Chapter 4 – A Sudden Change

After finishing my work, I left with Camellia and her mother to eat. I wasn't really hungry, but I quickly finished my meal before quietly slipping away.

The training grounds were my next destination. The night had fallen, but that wasn't an obstacle—on the contrary, darkness was my ally.

Since I belonged to the Noctarine clan, my training speed was already ten times that of an average human. But in the dark? That number doubled again, meaning I was progressing at a hundred times the normal rate.

"But that's still not enough... not yet."

If I could unlock my bloodline's seal, my growth would far surpass even that…

I started running, focusing on the flow of mana around me, trying to sense it. I spent four hours in deep concentration, combining running with mana absorption, allowing my body to gradually adapt to it.

For another two hours, I began circulating mana inside my body as if it were blood— a training method yet to be discovered in this world. In fact, no one would uncover it until the realms merged in the future.

Finally, after six hours of nonstop training, I opened my status window to review my progress.

---

[Status Window] (After Adjustment)

Name: Lin Drakil Noctarine (Transmigrator)

Clan: Noctarine (Partially Sealed)

Age: 13

Level: 6 → 15

Strength: 20 → 80

Agility: 25 → 60

Endurance: 28 → 70

Mana: 100 → 200

Blessing: Not Activated

[Newly Acquired Skills]

Mana Gluttony (F) → An abnormal ability to absorb mana at an extremely fast rate and convert it into internal energy.

Darkness Adaptation (F) → All stats increase by 50% when in a dark environment.

---

"This is much better..."

The progress was faster than I expected, and with time, I could push these numbers to an unreasonable level.

But still, my biggest problem remained.

Escaping This Hell

If I wanted to survive, I had to find a way to get out of here within the next few months. If I stayed in the mansion for too long, I'd become an exposed target—something I absolutely needed to avoid.

Step One: Training with the Knights

These people were my best chance to escape this place, especially since they were set to leave for an exploration patrol in three months. Joining them would be the perfect opportunity compared to the mages, since the Frost family heavily focused on magic, making it dangerous if I stood out too much in that field.

Step Two: Finding a Suitable Training Spot

Fortunately, I remembered something from the novel. It is the Hidden Place!

According to what I knew, there was a hidden spot in the back garden. Its exact location wasn't clear in the story, but it was described as an isolated secret chamber, one that Frosita used often in her childhood.

If I could find it, it might become the perfect starting point for me.

And since I needed a break after my intense training, I decided to walk around the garden, pretending to wander aimlessly. The darkness still lingered, making it easy to move unnoticed.

After a few minutes of searching, I spotted something unusual—a small crack between the stones, barely visible.

I stepped closer and cautiously touched the stone… feeling it shift slightly under my hand.

I had found the Hidden Place!

But before I could do anything…

An Unexpected Encounter

> "Where do you think you're going?" A voice asked.

I froze in my place.

The voice was calm, devoid of emotion, yet it carried something else… something that sent a cold chill down my spine.

Slowly, I turned around.

There, standing in the darkness, was Frosita.

I hadn't heard her approach. I hadn't even sensed her presence—almost as if she had been there all along, silently watching.

"Shit... When did she get here?"

She stared at me for a moment before speaking again, her voice just as cold:

> "The things I touch… no one else is allowed to take them."

…

A cold sweat formed on my forehead.

Her other personality wasn't supposed to awaken for another two months… but this way of speaking… this possessiveness…

"Has her split personality already started?!"

She suddenly moved forward, walking toward me instead of away. I didn't move, but with every step she took, I felt an invisible pressure paralyze my limbs.

Then, she stopped right in front of me—too close.

> "Lin..."

She whispered my name, then slowly raised her hand. For a moment, I thought she was going to touch my face, but instead, her fingers stopped at my neck as if measuring something.

Then, she pressed lightly.

A cold sensation spread across my skin. It wasn't a direct threat… but it wasn't innocent either.

> "You know…"

She whispered in a low voice, her tone smooth yet carrying an unsettling weight.

> "There are some things… that people can't run away from. Some people..."

> "Some people belong to me, whether they want to or not."

Then, as if it was just a passing thought, she took two steps back, completely ignoring my shocked expression.

She turned and began walking away, but before she disappeared into the darkness, she glanced back at me one last time.

She smiled— a smile that shouldn't have existed on the face of the normal Frosita.

> "Ah, by the way..."

> "Don't try to escape from my sight, Lin.

> Because in the end… you belong to me."

Damn it… Her split personality has begun!