Leon took a moment to steady himself before standing. His body felt foreign yet familiar, like wearing a finely tailored suit for the first time. Every movement was effortless, yet strength coursed through his veins. He rolled his shoulders, adjusting to this new form. If he was going to survive, he needed to think fast.
His fate in The Chronicles of Aetheria was grim—Leonard von Drachenberg was an arrogant noble, a stepping stone for the protagonist, destined to die in battle. But he refused to follow the script. He would carve his own path, neither hero nor villain.
"My Lord?" The voice from outside the chamber grew impatient.
Leon exhaled sharply and strode toward the door. The heavy wooden frame creaked open to reveal a middle-aged butler with silver hair and a well-maintained uniform. His sharp eyes analyzed Leon carefully.
"Sir Reginald," Leon recognized the name from his memories. A loyal servant of the Drachenberg family, but more than that—a former knight with an astute mind. Someone worth keeping close.
"Tell my father I'll be there shortly. I need a moment to collect my thoughts."
Reginald hesitated, clearly surprised by Leon's sudden composure. "Of course, my Lord. But I must remind you that the Duke does not take kindly to tardiness."
Leon nodded. Noted. My new father is as ruthless as they come.
As Reginald departed, Leon turned his attention to his surroundings. The opulence of his chambers confirmed what he already knew—the Drachenberg family was powerful, rich, and feared. Their sigil, a dragon coiled around a sword, was embroidered on the banners hanging from the walls.
He walked over to the wardrobe, pulling out an elegant black coat with gold embroidery. Dressing swiftly, he took a deep breath and left his chambers.
The great halls of the Drachenberg estate were lined with towering pillars and paintings depicting great battles of their ancestors. As Leon made his way to the grand hall, whispers from the passing servants followed him.
"Lord Leonard seems... different today."
"Yes, he's unusually composed. Normally, he'd be boasting about how he would personally kill a hundred men."
Leon smirked. The former Leonard was a fool—arrogant and reckless. That would change now.
As he stepped into the grand hall, his father, Duke Alistair von Drachenberg, stood at the center, surrounded by high-ranking knights and strategists. The man was imposing—tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating an aura of dominance. His piercing gray eyes fell on Leon immediately.
"You're late." His voice was like steel.
Leon met his father's gaze without flinching. "Apologies, Father. I had to clear my mind before the battle."
A brief silence followed. The knights exchanged glances, expecting the usual entitled rant from Leonard. But instead, he remained composed, calculating.
Duke Alistair narrowed his eyes but nodded. "Good. A clear mind is necessary for war. We march at dawn."
Leon glanced at the large map sprawled across the table. Red markers indicated enemy troops. His memories of the novel told him exactly what would happen—the protagonist, a warrior blessed by the gods, would use an ambush to decimate their forces and kill Leonard.
But now that he was Leonard, he wouldn't let that happen.
Leon studied the map intently. "Father, our current strategy is flawed. The enemy will use the forest route to ambush us. If we adjust our formation, we can counter them before they strike."
Silence fell upon the room. The strategists exchanged skeptical glances. Leonard von Drachenberg had never shown interest in tactics before.
His father folded his arms. "And what makes you so certain of this?"
Leon met his gaze steadily. "Call it intuition. Or perhaps, an understanding of how our enemies think."
The duke studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Adjust the formations. If you're right, this will work in our favor. If not—" He leaned in, his presence suffocating. "I will hold you personally responsible."
Leon smirked. Then I suppose it's time to prove that I'm not the same fool who was destined to die.
As the knights scrambled to adjust their battle plans, Leon clenched his fist. This was just the beginning. He wasn't here to be a villain or a hero.
He was here to survive—on his own terms.