Morning light seeped through the curtains, stirring me from sleep. I blinked a few times, letting my vision adjust to the soft glow illuminating my room.
It's been five days since I came to this world.
From Lucion's memories, I know I'm currently in the Sunfall region.
Not that I'm surprised, Sunfall is known as the agricultural heart of the human domain, and most of the major trade routes wind through here.
From what I remember in the game, Skyvail Summit isn't too far from here—it lies near the border of the Sunfall region.
But something keeps bothering me.
'Why is this place far from the city?'
Most people in Sunfall live within the main city hub, close to trade roads, markets, and community.
But the Everhart house? It's tucked away on the outskirts quiet, remote.
It feels too intentional, too cut off.
I opened the window.
Rolling fields of golden grain stretched into the distance, rippling in the wind.
Massive grain silos loomed on the horizon.
Further out, stone and metal buildings marked the city's edge, smoke curling from industrial chimneys.
Despite the view, it wasn't isolation by accident, it was by choice.
Darius's farmland bordered the estate, and most of his work required open space and distance from the crowded city.
It made sense... but even then, the quiet felt like more than just practicality.
A soft morning breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of dew and tilled earth. My golden eyes reflected the warm sunlight pouring into the room.
Despite the initial discomfort, I had settled into this family's routine.
Calling Elena and Darius "Mom" and "Dad" had felt strange at first, but over time, or could be previous Lucion influence it became second nature.
And to my surprise they didn't doubt my identity. Not even Selena
'Am I really that good at acting?'
I wasn't sure if that thought comforted me… or scared me.
Yet there was just one problem, I had been stuck at home.
No matter what excuse I came up with, Mom always found a reason to keep me inside.
Even Dad's occasional attempts to help had failed.
But today, I would finally be free.
After freshening up,
I stepped into the hallway, greeted by the familiar scent of breakfast.
Elena stood at the stove, preparing a meal, while Darius sat at the table, reading a parchment. As usual, Selena leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me.
"You're awake." She pushed off the wall. "Come with me. We're heading to Sylphoros."
Before I could respond, Elena turned around, holding a plate in her hands. "At least let him eat first, Selena. My Luci needs his strength."
My brow twitched. "Mom, not you too. Stop calling me that."
She giggled. "But it suits you so well! I should thank Selena for such a wonderful name."
I helplessly sighed.
There was no winning this. I'd already seen more of Lucion's memories, and Mom's doting nature was nothing new.
But when had Selena taught her to call me that? I didn't remember her ever using it before.
Selena rolled her eyes but didn't protest.
Meanwhile, Mom placed a generous portion of pan-fried eggs, steamed rice, and stir-fried vegetables in front of me, patting my head with a warm smile.
"You'll be training hard, won't you? Make sure to eat properly."
I nodded, Even though I was only leaving for training, her affection made it seem like I was going on some long journey.
Dad chuckled softly. "Relax, dear. He's not moving out just yet."
Mom crossed her arms with a small huff. "Still... he's my baby."
Selena finally couldn't hold back and sighed. "More like your spoiled one."
I quickly finished my meal and stood up, pointedly ignoring Selena's comment. "I'll be fine, Mom."
She sighed but gave me one last pat on the cheek. "Of course, you will. But if anything happens, tell Selena immediately."
I smiled and nodded before finally following Selena outside.
***
Stepping outside, I was met with a rush of fresh air crisp, carrying the subtle scents of nature and metal.
A strange combination that still caught me off guard. It was my first time truly stepping beyond the walls of my home in this world.
But instead of excitement, unease settled like a weight in my chest.
Everything felt... surreal.
Selena tossed a black half-mask and a hooded cape at me, her tone unusually sharp. "Here. Put these on. You know the drill."
I caught them reflexively, the fabric cool and familiar in my hands. As I recalled some of Lucion's memories, I understood why.
Every time they left the house together, she shoved these at him with the same brisk command.
At first, he had thought it was just one of her quirks, until the day he'd "forgotten" to wear them.
------
That time, the marketplace had turned into a spectacle. The crowds had parted as they walked, their whispers trailing behind.
"Is that the Zephyr heir?" and "My gods, his face… how cute!"
Some stared at the unnatural contrast of his snowy white hair against his pale skin, while others fixated on his yellow-hued eyes, flickering with an eerie glow beneath the sunlight.
A few admirers had even started following them, some whispering, others bolder with their lingering glances.
Selena's expression had darkened with every step.
Her usual sharp gaze became a silent warning, but when one particularly daring girl had tried to approach, offering a shy greeting, Selena's patience had snapped.
One withering glare from her was enough to send them scattering.
She had dragged him home immediately after, her grip tight around his wrist, muttering about "unnecessary distractions."
------
'It made sense. But thinking about it, I realized it made sense for her too.'
As I looked at her crimson-red hair, striking features, and piercing green eyes, I realized Selena naturally drew attention whether she liked it or not.
It wasn't just me, people were probably staring at her just as much.
'She must hate all the unnecessary attention too.'
I sighed, adjusting the mask over the lower half of my face before pulling up the hood.
'Better anonymity than dealing with all of that again.'
Selena gave a curt nod.
She was also obscured by a silver veil clipped to her hair, a subtle but effective shield.
We walked through the city streets, the towering buildings stretching toward the sky, their metallic surfaces gleaming under the twin suns, one golden and warm, the other dark and enigmatic.
Some structures bore intricate carvings, blending artistry with engineering, while others pulsed softly with an energy I couldn't quite name.
carriages glided smoothly through the streets, transporting goods and people with quiet efficiency.
It was a strange blend of old-world grandeur and advanced craftsmanship, familiar yet entirely foreign.
But it wasn't just the architecture or the technology that unsettled me. It was the dark sun.
Its presence loomed over everything, its inky surface absorbing light rather than casting it.
The people here moved as if it were normal, their expressions unbothered by the eerie glow it gave off. But for me, it was suffocating. A silent reminder that this world wasn't my own.
And then, I saw it.
Sylphoros.
Its sheer size alone was staggering. A massive tree, its colossal trunk twisted with veins of dark silver, pulsing with an almost ethereal glow.
Its bark shimmered subtly in the daylight, as if alive with energy. But what truly mesmerized me were the leaves.
soft emerald green beneath the twin suns, shifting ever so slightly as they caught the light.
I hadn't even realized I had stopped walking until Selena's voice cut through my daze.
"You're taking an awfully long time to admire a tree."
Her voice snapped me out of my trance, but my gaze lingered on Sylphoros for a moment longer.
"It's been five days since I last saw this view," I muttered, grasping for an excuse.
Even after I forced myself to look away, the image of Sylphoros remained etched in my mind.
Selena sighed, then pulled something from her coat. "I took the scroll from your drawer while you were unconscious," she admitted, avoiding my eyes.
Her fingers tightened briefly on the parchment before she thrust it toward me. "You'd have nearly killed yourself practicing it like an idiot."
I stared at the scroll in her hand, its edges shimmering with gold-leaf runes that seemed to writhe under my gaze.
'This…' My breath hitched. 'This is a Master-tier technique.'
I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching at my sides. Techniques of this level weren't something you simply stumbled upon.
In the human domain, techniques were categorized into five tiers:
CommonWarriorEliteMasterGrandmaster
For most, obtaining a Elite-tier technique was already a feat, but some humans could even acquire Master-tier arts.
Even the protagonist would struggle to obtain a Master-tier technique.
Of course, he was the protagonist, he'd eventually get something even better, like a Grandmaster-tier technique.
Before I could dwell on it any further, Selena arched an eyebrow.
"Why are you so shocked? This isn't your first time seeing it."
Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
'How could I not be shocked?'
I forced myself to remain calm and hesitated before speaking.
"Sister… I don't recall how I got this technique."
I grabbed my head, feigning discomfort.
"Whenever I try to remember, I get a headache."
I looked at her for a moment before continuing, a bit more quietly.
"You've probably noticed the change in my behavior. It's not just the techniques… there are some incidents too. Things I should remember—but I don't."
I purposely admitted it because honestly, I don't believe no one noticed the shift in my behavior.
Especially not Selena.
From the memories I've managed to piece together, one thing is clear.
Lucion and Selena shared a bond.
He never once questioned her actions.
But me? I've done more than just question her, we've argued.
Her expression shifted, a frown forming as she stepped closer.
"You really can't remember?"
I shook my head. "Why would I lie to sister?"
Her expression hardened instantly. "Then why didn't you tell me earlier, huh?!" Her voice cracked, laced with anger and frustration.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been watching you, trying to figure out what's wrong with you?!" Her fists trembled at her sides.
'So she did notice... I figured as much, but hearing it out loud still stings.'
"You're hiding things again, Luci. You promised you wouldn't do that anymore!"
I let out a breath, rubbing the back of my neck. "I thought it was just a small matter. Not all my memories are gone, they're just… hazy."
I paused, gathering my thoughts before continuing.
"And with time, they're slowly coming back," I added quietly.
Hearing those words, something in her seemed to loosen. The fire in her eyes dimmed, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"But you can't tell Dad. Or Mom. Not about this," I said more firmly. "They'll worry too much."
Selena let out a scoff, her fingers twitching ever so slightly.
"Idiot. Why would I tell them? If your mom finds out, she'll lose her mind. Worst case? She might lock you in the house until every single memory comes back."
I gave her a small smile. "Exactly."
'I didn't want to be locked up at home again. Five days was enough already.'
She folded her arms, her expression shifting to something more serious.
"When you got that technique. You never told me where it came from.
Just mumbled that it appeared on your pillow one night like some divine gift.
I was just as shocked. A Master-tier technique, out of nowhere?" Her eyes narrowed.
"And I was the one who told you to keep quiet about it, to not breathe a word to Mom or Dad."
'Someone must have given it to him? But what kind of person hands out Master-tier techniques like candy?'
I exhaled slowly, regaining my composure. "I see."
She nodded. "No point overthinking it. Just accept it as your luck."
Her gaze softened as she looked at me, something tender in the way she held her eyes on mine.
"Don't overthink your memories. They'll gradually come back, piece by piece."
'That's what I told you earlier… Why is she repeating my words?'
I gave a small nod.
A faint smile touched her lips. "If anything, it's a good change. You're not as naive anymore."
"Haa? I was never naïve," I said, pouting as I played along with her jab.
She smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Sure, Luci. Keep telling yourself that."
I tilted my head slightly, genuine curiosity slipping through.
"But… why didn't you take it? It's a Master-tier technique, after all."
She studied me for a moment, as if trying to read between the lines. Then she shook her head with a faint sigh.
"This is your reward. Why would I take it? Besides, it doesn't suit my profession."
Then her expression cooled.
"Also, never ask me such a stupid question again."
She then handed me the scroll. "I'll make the preparations. Observe this scroll in the meantime."
Without speaking, I accepted the scroll.
'Looks like I hurt her pride… Well, whatever.'
As I looked at the scroll, I read its title:
==== Crimson Resilience Art ====
'That's an impressive name.'
'Yet, I had never heard of this technique before.'
I skimmed through the description:
<< The art was created by **** >>
'Wait… why isn't the creator's name registered?'
Curious, I read further.
<< The art contained three moves. >>
Every technique had its own unique style and true masters rarely listed all their moves on the scroll. They preferred students to discover them through practice.
<< Upon reaching a certain level of mastery, this unique art can deceive others as if it were magic… but in truth, it's only a technique. >>
As I looked at this line, I couldn't help but show my shock. "That…"
'That is a magical technique.'
As the game progresses, some Grandmasters eventually research and develop similar kinds of Techniques.
However, the main reason behind creating these techniques isn't their flashiness; it's their comparatively low mana consumption.
Unlike long-lasting spells that require a wand or lengthy chants, these techniques are already embedded with magic, making them more efficient.
But this development only occurs later, in the late stages of the game.
'Who is this genius creating magical art so early in the game?' I wondered,
but I quickly regained my calm as I recalled that Thalvoria was an enormous planet.
Even though I had nearly completed the game, it didn't mean I had explored everything.
I had mostly followed the main storyline and overlooked many side quests along the way.
Regret flickered in my mind at the thought of those missed opportunities, but I shook it off and continued reading.
<< To properly master the art, four key ingredients were required:>>
Dragon Heart RootTitan's Blood ResinMolten Red OreStorm Serpent Scales
My brows furrowed. These were all incredibly rare materials.
Techniques at the Master-tier and Grandmaster tier usually required special pills to aid in mastery, and only the creator knew the exact recipe.
Normally, masters would personally provide the necessary pills to prevent unauthorized spread.
But this scroll… it directly listed the ingredients for crafting the pill.
"Something felt off."
I glanced back at the top of the scroll, my eyes narrowing as I examined the golden parchment more closely. After a moment, a smirk tugged at my lips.
"Interesting."
Right then, Selena returned.
I looked at her seriously. "Did you really gather all the ingredients?"
She nodded without hesitation.
"That must've cost a fortune."
Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know that?"
'Damn… I slipped up. Lucion shouldn't know this kind of thing.'
Thinking fast, I replied, "I read it in some old books."
She studied me for a moment before shrugging. "I see."
shifting my attention back to the scroll.
Looking at it again, I realized something this technique was powerful and… oddly fitting for my profession as a farmer.
According to the description, it was designed specifically for those with nature-based or healing professions.
Although I am a farmer, which isn't strictly a healing-related profession, farming is still deeply tied to nature, making it relevant to me.
But relying on just this one technique wouldn't be enough. All I could do was hope that, when the time came, my profession would be something far better.
'That said, if I'll be changing professions soon, is this really worth learning?'
After a brief pause, I shook my head. No point wasting a free opportunity.
Even if I couldn't master it completely, I could still learn it.
Selena's voice broke through my thoughts. "Are you ready?"
I exhaled deeply. First, I would master this technique.
And for some reason, I actually felt excited.
Meeting Selena's gaze, I gave a small nod and murmured, "Yeah."