Family affection

She simply nodded, respecting his silence.

The drive home was very quiet.

Eva, his mother, watched him from time to time.

She knew her son, and if her son had awakened such a weak talent that it would be openly mocked by all the students, then no doubt he wouldn't have been able to hold back his tears for long.

But the child in front of her was capable of holding back his tears far longer than she thought.

Or rather, she sensed that her son was endowed with extraordinary determination, so much so that he always managed to retain optimism even in this kind of situation.

In this atmosphere, they continued walking for another ten minutes or so until they reached the front door.

Without a word, Adam entered, while Eva gently closed behind them.

In the living room, a lively figure leapt from the sofa to run towards Adam.

"Adam! You're home! Are you? How did it go? What did you wake up? Did you? Huh!?"

His little brother Leo's big eyes sparkled with excitement, as if waiting for his brother to announce that he'd become a legendary hero.

Adam smiled. This new little brother had a way of breaking the tension with his innocent enthusiasm.

"I'm sorry Leo, I don't really feel like talking about it right now."

But Leo frowned, disappointed by this evasive answer.

"What do you mean? Everyone says the alarm clock is super important, so you must be really happy you did it, right? Mom, tell him, aren't you?"

Eva, who had just put her things down, replied with a gentle smile.

"Yes, it's important, Léo. But you know, when expectations are high, disappointment can be brutal. Adam will tell you if he feels like it."

But Leo wasn't one to give up. He tugged on Adam's sleeve, insisting.

"Come on, tell me, what was your weapon? A giant sword? A spear? Or maybe a magic bow?"

Just then Leo opened his eyes wide as if thinking of something unimaginable.

"Or maybe even a magical affinity!?"

Adam sighed lightly and placed his hand on his brother's head, ruffling his hair.

Despite the situation, he loved this family atmosphere, filled with a love he'd previously lost.

Now that he had found something similar again, nothing could make him happier than this.

Even if he did have a ridiculous talent in this new world.

"A dagger."

Leo blinked, surprised that his brother had finally told him what he'd awakened as a talent.

"A dagger? But... that's not bad! No ? It's fast, it's stylish!"

Adam smiled a barely perceptible smile. Leo's enthusiasm was refreshing, even if a little voice in his head reminded him of the mockery he'd endured earlier.

"Yes, it's not bad," he replied softly, without elaborating.

Leo seemed satisfied with this answer.

Simultaneously, a figure emerged from the kitchen and came towards Adam, Léo and Eva, wiping his hands with a tea towel.

Seeing this burly man appear before him, Adam's memories of that life came flooding back.

It was his father, Eric.

"You're home at last," said Eric, looking at his wife and eldest son in turn.

Then he turned to Adam, arms crossed.

"So, son. Care to tell us how it went?"

Adam felt the weight of his father's gaze, benevolent but firm. Eric wasn't one to scoff or judge, but he had expectations, like any parent.

He hesitated for a moment, before answering, looking his father straight in the eye.

"I've awakened a dagger..."

Eric remained silent for a moment. Everyone knew that daggers appeared in pairs.

If his son had conjured just one, it meant his talent would be more than paltry.

But he still held out a glimmer of hope.

"What about the compatibility test?" he asked, continuing to wipe his hands with the tea towel, showing a touch of nervousness.

"3 compatibility with daggers and 9 with swords." Adam replied hesitantly.

After all, it was still something to be ashamed of in this world.

It was like getting a 0/20 on a very important exam.

Eva, standing nearby, looked away slightly, worried about his reaction.

"3 and 9 huh..." murmured Eric, with no apparent emotion in his voice.

Leo, who had been listening intently, looked confused.

"Is 3 and 9 okay? Is that bad?" he asked innocently.

Eric knelt down to level with his youngest son, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"That means it won't be easy for Adam. But that doesn't mean he can't succeed."

Leo nodded, even though he didn't understand everything.

"So, you're going to be super strong anyway, Adam?" asked Leo, turning his eyes to his big brother.

Adam finally looked up, meeting his little brother's curious gaze and his father's more serious one.

"Yes, I'm going to be strong. I don't care what the number is," he replied in a calm but resolute voice.

Eric stood still for a moment, as if assessing his son's words. Then he straightened up, nodding slightly.

"I don't doubt it."

Eva, not wanting to go on forever on this subject, intervened.

"Well, let's have dinner. You must be hungry after such a long day. Léo, go wash your hands."

Leo reluctantly obeyed, but before leaving the room, he turned back to Adam with a beaming smile.

"I believe in you, Adam. Even if it's not an amazing dagger, you're my big brother, and you're the best."

These words, though simple, warmed Adam's heart.

After the meal, Adam sat on his bed with the dagger in his hands, inspecting it for a long time without noticing anything in particular.

Sighing slightly, he removed the dagger from his hands and looked up at the ceiling of his room.

"From tomorrow onwards, I'll live through hell, but I'll certainly become stronger."

"Maybe not the strongest, but I certainly won't be the weakest."