It was a bright morning as a carriage rolled through the forested mountains and across green plains, heading towards the capital. Inside the carriage sat a perplexed and confused teenager, Darin, alongside his sister, Fran. Darin, still trying to grasp the reality of his situation, was the newly inherited master of a bankrupt family—the once-powerful Meyes family.

Just hours ago, Darin had been in the comfort of his room, casually playing a video game. Now, his mind was overwhelmed with stress and turmoil, unsure of how his life had turned upside down so quickly. He glanced at Fran, realizing that they were now the last living members of their once-esteemed household.

Bits and pieces of his memory began to resurface, and with it, an understanding of the dire situation they were in. The Meyes family had been decimated, their estate destroyed, their wealth drained, and their region ravaged by civil war. Darin, barely old enough to handle such responsibility, found himself at the center of a collapsing world. Lords, enemies, and predators—figurative wolves—were circling, waiting to strike the weakened family.

The carriage they traveled in was old and worn, heading to the capital where Darin hoped to sell the last remaining family estates to survive. But even the capital, despite its beauty, was teeming with dangers. With his father dead, Darin was now the sole bearer of the Meyes name, and he knew there were many who would stop at nothing to finish what the war had started.

He looked again at Fran, who silently cried beside him. It pained him to know that she, too, was a target. Her marriage had already become the subject of numerous proposals—opportunistic suitors seeking to take advantage of their downfall. The Meyes family could no longer protect her, and Darin feared he would soon lose his sister to forces beyond his control.

As Darin's thoughts spiraled, he absentmindedly reached into his pocket, feeling a strange crinkle. Pulling out a plastic wrapper, he was shocked to find something inside—something he had never touched before. His fingers traced the outline of what he now recognized as weed. This was not his doing; it belonged to the former owner of the clothes he now wore.

Closing his eyes, Darin reflected on the life of his predecessor, realizing that the man was a debauchee who had indulged in every imaginable desire. This only added to Darin’s growing sense of despair—he was inheriting not only the responsibilities of a ruined estate but also the vices of a reckless master.

Now, as the carriage carried them closer to an uncertain future, Darin grappled with the enormity of his burden. He had no clear plan, no resources, and no allies. Just the heavy weight of a family legacy that had crumbled in his hands.

He had always been a weakling in both his studies and martial arts, but when it came to indulging in life's pleasures, he was unmatched. There wasn’t a soul who could rival him in pursuing his desires and enjoying himself to the fullest. His father and the entire family had been deeply concerned about his carefree ways.

Now, with everyone gone, he was on his own. Only Barry, the loyal servant, remained by his side, and Darin found himself as the sole successor and master of the Meyes family. He knew what people thought of him—that he would waste his remaining wealth on frivolous things, and in just a few months, he’d have nothing left.

But as he pondered this, a smile crept across his face. Everyone was underestimating him, and perhaps, that was the advantage he needed. If they thought he was incapable, they wouldn’t see him coming. This might be his chance to rebuild, to reclaim his family's lost region, and restore their power. He envisioned himself one day rising back to the top, leading hundreds, protecting his people, and regaining his throne.

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With that thought, he glanced outside the carriage window and saw the capital approaching on the horizon. He had visited the capital many times before, but this time was different. In the past, his father had always been there to shield him from the harsh realities and dangers lurking within the city. Now, he had no one to rely on but himself.

Despite the uncertainty ahead, Darin felt a strange sense of resolve. Barry, his trusted companion, had stayed by his side through everything. He realized now how much he had taken Barry for granted, but that would change. From this moment forward, Darin would treat Barry with the respect and honor he deserved, upholding him as a symbol of his newfound determination.

The carriage came to a halt at the grand palace of the Mears family. Darin gazed at the magnificent structure, a sight that stirred old memories. He knew the palace well, having learned about it from his past, but now, standing before it, he had a single goal in mind: sell it as soon as possible.

The palace grounds stretched far, featuring a vast garden meticulously maintained by a small army of servants. Beyond the greenery, a golden-plated gate and fence encased the colossal structure, gleaming in the sunlight. As he looked around, Darin couldn’t help but wonder how much it cost to maintain such grandeur annually. Darin, the previous master, had never truly understood the house's finances, leaving Darin with a growing sense of anxiety. He questioned whether he had enough money to keep the palace running until he could secure a buyer.

With a deep breath, Darin entered the great hall of the palace. Rows of servants stood lined up, ready to greet their new master and mistress. Ignoring the formalities, he made his way directly to the master’s office, with his trusted advisor, Barry, close behind.

Inside the office, a meal awaited him on the table. The sight of the food reminded Darin of his hunger, but he pushed the thought aside for the moment. He sat down and gestured for Barry to begin.

Barry wasted no time, starting with a detailed explanation of the family’s finances. However, Gary, already aware of most of the basics, interrupted him. “Skip to the main part,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Tell me about the income and outflow—quickly.” After all, just a few hours ago, before his transmigration, he was a businessman and knew how to cut to the chase.

Barry responded without hesitation: "The current income is 1,600 coins, with an outflow of 700 coins."

Darin was both impressed and taken aback. Doing the mental math, he realized that after covering all the expenses, 900 coins were left over each month—money he could use to address other pressing matters. It was a relief. For the time being, at least, the family could survive financially while he focused on resolving other, more complex problems that loomed ahead. He finally was able to take a breathe of relief.

He sighed deeply, the weight of his financial concerns lifting slightly. “What about before the civil war?” Darin asked, his curiosity piqued.

Barry, standing at attention, replied, "Before the civil war, the income was 8,500 coins, and the outflow was 5,700."

The numbers left Darin speechless for a moment. He tried to imagine managing such vast amounts, but quickly pushed those thoughts aside. His current reality was far more modest, and for now, that was a good thing.

As his mind cleared, Darin reached for the juice and sandwich sitting on the table, finally allowing himself to eat. The pressure that had weighed heavily on him seemed to lift, and hunger overtook him. Yet, while money was no longer an immediate concern, another, far greater issue loomed on the horizon: power.

The capital's political landscape was treacherous, and Darin knew they could easily be crushed by the powerful families residing there. The thought consumed him, and he looked up at Barry, his mind racing. “Barry, can you give me a list of the influential families in the capital?”

But before Barry could respond, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over Gary. The room spun, and in an instant, he collapsed from his chair. Panic surged through him—he knew what was happening. It was Poison.

As the world around him began to fade, Darin couldn’t believe this was how it would end. After everything, after transmigrating into this life, he was about to die before his story had even begun. His last thought was filled with regret, a desperate wish to live longer and accomplish more.

Then, everything went dark.

[Poison Nullified]