The smell of herbs lingered in the air. It was faint but enough to stir Azel from unconsciousness.
He groaned softly, head heavy like a rock, and slowly blinked his eyes open.
Warm light filtered through white curtains, swaying gently with the breeze.
The ceiling above him was made of polished wood, clean and refined.
No longer stone. No longer the damp darkness of the slums.
He sat up.
His arms trembled slightly, but he pushed through it.
He was on a bed — an actual bed with clean sheets and a soft pillow under his head.
A small pain pulsed behind his temple, and when he raised a hand, he felt bandages wrapped carefully around it.
He looked down at himself. Gone were the ragged, dirt-covered clothes he had woken up in when he first arrived in this world.
Instead, he wore a blue linen robe, warm and comfortable, tied with a simple sash at the waist.
Across from the bed, a mirror stood propped against the wall.
Curiosity overtook him.
He stood up slowly and walked toward it. The boy in the mirror stared back at him.
Sharp crimson eyes. Pale silver hair. His features were undeniably handsome, if youthful.
There was a faint nobility to his gaze, but also a tinge of weariness… of someone who had seen too much too soon.
He gave a low whistle. "Damn."
That was not the face of a twenty-year-old. Not anymore. He looked maybe ten years old at best. A child.
He touched his cheek.
It felt real.
"I really transmigrated…" he muttered.
Then a familiar blue screen blinked into existence before him.
[Congratulations for completing "Prologue — No Way Home"]
The same screen that had hovered just before he passed out.
He reached out instinctively, half-expecting his hand to go through it.
But as soon as he tapped it, the words unfolded like a menu.
[Welcome to Elarion – The world made for the famous game known as 'Fall of Ares'. You have been given an opportunity to rescue your favorite heroines. It was your wish… and that is why you are here.]
Azel squinted at the message. His lips twitched into a bitter frown.
'I thought it would be another game sequence, not you actually throwing me into the damn thing!'
The thought screamed in his head.
He would have rather played another sequence…
Not... this.
Not slavery. Not near-death. Not calamities waiting to raze the world.
He let out a shaky sigh. "Of all the games… why this cursed one?"
Because Fall of Ares wasn't just a dark fantasy game — it was brutal.
[With each Heroine you save from their inevitable doom and each mission you complete,
you gain "Fate Points." These Fate Points can be used to purchase items, skills, and blessings from the System Shop. Hereby until you begin rescuing heroines, the only features available will be "Status" and "Quests."]
Azel narrowed his eyes.
"The store isn't even unlocked yet?" he muttered. "Of course it's going to make me suffer first."
He took a deep breath.
"Status," he said.
Immediately, the glowing blue panel shifted.
---
[Status Screen]
Name: Azel Winters
Age: 10
Title: Reincarnator — A soul from another world, burdened with memory and mission.
Class: None
Bloodline: Locked
Strength: 2 (E)
Speed: 2 (E)
Endurance: 5 (E)
Magic: 2 (E)
Active Abilities: None
Passive Abilities: None
Skills: None
---
Azel stared at it blankly.
"I'm basically… a weak child."
The numbers made it painfully clear. These stats wouldn't last five minutes against even the weakest enemies in the game.
In this world, even E-rank monsters could rip him apart. And with no skills, no magic, and no class…
"I'd die in a week," he whispered.
He clenched his fists.
That wasn't an option.
Not when there were heroines to save. Not when he knew the pain they were destined to suffer.
He dismissed the status screen and sat down, breathing deeply.
'I need to grow stronger. Fast.'
A knock broke the silence.
Then the door opened.
Steven Thorne walked in.
Gone was the regal Sword Saint attire.
He wore a simple green robe now, sleeves rolled up. In his hands was a tray of steaming food — a bowl of stew, fresh bread, and salad.
"I see you're awake," Steven said, smiling gently.
Azel immediately sat upright and bowed his head, almost comically low for a ten-year-old.
"Thank you! You saved my life—"
Steven chuckled.
"There's no need to be so formal, lad. You've been through enough." He set the tray on the side table. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
Azel hesitated for half a second — then devoured the food like a starving beast. He didn't care how messy he looked.
His body took over before his pride could complain.
Steven watched, amused.
"There's more where that came from," he said, taking a seat near the window. "It's been a while since I had a kid over."
Azel slowed down.
He wiped his mouth with his palm, swallowed, and then looked Steven in the eye.
"I have a request," he said quietly.
Steven raised an eyebrow.
"I want to become strong."
There was no dramatic pause. No righteous speech. Just a tired, honest voice.
"I don't want to be weak anymore," Azel continued. "I don't want to be kidnapped. I don't want to hide or run."
His voice wavered slightly.
"I want… to protect myself. No, more than that… I want to be able to protect others. So please — teach me."
He bowed his head again.
It was hard. Pretending to be a kid. Staying in character.
He had to be cautious, careful not to sound too old. But his desperation was real.
Steven didn't speak for a moment.
Then —
A warm hand rested gently on Azel's head.
Azel blinked.
Steven ruffled his hair softly.
"You remind me of someone," he said, his voice quieter now. "Someone I loved… and failed to protect."
He stood up and placed a hand over his chest.
"If it's strength you seek, I'll give you everything I can offer."
His gaze met Azel's.
"But strength has a cost. It's not power I'll give you — it's the path. The pain, the discipline, the burden of choosing when to draw your sword."
Azel nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Steven smiled gently.
"Then from today on, you're my apprentice."
Azel's heart skipped.
He was about to train under one of the strongest NPCs in the entire game — a Sword Saint who could cut through armies and shatter magic with a swing.
'It's about time...'
[You have gained a new title]
[Sword Saint's Apprentice]