"If you want to know the outcome of a game before the game has even started, you need to control each side."- David Icke, Children of the Matrix.
Lucien shook his head and smiled faintly, still trying to grasp the absurdity of what had happened. He had died, and somehow been reborn inside the body of a young noble.
He could access this body's memories as though they were his own, every image and sensation sliding naturally into his mind. He was Lucien Valemont, second son of Duke Valemont, one of the most respected lords in the Kingdom of Norwyn.
From what he'd seen in those inherited memories, Lucien was hardly a person of importance. His father's affection and attention were reserved entirely for his elder brother, the heir to the Valemont estates, armies, and legacy.
Lucien, on the other hand, had been quiet, overlooked, and largely forgotten.
He pushed off from the soft mattress and walked toward the window. Golden light spilled through the curtains as he opened them wide. Outside, the Valemont estate stirred to life, maids hanging sheets, stable boys brushing horses, guards in polished armor patrolling the courtyard.
The scent of morning dew and smoke filled the air.
Lucien inhaled deeply. "So… I really have been born in the medieval century."
He paused, glancing around the empty chamber. "E.Y.E, are you there?"
[VOICE RECOGNITION: ACTIVE]
[E.Y.E SYSTEM ONLINE.]
[Good morning, Observer Lucien Valemont.]
The calm, synthetic female voice echoed directly in his mind, perfectly clear, like thought itself speaking back.
Lucien grinned faintly. "Good morning to you too… I guess." He rubbed his temples. "So, this isn't a dream, right?"
[AFFIRMATIVE.]
[Host's consciousness successfully integrated with local biology. Memory fusion complete. Cognitive function: 100%.]
"E.Y.E…" he said, walking back toward the bed. "What exactly are you?"
[IDENTITY QUERY DETECTED.]
[I am the Enhanced Yield Engine - designation E.Y.E. An autonomous intelligence designed by the Illuminated Order to guide selected vessels toward universal ascension.]
Lucien frowned. "Illuminated Order?"
[Correct. They are a collective of transcendent entities responsible for shaping civilizations across parallel timelines. You are one of their chosen Observers, assigned to reconstruct influence and control through knowledge.]
He tilted his head, intrigued. "So you're basically… an AI system? Like a futuristic assistant?"
[Partially correct. I am both artificial and arcane, a hybrid construct that merges quantum cognition and metaphysical data. I exist beyond time and science as you knew them.]
Lucien paced slowly across the marble floor, eyes narrowed with thought. "So you're a mix of machine and magic."
[Affirmative. My purpose is to assist, advise, and execute. Your success ensures the rise of the Order within this plane.]
He crossed his arms. "And how do you do that?"
[SYSTEM EXPLANATION MODE ENABLED]
[Through three operational pillars]
1. Knowledge Stream – grants selective access to lost, forbidden, or future human discoveries.
2. Influence Matrix – monitors emotional resonance and loyalty patterns in nearby individuals.
3. Token System – an economy of power. Tokens are generated through acts of control, invention, or social manipulation. Each Token unlocks higher E.Y.E functions.]
Lucien's eyes widened slightly. "So, if I understand you correctly, I can gain power by learning, inventing, or influencing others?"
[Correct. Knowledge births control and come ontrol creates dominion. Dominion manifests destiny.]
Lucien smirked faintly. "That sounds dangerously poetic."
[Efficiency is often misinterpreted as beauty.]
He chuckled under his breath. "You're a strange companion, E.Y.E."
[Strangeness is a matter of perspective, Observer.]
Lucien sat down on the edge of the bed, eyes distant. "Alright then. If you're going to be my guide in this world, let's start simple."
The soft creak of a door pulled Lucien from his thoughts. A woman in her late twenties stepped in, carrying the faint scent of soap and morning air.
She forced a gentle smile. "Good morning, young master."
Lucien nodded. "Good morning, Martha."
Martha was one of the few servants who truly acknowledged him. Out of all the Duke's children, she had always treated him with quiet kindness. He'd grown to like her too, in this new life, that familiarity felt strangely comforting.
"What are you doing up so early, young lord?" she asked, smiling as she smoothed the wrinkles on his sheets.
Lucien hesitated, then gave a small grin. "Just thinking about a dream I had last night."
"Oh?" Martha looked up, curious. "What kind of dream did the young master have this time? Maybe I can interpret it."
He smirked. "I dreamed that I ruled the world."
Martha blinked, then chuckled softly. "What a splendid dream. But quite the ambitious one, don't you think?"
She moved gracefully around the room, tidying his bed with practiced hands. "Your father requires your presence at the breakfast table," she added, her tone returning to its usual calm.
Lucien nodded, but something caught his eye just above her head. A faint, translucent bar hovered there, glowing pale gold.
[Loyalty: 56%]
He froze, eyes narrowing slightly. The number pulsed faintly, as though alive.
Martha noticed his gaze. "Is something on top of my head, young master?"
Lucien blinked and quickly looked away. "No, not at all. I was just… thinking."
He turned toward the door. "I'll go see what Father wants."
"Lucien…" she called after him gently.
He paused at the threshold.
"Please try not to fight with your father this time."
Lucien gave a faint, knowing smile and nodded before stepping out. The heavy door shut behind him with a soft click.