Later that night, after Mother fell asleep holding me, after Father fell asleep in the chair close by, after the lanterns dimmed and the estate grew quiet, the warmth in my chest returned.
Not painfully.
Not dangerously.
Just… insistently.
Like someone tapping on a door inside me.
I opened my eyes.
The room was dark—only a sliver of moonlight slipped through the paper window.
"...What do you want?" I whispered.
And the world answered.
A soft chime echoed in my mind, gentle but clear.
Then that gods voice: "I forgot to mention that I'd give you a little more help since you had some extra karma left."
Then a translucent screen flickered into view above my palm, shimmering white with faint edges of gold.
"It won't do more than provide you a way to get acquainted with the world. But I've found out that knowing thyself is the first step in knowing thy enemies. This will do both. Good luck. Hero"
I froze.
"This is… a Status Page?"
Words appeared, forming themselves out of light.
──────────────────────────
[STATUS — KAISEL VON ASHENCREST]
Age: 1
Race: Human (Concept-Linked Variant)
Lineage: House Ashencrest — Direct Heir
Status: Awakened (Tier 0 Concept Sensitivity)
Attributes:
Vitality: 1Strength: 1Agility: 1Focus: 25Will: 25 ▲ [Trait Awakening]
Innate Concepts:
True Fire (Dormant)
A primordial flame bound to the Concept of Origin.
Current State: Unstable / Protective.
Cannot be summoned intentionally.Possible Concept Fusion: infinite [Locked]
Innate Traits:
Concept Resonance (Minor)Primordial Draconic Echo (Faded)[Lineage Lock]
Titles:
Reincarnated Soul (Hidden)Ashencrest Heir
Status Afflictions:
Observed by Something Ancient???
System Note:
This interface is bound to the soul of Kaisel von Ashencrest.
Visibility: User Only.
Authority Level: Locked.
──────────────────────────
My breath caught.
A… system.
A real system.
I waved my new born hand through it—it dissolved like mist, then reappeared as soon as I thought about it.
Only I could see it.
Mother would panic.
Father would demand answers.
The House would tear the world apart investigating its origin.
No one could know.
I swallowed hard.
My chest felt tight, not from fear, but from something overwhelming, indescribable.
Hope.
Terror.
Possibility.
"True Fire…" I whispered, touching the glowing words. The letters pulsed faintly.
Dormant.
Unstable.
Protective.
Just like the spark that had appeared in the garden.
My fingers hovered over the line:
Observed by Something Ancient
The moment I focused on it; a cold shiver ran through me.
"I need to get stronger," I whispered into the dark. "Before whatever that is wakes up. Before anyone else does."
The System flickered once more like it was acknowledging me.
Then it faded, leaving only the steady, impossible warmth beneath my ribs.
For the first time that night, I didn't feel small.
I felt… chosen.
Chapter 7 – Window Shopping
I couldn't sleep. From the pain of reincarnation, childbirth, and the fact that I HAVE A SYSTEM.
Every reincarnates dream. At least from the novels I've read.
I've tried every command, every short cut I've seen in novels.
"Inventory", a dissonant chime sounds in my mind. Wumm [Locked – Concept Needed for Inventory compatibility]
"Huh", I thought to myself. "What else?"
"Gatcha Shop", [Kreek].
"Well that didn't sound good, I guess no freebies."
"Skill Shop", [Kreek].
I look at my Status page again "Hmm, what about…"
"Trait Shop", "Concept Shop" [Kreek][Kreek]
Seems like it isn't overpowered where I can get items or upgrade skills but knowing myself is a superpower in itself.
I blinked up at the ceiling.
Everything felt too big.
My body felt small.
Weak.
Clumsy.
On one side lay Mother, Seraphine. Her long dark hair spilled across the mattress like ink in water. Her breathing was slow but steady, exhaustion softening her features.
On my other side was Father, Caelan, asleep sitting upright with his head bowed, one hand resting near my swaddle as if shielding me even in his dreams.
Seeing them both there so close, so fiercely present, filled me with a warmth I hadn't expected.
I was alive.
I was loved.
And I was something far more dangerous than I understood.
Another idea hit me.
A stupid idea.
A reckless idea.
But I couldn't stop myself.
"…System," I thought, "can you show me their statuses?"
A new chime followed, gentler this time.
And two windows appeared above the sleeping forms beside me.
My Father — Caelan
──────────────────────────
[STATUS — CAELAN VON ASHENCREST]
Age: 43
Tier:V — [Polyconceptual] Rank 3 [Unifier]
Concept:Sky-Fire (Lightning + Fire)
Titles:
Pyrestorm TyrantSky-Flame GeneralCrestbearer of Ashencrest
Attributes:Locked due to Authority Difference
NOTICE:
Attempting to view more may alert the target.
──────────────────────────
A bolt of fear shot through me.
Alert him?!
Absolutely not.
I dismissed the window immediately.
Even asleep, Father shifted slightly, fingers tightening near my swaddle.
As if sensing the attention.
I held my breath until he relaxed again.
My Mother — Seraphine
The second window glowed softer, warm like sunrise embers.
──────────────────────────
[STATUS — SERAPHINE VON ASHENCREST]
Age: 38
Tier:V —[Polyconceptual] Rank 1 [Balancer]
Concept: Radiant-Fire (Fire + Holy + Light)
Titles:
Lady of the Inner FlamePrincess of the Eastern Dynasty Hearth-Keeper
Attributes:Locked due to Authority Difference
NOTICE:
Some information hidden for emotional safety of the user.
──────────────────────────
My tiny chest tightened.
Mother looked so tired.
Her face pale.
Her breathing shallow—recovering from the strain of a birth that involved a Origin Concept-level eruption.
I dismissed the window and gazed at her.
Her hand, limp on the blanket, was close enough to touch.
I reached out.
It took all my strength, all the will my infant body could muster, but I managed to wriggle my fingers against hers.
Her hand twitched—then curled softly around my tiny one.
Warm.
Comforting.
Home.
I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes.
"I'll get stronger," I promised silently.
"I'll become someone who can protect you both."
The System pulsed gently, as if acknowledging my vow.
I drifted off to sleep between the two people who would shape my childhood—
with dangerous flames sleeping inside me,
an ancient presence watching,
and a system tied to my soul.
A new life had only just begun.
And the world was already waiting.