System

As Sulien submerged himself in the warm water, steam curled around him, fogging up the mirror across the room. He let out a slow breath, tilting his head back against the marble edge of the tub. The soothing scent of the herbs Lin had prepared did little to ease the tension coiled within him.

His fingers traced the surface of the water absentmindedly, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of yesterday.

---

The crackling fireplace cast flickering shadows across the study as Butler Lin poured tea into a porcelain cup, his movements precise and unhurried. Across from him, Sulien sat in an armchair, his gaze fixed on the flames, lost in thought. The scent of lavender and chamomile filled the air, but the young master didn't seem to notice.

Lin set the cup down on the table between them and cleared his throat. "Young Master, I believe it is time we discuss your upcoming departure."

Sulien's fingers tapped against the armrest, his expression unreadable. "The Academy..." he muttered, finally looking at the butler. "I still don't understand why I need to be there."

Lin clasped his hands behind his back, his posture unwavering. "The Duke believes it will be beneficial for you. You will be among the next generation of elites, guiding them with your experience. And, if I may speak honestly, it might do you some good to be among people again."

Sulien scoffed, picking up the teacup but merely swirling the liquid inside. "You mean 'fix me,' don't you?" His tone was light, but there was something sharp beneath it.

Lin didn't flinch. "I mean that isolating yourself will only worsen your condition." He paused before adding, "You have spent too much time alone during war, Young Master. Teaching may help you reconnect with the world."

A dry chuckle escaped Sulien's lips. "You're acting like I'm some broken man, Lin."

Lin sighed. "Forgive me, Young Master, but you refuse to touch anything that isn't thoroughly cleaned, you cannot eat unless you arrange your food in a particular order, and you take no less than three baths a day. I do not call that unbroken."

Sulien's jaw tensed, but he said nothing. He hated how Lin could see right through him.

He had already learned his habits just by observing him for the past week since entering this body.

This terrifying old man.

I glanced at Lin. At first glance, he looked just like an ordinary elderly man from next door, calm, composed, and harmless. But that attitude of his… how two-faced. One moment, he was the ever-dutiful butler, and the next, he wielded a sharp tongue and an even sharper gaze. It was almost unsettling how effortlessly he switched between the two.

After a moment, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "I'll go to the Academy," he conceded. "But don't expect me to enjoy it."

Lin allowed himself a small smile. "I would never be so foolish as to expect that, Young Master."

Sulien rolled his eyes but didn't argue further. The flames crackled between them, and for the first time in a long while, there was something close to peace in the air.

---

His grip on the edge of the tub tightened. He could still feel it. The monster's blood soaking into the fabric of his shoes, staining the hem of his coat. Even after scrubbing himself raw, the memory remained, lingering like an invisible stain.

The stench of blood. The sensation of his blade cutting through flesh. The grotesque sound of the monster's final breath. And then… the filth.

Sulien exhaled sharply and submerged himself completely, the warmth of the water pressing against his skin. If only he could drown out the feeling, wipe away the lingering filth that clung to his thoughts as easily as he washed his body.

When he resurfaced, his dark hair clung to his face, droplets sliding down his sharp features. He blinked at the ceiling, his expression void of emotion.

The Academy... He would leave for it soon. Would being there truly change anything? Or would it simply become another battlefield, another place where he felt out of place, struggling to control the disorder within himself?

He closed his eyes.

It didn't matter. He had already agreed. There was no turning back now.

As Sulien dressed after his bath, he adjusted the cuffs of his pristine white shirt, ensuring not a single wrinkle remained. He never planned to become an instructor at the Academy, nor did he have any interest in teaching a bunch of naive students who knew nothing about the real world.

But when his father made the offer, he hesitated—not because of duty or obligation, but because of him.

Aiden.

The protagonist of the story Sulien had read in his high school.

The Academy was where everything began. Where Aiden's journey started, where alliances were forged, and where the first seeds of chaos were planted. Sulien knew exactly what kind of dangers lurked in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike. If he followed the original storyline, the Academy would soon become a battlefield.

He could've ignored it all, set out on his own and hunted down the villains before they could even make a move. It would've been simpler. Easier, even. But stories had a way of resisting interference. If he killed the wrong people too soon, the world itself might turn against him.

No. It was better to be there, to observe. To keep an eye on Aiden rather than roam the world blindly, chasing every villain he knew would eventually rise.

His reflection in the mirror stared back at him, cold and unreadable.

Perhaps this was for the best.

After finishing his bath, he sat on his chair, his gaze drifted to the dimly lit room, lost in thought. After a moment, he exhaled softly and muttered under his breath, "Status window."

The air around him trembled. A soft, blue light flickered before his eyes, gradually intensifying until a translucent screen materialized in midair. Its glow illuminated his face, casting sharp shadows across the room.

His gaze swept over the words and numbers neatly displayed before him.

Status Window

Name: Sulien Von Wald

Level: 79

HP: 3,010

MP: 4,479

Strength: 271

Defense: 269

Dexterity: 210

Agility: 263

Intelligence: 319

Skills

Chaos Fracture

Allows the user to split space itself, creating portals, erasing objects from existence, and even stepping into alternate dimensions mid-battle.

Void Gluttony

A black hole-like ability that absorbs magic, energy, and even space itself, nullifying all attacks and growing stronger with every absorption.

Phantom Sovereign

Allows the user to phase through any attack, become a shadow, and even take control of others' bodies by merging with their souls.

---

This status window gives him an incredibly powerful set of abilities, making him a near-invincible figure. His level is already high, and his stats are well-balanced, with an emphasis on Intelligence, defense and Strength.

His skills, Chaos Fracture, Void Gluttony, and Phantom Sovereign, suggest he has control over space, energy absorption, and spectral abilities. This makes him a terrifying force, capable of manipulating reality itself. However, having such immense power could lead to interesting challenges. Maybe there are limitations, risks, or hidden costs to using these abilities.

Sulien's brows furrowed as he took in the information. "Still the same," he murmured, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

The blue light of the status window reflected in his silver eyes as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. He had long since grown used to this sight, but something still felt off.

Why did this system exist? The book he had read back in high school never mentioned anything like this. He had become part of this world, yet this system didn't seem to belong to it.

His fingers twitched. The flickering blue light of the window wavered, sensing his thoughts. With a simple command, the screen vanished into the void, leaving him alone once again in the quiet chamber.

But even as the light faded, the unease in his chest remained.

***