Lightbringer System: Orphan to Paragon

The threat of death was really unnecessary, System. I have had to deal with lowlifes like this my entire lif-... Well I suppose my first life? These two were sent by Orin to make me late to the Awakening ceremony, and make me look like disrespectful trash to the family?

"If you know what is good for you both, you will let me through," I tell the guards, who were used to the submissive and easy target Kain. He is dead because of fucks like you.

Sensing something is different with me, they said, "You do not seem to understand, my lord. We serve young master Orin, and have to obey his orders above all else". 

Feigning a look of surprise, I loudly say, "My, my! I did not realize Orin's status had risen so high, that he could order his guards to prevent me from seeing my honored Mother and Father, at their request at that," and you could almost smell the fear that spiked in them as they looked at me hesitantly. 

This was a total lie, of course. Everyone in this manor knows that children with trash results like me would never be invited directly by our parents, but would a lowly guard dare to risk the consequences if it was true? 

"W-We were not aware of your invitation by the esteemed leaders, please do not let us keep you any longer! I am sure Master Orin will understand this is a special exception!" The guards cried out, and opened the door for me to pass through. 

"Don't let it happen again," I coldly say as I pass by them, trying to not let any of my laughter through. I lived on the streets in the capital, and was tied up in situations that required such delicate weaving of words that dealing with two muscle heads was child's play to me.

Making my way through the manor, noticing the lack of respect that the staff showed me, despite my status as a Duskbane child, I could only offer another silent prayer to Kain's spirit. You may have been born into a noble house, but you suffered like a street rat the same as me regardless. I truly wish you peace wherever you are now.

Eventually reaching the ornate double doors to the ceremonial venue in the courtyard, and finally having enough of the disrespect from the house staff, I called out to the guards at the door, "Open the doors now, and you may still have a place in this manor at the end of the night". 

It was already going to be annoying dealing with this from my family, much less the fucking staff that serves them. There was a lot of work to be done.

The guards first laughed at this suggestion, then looked to see that I was being serious. Nervously looking at each other, they decided to just open the door. 

Walking through the double doors, I could hear the guards whispering to each other behind me, "Is Kain possessed? The look in his eyes is completely different, almost like his Father's". Don't compare me to a man that can't be bothered to even care for his children to the point they kill themselves.

Looking into the courtyard, I saw the group of trainee knights awaiting the start of the ceremony. My family, consisting of my parents and siblings and various irrelevant relatives were seated at the head of the courtyard, overlooking the entire process from an elevated platform. 

Walking to the back of the trainee knights instead of my family to greet my Father, the crowd was silent as my siblings seethed in anger. Orin angrily yelled out, "KAIN! I know that your existence is trash, but even you should know to pay proper respects to Father!" and this happened to be a rare time when my siblings agreed with him openly. 

My Father stood up from his chair and my mother yelled out to my siblings, "SILENCE!" and I looked to my Father directly to see he was making eye contact with me for the first time. 

"Youngest, explain your actions," he said to me, his voice infused with his power carrying it across the courtyard, scanning my body, with no detection of anger. His gaze alone created a sense of having a sharp sword at my neck, deciding whether to follow through or not. 

He knows I am not his son. Could his power let him see my soul? This conversation was an extreme gamble, and I will die to him if I fail. 

"Patriarch, we are all aware of my lackluster results thus far in my life. If I was not of your blood, I would have been kicked from the family long ago, if not killed for the shame I brought upon the family," I say to him. There is a quiet murmur of agreement from everyone in attendance, even some of the trainee knights. 

Not looking to lose momentum, I continued, "Today is the last day that I can prove that there is something worth letting me live longer, despite my performance so far. Until I have done so, I do not believe it is showing respect to you if I greet you directly like my siblings who have earned that right have done, but the opposite instead".

My Father pondered my words for a second, and asked, "Is that why you address me as 'Patriarch', and not 'Father'? Because you do not think you have the right to do so?" 

"Yes, Patriarch. If I obtain a satisfactory result, it would be my honor if you would grant me the right to do so," I answer, and do not break eye contact. It was important that he saw my resolve to settle this today. 

To everyone's surprise, he started laughing. "It would be your honor to be able to call me Father, you say!" You could feel the tension caused by the lack of understanding towards the man known as the Demigod of the Underworld, and what he would do next. 

Taking one last intense look into my eyes, "Very well, show us that you can still earn the 'right' to remain here, and call me your Father," he said as he sat back down. 

Motioning for the staff to begin bringing forward the trainee knights, with me at the end of the line, he said "Let the Awakening ceremony begin!"