The memories bestowed upon Ryne plenty of valuable lessons.
Just as Ryne thought himself to be a chosen one, fated to defy all and reshape his destiny with these recollections.
He was adopted by the butler of an earl's household.
This butler, Ryne's adoptive father named Ram, had devoted his life to serving as the earl's steward.
When Ram initially took Ryne in, he treated him well, but as time passed...
Swordsmanship, martial skills, horsemanship... those were days of sheer calamity. During that time, Ryne was trained so harshly he was often left with barely a breath to spare.
Aside from arranging Ryne's training and meals, Ram never spared him another glance.
At the age of fourteen, Ram sent Ryne off to a knight's order. No matter how hard he contemplated, Ryne could not fathom why an old butler would insist on sending him to be among the knights.
At twenty, Ryne joined the Dark Eclipse; by twenty-two, he became its leader. At twenty-four, now, Ryne led the knight's order in fending off the demons.
And then, Ryne received news of Ram's critical illness.
His feelings towards his foster father were complex.
In regards to attitude, Ryne never once called him 'father', harboring a deep-seated hatred towards the man.
But emotionally, he never forgot the debt of being raised by him.
That's why Ryne hurried back as soon as he received the message.
Unconsciously, Ryne arrived at a mansion.
The earl served by Ram naturally had his own domain – but it wasn't here; hence, the mansion's establishment here had a clear purpose.
That is, to be close to the premier noble girls' academy in the Hedley Empire, which is directly managed by the Duke of Yart City – the Orkot Academy.
This academy is quite special; although a noble one, it gives chances to commoner girls to enroll. Furthermore, beastkin, elves, and even demons, if female, can also attend.
The earl had a young daughter – born while Ryne served as a knight – one whom he never met.
Presumably, the mansion was built here to facilitate her entry into this prestigious noble academy.
Dismounting at the mansion, a guard stepped forward: "Are you Sir Ryne?"
"Do you know me?"
"The lord mentioned that a man with black eyes and hair seeking entry would be Sir Ryne."
"..."
So it seems, these locks of black, they really stand out.
Ryne did not know his birth parents, much less understood the origins of his hair color.
He's heard of an empire far west within the Hedley Empire, where everyone bore black eyes and hair.
And from the transmigrator's memories which shattered midway, Ryne found that in the country where that person hailed from, all bore the same features as well.
Ryne suspected that perhaps the transmigrator had chosen poorly – or was it precisely because of his hair color?
Upon entering the mansion, led by the guard, Ryne reached a room guarded by two knights.
Inside, an aged man lay ill and gaunt upon the bed, his face etched with wrinkles.
A golden-haired couple stood by the bedside, distressed.
The man was the lord of the mansion, one of the earls of the Hedley Empire - Earl Horace Yart.
Hearing steps, the couple turned, locking eyes with Ryne.
Earl Yart took in Ryne's grown stature and managed a small smile amid worry: "You've grown taller, grown up..."
While Horace Yart wished to exchange more pleasantries, concern for the old man behind him made him step aside for Ryne.
Approaching silently, Ryne clasped the old man's hand, his tone deep with emotion:
"Old timer, I've come back for the feast."
"Cough cough cough!!"
Ram suddenly coughed, then took several deep breaths: "You lad..."
Seeing this, the earl and his wife finally exhaled in relief.
Ram had struggled even to breathe just moments before.
However, Ryne's expression grew troubled.
According to the transmigrator's memories, these signs often portended a final rally before death, after which the elderly would pass away.
Lifting his weary eyes, Ram first spent a moment relishing Ryne's presence, then turned to Earl Yart:
"My lord, regarding Ryne..."
"Old Ram, be at ease."
Horace Yart nodded solemnly: "I will treat Ryne as my own and take good care of him."
Obviously, the earl was yet unaware of Ryne's true status, only perceiving him as an ordinary noble knight.
Horace Yart intended to enlist Ryne into his own knights, offering him the position of a captain.
That status alone amongst the earl's knights was already considered lavish.
"No..."
Despite this, Ram shook his head: "I wish... Ryne could take over my role, to look after the young miss in my stead, I won't feel at ease otherwise..."
At these words, Ryne arched an eyebrow, while Horace Yart gazed at him, startled.
"My lord, may I?"
"It's possible, entrusting Nanelie under Ryne's care gives me peace, but Ryne, he..."
"I accept."
Ryne interjected, addressing Ram:
"After you adopted me, you forced me into knighthood. Now, into stewardship. Truly puzzling, what do you really contemplate?"
Ram smiled faintly, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling: "I wish to hear your knightly vow to this promise."
"Can't get over you, old man..."
Sighing, Ryne stepped back, drew the pure black-sheathed sword from his hip, and knelt on one knee, placing the sword on top of the other.
"I, Ryne, as the former leader of the Dark Eclipse order, hereby vow that until Earl Yart finds a suitable replacement, I shall temporarily assume your role in safeguarding Earl Yart's only daughter. My body shall become her shield and sword, protecting her comprehensively."
Upon making his vow, Ryne rose to his feet, noticing that Ram had closed his eyes, breathing his last.
"Rest in peace."
After a slight bow to Ram, Ryne turned away.
Seeing the earl and his wife, along with the knights by the door, all knelt down.
Clearly, the position of the Dark Eclipse's leader still carried significant prestige.
Ryne shrugged: "Stand up. I've already said, I'm a former leader, without even a title of nobility. I'm not worth such respect."
Hearing this, they rose to their feet.
Horace Yart managed a wry smile: "Ryne... I never imagined, in a span of ten years, you..."
Has ten years elapsed already, heralding the Dragon King's return?
A cliché from the transmigrator's memories unconsciously emerged in Ryne's mind, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"It's more of a serendipity than anything."
Composing himself, Ryne sighed slightly: "Before that, my lord, please allow me to meet Miss Nanelie."
"Of course."