# Chapter 1: The Heir Awakes
## Awakening
After the accident, I slowly opened my eyes,... then froze. I looked at my arms, my legs, my whole body. They weren't mine. I stared at my hands—slender, strong, and elegant. My skin was smooth; my body felt light and athletic. My heart pounded.
*Where am I? This isn't a hospital or my old bedroom. Am I... dead?*
I sat up, breath ragged. Sunlight streamed in through tall windows, painting patterns on white marble and gilded columns. The bed beneath me was enormous. I slid off, legs trembling, and ran to the mirror. A boy stared back—handsome, fifteen at most, pale-skinned and well-built, with snowy white hair and golden eyes that almost seemed to shimmer in the light.
**Ryan (breathless, lost):**
"This... is this a dream? Or am I really alive—reincarnated?"
I touched my face, still disoriented. My vision was unnaturally clear—every color glowed, every shape was crisp. And inside, I felt a strange, coiled energy, more than I'd ever known.
Suddenly I remembered stories—the kind I used to daydream about, where someone could call up their stats with a word.
**Ryan (soft but urgent):**
"Status window."
A bright blue panel shimmered before my eyes:
### Status Window — Ryan Ravenshade
| Name | Ryan Ravenshade |
|--------------|--------------------|
| Age | 16 |
| Rank | Second Son |
| Title | Heir of Ravenshade |
| Strength | S | SSS (Locked) |
| Magic Power | A+ | SSS (Locked) |
| Stamina | A- | SSS (Locked) |
| Agility | B+ | SSS (Locked) |
| Aura Grade | A- | SSS (Locked) |
| Reputation | D- ("recluse", "lazy noble") |
| Unique Skill | Sword King's Insight (locked) |
| Eye Skill | Golden Eyes of Insight |
| Skills | Shadowstep lv.1(active), Silent Step lv.1(active), Monarch's Will (passive), Blade Dance (locked), Frostflame Blade (locked) |
| Bond (Lira) | 4/10 |
| Bond (Damian)| 5/10 |
| Bond (Eleyna)| 7/10 |
Then it hit me—a rushing, suffocating memory of old Ryan's life.
Not just loneliness after mother's death... but anger.
How I'd snapped at Lira for trying to help—how her concern had grated on me, until I pushed her away with cold words. How I'd ignored stepmother Eleyna's attempts to reach out. How Damian's presence, instead of comfort, only fueled jealousy and self-loathing.
Lira would visit my room, hopeful, offering books, asking if I wanted to go outside, and I'd slam the door in her face—sometimes with a sneer, sometimes just silence. When she cried, I told myself she was weak for needing me. When Eleyna brought up family meals, I'd refuse with bitterness, sometimes even mock her attempts at peace.
I remembered her—my little sister—standing alone on the balcony, blinking back tears, while I hid in my anger and grief.
*I was horrible to them after Mother died. I see it now. My body trembled, a wave of remorse and shame swamping the new hope. Can I even fix this?*
## Only My Maids Enter
A knock broke me from memory.
**Lina** (my gentle, reserved maid):
"Young Master Ryan, are you awake?"
**Ryan (voice hoarse):**
"...Yes, I'm awake."
**Lina:**
"Breakfast will be served soon. Lord Parichat and your family are in the dining hall."
**Ryan:**
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
Only **Lina** and her quiet assistant **Kira** (who hardly made a sound) entered, as House Ravenshade's law demanded. Nobody else's staff entered my quarters, ever. Lina dressed me in a crisp blue and white coat, set a silver crest at my collar, and Kira made sure my boots and hair were perfect. I caught her and Lina's quick, confused glances as I held myself straight and tried to breathe, different from the sullen, slumped boy they were used to.
They escorted me only as far as the corridor, then bowed and returned to my room.
I walked toward the grand dining hall, old Ryan's memories echoing every step—memories of slamming doors, skipped meals, and a little sister's tears.
## Dining Hall — Status Windows
### Lady Eleyna Ravenshade
| Name | Lady Eleyna Ravenshade |
| Age | 36 |
| Title | Second Consort |
| Magic Power | B+ |
| Strength | C |
| Agility | C |
| Charisma | A |
| Intelligence | A |
| Skills | Healing Grace, Silver Tongue, Elegant Poise |
| Bond (Ryan) | 7/10 |
**Lady Eleyna (gentle, a little nervous but kind):**
"Ryan, you're up early today. I'm so glad. Please, join us. It means so much to have everyone together again."
**Madelyn (Head Maid, 45, regal and watchful)** attended only to Lady Eleyna, quietly guiding the other maids.
### Lira Ravenshade
| Name | Lira Ravenshade |
| Age | 15 |
| Title | Third Daughter |
| Class | Mage (Ice) |
| Magic Power | A- |
| Strength | B- |
| Agility | B+ |
| Charisma | B+ |
| Skills | Glacial Barrier, Mist Waltz, Freezing Touch |
| Bond (Ryan) | 4/10 |
**Mira (Lira's soft-spoken maid, 19)** filled her teacup and adjusted her napkin, concern apparent.
**Lira (voice tense, wary):**
"Good morning… brother."
A bitter sting—a pang of every cruel moment the old me inflicted on her. She wanted so much to reconnect, but that hurt ran deep.
### Damian Ravenshade
| Name | Damian Ravenshade |
| Age | 17 |
| Title | First Son |
| Class | Knight |
| Strength | A |
| Magic Power | B- |
| Stamina | A |
| Agility | B+ |
| Aura Grade | A- |
| Charisma | B |
| Skills | Iron Body, Battle Roar, Berserker Drive |
| Bond (Ryan) | 5/10 |
**Sera (Damian's reliable maid, 22)** stood by to refill his cup.
**Damian (mocking but relieved):**
"I thought I'd have to get a search party out for you, Ryan. What, did you finally get bored of sulking?"
## Albrecht Wynn (Head Butler; for Parichat only)
| Name | Albrecht Wynn |
| Age | 62 |
| Title | Head Butler |
| Strength | C+ |
| Skills | Etiquette Master, House Barrier |
| Loyalty | 10/10 |
Stood with perfect posture at Lord Parichat's back.
## Parichat's Entrance
The double doors parted. Lord Parichat stepped in—tall, his suit cut with military precision, his gaze heavy with both pride and warning.
| Name | Parichat Ravenshade |
| Age | 44 |
| Title | Lord of Ravenshade |
| Strength | SS |
| Magic Power | S |
| Stamina | S |
| Agility | SS |
| Aura Grade | S |
| Charisma | A+ |
| Authority | 10/10 |
| Skills | Lion's Authority, Blade Tempest, Guardian's Shield |
| Bond (Ryan) | 6/10 |
**Parichat (voice clear, dignified):**
"I see every seat filled today. Is this the start of a new chapter for Ravenshade? Ryan, you look healthy. Are you ready to stand as a true son of my house?"
**Ryan (standing stiff but with resolve):**
"Yes, Father, I am."
**Parichat (almost gentle):**
"Good. Sit. Share this table, all of you."
## The Meal — Pain, Argument, and Lira's Fury
Food arrived. There was conversation, tension, glances.
**Damian (leaning to Lira):**
"So, are you really thinking of the Academy, or is it just a rumor?"
**Lira (quiet but fierce):**
"I am. I want to learn, to prove I can stand on my own."
**Lady Eleyna (encouraging, hopeful):**
"You'll shine, Lira. You already have more strength than you think."
Now Parichat's gaze settled on Lira.
**Parichat (serious):**
"The Academy is not a gentle place. No guards. No protection. Every child of a great house is measured and tested, Lira. Are you sure you want this?"
**Lira (brows knitting, tone tense):**
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Father. I know it won't be safe. But I'd rather earn respect—even if it's hard—than live in a golden cage."
**Parichat (voice steely):**
"Respect is not given for being bold with words. You'll be vulnerable—your title will draw hate, not help. Some will want to see you fall for the Ravenshade name alone."
**Lira (biting her lip, almost breaking):**
"If I never try, I'll never grow. I'd rather face dangers than waste away here forever, waiting for others to decide if I'm worth trusting!"
**Parichat (raising his voice):**
"You are my daughter. That makes you both powerful—and a target. The world is not kind to girls who cannot protect themselves. Are you ready for betrayal from 'friends,' pressure from enemies, even from teachers who fear our name?"
**Lira (defiant, nearly shouting):**
"I am! And if I fall—at least it's on my own feet, not because I never had a chance! I refuse to hide anymore!"
A heavy silence followed. Lady Eleyna squeezed Lira's hand. Mira wiped away a tear. Damian shifted, suddenly out of jokes.
**Damian:**
"Kid's got guts, at least. Let her prove it, Father."
**Parichat (finally, voice low but not dismissive):**
"Then you'll have your chance. But remember—the world, and I, will be watching."
## Ryan's Declaration & Lira's Outburst
My pulse hammered, guilt and longing squeezing my throat.
**Ryan (voice trembling but determined):**
"Father… if Lira goes to the Academy—let me go too. I want to protect her. I want to fix the things I broke. I want to show you all that I can truly be your son."
There was a sharp, uncomfortable stillness.
Lira stiffened, her voice coming out wounded and angry:
**Lira (anger and pain, on the verge of tears):**
"Why now, Ryan? Why do you suddenly care after years of ignoring me?! Where were you when I waited for you, when I cried, when all I wanted was my big brother to come back? You pushed me away! I needed you! Why now?"
Tears slipped down her cheeks. She glared at me, voice almost broken with longing and fury:
**Lira:**
"If you hurt me again, if you promise and then walk away—I'll never forgive you. Never!"
My shame and determination mingled into something hard and real.
**Ryan (eyes wet, unyielding):**
"I know what I did was unforgivable. But let me prove it with every single day, Lira—just give me one more chance."
**Parichat (after a long, silent scrutiny):**
"Resolve alone is nothing. You must both prove yourselves every day—at the Academy, and in this house."
**Lady Eleyna (wiping her eyes, voice unstable but blossoming with hope):**
"This is all I ever wanted. Stand together. Please."
## The New Bond
Breakfast was over; the maids stepped forward—Kira and Lina for me, Mira hovering behind Lira, Sera beside Damian, Madelyn for Eleyna, Albrecht quietly observing Parichat.
I stepped to Lira. She refused to look at me, arms folded. I offered my hand anyway.
She resisted for a moment—then suddenly, fiercely, grabbed my wrist, squeezing so tightly it almost hurt.
**Lira (still half sobbing, half laughing):**
"If you even THINK about hiding from me again, I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth!"
**Ryan (soft, unwavering):**
"I promise. From today on, you'll never be alone, Sister."
We stepped out together, beneath the gaze of a household breathless with hope and dread, into a sunlight that for the first time seemed real and deserved.
[End of chapter 1]