parasites. That's what you are. Damn parasites. Seriously, you disgust me all of you. I pity the old Liam.'
Yet outwardly, Liam showed nothing. He appeared perfectly calm.
"Father, mother, I understand this may surprise you, but I am sincere in my intentions. It's because I'm behind most people my age that I request to go to the battlefield. At worst, I die and you have the perfect excuse to rid your family of a waste. At best, I come back stronger, and at the same time, the waste I was disappears. Either way, you benefit, don't you?"
"Liam… Stop thinking like that. It's ridiculous. One might almost think we're the villains."
Helen spoke, a mix of frustration and concern in her voice.
"No, mother. Don't worry. I know you want me to grow stronger for my own good. I'm not fooled."
Liam turned his attention back to the patriarch.
"I refuse."
Qamar stared at him intently.
"I refuse. Even if you believe you're being rational, you're not. You are a Moonveil. Have some honor. It's good that you're finally moving, even if late. I'll tell your uncle to tutor you in the meantime…"
Liam stepped forward, resolute:
"Two months. Give me two months to learn to wield a sword. If I can master the third technique of our family's sword art in two months, then take me with you to the battlefield."
The Moonveil sword art was taught to every family member. Highly technical, it was not for amateurs. But with a Moonveil's innate physique, it was possible.
It included nine techniques, the ninth of which was considered impossible: even Qamar mastered only the first eight. Thus, mastering the first three in just two months was utterly unrealistic. Normally, it required two years of regular training, or slightly less than a year for a prodigy.
By comparison, Lucian, in his second year at Haven, had mastered only the first four techniques.
"Absurd… totally absurd! I've had enough of your behavior today, Liam! You're getting on my nerves. You really think you can master our family's techniques in two months? Do you think you're some kind of genius?!"
Lucian exploded, furious at his brother's arrogance.
Liam didn't even glance at him, keeping his focus on his father.
"So? What about this offer? This time, you win on every point, don't you?"
Qamar stared deeply into his son's eyes, trying to understand what had sparked such a change. After a few moments, he rose.
"I have no idea what's going on in your head today, but I have no reason to refuse. Try, if you can, but let me warn you…"
Suddenly, a murderous aura descended upon Liam, so intense that he had to slump in his chair. Each breath was a struggle, the pressure unbearable. Yet he kept his eyes fixed on his father.
'Ugh… If it weren't for the pain I felt earlier today, when I received the memories of this body, I wouldn't have been able to endure this pressure…'
"Do not underestimate the Moonveil sword art, Liam."
Qamar said coldly before retracting his aura and exiting through the grand door.