Brandon sat quietly at the dining table, his posture composed, his expression unreadable. He ate at a steady pace, occasionally adjusting a piece of food closer to Mittens, who perched beside him. The bck lynx had become the center of attention, the murmurs of the household fixated on the creature who had awakened an ability.

  Despite the lively conversation around him, Brandon's mind was elsewhere. He reflected on his earlier outburst, turning it over in his mind like a puzzle. Why had he reacted so strongly? Was it simply the frustration of not being believed? Or was it something deeper—an unspoken acknowledgment that, despite his resistance, he was beginning to accept this family as his own? He sighed inwardly. Family. The word carried weight—responsibilities, expectations, chains. None of which he had ever wanted.

  "Is Mittens a magic cat now?" his younger sister, Ciri, asked in a small voice.

  His mother responded gently, "No, dear. She's a magical beast."

  Ciri's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I want one too! Or maybe... can I have Mittens?"

  Brandon’s mother hesitated before casting a gnce at him. Then, with careful consideration, she said, "You could raise one of your own. If you're lucky, perhaps it will awaken abilities like Mittens. Or—" she paused, as if weighing her words, "—you could ask your brother."

  Brandon looked up at his sister and sighed. "You can spend time with Mittens if you’d like."

  I should have refused, he thought to himself. But who can say no to a little girl?

  Before he could react further, Ciri had already slid down from her chair, ducked under the table, and reappeared beside him, her bright eyes full of anticipation. "Can I pet her now?"

  Brandon eyed her greasy hands with a silent grimace but reluctantly nodded.

  Ciri wasted no time. Her small hands reached out, pressing down on Mittens' sleek fur, leaving behind two distinct, oily handprints.

  A sharp yowl split the air.

  Brandon quickly intervened, halting Mittens' instinctive retaliation. The lynx gred at him, tail flicking in irritation. Meanwhile, Ciri, undeterred, giggled as she reached for Mittens’ tail.

  Mittens turned her head sharply, locking eyes with Brandon. Frustration, betrayal—emotions not typically seen in a beast flickered in her golden gaze. Their silent exchange did not go unnoticed.

  Their mother let out a delighted ugh, soon echoed by the rest of the table. The warmth of the moment spread through the room, filling it with an ease rarely present in Brandon’s world.

  And then, something unexpected happened.

  Ciri's hair lifted slightly, floating as if caught in an unseen breeze. It wavered gently, like silk brushing against the wind. Her ughter turned to a delighted squeal.

  The Duke, ever observant, leaned forward sharply. "Magical resonance."

  Gasps rippled around the table.

  Magical resonance—an automatic exchange of energy between two awakened beings bound by absolute trust. A rare occurrence, nearly unheard of. People were instinctively guarded, their abilities locked away even in moments of vulnerability. Yet, between a magical beast and its master... perhaps, just perhaps, such a connection made sense.

  But if resonance had occurred—

  That meant Brandon, too, had awakened.

  The realization struck him like a hammer. Perhaps it was the sudden shift in energy, or maybe the resonance had jolted his awareness, but something within him clicked into pce. He could feel it now.

  The body knows before the mind does. The words of the old schors echoed in his thoughts.

  Brandon reached for the knife beside his pte, steadying his breathing. He focused, his consciousness stretching beyond the physical. Something unseen extended from his hand, grasping the bde in a way that defied normal senses.

  With deliberate care, he bent the knife. The metal yielded, warping under his intent. He csped it between his palms, rolling it, shaping it—and when he opened his hands again, a small iron sphere rested in his palm.

  A slow grin spread across his face. Without hesitation, he pced the sphere on the table and brought his hand down in a firm strike.

  The sphere barely dented.

  Pain shot up his hand, and he winced, shaking his fingers. He had expected it to ftten into a neat disc. Instead, all he had achieved was a slight indentation.

  Silence fell over the room.

  His siblings stared, mouths agape. Ciri's eyes were wide with wonder.

  Then, the Duke ughed. A deep, hearty sound that filled the hall. Pride glimmered in his eyes. Whatever Brandon’s ability was, it would make him stronger. And that was enough.

  Brandon flexed his fingers, still feeling the lingering sting of his failed attempt. He looked down at the metal sphere, then at Mittens, who watched him with knowing eyes.

  His awakening had begun.