Chapter 2: Awakening In A New Realm (2)
As Aerich looked at himself in the mirror, he spoke to the system in his mind.
"System, what about the Novice Package?"
He had read plenty of novels where the protagonist receives an amazing novice package right after transmigrating into a new world.
[...]
He walked toward his bed and sat down.
Aerich waited patiently for the system's response, imagining his novice gift package might be something beyond the norm, taking the system longer to calculate.
[Sorry, host. There is no longer a Novice Gift Pack available, as you are no longer the "Son of Destiny." You are now just an extra in this world.]
Aerich's mouth twitched. He really wanted to go back in time and slap his previous self for being glad he was no longer the "Son of Destiny."
"At least show me my status," he muttered.
As soon as he spoke, a bluish holographic screen materialized before him. He had been talking to the system in his mind, but this was the first time he saw it materialize in front of him. While he'd read about this in novels and seen it in comics, experiencing it personally felt surreal.
He passed his hand through it but felt nothing tangible.
[Status]
Name: Aerich Yu
Species: Human
Age: 6 years old
Physique: None
Cultivation: None
Talent: Earth Fate
Sigh.
Aerich sighed as he looked over his status. He tried not to cry, but a few tears slipped out. He was utterly ordinary. He knew he had a system that could bind him to people of great fate and help him reach the peak, but he'd still hoped, as the former "Son of Destiny," that he'd have an extraordinary physique or Sky Fate. But he had none.
The saying, "Always expect disappointment, and you'll never be disappointed," felt painfully accurate now.
Talent in Yuandao was categorized by Fate Tiers:
1. Earth Fate
2. Sky Fate
3. Heavenly Fate
4. Abyss Fate
While sometimes even commoners had "Sky Fate," which represented an average fortune with occasional fortuitous opportunities, he, the young master of the Yu family, had "Earth Fate." This meant an ordinary fate—little fortune, little disaster, and generally neutral prospects.
Aerich could already picture his future as an "extra" young master of the Yu family when his Earth Fate was revealed at the Destiny Unveiling Rite.
The Destiny Unveiling Rite was a yearly event for children who had reached six years of age, allowing them to discover their talent. It was also a gathering of other prominent families in Yinhe Hollow.
***
Yu Family Estate
Family Head's Manor, Study Room
Yu Zhong was a man whose presence commanded respect, though not necessarily because of his appearance. He had the look of someone who had weathered countless storms, both in the family's political intrigues and the harsher realities of cultivation. His face was marked by sharp angles: high cheekbones, a thin, slightly curved nose, and a firm, square jaw hinting at an iron resolve. Lines creased his forehead and the corners of his mouth, deepened by years of unspoken worries and the burdens of leadership.
His piercing dark brown eyes often held a quiet intensity, shadowed by the weight of countless decisions that shaped the Yu family's legacy. They were the eyes of a man who saw much yet revealed little. When he looked at others, there was a silent strength in his gaze—measured and thoughtful—conveying the wisdom of a leader who had earned his position.
Yu Zhong's hair, once thick and jet-black, now bore streaks of silver. He wore it in a simple topknot, reflecting a practical, traditional style. His frame was tall and sturdy, built for resilience rather than flashy strength. Clad in finely made but understated dark blue robes embroidered with silver thread, he embodied dignity without excessive displays of wealth.
In all, Yu Zhong was a man whose authority came from his deeds and quiet dedication to his family, a pillar of the Yu Clan who bore the weight of both tradition and their future.
"Are the preparations complete?" Yu Zhong asked, eyes scanning the important documents on his desk.
"Yes, Family Head," House Steward Li Bo replied, bowing respectfully.
"Remember, no mistakes are allowed, especially with so many 'old foxes' gathering today," Yu Zhong reminded him.
"And today is my Aerich's special day. He has been waiting for this moment for so long, and I don't want him disappointed in his father." Yu Zhong showed a rare smile, his stoic expression softening—a known shift among those close to him. Yu Zhong was strict with outsiders but the complete opposite with family.
His expression softened even more at the thought of Aerich.
When Li Bo left, Yu Zhong walked over to the window behind his desk, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the darkening clouds. From their direction, it was clear a storm was approaching as the sun began to hide behind the heavy rain clouds.
As he focused on the sky, the dark clouds seemed to tremble, though it happened so quickly that no one noticed.
"Hoo…"
Yu Zhong exhaled slowly, calming his restless heart.
He brewed tea by the window, using the motions as a distraction from his racing thoughts. His hand trembled slightly as he poured, only steadying once he finished.
The moment he drank the tea, his figure blurred, vanishing from the study room. A second later, he stood outside his son's room.
Opening the door, he saw Aerich sitting with tears trickling down his face. He hurried over, kneeling to meet Aerich's gaze. If anyone else saw him now, they'd scarcely believe he was the same family head.
Aerich was surprised by the sudden presence in front of him. He initially drew back but relaxed when he recognized the man. Because of his tear-blurred vision, it took a moment to clearly see it was Yu Zhong—his father, or rather, the father of his new body.
Yu Zhong gently wiped the tears from his son's eyes.
"What made my son cry?" he asked softly. Despite the simplicity of the question, Aerich could feel that his answer might decide the fate of the servants charged with his care.
"No one, Father. I was just a little scared…what if my talent isn't good enough?" Aerich replied, not needing to feign cuteness. As a six-year-old, he was naturally adorable.
He couldn't quite meet Yu Zhong's eyes, feeling the pang of guilt from inhabiting the body of a son who was no longer alive.