Ray stared at him for a long second.
"Why do you have to say things like that?" he muttered. "You always sound like you're delivering some divine prophecy. It's too dramatic and—"
He made a vague gesture.
"—cringe."
Arthur's expression didn't change.
"You mistake clarity for theatrics," he replied.
"No, I see theatrics for theatrics."
Silence.
Arthur simply looked at him.
Ray exhaled sharply. "OK fine, so why the hell did you wait until now to tell me about this knight family that I'm apparently part of?"
Arthur adjusted his sleeve. "Because you are meeting them today."
Ray blinked.
"Meeting who?"
Arthur's eyes met his.
"Your new family members."
Ray's jaw dropped. "Why the hell would you tell me this now?"
Arthur's eye twitched—barely.
"You are overreacting."
"Overreacting?" Ray stared at him. "You can't just drop this many plot twists and expect me to stay calm!"
Arthur remained completely composed.
"It changes nothing about your objective," he said evenly.
"It changes everything about my stress level," Ray shot back.
Arthur folded his hands behind his back.
"You will compose yourself."
Ray dragged a hand down his face. "You're unbelievable."
"And yet," Arthur replied calmly, "you are still here."
Ray glared at him.
"Yeah. Unfortunately."
A knock echoed through the room.
Arthur's lips curved slightly. "Come in."
The door opened.
Two men and a woman stepped inside.
The shift was instant.
Arthur's posture straightened—not rigid, but refined. The air around him seemed to settle. His expression smoothed into something calm, serene… distant. A profound aura surrounded him, like a sage who had seen centuries pass and judged them unworthy of reaction.
Ray felt it immediately.
Right…
In the novel, this was how Arthur behaved in front of the world.
Composed. Untouchable. Almost holy.
And yet Ray had just called him cringe five minutes ago.
Three figures stood before them.
One man had platinum blond hair, sharp features, and steady eyes. Another had black hair, darker and severe, standing in the center. The woman had brown hair tied neatly back, her gaze observant but restrained.
The black-haired man stood slightly ahead of the other two. Not by much—but enough. His presence carried authority. Serious. No nonsense. The kind of person who didn't waste words.
Without hesitation, all three knelt.
"We greet the Master," the black-haired man said, voice firm. "Everything you commanded has been done as instructed."
Ray's brain lagged behind the scene.
Master?
Before he could process further—
Arthur spoke.
His tone was calm. Measured. "Rise."
They stood.
Then Arthur turned slightly.
"Ray," he said, voice carrying quiet weight, "meet your new family."
The words landed heavier than any dramatic declaration before.
Ray stared at the three of them as they stared back.
There was no warmth between in those eyes just cold assessment.
The air felt heavier than before because of the expectation settling onto Ray's shoulders.
The three figures stood upright, disciplined and perfectly still. Their gazes were fixed on him—not openly hostile, not welcoming either. Just… measuring.
The black-haired man spoke first. "This… boy will be our son?"
His voice wasn't mocking nor was it impressed.
Arthur did not look at him. "Yes, Robert."
The platinum-blond man's eyes narrowed slightly, scanning Ray from head to toe as if appraising a weapon fresh from the forge.
"Can he even carry himself? No offense, my lord," the blond one said evenly.
The woman's gaze lingered on Ray's hands, then his stance. "His breathing is unsteady."
Ray resisted the urge to fidget.
Their words sounded too hollow in his ears.
He glanced at Arthur.
Arthur remained serene, hands folded behind his back, expression unreadable.
Robert stepped forward half a pace.
"I am the current head of the family," he said evenly. "From today onward, you will bear our name in the academy and beyond."
Ray blinked once.
He was having a hard time processing everything happening around him.
Robert continued, "You will enter the academy under our banner in the Azure Dragon."
Ray's thoughts flickered.
Azure Dragon and the first thing that he remember where honor of Knights and warrior's clad shining armor with swords and spear. They were group known for bravery and battlefield prestige—like those form Gryffindor from harry potter. One of the four student factions in the Aaron Academy. But wasn't that decided on the day of orientation?
The platinum-blond man spoke again, answering the question Ray hadn't voiced.
"Yes and no. Officially, it is announced on orientation day. But the faction is decided beforehand—by your primary class, your background, and your family name."
His gaze dropped briefly to the sword at Ray's waist.
"And as I can see a sword around your waist, plus the fact that you are joining our family… yes, you will be in the Azure Dragon. Not the White Tiger or the Vermillion Bird specially the Black Tortoise."
A pause.
"So, good luck, kid."
As Ray felt the weight of that settle on him.
The woman spoke, softer but no less firm.
"Why are you so tense? It's not like we are asking you to join a war."
Ray almost laughed.
Of course you would think that Humans were right when they said ignorance is bliss.
Of course this was happening to him. It just had to be as the story dictated.
The Author had truly turned him into a novel character. Reincarnated him. Given him a new name and family. Made him learn mana. Doubled his mana core. Prepared him to witness their work with his own eyes.
And now this.
Arthur finally looked at him.
"Speak your mind, Ray."