Third-Person POV:
The sound of the two great doors of Dex's chamber opening pulled him out of the trance of the system screen.
A tall man dressed like a butler entered Dex's room politely. His name was Stuard, the chief butler of the Thunderbird Duchy.
"Young Master Dex, the Duke requests your presence in the dining hall."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left, expecting Dex to follow.
With no choice, Dex walked through the corridors behind the butler. Along the way, he thought about the people he would have to face during this dinner.
Dex Thunderbird was the third son of a ducal family. He had two brothers and one sister. The firstborn of the house and heir was Gustav Thunderbird. The second son, Marcus Thunderbird, was in his first year at the academy, where he had ranked first in the entrance exams. And finally, the young lady of the house, Elizabeth Thunderbird, who would soon celebrate her tenth birthday.
Dex also had two stepmothers: Elene Thunderbird, mother of the heir and the young lady, and Naelle Thunderbird, mother of the family's genius. Presiding over them all was the most authoritative figure of the Duchy—Leon Thunderbird, nicknamed "The Watcher of the Empire"—a man who had reached the peak of lightning magic as a Seventh-Circle Mage.
The long path to the dining hall was lined with ornate mana lamps and portraits of the family's ancestors. But the entrance itself was truly imposing: dark oak doors inlaid with gold leaf, supported by marble pillars. The butler opened the majestic doors and announced the arrival of the duke's third son.
The interior was even more magnificent than the outside. The floor was covered with a carpet in the house's colors—blue, purple, and gold. In the center stood a long table, easily able to seat more than ten people. At present, every member of the Thunderbird bloodline was seated there. Six chairs trimmed in gold and silver lined the sides, with one still empty. At the far end sat the throne of the head of House Thunderbird—and there was Leon himself.
Dex paused upon entering, waiting for his father's permission to sit. The duke gave a small hand gesture and said, "You may take your seat."
Dex moved toward the vacant chair that belonged to him.
As he sat, his second brother sneered:"So, my foolish, useless brother thinks he can arrive whenever he pleases and eat our food?"
Puh!
He spat onto the plate in front of Dex's seat. This had been a common humiliation for the former Dex, but the new "trash" was not about to stay silent.
Before Dex could even react, the duke snapped his fingers. Immediately, maids came out and replaced the plate.
"Marcus…" the duke's voice was laced with irritation at his son's insolence.
Eh-eh-hem!
"Today is Marcus's last day of vacation. Tomorrow marks the start of his second year. In addition, Dex will participate in the entrance exams and undergo his Awakening. That is why this meal is our last together for now."
With that, he picked up his utensils and began to eat. Only then were the others permitted to follow.
The family's meal was luxurious—seafood from the southern continent, stewed meats from rare beasts, and the finest side dishes.
But in Dex's mind, there was only one melancholy thought:"My mother's cooking was far better…"
When the meal ended, the Duke stood and said:"Dex, once you've finished, come to my office."
With that, Leon left the hall, heading toward his study.
At the duke's command, the stepmothers narrowed their eyes at Dex, but quickly returned to their composed expressions.
After ten minutes, Dex rose and headed toward his father's office, accompanied by a beautiful maid.
Dex's POV:
'What does he want with me?'
'He can't possibly just want to spend time with his son,' Echidna said in a mocking tone.
"Do dragons all have a bad sense of humor, or is it just you with half a brain?" he muttered with a hint of melancholy.
Echidna was immediately offended by her master's remark and sulked.
'Okay, okay—no need to pout.'
'I try to be kind to you, and this is how you treat me.'
'Fine, sorry. But you know very well my so-called 'father' isn't the kind of man who wants to spend time with his son.'
Before Echidna could reply, the beautiful maid beside Dex spoke:"Young Master, we've arrived."
"Alright, you can go, cutie."
The maid flushed red, hurriedly running off in embarrassment while thinking:"The Young Master has changed!"
Now standing before the majestic door of the office of the Watcher of the Empire, Dex felt it might be easier to survive a fight with the Demon King than to come out alive from this room.
As he reached for the handle, a voice came from inside—before he could even open it:
"Come in, Dex."