Morning light filtered through the narrow window, pale rays stretching across the cold stone floor.
Ivan slowly opened his eyes.
For a brief moment, his mind was empty. Then everything returned at once—this world, the Orin Civilization, Nova, production limits, authority levels, and the need for caution. He exhaled softly and sat up.
The night had passed without incident.
After washing and changing into clean clothes, Ivan stood upright and spoke calmly in his mind.
"Nova, scan my body and provide a basic assessment of my current condition."
"Yes, Master."
A soft blue light swept over Ivan's entire body, scanning him from head to toe with precision.
"Scan complete, Master," Nova reported. "I have created a status panel for your convenience."
A translucent interface appeared in his vision.
Name: Ivan Thornheart
Race: Human
Age: 15
Strength: 3.3
Stamina: 3.5
Constitution: 3.4
"According to the system's evaluation," Nova continued, "a normal person in this world has a standard status value of one."
Ivan studied the numbers quietly.
So this body… is already more than three times stronger than an ordinary person.
That level matched the memories he had inherited. A high-level knight squire—strong, but still far from true power.
As his thoughts settled, a soft knock echoed at the door.
"Enter," Ivan said.
A young servant stepped inside and bowed deeply. "Young Master Ivan, the Baron requests your presence in his study."
Ivan paused for a fraction of a second.
My father…
According to the inherited memories, Baron Joseph Thornheart was neither cruel nor affectionate. Their relationship had always been distant—bound by blood, restrained by status.
"I understand," Ivan replied calmly. "I'll be there shortly."
The servant bowed again and withdrew.
Ivan remained still for a moment, his expression unchanged.
This meeting was inevitable. More importantly, it was an opportunity—to observe, to test boundaries, and to decide how much he should reveal.
After adjusting his attire, Ivan left his room and walked through the familiar castle corridors.
The Baron's study lay within the central tower, a place rarely visited without summons. Heavy wooden doors stood before him, carved with faded symbols of the Thornheart family.
Ivan raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in," a deep voice replied.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The study was spacious but dim, its stone walls lined with tall bookshelves. Sunlight streamed through a narrow window behind a large oak desk.
Behind it sat Baron Joseph Thornheart.
He was a middle-aged man with sharp features and streaks of gray in his hair. His eyes carried authority, fatigue, and something more restrained—concern, perhaps.
As their gazes met, Ivan silently issued a command.
Scan.
A faint blue shimmer flickered in his vision.
Scan complete.
Name: Joseph Thornheart
Race: Human
Age: 47
Strength: 6.3
Stamina: 6.5
Constitution: 6.4
Ivan's heart stirred slightly.
All above six…
That did not mean his father was merely six times stronger than a normal person. The scaling was far more complex. Even so, it confirmed what the memories suggested.
A low-level knight—standing on the threshold of mid-level.
"You're injured," the Baron said flatly.
"Yes, Father," Ivan replied, standing straight. "I encountered a magical beast during training."
"A Shadow Leopard," the Baron continued, his tone unreadable. "The guards found traces near the mountain."
Ivan nodded. "I was careless."
Silence followed.
The Baron studied him, fingers tapping lightly against the desk.
"You survived," he finally said. "That is what matters."
Ivan did not respond.
After a pause, the Baron sighed quietly. "You've grown stronger these past years. Stronger than I expected."
Ivan felt a faint stir in his chest but kept his expression neutral.
"However," the Baron continued, his voice hardening slightly, "strength without restraint leads only to death. You are still a Thornheart, regardless of your status."
"I understand," Ivan said calmly.
"For now," the Baron said, leaning back, "remain within the castle grounds. Focus on recovery and study. No more unsanctioned training."
"Yes, Father."
Another silence followed, heavier than before.
Finally, the Baron waved his hand. "You may go."
Ivan bowed lightly and turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, the Baron spoke again.
"Ivan."
He stopped.
"Whatever path you choose," the Baron said quietly, "do not waste your life."
Ivan did not turn back. "I won't."
The door closed behind him.
As he walked away, Ivan's thoughts shifted.
Distant… cautious… but not indifferent.
That was enough—for now.
Without returning to his room, Ivan headed directly toward the castle library.
The library lay in an older wing of the castle. Its air was heavy with dust and age, its stone walls darkened by time. Few visited it regularly.
For Ivan, it was exactly where he needed to be.
He pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside.
Rows of shelves stretched endlessly before him, filled with books both well-kept and crumbling with age.
Ivan moved slowly, scanning the titles.
As expected, there were no records of advanced magic systems, divine hierarchies, or clearly defined transcendents.
Most texts focused solely on this continent.
Geography.
Kingdom borders.
Noble lineages.
Trade routes.
He pulled a book from the shelf and flipped through it, silently commanding Nova to record everything.
This land was known as the Valen Continent—vast, nearly three times the size of Asia, divided among multiple human kingdoms. Wars were frequent, but limited in scale.
The Thornheart territory lay within the Blackwater Kingdom, a powerful realm in the northern region of the continent.
Thornheart lands sat at the western edge of the kingdom, bordering the Foggy Mountain Range—a massive mountain chain stretching across much of the continent, its peaks eternally shrouded in mist.
There were also collections of miscellaneous stories.
Heroic epics.
Monster encounters.
Ancient ruins.
Legends of beings capable of shattering mountains or commanding storms.
But none were concrete.
No clear classifications.
No confirmed hierarchy.
Only myths.
Hours passed unnoticed.
By the time Ivan closed the final book, the sun was already sinking beyond the horizon.
He returned the book to its place and left the library.
Night had fallen.
Feeling the hunger from skipping meals, Ivan ordered a servant to bring food to his room. As he walked back through the quiet corridors, he calmly instructed Nova to organize and categorize all scanned information.
This world was still shrouded in mystery.
But now, at least, he had taken his first real step toward understanding it.