In the darkness of the night, only the flames bore witness to the destruction of the Everia family. The flag adorned with the symbol of the two-headed lion fluttered weakly, stained with the blood of soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the family's honor. Amidst the battlefield, a man stood with a cracked sword in his hand.

Eric Valentinus Everia, the second Martial King and the last Duke of the Everia family, stared blankly at the lifeless bodies surrounding him. His loyal soldiers, his comrades he once called brothers, lay helpless beneath the silent stars.

"Damn it... Why did so many have to die? Why did I let this happen?" His voice was hoarse, laden with guilt and tinged with blood.

The sky above felt vast and mocking, as though it taunted the collapse of his ambition. Eric's mind flashed with images of faces he had neglected: Leon, his ambitious half-brother, and Celeste, his half-sister consumed by hatred.

The three of them were children of Duke Everia, yet shared blood had failed to unite their hearts. Infighting, betrayal, and greed had torn the family apart from within.

"I thought my greatest enemies were those outside this family's walls... but my true enemy was myself."

Eric fell to his knees, the cold ground soaked in blood beneath him. He realized this devastation was the consequence of his arrogance, rash decisions, and blindness to the truth: his family was the foundation of Everia's strength.

As despair threatened to swallow him, a soft voice echoed in his mind.

"Eric Valentinus Everia... Do you seek a second chance?"

The voice was ethereal, neither mortal nor entirely divine. Eric's eyes searched the mist before him.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I am but an observer of time... the guardian of destiny. If you desire another chance, I can alter everything. But all comes with a price."

Eric's breath hitched. Was this a god, an ancestor, or just a figment of his grief-stricken mind? Regardless, the offer was too enticing to resist.

"What do you want from me?" Eric whispered, his voice trembling.

"I seek nothing. I simply wish to see... if you can alter your destiny."

Before Eric could respond, a golden light enveloped him, burning away his pain and regret. When he opened his eyes, the morning sun greeted him. But it was not the sun he remembered.

---

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Eric slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight streamed through the large stained glass windows, illuminating a room both familiar and foreign. The high ceiling adorned with Everia family carvings loomed above, stirring long-buried memories.

Turning to the large mirror in the corner, he froze at the reflection staring back at him. His black hair was thicker, his face younger, unmarked by the passage of time, and his body...

"I'm back," he whispered.

His hands trembled as he touched his face. It was the face he had twenty years ago, at eighteen. Back when he was arrogant, ignorant, and blinded by ambition.

Heavy footsteps echoed outside the door. A voice he hadn't heard in years made his blood run cold.

"Eric, are you in there?"

Leon, his half-brother, called out in a stern tone.

The door opened, revealing Leon standing there with a confident smirk. His charismatic presence was as Eric remembered—both enviable and infuriating. Behind him stood Celeste, her cold, unreadable gaze fixed on Eric.

This was the moment.

"It's time to change the Everia family's fate," Eric resolved.

Though his body was that of an eighteen-year-old, his mind carried the wisdom of a thirty-eight-year-old who had lived through betrayal and ruin.

"You're still sleeping? There's a family meeting today. Don't keep us waiting," Leon said, crossing his arms, his expression laced with disdain.

In the past, such remarks would have sparked Eric's anger, leading to sharp retorts that only deepened the rift between them. But not this time.

"I'll be ready shortly," Eric replied calmly, suppressing his emotions.

Leon raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised, before sighing. "Don't take too long. Father doesn't like to wait."

As Leon strode away, Celeste lingered at the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she studied Eric.

"You seem... different," she said softly.

Eric met her gaze. Celeste, who would one day be manipulated by enemies as a pawn against their family, was still just a young girl. In his past life, he had ignored her, dismissing her as inconsequential. But now, he saw her potential—if nurtured properly.

"Perhaps I've started to think more," Eric replied with a thin, determined smile.

Celeste's frown deepened, but before she could respond, Eric stepped out, following Leon toward the family hall.

---

Everia Family Hall

The Everia family hall was grand, with towering pillars carved with their crest. A long oak table occupied the center, surrounded by family members and loyal nobles. At the head of the table sat Duke Alaric Everia, a man in his fifties with a stern face and piercing eyes—a symbol of the family's power.

Eric knew this man, his father, would one day fall victim to the very conflicts that were brewing within their family.

"Eric, you're finally here," Duke Alaric said flatly. "We're discussing the family's future. Sit."

Eric nodded and took a seat next to Leon, whose sharp gaze seemed to challenge his worth.

"This time," Eric thought, "I won't let them control me."

Duke Alaric scanned his three children before speaking.

"The Kingdom of Ferothar faces threats from rebellious nobles. The Everia family must remain strong."

Leon was quick to respond. "If I were given more authority, Father, I'm certain I could handle them."

Celeste's gaze sharpened. "Brother always thinks with his fists, not his head. What we need is strategy, not brute strength."

Eric stayed silent, observing their dynamic. In his past life, he would have joined the argument, escalating tensions. But now, he understood the importance of patience.

"I have a second chance. To save this family, I must first understand them."

Duke Alaric tapped the table, silencing the dispute.

"Enough. I will decide our course of action. But remember: rivalry must never weaken this family. Is that clear?"

The three nodded, though Eric knew his father's words alone wouldn't prevent the inevitable strife.

---

As the meeting concluded, Eric found himself on the balcony of his room, gazing out at the sprawling Everia estate. The land stretched endlessly before him, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. It was a stark contrast to the blood-soaked battlefield he remembered from his past life. The memory of that devastation still lingered like a ghost, reminding him of what he had lost.

"I have a second chance," Eric whispered to himself, gripping the cold railing tightly. "To save this family, I must change myself first."

A light breeze carried the faint sound of footsteps from below. He glanced down to see Leon and Celeste walking in opposite directions, their figures barely illuminated by the lanterns lining the corridors.

"And I must change the way they see one another." His voice was firm, his resolve unwavering.

As if on cue, he heard a knock at his door. Turning, he saw Celeste peeking inside. Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her cold, analytical gaze softened just enough to betray a hint of curiosity.

"Eric," she began cautiously, "you seemed... different in the meeting today. Why?"

Eric hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I suppose I've just grown tired of acting recklessly. It's time for me to truly understand what this family needs."

Celeste studied him silently, her expression unreadable. Finally, she gave a slight nod. "If you really mean that, then prove it. Words alone won't change anything."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Eric to ponder her words. She was right—actions spoke louder than words. But tonight was a start.

As he turned back to the balcony, he heard another voice from behind him.

"Careful, little brother," Leon's voice rang out, laced with sarcasm. "You almost sounded like a leader back there."

Eric didn't flinch. Instead, he turned to face Leon, his eyes steady. "And what if I intend to be one?"

Leon's smirk faltered for a brief moment before he scoffed. "We'll see about that. Don't forget, talk is cheap." He strode away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Left alone again, Eric exhaled deeply and gazed up at the night sky. The stars above seemed both distant and eternal, a reminder of how fleeting life could be.

"That's fine," Eric murmured to himself. "I won't rush them. Trust isn't built overnight."

That night, Eric made a solemn vow. He would become the catalyst for change. The Everia family would not crumble again—not under his watch.