Ding.
A crisp, bell-like sound echoed in Dominic's mind.
Then, before him, translucent panels appeared.
[Acting System Binding.]
[Does the system have permission to bind?]
[Yes / No]
Dominic stared at the screen. For a brief moment, excitement flickered within him, but he quickly suppressed it, maintaining his composure.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Interesting… quite cliché, isn't it?"
His gaze sharpened as he focused on the interface.
"What are you?"
The system responded immediately.
[System currently unnamed.]
[System Functions:]
[1. Any act or identity believed to be true by the world and connected to the user will be solidified and progress. When such progress reaches 100%, the host will obtain the full power of that ability or identity.]
A second panel appeared.
[2. System Creation: The host is able to create a miniaturized system that can be used to assist others for the host's purposes and to solidify an identity.]
[Note: Such systems are primarily meant to assist in solidifying and progressing an identity. They cannot be used for unrelated purposes.]
[other functions are currently locked]
Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So… are you sentient or not?"
[System is currently not sentient.]
[the system only has information programmed to be answered if host asked.]
[As the host's strength increases, the option to grant the system sentience will become available.]
Dominic nodded slightly, clearly satisfied.
Without hesitation, he selected—
"Yes."
[System Binding: 1%...]
[5%...]
[10%...]
[20%...]
[35%...]
[65%...]
[89%...]
[98%...]
[99%...]
[100%]
[System Binding Complete.]
[Welcome, Host, to the Acting System.]
[initial gifts available for Host to get the system have permission to open the initial gifts]
[note system features search as status window will not be available tell initial gift has been open]
Dominic looks at it briefly but decides to closed the system window.
'I'd better hurry to dinner before she comes here to drag me herself. This family is just crazy.'
He rose from the bed, walked to the door, and opened it.
Relying on the memories of the original Dominic, he made his way toward the dining hall.
As he walked through the corridors, he noticed something peculiar.
The servants.
Most of them showed him little to no respect.
Some did not greet him in the manner expected when addressing nobility. Others passed by without acknowledgment. A few even brushed past him without apology.
Dominic did not reacts to this as he isn't one to seeks validation from others.
But in this world, where status and hierarchy were paramount, such behavior was a clear sign of disrespect. In most noble households, it would never be tolerated.
Yet here, in the Blackwood family, things were different.
Servants were permitted to disregard those deemed weak.
However, if the person they disrespected later rose in power and sought revenge, they would receive no protection from the family.
Because of this, servants usually maintained a cautious level of respect.
But in Dominic's case, most had already judged him.
Useless.
Someone who would never surpass them.
Even so, they avoided outright disrespect. After all, he was still a noble, and provoking him too far could bring consequences they wished to avoid.
Dominic ignored it all and continued walking.
Soon, he arrived at the dining hall.
It was vast—far too large for a family of four.
At the far end of the table sat a woman.
She had silvery-black hair, slightly tanned skin, and golden pupils that seemed to gleam even in the soft light. Her figure was elegant, her movements refined as she ate with calm grace.
On her right sat a young girl, around thirteen or fourteen.
She ate with complete indifference, as though nothing in the room was worthy of her attention. Her dark silvery hair was streaked with strands of gold, and her beauty was already striking—one that would only grow more overwhelming with time.
On the left sat a young man, around eighteen.
He ate without restraint, his manner lacking any noble refinement, as though he had been starving for days. His golden-silvery hair fell loosely, his muscular frame evident even while seated. A longsword rested beside his plate—an unsightly presence in such a setting.
Dominic recognized them immediately.
The woman was the matriarch of the Blackwood family—
Seraphina Blackwood.
The Golden Butcher.
The girl on the right—
Alexandria Blackwood.
The Crimson Prodigy.
And the young man on the left—
Collins Blackwood.
The Blackheart Berserker.
As Dominic entered, all three glanced at him briefly.
Alexandria returned to her meal without interest.
Collins observed him for a moment, as if measuring him, then shook his head slightly in disappointment and continued eating.
Seraphina pointed toward a seat near Alexandria.
Dominic walked over and sat down.
Without him noticing, a maid appeared behind him and placed a plate of food before him.
Though slightly surprised, he showed no reaction. His expression remained indifferent as he began to eat.
This subtle change did not go unnoticed.
Collins glanced at him again, this time with a hint of interest, a faint smile forming as if he had found a new toy.
Alexandria briefly looked up, then returned to her meal without a word.
Seraphina's lips curved slightly into a smirk before she, too, resumed eating.
Dominic, however, remained tense.
To an outsider, the scene might appear normal—perhaps even calm.
But he knew better.
This was not normal.
These people were suppressing something.
Their "wood hearts."
Their true personalities were being restrained, forced into something more acceptable.
Except for Alexandria.
Her "wood heart" manifested as indifference—detachment from nearly everything around her.
As he continued eating, Seraphina suddenly spoke.
"I received a report. You are awakening."
Dominic looked at her calmly and replied.
"Yes mother, though I do not fully understand it yet, but i have indeed been feeling something unusual something unusual happening in my body, so I do have reason. to suspect it might be an Awakening."
After this everyone can't help but look at him in surprise, as the previous Dominic was scared of their mother to the point he couldn't respond to any of her questions whilst looking straight at her
Seraphina's expression shifted—
Then she burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA I knew my son wasn't useless."
Dominic's hand twitched slightly.
Despite her words, he understood.
She cared.
Her "wood heart" simply expressed itself in a blunt, almost hurtful manner.
Collins spoke next, his tone playful.
"We don't know. You might become the weakest Woodheart in Blackwood history."
Alexandria remained silent, continuing her meal as if none of it concerned her.
Dominic paid their words no mind.
He already understood.
Most of what they say Was because of the Woodheart.