Novara CityTechnical University of Mechanics and Energy
In a classroom filled with calm and quiet, Darius Fairon sat attentively, watching the lecture and taking notes in a book he had named "The Sun of Innovation." In it, he carefully documented manufacturing processes and important ideas.
The sound of a bell.
The students rose, and noise quickly filled the room. Darius stood up as well, his expression still calm and composed, and left. On his way home, he bought some fruit, then returned to the peaceful silence of his house.
At home
Darius waited as dinner was being prepared when he heard his mother calling him to the table. The family gathered to eat just as his father arrived.
During the meal, Darius noticed that his father looked exhausted, lost in thought, and unusually pale.
"Father," Darius said with a confident smile, "my graduation exams are near. I'll take first place."
His father let out a faint laugh and asked,"Darius… what is your dream?"
Darius replied without hesitation,"My dream is to immortalize my name as an engineer in my field."
His father murmured softly, almost inaudible,"If a person has a dream… then they must have power to reach it."
"Father, what did you say?" Darius asked.
But his father remained silent, casting an apologetic glance toward his mother before standing up and heading to the television.
A knock on the door.
His mother opened it… only to find the police.
"Are you Hans Fairon's wife?""Yes," she replied.
"We need to speak with him."
"Hans, the police are asking for you."
Hans froze for a moment, fear flashing across his face."They've done it… those bastards."
He walked toward the door with heavy steps. He looked into his wife's eyes—eyes that still believed nothing was wrong—and said quietly:
"I didn't do anything… but there's no escape. I'm just a pawn… someone to be discarded at the first opportunity. Take care of yourselves… perhaps I'll see you again."
Shock filled the room as the officers spoke:
"Hans Fairon, you are under arrest for theft and document forgery at your company, Taiso."
The mother collapsed, staring at the ground, unable to utter a single word.
Rushed footsteps.
"Darius: What's going on? Why are the police here?!"
Silence.
He rushed to his mother, embracing her."Mom! Are you okay?!"
Then he heard his father's voice:
"Darius… grow up. Be strong."
Hans looked one last time at his wife and son… then left with the police.
Darius followed a few steps… then stopped.
He turned back.
His mother was on her knees, trembling in shock.
He returned and held her tightly.
Two hours later – Police Station
Darius sat, waiting for the lawyer.
After a while, the lawyer emerged.
"Sir… what happened?" Darius asked.
"Darius… sit down. We need to talk."
They sat.
"Darius… your father was framed. He knew it might happen, so he secretly recorded all their crimes. He planned to use it to expose them… especially the theft carried out by the CEO's son. But they threatened him… threatened to kill all of you if he didn't confess and hand over the recordings."
The lawyer's voice grew heavy.
"I told him not to give in… that I would handle everything. But he chose to protect you. He confessed… and now he's been sentenced to 20 years."
A few days later…
Hans died in prison under mysterious circumstances.
An investigation was opened… only to conclude that he had been murdered.The killer was never identified.The case was closed.
Shock consumed both Darius and his mother.
That same year
Darius left the university.
His friends visited him often, but he always told them he was fine… that he would return when his financial situation improved.
His mother couldn't bear the loss.
She died, overwhelmed by grief.
Darius was left alone.
His eyes lost all life… all emotion.He didn't shed a single tear at her death.For seven days… he didn't speak a word.
Months later – one night
Darius sat reading "The Sun of Innovation."
"No dreams… for those without power or wealth."
He lay down, staring at the ceiling.
"I won't allow it… ever again."
And he fell asleep.
Morning
The sound of birds… horses… and carriage wheels.
Darius woke up.
He rushed to the door after noticing the strange sounds.
This was not his house.
Outside… horses, carriages, medieval clothing… and unfamiliar people.
He froze, shocked and confused.
"This must be a dream…"
He returned to his bed and sat down, continuing to read "The Sun of Innovation."
A man suddenly entered.
"Hey, Karl Koch. What do you think about the offer? Sell it to me."
Darius remained silent for a moment.
"…Who is Karl Koch?"
The man frowned.
"Did you forget even your own name? I thought you only forgot about the deal. I go back to work—go to the tavern near the market if you've forgotten that too. And please, stop pretending to have amnesia every time we meet. Just say you won't sell, and I'll understand. No need to make it complicated."
Three days later
Darius discovered the truth.
He was no longer Darius Fairon.
He had become Karl Koch—an orphan who inherited a small house in the city of Miradol, in the south of the Kingdom of Doran… one of the seven kingdoms of the continent Valorin.
The Seven Kingdoms:
Olivan Astraval Thalorin Norfield Valaria Rontalis Doran (Capital: Eldora)
And in that moment…
He made a vow.
To spread his power and wealth across all of Valorin.
To become the one who decides people's fates…
—not the one controlled by them.