Eastern Continent, Drakolin Kingdom, Zildarium City
Arthur awoke to the sound of a knock on his door and the voice of a young woman behind it.
"Lord Baron? It's time for breakfast. May I come in, sir?"
Arthur rose from his massive, unusually comfortable wooden bed, surprised, and glanced around the room.
The floor was made of polished oak wood, topped with a soft woolen rug that made walking a comfort. The room's high stone walls were painted in a luxurious gray, adorned with golden-framed oil paintings. A stone fireplace stood across from the sturdy silk bed, and the tall stained-glass windows cast beautiful rays of sunlight inside. Just as Arthur began to take in the view, he heard the woman's voice again, along with a soft knock.
"Sir? Are you awake?"
Arthur replied hastily,
"Yes, you may enter."
As the door opened, Arthur saw two young maids, one of them pushing a small silver breakfast cart.
"Good morning, sir,"
they both said in unison as they entered.
One placed the cart next to an ivory table and began setting the dishes.
The other spoke, "Do you need anything, sir? Shall I make your bed?"
Arthur replied thoughtfully,
"Later. I'm busy right now and prefer no disturbances."
The two maids bowed respectfully and answered,
"Yes sir, as you wish."
After they left, Arthur sat on the ivory chair in front of the breakfast table, deep in thought.
"Arthur Valtieri. It seems that's who I am now. A pampered baron who doesn't know how to manage his family affairs. But I must say… this place is truly luxurious. I'm eager to see how much more extravagant counts and dukes live. Yes, I must raise my rank as a noble… and I need to find a way to discover what happened to the others. It also seems I retained my first name. Not bad. first, I need to make a name for myself. For that… but how? Well, best to think on a full stomach."
Arthur ate his breakfast — hot barley bread with butter, fried eggs sprinkled with black pepper, and dark grape jam — then headed to his wardrobe to change out of his nightwear. He opened the large white closet and dressed in more formal attire: a black woolen jacket, tight pants, matching boots, a tall feathered hat, and leather gloves. He glanced at his reflection in the golden-framed mirror, adjusting his blond hair and traditional outfit.
"Very well. No time to waste. I must learn everything I can about this world as quickly as possible. before the noble banquet today"
He opened the door to his room and headed toward the household library.
Somewhere in the Ash Sea, North of Drakolin Kingdom
Andre jolted awake at the noisy shouts and movements of the navy crew inside the old crew quarters. He rushed out to the deck of a small ship that barely held thirty people. At the top of the mast flew the navy's symbol — a white eagle with four wings. The sea stretched endlessly into the horizon, and the clean, crisp air gently pushed the sails.
"You lazy bastard, Edward! No time to daydream! The ship won't clean itself! And I expect the cabin spotless before we reach Worldhammer Port!"
"…Edward Ravenmark. So, I'm a navy ship cleaner, huh? I expected something grander. But as they say, not all winds blow the way we want… Edward seems to be a young, single man who recently got a job cleaning the ship. I need to prove myself to the captain if I hope to get promoted… and also—"
A large man in his forties with a facial scar approached Edward kindly.
"Good morning, Edward. You seem gloomy today… Need help cleaning the dorm?"
"Uncle Varric…"
He'll be a great help... Varric is the only sailor who's been kind and honest with Edward. Loyal and strong as well...
"Thank you, Varric…"
"And also…"
Varric leaned closer and whispered,
"Don't steal anything from the captain's cabin. I don't want to be fired because of you."
"What are you talking about…"
Oh right… Edward had a hard time finding work because he was a petty thief who stole from those who hired him.
Edward replied with a suspiciously innocent and sincere tone that made his expression look foolish.
"Oh of course, I won't steal anymore. They're navy men, don't worry, Uncle."
Andre — now Edward — turned toward the horizon and murmured,
"Good luck, everyone…"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Ah… don't mind it, Uncle."
Empire of Light, Miralin City, at a Church of the First Saint
Fia Serin — the Korean girl who chose the fate of the nun Lee Sora — found herself inside this body on a Sunday morning in the novice dormitory. A poor nineteen-year-old girl, faia had only her mother Juliette Serin and younger brother Lloyd.
Six months ago, Via decided to devote her life to the church despite her mother and brother begging her to reconsider.
Mira, a friend and fellow novice, interrupted Lee Sora's attempt to sort through her new identity as she sat at the edge of the bed.
"Sister Lorena has been so strict lately. It'd be nice if she let us relax more, or even take us shopping."
Mira twirled a lock of her hair with longing in her expression.
"And… I want to get married…"
Lee Sora, merging with Via Serin's consciousness, replied,
"Sister Lorena has been going through hard times recently, don't blame her, Mira. You know how things are — heretics and necromancers have been more active, desecrating the dead. Not to mention evil spirits."
Mira's lips trembled in fear. She had a traumatic past involving evil spirits, which led her to join the church.
Fia noticed she'd touched an unhealed wound in her friend's heart and hugged her gently, with regret.
"I'm sorry, sister. You'll be okay… You're under the protection of the Son of Heaven."
Mira hugged her back tightly, then pulled away.
"Thank you, fia…"
At that moment, an older woman entered — around fifty years old, wearing the traditional nun's garb of the Church of the First Saint: a long flowing white-silver robe, a simple cloth belt, a headdress, and a silver necklace with the symbol of Ilmar, the First Saint — also known as the Son of Heaven, a man with long hair holding a sword vertically.
She addressed the two girls:
"Little ones, why the delay? Come help me set the incense and replace the candles. Then hurry and clean the hymn library in the right wing."
"As you wish, Sister Lorena."
She added, turning around in her usual routine,
"Also… you may be allowed today to hear the chants of the great spiritualist Elithia, who is visiting us as you know."
A wide smile spread across the girls' innocent faces. Listening to holy hymns from a spiritualist was considered a great blessing.
The girls exchanged excited glances and rushed to the storage room to bring incense and candles.
"I hope you're all safe, friends… I'll wait eagerly to meet you again."
Fia Serin added in her heart, before Mira tugged at her arm like an excited child.
Phoenix Kingdom, Near the Stonehill Mountains
Leona Bloodmark, a newly minted adventurer, was lying under a gray pine tree as warm sunlight filtered through the leaves. The two blue moons were just about to vanish. Nearby, two twin adventurers were preparing a simple breakfast of cheap bread, dried meat slices, wild honey, and warm herbal tea from rayesan leaves.
"Yes! I finally became an adventurer. This is going to be a great journey."
Veronica couldn't hide her excitement, living out her dreams through her new life as Leona Bloodmark, which made her companions — archer fin and scout Jona — smile warmly at her.
"You're not one to wake up early by yourself."
"Come on, dear… We made breakfast. Not noble quality, but it'll do."
"jin, the bow lover, and his sister Jona, the map expert and our living encyclopedia… they'll be great allies."
Leona Bloodmark was the daughter of a fallen count, apparently brought down by a conspiracy.
"I'll reclaim my family's honor through this journey… for you, Leona!"
She got up and joined jin and Jona for breakfast. After finishing, she donned her leather armor, strapped her two daggers to her waist, tightened her boots, and brushed silver hair off her face before jumping to her feet.
"Let's go to the cave — the sun is up, and I'm dying to sell those red shade herbs so I can finally buy the Sun Knight's Axe! I've been saving for six months."
"Sun Knight's Axe, huh? Isn't that a Tier III artifact?"
"You're right, jin. It's expensive — 1200 roni. But I found a better deal from a retired adventurer: 1000 roni. It's a worthy investment, you know? I'll be able to take on more quests… maybe even become a recognized bounty hunter."
"Haha, good luck Leona. But you know… the path of bounty hunting gets tougher the deeper you go."
"I know, jin. I chose this path without a shred of regret. My heart lives for adventure! Let's go — the cave entrance is close!"
Leona stopped at the mountain's base, spotting the grand cave entrance. In awe, she whispered:
"I don't know about you guys… but I'm definitely living the dream."
Kingdom of Celestial Bodies, Capital Astralon
In one of the narrow, filthy alleys where the poorest lived, a young man in his twenties lay on black garbage bags, his face bruised and wounded, clothes filthy and torn.
Leonid, now in the body of Johan Morkov, stood up with difficulty, pain coursing through his body.
"Johan Morkov? A street rat who inherited his parents' debt, living by pickpocketing and shoplifting? Damn this rotten fate and system. No doubt that bastard Arthur is living in luxury…"
Johan clutched his head from a splitting headache and vomited blood on the ground, staining his bare feet.
"What a start… I need to figure out my parents' debt before doing anything risky. One wrong move and I'm dead."
He wiped his mouth with his dirty sleeve and staggered toward a bakery. Moving slowly inside, he blended in with customers and stole two loaves, hiding them under his shirt. Stealing had been his life's work, and sleight of hand a second nature. Thin from malnutrition, he ate and drank from a public fountain before being chased off by a patrolling kingdom guard.
While walking through the capital's streets, Johan muttered:
"A criminal. That's the fate I chose."
Just then, the same system screen appeared before him with new content:
Johan Morkov, Criminal
Current Fate: Street Thief
Current Goal: Rise to the Rank of Conman
Reward: Special Ability | ???
"So I must rise to conman, huh… I won't lie, I'm dying to know what ability I'll gain. But first, I need to figure out how to evolve in fate to earn it…"
"Fate."
He whispered, and the system screen disappeared.
"Hmm… that seems to be the keyword to control the system screen. Will others figure this out too?"
The Cursed Continent, Nevermore — Village of Mork
Suzumi, the blonde half-Japanese girl, awoke weakly in the body of Renala Arksen, bound in strong chains and lying on a cold floor. It appeared to be a cellar with no light.
Suzumi's mind merged with Renala's memories, giving her an understanding of the situation.
"Renala arxyn… that's my name. Seems I'm a student of the witch Helka… and we've been captured by the witch hunter Valrik."
Renala, with tan skin and emerald-green eyes, composed herself.
"I need to escape the village before I die here! I know the unbinding spell — Helka made me memorize it!"
She visualized a magic staff and traced three circles in the air with its tip, touching the chains and reciting:
"Vel taresh… lun a'dar… selir vak!"
The chains broke and the shackles released her hands and feet as if the spell had been cast by will alone. Renala stood in shock.
"Was that the system's power? Or a skill Renala mastered?"
"Fate."
The system screen appeared.
Renala arxyn, Witch
Current Fate: Witch's Assistant
Special Ability: Will of the Pillars – Level 1
Goal: Rise to the Rank of Witch
Reward: Ability Upgrade
"Will of the Pillars… that must've let me cast the spell without tools or words. After escaping, I'll test its limits."
The system screen emitted no light — visible only to her eyes.
"Okay… I'll try a light spell first."
She raised her hands as if holding a staff, drew a small circle with a horizontal line in the air, and softly chanted:
"Lun'vetha… sil draan."
A faint yellow orb appeared, flickering but enough to light the room. It was a small old basement with broken furniture, chains, rusty bars, and useless items.
Renala found a large silver knife and a familiar medium-sized leather bag under a table — Helka's. She slung it over her shoulder and placed the knife inside, heading to the cellar door. It was locked.
She drew an inverted 3, the symbol for unlocking, and whispered:
"Kel'thur an draal."
A faint click, then a creak — the heavy wooden door opened, revealing dim light. She canceled the light spell by chanting in reverse and climbed to the living room: a modest space with old furniture, empty bottles, and food remnants.
"Looks like someone lives here… is this Valrik's house?"
She froze, fear rising. Renala's emotions merged with Suzumi's. Valrik was infamous for hunting and executing witches.
"If this is valrik's house, I must leave this house . And this village immediately."
Renala carefully opened the front door and walked through the deserted village street. The sky was green and stormy, the muddy ground unpleasant. She stayed in the narrow alleys to avoid villagers. Though her appearance didn't scream "witch," she took no chances.
At the village square, she saw a woman's burned corpse tied to a cross, charred straw around it.
She stopped a few steps away from the body — it was her teacher, Helka. Tears ran down her cheeks as memories surged.
After minutes, she wiped her face and composed herself. She turned and walked toward a faraway dark forest with tall black trees.