The capital of Elarion was surrounded by a vast forest on its outskirts.A full moon hung high in the night sky, illuminating the world below. Yet despite its bright light , almost none of its light could penetrate the dense forest of Elarion.The darkness consumed the ground beneath the towering trees.
Through the forest, two hooded figures moved quietly, their dark tunics blending into the shadows around them. Both carried huge boxes in their arms .
"Hey, newcomer. Move fast , we have get these to our new base before sunrise" he muttered while adjusting his hood. "The royal dogs are sniffing around the forest ."
The other figure looked around cautiously before speaking.Her voice carried a faint noble elegance despite her attempt to hide it. "Oh... sorry, but isn't this place far from the crime scene?"
"These dogs have spread throughout the forest searching for clues," the man replied grunting."Those numbskulls had one job , kill Vyom silently in the outskirts , but no!!!" the guy said sarcastically "we chase him deep into the forest and kill him there , close to our f**king base"
He grunts "And now we have to relocate because of them" the guy kicks a stone
"It was just a coincidence he ran towards or..." Suddenly a distant light between the trees that interruppted her .The man's expression immediately changed "Hide. Fast."
The two quickly slipped behind a nearby tree. The newcomer carefully peeked out."That light.... He must be a soldier on patrol."
"Most likely."the guy whispered .
A strange smile slowly spread across her face."Can I kill him? ."
The man felt a chill run down his spine. The smile on her face wasn't normal "Oh? So eager are we?".He studied her for a moment before shrugging "Go ahead , I was planning to test your new skills at the hideout anyway. So why not here?"
The woman's smile widened ,creepyly reaches her eyes.
The next moment she vanished into the darkness.
Few seconds the guy hears a splash and a thud .
The forest returned to a creepy silence .
_______________________________________
Arin's POV
As the sun slowly rose above the Valden Mansion,birds began chirping softly outside the windows.
Warm morning light slipped through the curtains, illuminating the room piece by piece.
Books neatly arranged across wooden shelves. Training swords were resting against the wall.
A polished desk covered in academy notes.
And near the large window a small bird cage gently swayed in the breeze.
The moment sunlight touched the cage a tiny crimson-colored bird immediately began chirping.
"Pee pee pee!"
Hearing the familiar sound a figure sleeping on the bed slowly stirred.
"Yawn..."
A young boy no older than thirteen sat upright.Despite his age his body already looked refined from years of disciplined training. Sharp brown eyes identical to Ronan's calmly opened as messy dark hair fell over his forehead.
Arin Valden.
He stretched lazily before scratching his head and walking toward the cage ."Good morning, Pyro."
The little bird chirped happily. Arin opened the cage door and extended his finger. Without hesitation Pyro hopped onto it.
"Looks like someone slept well today."
A faint smile appeared on Arin's face as he brought the bird closer to his cheek.The tiny creature rubbed against him affectionately.
"Pee pee pee!"
Pyro flapped its red coloured wings and landed directly on Arin's head making him chukle "Aww...Still sleepy, huh?"
The room felt completely peaceful until
"AAAAAAAAAA!" A loud scream echoed from somewhere below.
Arin blinked. Walking toward the window, he looked down at the training yard.
There a familiar fat figure was desperately running around the field as if some ghosts were chasing him .
"BREAK ...PLEASE.... BREAK ....LET.... ME.... TAKE ...BREAK!... I'M GONNA DIE..... IF I RUN ANYMORE!"
At the same time another shout followed.
"STOP SHOUTING IN MY HEAD, YOU DAMN CURSE!"
Arin stared silently for several seconds.Then sighed."What is Brother doing now...?" . A small smile appeared on his face."...At least he looks energetic today."
"Peepeeee" Pyro lazily chirped from atop his head as if it were replying to arin . Arin gently lifted the bird and placed it back inside the cage.
"Go back to sleep, Pyro.I need to train.I'll play with you after I return, okay?"
The tiny bird obediently hopped back inside before curling up sleepily.
Arin closed the curtains slightly so the sunlight wouldn't disturb it.
"Bye, Pyro."
"Pee peeeeee..."
________________________________________
Aarav's POV
"GASP!"
"GASP!"
"GASP!"
Aarav continued running around the massive training yard while sweat poured down his face.Every muscle in his body screamed in protest."Run faster, Aarav! You can do it!"
"FASTER!!!!!" Vyom's voice echoed inside his head. "SHUT UP, YOU CURSED GHOST!" Aarav yelled internally while barely keeping himself upright.
"Don't shout, Aarav. People will think you're insane...." A brief pause followed."But then again... you actually are, aren't you?" Vyom added mockingly.
"I.... SWEAR ...I'LL FIND ....A PRIEST AND .....EXORCISE... YOUU!" Aarav shouts internally between gasps while running .
Inside the ring Vyom's eye twitched.
"Looks like you need motivation . Let me sing a motivational song for you"
Then suddenly he began singing po***mon theme song in the most horrifying tone imaginable.
"AAAAAAA stop it please" Aarav's face immediately twisted in agony. "MY HEAD!!!!!PLEASE STOP ,IT HURTS. FINE SORRY ,I WON'T COMPLAIN! JUST STOP SINGING!"
Vyom immediately stopped singing .He laughed wickedly."Good boy . Now after twenty laps....do fifty push-ups."
Aarav nearly tripped. "DO YOU WANT ME TO DIE?!"
Vyom took a deep breath getting ready to sing .Aarav immediately stops him "Sorry... sorry ... please stop . I will do it".
Vyom smirks "i am not able to hear you" Aarav shouts at the top of his voice while gasping "I'LL DO IT.DON'T OPEN THAT SHITHOLE YOU CALL MOUTH AGAIN!"
A smug smile appeared on Vyom's face."Good boy , now run faster."
Aarav ran desperately , his face dripping with sweat and tears .
________________________________________
Last Night
Inside his room Aarav quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen before sitting at his desk.
"Alright , so now we have 2 goals , one , to stop my family from dying . Two , to find out who killed you and whether they knew you were a transmigrator . Is that it ??? "
Vyom immediately sighed "It's not that simple. You can't just write a plan on paper and magically solve everything."
Aarav immediately crumpled the paper."HEY I WAS JUST WRITING OUR OBJECTIVES , ALSO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THEN ?!"
Vyom calmly answered," You are very weak and useless now . First , You need to become physically stronger so you can face opponents . Also i can only teach you my weapon arts if you become stronger and more durable. "
Aarav looked personally offended. Vyom continues "Dagger combat , Swordsmanship And close combat techniques."
Aarav frowned "Can't you just teach me now?"
Vyom laughed mockingly " hahahahaha , you .. my techniques hahaha . You are a funny guy aren't you . With your current stamina? You'd die halfway through training."
Aarav's face darkened."...Rude." But still he reluctantly accepted it."Fine Whatever."
Aarav threw himself onto the bed "So nothing important happens until the academy exams, right?"
Vyom thought for a moment."...Not exactly ,there are two minor arcs before that."
A weary groan escaped Aarav's lips "Of course there are."Vyom ignores him continuing "The first is the Goblin Camp Arc. According to the original plot, Lucian joins the academy guild to earn money and pay his expenses."
"During one of his missions, he accidentally discovers a goblin camp and eventually kills the Goblin King."
Aarav clicked his tongue "Of course he does."
Vyom continued "The second arc is called the Bloody Pool Incident." That immediately caught Aarav's attention "The Bloody Pool Incident?"
Vyom nodded.
"A serial killer begins targeting noble heirs. He kills around five of them.Eventually Lucian almost tracks the killer down ."
Aarav raised an eyebrow "What do you mean by almost?" Vyom continues "the killer is never caught ,The arc ends without revealing his identity."
Aarav smiles in excitement "Wait so that bastard actually fails for once?"
Vyom coughed awkwardly "Well... Technically yes, but" . The smile fades on aarav's lips "but??" . He repeats with a serious face completely shifting from the smile before .
"The main point of the Bloody Pool Arc is not to catch the killer but to introduce one of the main female leads." Aarav looked curious "Wait isn't Selena the female lead?"
Vyom shakes his head"No the female lead is the First Princess. Lucian crumbles after the failure , the first princess encoura..... ." Vyom stops as he sees Aarav in shock a silence filled the room.
"..."
"..."
Finally Aarav breaks the silence with a shivering voice "T... the.. the First Princess?". Vyom nodds "yes Princess Irene Elarion , third in line for the throne."
Aarav immediately sat upright "THE Princess Irene Elarion?! THE Princess?! ROYAL FAMILY Princess?!"Vyom blinked cluelessly as if stating the obvious "...Yes her , why?"
For Vyom she was simply another character.
But for Aarav she was royalty . The difference was obvious. Aarav buried his face into his pillow.
"Vyom Please stop. I am not mentally prepared for these kinds of surprises."
"I want to sleep.We can discuss this tomorrow."
Vyom shrugged "Fine." . Aarav pulled the blanket over his head.But even then he couldn't stop thinking. "Lucian again huh ."
Everything always came back to Lucian.
The strongest student...The protagonist .. The future hero.The guy who would somehow meet a princess.Aarav gritted his teeth.
"That guy gets everything...As if life wasn't unfair enough already..."
He continued grumbling for nearly fifteen minutes before exhaustion finally won.
Soon soft snores filled the room.
"Zzzzzzz..."
Inside the ring Vyom looked at the sleeping boy .Then a mischievous smile appeared on his face."I wonder how Aarav would react if he learned Lucian ends up with five wives."
A brief pause.
"Yeah... Let's keep that information hidden for now."He let out a small sigh "Sleep well, kid ,tomorrow your life is about to change . You will never look back again ."
A soft snore answered him.
"Zzzzzzz..."
Vyom stared at him for a moment ,then chuckled.
________________________________________
Present Morning
The sun had not yet risen.Aarav slept peacefully beneath his blanket.
"Zzzzzzz..."
Then suddenly—
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
A horrifying screech exploded inside his mind. Aarav shot upright in terror "OH GOD! WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Vyom calmly replied "Good morning, Aarav. Time to train."
Silence.
Then
"...WHAT?!?!?!"