Lying back on the ground in defeat, Liam muttered the words exhalingly
'I accept'
The blue screen suddenly appeared
[Elior Vayne accepts]
[New updates!]
[Arcana Rank: F (Apprentice)]
[Quest: Save the World and Its Characters]
[Strength- F-]
[Speed- F]
[Agility- F]
[Intelligence- B-]
[Luck- E/S]
Mana Stats
Wind- Lv1
Darkness-Lv1
Void-Not unlocked until mastery of Darkness
Chrono-Not unlocked unless at death's door
Weapon:Kurotsume
Type: Short Black Katana
Rank: C (Dormant)
Attribute: Darkness / Void
Passive: Eclipse Edge — temporarily devours mana of the enemy on hit.
Active (Locked): Oblivion Fang — creates a compressed void slash that erases energy constructs.
Note: Weapon reacts to emotional state and grows alongside its wielder.
Techniques
Arc Slash — Releases a crescent wave of lightning with each swing. (Unlocked)
'So those are all his stats huh', Liam said muttered to himself.
"I guess I'm seventeen—the same age as the protagonists, huh."
He sighed. "I should head home…"
When he reached home, he pushed open the wooden door.
"I'm home," he called out.
'Son, where have you been since morning; we have been worried sick about you', said Alaric Vayne.
'I'm sorry, just needed some fresh air in a quiet place to process my thoughts'.
'Elior, thinking? That's new', said Alaric diving back into the documents he had been typing.
'Go take a shower and join us for dinner'.
'Sure, will do', Elior replied, walking toward his room.
His room was small and worn, built of old wood lit by a faint mana candle. A narrow bed, a cluttered desk filled with spell notes, and a cracked window overlooking the town's rooftops—humble yet peaceful. It carried the quiet resilience of a dreamer who refused to fade.
After taking in the decorations of his room in awe, Liam decided to soak in the bath.
As the water trickled down, Liam studied his reflection in the mirror
"Wow… I look a whole lot younger."
Standing before him was a young boy with jet-black hair, faintly streaked with silver, shimmering under the light like twilight meeting dawn. His pale silver-gray eyes were cold and reflective—almost colorless, unreadable. 'I guess you have been through a lot too huh',
"I guess you've been through a lot too, huh?" he murmured.
"Don't worry—I'll take care of them now. I'm Elior Vayne."
Later at dinner, the warmth of family hit him harder than he expected—it was something he hadn't felt since his previous life, before everything fell apart.
'Welcome back Son, how was your day', asked Seraphine Vayne, his mother
'It was blissful mother, I managed to do everything I hoped for today', answered Elior as he ate his meal delicately.
"That's good, because it means you've had time to think—whether or not you'll be joining the academy."
The fork in his hand paused midair. Setting it down, Elior met his father's gaze.
'If it will be in our best interest for me to join, I have no reason to object. I think this was the path in need to take'.
'Well said son', Alaric nodded as he sipped on his wine
'You speak more refined now brother', said Arin as she chewed some meat.
'I may talk refined but I can put you in your place', fired Elior back with a faint smirk.
Laughter filled the room. For a brief moment, it felt like peace—a warmth he'd long forgotten.
But it didn't last.
'On a more serious note', Alaric said as his gaze became surprisingly sharp. The table fell silent instantly. Alaric was the duke of this town but despite being in low status, he was valued highly by the nobility.
'I hope you don't plan to embarrass the family name, Elior'
'No', answered Elior looking at Alaric with determined eyes
After a tense silence, Alaric's expression softened 'That is good, well done'.
'*Damn it, I nearly lost a soul in that conversation*', Elior exhaling quietly.
'Your sister Lyra will meet you at the academy gates to show you around,' said Seraphine adding 'She has specifically said that you need improvement after the terrible display you put at the exams'.
'Understood mother, I will be bound not to disappoint you people again', Elior said eating calmly.
"Brother, will you come back home, or will you keep staying at school with Sister Lyra?" Arin asked, looking down.
Gently leaving his seat to meet her, Elior put his hands on her head 'I will always come back if things are okay for me'
'Yeah', Arin mumbled, smiling
'You will be leaving in a week Elior', Alaric reminded. 'Better prepare your things'
'Understood'
Dinner ended, and everyone went to bed except Elior. He had been waiting carefully for this moment all night.
'Finally, I thought they would sleep', said Elior in a big sigh
Checking his stats again, he frowned.
'Hmmm, I can't grow stronger through normal means right now…..'.
'I know, I will get the Aetherseed', said Elior as he pondered his thoughts.
The Aetherseed- a small crystalline core, shaped like a pulsating heart, with veins of shifting light that alternate between silver, violet, and black. This is the fruit the protagonist finds later on after losing some of his friends in a battle.
'Pulling out a map, Elior traced his finger across it. "If I remember correctly from my writings, the Aetherseed should be in the Silver Hollow, just outside Solariath—east of town'.
'If I leave tomorrow early in the morning, I could arrive at dawn the next day', said Elior holding his chin.
While deep in thought, a sudden stone struck his window, snapping Elior back to reality.
Opening it, Elior looked down to see a girl his age smiling up at him.
"Elior, you busy?" she called.