Shaun Whey
Age: 46
Stamina: 51
Mana: ?
Intelligence: 67
???:???
Emily Whey
Age: 45
Stamina: 42
Mana: 5
Intelligence: 64
???:???
Janet Whey
Age: 18
Stamina: 13
Mana: 2
Intelligence: 57
???:???
Charlotte Whey
Age: 20
Stamina: 16
Mana: 2
Intelligence: 65
???:???
Glancing at the numbers above his family members head trying to understand the correlation between them, another system notification interrupts his thought
"Attribute unlocked: Strength"
Ashton Whey
Age: 16
Stamina: 24
Mana:3
Intelligence:92
Strength:19
[How pathetic, mother is physically stronger than I am? She was a magic swordsman I guess but still, embarrassing]
"Son, it seems your father has set you up for hardship. The duke is someone who takes with both hands, we were foolish to think this engagement was to our benefit"
"Its alright father, I know you had no reason to refuse, especially when the duke was pressing the matter"
[Besides Isabell may be her own person, and not the good solider]
While Ashtons sisters, who had above average intelligence thought that his words had merit, they didnt really care. As woman of nobility they too would be given husbands and leave their home one day. With their younger siblings reputation, suitors were already lined up to ask for their hand, something the count was shielding them from.
His parents on the other hand had differing perspectives, the count confident in his sons ability was willing to let the situation ride. The countess on the other hand was enraged, she was also feeling guilty. She was somebody who had seen the damage noble ladies can do to a mans future, and her emotions were stirred knowing she invited a problem like that onto her son.
Rising from his seat Ashton finished with his meal says his polite goodbye to his family and exits the dining room. Following his leave Charlotte and Janet also exit, leaving the count and countess to themselves. After the room is cleared of her children Emily waves the maids away and lets out a horrible scream
"HONEY! You MUST do something!"
"What can I do dear? We have already made this promise, breaking it off will harm Ashtons reputation. You know how oath breakers are treated in the aristocracy."
"I know, I KNOW. But are we really going to let some harlot into Ashton life, into our home so she can do her fathers bidding, and tether Ashtons future?"
"Em, I wouldn't be too worried. Ashton is smart, smarter than you or me, you should be more worried about him manipulating Isebell than her harming him."
Placing his hand on his wifes shoulder to comfort her as she buries her face into her hands and weeps silently, Ashton bears witness to the scene.
Having cast invisibility magic on himself and reentered the dining room through his sisters exit. His magic, powerful for his age, and also more complete than others of the same circle due the density of the mana in them, would usually be caught by now. His invisibility magic, the 3rd class spell Hide, was Ashtons favorite spell and he practiced it repeatedly inside of the estate. Sneaking up on his father was his own way to gauge his proficiency, but something unexpected was happening this time.
Ashton was walking around the dining room and even approaching his parents, yet neither of them noticed. His mother and father both greater mages than himself would have noticed him by now, no they would notice him the moment he approached them, but not this time.
[So, this thing is real]
Looking at the Aether systems light Infront of him and recalling the notification from it the moment he cast the Hide spell
"Magic Ascension Pathway chosen and bound
Congratulations: Dark Arts Prophet
All magical abilities related to the dark arts are now enhanced
Please continue your journey and unlock more of your Magic Ascension Pathways"
Ashton who was still unsure of the Aether systems authenticity, was left with only one conclusion inside of his families dining room- it was real, and it was powerful.
The dark arts are primarily magic that assassins and black magicians use. Hide, bind, paralysis, necromancy, curse magic, and even magical inscriptions are considered a dark art.
Waiting for a maid or butler to open the door so he could leave the dining room, Ashton tries his hardest to not think about the Aether system. Knowing the power invested inside of him, he feels excited but holds himself in forced calm to avoid his spell from failing, and the awkward situation of his parents finding out about his spying.
Finally, after waiting for the opportunity, the doors open and Ashton hurriedly leaves the dining room without looking back. Still early in the morning, Ashton dispels his magic and heads out of the mansion and into the training grounds behind his family's garden.
The training grounds beneath a massive colosseum where the family host their tradition where the heir to the county does combat against monsters and magical beasts to prove his capability
Heading down into the remote training ground, Ashton starts to cast every spell he knows that is considered a dark art.
"Hide" the three circles of mana around his start spin and his presence his gone
"Paralysis" the magic not having a target dissipates but Ashton feels the greater robustness in cast time and power. The same with bind, without a target the spell has no effect but Ashton can notice the difference.
[At the moment this is all I can use, I don't know any other dark arts. However, learning more is not my problem at the moment, I have distance myself from the arts as much as possible]
Knowing that his newfound power was something taboo, minor spells like hide, bind, and paralysis were classified as dark arts, but everyone knew them. Being able to perform them was not enough to be tried for a crime, and as a noble using them without committing a crime was tolerable, even in combat. Yet, Ashtons spells were much stronger, if people knew of this it would cast a shadow over him for the rest of his life.
[To avoid suspicion, I can never use this power openly....but] Smiling manically Ashtons thoughts become dark matching the name of his ascension
KNOCK KNOCK
"Master Ashton" The chamberlain of the Whey Estate, Olaf Tean knocking at the door of Ashtons training chambers
"Come in, Olaf"
Opening the dear and slightly bowing his head before shooting back up into his perfect posture and stance, "Master Ashton, the countess has sent me for you. Guest are starting to arrive"
"Olaf it is not even noon yet"
"Yes, well you know your birthday celebrations is an all-day event. Socially active all morning, light lunches, then your "test" and evening dinner before the guest leave."
"This is one of them many downsides of aristocracy, Olaf. This is nothing more than a circus"
"Master Ashton, your guest have traveled far to honor you and wish you well."
"No, they came to see if the rumors about me are true"
--
Taking a side entrance into the estate with Chamberlain Olaf, Ashton ducks the arriving carriages and guests already wondering the grounds. Inside of the mansion and making it to his room unnoticed, Ashton changes from his casual clothes into something more formal while his maids comb his hair.
Dressed for the occasion, Aston steps out into the hallway where his sisters are waiting for him.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh, you can't even complement our dresses brother" Always picking fun, Janet responds jokingly
"Brother, we are sticking close to you today. Being around you, our suitors won't have the chance to bother us today" Hiding her face behind a fan, Charlotte lays the sisters intentions bare
"Hmm, lets go then" Holding out his arms each sister take one and the siblings, walk down the hallway, around a bend and into the open entrance of the mansion. Standing at the second floor atop a marble staircase, looking down at the open doors of their home and guests piled beneath them, Ashton charismatically grabs hold of the atmosphere without saying a word. His presence, cause the nobles, wealthy merchants, and accomplished politicians in his lobby to realize that the rumors were true.
Ashtons tall build, downward gaze, and mana that naturally blends into the world, causing even the 4th circle mages present unable to gauge his ability.
Taking his arms out from his sisters, Ashton brings his right hand to his mouth "Aahem" as if he didn't already have the attention of everyone present
"Hello, everyone. You all know me, or you at least know my name, but I do not know many of you." Walking down the staircase with his sisters following behind
"Which is why, I hope to get to know each one of you and thank you for time and well wishes."
Turning his back to the crowd and walking away from them after his sisters again take his arms like a shield
"If you would follow me to the garden courtyard, snack and beverage await us"
[I hate this sh*&] Ashton thinks to himself while having to flatter his guests