Courage was on his way back home. After several minutes of walking, he reached the edge of the forest. Stepping out from the shade of the treeline, his eyes were hit by the bright, hot sunshine. It took him a moment to adjust, but then he was back on his merry way.

The time of the year was near the end of summer. Despite the lingering heat, gusts of cool air signaled that autumn was approaching. The change in season also meant the return to school, which weighed heavily on Courage's mood. Not because he hated school or felt his summer vacation was too short, but because this year was different. This year, he was finally of age to participate in the Awakening Ceremony.

What is the Awakening Ceremony, you ask? It’s the most important event in any person’s life. An event that determines if you can join the most revered profession in the world—a profession around which society is built and sustained. Beast Taming.

Leaving the woodlands and passing through the suburban area, Courage walked a couple more streets before stopping in front of his house. Without wasting time, he opened the front door and stepped inside. Not long after, a voice called from deeper in the house, coming from the kitchen.

“Courage, is that you?”

“Yes, Ma, it’s me. Hope I’m not late,” Courage replied.

“No, honey, you’re just in time. Please help me set the table and call your siblings to come eat. After the meal, we’re having a family meeting.”

“A... family meeting?” Courage stammered nervously. He already knew what it could only be about.

Pushing that thought aside for the moment, he helped his mother set the table and called for his siblings.

The dining table seated six people. Courage sat at one end, his mother, Amber, at the other. Amber was a beautiful woman with a slender physique, shiny orange hair, and sharp, bright eyes. The way she dressed, ate, and even handled the tableware exuded elegance.

Between them sat Courage’s four younger half-siblings. First was Besmouth, a good-looking young man with shiny gray hair and gem-like silver eyes. Beside him was Opal, a fair girl with a long braided ponytail and pale, ocean-blue eyes. They were Courage’s first younger brother and sister, twins born two years after him. A year later came Ruby and Sapphire, the second set of twins. Ruby and Sapphire shared many similarities, as twins often do, but their defining features were their striking eyes—deep red for Ruby and vibrant blue for Sapphire.

The meal started quietly until Sapphire broke the silence, playfully teasing Courage.

“So, did you immortalize another champion today, Courage? By now, the number of champions you’ve created should be enough to put high-ranking tamers to shame!”

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Ruby giggled, and the rest of the siblings joined in teasing.

“Shut up,” Courage muttered, clearly annoyed.

Yet Sapphire leaned back, smirking. “Sigh. My dear brother, why do you sentence yourself to a life of zero game with this silly hobby of yours? I already had five boys confess to me this month, yet you haven’t managed a single girlfriend.”

“Do you want me to beat you up?” Courage snapped, his temper rising.

“Easy, easy! Don’t get mad; I’m just teasing,” Sapphire said, laughing. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll score someday. I just hope we’re all still alive when that happens.”

“Or worse—he starts dating a bug,” Ruby added.

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Why, you two little—”

“Enough, kids!” Amber interrupted, her voice sharp but kind. “Courage is still your older brother. Show him some respect.”

Courage allowed himself a moment of relief. “Thank you, Ma—”

“But seriously though, Courage,” Amber continued, “work on your social skills. I want grandkids someday, you know. And I’d prefer if they’re not bugs.”

The room exploded with laughter again.

“Damn, I have no allies in this house,” Courage muttered bitterly under his breath.

The humiliating meal dragged on, but eventually, everyone gathered in the living room for the family meeting. As they all settled into their seats, Amber stepped forward, her expression serious.

“As you all know, the Awakening Ceremony will take place in two weeks. This is your opportunity to follow in your father’s footsteps.”

Courage glanced around the room. Although Amber referred to their “father,” the truth was more complicated. Courage’s biological father, Dan Petacos, had left Amber tow years after he was  born. After their separation, Amber remarried and had the besmouth and opal and then two years after that she had ruby and sapphire with a man called dorsen edelstein . This made Courage the only one biologically unrelated to his younger siblings.

But Amber’s speech wasn’t just for Courage, despite him being the only one of the right age to awaken. Because in fact His siblings were prodigies. From a young age, they had demonstrated remarkable aptitude and talent, excelling in academics, athletics, and even artistic pursuits. Early tests measuring their spiritual affinity returned exceptional results, marking them as rare talents seen only once in a generation. Their mother, along with educators and even the mayor, pushed for them to attempt an early awakening this year.

The mayor himself supported the idea, hoping great talents would emerge from their community and strengthen the garrison’s reputation.

Amber’s voice softened as she continued. “I know you all aspire to become Beast Tamers, but I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: even if you qualify, you are not obligated to walk this path. Remember, being a tamer may bring great prestige, but it also comes with risk. The dangers are real, and this profession carries the highest casualty rate.”

Despite her ambitious hopes for her children, Amber feared for their safety. If forced to choose between their success and their lives, she would always choose the latter.

Yet her children’s resolve remained unshaken. Inspired by the heroes of the taming world—and determined to follow in their parents’ footsteps—they confirmed their decisions. Amber gave them each her final blessings and words of encouragement.

As the meeting wrapped up and everyone began leaving, Amber stopped Courage.

“Courage, stay for a moment. I want to talk to you privately.”

The others dispersed to their rooms, leaving the two of them alone in the living room. A brief silence hung between them before Amber spoke in a low tone.

“So, are you sure this is what you want?”

Courage didn’t reply, staring silently at the floor.

Amber sighed. “Courage, honey, please understand—I’m not trying to discourage you. But you and I both know about your... condition. If you choose this path, it will be harder for you than for anyone else.”

“I’m aware,” Courage said quietly.

Amber’s voice grew gentler. “You don’t have to act on what he said. If you choose a different path, we’ll all support you. To me, you’re not ‘cursed’ or anything like that. You’re perfect just the way you are. You don’t have to do this to prove anything to anyone. You don’t need to meet anyone’s expectations.”

Courage lifted his head, his voice calm but firm. “I know, Mother. But trust me—this isn’t about satisfying others. It’s about satisfying myself. As much as I hate to admit it, what he said that day still holds some truth.”

The “he” they were referring to was Dan Petacos—Courage’s father. And what he said on that day was the harsh truth about the Petacos family curse.