“Apparently a Maid fell out of a window and died last night” My father, Emperor Titus III casually mentioned cutting into his steak at breakfast the next morning. The sun blazing down through a strategically located upon his golden hair gave him an otherworldly glow. Known as the emperor of the sun, all anyone ever remarked about him was that he was blonde, the sun followed him and his voice appeared different to everyone. Looking down at my own food and glancing at him out of the corner of my eye I attempted to identify him.

[Prismatic Mage] Level ????

Well that explains the sun thing a little bit I thought. Prismatic is light related I’m pretty sure.

“Anyone important?” Cornelius, my closest sibling in age and third in line, asked with little curiosity, pushing up his wire glasses reading a book with one hand as he ate with the other, seemingly asking only because it was expected and not because he actually cared about the response.

“Don’t think it’s any of ours” Rowland the heir said casually brushing his golden hair behind him and picking at his food with a disgusted look on his face.

“It’s probably Dianna’s fault” Nico, his younger twin added, smirking at me as he kicked his shoes up on the table and leant back hands behind his head, managing to balance perfectly in his chair. “Its her fault mother died after all so we all know how good she is at killing”

“Why would you say that?” I said, shooting him a glare and gripping my knife tightly in my fist, shooting back despite knowing perfectly well it was my fault. “I have only one dedicated maid of my own and she was unwell yesterday. ” ignoring the deep wound mentioning our mother always brought.

“Be careful little princess”, he retorted, chuckling as he looked at my white knuckled grip. “Wouldn’t want to add any more bodies to that death count, any before eighteen is quite the problem, might want to switch back to dollies before you end up in prison”

“Why you bas…”

“Ah hem” my elder sister Victoria interrupted glaring me down back into my seat as I had started to get up to threaten him further. “You better not have been using the word I thought you were about to use.”

“Yes Mother” I muttered just loud enough to be heard as I sat back down in my seat

“Do not call me that” my sister snapped, flushing a deep red and glaring at me as though she wished her eyes could kill. “If the rest of you siblings didn’t act like such children I wouldn’t have to act like your mother”

“I’m older than you” both Nico and Rowland said simultaneously

“Well you don’t act like it do you?” Victoria said, looking at the pair crossly as Nico leaned back further in his chair and Rowland as he sat looking at a piece of steak as if it had done him personal harm.

“That’s the issue” My father interrupted. “We can't identify this maid at this time. It’s quite odd, none of the maids appear to be missing at this time according to the head of households.”

“Hopefully it’s the chef who cooked this steak so poorly.” Rowland grumbled, stabbing it with his fork.

“Onto other matters, Dianne you will organise your own eighteenth birthday celebration coming up.”

“I’m sorry could you please say that again” I spluttered coughing on the mouthful of food I just cooked.

“Your not deaf Dianne” my father said, his gaze seeming to penetrate into my soul. “Organise it with the Head of the ballroom, you only have three weeks. Also.” He said “everyone here is required to attend”

Everyone else immediately protested.

“What do you mean?” Victoria exclaimed “I have plans already, that’s three days before our classes start back up!”

“It’s not as if we have any reason to attend” Nico shouted, standing up as if by magic “she isn’t even awakened, we have nothing to celebrate here!”

I scowled into my mouthful of food ignoring the continued protests of the rest of my siblings and decided to identify them as they were distracted

[Prismatic mage] ???

[Shadow mage] ???

[Terra mage] ??

[Magnetic mage] ??

Why is everyone else a mage except me? I wondered looking at my family in surprise. Thinking about what I knew of their abilities now l I could see their status it became clear that they at least somewhat see how it matched with them personally. Rowland definitely tried to stand out as well as emulating father to an absurd degree. Nico always did the opposite and whilst was very combative with us was able to fade into the background. Victoria always loved her plants and spent a lot of time in her gardens with her friends and Cornelius always loved spending time with the guards and in the armoury. I used to think that it was all to do with fighting but maybe it was all the metal.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Stunned by the revelation I jumped when my father suddenly slammed his hands down on the table. “This is not a discussion” he roared at my siblings “you will be there or there will be consequences.”

We all went dead silent. “Good, now that that issue has been resolved.” He continued “Dianne I would like to speak with you privately after this is concluded.”

“Yes father” I sighed looking back down at my food picking at it disappointedly my stomach sinking as his gaze pierced into me

“Getting into trouble again sister” Cornelius said turning another page, “You owe us by the way for this, I had plans”

“How is this my fault?” I demanded “ and reading with the guards is not a plan.”

“It is a plan, and it's a much better plan than attending your party. I would at least be doing something productive then.”

“Your love for me is overwhelming” I muttered dryly “I really feel all of this care and respect you have for me”

“Why would any of us care for a useless unawakened brat who provides us no benefit and only problems?” Victoria snapped, “your existence only causes our family problems.”

Yeah Nico continued “you being alive even if you awakened tomorrow just invites the outside kingdoms to try and attack as you are proof our line is weakening.”

I looked around to see all of her siblings nodding or glaring at her which for the first time truly conveyed to her that the only value she had to them was her awakening, my father even looked away as she scanned her gaze along them. Even now as I had awakened they wouldn’t see her truly as an equal however. I had awakened too late and had missed out on years of experience that in their eyes could not be quickly overcome. And normally they would be right. Unfortunately for them my power would effectively flip the table if used properly. Because it dawned on me as I sat there that no matter what no one else was able to progress and level for me. My path to power was always going to be one alone.

“I see,” I said softly, glaring back at my family and watching them trying to stare my down, standing up I quickly looked towards my father and executed a perfect curtesy.

Congratulations The general skill [Social Grace] has leveled up to level 2!

“Father, I clearly am not wanted here right now. I will wait for you outside.” I stammered trying to recover and hide my glee from the notification. My first skill improvement! Stepping back I walked quietly towards the door.

“Stop,” The king said, his voice resonating with power as he stood up glaring at the table “Dianne come back here, Everyone else, leave.”

“But” Rowland began

Titus just glared. And my siblings filed out without a word.

“Sit” my father said, pointing back at my chair as the door closed with an ominous groan behind me.

With great trepidation I walked back to my chair and sat down. “What did you want to talk about father” I asked in the meekest tone I could manage.

“I know,” he said, sitting down and crossing his arms in front of me. His eyes seemed to drill into me as I sat there panicking.

“Know what” I managed to ask, my voice shaking. Internally I started to panic. “Does he know I killed someone? Or does he know about my class.” I thought as I grabbed my hands and put them under the table to keep them from shaking.

“You seemed to have finally awakened”

“What?” I said stuttering

“I felt you use a skill on me, don’t play stupid girl” he replied with a glare “so after your birthday we will announce the news to the world and…”

“No” I yelped in horror without thinking

The air grew thick with pressure and the air itself seemed to shudder “You dare say no to me”

“I apologise my king I didn't mean to insult you” I quickly said as the pressure continued to mount, a headache beginning to throb in my skull as I spoke. “My class is not one that thrives on being known and I feel like it would be best to remain more in the background at first.”

“Is that so?” he said softly, glaring as the pressure spiked.

Gritting my teeth against the pain I somehow managed to speak “I will go along with your decision if you wish but I prefer to be underestimated and to prove everyone else wrong, classing can only be done solo after all, and I’m confident that when my siblings find out they will get in my way.”

Congratulations new general skill learned [Pain resistance]

Congratulations Aura has leveled up to level 5!

The pressure decreased significantly. “You raise some good points” my father admitted “but you are aware that this means that your siblings will look down on you at best and seek to eliminate you at worst, I can’t be everywhere and won’t be around forever you know.”

I laughed bitterly “your telling me that they won’t anyway? I am a threat to their lineage as a powerless unawakened but I’m a threat to the throne alive. I can see that you have all your siblings still lying around.”

My father winced at that. “You make me sound like a monster.”

“That is classers, to live we all must become monsters.”

My father sighed and rubbed his eyes. “When I told you that I was not referencing our character.

“I don't think that makes it any less true.” I replied

“Anyway, the reason I called you is to let you know that I will be sending you someone to help you with your first bit of leveling and help to give you some advice” my father said

“I thought that we were not allowed to let anyone know about our abilities once we became classers.” I enquired suspiciously

“This person has sworn a class backed oath to not reveal anything they find out.” my dad said, waving his hand casually as if trying to wipe away my suspicion. Smirking, he continued, “I think you will like them nonetheless.”

I frowned at him but he neglected to reveal any more.

“Also the person in question is also going to be who you use to craft your persona for when you go to the academy if you choose to do so which I suspect you will.”

“This is a nightmare,” I muttered, “Do I have to go to the same school as all my siblings?” I demanded aloud.

“It’s neutral territory and the best Classer education facility around.” My dad said eyebrows raised. “As I said you have to attend for at least one year, also I never said that your siblings have to know, unless you work it out yourself you won’t know some of your own siblings.”

“And if I say no?” I asked rebelliously

“You don’t have that option” he said firmly “go and start leveling up and learning to use your skills, you're already behind so let’s not make it worse.”

“Yes your highness” I said sarcastically, bowing as I marched out.

“Your helper will arrive by the end of the day” he called out as I slammed the door behind me.