As I regained consciousness, a newfound awareness swept over me, and I realized I was in control of my own body. It was a remarkable sensation, having the ability to move and act at will. In the depths of my mind, I heard the familiar voice of the AI guiding me through this mysterious integration process.
The AI's voice resonated within me, clear and robotic, providing assistance and information. I marveled at the possibilities that lay before me.
'Is this it?' I questioned, testing my newfound ability to communicate using my inner voice.
'Just as I expected.' I thought, hearing the way the system spoke. 'Same functions as in the game.'
'Status'.
I called in my mind, and at that moment, my attributes were shown.
STATUS
Name- Callius Augustride ????
Age – 12
Class – None(Sealed)
Knight rank – 0 star
Mage rank – 0 star
Attributes – None (sealed)
Traits – [Noblesse], [Perfectionist], [Prodigy], [Aesthetic Sense], [Ego], [Tyrant's Aura]
Arts – None (sealed)
Skills – None (sealed)
Stats-
- Strength – 0.8
- Speed – 0.9
- Stamina – 0.7
- Perception – 1.9
- Magic – 1.3
- Luck - ???
- Charisma – 9.9
- Intelligence – 9
- Perseverance - 10
As I examined the detailed stats presented to me, I came to a disheartening realization—the reason for my inherent weakness lay within the fragility of this body. The majority of my attributes were below average, barely reaching the minimum threshold for normal-rank individuals, often referred to as 0-star people. Without receiving a class or the blessings of deities, it was a challenge to harness magic or enhance my physical capabilities. The blessings themselves played a pivotal role in facilitating bodily improvements.
The system clarified that the locked stats below the line were unchangeable by ordinary means. It appeared that in order for Callius to assume the role of a villain with his feeble body, his intellect had to compensate. And indeed, Callius possessed a sharp and astute mind. In a similar vein, Aaron, the other half of my soul, also had excelled academically, earning the reputation of a "note demon" within his department.
With the assessment of my attributes complete, I resolved to rise from my resting place and assess the condition of my physical body. Stepping into the bathroom, my eyes were immediately drawn to the expansive mirror, reflecting the image of a young boy. Despite the inherent weakness, Callius boasted exceptional physical appearance—an aesthetic superiority even surpassing that of Arthur, his rival. This particular aspect of Callius' character seemed designed to cater to the desires of players who sought the experience of witnessing an attractive protagonist succumb to netorare or stolen affection. However, now that my sentiments towards Alicia had waned, the significance of netorare became irrelevant.
The boy in the mirror possessed a striking contrast of black hair, setting him apart from his sisters and father. It was evident that his appearance had been meticulously crafted, intended to captivate the players' gaze. The allure of his aesthetics was meant to complement the narrative, fueling the players' desire to unravel the complexities of his character. However, with my emotional detachment from Alicia, the appeal of such superficial qualities held little sway over me.
Contrary to the typical appearance of the Augustride family, characterized by white hair and blue eyes, Austin possessed an exceptional trait—a manifestation of his lineage as a formidable lightning mage. The Augustrides were renowned for their unique heritage, believed to carry the blood of Zeus within their veins, granting them an exclusive connection to the element of lightning.
However, as I gazed upon Callius' reflection in the mirror, it became evident that he deviated from the family's traditional traits. His locks were a striking shade of black, contrasting against his eyes that burned with a deep crimson hue reminiscent of flowing blood. The intensity with which he regarded his reflection spoke volumes about his nature, aptly capturing the essence of his notorious trait, the "Tyrant's Gaze." Callius had employed this attribute throughout his life, wielding it as a tool to command, bully, and evoke a sense of inferiority in others.
With my clothes in hand, I examined the bandaged cut on my abdomen, tracing the source of the lingering pain. It became evident that the events I had witnessed in my "dream" were not mere illusions but a chilling reality.
The day before, Callius's father, Austin, had decided to take him out for an unexpected one-on-one conversation. Austin believed it was important for them to connect on a deeper level, establishing a routine of father-son discussions. They embarked on a carriage ride, engaging in casual conversation along the way.
As expected, Austin inquired about the progress of Callius's impending marriage. Being the prideful individual he was, Callius concealed the truth about the deteriorating state of their relationship. He couldn't bring himself to admit that things were far from harmonious between them.
After sharing a meal while disguised, they made preparations to return home. However, their journey took an abrupt and sinister turn when they were suddenly attacked by a group of assailants. Given the secretive and impromptu nature of their outing, they had forgone bringing any guards.
Austin, renowned as the formidable "Lightning Magus," was a 9-circled mage revered for his mastery over lightning magic. Yet, even his immense power proved insufficient against the combined might of five 8-star knights and two 8-star mages. His focus shifted to protecting Callius, rendering him unable to fight with his usual efficiency.
Though Austin valiantly fought, his injuries accumulated as he shielded his son from relentless assaults. Normally, he could have easily dispatched their assailants alone, but the presence of a defenseless 0-star like Callius changed the dynamics of the battle. The outcome was inevitable. Despite eliminating all their attackers, Austin could not survive the onslaught, and before Callius's eyes, he witnessed his father's tragic demise.
In the aftermath, Callius somehow managed to shoulder his father's lifeless body, determined to safeguard him until a search team arrived. The commotion caused by the battle had alerted nearby individuals, and it didn't take long for them to reach them. They accompanied Callius, carrying both his father's body and him, back to the Duke's mansion.
Subsequently, an interrogation ensued, during which Callius recounted the events in detail to the authorities. The process continued late into the night as they sought to uncover the truth. Exhausted and traumatized by the ordeal, Callius was finally allowed a brief respite to recover from his own injuries.
However, as the room emptied, there were two pairs of eyes fixated upon him, brimming with unmistakable animosity—Emma and Adelyn. Their hateful gazes conveyed a deep-seated resentment that seemed capable of inflicting fatal wounds.
Left alone, Callius surrendered himself to sleep, seeking solace from the haunting memories that plagued his mind. And here we are, standing in front of the mirror as I am looking at the wound on my stomach.
This injury served as a stark reminder of the events that unfolded. One might question my apparent calmness in the face of my father's demise, but the truth is, he is not my father. He belongs to Callius, not me. Neither Callius's parents nor Aaron's are mine to claim. I hold no emotional attachment to them in my current state.
To clear my head and shake off the lingering drowsiness, I decided to take a shower. The cool water cascaded over my body, offering a momentary respite and easing the soreness I still felt. With careful attention, I cleansed my body, mindful of the wound on my side. Once finished, I stepped out of the bathroom.
Ordinarily, one might feel inclined to document and record all the details of their experiences in a game. However, I find no need to engage in such practices. My memory is exceptionally sharp, one of the best, in fact. Coupled with the augmenting effects of the [Prodigy] and [Ego] traits, my mind retains every detail effortlessly. There is no necessity for me to rely on written records.
Just then, the system's voice echoed within my mind, bringing my attention back to the present moment.