“Brother, wake up, wake up.”

I have reached five, and my morning alarm is Alice jumping on my bed. Jolting up to tackle her was a lost cause as she was just bigger and stronger than him at the moment. Quickly jumping off the bed, she runs to the door before looking back at me and sticking her tongue out before leaving me alone and groggy after a rude awakening.

“Alice, is that any way for a noble to act?”

I shout even though I know she doesn’t care, but I need to get rid of anger somehow. Getting out of bed, I begin to stretch before making my way over to the mirror. I see a child before me. I still haven’t gotten used to red eyes and hair, just like his parents and siblings, but still so different from what he expects when he goes to the mirror.

*ahem*

Turning around, I see Ann standing there with a sly smile while holding what I could only assume were my clothes for the day. “ If the young master has had enough fun looking at himself, the lord and mistress are waiting for you.”

Quickly placing my clothes on the bed, she heads out the door, leaving me behind, face red in embarrassment. Deciding to get ready quickly, I put the clothes on and headed for the dining hall to meet my family.

Upon entering the hall, I saw everyone was already sitting down, waiting for me to arrive. Father was at the head of the table with Gabriel standing behind him, and my siblings were on one side of the table while my mother and an empty seat were on the other.

Saying my greetings and sitting down at the table, breakfast was served, and Since I was starving, I paid no heed to anybody else around and ate in a way unbefitting of a noble. I don’t know what type of meat it was, but the breakfast was a serving of eggs and meat, which was all I needed to start the day.

Small talk was had, but being a five-year-old child, there wasn’t much I could add to the conversation and like that, breakfast was over before I knew it, but before anything was said, I saw my father quickly stand up.

*clap*

Gaining everyone's attention, he began to speak with a big smile on his face,” Everyone, as we all know, it’s Joseph's 5th birthday today, and as per the tradition of the Moon household, we will have him choose from our three guests which one will be his attendant from today onwards.”

What did he just say? I can't even begin to think about what he said; who leaves these decisions to a 5-year-old? I don't care if it’s tradition; children can’t make decisions like these. Oblivious to my thoughts, Father decides to carry on, and soon the hall doors open, and three guests arrive.

The first is a burly young man with short brown hair, standing at the same height as his father and having twice the muscle mass. The man was puffing out his chest and holding a great sword on his back with a face full of smiles; he stood with pride. The second was a young woman roughly the same age as the man with deep blue hair, and she stood straight with an expressionless face. She looked calm and unfazed about her situation, simply holding her staff quietly. Thirdly was an older man who didn’t stand, opting instead to lean against the wall, his silver hair covering his face, and he looked at the ground in silence.

Looking at my siblings, I see Alice and her attendant, a slender woman named Eva. She looked about as old as the younger ones shown to him. While my brother, Noah, who was now eleven, had behind him a giant of a man, much bigger than the young man in the line-up, and he seemed about as old as father.

Deciding I needed to know more, I asked, “Father, will you be able to tell me more about them?”

Seeing a hint of approval in fathers eyes, I knew I made the right choice, “ 1st is a warrior and a locally accomplished adventurer, 2nd is a magician who has just graduated from the magic academy a Hixphis, and lastly is a retired, experienced adventurer.”

Looking at the last one more closely, I began to think about why Father was being so vague about him. I started to think about what an attendant is supposed to do. Looking at the two oldest attendants in the room, Ann is currently my mother's attendant, head maid, and also a retired adventurer. At the same time, Father's attendant is Gabriel, the head knight of the Moon household and also an old friend of Father.

Deciding to think for myself rather than basing my choice on someone else, I think of what an attendant should be. The first and second were too young and too proud to attend to a five-year-old; an attendant is meant to act as a bodyguard and guide, and while the last guy didn’t scream confidence, he at least had experience.

“Father, I will pick the third one.” While the Master of the house visibly brightens at these words, the burly man takes offence to being overlooked, putting on a sour face, while the woman still seems expressionless.

“Joseph, are you sure about this decision?” Father asks, but I nod to indicate that I'm happy with this choice, finally seeming to have his attention. The third man looks up and meets my eyes. Despite the man's overall demeanour, I could see that there was still fire in his eyes despite his surprise at my decision.

“My lord, can this decision really be entrusted to a five-year-old? Look at who he chose, a past-his-prime old man. '' Making a loud statement, the young adventurer speaks his mind only to be shut down by the lord of the house, “This is a tradition of the Moon household. Do you, a commoner, question the decisions of the noble Moon household?”

This seems to shut the young man up before he bows and leaves, with the young mage following him out. Once the room was quiet, Father spoke up, “Well, what did I say Rafael? This would not be a wasted trip” With a face full of smiles, he speaks to the older man now known as Rafael.

What followed was the raspy voice from the older man, “You were correct, my lord. It seems my expectations for the young master were too harsh; he surprised me” He stepped forward towards me before kneeling and saying, “I, Rafael Rank B qi master, would be honoured to serve you, young master Joseph.”

The fact that he was a B rank startled me since this placed his new attendant in the upper percentile as Rank A is the realistic top of the world for most people. Clearly, my surprise was plastered all over my face as my family started to giggle at him. I was lost in thought of what to do next. Taking a deep breath, I steady my heart before accepting his oath, after which the lord calls for the end of the party.

“Joseph, rest for now but come to the Yard after we have to start your training now.”