Even though he had only been in a coma for a few days, the reception felt overly grand. An uncomfortable feeling suddenly came over him, as if Nolan Caelthorn's body were reacting instinctively.
Everything felt overwhelming and awkward. Nolan didn't react, simply walking past them. He immediately went to his room, closed the door, and asked that no one enter, claiming that he still needed to rest.
Even now, Nolan hadn't seen his parents, who seemed too busy with their own affairs.
Nolan surveyed his room. It was spacious and luxurious. In the center was a large, soft bed, and on the side was a long sofa. A wardrobe was neatly built into the wall. Above the table was a long, unfamiliar-looking metal board.
Although Nolan's previous life on Earth had been filled with poverty and a harsh attitude he'd been forced to cultivate, that didn't mean he had to be cold to everything. Instead, he softened slightly as his curiosity about his new surroundings slowly grew.
"What's the purpose of this metal board?" Nolan murmured softly.
His gaze fell upon a thin, rectangular metal object on the table. He picked it up and pressed a random spot on its surface. Instantly, a translucent blue light appeared and formed a holographic display before him.
After all, Nolan had transmigrated to a unique and intriguing place. He spent quite some time experimenting with various things, including the bathroom.
The bathroom was equipped with modern technology. There was a bathtub similar to those found on Earth, and circular metal rings were embedded along the walls and edges. With a simple touch, cold water, hot water, and warm steam could flow from these objects.
After washing up and changing, Nolan put on a white shirt with gold trim. His white hair fell loosely around his shoulders, giving him a neat and elegant look.
He spent some time alone on the balcony, gazing at the beautiful orange evening sky.
Nolan returned his attention to the hexagonal object engraved with his name, "Nolan Caelthorn," which he held in his hand. It clearly belonged to the owner of this body and likely contained something important.
However, a knock on the door brought him back to reality. As the door slid open, a maidservant bowed respectfully.
"Prince Nolan, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence in the Orchid Room."
Nolan sighed softly. He picked up the white robe lying on the bed, put it on, and followed the maid down the palace hallway. They rode the elevator to the second floor.
As the doors opened, several people passing by bowed to him before leaving. Finally, Nolan stood before two golden doors, each with an orchid carved into its center.
As the doors slowly parted, Nolan exhaled and maintained his composure as he stepped into the room. The Orchid Room wasn't particularly spacious, but it exuded a sense of opulence. Two large glass windows were installed on the right and left sides, and the light from the crystal chandeliers cast a slightly gloomy ambiance. However, Nolan's attention was immediately drawn to a woman sitting in a large chair at the end of the room.
The woman was beautiful and graceful. She crossed her legs, rested her elbows on the carved back of the chair, and propped her head up with one hand. Her eyes were closed for a moment as if she were asleep, but Nolan knew she was aware of his presence.
Slowly, her dark eyes opened.
Her gaze was sharp. Imperious. They locked onto Nolan's without hesitation.
The dark purple dress she wore accentuated the intimidating aura enveloping her body.
However, there was no gentleness in them. There never had been, at least not to Nolan Caelthorn.
The mana flowing from the woman's body was overwhelming. Even from this close distance, Nolan could feel it clearly. Catherine Loans—Queen of Arathen—was one of the most powerful female Sentinels.
She was the princess of the Ling Kingdom who married King Antares Caelthorn for political reasons. It was a marriage that united two kingdoms but was devoid of love.
Catherine's gaze pressed back against Nolan's. Unconsciously, her wrists trembled slightly. Nolan Caelthorn's body reacted first—a trauma embedded long before his soul came to this body.
He clenched his fists.
He remained calm, not letting the aura shake his demeanor.
A slight crease appeared on Catherine's forehead as she recognized his composure.
"Since you were in a coma and came back," Catherine said in a cold yet melodious voice, "there have been quite a few surprising changes."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I wonder," she continued, "what changes have caught my attention?"
She moved a finger slowly downward.
An instant later, Nolan felt a crushing pressure on his body. His back felt as if it weighed a ton. His legs shook violently and his breath hitched.
He didn't fall.
Nolan bent his legs as if he were kneeling. He clenched his left hand into a fist and slammed it against the floor to support himself under the immense pressure of the aura.
Nolan's breathing was labored. His firm, piercing gaze never left the woman in the purple dress standing before him.
The pressure grew heavier. His body felt as if it were being pressed from all sides, but he forced himself to hold on. He kept his back straight, even as he knelt, refusing to fully submit.
Memories of Nolan Caelthorn still lingered within this body. He could feel the trauma, fear, and pain deeply embedded in his past treatment and abuse clearly. Now, however, with his soul taking over the body, control was slowly shifting.
Over time, Nolan gained control of his body. Though they hadn't completely disappeared, the remnants of Caelthorn's fears were no longer dominant.
For now, Nolan decided to embrace his true self as Nolan Caelthorn—without revealing any noticeable differences. But that small change was enough to make Catherine furrow her brows repeatedly.
The pressure mounted again.
With his body still not fully recovered, his legs finally gave way. He collapsed onto the cold floor, his vision blurring before he lost consciousness completely.
In the last glimmer of light he saw, he watched Catherine climb down from her large chair and walk past him without a glance.
***
A soft light touched his eyelids. It wasn't blinding, but it was enough to slowly wake him.
His gaze fell on a tall figure with blue hair that fell to his shoulders and flowed gently, a golden star tucked into the strands. A golden star mark on his father's forehead glinted faintly. His father's brown eyes, similar to his own, gazed serenely. The man wore a fine blue robe with simple ornaments neatly pinned to it.
He sat in a chair beside the bed.
Nolan remembered him:
Antares Caelthorn—King of Arathen. His father.
Antares's palm, which had previously radiated violet-blue light, slowly dimmed. He looked at Nolan with a gentle gaze. When Nolan tried to get up, Antares immediately helped him, propping his back against the edge of the bed.
"I suddenly heard him ask about your condition," Antares said with a soft sigh. "It seems...she hasn't changed. And I was wrong."
Nolan was silent for a moment. He didn't know what to say.
Finally, in a low voice, he said,
"I'm okay, Dad."
Through the memories that remained in his mind, Nolan began to understand bits and pieces of Nolan Caelthorn's life. His father was Antares Caelthorn, the King of Arathen and the youngest of the three Caelthorn brothers.
Due to Antares's incurable illness, the nobles did not want the public to know about the king's condition. To maintain stability in the kingdom, Catherine, who wielded powerful influence and had a vast political network, temporarily took over the reins of the Kingdom of Arathen.
Antares had long been a recluse, isolating himself in the Church Hall of Arathen. Now, he emerged only to check on his son.
"You should rest and not think," Antares said softly.
He stroked Nolan's shoulder before leaving the room and leaving him alone once more.
Nolan threw back the covers and got out of bed. He began searching through his personal library, seeking to understand the world he now inhabited and the energy that underpinned its power—mana—and those who wielded it: Sentinels.
The Earth Realm is a modern world with advanced technology. However, the Sentinels are a key pillar of the world's defense behind this progress. They are responsible for protecting the Earth Realm from the Daemon race, which continues to seek domination.
The Daemons emerged over two thousand years ago when twelve giant black crystal pillars fell from another dimension into the Earth Realm. Since then, dark mists have become a recurring natural phenomenon, and the appearance of each mist is accompanied by the rise of Demonic Beasts.
The Daemon race bears a resemblance to humans in some circles. They are referred to as half-human, half-demon creatures. The conflict between humans and the Daemon race has never truly ceased since then.
In addition to the Daemons, humans must also contend with the Dark Sentinels, who use their powers for deviant personal purposes.
Humans with the power of the Sentinels formed the Aurora Association in various kingdoms under government control. Beyond that, five major guilds were founded by nobles and independent parties. These guilds were not completely subordinate to the Aurora Association or the kingdom, unlike the smaller guilds that were under their complete control.
Nolan lowered his gaze to the hexagonal cube in his hand. He slowly tried to channel his mana energy into the Hexagonal Chain.