Chapter 7: Grin wider and wider
Ethan stood in the courtyard, facing every servant of the Yagami household.
They had all been summoned by his command.
The scene was so unprecedented that his family—his parents and siblings—stood at a distance, watching in quiet curiosity.
Chloe, his youngest sister, clutched their mother's hand.
Her round, innocent eyes blinked as she asked,
"What's Big Brother Ethan doing?"
Her tiny frown made her look so adorable that anyone watching would want to pinch her cheeks.
Eva, his older sister, was more composed but just as curious.
"Mother, what's going on? I heard he came to your office before gathering everyone."
Their father, Lionnel Yagami, stood silently, watching his son with a tired expression.
He had witnessed far too many of Ethan's antics to expect anything serious.
Iris chuckled and answered,
"He came to me earlier, asking for every resource I could give—swords, potions, skill books, everything."
Eva's brows furrowed.
"…And you gave them to him?"
"Of course."
Lionnel turned his head sharply.
"…You did what?"
Iris smiled casually.
"I gave him one of my spatial rings."
Lionnel's eyes widened.
"Wait—you gave him that much? And something that valuable?"
"Yes. He deserved it," Iris said without hesitation. Then, after a moment of silence, she sighed.
"I thought he was feeling down about his talent and wanted to train, so I gave it to him. But now…"
She trailed off, watching Ethan carefully.
"…I'm starting to doubt that was his reason."
Her family stared at her.
Ethan? Training?
Bullshit.
It was more believable to say the sun was cold.
But instead of arguing, they simply turned back to watch Ethan, who was just about to begin.
…
Ethan stood before the gathered servants, excitement thrumming beneath his skin.
Ellie handed him a Mana Speaker, an artifact that amplified his voice.
Holding it up, he spoke,
"You must be wondering why I called you here today."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
A wave of noise rose.
Ethan simply stood there, calm and smiling, as if he expected their reaction.
Then, he continued—his voice steady, smooth, and commanding.
"But don't worry—it's nothing bad."
The richness of his tone, the way his voice wrapped around them like warmth, made them unconsciously fall silent.
"Since the day I was born, you have been by my side. You've cared for me, played with me, and indulged my every whim."
"You have seen me at my best… and at my worst."
At his words, a deep emotion stirred in the crowd.
Because it was true.
They had watched him grow, day after day.
When he took his first steps, they had cheered.
When he cried, they had soothed him.
When he was scolded, they had comforted him.
And despite being born into wealth and power, Ethan had never treated them as mere servants.
He had always been kind.
And now, as they listened, a lump formed in their throats.
Ethan's eyes softened.
"Even after my awakening, I saw your concern."
"You worried about me. You wanted to help."
He exhaled, his voice gentler now.
"And I cannot ignore that."
Then, his expression shifted.
His smile grew wider, brighter—almost mischievous.
"So I have decided—starting today, I will provide you with the resources to grow stronger."
A wave of shock rippled through the servants.
But Ethan wasn't done.
"From now on, whatever you need—skills, weapons, potions, money—simply call my name, and I will provide it."
Then, with a bright, almost arrogant smile, he declared—
"And I will begin today."
Silence.
Then—
Disbelief.
His family stared at him, stunned.
His mother, the most shocked of all, muttered—
"…So this is what he meant when he said he was 'feeling generous'?"
His father, Lionnel, rubbed his temples.
'Did my first two children turn out so well that the heavens decided to balance it out by giving me this lunatic as my third?'
He sighed heavily.
Meanwhile, the servants were frozen.
It was simply too good to be true.
But at this moment—
Ethan spoke to his system.
'Now what?'
[All materials in the spatial ring have been enhanced by your skill: Benevolent Reciprocity.]
Ethan's grin widened.
He extended his hand—
And poured out half of the spatial ring's contents.
Weapons.
Swords, daggers, shields—all Rare Grade or higher.
Skill Books.
Each glowing with Unique-Level energy.
Potions.
Health, Strength, Mana—every kind imaginable.
Gold.
Mountains of it.
The sheer amount of resources stunned the crowd into silence.
Then—
Ethan gestured casually.
"Please form a line and come forward one by one."
His voice was calm, reassuring.
"No need to rush—I have enough for all of you."
The first servant hesitantly stepped forward—a young girl with trembling hands.
Ethan looked at her warmly.
"What do you need to grow stronger?"
She hesitated before whispering—
"A fire skill book… and a magic wand."
Ethan grinned.
"Perfect. I have just the thing."
He picked up a Rare Grade skill book—
[Molten Fire Rain]
And a Rare Grade wand—its surface glowing with enchanting runes.
The moment the girl took them, a flood of notifications appeared before Ethan.
[You have given a Rare Grade Skill Book: [
{Molten Fire Rain} out of goodwill.]
[You have received a Legendary Grade Skill: {Eternal Inferno} with the x10,000 effect.]
[You have given a Rare Grade Magic Wand out of goodwill.]
[You have received a Legendary Grade Staff: {Celestial Ember} with the x10,000 effect.]
[You have received 100 Karmic Points.]
Ethan froze.
Then, his smile stretched wider.
"…Oh my Lord."
The servant girl held the wand and skill book close to her chest, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She truly can't believe it. It's been months she is trying to get her hands on a fire skill book at the rare grade and a wand but with her background the difficulty is just off the charts.
She stared at Ethan—not just as a young master, but as something greater.
Someone who cared. Someone who gave without hesitation.
At that moment, something inside her shifted.
She dropped to one knee, lowering her head.
"Young Master Ethan… I will follow you always."
And immediately
A new notification flashed before Ethan's eyes.
[You have received the Allegiance of one person, Mei Suzane]
[You can now view her profile and determine the best way to uplift her.]
[Your Luck, Strength, and Talent have slightly increased.]
Ethan stiffened.
Then, a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.
—End of Chapter 7—