The dining room buzzed with energy as the family gathered for dinner. Lord Garius sat at the head of the long, ornate table, his expression unusually light—a rare sight. He had just received news from Lady Francesca about a new mine discovered within their territory, promising substantial income for the Armand household.
"Excellent" Lord Garius declared, addressing the table with approval. "This mine will bring great prosperity to our family. With this resource, we can strengthen our position, expand our influence, and secure a brighter future for all of you."
Marcellus and Cedric, who had rushed back home upon hearing the news, were deep in conversation about the implications. For them, the mine represented more than family prosperity—it meant a potential increase in their allowances.
"I can finally get that new sword I've been eyeing," Cedric said with excitement.
Marcellus chuckled. "Don't spend it all in one place, brother. Remember, there are better investments than just toys."
Meanwhile, the stepmothers—Lady Garcinia and Lady Phenelopie—were in high spirits, sipping wine as the feast commenced. Their children, including Aelius, Athine, and Heres, enjoyed the lavish spread. The joyful atmosphere was infectious, but Javier sat quietly, observing the scene with growing concern.
"Javier," Lord Garius called.
Javier straightened in his seat, sensing the seriousness in his father voice. "Yes, esteemed father?" he replied, his tone respectful.
"The blessing ceremony will take place next year,I expect you to be prepared. This is a significant milestone for you all."
"Yes, esteemed father,"
Lord Garius's gaze lingered on him for a moment before continuing. "And remember," he added, his tone sharpening slightly, "your personal maids will attend the ceremony with their assigned masters. Ensure that your maid is also ready."
"Yes, esteemed father," Javier replied again, sneaking a glance at Liana, who stood quietly by the wall. She gave him a slight, reassuring nod.
As the feast continued, Javier's polite demeanor hid the storm brewing in his mind. While his family discussed the mine and its future benefits, his thoughts were focused on the impending blessing ceremony.
"Screw that blessing ceremony, behind his wine goblet. I'll make sure it doesn't happen... ekekekeke.
The blessing ceremony was a grand tradition, a key moment when noble children's magical aptitude and class would be appraised, defining their future roles in society. Javier wasn't worried about others' judgment; his concern lay in the strange twist of fate he had encountered.
He recalled the day the status window appeared before his eyes—a transparent panel floating in his vision that no one else seemed to notice. It revealed his class assignment, and the words haunted him:
Class: Strategist Ruler
"What the hell is this class?" Javier muttered under his breath the first time he saw it. It wasn't a class he had ever heard of, not in this world or in the books he had read in the library. Swordmaster, High Priest, Hero, Mage—those were common titles. But Strategist Ruler? It wasn't even in the records.
Leaning back in his chair, he feigned interest in the conversation around him while his mind whirred with schemes.
I have to make sure no one finds out. If the blessing ceremony goes as planned, everyone will know this. It'll raise too many questions—questions I don't want to answer.
Nope. Next year, there won't be any blessing ceremony at all. I'll wreck it. I'll ensure it's delayed or canceled—whatever it takes.
Liana, standing dutifully at his side, noticed his fleeting grin and raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry. Javier caught her look and waved it off casually. "Nothing, nothing," he murmured, though his mind was already spinning with devious ideas.
Whatever this Strategist Ruler class was, he'd figure it out on his own terms—quietly, secretly, and without anyone else meddling in his affairs.
Javier leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, a devilish smirk playing on his lips as his mind danced with possibilities.
Alright, alright, blessing ceremony… fine. I'll let it happen—if I can rig the game first. No way I'm letting this class go public. Nope, no thanks, pass. I'll make sure my class looks harmless... something boring, like "Noble Son" or whatever. Yeah, that'll work. Ehehehe.
His eyes gleamed with mischief as he hatched his plan. There's got to be a way to overwrite or hide that weird class.
He leaned back in his chair, barely hearing Lord Garius discuss the family's plans for the mine.
The smirk widened as he imagined the scene—standing confidently at the ceremony, his class revealed as something unremarkable, the crowd nodding with approval. No suspicion, no unwanted attention. He'd keep his real abilities and this bizarre class under wraps, free to operate from the shadows as he pleased.
Liana noticed the glint in Javier eye. "Young master," she said softly, leaning closer so only he could hear, "you're plotting something, aren't you?"
Javier blinked, feigning innocence. "Me? Plotting? No. I'm just... thinking about how proud Father will be when everything goes perfectly."
Liana sighed, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly. "You've got that smirk again. The one that says you're up to no good."
"Hey, hey, I'm always up to good! Sometimes." He chuckled, waving a hand.
She didn't look convinced but didn't press the matter further. Liana had learned long ago that when Javier got that look in his eyes, there was no stopping him. All she could do was be there to pick up the pieces—or, in some cases, to make sure the pieces didn't scatter too far.
As the evening feast continued, Javier's mind stayed focused. Alright, time to dig into the library tomorrow. There's gotta be something in Father's collection. Or maybe... I should sneak into the temple archives? Hmm, that could work. Either way, this class nonsense is going to get "fixed."
That night, as Javier lay on his bed, the room bathed in soft moonlight, he let out a satisfied sigh.
Alright, let's see if this stupid system has any tricks I can use.
Closing his eyes briefly, he focused, willing the familiar status window to appear in his mind. Moments later, the translucent panel materialized, glowing faintly as rows of text and options hovered in his vision.
Hmm… let's see here… he navigated through the options, each selection highlighting itself as he examined it. He paused when a particular category caught his attention.
"Ohhhh!!" he whispered, his voice barely above a breathless exclamation. "There's actually a way to hide the actual class! Ehehehe... Jackpot."
"Villager?" he muttered, stifling a laugh. "Nope, nope, nope. That class would make my father disown me on the spot. Pass."
He scrolled further, shaking his head at the absurdity of some choices. "Peasant? Commoner? Are these even serious? Absolutely not! Too low-class… I'm not about to embarrass myself here."
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. There, nestled among the options, was one that made his grin grow wider. "Ohhh! Noble Lord! Now that has a nice ring to it! Ehehehe…"
The title practically oozed prestige and authority. It was perfect—high enough to be respectable without raising suspicion, and generic enough not to attract too much attention. Javier chuckled under his breath, imagining his family's reactions when the ceremony revealed his "new" class.
'Noble Lord Javier'... yeah, that'll keep Father happy. And more importantly, it keeps my real class under wraps. Perfect!
Excitement coursed through him as he hovered over the option, his thoughts racing with possibilities. This is it. This is how I win.
For a moment, he paused, his finger hovering just above the invisible "confirm" button. A nagging thought crept in—what if this didn't work? What if there was some fail-safe he hadn't accounted for? He quickly shoved the thought aside.
"Nope, no time for doubts. This is the way forward," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. He took a deep breath and mentally pressed the option.
As the status window updated, a message flashed briefly in his mind: Class Concealment Active. Displayed Class: Noble Lord.
Javier grinned triumphantly. "Done and done. Now, let's see them try to ruin my plans. Ehehehe…"
Satisfied, he dismissed the status window and rolled over, a sense of accomplishment settling over him. Tomorrow, he'd act as if nothing had happened, all while silently reveling in his genius. Blessing ceremony? Bring it on. They'll see exactly what I want them to see… and nothing more.
(End Of Chapter)