Prologue
Darkness. That was the last thing Ryzen remembered.
One moment, he had been lying in bed, scrolling through the final chapters of Chronicles of the Magic Emperor, his all-time favorite novel. The next, a blinding pain struck his chest, his vision blurred, and the world faded into nothingness.
Then, he awoke.
The ceiling above him was unfamiliar—ornate and grand, unlike anything from his own world. The room itself was stylish, decorated in a medieval fashion. As confusion clouded his mind, a sudden knock echoed through the room.
"Master Ryzen, are you awake?"
A woman's voice.
His mind raced. Where am I? And who is Ryzen?
Before he could react, an excruciating pain shot through his skull, like needles piercing his brain. Fragments of foreign memories flooded his mind—memories of Ryzen Vale.
So… I'm in the novel, Chronicles of the Magic Emperor? How did I get here? And this body… it's pathetic. How the hell am I supposed to survive in this godforsaken world?
The memories told him that he was the seventh son of the Vale Family, one of the five greatest families in the kingdom. Before he could process further, a strange yet refreshing sensation washed over him, cooling his mind.
Knock. Knock.
"Master Ryzen, are you awake?" the woman called again.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. Ryzen Vale… That's who I am now.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing a young woman dressed in a maid's uniform. She bowed slightly before speaking.
"Master Ryzen, it's time for your bath and breakfast."
Ryzen hesitated for a moment before responding, "I'm coming. You may leave."
The maid nodded, albeit hesitantly, before stepping out.
As Ryzen sat on the edge of his bed, still piecing together his situation, a sudden ding echoed in his mind.
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[You have received a gift]A potion – Removes any illnesses or previous injuries and enhances talent.A sword – Grows alongside its owner.Three skills – To aid in survival.A Transcendent-rank sword art and breathing technique.Status Screen & Inventory – Displays attributes and stores items.
[Do you wish to accept the rewards? Yes/No]
His mind buzzed. Is this a gift from whoever sent me here? Should I accept it?
Fifteen minutes passed as he contemplated his choices. In the end, he made his decision.
Yes.
Standing in the bathroom, he mentally selected the first reward. A golden potion appeared in his hand, its glass bottle adorned with delicate leaf patterns. Without hesitation, he drank it.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, a burning sensation erupted inside him. His entire body convulsed as unimaginable pain coursed through his veins, as if his flesh was being torn apart and reformed. Black impurities oozed from his skin, releasing a foul stench.
When the torment finally ended, Ryzen gasped for breath. Staggering to the mirror, he blinked in shock.
Silver hair. Sky-blue eyes. A face so strikingly handsome that it took him a moment to adjust. His once frail body was now lean and robust, exuding a newfound strength.
He clenched his fist, feeling the raw power coursing through him.
But first, he needed a bath. Because right now, he stank.