A sixteen-year-old boy slowly opened his eyes, as if waking from a dream that had lasted a lifetime.
The first thing he noticed was the unfamiliar ceiling above him carved with intricate patterns, ancient yet elegant. A soft breeze brushed against his face. He sat up, his long black hair falling over his shoulders, swaying gently. His deep black eyes reflected something unusual… not confusion, but awareness like someone who had lived far longer than sixteen years.
He looked at his hands.
"…So it's real."
Memories that didn't belong to this body flooded his mind.
"My name… is Alex Li."
He paused, gripping the edge of the bed tightly.
"The eldest son of the Li family… and the future successor of the Kingdom of Blade."
But then his expression darkened.
"No… that's not who I truly am."
A cold, dangerous aura began to leak from his body.
"My real name… is Jimmy Rox."
The air around him seemed to tremble slightly.
Images flashed through his mind battlefields drenched in blood, skies split apart by unimaginable power, and towering figures who called themselves gods.
"They sealed me…"
His voice dropped into a low, almost inhuman whisper.
"Those so-called 'gods'… they feared me."
A sudden surge of rage burst within him, his eyes glowing faintly with a dark intensity.
"They thought they could erase me… trap me in another life… weaken me…"
He slowly stood up, his lips curling into a chilling smile.
"But they made one mistake."
He walked toward the window and pushed it open. The vast Kingdom of Blade stretched before him towering palaces, training grounds filled with warriors, and an empire built on strength.
A demonic smile spread across his face.
"I'm still alive."
His fingers tightened as if grasping invisible power.
"And this time… I'll rise even higher."
The wind grew stronger, lifting his hair as his gaze turned cold and merciless.
"I will reclaim everything… every bit of my power."
A pause.
"And then…"
His voice became deadly calm.
"I'll hunt down every single one of those 'gods'…"
A faint, terrifying aura flickered around him.
"…and kill them all."
Alex Li stood silently by the window, his dark eyes gazing at the vast Kingdom of Blade stretching far beyond the horizon. For a moment, the cold and ruthless aura around him softened.
"This family…" he thought quietly.
"They truly love me."
It was strange. In his previous life as Jimmy Rox, love was nothing but a weakness something people used against you. Trust didn't exist. Only power mattered.
But here… things were different.
His mother's gentle smile, his father's calm yet protective presence, and his little sister's innocent laughter… all of it felt real.
Too real.
He slowly pushed the window open, letting the cool breeze flow into the room. His long black hair swayed lightly as he stared outside, lost in thought.
Suddenly
"Young Master!"
A soft but clear voice broke his thoughts.
Alex turned his head slightly and saw his servant standing behind him, bowing respectfully.
"Young Master, what are you looking at?" she asked with curiosity.
Alex paused for a second… then gave a calm, charming smile.
"Nothing."
His tone was light, almost casual but his eyes remained unreadable.
The servant nodded and quickly stepped forward. "It's time to get ready, Young Master."
Without another word, she began helping him prepare.
Moments later…
Alex stood before the mirror.
He was dressed in elegant royal attire—black and silver robes that perfectly matched his long hair and deep eyes. His presence alone carried the aura of nobility and authority.
At just sixteen… he already looked like someone destined to stand at the top.
"Perfect, Young Master," the servant said respectfully.
Alex glanced at his reflection.
"A noble… huh."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Soon, the two of them began walking through the grand corridors of the Li family mansion. The place was massive filled with guards, servants, and an atmosphere of power.
But Alex's expression slowly turned… awkward.
As they approached a large, beautifully carved door, he stopped for a moment and sighed internally.
"With an awkward smile," he muttered under his breath,
"Again… I have to do all that today as well."
The servant didn't understand, but she remained silent.
Alex pushed the door open.
Inside was a grand dining hall. A long table stood at the center, filled with delicious food.
And sitting there…
Was his family.
The moment he entered, all eyes turned toward him.
Alex immediately put on a bright, warm smile completely different from his usual cold expression.
"Good morning, my family."
His voice sounded cheerful… almost perfect.
At the table sat:
His mother, Sonia Li elegant and kind, her eyes filled with warmth whenever she looked at him.
His father, Marks Li a powerful figure, known as one of the saints of the empire. His presence alone was enough to make others tremble, yet in front of his family, he was calm and composed.
And his little sister, Sara Li small, cute, and full of life. The moment she saw Alex, her face lit up with excitement.
"Big brother!" she said happily.
The atmosphere was… peaceful.
Warm.
Almost suffocating for someone like him.
Alex walked over and sat beside them, maintaining that same gentle smile.
But inside…
"This is exhausting…"
Every laugh, every expression, every word he spoke it was all an act.
A perfect act.
He responded to their questions, smiled at their jokes, and even gently patted Sara's head when she clung to him.
To anyone watching… it was a beautiful family moment.
But only Alex knew the truth.
"I have to pretend… to be someone I'm not."
Time passed.
Breakfast finally came to an end.
Alex stood up, still smiling.
"I'll take my leave now."
His parents nodded, and Sara waved at him cheerfully.
As soon as he stepped out of the room…
The smile on his face disappeared instantly.
Cold.
Empty.
Silent.
He walked back to his room without saying a word.
Once inside, he closed the door and let out a long breath, as if releasing all the weight he had been carrying.
Without even changing his clothes, he walked to his bed and lay down.
Staring at the ceiling again.
"This life…"
He closed his eyes slowly.
"It's tiring."
For a being like Jimmy Rox… pretending to be a loving son and brother was far more exhausting than fighting gods.
And yet…
For some reason…
He didn't hate it completely.