The grand hall of House Veylor buzzed with murmurs and uneasy gnces. The ancient stone walls, adorned with tapestries depicting the House's storied lineage, seemed to absorb the tension that permeated the air. At the center stood Joseph Quinn, his youthful face betraying none of the turmoil that had erupted since his card evaluation.

  Seated on the elevated dais was Lord Elric Veylor, the patriarch of the House. His piercing gaze was fixed on Joseph, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion evident in his eyes. Beside him sat Lady Seraphina, her expression unreadable, and the House's council members, each bearing their own blend of intrigue and concern.

  "Joseph Quinn," Lord Elric began, his voice echoing through the hall, "your evaluation has yielded... unexpected results."

  Joseph met his gaze steadily. "Yes, my lord."

  "A Joker has not been drawn in our House for over a decade," the Lord continued. "Such an occurrence is rare and often... problematic."

  The room fell silent, all eyes on the young boy who stood with an air of calm defiance.

  "Expin yourself," demanded one of the council members, an elder with a long, silver beard. "Have you tampered with the evaluation? Used forbidden magic?"

  Joseph shook his head. "I have done nothing of the sort. The evaluation was conducted as per tradition. I merely followed the instructions."

  Another council member leaned forward. "Your magical affinity is... unique. The essence you exude is unlike any we've encountered."

  Joseph remained silent, allowing the weight of their words to settle.

  Lady Seraphina finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm. "Perhaps we should conduct a thorough examination. Ensure that no foul py is at hand."

  Lord Elric nodded. "Agreed. Joseph, you will undergo a series of tests to verify the authenticity of your evaluation."

  Joseph inclined his head. "As you wish, my lord."

  The ExaminationIn the days that followed, Joseph was subjected to a battery of tests. Mages specialized in various disciplines examined his mana flow, tested his reaction to different magical stimuli, and probed for any signs of external interference.

  Throughout it all, Joseph remained composed, his responses measured and precise. He dispyed a remarkable control over his mana, adapting seamlessly to each test without revealing the depths of his true power.

  The examiners, though thorough, found no evidence of tampering or forbidden magic. Their reports, while noting the uniqueness of his mana signature, concluded that Joseph's evaluation was genuine.

  The Council's DeliberationBack in the grand hall, the council convened to discuss the findings.

  "The tests have confirmed the authenticity of his evaluation," stated the lead examiner. "Joseph Quinn is, indeed, a Joker."

  Lord Elric steepled his fingers, deep in thought. "A Joker within our House... This could be both a boon and a bane."

  Lady Seraphina added, "It is unprecedented. We must tread carefully."

  One of the council members voiced a concern. "The other Houses will take notice. They may see this as a threat or an anomaly."

  Lord Elric turned his gaze back to Joseph, who stood quietly at the center of the hall. "Joseph Quinn, your path will be closely monitored. You will be given the resources to hone your abilities, but know this: any deviation from our expectations will not be tolerated."

  Joseph bowed. "Understood, my lord."

  A New BeginningAs Joseph left the hall, he felt the weight of countless eyes upon him. Whispers followed his every step, specution and suspicion trailing in his wake.

  But within him, a storm brewed. The memories of his past life, the betrayal, the destruction—it all fueled his resolve.

  He had returned not to seek redemption, but to reshape the world that had once cast him aside.

  The Joker had entered the game, and the board would never be the same.