The System

A voice echoed through Lindarion's mind, sharp and jarring.

'What the hell is this?!'

It wasn't spoken aloud—it resounded inside his head, making the experience even more unsettling.

[I am your helpful system, Host!]

The voice boomed as if it were speaking through a loudspeaker, reverberating through the empty spaces of his newborn consciousness.

[Apologies! I'll adjust the volume immediately!]

Lindarion flinched at the sudden shift. A system? The realization sent a barrage of thoughts racing through his mind.

'Where am I? Did I seriously get reincarnated?'

Countless questions flooded his mind, each competing for dominance. Hesitantly, he directed his thoughts toward the system.

[Yes, my lord, the reincarnation was successful! However, I believe you should focus on something else right now.]

There was something almost amused in the system's tone, as if it found his confusion entertaining. Before Lindarion could question it further, a strange sensation overtook him—he was being lifted high into the air.

When his vision adjusted, he found himself staring into the face of an otherworldly beauty. Long, silken hair cascaded past her shoulders, shimmering beneath the moonlight. Her soft breath fanned across his forehead as she pulled him close, pressing a gentle kiss against his skin.

"You're so beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth.

Lindarion blinked in confusion. Was this… his mother?

[Yes, Host. She is your mother.]

The system's voice confirmed his suspicions, though its presence in his head remained as unsettling as ever.

The woman lifted him again, cradling him in her arms with reverence.

"Lindarion Sunblade," she declared. "This will be your name from now on, my son. Lindarion, a child born of the stars, a little prince who will become the greatest."

Lindarion nearly recoiled at the name. She couldn't have chosen something better? Even I could do a better job than that!

"Lady Melion, both you and the child need to rest," an older maid interjected, noticing the newborn's ceaseless cries.

Lindarion barely registered the exchange, his mind latching onto the one piece of crucial information. Melion… so that's my new mother's name.

Even though she wasn't the woman who had given birth to him in his past life, an inexplicable warmth stirred in his chest. A strange, almost foreign sense of connection.

Melion gently placed him in what could only be described as a crib—though it was nothing like the ones he had known before. The bed was lined with soft leaves and delicate white flowers, their petals faintly glowing beneath the moonlight.

The maids and his mother cast lingering gazes at him, admiration clear in their expressions.

'Are they for real?' Lindarion thought dryly.

Melion leaned down, brushing a final kiss against his forehead. "I'll be back soon, Lindarion."

Then, with a graceful sweep of her gown, she left the room, the maids following closely behind.

For the first time since his rebirth, silence settled around him. And yet… something felt off.

A presence lingered in the air—watching. Observing.

Lindarion pushed the unsettling thought aside and focused on something far more pressing.

'System.'

The moment he directed his thoughts toward it, the irritating voice returned.

[How may I assist you, Host?]

'Where am I?'

[You are currently on the planet Eryndor. This is where you will live from now on. After you were hit by a truck, your rather pitiful life came to an unfortunate end. To preserve your soul and grant you a new beginning, you were placed in this body.]

Lindarion fell silent. He had read enough novels to recognize the situation he was in, but it still felt surreal.

'Eryndor? Tell me more about this place.'

[As I mentioned, this planet is called Eryndor. You have been reincarnated as an elf—one of noble blood, as you may have noticed from the maids' behavior. However, you must uncover more details on your own. That is a rather trivial task, so I'm sure you'll manage. Besides, wouldn't it be boring if I just spoiled everything?]

Lindarion's eye twitched. 'Boring? Did you seriously just say that?'

Frustration boiled inside him. His tiny hands flailed in the air as he let out a series of irritated cries.

[…]

[Perhaps you should open your status window, Host. Simply thinking about it will be enough.]

'Status window?'

The moment the thought crossed his mind, a bright panel materialized before him, nearly blinding him right after birth.

[INFO]

[ATTRIBUTES]

[????] 

[TECHNIQUES] 

[SKILLS] 

[BLESSINGS] 

Lindarion stared at the glowing white panel, filled with more question marks than actual information.

'Wow… I'm ridiculously weak.'

He sighed internally. Given that he had just been born, it wasn't exactly surprising. Still, the sight of his pathetic stats was nothing short of demoralizing.

Just as he continued scanning the screen, a faint creak interrupted the silence.

The door was slowly, quietly opening.

His gaze flicked toward the entrance, confusion settling in.

'Didn't they say they were letting me rest?'

A tall figure stepped through the doorway. The dim lighting made it difficult to make out his features at first, but as he moved closer, the moonlight cast sharp relief over his form.

Long blonde hair cascaded down his back, nearly reaching his waist. His emerald-green eyes gleamed with an almost piercing intensity as if they could see straight into Lindarion's soul.

Without hesitation, the man reached down and lifted him from the crib.

Lindarion squirmed instinctively, his tiny limbs flailing in protest. In hindsight, trying to fight against an unknown elf wasn't the smartest idea.

The man simply laughed—a deep, amused chuckle that sent a shiver down Lindarion's spine.

"You're just like me, my son."

The words caught Lindarion completely off guard.

His mind reeled.

'So… this is my father?'