Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of chewing echoed alongside slow, careful steps in the snow.
A man who looked to be in his twenties walked through a bustling city. In his left hand was a protein bar, while his head hung low, eyes glued to his phone as he chewed loudly.
He couldn't help but exclaim, "Whoa, the artwork is totally insane. They're adapting the novel perfectly."
Collins Reaver—that was the man's name. His current focus was on the new manhwa adaptation of his favorite novel, A Reader's Duty. With the first seven chapters released today, he found himself completely absorbed after finally getting off work.
As he walked at a slightly slower pace due to the recent snowstorm, he was nearly home. Just as he stepped onto a crosswalk, his awareness of his surroundings faded entirely.
He was finally witnessing his favorite character brought to life in beautiful illustrated form.
Lucius von Saint.
But before he could scroll any further—
Screech.
The sound of tires tearing across asphalt pierced the air.
Collins looked up.
A truck was barreling straight toward him.
"Fuck."
Being hit by a truck brought pain deeper than anything he had ever imagined. The world dulled into muffled screams as he lay in a growing pool of his own blood.
"There's no way I'm actually going to die like this," he thought bitterly. "I didn't even finish the seven chapters. That's so unfair."
His vision blurred. His eyelids grew heavy.
They shut.
And just as quickly—
They reopened.
Renewed.
Golden.
Lucius von Saint was born on December 26th, MMXXX.
Collins was confused. One moment, he had been facing death. The next, he was in a room more regal than the word itself.
'Where the hell am I? What kind of hospital casually has decor this grand?'
His attention drifted from the lavish ceiling to his surroundings.
Maids.
Knights clad in full armor.
An impossible thought formed.
'Did I transmigrate? But that's impossible. Theoretically impossible… right? What even happens after death?'
Questions flooded his mind as panic began to rise.
Then a voice cut through everything.
"He's already awake. Look how cute our baby is, darling."
Collins froze.
A woman stood before him—no, not stood.
She was holding him.
Her height was striking, around 178 cm, her presence regal. Her hair was a soft, luminous purple, like wisteria petals caught in sunlight. And he knew—without doubt—it was natural.
He recognized her.
'Seraphina Mochure Saint. The Empress of the Solaris Empire. Lucius's mother.'
There was no one else with those eyes.
Golden orbs that seemed to glow faintly. White cross-shaped pupils—proof of her status as a Saintess.
She was breathtaking.
But finding her attractive felt wrong.
Because he knew her fate.
Even through the shock, he glanced downward—
At his own tiny, fragile body.
He hadn't transmigrated into an adult.
He had been reborn.
As the son of the Emperor and Empress.
'Which child am I?'
Then—
'She said darling… so that means—'
His head slowly turned.
And he saw him.
Aurek von Saint.
The Emperor of the Solaris Empire.
The strongest man in the series—until Lucius beheaded him.
Blazing crimson hair flared like a lion's mane. Eyes black as the abyss. His sharp features looked carved from steel. Pride radiated from his posture, straight-backed and unyielding.
When those black eyes landed on him—
They felt strangely warm.
'In the novel, his gaze could kill with a single look… so why does it feel comforting?'
Aurek stepped forward.
Then knelt.
Bringing himself to eye level.
In a low, steady voice, he said, "You are Lucius von Saint. Firstborn of the Solaris Empire. Crown Prince."
A rough, calloused hand gently rested on his head.
"And you are my son."
Shock. Bewilderment. Was there even a word for this?
Before he could process further—
Darkness claimed him again.
Five Years Later
"Holy Sun, I know you find this frustrating, but you must learn noble etiquette. You do not represent only yourself—you represent the entire empire. At all times, you must be perfect!"
The speaker was a man with perfectly slicked-back brown hair and round glasses so symmetrical he resembled an owl.
Or at least, that was what Lucius thought.
Lucius von Saint—the Crown Prince—was currently being scolded by the Owl Man.
"I've already practiced for an hour, Uncle Reed! Can't we continue tomorrow? Plea—"
Reed slammed his hand onto the table.
"Do not put off what can be done today!"
He paused, realizing his intensity. His voice softened.
"I'm sorry for being harsh, Lucius. But the world is waiting for you to make a mistake. They want you to be easy to exploit. You may not understand now—but you will. Just thirty more minutes."
Lucius's golden eyes shimmered thoughtfully.
'Was this what you endured in the original story?'
It had been five years since he reincarnated.
It was time to accept the truth.
He was no longer Collins.
He was the heir to an empire.
"Okay, Uncle Reed. Let's begin again."
Later that evening, after finishing his lessons, Lucius walked through the quiet palace halls.
Under his breath, barely audible—
"System… open."
[System currently integrating with Host…Time remaining: 9 years, 340 days, 14 hours, 23 minutes.All features LOCKED.]
Lucius rolled his eyes.
'What's the point of having a system if it's useless for the next ten years?'
Ten years.
The protagonist would arrive then.
'I will change my fate. I will not become the Demon King the story intended.'
Inside his room, he dismissed the hidden guards.
"I wish to be alone."
He stepped before the mirror.
Long crimson hair draped over his shoulders. Golden eyes. Tanned skin. A perfect blend of both parents.
Adorable.
Dangerous.
'Every day I forget more of my old life.'
He had no friends. No family. An orphan.
But he remembered every detail of the novel.
Perfectly.
His eyelashes fluttered as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
'I don't want to die.'
Two goals:
Become strong enough that the protagonist cannot threaten him.
Prove he is not the Lucius from the novel.
'At seven, I awaken mana. That's when training begins.'
Until then—
He would prepare.