Dalton and Selyse were both born from an illegitimate affair.
Their father had taken his personal maid, Erica, as a lover, and she died bringing them into the world.
Although Dalton and Selyse were both raised without love, that only lasted until they turned five.
One morning, while they were playing together, Selyse suddenly unleashed an intense surge of energy that sent Dalton flying.
That surge of energy was called aura. And the astonishing thing? Hers manifested at a shockingly advanced level.
Aura had at least seven levels, with different sub-stages within each tier.
Selyse? At the age of five, she managed to awaken aura level 3, the Adequate Tier.
A feat that most people only managed to achieve after the age of fifteen.
With such potential, their father and the entire Becker family began to regard Selyse as a 'legitimate child'.
After all, who would dare disregard a genius who might only be born once in a thousand years?
"I'm certain Lord Becker is also interested in the progress you've made these past few months."
Dalton considered that empty consolation nothing more than words carried away by the wind.
The day his father truly showed interest in him would be more earth-shattering than the arrival of the Eternal Night.
Dalton lifted the lid off his breakfast tray. A plate of bacon with peas, eggs, and freshly grilled sausages.
His mouth instantly watered at the sight.
"Well then, I'll be waiting by the door. Call for me if you need anything."
As soon as Milis stepped out of the room, Dalton finally let out a sigh of relief.
Being near that woman made his chest feel tight—and not in a pleasant way.
Now, Dalton could finally eat in peace.
He picked up the fork provided and stabbed a sausage, chewing it eagerly before swallowing.
Then, the notification appeared.
[Debuff detected!]
[Debuff type: Tasteless Poison]
[Would you like to perform 'Digest'? (Poison side effects fully removed, gain 1 Charge)]
[Or would you like to perform 'Distill'? (Poison side effects partially removed, gain 2 Charges)]
If he could, Dalton would have spat out what he had just eaten.
But it was already too late!
All he could do was gape at the options before him.
Damn it!
Had Dalton miscalculated—or perhaps underestimated her too much?
I mean, if that girl really intended to kill me, why would she wait when she could have done it much earlier?
[Please make a choice within 10… 9…]
The tight countdown gave Dalton no time to think. He stroked his chin, brows furrowed.
Until now, [Misfortune] had allowed him to resist the side effects of any debuff, including poison—up to half its potency.
But this… this was different
Still… 2 Charges?
[Please make a choice within 3… 2…]
Shit—no more time!
[1…!]
Dalton immediately chose what he thought was the wisest option.
***
Outside, Milis was busy counting the time. The Tasteless Poison she had laced into Dalton's breakfast was a high-grade toxin.
It usually took effect precisely ten minutes after ingestion.
The first thing it attacked was breathing.
The victim would feel suffocated, unable to make a sound—let alone scream.
Next, the muscles would tear and malfunction, causing temporary paralysis that left them unable to move.
Finally, blood would seep out from every orifice. Eyes, nose, ears, even the lower ones.
A painful and terrifying death.
Milis honestly felt reluctant to go through with it—especially against an innocent boy like Dalton.
But she was a probationary member of the Brotherhood, and this assassination was her trial.
Once accepted as a full member, she wouldn't have to worry about her future anymore. She wouldn't have to worry about her mother's medicine costs ever again.
Milis glanced back at the door.
It had been at least thirty minutes since she last entered. She needed this killing to be as clean as possible.
Even if Dalton was an unwanted bastard, he was still Reginald Becker's blood.
And Reginald would never let a death occur beneath his roof without tracking down the culprit.
Milis would no doubt be suspected. But at worst, she'd only be interrogated. She had already arranged for the kitchen staff to take the fall.
Now forty minutes had passed.
By now, surely there should have been a sound—perhaps cutlery clattering, perhaps the boy's last pitiful struggle.
Was the poison so potent it had killed him outright?
Or perhaps…
Milis shook her head. Impossible. The Brotherhood had sworn this poison could kill aura users up to level two.
And Dalton? He wasn't just illegitimate—he was worthless.
He hadn't even awakened his aura, though most Becker children did by age ten.
Milis just had to wait a little longer.
"Worry is disaster." She recalled one of the Brotherhood's doctrines. "And fear is the death of reason."
What she needed now was trust—in herself, and in the bright future awaiting her.
Fifty minutes after leaving, Milis finally placed her hand on the doorknob to check inside.
Then—
"Milis."
Her eyes widened.
Not only was Dalton Becker still conscious—but he was even well enough to call out to her.
What was this? Did the poison fail? Was the dose too weak? Had the Brotherhood deceived her?
"Could you bring me some water and a cloth to clean with?"
Milis froze in shock, speechless for several moments.
"Milis? You still there?" Dalton called again.
She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "At once, Young Master." Then left to fetch what he asked for.
When she returned, she found Dalton's room… somewhat messy.
The plate on the food cart was still there, but tilted awkwardly and disordered.
The blanket on the bed, once neat, was now tangled.
Worst of all, Dalton sat slumped beneath the window, panting heavily. His complexion was pale, his fingers trembling.
So the poison had taken effect.
Then how—how was he alive?
"Water," Dalton rasped.
Milis quickly approached, handing him the glass.
He drank greedily.
"Are… you all right, Young Master?"
Dalton coughed a few times before replying. "I choked."
Milis frowned. Did he truly believe that was all this had been?
Relief flooded through her. At least he wasn't suspicious. The attempt had failed, but there would be another chance.
Her future in the Brotherhood was still intact."Is that what you wanted to hear?" Dalton's voice broke her thoughts.
She blinked. "Young Master?"
He lifted his head, smiling faintly. "You don't actually think I'm that stupid, do you?"
"Young Master, I don't understand—"
"Milis Fahrenheit," Dalton said evenly. "I know you poisoned my breakfast."