After they left, Calum sat back down in his seat, his eyes fixed on patriarch Liam’s retreating back until it disappeared from view.

  The hall was quiet again now.

  “Gary,”

  The butler, still standing nearby, straightened. "Yes, young master?”

  “Prepare the carriage. I’m going out.”

  Gary bowed. “Young master, it will be ready in two hours. You may wait in your room until then.”

  “I’ll be in the garden.”

  “.....Of course, young master.” Gary left.

  Calum stood and walked toward the exit.

  But, just as he was about to leave.

  A small girl and a boy suddenly rushed at him from the sides and grabbed both his hands.

  “Brother, let’s play! Let’s play!”

  Calum looked down, finding that it was Darian and Lyra—his half-siblings from the third wife.

  Before he could respond—

  "Did you not hear what Father said?”

  Another voice cut through the hall, and it belonged to Edrin, the eldest son standing in the doorway, arms crossed. His expression was stern and disapproving.

  “You two should be studying.” he said, looking at the younger children. Then his gaze shifted to Calum. “And you, Calum–are you still not doing your exercises? Just look at you.”

  Selena appeared beside Edrin, smiling lightly.

  “Hehe, big brother, let’s go. Why are you wasting your time with him?”

  Calum lowered his head slightly. And replied in a low voice.

  “Yes, big brother, I understand.”

  Edrin nodded, satisfied.“Mmm, good. And you two,” he pointed at the little sibling. “go back to your rooms or I will punish you.”

  Hearing this, the children's smiles vanished.

  They released Calum's hands and immediately ran away. Edrin and Selena also turned away and left without another word.

  Calum stood there for a moment.

  He wasn’t angry about being criticized, nor did he care much. After seeing the memories of this body's previous owner, he understood the role he was supposed to play: quiet, introverted, respectful of his older siblings. Gentle and harmless.

  And this personality suited him, no one bothered someone like that. And he could work in peace.

  IN THE GARDEN.

  Calum was taking a stroll, observing the beautiful scenery before him. Many different kinds of flowers bloomed, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

  Just then, Gary returned and informed that the carriage was ready. Calum nodded and followed him out.

  The carriage waited quietly at the gate. He stepped inside and Gary also got in closing the door behind him with a soft thud.

  As the wheels rolled forward, the Warden estate slowly disappeared behind him.

  Ahead—

  As they entered the market area, Calum looked out the window, watching the town unfold around him. People moved everywhere—some selling their belongings, others working as laborers, carrying goods or shouting prices.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  But one thing felt strange to him, everyone he saw was human.Not a single elf. No dwarves. No other races at all.

  Strange.

  "Gary," Calum said, breaking the silence. "Are there only humans in this town?”

  Gary replied immediately “Yes, young master. Is young master looking for another—”

  "No." Calum paused. "Tell me about my family. Do we really own this land?”

  Gary smiled slightly, “Yes, young master. As your father holds the title of Baron, this town—and the hills you see in the distance—belong to the Warden family.”

  Calum nodded. “So if my father is a Baron, that means we live in a kingdom, do we also have a king, right?”

  The questions sounded a bit childish, exactly as intended.

  Gary showed no sign of suspicion.“You are exactly right, young master. The kingdom we live in is called the Arindale Kingdom.”

  He paused, then added, “And we have a new king as well. If you remember, your father had gone to the palace recently. He returned today.”

  Seeing the confusion on Calum’s face, Gary explained further.

  “You see, young master, our old king died a year ago. After that, a new king was chosen. That is why your father had to attend the ceremony.”

  "The new king?" Calum tilted his head.

  “ King Roman the Second,” Gary explained.

  “The eldest son of the late king. He is the same age as your father. In fact, there was a time when they were friends… ahem.”He coughed, as if realizing he'd said too much.

  Calum filed the information away.

  Baron-level nobility. New king. Political instability. Useful.

  He was about to ask another question when—the carriage stopped.

  Gary leaned forward. "What's wrong?”

  The driver's voice came from outside. "Young Master Edrin is ahead. His servant signaled us to halt.”

  Calum's eyes narrowed slightly. Edrin.

  He stepped out of the carriage, spotting Edrin standing in front of an armory (a shop where weapons were sold.)

  Seeing Calum's approach, Edrin smiled and gave him a hug. Then he grabbed Calum’s hand and pulled him inside.

  Inside the armory.

  “What is this sword? It’s too heavy. Show me another one!”Selena's voice rang out across the shop.

  “Yes, yes, Lady Selena,” the merchant replied hurriedly.

  And when she noticed Edrin and Calum enter, she waved enthusiastically.“Brother! Over here, over here!”

  She walked closer, then paused, looking at Calum with mild curiosity.

  “Hm? What are you doing here?”

  But Edrin spoke up.

  “He’s with us,” Their was a hint of pride in his voice “And maybe he wants a weapon too.”

  Both of them then turned to look at Calum.

  To which Calum nodded lightly.

  “Yes,” he said. “I was thinking of getting a weapon as well. Brother, what do you think would be good for me?”

  Hearing this, Edrin straightened unconsciously. Being asked like this made him feel important—like a real elder brother.

  He let out a small cough and waved toward the merchant.“Show us your weapons.”

  The merchant hurried forward as his face brightened. He began bringing out different weapons—swords, short blades, spears—placing them one by one before the three siblings.

  Edrin and Selena looked with interest, discussing among themselves while Calum watched quietly. With his experience, he could tell immediately—they were all well forged.

  After a moment, Edrin glanced at him. "Did you like something?”

  Calum reached out and selected a one-handed sword. It was light, well-balanced, and could be wielded comfortably with a single hand.

  Edrin and Selena also selected their weapons.

  After paying—the three of them walked out of the armory together, leaving the merchant smiling brightly behind them.

  Outside Selena laughed.

  “Haha, Calum, why did you choose such a weak stick? Look at Brother Edrin’s sword!”

  Calum didn’t reply. He only lowered his gaze slightly.

  Edrin shook his head.“Don’t tease him. His sword is good too.”

  Then he looked at Calum again.

  “Calum, are you also going to attend the academy with me and Selena this year?”

  “Huh?” Calum blinked with confusion.

  “Oh right, you don’t know about the Arindale Academy.” Edrin sighed.“Last year, Selena and I were supposed to start, but after the king died, the academy admissions were suspended.”

  He paused. "But after this month, the academy will reopen.

  Selena cut in proudly,

  “That’s why my brother has been training every day.”

  “Hehe,” Edrin grinned. “Just wait, Selena. I’ll be at the top of the academy.”

  Calum listened quietly.Then, after a moment, he spoke.“I’ll attend as well brother, it's just I’m bored of staying at home anyway.”

  Edrin nodded approvingly.

  With that, the three of them returned home together.

  NIGHT. CALUMS ROOM.

  Inside his room, where the moonlight poured in through the window, casting a faint blue glow across the floor.

  Calum sat on his bed. Resting beside him, was the same one handed sword.

  In front of him, a purple translucent screen hovered in the darkness. He stared at it for a long moment.

  Then he spoke in a low voice.

  “System… explain the magic circle.”

  The screen flickered.

  ————

  [MAGE CIRCLE: INITIAL STAGE]

  [Mage Circles are the foundation of mana control. Each completed circle increases mana capacity, precision, and spell efficiency.]

  Calum frowned. "And how do I increase it?"

  [TO ADVANCE MAGE CIRCLES:]

  [– Absorb ambient mana]

  [– Perform mana circulation using cultivation methods]

  [– Break through bottlenecks via repeated compression]

  ————

  Calum’s eyes narrowed.

  “So it’s not something that increases automatically by fighting and killing…”

  His gaze shifted lower on the window, stopping at another line.

  [Level: 0]

  “And this? Do I have to kill and absorb the essence and soul again.” he asked.

  ———

  [Level represents overall growth.]

  Yes, that is the most efficient way and faster way to increase your level but now it can also be increased through combat experience and training. But the progress will be very slow.

  Ping. Leveling up enhances physical ability, reaction speed, and overall potential.

  ————

  Calum let out a quiet breath.

  “So mage circles are for mana… well i know about the leveling system.”

  The system paused for a moment before another line appeared.

  ______

  The player is currently at the Initial Stage of the First Circle.]

  [Would you like to begin the cultivation technique created by the system?]

  ______

  Calum froze."What?"

  His eyes widened slightly.

  “A technique… created by you?”

  That wasn't right.

  The system wasn't supposed to have that level of autonomy. He'd designed it to follow commands, not create on its own.

  (Unless—

  It's developing consciousness.)

  He stayed silent for a moment, thinking. Then his expression turned serious, Calum's blood ran cold.

  Without hesitation, he opened the Settings section of the system. Using his authority, he disabled the conscious Characteristics of the system.

  The screen trembled for a brief second before stabilizing.

  Calum sat back, exhaling slowly.

  His back was damp with cold sweat.

  "That was close."

  Too close.

  But what happened here?

  Right now, calum was far too weak. If he hadn't caught it now—if he'd let the system continue developing autonomously—it would've eventually gained full consciousness.

  To others, this might seem like a

  blessing—but Calum knew better than anyone.

  It would actually control him, just like the previous system did.

  Calum wiped his forehead and looked back at the screen.And opened the technique to see what the system had created.