later Zed was in his bedroom ,he was still sleeping when Aurora sat beside his bed later that morning.
His room was quiet, the sunlight peeking through the curtains and casting warm lines across his face. He slept deeply, his breathing calm and steady.
Aurora sat with her back against the headboard, her legs curled beneath her.
Her gaze lingered on him.
A memory stirred in her mind—Zed as a child, clinging to her hand whenever he had a nightmare. Back then, he would sneak into her room, climb into bed beside her, and whisper, "Aurora, stay with me."
And she always did.
Now, seeing him like this…
A fragile smile curved her lips.
He's finally back.
A sudden knock on the door broke the stillness.
Aurora's head turned toward the door. "Come in."
The heavy door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped into the room.
Sir Jaeger.
Clad in full armor, his silver chest plate gleamed beneath the morning light. A sword hung at his side, the hilt worn from years of use. His hard, battle-worn face softened the moment his gaze landed on Zed.
Jaeger lowered his head and knelt slightly, touching his fist to his chest in salute. "Lady Aurora."
Aurora nodded. "Sir Jaeger."
Jaeger's eyes remained fixed on Zed for a moment before he closed his eyes and whispered, "Thank the Devas… that he has awakened."
Aurora's smile faded slightly. "Yes. It's… a miracle."
Jaeger lifted his head, his sharp features turning serious. "Lady Aurora… I came to deliver some news."
Aurora's gaze sharpened. "What news?"
Jaeger hesitated before speaking. "It concerns… House Laverick."
Her expression tightened.
"The Laverick family has formally requested to dissolve the engagement between Zed and Lady Evelyne."
Aurora's eyes darkened.
"They've agreed to pay compensation for breaking the contract. Their decision was final."
A long silence settled between them.
Aurora's hand curled into a fist.
She had known this was coming.
House Ravenhart had been on the verge of collapse for years—losing political standing, territory, and wealth. Zed's coma had only made things worse. With their house weakened, it was only a matter of time before House Laverick withdrew.
"I see," Aurora said coolly.
Jaeger's gaze softened. "I am sorry, Lady Aurora."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," Aurora said, her tone measured. "This outcome was inevitable."
Jaeger's brows furrowed. "Still… this will place House Ravenhart in an even more vulnerable position."
"I know."
Aurora's gaze shifted toward Zed's sleeping form. Her eyes softened once more.
"…But he's awake now."
Jaeger's gaze followed hers.
Aurora's smile returned.
"And that's all that matters."
Jaeger stood and bowed his head. "I will inform the council of the Laverick family's decision."
Aurora nodded. "Thank you, Sir Jaeger."
As Jaeger turned to leave, Aurora's gaze lingered on Zed once more.
Her hand brushed against his dark hair.
"It's alright, Zed. We'll figure this out together."
later ,Zed's eyes fluttered open as the golden afternoon sun poured through the tall windows. His body felt heavier than usual, a dull ache settling into his muscles. He stretched his arms over his head, blinking the sleep from his eyes as he slowly sat up.
Where… am I?
The room around him was luxurious—carved wooden pillars, deep red velvet curtains, and a massive four-poster bed lined with silk sheets. Sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, casting soft patterns of light and shadow on the polished marble floor.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. His gaze drifted toward the tall mirror standing against the far wall.
Barefoot, he slid off the bed and shuffled toward it.
The boy staring back at him was… strange.
"Hello, new me…" Zed muttered, tilting his head.
His reflection showed a skinny frame, barely any muscle to speak of. His limbs were thin, his skin pale. His dark hair hung long past his shoulders, messy and unkempt.
"I'm so skinny…" Zed flexed his arms experimentally. Nothing happened. He frowned. "Need to bulk up."
His eyes narrowed as he tugged at a long lock of dark hair.
"And I need to cut this… I look like a girl."
His gaze sharpened. "Does this world even have a barber?"
Zed sighed, brushing his hair back and stepping away from the mirror. His bare feet padded across the cool marble floor as he wandered toward the tall window. He pressed his palm against the glass and peered down.
The view outside was breathtaking.
The Ravenhart estate stretched out beneath him, a sprawling landscape of manicured gardens, fountains, and cobblestone pathways. Roses and lilacs bloomed in bursts of color beneath the soft afternoon sun. The scent of fresh flowers lingered faintly in the breeze as the leaves of the tall oak trees rustled softly.
Beyond the gardens, Zed's eyes drifted toward a large stone-paved training ground.
That's when he saw him.
Sir Jaeger.
Zed leaned closer to the glass, his breath fogging the surface.
Jaeger stood shirtless in the center of the training ground, his body carved from muscle and scarred from years of battle. His skin gleamed with sweat under the sun, the ridges of his powerful muscles flexing as he stood surrounded by twenty armed recruits. A white cloth was wrapped tightly around his fists.
The recruits—all armed with various weapons—stood tense and wary, encircling Jaeger.
Suddenly, one of them charged forward, sword raised.
Jaeger's figure blurred.
CRACK!
The next second, the recruit was doubled over, clutching his stomach as he fell to his knees, coughing violently.
Two more recruits lunged from opposite sides, spears aimed toward Jaeger's chest.
Jaeger twisted mid-air, his body a blur of movement. His fist lashed out like a whip.
THUD!
Both recruits collapsed in a heap before they even realized what had happened.
Zed's mouth fell open.
Six recruits charged all at once, weapons gleaming under the afternoon sun.
Jaeger's movements became a blur—his fists and feet moved with the speed of purple lightning, his body weaving through the swarm of attacks with unnatural grace.
BAM!
CRACK!
THUD!
In less than five seconds, six bodies were sprawled across the ground, groaning and clutching their bruises.
The remaining recruits stood frozen, weapons trembling in their hands. Fear gripped their faces, but they forced themselves to stand their ground. Their legs were shaking.
Jaeger smiled.
"That's good enough for today."
His deep voice carried effortlessly across the training ground.
But then…
A purple wave of pressure exploded from Jaeger's body.
BOOM!
An invisible force swept through the air, pressing down on the recruits like a mountain. Several of them gasped, dropping their weapons as their knees buckled beneath the weight.
A few managed to stay on their feet—but their faces were pale, their eyes wide with terror.
Jaeger's sharp gaze swept across them.
"Know the difference between bravery and foolishness," he said calmly.
Then the pressure disappeared as quickly as it had come. The remaining recruits collapsed to the ground, panting and drenched in sweat.
Zed's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat. His hands pressed against the windowpane as his gaze remained fixed on the training ground below. His heart hammered painfully in his chest.
What… was that?
His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd just witnessed.
"I know he used Rhu to enhance his body… but to this level?"
Zed's gaze sharpened as his eyes swept across the unconscious recruits sprawled across the ground. Some were clutching their stomachs, others were curled up, trembling from the lingering effects of the pressure Jaeger had released. Even those who had managed to stay conscious were gasping for air, their arms shaking violently as they struggled to get up.
"I thought enhancing the body with Rhu would make you a bit faster, a bit stronger… But this guy—"
His mind replayed the scene in vivid detail. Jaeger's movements had been too fast for the eye to track—he was breaking the sound barrier with his strikes. The crack of each punch, the aftershock of displaced air, the sheer force behind his blows—none of it should have been possible.
"And that pressure…" Zed whispered.
Even from this distance—nearly a mile away—he had felt it. That crushing weight that had spread through the air like an invisible tidal wave, pressing down on his chest, making his breath hitch.
Jaeger turned away from the unconscious and exhausted recruits. He picked up a linen cloth and wiped the sweat from his forehead before stretching his powerful arms over his head. His muscles rippled beneath the scars crisscrossing his skin.
A calm smile crossed his lips. "Good effort today."
Zed's heart was still hammering in his chest as he stepped away from the window. His gaze remained fixed on the training grounds below, even as he rubbed his sweaty palms against his sides.
That was… insane.
He had never seen anything like it. The speed, the strength, the sheer control over his body—Sir Jaeger had moved with the kind of precision and force that defied logic. Zed had read about knights and warriors in books, sure, but this was different. This was real.
And it was terrifying.
And also… kind of cool.
A flicker of admiration sparked beneath his lingering shock. To be that strong…
Zed's fists tightened at his sides. I need to train with him. I need to learn that.
Suddenly, as if sensing Zed's thoughts, Jaeger's gaze flicked upward.
Their eyes met.
From across the training field, Jaeger's silver-gray eyes narrowed slightly. His mouth curled into a subtle smile—calm and unreadable.
Zed's breath hitched.
Shit.
He pulled back from the window so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet. His face flushed with heat as he pressed his back against the cold stone wall, his hand clutching his chest.
Damn… that guy's a monster.
Zed exhaled shakily and dragged a hand through his tangled hair. He could still feel Jaeger's gaze lingering in his mind—that piercing, knowing look. Like he had already seen through him.
Zed took a steadying breath and stood straight. His eyes sharpened.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. He stretched his arms over his head, working out the tension in his shoulders. "First… I need to bulk up."
His gaze drifted toward his long, tangled hair in the mirror.
"And get a haircut."