Rover frowned, silently cursing in his mind: 'What the hell? She just dropped a teacup, so why are you all looking at me?'
But then he noticed something strange—the expression on Stanley's face had twisted, and there was even a trace of fear in his eyes.
BAM!
Suddenly, a blond-haired young man slammed the table and stood up.
Rover turned his gaze toward him, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes.
The young man had neatly trimmed golden hair and a face so handsome that any woman who saw him would swoon.
He stood about 182 cm tall—slightly lean but still carrying the defined physique of a man beneath his platinum-colored knight uniform.
Of course, Rover knew who he was.
He was Alex—Rover's prodigious younger brother, two years his junior.
Alex frowned, his tone stern and commanding: "Brother, kneel down and apologize to her."
Rover: "..."
He scowled. "Oy! Are you confused or something? She just dropped a cup, and that's not my fault. Why the hell should I kneel?"
Alex's brows furrowed, anger flashing in his eyes. He turned toward the masked woman, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed. "Saintess, I apologize. My brother is foolish and has offended you. Please forgive his ignorance."
Rover froze the moment he heard Alex say the word 'Saintess'. He had lived in this world for twenty years—long enough to know exactly what that title meant.
This world consisted of many kingdoms, and above them stood empires.
Yet alongside these nations was another colossal power—one that rivaled multiple empires combined: The Church.
At the head of the Church was the Pope, followed by the Saintess, the Saint, and the Judicators.
Although the Saintess ranked below the Pope, her status was on par with that of an emperor.
'Goddammit! Why didn't anyone tell me there was a Saintess here?!' Rover cursed inwardly.
"Hmph! No wonder—he's a motherless child. Clearly, he was never taught proper manners," a middle-aged woman scoffed. "Does someone like him even deserve to be part of this family?"
Rover turned toward the woman and recognized her instantly—one of his father's wives.
He sneered. "If someone like you can be here, then why the hell can't I?"
"You—!" The woman shouted in fury.
"Enough!" Stanley's voice thundered through the hall, sharp and heavy.
Everyone fell silent at once, their eyes fixed on Stanley and the woman.
Stanley sighed, his expression solemn. He clasped his hands together respectfully and said in a subdued tone, "My apologies, Saintess. He's ignorant of noble etiquette. Please, forgive him."
"Rover!" Stanley shot Rover a cold glare. "Kneel down and apologize to the Saintess!"
Rover felt bitterness rising in his chest. He knew his standing in the family was pitifully low.
After all, he was a discarded son. In front of the Saintess, his pride was worth less than a scrap of paper.
He just needed to survive—honor meant nothing if it cost him his life.
Rover was about to kneel when suddenly, a clear voice rang out.
"No need."
"Saintess!" Stanley flinched, fear flashing across his face. "If you're still angry, I can make him—"
"No…" the Saintess sighed softly. "It was my mistake. I simply dropped the cup by accident."
"Saintess!" Before Stanley could respond, Alex interjected, "You needn't waste your mercy on him."
Alex glanced at Rover, his eyes filled with disdain and mockery. "He's not worthy."
Rover: "…"
Rover exhaled silently, utterly baffled. Alex was a genius, admired and adored, with status far beyond his own—so why did he always find pleasure in humiliating him?
'Don't tell me my little brother's into that kind of thing…'
"You're wrong," the Saintess spoke softly. "Mercy is meant for everyone, regardless of worth or status. Alex, you have misunderstood the will of God."
Alex froze, immediately bowing his head anxiously. "Forgive me, Saintess, I… I only thought he wasn't worthy of your mercy."
The Saintess replied gently, "As I said, it was my mistake. That person is…"
"Saintess!" Stanley quickly interrupted. "That is my son. His name is Rover."
"Rover?" the Saintess repeated quietly. "Rover… quite a peculiar name."
"Hahaha…" Stanley forced a smile. "Saintess, he's just an ordinary person. No magical talent, not intelligent, lazy all day, neither studies nor helps with the family's affairs."
"Ah!" Stanley sighed, his face aging in an instant as he continued sorrowfully, "At first, I thought this family had no one to inherit our legacy… thankfully, there's still Alex."
"He's not only a prodigy but has also been personally recommended by the Royal Family to the Carol Magic Academy. At present, he's a Stage 2 Awakened—late phase. In the future, his achievements will surely surpass Rank 5."
Hearing his father's praise, Alex smiled confidently, holding his head high, expecting the Saintess's admiration.
But she didn't even glance at him. From the beginning, her eyes had been focused entirely on Rover.
Meanwhile, Rover's gaze was distant, his expression empty—as if his soul didn't belong in this world.
In truth, from the moment he'd heard her voice, Rover had felt something familiar, a tone he was sure he had heard somewhere before.
As he tried to recall where, a mechanical voice suddenly rang inside his head.
[Ding! System initialization complete.]
'System?!' Rover's heart leapt with joy. He couldn't believe it—the System had finally activated!
[Ding! Correct. I am the System.]
'Heh?! You can read my thoughts?'
[Ding! Yes. You can communicate with me through your thoughts.]
'Ah! Excellent!' Rover grinned internally. 'So, what can you do?'
[Ding! I am the Fate Option System. Based on circumstances, I will present you with choices—each with rewards. Of course, failure to act on your chosen option will result in punishment.
Once you possess me, you cannot regret it, nor can you uninstall me.
Do you wish to accept me?]
Rover thought for a moment. 'That simple? I thought I'd have to slay monsters and grind levels or something like that.'
Indeed, in a fantasy world, most Systems helped their hosts grow stronger through combat.
But his System was different—all he had to do was choose, then carry out his decision.
That meant he could pick something simple, or something that suited his abilities better.
After thinking briefly, he commanded silently: 'Accept! I don't exactly have a choice anyway.'
[Ding! Beginning fusion with host. Please wait a moment.]
'Oy! Don't tell me you're going to make me wait another twenty years!'
[Ding! Fusion complete.]
Seeing the words Fusion complete, Rover exhaled in relief.
Thank God! If it had taken another twenty years, he'd have rather killed himself.
Everyone around him, however, saw his expression shift rapidly—from fear, to surprise, then to joy—as his eyes stared blankly into the air. They began to think he'd gone insane.
Stanley sighed heavily, shaking his head in disappointment. "Useless fool! Kneel down at once!"
"Heh?!" Stanley's voice snapped Rover back to reality. He blinked, realizing everyone was staring at him.
Stanley sighed again and said apologetically, "Saintess, forgive me for letting you witness such a disgrace. This son of mine is nothing but trash—an eyesore before your holiness."
"No…" the Saintess shook her head gently. "I find him… rather interesting."
Stanley froze, uncertain if she was serious or mocking him, his hands trembling.
Alex, on the other hand, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, glaring daggers at Rover with burning resentment.
"Brother!" Alex snapped. "Kneel down and apologize to the Saintess! Even if you're a fool, don't bring shame upon our family!"
"Ah! I…" Rover was about to reply when a translucent window appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! Fate Option Activated.]
1. Kneel and apologize to the Saintess and everyone present.
Reward: 100 EXP and 10 Energy Crystals (Rank F).
2. Insult Alex and challenge him to a duel three years later. Loser must kneel and apologize to the winner, then cut off both hands.
Reward: 100 EXP and 1 Skill Card (Rank F).
3. "The Saintess has gotten dirty. Allow me to clean her."
Reward: 5,000 EXP, 1 Saintess's Underwear, 1 Random Class Card (Rank A).
Please select within 5 seconds. Failure to choose—or failure to act on your choice—will result in your penis shrinking by 3 cm.
Rover: "…"