Two weeks had passed since the battle with the orc warlords, and yet, they remained stranded in the vast expanse of the forest.

The ruins had become their temporary home, offering shelter from the harsh environment and a defensible position against wandering monsters. The first few days after the final battle had been spent recovering. Elena had nearly exhausted herself healing everyone, and Alden could tell that even Leon—who was usually so full of energy—was dragging himself through training sessions with pure willpower alone.

But none of them had given up.

They trained daily, refining their combat skills while also exploring the ruins for any hidden resources. The once-destroyed structures had proven useful, with underground water sources and even a hidden chamber filled with ancient mana inscriptions that Sylvara eagerly studied.

Though their supplies were dwindling, morale had remained steady.

Until today.

---

Alden sat near a campfire, idly flipping a small mana core between his fingers. Shiranui was curled up beside him, her snowy fur glowing faintly in the dim light of the flames.

Across from him, Luca was roasting some freshly hunted meat while Seraphina sat beside him, sharpening her blade with slow, methodical movements.

"I don't get it," Luca muttered. "It's been two weeks. Why the hell hasn't anyone found us yet?"

Alicia, who was leaning against a crumbled pillar, exhaled tiredly. "The teleportation must've sent us deep into the forest—maybe somewhere beyond the normal scouting range."

Leon, sitting with his arms crossed, frowned. "Even then, our families should've found us by now."

Sylvara nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Noble families have extensive resources. If they were looking, they should've at least found a trail."

Reynard smirked, tossing a small dagger between his fingers. "Unless they don't want to find us."

"Reynard." Elena shot him a warning look.

"What? Just saying. Wouldn't be the first time nobles 'lost' an heir for convenience."

Alicia scowled at him but didn't argue.

Alden, listening quietly, didn't comment.

He knew they were being searched for. The real question was why it was taking so long.

Had something delayed them? Or… had something interfered?

His grip on the mana core tightened slightly.

Before the conversation could continue, a sudden gust of wind rushed through the ruins, carrying an unfamiliar scent.

Luca's ears twitched, his nose flaring as he sniffed the air. His posture stiffened. "Someone's coming."

Immediately, the entire group went on high alert.

Leon reached for his sword, and Alicia's hand hovered over her blade. Sylvara murmured something under her breath, her fingers glowing with faint mana.

Then, they heard it.

The sound of marching footsteps.

Dozens.

No—hundreds.

Alden stood, his senses sharpening. Through the dense foliage beyond the ruins, figures in dark armor emerged.

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And leading them—

Were several knights clad in noble insignias.

Leon's eyes widened. "That's… my family's crest."

Alicia stiffened. "Mine too."

One by one, each of them recognized the banners of their noble houses.

A tall man with piercing green eyes, draped in regal armor, strode forward with authority. His gaze immediately locked onto Leon.

"Leonhardt Valerian."

Leon straightened. "Father."

The man's face betrayed no emotion. "You're alive."

Alicia's own father stepped forward, relief visible on his normally strict features. "Alicia."

More knights appeared, each addressing their respective heirs.

Seraphina's expression remained cold, even as her family's retainers approached her. Reynard merely sighed, looking completely unbothered, while Sylvara seemed hesitant, her gaze flickering between the armored elves and her companions.

Luca, however, growled under his breath. His golden eyes flashed with irritation as his clan's warriors approached.

Alden remained silent.

There was no one here for him.

His family wouldn't send knights. His family wouldn't send anyone at all.

And just like that, the difference between him and them became painfully clear once more.

The others had people desperately searching for them, ready to welcome them back.

Alden?

He had only himself.

Shiranui let out a soft whimper beside him, sensing his emotions. He placed a hand on her head, his expression unreadable.

Leon, seemingly realizing something, turned toward him.

"Alden—"

Before he could say anything, one of the knights stepped forward.

"On behalf of the noble houses, we are here to retrieve you all. The academy has declared this event a disaster, and you are to return immediately."

There was a heavy silence.

Alicia, gripping her sword, glanced around. "And what about the ruins? There's still more here we haven't—"

"This is no longer your concern." The knight's voice was final. "The academy will handle the rest."

Reynard clicked his tongue. "How convenient."

Leon hesitated, then finally sighed. "…Fine."

It wasn't like they had much choice.

With a final look at the ruins that had been their home for the past two weeks, the group gathered their belongings.

As they prepared to leave, Alden lingered at the edge of the ruins, his hand brushing against the ancient stone.

Alden Blackwood.

The second son of the prestigious House Blackwood, a noble family known for its long lineage of powerful mages and warriors.

Born into a house of power and tradition, Alden had once been cherished.

But fate had other plans.

---

House Blackwood

The Blackwood family was one of the oldest noble houses in the empire, holding the title of Marquess, just a rank below Dukes. Their domain, Ravenspire, was a land rich in mana, covered with vast black forests and towering mountains. It was a territory filled with ancient ruins, mana beasts, and hidden dungeons, making it a perfect land for warriors and mages to hone their craft.

For centuries, the Blackwood bloodline had produced exceptional individuals, known for their unmatched swordsmanship, deadly magic, and strategic brilliance.

And at the heart of this legacy stood Marquess Edric Blackwood, Alden's father.

A towering man with jet-black hair and piercing golden eyes, Edric was a war hero and a master of both aura and magic, wielding both with terrifying efficiency. He was known as the Black Lion of Ravenspire, a title earned through his many victories in battle.

Beside him was Lady Evelyne Blackwood, Alden's mother, a noblewoman from the prestigious House Rosenwald. A gentle and intelligent woman with silver hair and violet eyes, Evelyne was the one who softened the harsh traditions of House Blackwood, bringing warmth into a house built on strength.

They had two sons.

Damien Blackwood, the eldest son, and heir to the family. A genius warrior and mage, praised as the next legend of the Blackwood lineage.

Alden Blackwood, the second son, once loved… but later forgotten.

Alden's early years were filled with love.

His mother adored him, always reading him stories by the grand fireplace of their castle. She would tell him tales of legendary knights, of dragons and heroes who shaped the world.

His father, though stern, had been kind in his own way. He would test Alden's strength, lift him onto his shoulders, and tell him, "A Blackwood never bows. We carve our own destiny."

And then there was Damien, his older brother.

Unlike many noble heirs who saw their younger siblings as threats, Damien had always treated Alden with warmth. He trained with him, laughed with him, and called him "little crow" because of how he would always follow Damien around.

For a time, life was good.

Until everything changed.

---

When Alden was seven, his mother fell ill.

It was a strange illness, one that even the best healers in the empire could not cure. Day by day, her body weakened, until one night… she never woke up.

Her death shattered the warmth in House Blackwood.

His father, once a man of composed strength, became even colder. He buried himself in work and battle, never showing a single moment of grief.

Damien, once cheerful and full of life, became distant. He trained harder, pushed himself more, and took on responsibilities far beyond his years.

And Alden?

He was left alone.

The warmth that had once surrounded him was gone, replaced by an emptiness he could not understand.

---

In noble families, a child's worth was determined on the day of their Awakening—the moment they would manifest their affinity and talents for magic or aura.

In House Blackwood, where warriors and mages were expected to be great, this day was everything.

Damien's Awakening had been legendary. He had a Dual Affinity for Fire and Darkness, two powerful elements, and a natural talent for aura. The moment his power surged, the family celebrated.

Alden's Awakening came years later.

When the ceremony was performed, no affinity appeared.

No fire. No water. No wind.

Nothing.

The silence in the hall that day had been deafening.

The Blackwood elders whispered among themselves.

"A failure?"

"The second son… has no talent?"

Even his father, for the first time in Alden's life, looked at him with something he had never seen before.

Disappointment.

From that day forward, Alden was cast aside.

No more training. No more lessons. No more warmth.

He was no longer seen as the second son of House Blackwood.

He was a burden.

A shadow in his own home.

---

Alden's Struggle for Recognition

Alden refused to accept it.

He trained harder, studied more, and tried to prove himself.

But no one cared.

His father ignored him.

His brother, though still kind, became too focused on his own path to help.

The knights, the instructors—they all dismissed him.

Desperate, Alden tried to gain favor in other ways.

He flattered nobles, tried to form connections, and acted like a proper noble son, hoping someone would see his worth.

He sought approval in every way he could.

But in the eyes of the world, he was already a failure.

Nothing he did mattered.

And so, Alden Blackwood became the forgotten son of House Blackwood.

Until the day ethan took over his body.

---

The first time ethan woke up in Alden's body, he had expected an arrogant young master with a tragic backstory.

What he found instead… was a broken child.

A boy who had tried so desperately to be accepted, only to be tossed aside.

Kael didn't hate Alden's family. He understood them.

They were nobles. They lived in a world where strength determined everything.

But he also knew… they were wrong.

Alden wasn't worthless.

He had the potential to be greater than any of them.

And ethan—now Alden—would prove it.

Not to gain their approval.

Not to win their favor.

But for himself.

For the new future he was going to carve.