Jordan was stunned by what he'd just heard.
If it was true that Jordan had already reached Level Five simply because he was an Awakener, then Jordan couldn't help but imagine what level Joey might be if he truly had access to the system—and was a bonded party member.
Now it's starting to make sense, Jordan thought.
This is why Joey's ability is so damn strong compared to everyone else. Even if he tries to hold back when we get into the academy, I don't think it'll make much of a difference.
Riven led the two boys to Cleaved Steakhouse, the same place where he'd bought his parents their steak dinner. The moment they stepped inside, thick smoke blasted into their faces.
"Nico, customers!" a man yelled from the back.
"Welcome in. Will you be staying or taking—"
The girl stopped mid-sentence when she saw the three boys she'd been seeing far too often lately.
"Oh, this is just great," she sighed. "What will we be having today?"
"We want a table for four," Riven said with a wide grin.
"Okay, sir," the girl replied through gritted teeth, clearly annoyed by how much he was enjoying this.
She led them to a table, and they all sat down.
"What would you like to drink?"
After they gave their orders, she walked off to grab them.
"So," Jordan said once she was gone, "when we get to the academy, what do you think they'll have us do on the first day?"
"Good question," Joey replied. "If the rumors are true, they'll probably do something like a combat entrance exam. You fight other students, and that determines your rank—for now, at least."
"So what's your plan to actually get us into the same academy?" Riven asked. He repeated the idea he'd mentioned earlier—signals.
"Well, honestly, it should be easy for Joey," Jordan said. "If we use the signal and stand apart from each other, he should be able to get into the same academy as one of us. They'll think we don't know each other. The real problem is—"
"You and Riven," Joey finished.
"Exactly," Jordan nodded. "We're literal twins. It won't be hard for them to tell. They'll probably try to separate us into different branches."
"So we luck it out," Riven said casually.
The other two stared at him.
"There's nothing we can do but trust our luck," Riven continued. "I'm a lucky guy. I've got confidence."
"…Okay, sure," Jordan muttered, unable to think of a better plan.
At that moment, Nico returned with their drinks and set them down.
"Here you go," she said. "Do you want me to take the order for the fourth person when they arrive?"
"No," Riven replied. "They're already here."
Nico looked around in confusion until Riven pointed directly at her.
She sighed. "What will you be having?"
They placed their orders—fully aware of how expensive the food was.
"I know, right?" Riven laughed. "Hey, Nico," he called as she turned away, "get yourself something and sit with us."
She flipped him off without looking back.
"Did I do something?" Riven asked innocently.
Jordan and Joey just shrugged.
A few minutes later, Nico returned with plates of food, handing each of them their orders before heading back to the counter. She soon came back again—this time with her own plate of lasagna and a drink.
"Just so you know, you're paying for this," she said as she sat down. "So… how'd you all go?"
"Oh, with Crasfer," Jordan replied, explaining what had happened—carefully leaving out the part where Riven had to heal crasfer from the injury Joey left behind.
"Oh," Nico said slowly. "I could've sworn he was dead. Some Dawn guards went to your house."
That caught everyone's attention.
"So you were watching us," Jordan said.
"Or at least your house," she replied casually.
"Oh… yeah. That's a lot to explain," Riven said. "Joey, you go ahead."
Joey hesitated before explaining what had happened with his mother—and how, after today, he'd legally become the brother of both Riven and Jordan.
Nico froze.
"All of that happened in one day?" she asked.
"Yeah," Jordan nodded. "Time moves fast."
She leaned back. "Speaking of time—when's the academy entrance? You still using the same plan?"
"Yeah," Jordan replied quickly, shoveling food into his mouth.
"Huh," Nico hummed. "So what, you guys gonna stay active every day until then?"
"Probably not," Jordan said after swallowing. "Our parents are gonna put us on a workout routine. Especially now that we've got a new brother."
After they finished eating, they paid and waved goodbye to Nico on their way out.
As they left, her father walked up beside her, watching the boys' backs.
"Those the ones you should be training with?" he asked.
"Yes, Dad," she said quickly. "Leave them alone. One of their moms just got arrested. He's going through enough."
"Language," her father warned before heading back to the kitchen.
"Sorry," she muttered.
The three boys headed home, stopping briefly to set their parents' food on the table so it would be ready when they returned.
"So… what now?" Joey asked.
"We wait," Riven said. "Mom and Dad will probably have a plan."
"Since we've got time," Jordan added, "let's check the rest of the rewards."
⸻
[SYSTEM: LUCK REWARD]
A luck-based reward. Each user receives one wheel spin.
The outcome depends on the user and the context of the quest.
After spinning once, the wheel will disappear.
A vibrant wheel of countless colors appeared before them—visible even to Joey.
"So the system still works for you," Jordan said slowly, "even though you're not a bonded party member and don't have stats."
"Yeah… I guess," Joey replied.
They couldn't see the rewards themselves—only the odds.
The highest chance sat at 10%, while the lowest dipped to 0.01%.
"Let's spin at the same time," Riven said excitedly, his expression almost feral.
Jordan sighed. "Fine."
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Go."
The amulet was simple, yet striking.
A thin silver chain held a smooth obsidian pendant, shaped like a shallow teardrop. At its center ran a faint line of pale gold, like a crack filled with light rather than damage. The surface didn't shine—instead, it absorbed light, making the gold line stand out even more.
The wheels started to spin.
"Come on… something good, something good," Riven prayed.
Joey watched in silence. The whole thing felt fictional—almost ridiculous—like they were dreaming.
The wheels slowed.
Then stopped.
Each of them received something.
[system:5% drop Legendary item: Necrotic Focus Ring this ring allows the user to have more control over their dark attribute, but their regeneration is no more]
The person who got this drop was Jordan.
The boy slipped the ring onto his finger, expecting to feel something like he had when he wielded the sword. A rush. A reaction.
But there was nothing at all.
Frowning, Jordan activated his ink ability.
That was when it happened.
A new idea surfaced in his mind, sudden and clear—like it had always been there.
Why only make a spear… when you could make dozens of smaller ones?
Why make a dog… when you could make a wolf?
⸻
Next was Joey.
[system:8% drop epic item amulet of Nakuu this give you a 15% resistance to dark attribute attacks]
The amulet was simple, yet striking.
A thin silver chain held a smooth obsidian pendant shaped like a shallow teardrop. At its center ran a faint line of pale gold, like a crack filled with light rather than damage. The surface didn't shine—if anything, it absorbed light, making the gold line stand out even more.
When Joey put it on, he didn't feel a surge of power or any strange sensation. His body felt the same.
But when he glanced down, the pendant rested neatly against his chest, calm and steady—like it belonged there.
He frowned for a moment…
Then nodded.
It looked nice.
Riven nearly jumped out of his skin as the final reward appeared.
[System: 1% Drop Acquired — Mythical Item]
Item: Awakening Potion
Description: A rare potion capable of awakening an individual to First Awakening Level.
Note: After the first awakening, additional potions are required to progress to higher awakening levels.
Required amount for Second Awakening: UNKNOWN.
Riven froze for a second—then exploded with joy.
A one percent drop.
Just seeing it made his heart pound. That alone told him something important: whatever force governed the system's rewards, he was undeniably luckier than most.
But that thought sparked another.
Luck…
Riven frowned slightly.
"Hmm," he thought. "Since I drank those luck potions before I left… do they still affect me?"
Before he could dwell on it, a clear cylindrical bottle appeared in front of his face. Inside was a smooth, white liquid that faintly glowed.
He already knew what it was.
Still, he hesitated.
If this potion could awaken someone the same way Jordan had awakened… then why shouldn't he keep it? Why should he give it away? The system was his to begin with.
After a brief pause, Riven lifted the bottle.
And drank it.
⸻
[System: Awakening Successful]
[User has awakened their ability.]
[Lightning Attribute has grown significantly.]
Notice: Lightning Attribute is nearing its maximum threshold.
Once the attribute reaches its cap, further growth will be impossible until Evolution occurs.
"E… evolves?"
Riven stared at the message, eyes wide, stars practically forming in them.
Before he could process it—
More system notifications flooded in.
⸻
[System Update]
New Function Unlocked: Evolution
Availability: Specific party members
Riven blinked.
"What… does that even mean?"
Jordan spoke aloud, making sure the others could hear.
"This could be a way for us to grow our abilities even more."
Joey nodded immediately. "Yeah. Makes sense. Most people get stronger by progressing their abilities, right?"
They both seemed satisfied with that explanation.
But Riven wasn't.
Something about the word Evolution felt… bigger. Different. Like it wasn't just about leveling up.
Still, he pushed the thought aside. There was one more reward left.
⸻
[System: New Item Acquired]
Item: Cloak of Darkness
Rarity: High
Description: A cloak imbued with dark magic. While worn, the user becomes undetectable to enemies.
Warning: Enemies with sufficiently powerful detection abilities may still perceive the user.
"Cool," Riven giggled.
He immediately grabbed the cloak and threw it on, pulling the hood over his head.
"You see me?" he asked.
Then he pulled the hood back.
"Now you don't."
Jordan and Joey stared at him.
Not because he had vanished—but because he hadn't.
The system specified enemies. As party members, they were classified as allies, which meant they could clearly see Riven standing there with his head slightly lowered.
Jordan sighed, then smirked. He bumped Joey's shoulder.
"Oh wow," Jordan said dramatically. "Whatever could you have gone?"
Joey caught on instantly. "Man, with a cloak like that, you'll be able to go anywhere without us noticing."
Riven grinned.
"Where am I? I could be over here—" he dashed left, "—or over there!"
Jordan walked closer, pretending to look around wildly. He turned his head left, then right, squinting as if searching.
Then—
Smack.
Jordan flicked Riven right in the forehead.
"Got you," he laughed.
"Oww!" Riven cried, clutching his head as Joey burst out laughing.
"You didn't have to hit me!"
"Oh, calm down," Jordan said, still laughing. "It's barely a scratch."
But the moment ended when the door opened.
Their parents stepped inside.
Candice stood at the front, smiling warmly—and in her hands was a cake.
"Since today is your first day with us, Joey," she said gently, "I thought we should celebrate. Let's document this moment. Would you like that?"
Joey froze for a second.
Then he nodded.
He didn't want that smile to disappear.
It had been a long time since he'd seen a mother smile like that—one filled with genuine care.