"Noah!"

The voice rang through the house, sharp but warm.

"Hurry up, or you'll be late!!"

I exhaled lightly, staring at the plain white ceiling above me.

Today was my last day of school, and our teachers had planned a farewell party.

A day meant for celebration, for moving forward.

But honestly? I wasn't interested.

My name is Noah D. Romero, a noble of the once-great Romero Clan.

An orphaned noble.

The only family I had left was my grandmother, Sylvie.

The door creaked open, and in walked Ma—a name that had long replaced 'Grandmother' in my heart.

Barely reaching my shoulders, she carried herself with a grace that defied her years. Her pink hair, tied up in a messy bun, reminded me of the cherry blossoms we used to admire together.

Despite her small frame, she radiated warmth, the kind that could make the coldest days feel like spring.

Her usual gown—a simple but elegant yellow wool dress—was covered in smudges of flour and streaks of chocolate. No doubt the result of an early morning spent baking.

Ma believed that there was nothing in this world a good pastry couldn't fix.

And for her, maybe that was true.

She placed her hands on the back, her clear, black eyes filled with mischief.

"Are you planning to spend your last day at school sulking in bed?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "Or have you finally decided to take root and grow into the furniture?"

A small, involuntary smile pulled at my lips. "I just don't see the point, Ma. What am I supposed to celebrate? People who barely notice me? A school that never felt like home?" I shook my head. "I'd rather stay here."

She sighed but didn't scold me. Instead, she walked over and sat beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face with a tenderness only she possessed.

"I know, my boy," she said softly. "Life hasn't been fair to you. The clan turned their backs when they should have stood beside you.

They whisper as if you are lesser—because they fear what you might become. But hear me now, Noah."

Her black eyes locked onto mine, filled with unspoken determination.

"You are a Romero.

Exiled or not, cast aside or not, you carry our name.

That name is not theirs to take.

It is yours to define."

I swallowed, something stirring deep within me.

"You have every right to be angry," Ma continued, squeezing my hand. "But don't let them decide who you are. Don't let their rejection shape your future. If they refuse to give you your place in this world—take it."

Her words settled deep into my bones like fire lighting in the dark.

I wasn't weak.

I wasn't forgotten.

I was still here.

And I... had a choice.

"Now," she said, standing up with a playful huff, "you will go to that farewell party. Not for them. Not because they deserve your time. But because you deserve to walk forward with your head held high. Do you hear me, kiddo?"

I took a slow breath before nodding. "Okay, Ma. I'll go."

Her entire face brightened. "That's my boy! Now get ready—I've laid out your best suit, and don't you dare argue. You are a Romero, and you will look like one."

I chuckled as she turned on her heel and marched to the door, her energy infectious.

As the door clicked shut, I sat up, her words still stirring in my mind. If they refuse to give you your place—take it.

My gaze drifted to the small, unassuming book on the nightstand beside me.

The Book of Sin.

That's what was written on the half smudged cover page.

A book that had been in my possession for as long as I could remember.

It was the last 'birthday gift' my parents had given me.

A book that I always felt was calling out to me.

But no matter what I did, I couldn't open it.

I reached for it many a times, fingers grazing the worn leather.

But nothing worked.

Half assedly, I tried pulling the cover apart—gently at first. Then with more force, but the book didn't budge.

It was as if there was a seal placed on it by some divine being~

I tried knives, heat, even mana-infused objects... but nothing worked.

Even now, as I pressed my fingers against its surface, I felt it—

Something watching me.

Waiting.

But for what?

I gritted my teeth and tried again, pushing my will into it.

But the book remained closed.

Mocking me.

Denying me.

Exhaling sharply, I let it go.

It wasn't time yet.

I didn't know when it would be time, but one thing was certain—this book held something. Something important.

And the day I opened it.

I was sure... Everything would change for me.

***

A/N: A change in POV will be denoted by,

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