The grand hall of the Valden family was filled with dim lights and glowing magic crystals. Today was a grand celebration—the Blessing Ceremony of Alan Valden, the second son of the most influential noble family in the Kingdom of Everon.
Guests from other noble houses attended, wearing luxurious clothes adorned with glittering jewels. Not only nobles were present, but also merchants, businessmen, poets, high-class adventurers, and many others. They were all invited to witness the new face of the Valden family—Alan Valden.
The ceremony was accompanied by the soft melody of music while servants moved back and forth serving wine and dishes. All eyes were filled with anticipation, waiting for the most important moment: the announcement from the high priest.
In the center of the hall, Alan stood tall. He was only fourteen years old, yet his gaze was filled with confidence. Behind him stood his father, Sorbet Valden, the ruler of a vast territory respected in Everon Kingdom.
A priest stepped forward, holding a long magic staff. As the tip of the staff tapped the floor, silence fell upon the hall.
"Welcome, everyone!" said the priest loudly, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am Malchior, priest of the Grand Church of Saint Maria. Today, I have been given the honor by Lord Sorbet to announce the blessing and talent of their second son, Alan Valden."
Then he turned his eyes to Alan, who stood firmly beside him.
"Alan Valden is truly blessed by the Gods. He possesses two elements." Gasps of shock filled the room. Such a situation was rare. "He has been blessed with the elements of wind and water."
Cheers and applause erupted. Everyone was astonished and amazed.
"Two elements! Incredible!"
"Alan Valden is truly the rightful heir of Valden blood!"
"No wonder, this family always produces geniuses!"
The Valden family was indeed known for producing exceptional offspring in magic. They were the best in sorcery, the very reason they were so highly respected.
Alan smiled broadly, bowing politely to the guests. Yet, for a brief moment, his eyes darted toward the corner of the hall.
There stood a seventeen-year-old youth, dressed in plain noble attire without any decoration—Crowne Valden, Alan's elder brother.
The cheers gradually subsided, replaced by sneering whispers as the guests turned their gazes toward Crowne.
"Look at him, the Duke's first son…"
"Useless. They say during his ceremony, no blessing appeared at all."
"A powerless one, without any element. Truly a disgrace to the Valden family."
Some even chuckled while staring at Crowne with disdain.
Alan, as if savoring the moment, raised his voice proudly.
"Brother, are you jealous? Even without harsh training, I have been recognized as the true heir of our family. While you… what do you even have?"
The hall fell into silence once more. All eyes turned to Crowne, waiting for his reaction.
Crowne only gave a faint smile. "I am not jealous, Alan. You deserve those cheers. Train your power well."
That calm response did not ease the atmosphere but instead fueled laughter from some of the younger nobles. Alan clenched his fists, displeased that his mockery did not spark his brother's anger.
Yet, when Crowne turned his head briefly, his gaze was sharp—like he intended to kill him. Alan instinctively stepped back, his body shivering.
"W-what the…" he muttered, his face paling for a second before covering it with a small laugh.
"Damn it. Why is he… so terrifying?"
Once more he looked at Crowne. But the menacing gaze from earlier was gone. It made Alan wonder if it had only been his imagination.
Sorbet stepped forward. "Alright, everyone!" he spoke firmly, calming the situation. "Let the feast begin!"
**
While the guests began to enjoy the party, Crowne had already left the hall. He walked toward the quiet back garden, his favorite place since childhood.
There, small birds perched upon the grass. Crowne crouched down, scattering breadcrumbs from his hand. The birds eagerly flocked around him.
"Don't fight. Tomorrow I'll feed you again," he whispered softly.
His face was calm, despite just being humiliated in front of so many people.
On a stone table near the garden bench lay an old, worn-out book with a cracked brown cover. The title was barely visible, "Beginner's Beast Taming."
Crowne reached for it and opened the first page. He let out a faint sigh before putting it back down. Then, he moved his hand slightly.
At once, a transparent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[Status System]
Name: Crowne Valden
Age: 17
Race: Human
Class: Beast Tamer
Level: 1
Base Attributes:
Strength: 5
Endurance: 6
Agility: 7
Mana: 12
Skills:
[Bond of the Wild] – A soul bond with beasts.
[Beast Whisper] – Understand the language of animals.
[Call Familiar] – (Locked – Requires Level 2).
Beast Companion: None.
Special Status:
Level Locked – User cannot level up until the first mission is completed.
Crowne stared at the screen for a long time. At the very bottom, the same message always appeared, haunting him.
Something that must be completed—and it would be completed in just a few days.
[First Mission: Endure humiliation without retaliation. Cooldown: 06:23:01]
"Only six hours and twenty-three minutes left. My long wait will soon end," he muttered with relief.
He had endured humiliation from others for seventeen years. Since his birth in this world, Crowne had obtained a strange system with bizarre status.
He could not level up. He could not use magic. He had been ridiculed by everyone, including his own family.
But all of that would finally end in just six hours and twenty-three minutes.
Crowne could hardly wait. "Only six hours. That's nothing for someone who has waited seventeen years."
He was still sitting on the garden bench when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. A faint laugh, filled with arrogance, accompanied it.
From the garden path emerged several young nobles who had earlier joined the party. They were accompanied by Alan, now dressed in a long blue robe, his face brimming with satisfaction.
"So this is where you're hiding, Brother Crowne," Alan said mockingly, arms crossed as he stood arrogantly. "I thought you ran away out of shame. Seems I was right."
The young nobles laughed.
"He's always like this, alone and gloomy."
"They call him the Valden first son, yet he has no magic at all. Pathetic!"
Crowne remained seated, not turning his head. His hand reached for more breadcrumbs, scattering them to the birds that were still gathered.
Alan stepped closer, kicking away the crumbs on the ground, sending the birds flying in panic. "Look at yourself. All you can do is play with wild birds. No wonder Father sees me as the true heir!"
Crowne placed the bread on the table. His eyes were calm, but his fingers clenched tightly on his lap. He had to restrain himself.
Suddenly, one of the young nobles stepped forward and kicked Crowne's old book to the ground.
As Crowne bent down to pick it up, Alan stomped on his hand. Crowne exhaled slowly, holding back his emotions.
"Hahaha! What's this? 'Beast Tamer'? So you really dream of becoming some animal herder? No wonder the Valden family is embarrassed! Beast Tamer is such a lowly job."
Alan laughed with satisfaction, looking down on his brother.
"Brother, you don't even deserve the Valden name. If not for Father's pity, you might have been cast out long ago."
Crowne lowered his head, retrieving his book from the ground. His hand trembled faintly, but his face remained blank. Only his sharp gaze flickered for a moment.
The transparent blue screen appeared once again, visible only to him.
[First Mission: Endure humiliation without retaliation. Cooldown: 06:12:45]
Crowne took a deep breath. "Six more hours…" he whispered faintly, almost inaudible.
Alan, catching the murmur, frowned. "What did you say?"
He raised his hand. "Beat him up!" he commanded.