The door burst open with a deafening thud, making James jolt so violently he almost fell off the bed.
His heart raced as his eyes darted toward the doorway. There, framed by the light spilling in from the hallway, stood a man so striking that he looked like he'd walked straight out of a blockbuster movie.
He was tall, easily over six feet, with broad shoulders and a chiseled face that seemed designed to make people stop and stare.
His piercing green eyes practically glowed with intensity, and his dark hair was tied back neatly, adding to his commanding presence.
But what really caught James off guard was his outfit. It was… unique.
The man's clothes were a mix of traditional martial arts robes and modern streetwear.
His black tunic was embroidered with golden patterns that seemed to shimmer when he moved, giving it an almost magical feel.
Over it, he wore a short jacket that looked like something you'd find in a trendy fashion magazine, and his boots were rugged, like they'd seen plenty of action.
Somehow, the combination worked, making him look both powerful and stylish.
The man stepped into the room with purpose, his boots clicking softly against the polished wooden floor.
He stopped a few steps away from James and smiled warmly. "Young Master Kaelan," he said in a deep, respectful voice, placing a hand over his chest in a formal gesture.
James froze. Kaelan? His brain scrambled to process what he'd just heard. That must be his name now.
He quickly straightened up, trying to look like he belonged here. "Uh… yes, that's me," he said, his voice shaky but passable.
Inside, though, his mind was spinning. 'Kaelan? That's my new name? Wait, isn't this the part where I'm supposed to get all the memories of this body? Why don't I know anything?'
He tried not to panic, but it was hard not to.
Every transmigration story he'd ever read had the same rule: you wake up in a new body, and BAM—you inherit the memories of the original owner.
But here he was, completely clueless, with no idea who these people were or what kind of life he'd just stumbled into.
The man didn't seem to notice James's internal freak-out. Instead, he stepped closer, his intense green eyes studying James's face carefully.
"Forgive me for asking, Young Master, but… can you see this clearly?" His voice was filled with concern, like he was genuinely worried about the answer.
James blinked. "Uh, yeah, I can see it just fine. That's three," he said, trying to sound normal.
The man's face lit up with relief. His serious expression melted into a broad grin, and his entire posture seemed to relax.
"This is wonderful news!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with joy. "After all these years, you've been healed! The heavens have truly blessed us!"
James forced a smile, nodding along like he understood what was going on. "Yeah, it's… pretty amazing," he mumbled.
The man placed a firm hand on James's shoulder, his green eyes practically sparkling with emotion.
"This is a day of celebration, Young Master! The Lord and Lady will be overjoyed when they return.
They've gone to meet the forgemaster to finalize the plans for this year's Awakening Ceremony, but as soon as they hear this news, they'll hurry back."
'Lord and Lady? Awakening Ceremony?' James's thoughts were a chaotic mess.
'Am I in a martial arts family or something? This feels like one of those cultivation stories… but why do I know absolutely nothing?' He couldn't help but feel like the universe had played a cruel joke on him.
Before James could process any of this, the man—who James assumed must be some sort of teacher or attendant—turned toward the door and shouted, "Guards! Summon the Healer immediately! The Young Master must be examined at once!"
The sound of heavy boots echoed down the hallway as a group of guards appeared, their armour clinking with every step.
They moved with precision, like they'd done this a hundred times before, and disappeared down the corridor to carry out the order.
James stared after them, his mouth slightly open. 'This is insane,' he thought.
In his previous life, he'd been an orphan, used to fending for himself and scraping by on whatever he could manage.
No one had ever fussed over him like this before. It felt… strange. He didn't know how to handle people treating him like he mattered.
"Now, Young Master," the man said, his voice gentle, "would you like something to eat? You must be famished after everything you've been through."
As if on cue, James's stomach growled loudly, answering the question for him. He nodded, embarrassed, and the man smiled.
With a simple clap of his hands, another servant entered the room, carrying a tray covered with a silver lid.
The moment the lid was lifted, James's senses were overwhelmed by the most delicious aroma he'd ever encountered.
The dish looked like a stew but also… not. The chunks of meat were a deep red, almost glowing, and the vegetables were oddly shaped—some long and spiky, others round with swirling patterns on their skins.
The broth shimmered like liquid gold, catching the light in a way that made it look magical.
"What is this?" James asked, leaning forward to get a better look.
"Restorative Beast Broth," the servant explained with a kind smile. "It's made with beast core-infused stock, specially prepared to help you recover your strength. It's an old family recipe."
James had no idea what half those words meant, but he wasn't about to turn down something that smelled this good.
He grabbed the spoon eagerly and scooped up a bit of the broth. The scent alone was enough to make his mouth water, and he couldn't wait to taste it.
But just as he was about to take his first bite, a strange sound echoed in his head.
[Ding!]
James froze, the spoon hovering mid-air.
[Soulbreaker System Initialization…]
His eyes widened in shock. 'System? What the hell is a Soulbreaker System?!'
_____
Power stone Goal!
20 PS - 1 Bonus chapter
50 PS - 2 Bonus chapter
100 PS (Quite an achievement as of now) - 3 Bonus chapters.