I didn't sleep that night.
I couldn't.
The faces of my old parents kept flashing in my mind—my mother humming while cutting fruit, my father snoring on the sofa during a weekend nap. They were just ordinary people, but they were mine. They loved me.
And now, I was here. In a family that didn't even ask if I was alright after I woke from days of unconsciousness.
I was a son, a brother… only in name.
The silence of the manor pressed in like a weight, and when I could no longer stand it, I sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor.
"…System," I whispered, almost unsure if it even existed.
For a few seconds, there was nothing. Then, like a breath in still air, red letters flickered before me.
[System Initiating…][System Binding: Complete][Welcome, Host][You are the current user of the
The flickering settled, and a crisp status window appeared in front of me, blood-red and cold.
[Status Window – Draco Ashbourne]
Name: Draco AshbourneAge: 15Race: HumanClass: NoneElemental Affinity: Fire (Grade: C-)Mana Core Rank: E-Potential: C (Locked)Stats:Strength: EAgility: E-Endurance: F+Intelligence: FMana Capacity: E-Control: F
Overall Rating: E-
"…Yikes."
I knew I was supposed to be weak, but this?
C-rank potential might've been considered average by the world's standards, but in this family?
A joke.
I leaned back against the wall and sighed. This body… even the world seemed to hate it. No fire talent, no prestige, no status. Just a placeholder. A reminder of what Lucen could've been, had he been born alone.
Then another panel blinked into existence.
[Transmigration Reward Quest]Because you are a being who has crossed worlds, the system has granted you one chance to awaken your true potential.
Quest:— Leave behind the home that holds no love for you.— Walk a path that belongs only to you.— Survive without protection, privilege, or inheritance.
Reward upon completion:✦ Unlock True Potential:
My breath caught.
Limitless?
This world judged everyone by potential. C-rank was already a death sentence for anyone born into a noble house. But Limitless?
That didn't exist.
It wasn't even theoretical.
It was impossible.
But here it was. One step away.
I just had to leave.
And for the first time, the idea didn't scare me.
Because staying here?
That was worse.
The next morning, I walked into the dining hall.
Lucen was already there, eating with our parents. The scent of roasted meat and spice filled the air. Golden candelabras lit the long mahogany table, and servants stood perfectly still along the walls.
I took a seat on the far end. No one looked up.
Not even once.
Lucen laughed at something Father said. My mother reached out to brush hair from his forehead.
Me?
I could've been a ghost for all they cared.
"Good morning," I tried. My voice was steady.
Mother glanced at me briefly, as though surprised I was speaking. "You're late."
That was it.
No welcome. No warmth. Just that flat, perfunctory tone.
Lucen didn't even turn.
I looked at the table—two plates were arranged in front of Father and Lucen, brimming with fresh dishes. My spot had a slice of bread and cold broth.
A mistake?
No.
Intentional.
Calculated.
I gripped the edge of the table, fingers trembling.
I missed home. Not this marble prison, not this cold-hearted family, but my real home—the cramped apartment with flickering lights and creaky floorboards and a warmth that never needed fire.
I stood up.
No one stopped me.
Not even a glance.
And maybe that was the answer.
Later that night, I stood in front of my mirror again.
The same pale boy stared back, but his eyes were sharper now. Less lost. A quiet ember beginning to burn behind them.
"I'll leave," I whispered. "Even if it kills me."
The system buzzed in response.
[Quest Updated: Progress — 20%][First Step Taken: The Decision to Walk Away]