Chapter 6
The Age of Awakening
Scene Shift — Five Years Later
The scene slowly shifted.
A calm breeze drifted gently through the spacious room while the warm morning sunlight poured in from the open window, falling directly across Eryx's face. The white curtains swayed softly with the wind, creating dancing shadows along the dark stone walls engraved with faint crimson patterns.
Eryx sat quietly on the edge of the window in silence, staring toward the endless mountain ranges stretching far beyond the Ashvaris Clan territory. The sky above was clear and vast, painted in shades of soft blue and gold beneath the early morning sun.
His black hair moved gently with the wind, while his black-reddish eyes reflected the sunlight like glowing embers hidden beneath darkness. Under the golden rays, his pale face carried an almost ethereal appearance that didn't match his young age.
Five years had passed since he came to this world.
Five long years since his death.
Or perhaps…
His rebirth.
During those years, Eryx had learned many things about this unfamiliar land. Unlike other children of his age who spent their time playing or training recklessly, Eryx spent most of his days buried inside the enormous Ashvaris Clan library.
By the age of five, he had already read more than a hundred books related to history, cultivation, ancient wars, legendary clans, forbidden techniques, and monsters that existed beyond human territories.
The first thing he learned after reincarnating into this world…
Was that the people here practiced cultivation.
A mysterious power capable of strengthening the human body, controlling natural elements, and according to ancient records… even destroying mountains and splitting rivers with a single strike.
At first, Eryx found it difficult to believe.
The world he once lived in followed the laws of science.
But this world—
This world followed entirely different laws.
Here, strength decided everything.
And those who stood at the peak of cultivation were treated like gods among mortals.
Through the books he studied, Eryx also discovered that this world was ruled by six great clans.
The Ashvaris Clan.
The Sylvaris Clan.
The Jyorath Clan.
The Dhairvans Clan.
The Veyrath Clan.
And the Nyvaris Clan.
Each clan possessed unique bloodlines, elemental affinities, and combat arts passed down through countless generations.
Some specialized in swordsmanship.
Some controlled flames.
Others mastered water, wind, nature, or destructive spiritual arts capable of wiping out entire armies.
Eryx himself had reincarnated into the Ashvaris Clan.
One of the most feared clans among the six.
His father, Azrath Ashvaris, was the current head of the clan.
According to the clan members and ancient records alike, Azrath was considered the strongest among all six clan leaders.
A warrior feared across the entire continent.
A man whose name alone was enough to silence battlefields.
Even the clan elders spoke his name with both pride and respect.
Eryx slowly lowered his gaze.
He had also discovered through old books that this world was filled with dangerous creatures and ancient monsters capable of destroying entire cities overnight.
Some were described as beings larger than mountains.
Others were intelligent enough to command armies of beasts.
But strangely…
Eryx had never personally seen a single one.
Only stories.
Legends written in old books covered with dust.
A faint tension slowly appeared across his face.
There was still something he could not understand.
Something that constantly haunted the back of his mind.
Who sent me here… and why?
The last thing he remembered from his previous life was livestreaming on his channel inside his apartment.
After that—
Nothing.
His memories became completely blank.
It was as if a part of his life had been erased entirely.
Did I lose my memories after that…?
Or did someone erase them?
The more he thought about it, the heavier his chest felt.
His expression gradually darkened as countless thoughts filled his mind.
Then suddenly—
A strange mark on his right hand flickered for a brief moment before disappearing again.
Eryx's body stiffened instantly.
A sharp burning pain spread through his hand, causing his fingers to tremble slightly.
Every single time the mysterious mark appeared…
The same pain followed.
I still can't understand… why does this mark keep appearing on my hand?
Eryx quietly stared at his trembling hand, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"What exactly are you…?" he whispered under his breath.
Just then—
A cheerful voice suddenly echoed from outside the room.
"Eryx!"
The door slowly opened.
A young girl entered the room.
Her long silver-blue hair flowed elegantly down her back like a shimmering waterfall beneath the morning light. Her deep blue eyes carried both elegance and sharpness far beyond her age, while her calm expression gave off the feeling of a noble young lady raised within a prestigious clan.
"Why are you sitting there?" she asked softly.
Eryx looked toward her.
Nysera Ashvaris.
His older sister.
She was only eleven years old…
But mentally, she often felt far more mature than he had ever been in his previous life.
Nysera was known throughout the clan as a genius.
Talented.
Disciplined.
Hardworking.
Currently, she was personally training under their mother to master the Ashvaris Clan's sword techniques.
The clan elders often praised her talent, saying she would become one of the strongest swordswomen of her generation.
But the very next moment—
Nysera suddenly rushed toward him and tightly hugged him before aggressively pulling both his cheeks.
"Ahhh! My cute little brother!" she said while laughing. "Why are you sitting on the edge of the window?! You'll get hurt!"
Eryx's face twitched slightly from the pain.
"…No."
I was wrong.
She's definitely not mature.
"I was looking for you everywhere," Nysera continued while pouting. "I even went to the library because I thought you were there again like always. But surprisingly, you weren't."
Eryx gently pushed her hands away from his cheeks before letting out a small sigh.
"Did you need something from me, Sister Nysera?" he asked calmly.
Nysera immediately crossed her arms proudly, lifting her chin slightly like she had remembered something important.
"Father is calling for you."
"The scene shifted once again toward the Clan Hall."
A massive hall stood at the center of the Ashvaris Clan territory.
Dark crimson pillars stretched toward the high ceiling, each engraved with ancient symbols glowing faintly like flowing lava. Large torches burned along the walls, their flames dancing quietly and casting long shadows across the stone floor.
The atmosphere inside the hall felt heavy.
Powerful.
Several clan elders sat on both sides of the chamber, their sharp eyes silently observing everything around them.
At the very front sat a tall man upon a dark throne-like seat.
Azrath Ashvaris.
The Clan Head of the Ashvaris Clan.
Even while sitting calmly, his presence alone dominated the entire hall like a sleeping beast. His crimson-black robes carried golden flame patterns across the edges, while his piercing eyes radiated overwhelming authority.
Just then—
The large doors slowly opened.
Eryx entered the hall quietly.
His small footsteps echoed lightly across the vast chamber as the elders turned their attention toward him.
Eryx placed one hand over his chest respectfully before speaking,
"Father, did you call for me?"
Azrath slowly looked toward him before nodding once.
"Yes."
"There is something you should know."
The atmosphere inside the hall became quieter.
Azrath rested one arm against the throne before continuing,
"Eryx, as you already know… in six months, you will turn six years old."
"That age marks the beginning of cultivation."
"The age when a person awakens their core and discovers what type of spiritual affinity they possess."
Eryx listened quietly.
"Yes, Father," he replied calmly. "I read about it in the clan library."
A faint smile appeared on Azrath's face.
"You truly enjoy learning through books."
"At your age, your knowledge already surpasses most children within the clan."
One of the elders suddenly laughed softly.
"Young Master is exceptionally talented, Clan Head," Elder Fin Ashvaris said proudly. "He possesses the same intelligence you had in your youth."
Several elders nodded in agreement.
Eryx simply stood there silently while listening to their conversation.
However, Azrath suddenly spoke once more,
"He still has a long journey ahead before becoming someone like me."
The moment those words fell—
The elders burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Even Eryx slightly lowered his head awkwardly.
Azrath then waved his hand calmly.
"You may leave now, Eryx."
"Yes, Father."
Eryx respectfully bowed before turning around and walking out of the hall.
The large doors slowly closed behind him.
Outside, the atmosphere felt completely different from the heavy tension inside the chamber.
The sound of swords clashing echoed throughout the clan grounds.
Young disciples trained under the supervision of instructors while sparks occasionally burst from weapon collisions. Some practiced sword forms, while others focused on controlling spiritual energy.
Eryx stopped walking for a moment.
His eyes silently observed the warriors training across the massive courtyard.
A faint excitement slowly appeared within his eyes.
Soon…
I'll also be able to cultivate.
I'll finally be able to wield a sword myself.
At that moment—
A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"Eryx!"
He turned around.
Nysera was running toward him with a bright smile on her face, her silver-blue hair flowing behind her beautifully.
She stopped in front of him before crossing her arms proudly.
"Would you like to watch my training with Mother today?" she asked confidently.
Eryx's eyes widened slightly.
For the first time since arriving in this world, genuine excitement appeared on his face.
The Ashvaris Clan's sword techniques.
The techniques he had only read about books.
And now—
He would finally get to witness them personally.
"Yes," Eryx answered immediately.
"Why not?"
"Let's go."
Nysera smirked proudly after seeing his reaction.
"You seem very excited, Eryx."
"Well… I'll show you the techniques Mother taught me."
She grabbed his hand before happily pulling him toward the training grounds.
The warm sunlight illuminated the clan territory as the siblings walked side by side beneath the clear blue sky.
For the first time in a while—
A genuine smile slowly appeared on Eryx's face.
End of Chapter 6
To Be Continued…