Elian opened his eyes and took a deep breath, the morning air feeling both fresh and strange. As his gaze focused, he found himself in an elegant room, filled with luxurious furnishings and wall decorations that exuded an air of wealth. Yet, it wasn't the scene before him that caught his attention. Rather, what was most shocking was the body he now inhabited— the body of a 13-year-old boy.
Two months had passed since he first discovered himself born into this world. At first, there was a sense of awe and happiness as he realized he was now in a world of magic, a world full of wonders and endless possibilities. In the beginning, he felt like a child, enchanted by everything new.
However, that excitement didn't last long. A month later, Elian began to realize a far more shocking truth—he had been reborn into a world he knew all too well, a world that turned out to be Tale of Hero, the legendary game he had played hundreds of times in his previous life.
Tale of Hero was a popular sandbox tactical RPG known for its freedom, branching storylines, deep strategy systems, and dating sim content featuring various heroines that players could romance. It had been immensely popular in Elian's original world, and as a speedrunner, he had completed the game multiple times, mastering every route, secret, and ending.
But not everything Elian knew about the game led to happiness. He soon realized that he had been reborn as Elian Arcadia, one of the characters in the game, known as the "third-rate villain"—a character who was destined to die early in the story.
The realization was like a stone in his chest. In Tale of Hero, players could choose from a variety of characters, or even create their own with customizable traits and backgrounds. Elian Arcadia, despite his striking appearance—white hair and sharp blue eyes—was one of the preset characters. Elian had once played this character simply because of his looks, but he was quickly disappointed, not by the low stats but by the fact that this character only had one event, where he was required to gather points of goodwill before meeting a death ending.
Elian Arcadia wasn't just another selectable character; he was a character who was destined to die in the story—an unavoidable fate with no room for change.
But that wasn't the only problem. There was a much bigger issue. Even though Elian was an experienced speedrunner, he had never actually read through the dialogues or followed the storyline of the game. He had always relied on community guides, memorizing each step and choice to reach the best possible ending. As a result, Elian had never truly understood the characters or the world he explored in the game. He had only followed predetermined paths.
Now, Elian was trapped in a world he knew—full of mysteries and dangers—and he was in the body of Elian Arcadia, a character who would die early in the story. What could he do to change his fate? Was there a way to break free from the predetermined path? Or would he simply become a part of a story that had already been written?
These questions swirled in his mind, but one thing was clear—this world was far more real and dangerous than he had ever imagined.
"Knock knock," the sound of the door knock suddenly snapped Elian out of his thoughts.
"Come in," Elian replied, sitting up from his bed.
A blonde-haired servant entered the room with graceful, composed steps. Her golden hair shimmered as it cascaded neatly over her shoulders, paired with pale blue eyes that were sharp yet soft. She wore a simple servant's uniform—a pristine white blouse and a black apron neatly tied around her waist, along with a black skirt that fell to her knees and shiny black shoes.
Though her appearance seemed ordinary, there was an aura of calm and precision in her every movement, as if each step and gesture had been carefully calculated. The warm smile on her face concealed a depth that could only be sensed by those who truly paid attention.
Leona stepped into the room with steady steps, her golden hair flowing gently with her movements. With a kind smile, she bowed slightly as a sign of respect. "Master Elian," she said in a soft, yet attentive voice, "Breakfast has been prepared in the dining room. Before we proceed, you should change your clothes. Allow me to assist you."
Without waiting for a reply, Leona swiftly opened the wardrobe in the room, selecting a neat and elegant outfit for Elian. With great care, she helped him dress in clothing that was both comfortable and suitable for the noble class. Once dressed, she straightened his collar meticulously, ensuring that nothing was amiss.
Over the past two months, Elian had grown accustomed to this routine, though it had felt strange at first. However, he had no choice but to go along with it, fearing that anything unusual might raise Leona's suspicion.
"Please, Master," Leona said, gesturing for Elian to follow her. She walked carefully, ensuring Elian stayed behind her. "Come, I'll guide you to the dining room," she added, her calm voice reflecting the professionalism she exuded.
Leona gently opened the dining room door, giving Elian space to enter. As the door opened, Elian saw the long dining table surrounded by elegant wooden chairs, but only two figures were seated at the table.
His mother, Althea Arcadia, sat at the far end of the table. With long, flowing golden hair, she sat with an air of quiet composure. Her bright green eyes seemed sharp, as if radiating intelligence and resolve. Her graceful face exuded tranquility, but there was a hidden depth behind her gaze, as though she was concealing many untold things.
On the other side of the table sat a girl around 10 years old—Liana Arcadia, Elian's younger sister. Her pure white hair, almost as white as snow, stood out in the morning light, contrasting with her bright green eyes, full of curiosity. Though she appeared more reserved than their mother, there was a maturity hidden in her eyes that sometimes seemed older than her years.
Elian stepped into the room and sat down without a word. There were no greetings, no sounds. The dining table felt heavy with silence. His mother and sister sat silently, lost in a routine that had not changed since Elian's father passed away when he was nine. The loss still lingered, palpable in the quiet that remained unspoken.
Elian had been only nine when everything changed—when the world he knew was shattered in an instant. At that time, the kingdom of Celestra had just crowned a new king, and the political instability made the situation even worse. The political unrest led to widespread famine, and the economy of the kingdom crumbled, spiraling into rebellion. Cities that were once full of life were now filled with chaos and tension.
Alaric Arcadia, Elian's father, a nobleman better known for his political influence than his skill with magic or the sword, was called upon to help quell the unrest. The Arcadia family had gained their fame through cunning political alliances, and although Alaric didn't possess extraordinary combat skills or magic, he had the influence and power necessary to survive in the noble world. However, this time, he had to face a crisis far greater than he had ever imagined.
One morning, Alaric was tasked with traveling to a city plagued by rebellion to negotiate with the insurgents and quell the crisis. Though he had a personal guard, Elian—like most children—could not resist his curiosity. Always fascinated by the outside world, especially when his father was away on important matters, Elian secretly snuck out of the mansion and followed his father's entourage to the city.
In the city, filled with chaos and bloodshed, Elian, in his innocence, failed to realize the danger that awaited him. Like many children, he was too eager to see what was happening. But, not long after arriving in the midst of the turmoil, he was captured by the angry citizens. They, starving and oppressed, saw Elian as a symbol of the noble class that had ignored their suffering. Without mercy, they took him hostage—hoping to force Alaric to surrender to their demands.
When Alaric arrived in the city, he received a letter containing threats and demands that his son, Elian, be held hostage. Without hesitation, he decided to go alone to the rebel base, unarmed, as requested in the letter. Upon seeing Elian in the rebels' grip, Alaric's heart was filled with anxiety, but he tried to remain calm. The tension grew, but Alaric maintained control. Though he knew his son's life was at risk, he chose to negotiate for Elian's release with the rebels.
However, the situation grew even more chaotic. As the tension reached its peak, when Alaric attempted to step forward to negotiate, an attack occurred. A rebel struck Alaric with a sword, stabbing him in the chest. Elian could only watch in terror, helpless. His father, the one who had always protected him, fell to the ground, blood pouring from his wound.
Alaric, badly wounded, refused to give up. With the last of his strength, he drew a small dagger from his coat and, with a flash of fury, cut down the rebel who had stabbed him, before rushing to Elian's side, using wind magic to scatter the rebels who were holding him.
After ensuring Elian was safely behind him, Alaric pulled a small item from his pocket—a dawn flare. With the precision he had honed over years of training, he ignited and threw the flare into the sky. The bright light shot upward, signaling to the forces outside the city to come immediately.
Yet, Alaric's assault was far from over. With his sword drawn, he continued to cut through the battlefield, slicing down every rebel who dared approach. The signal flare sent a call for help, and Alaric fought on with unwavering resolve. Before the rebels could stop him, the royal guards arrived, raining down fire and magic upon them. In an instant, the rebels were all felled, their bodies strewn across the battlefield.
But Alaric could not hold on much longer. With labored breaths and blood streaming from his body, he finally collapsed to the ground, Elian by his side. Through his father's sacrifice, Elian was saved. The royal forces secured the city, and Elian was whisked away from the battle, his body trembling from fear and the profound loss of his father. From that moment on, Elian harbored a deep hatred for common folk.
Back in the present, Liana despised Elian, refusing to speak to him ever since discovering that it was Elian's actions that had led to their father's death. As for Althea, Elian wasn't so sure. Their marriage had been based on political gain, after all. In fact, it was likely that Althea was secretly glad about Alaric's death. Why? Elian smiled as he peered at Althea's status panel.
Name: Althea ArcadiaGender: FemaleAge: 33Personality: Middle-wayTrait: Cold, Analytical, Romantic
Conditions: Normal
Rank: ???
AttributeValueRankStrength???????Dexterity???????Constitution???????Intelligence???????Wisdom???????Charisma???????Magic Power???????Agility???????
Combat Skills: ???
Special Abilities: ???
Status was a unique ability in the game that allowed players to view stats not only for themselves but also for NPCs. Elian felt a sense of satisfaction when he managed to view the status of his family for the first time. However, unlike in the game, some information couldn't be fully read, which frustrated Elian.
Still, he was pleased to see the traits and personality of his targets, especially when he saw the Romantic trait in Althea. NPCs with the Romantic trait tended to pursue love without caring about boundaries. In the game, Elian had exploited this by finding powerful, centuries-old sugar mummies who would carry him to the end of the game. Most NPCs wouldn't engage in a relationship if there was too much of an age gap, but NPCs with the Romantic trait would go so far as to kill their current partner for someone they truly loved.
During these two months, Elian had frequently checked Althea's status, worried she might suddenly become pregnant and have an abortion. Upon discovering her condition was normal, he felt a bit more at ease. The real reason for his constant monitoring was because NPCs with the Romantic trait would do whatever their partners asked, so Elian worried that if Althea had a partner, it might lead to his own death at the start of the story.
The atmosphere in the dining room was once again filled with the soft sounds of eating. The gentle clinking of cutlery echoed as Elian's knife made contact with his plate, producing a sharp, clear sound that seemed to break the silence that hung heavily over the table.
With careful movements, Elian began cutting a piece of meat in front of him. The scrape of the knife against the meat was sharp, accompanied by the faint shift of his plate as he pressed the tougher piece of meat. Despite the tension in the air, Elian remained calm, focused on his meal, as though trying to distract himself from everything around him.
"Mom, I need money to buy a slave," Elian said flatly, without looking up from his food.