Time flowed like water in a calm stream.
It had been four years and nine months since Rudy Avara opened his eyes in this new world, nearly five years since Ethan White had died in that quiet street back on Earth.
And yet…
"Still nothing," Rudy muttered, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Four years, nine months, and not a single sign of my system. Did Reincia scam me?"
He sighed, rolling over to his side. The silk sheets rustled softly beneath him.
Life in the Avara mansion was peaceful, luxurious, and honestly, boring.
Rudy had everything a child could ask for: food, toys, servants, and a doting mother who treated him like a precious gemstone. The only problem was, he was too precious in her eyes.
His mother, Rose Avara, barely let him out of her sight. The farthest he'd ever gone was the edge of the mansion's garden. Outside the compound? Absolutely forbidden.
He once joked about wanting to play in the nearby forest. His mother's reaction? Immediate tears, hugs, and a week of extra cuddling.
So here he was, a reincarnated adult trapped in the body of a sheltered noble child.
"I swear, at this rate, I'll grow up as the world's most pampered prisoner," he grumbled. "System, if you exist, now would be a good time to show up."
But no matter how much he shouted mentally or stared dramatically into the mirror, no blue panels appeared.
He had tried everything, chanting random words, meditating, even saying Status out loud like an idiot. Nothing.
Still, he refused to give up hope.
To fill his time, Rudy spent most of his days in the mansion's library. It was a massive room filled with ancient tomes, maps, and scrolls, his own little treasure trove of knowledge.
There, he had learned everything about the world he now lived in.
The world was a vast land divided into several kingdoms. He lived in the Flame Kingdom, named after its founders, the legendary couple Evelyn Flames and Brandon Flames, who had slain the Demon Lord a hundred years ago.
Rudy had to admit: the name sounded cheesy, but he respected the two heroes.
This world ran on mana, an energy that flowed through all living things. People who could harness it were called Manarists, the gifted.
Not everyone had that gift.
Those who did were categorized into three main paths: Augmenters, Mages, and Tamers.
Augmenters used mana to enhance their bodies. They were warriors, relying on physical strength and mana-infused weapons.
Mages shaped mana into magic, fireballs, water streams, earth spikes, wind blades, you name it. They were the elemental casters, the flashy types.
And finally, Tamers, those who used their mana to contract beasts and fight alongside them.
Honestly, Tamers didn't fascinate Rudy at all.
Why rely on beasts when I could wield power myself? he thought. I'd rather blow away enemies with fire or crush them with my fists than hide behind some animal.
Tamers mana capacity was naturally small, their beasts couldn't grow stronger after the contract.
In short, Tamers were considered pitiful.
He flipped another page in his book.
The text detailed the Manarist Ranks, something he'd memorized by heart:
> 1-99: Red Manarist
100-199: Orange Manarist
200-299: Yellow Manarist
300-399: Green Manarist
400-499: Blue Manarist
500-599: Purple Manarist
600-699: Violet Manarist
700-799: Silver Manarist
800-899: Black Manarist
900-1000: White Manarist
Only two people in recorded history had reached the White Manarist level, the Flame Heroes themselves.
Rudy's dream? To surpass them and get his harem.
But first, he needed his damn system to wake up.
He sighed again, closing the book and glancing at the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky in soft orange hues. Just then, a familiar voice echoed through the hall.
"Rudy! Dinner time!"
He smiled faintly. "Coming, Mom!"
Sliding off his bed, he walked out of his room. The hallway was lined with portraits and marble pillars, symbols of the Avara family's noble lineage.
When he entered the dining hall, his parents were already seated. His father, Malik Avara, was a tall, stern-looking man with short black hair and the posture of a soldier. His mother, Rose, sat beside him, radiant and graceful as always.
"Come, Rudy," Malik said with a warm smile. "Sit."
Dinner began with soft chatter. The servants moved quietly, placing dishes of roasted meat and vegetables on the long table.
Halfway through the meal, Malik set down his fork and turned to his son. "Rudy, tomorrow is your birthday. You'll be five years old. What would you like as a gift?"
Rudy's eyes sparkled. This was his chance.
"I want see what a dungeon looks like, you know, just check it out." he said eagerly.
Rose froze, her spoon clattering against her plate. "What? Absolutely not!"
Rudy flinched. "But Mom..."
"No buts! Dungeons are dangerous, full of beasts and traps. You're too young!"
Malik cleared his throat, glancing between them. "Your mother's right, Rudy. You should listen to her."
Rudy pouted, sinking slightly in his seat. "Then… can I at least have more books?"
Malik chuckled. "That, I can do."
Rose sighed in relief. "Books are fine."
"Good," Malik continued, sipping his wine. "Also, after your birthday, we'll take you for your Evaluation."
Rudy's ears perked up. "Evaluation?"
"Yes," Malik said. "When children turn five, they must visit the temple and receive the Goddess's blessing. It's a sacred ritual that measures your mana capacity and reveals your affinity, your class as a Manarist."
Rudy nearly jumped from excitement. That's it!
That must be when his system would appear!
He remembered reading about it in one of the books. The Evaluation was a rite of passage. If his system hadn't appeared yet, that ritual might be the trigger!
Rose's expression dimmed. "Do we really have to do this?" she asked softly.
"Rose," Malik said gently, "it's important. Every child must go through it. You know that."
"I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I worry something might happen to him."
Rudy's heart softened. His mother had suffered so much before he was born. He could understand her fear.
But he was also excited, thrilled, even.
Because for the first time since waking up in this world, he could feel it, his real adventure was about to begin.
He clenched his small fists, determination burning in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Mom," he said with a bright smile. "Nothing bad will happen. The Goddess will protect me."
Rose looked at him for a long moment, then smiled gently. "You always say such mature things, my little Rudy."
Malik chuckled. "He gets it from me."
The family laughed softly as the candles flickered in the room, their warm glow dancing across their faces.
But in the back of Rudy's mind, his thoughts were racing.
Tomorrow's my fifth birthday.
The day after that is the Evaluation.
If my system doesn't appear then… I might really start panicking.
He finished his dinner quietly, the corners of his lips curling into a small, determined grin.
Because no matter what happened, he knew the Goddess Reincia hadn't abandoned him.
His destiny was just waiting to begin.