Butterfly effects

"Young Master, breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!"

Damien shouted back as the maid bowed and left his room. He sighed and then turned to look in the mirror, which reflected a young boy in black trousers, a white shirt along with a black vest, making him look like a little gentleman.

The boy in the mirror was only around seven years old, with a height of 122 cm, with a good body for his age group. His sandy blonde hair, cyan eyes, and a little baby face made him look extremely cute, which Damien had used a lot of times to his advantage.

It had been over six years since his reincarnation in this world and he had made himself comfortable with his situation. In fact, he was even slightly thankful for this new life as he had a loving family—something he lacked back on Earth.

Although his parents didn't hate him, they also never really loved him because he was the reason for their marriage. But here, he had found a new family who loved him so much that they would do anything to protect him.

But this just made his resolve to grow even stronger. The World of Miracles was a cruel place and the happy times he currently had would not last long. So, he had to make them last by becoming the strongest.

Damien had also learned a lot of things in these past five years since their family shifted to Mistvel. The most important thing he learned was that he needed to be patient with his cultivation, as before he awakened his Essence Core, he couldn't ascend.

So, before the age of twelve, he would have to stay at the Foundation Stage. But it wasn't a bad thing as he had plenty of years to make the perfect Foundation. The better the Foundation, the better his future would be, so he was fine with it.

He had Mythical Talent which allowed him to get his attributes up to SS. So, he could use the time to get the perfect foundation.

Thus, his past five years were spent in learning more about the world and acquiring many skills necessary to survive in the world, especially about the Rifts. And of course cultivating Essence—he never neglected that.

Fortunately, his parents had not forbidden him from cultivating and even helped him so that he didn't make any mistakes. The only things they wanted in return were a few promises which he was more than willing to fulfill.

First was that he would not share the information about his cultivation with anyone. Second was that he could only cultivate in his own room where they had erected a powerful barrier, and Ruby was always on the lookout for him.

After all, cultivating Essence could be dangerous and might even explode him from the inside out if he did even a small mistake. The only reason they allowed him to cultivate was because they knew Damien wouldn't have a normal future.

As he went through the pleasant memories he had shared with his parents, a smile formed on his lips. His family was small with only his parents, Elise, and him, but he was very happy with them. Sometimes his grandparents would come to visit him, and they always brought tons of gifts, showering the twins with love.

These past five years had made Damien very close with them, and he also loved them dearly. It was his new family—a family he would protect with his everything.

"Young Master?"

"Ah! Yeah, coming!"

Damien almost forgot about their appointment, so after giving a final look at the mirror, he left his room. As he walked in the corridor bordering a beautiful garden, he was greeted by the servants working there.

Due to his good personality and the fact that he always cared for them, the staff loved him. And he had often used his charming face to get his work done by them.

It always worked.

'Still, Mistvel and now he's a duke. I can't rely on canon events now,'

Damien smiled at the servants and thought. His father was now a Duke with the county of Mistfall in his jurisdiction. It was by far the smallest territory held by a duke, but it was normal considering Arthur was suddenly granted that title.

King James had provided a good reason for it, saying that it was because of the Tier 7 Rift Arthur had cleared, and only a Ruler Stage Diver with lots of combat experience could handle it.

The problem with this was that in the game, Arthur was never given the title of duke and he remained as the Captain of the Blade of Dawn, Third Squad of the Thirteen Royal Court Guards.

It changed a lot of things, and now Damien wasn't sure when the Obsidian Council would attack. And he still didn't know how he would survive against them.

'What a drag!'

At first, Damien had wanted to use the canon events and proceed along with them. But after their shift to Mistvel, he was sure butterfly effects would mess up everything, so he might as well use his knowledge to its best. He already had some plans on how he would do that.

'As for the Obsidian Council, I will have to rely on Father for this, or maybe Oppa.'

Lost in his thoughts, he entered the dining room where his family was already seated. Arthur and Jasmine were the same as always, but they had matured quite a bit under the responsibilities of their kids and the fiefdom.

On the other hand, Elise had grown up to become little Red Chilly. She was a head shorter than Damien with her head full of crimson red hair, just like her mother. She also had a wide grin plastered on her face as she ate her meal.

"Ely, you should wait for your brother," Jasmine scolded Elise, as she reluctantly put down the bowl.

Grumbling to herself, Elise said, "He is always late."

"Sorry about that, lil sis," Damien said, as he took his seat.

"I am not lil sis, call me Big Sis," Elise declared, pointing her spoon at him.

Damien rolled his eyes and said, "Grow a little taller than that."

Elise was tongue-tied at that, so she turned towards Arthur and cried, "Dad, he always bullies me. See, even now he is mocking me. Tell him that I was born first."

Damien was left speechless, as he thought, 'Do you seriously want to know who bullies who?'

Arthur chuckled softly and patted her head, "Don't mind him. You know, elders are always forgiving, so don't let his words get to you. You are Big Sis, right?"

"Yes, Dad is right," Elise nodded and said. "I will forgive you this time."

"Thanks for that, I guess," Damien sighed. "But for that, you gotta stop peeing in bed."

Elise's face turned bright red in embarrassment as she shouted, "I did not pee in the bed. It was you."

"Alright, stop teasing her," Jasmine lightly knocked his head and said. "Also, are you ready? We are leaving for Glenbarrow today."

Damien's eyes shone with a mysterious glint hearing the mention of Glenbarrow. However, he didn't show it on his face and nodded, "Yes, Mom. I have packed mine and Ely's bags already."

"Thanks for that," Elise said, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"You should say, 'Thank you, my dear Big Brother,'" Damien smiled at her.

"Dream on!"