Henry's vision blurred as his eyes fluttered open.
A Silent, unfamiliar white room.
He was seated on a chair, and across from him sat a man with amber eyes, late twenties, a scar running down his cheek.
"About time you woke up," the man said.
Henry's mind was still catching up, fragments of memory swirling in confusion.
'Where am I? What's happening to me?'
Then, his gaze locked onto the red-haired man before him and his breath hitched. Shock slammed into him like a wave.
'Right... this man... he was on that battlefield. His eyes, they were bleeding, damaged beyond repair. But now... he's fine?'
Heart pounding, he turned his focus to his left forearm. The Sigil was still there. A serpent, ink-black, coiled against his skin.
"H-how am I here? I was on the battlefield just a second ago!" Henry stammered.
The man laughed. A sharp, amused chuckle. "Ha! A second? Really? You've been out for two days, dumbass."
He leaned back, smirking. "You passed out the moment you saw me."
Then, with a mock sigh, he added, "And here I thought my face was one of the most handsome in the world. Guess my scar ruined the charm, huh?"
"Though, I gotta say, for someone with a Sigil, you've got a weak constitution."
"Haa," Henry exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "So, where are we, Mr..." He paused, clearing his throat. "Ahem. My apologies, we haven't introduced ourselves."
The man leaned forward, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Not really. We know a lot about you, third son of the head of the Vaelcrest Clan, Alvin Vaelcrest."
Henry froze.
"I am... what now?" His heart pounded in his chest.
The man's brow furrowed. "Hm, Strange... Do you remember anything before the battlefield?"
'Did he lose his memories? Considering what happened, it's not impossible,' the man thought.
Henry tried to recall memories from current body, but it was futile attempt.
"I-I don't remember anything," he admitted.
'So, I'm Alvin Vaelcrest... Sure enough, I was just an extra who died before the story even began'.
His fingers curled into a fist. I need to get out of here. Something about this man feels... off.
Still, he had saved him. He had taken care of him for two days. Henry figured he at least owed the guy some gratitude.
"Mister," Henry started, forcing his voice to stay even. "What's your name? And since you seem to know my family, can you inform them?"
The man laughed, a crazed, almost unhinged laugh.
"Inform your family? Not happening, kid," he said, flicking his fingers.
The white room shimmered, shifting. The walls became transparent glass.
Henry's breath caught in his throat. Outside, the view was nothing like he had expected.
They were underwater. Massive structures loomed beyond, sprawling facilities built beneath the ocean's surface.
"Listen, kid," the man continued. "From today onward, you're my disciple, the future seventh seat candidate of the Twilight Crown."
Henry barely had time to process the words before the next one hit like a hammer.
"A seat far more powerful than your so-called family head position."
He leaned closer, voice unwavering. "I will train you for the next three years. I will make you one of the strongest."
Henry swallowed hard. The weight of those words settled in his chest.
"Training will be intense. It starts in a week. In the meantime, try to recall your memories and choose a name for yourself. As a candidate for the seventh seat, you should conceal your real identity."
The man stood, stretching his shoulders. "I need to make a report, so I'll be leaving. Someone will take you to your room, and I'll have them provide you with your identity details. Maybe those will help jog your memory."
He walked toward the door but stopped just before stepping through.
"Right... You can call me 'Sir' or 'Master' I don't really care." He glanced back, a smirk playing on his lips. "But people call me... The Exile."
With that, he left the room.
'What just happened?' Henry's thoughts raced.
'He didn't even give me a chance to talk, and he certainly didn't care about my opinion.'
His gaze shifted toward the vast sea outside the glass walls.
"It certainly doesn't feel like a joke or a dream."
His fists clenched tightly.
'Fifteen minutes ago, I was in my room. Now, I'm here. wherever 'here' is. What the hell is happening?'
'I died. I transmigrated. And now, I'm supposed to act as his disciple? The world expects me to just play along? Yeah, sure'.
Henry didn't like it. The fact that something or someone had changed his fate.
A coincidence? No.
A miracle? No.
Something was pulling the strings, manipulating events to bring him here.
That hovering shard of the mirror...The memory surged back, the shard that had pierced his heart.
"Never. Never again. I am not a puppet for you to play with my life."
'Whoever you are... don't regret this later'.
Yet, deep down, Henry had a feeling. No, he was certain.
He would meet this being very soon.
Outside the Building
The Exile walking towards the portal, the gateway to their other base on the surface.
Then he stopped.
His head snapped toward the room where Henry remained.
"What is that energy...?" His eyes narrowed. "It's not from the Sigil."
A realization struck him. His eyes widened as he smiled. "Heh... What kind of monster have I just taken in?"
'Last time, it healed his injuries. Now, it's reacting to his emotions'.
"Such compatibility..." He let out a low chuckle, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Haha... this little fella has the potential to rival me."
Turning away, The Exile stepped through the portal, vanishing into the void.
Welcome to the Twilight Crown Hierarchy.