The first thing Arin felt upon waking was an unbearable pressure in his head—a sensation like a thousand voices whispering all at once, each vying for his attention. His body, unfamiliar yet familiar, trembled as fragmented memories poured into his consciousness like a broken dam finally giving way.
In one moment, he was Arin Devain, the son of a noble house in Eldoria, lying in his grand yet cold chambers. In the next, he was Arin Sharma, a young man from Mumbai, India, who had lived an ordinary life before meeting an untimely end.
His breaths came shallow and fast as the weight of two lives settled upon his mind. The smells of lavender-scented sheets and polished oak floors conflicted with the distant memory of humid monsoon winds and the bustling streets of his past. The sharp contrast made him feel like a spectator in his own body.
"This… isn't a dream, is it?"
He slowly sat up, his vision swimming as flashes of his old world intertwined with the new. The accident—the blinding headlights, the screech of tires, the dull thud, then darkness. And yet, here he was, alive in a world so far removed from the one he had known.
Arin ran a hand through his hair—softer, longer than he remembered. He turned his palm over, studying the slender fingers and smooth skin. Even his body felt different, lighter. He exhaled sharply. "Reincarnation, huh?"
The concept had existed in his past life as mere philosophy, myth, or spiritual belief. But here, in Eldoria, it was reality.
The World of Eldoria and Samsāra Shakti
Unlike Earth, Eldoria followed a fundamental law known as Samsāra Shakti—the Cycle of Awakening. Every individual at the age of fifteen awakened their past life's memories, allowing them to carry forward their wisdom, experiences, and, in rare cases, unresolved regrets. This awakening was the defining moment of every noble house, for it determined their place in society, power, and influence.
But the memories were not the only thing granted at fifteen. The Awakening also birthed one's Vriksha-svarūpa—the Soulbound Tree. This ability was not predetermined but formed by the essence of one's bloodline and their personal beliefs. A child inherited roots from both parents, but their branch would grow uniquely according to their understanding of the world.
If one sought power in swordsmanship, their branch would not simply grant them mastery. Instead, they would need to grasp the concept of the blade—the weight of a sword, the philosophy behind its swing, the intent behind a strike. Only through this deep comprehension would their Vriksha-svarūpa evolve.
This system, unlike the arbitrary power structures Arin had read about in stories from his past life, demanded something far more profound: understanding. Strength was not simply given; it was cultivated through belief, knowledge, and experience.
Arin's fingers curled into a fist. "And I… am bound by this fate as well."
Memories of the Devain Household
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. The sound was sharp, precise, yet devoid of warmth.
"Young Master Arin, the Duke requests your presence in the study."
The voice belonged to an attendant—one of the many employed by House Devain. From the memories settling in his mind, he knew what kind of family he had been born into.
House Devain was one of Eldoria's great noble families, known for its unwavering discipline and strict traditions. His father, Duke Alistair Devain, was a man of steel—a figure who commanded respect through sheer presence alone. His mother, Lady Helena, was equally formidable, her beauty as renowned as her calculating mind.
They were not cruel, nor were they affectionate. To them, Arin was an heir—a piece in the grand game of nobility. They had given him the finest tutors, ensured his upbringing was flawless, and expected nothing short of perfection in return.
Arin let out a breath, his lips twisting into a wry smile. "A second life, and I'm still bound by expectations."
But this time, he was not the same person he had been. This time, he carried the wisdom of two lifetimes.
He stood, dressed in fine silken robes embroidered with the sigil of House Devain, and made his way toward the study, preparing to face the first step of his new fate.
A Decision That Changes Everything
The study was vast, lined with bookshelves filled with tomes of history, politics, and warfare. The air smelled of parchment and ink, the scent of a place where decisions that shaped the kingdom were made.
Duke Alistair sat behind a grand mahogany desk, his piercing silver eyes settling on Arin the moment he entered. Lady Helena stood beside him, her expression as unreadable as ever.
Between them sat a sealed parchment.
"Arin," his father's voice was firm, leaving no room for hesitation. "House Valmont has proposed an engagement between you and their daughter, Evelyne Valmont. We have considered it and decided it is in our best interest. You will accept."
There it was. The first chain fate sought to place upon him.
From his memories, he knew Evelyne Valmont was regarded as a villainess in noble society—a woman with a stained reputation, whispers of misfortune clinging to her name. Her house, once powerful, had fallen into decline, and this engagement was likely their last grasp at survival.
In the original path of this world, Evelyne had been framed for crimes she did not commit, abandoned by all, and executed. A tragic figure painted as the antagonist of a story she had no control over.
Arin's fingers twitched.
Was this his fate as well? To play the role written for him?
His past life had been ordinary, unremarkable. He had lived, struggled, and died without leaving a mark. But here, in this world, he had been given a chance to act, to change something—perhaps even to defy destiny itself.
His father's gaze hardened. "Do you understand your duty, Arin?"
He could say yes. He could follow the script.
Or…
A slow breath escaped his lips, and a quiet thought formed in his mind—a thought that sent a shiver through him.
What if I don't just accept this fate? What if I rewrite it?
For the first time since his awakening, his lips curled into a genuine smile.
"I understand perfectly, Father."
And so, his journey began—not just to fulfill expectations, but to forge a path no one had dared to walk before.