After they left, Calum sat back down in his seat, his eyes fixed on patriarch Liam's retreating back.
The butler was still standing nearby.
"Gary," Calum called, which was the butler's name.
"Yes, young master."
"Prepare the carriage. I'm going outside."
Gary nodded and replied, "Young master, it will be ready in two hours. You may wait in your room until then."
Calum looked at him. "I'll be in the garden. Go."
Gary bowed his head and left. Calum then also walked out of the hall.
However, just as he was leaving, a small girl and a boy suddenly grabbed both his hands.
Calum looked down seeing that it was his little brother and sister.
"Brother, let's play! Let's play!" they said happily, laughing.
Then another voice sounded from behind.
"Hah, didn't you hear what Father said?" It was Edrin.
"You two should be studying. And you, Calum–are you still not doing your exercises? Just look at you."
"Hehe, big brother, let's go. Why are you wasting your time with him?" Selena said lightly.
"Yes big brother, I understand," Calum replied in a sad manner.
"Mmm, good. And you two, go back to your rooms or I will punish you."
Hearing this, the little brother and sister immediately ran away.
Edrin and Selena also turned away, leaving Calum alone.
Calum wasn't angry about being criticized, nor did he care much. After seeing the memories of the previous owner of this body, he understood that the former Calum had been an introverted person, someone who rarely spoke but respected his older brother and sister, and possessed a gentle, innocent nature.
After taking over this body, Calum had naturally begun acting like the previous owner.
This quiet, introverted character actually suited him well. No one really disturbed him because of this.
In the garden,
Calum was taking a stroll, observing the beautiful scenery before him.
Many different kinds of flowers bloomed, filling the air with a faint fragrance.
Just then, Gary returned and informed him that the carriage was ready.
Calum nodded and followed Gary outside.
The carriage waited quietly at the gate. He stepped inside and Gary also got in closing the door behind him with a soft thud.
As the wheels rolled forward, the Warden estate slowly disappeared behind him.
Ahead—
As they entered the market area, Calum looked out from the carriage window. People moved everywhere—some selling their belongings, others working as laborers, carrying goods or shouting prices.
But one thing felt strange to him that there were only humans.
He didn't see a single elf or any other species.
Breaking the silence, Calum asked, "Gary… are there only humans in this town?"
Gary replied instantly, "Yes, young master. Is young master looking for another—"
"No," Calum interrupted and continued, "Tell me about my family. Do we really own this land?"
Gary smiled slightly and answered respectfully, "Yes, young master. As your father is a Baron, this town—and as you can see, those hills as well—belong to the Warden family."
Calum nodded. "So if my father is a Baron, that means we live in a kingdom, do we also have a king, right?"
The questions sounded a bit childish, but Calum was currently an eleven-year-old boy.
To gather more information about his surroundings, he had intentionally asked them in this manner.
Gary replied without hesitation, "You are exactly right, young master. The kingdom we live in is called the Arindale Kingdom."
He paused, then added, "And we have a new king as well. If you remember, your father had gone to the palace recently. He returned today."
Seeing the confusion on Calum's face, Gary explained further.
"You see, young master, our old king died a year ago. After that, a new king was chosen. That is why your father had to attend the ceremony."
Calum nodded again. "And the new king?"
Gary replied. "Our new king, Roman the Second, is the eldest son of the old king. He is the same age as your father and aah there was a time when they were friends… ahem."
After hearing some more details, Calum was satisfied.
But while they were still talking, suddenly the carriage came to a stop.
Gary leaned forward and asked the driver what happened.
The driver replied, "Young Master Edrin is ahead. His servant signaled us to halt."
Calum listened and understood that Edrin was calling him outside.
He stepped out of the carriage spotting Edrin standing in front of an armory (a shop where weapons were sold.)
Seeing Calum's approach, Edrin smiled and gave him a hug. Then he grabbed Calum's hand and pulled him inside.
Inside the armory, a girl was shouting loudly.
"What is this sword? It's too heavy. Show me another one!"
"Yes, yes, Lady Selena," the merchant replied hurriedly.
It was Selena and when she noticed Edrin and Calum enter, she waved at them happily.
"Brother! Over here, over here!"
After Selena called out to them, she walked closer and looked at Calum with a curious expression.
"Hm? What are you doing here?" she asked.
But before Calum could reply, Edrin spoke up, a little proudly.
"He's with us," he said. "And maybe he wants a weapon too."
Both of them then turned to look at Calum.
Calum nodded lightly.
"Yes," he said. "I was thinking of getting a weapon as well. Brother, what do you think would be good for me?"
Hearing this, Edrin straightened unconsciously. Being asked like this made him feel important—like a real elder brother.
He let out a small cough and waved toward the merchant."Show us your weapons."
The merchant hurried forward as his face brightened. He began bringing out different weapons—swords, short blades, spears—placing them one by one before the three siblings.
Edrin and Selena looked with interest, discussing among themselves while Calum watched quietly.
He was not going to miss this chance of getting a decent weapon.
Edrin glanced at Calum and asked,
"Did you like something here?"
Calum looked at the neatly arranged weapons. With his experience, he could tell they were all well-made. After a brief moment of thought, he reached out and chose a one-handed sword.
It was light, well-balanced, and could be wielded comfortably with a single hand.
Edrin and Selena also selected their weapons.
After paying a hefty price, the three of them walked out of the armory together, leaving the merchant smiling brightly behind them.
Selena laughed and said,
"Hehe, Calum, why did you choose such a weak stick? Look at Brother Edrin's sword!"
Calum didn't reply. He only lowered his gaze slightly.
Edrin shook his head."Don't tease him. His sword is good too."
Then he looked at Calum again.
"Calum, are you also going to attend the academy with me and Selena this year?"
"Huh?" Calum responded with confusion.
Edrin continued,
"Oh right, you don't know about the Arindale Academy."
"Last year, Selena and I were supposed to start attending, but after the king died, the academy suspended admissions."
"Haaah…" Edrin sighed and went on,
"But after this month, the academy will reopen its admission process."
Selena cut in proudly,
"That's why my brother has been training every day."
"Hehe," Edrin laughed confidently. "Just wait, Selena. I'll be at the top of the academy."
As they talked, Calum listened quietly. After a moment, he spoke,
"I'll attend as well brother, it's just I'm bored of staying at home anyway."
With that, the three of them returned home together.
Soon night fell.
Inside a dark room, moonlight and starlight poured in through the window, casting a faint blue glow in the room.
Calum sitting on his bed was staring at the system window.
Beside him, was the same one handed sword he had bought with Edrin and Selena.
After a brief silence, he spoke in a low voice.
"System… explain the magic circle."
The window flickered faintly before new text appeared.
[Mage Circle: Initial Stage]
Mage Circles are the foundation of mana control.
Each completed circle increases mana capacity, control, and spell efficiency.
Calum frowned slightly.
"And how do I increase it?"
The system responded instantly.
[To advance Mage Circles:]
– Absorb mana from the surroundings
– Perform mana circulation by using cultivation methods.
– Break through bottlenecks through repeated compression.
Calum's eyes narrowed.
"So it's not something that increases automatically by fighting and killing…"
His gaze shifted lower on the window, stopping at another line.
[Level: 0]
"And this? Do I have to kill and absorb the essence and soul again." he asked.
[Level represents overall growth.]
Yes, that is the most efficient way and faster way to increase your level but now it can also be increased through combat experience and training. But the progress will be very slow.
Ping.
Leveling up enhances physical ability, reaction speed, and overall potential.
Calum let out a quiet breath.
"So mage circles are for mana… well i know about the leveling system."
The system paused for a moment before another line appeared.
The player is currently at the Initial Stage of the First Circle.]
[Would you like to begin the cultivation technique created by the system?]
"Huh?"
Calum's eyes widened slightly.
"A technique… created by you?"
That was strange.
Wasn't it too advanced for the system to autonomously create something like this?
He stayed silent for a moment, thinking. Then his expression turned serious.
Without hesitation, he opened the Settings section of the system
.
Using his authority, he disabled the conscious Characteristics of the system.
The window trembled for a brief second before stabilizing.
But what happened here?
Right now, calum was far too weak.
What just happened meant the system had started acting on its own, creating techniques without direct command.
To others, this might seem like a blessing—but Calum knew better than anyone.
Being once a slave of a system, he understood the risk here.
If he hadn't stopped it now, the system could eventually develop its own consciousness.
And then—
It would control him.
Just like in his previous life.
Calum slowly exhaled, his back damp with cold sweat.
"That was really close…"
And then he opened the technique which the system had created.