Alex woke up but did not rise from his bed. He lay there, staring at the ceiling with blank eyes. The face that once radiated smiles and positivity now appeared dry and lifeless, devoid of emotion. It was difficult to discern his thoughts.

Three days had passed since his so-called awakening ceremony, and something incomprehensible had occurred. It was as if a blind person had been asked to describe different colors—an impossibility made possible. In this world where all living beings possess soul seeds, Alex had emerged as an anomaly.

Alex found himself in a strange state of mind, devoid of thoughts. He didn't even know where to begin thinking. Lying in bed, he replayed the events of his awakening ceremony in his mind.

When the academy head announced that Alex had no soul seed, a stunned silence gripped everyone. For a moment, no one knew how to react to this revelation. Confusion clouded the faces of the attendees. William, seeking clarification, asked the academy head to confirm what he had just heard.

The members of the Lionheart family wore expressions of misery and gloom. Alex's mother was on the verge of tears, and sadness was palpable on the faces of his grandparents. Though William remained outwardly composed, inwardly he was torn apart by grief.

Families opposed to the Lionheart family began to quietly rejoice over the situation. Friends and sympathizers of the Lionheart family looked upon Alex with pity. Even the royal envoy couldn't help but sigh at the unfortunate plight of young Alex.

Meanwhile, Alex was in the midst of an intense emotional battle. His heart raced, his body trembled with disbelief, and he struggled to find his voice, choking on unspoken words. His legs grew weak, nearly causing him to collapse. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Internally, his body temperature fluctuated wildly, a mix of heat from rising blood pressure and shivers that made him feel cold. The surrounding sounds faded into the distance as he began to zone out. Finally, his body gave way and he collapsed with a thud, unconscious.

Servants swiftly carried the unconscious Alex to his room. William and Judy remained by his side, keeping a watchful eye over him. The physician examined Alex and concluded that his fainting spell was due to sudden mental exhaustion.

Alex remained unconscious for an entire day cycle, during which news of his condition spread throughout the upper echelons of Balden City. City lords and the royal envoy returned to their estates, and discussions about the unusual events at the awakening ceremony were rampant.

From a political perspective, the unfolding events were a disaster. The planned feast and celebrations were abruptly cancelled, leaving guests uncertain about the gifts they had brought. William, feeling the weight of the situation, returned all gifts with humility. The ceremony had resulted in both political and personal losses for him, placing him in an awkward position.

While common people refrained from openly discussing the incident out of respect for the city lord, gossip behind closed doors reached an all-time high. Various rumors, fueled by opposing families with hidden agendas, began circulating among the populace.

Rumors began to circulate about Alex, branding him a heretic, abandoned by the heavens, even a demon in human form. His once sterling reputation plummeted sharply. Friends began to distance themselves from him, transforming him overnight into a pariah fallen from grace. From the esteemed young master of Balden City to a figure forsaken by heaven, his downfall was nothing short of spectacular.

*****

Three years slipped away in the blink of an eye. Alex persisted in his miserable existence, devoid of any motivation or purpose, living like an empty shell.

Initially, he withdrew from social interactions, secluding himself in his room. His once cheerful smile vanished, replaced by a face devoid of emotion. He felt numb, as if there was nothing left inside him. His appetite waned, and he began eating less and less, leading to a gradual decline in his physical health.

His father and mother made efforts to lift his spirits, but their attempts proved futile. Both parents stayed by his side for a year, concerned that he might take drastic measures or attempt to harm himself. Alex's elder brothers also returned from the capital to support him, but their academic commitments limited the time they could spend with him.

He ceased all martial arts training, questioning its purpose when he could not cultivate. His once well-toned physique began to lose muscle mass and shape. Irregular eating habits slowed his metabolism, despite reducing his food intake, causing him to gain weight.

After nearly a year and a half of solitude, Alex finally ventured out of his room. During this time, his mother remained his sole source of emotional comfort, as his grandparents were secluded due to their cultivation pursuits. His father, William, was occupied with royal and bureaucratic duties, while both of his brothers were still completing their studies at the academy. The other members of the palace—maids, servants, and guards—could only offer their sympathies.

His outlook on life had undergone a complete transformation. He no longer cared about others' opinions. Accompanied by a guard, he began exploring the city. Initially, he frequented restaurants for meals, but gradually these outings evolved into drinking sessions. He started consuming liquor and causing disturbances wherever he went.

He went on rampages multiple times. People tolerated him because he was the son of the city lord. They couldn't confront him directly, but soon he became known as Balden city trash. Another favorite destination on Alex’s list was the brothel, where he engaged in debauchery.

Although he became more sociable than before, drinking and visiting brothels became his coping mechanisms against his declining mental and physical health. Drinking and engaging in sexual activities at the brothel became his daily routine.

Today was the day before his 18th birthday. For him, birthdays were no longer occasions for celebration. They served as reminders of the cruel memory of his awakening ceremony. Accompanied by his guards, he was headed towards a famous brothel. Brothels were centers of entertainment as well as hubs of prostitution.

No brothel worker could refuse him services, yet he retained some humility, never taking advantage of the unfortunate workers. After enjoying his time at the brothel, he departed for a restaurant renowned for its potent liquor.

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Alex entered the restaurant and was escorted to the second floor, an exclusive area reserved for the rich and powerful. Every table was occupied except one, where an elderly man and a girl of about 17 or 18 years old sat. The girl exuded a remarkable beauty and innocence, as if untouched by the trials of the world. The old man appeared formidable, emanating an aura of pride and arrogance. Despite their partial occupancy of the table, there was still enough space for Alex to join them.

"May I join you?" Alex inquired, attempting to discern who held authority.

"Can't you see we're occupied?" the girl retorted without glancing at Alex.

Alex was taken aback; this was the first time someone had openly rebuffed him in public. Nevertheless, he responded calmly, "I wouldn't have asked if there were other empty tables."

"In that case, you may sit here, but please don't bother me," the girl said, scanning the area for any available tables.

Alex was stunned by the blatant disrespect from the girl. Despite failing his awakening ceremony, he still carried the pride of being the son of the city lord.

"Thank you, miss. Are you both new here? I haven't seen either of you before," Alex inquired politely.

"As if you know everyone here," the girl countered arrogantly.

"Well, I may not know everyone, but I'm quite sure everyone knows me," Alex replied confidently.

"Oh, is that so? Then tell us who you are," the girl asked curiously.

"I am Alex Lionheart, the third son of the city lord," Alex replied.

"Oh, so you're that infamous person who's been making waves around here," the girl blurted out unintentionally.

"Oh no! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. But that's what people are saying," the girl apologized quickly, realizing her mistake.

Alex didn't know how to react to being called trash to his face. He was aware of the rumors circulating about him, but no one had dared to confront him directly until now.

Before he could respond, the elderly man sitting next to the girl spoke up, "I apologize on behalf of my granddaughter for her insensitive comment, young master Alex. She lacks a bit in manners; this is her first time outside our estate. I hope you will accept our apologies."

Though Alex was still inwardly seething, he didn't want to escalate the situation over being called trash. "Very well, I accept your apology, given your sincerity. But don't believe everything you hear on the streets. By the way, you haven't introduced yourselves yet. Concealing your identities could get you into trouble with the city guards."

The old man smiled knowingly, sensing a hint of threat in Alex's words. "You need not worry about our identities, young master. There are no secrets here. We hail from the Clover Empire. My name is Victor, and this is my granddaughter, Sofia. We are traveling the world so Sofia can immerse herself in various cultures and gain experience."

"Now, allow me to offer a toast to you as an apology," Victor said warmly, pouring wine into a cup and extending it to Alex.

Reluctantly, Alex accepted the wine. He understood the significance of the Clover Empire, renowned for its alchemical and medicinal plants, and far superior in power to the Smith Kingdom. If these travellers were from the empire, the old man must be powerful and wield considerable influence. The girl, Sofia, appeared to be insufferably rude, lacking manners, and behaving like a spoiled child. They undoubtedly hailed from a powerful noble family.

Despite his youth, Alex was not foolish enough to provoke powerful individuals unnecessarily. While he took pride in being the son of the city lord, he was well aware of the limitations of his father's authority. He had no intention of causing any trouble, especially given the tense situation his father, William, faced following the failed awakening ceremony.

"How long are you planning to stay here in Balden City?" Alex asked the old man. Meanwhile, Sofia glared at Alex, clearly annoyed by his mere presence.

"We will be leaving for the capital early tomorrow morning. We are staying here for the night to rest," the old man replied.

After finishing all the food and wine at the table, Alex asked the restaurant owner to pack some wine for him to take back to his room. After bidding farewell to both of them, Alex left with the liquor. Throughout this time, Sofia remained silent and stared at Alex.

After Alex departed, Sofia finally spoke up: "Grandpa, why did you speak to that worthless young master who can't even cultivate? If you had wanted to, you could have destroyed this entire city in one move."

"Yes, Sofia, you're correct," Victor replied calmly. "But what's the point in acting this way? That young man cannot cultivate and was born without a soul seed, but that's not his fault. Moreover, despite you calling him trash, he didn't escalate the situation, which shows a level of maturity. There are lessons in humility to be learned from him. He might even become an influential person in the future."

"Hmph," Sofia scoffed, "who cares about him when he can't even cultivate and will likely die in a few years without it? Let's leave this city as soon as possible. Even the food here isn't good."

"Maybe you're right," Victor nodded thoughtfully. "Who knows what the future holds."

*****

By now, Alex had returned to his room with all the liquor from the restaurant. Tomorrow would mark his 18th birthday, so he intended to drink to his heart's content that night. It grew late into the night, and he continued drinking until he eventually passed out. As he lay in deep sleep, a sudden purple light emerged from his chest, enveloping his entire body.

The next morning, Alex woke up feeling like he had been hit hard in the head. As he opened his eyes, he realized he was in an unfamiliar room. The surroundings featured medieval European architecture, which only added to his confusion.

Looking around, he noticed the clothes he was wearing were unfamiliar, unlike anything he had ever seen before. A wave of strong alcohol smell reached his nostrils, making him feel nauseous.

A sense of unease washed over him as he began to suspect that something very strange was happening.

"Where the fuck am I? What is going on here?" Alex mumbled in a low voice, his confusion and frustration mounting.

He rose from the bed and scrutinized the room once more. Suddenly, it dawned on him that everything, including himself, appeared grandiose by earthly standards. He managed to locate a mirror and gazed at his reflection. Staring back at him was a giant human of at least 7 feet tall.

"Who the fuck is that? What the fuck is going on here?" he shouted, his panic rising. It was clear to him now that whatever was happening was far beyond any prank or mischief.

He noticed a window and opened it, secretly hoping that all of this was just a dream or part of some medieval movie set. However, what he saw outside shattered any hope of normalcy. Before him lay a grand castle of European architecture, confirming that his room was indeed a part of it. People tended to the front garden below, and to his astonishment, everyone was towering at least 7 feet tall, with some middle-aged individuals reaching heights of 8 to 9 feet.

The realization dawned on Alex that this was not the world he knew. He recalled his last memory on Earth: preparing to go to the office early in the morning. He remembered a strange metal orb suddenly appearing out of nowhere and striking him in the chest.

"Holy shit! I'm in a different world. Wait, that means I'm dead on the Earth. Is this transmigration? All those trash novels I read for fun were right," Alex thought deeply, his mind racing with disbelief and realization.

He glanced again at his reflection in the mirror. His hair was a mess, smelling strongly of alcohol. His skin appeared dry, as if he had suffered from chronic dehydration his entire life, and dark circles marred his eyes.

"What the fuck happened to me, or whoever I was? Judging from the clothes and this house, I should be royalty. So why do I look like this? Even the people working in the garden have more vitality than me. Where the fuck is this place, and why don't I have memories of this body?" Alex whispered to himself, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

He had no memories of who he was in this world. As he contemplated his next actions, a voice suddenly spoke out.

"Welcome to the Falling Heaven World, Alex, or should I say, Alex Lionheart."

"Who? Who is there? Who the fuck is there? Where the fuck are you? Why can't I see you?" Alex shouted, alarmed by the unexpected voice, scanning the room but finding no one.

"I am inside you, Alex. That's why you can't see me," the voice replied calmly.

"Inside me? What do you mean, inside me?" Alex asked, his mind racing as he recalled stories and novels with similar situations.

"SYSTEM?" he ventured tentatively, hoping for clarity.