Pandragea, Imperium Continent. Brion City. 16 years later. 48th Day of Pene, the Year 1682 in the Expansion Era.

The coastal Brion City.

Near it was the boundless dark ocean, filled with fishes and monstrous demon beasts that predated over their unsuspecting preys.

The roosters crowed, waking up Zachariel from his sleep.

His long hair was a mix of black and white.

The perfectly sculpted red eyes and arched eyebrows displayed a hint of fear on his beautiful face.

`Another day, huh. What kind of dream was that? How realistic`

His head was in a mess. Something inside him wreaked havoc, fragmenting his memories in a way he couldn’t easily recall.

The pain subsided.

He breathed the fresh air and stared at the vast sky above.

His dull eyes felt a familiarity watching at it.

After daydreaming for a while, he turned around and prepared for the day.

His name was Zachariel Strom, a member of the Strom Household.

The household was led by his father, Gilbert alongside his mother, Anabella.

Both of them were currently stationed at the border, defending the land against the ruthless and monstrous demon beasts.

Zachariel went downstairs.

The glossy tiles reflected the indifferent expression on his face.

Although Solus’s light shone upon him, he wasn’t affected in any way.

Far something than warm would only they be thawed, and his indifference be gone.

The glorious paintings, which could’ve marveled any other person, felt bland to him.

Nothing in his eyes was worthy of his attention, except for the tantrums of a young girl originating below.

"Hey, why have I been grounded again?! Does the family not care for me anymore, huh?! Is that so?!", the young girl bellowed.

`Anastasia…`

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Zachariel spoke in his mind.

This girl was her younger sister, 8 years apart from his age of 16.

“Ms. Anastasia, please calm down.”, the guard beside her pleaded.

He sweated profusely, nervous that Anastasia would ram him down helplessly.

“Is it grandpa again? Hmph! I’ll tell grandpa I’m no longer his grandchild.”, she strutted.

She didn’t understand why her grandfather grounded her again.

Directing herself to where her grandfather was, the guards and maids followed her.

Zachariel rolled his eyes over this scene from Anastasia.

`No wonder grandfather locks you up because of your unruly behavior.`

He ignored her and proceeded to the dining hall.

Along the way, the servants and other household members greeted him respectfully as the son of the household’s lords.

Lords governed each household, and each lord passes the hierarchy to anyone of their direct descendants.

Zachariel was an example of a direct descendant, chosen by his father to replace him when the time comes.

A butler bowed to him, to which he greeted with respect.

“Uncle Zwein.”

“Good morning, Young Master.”, Uncle Zwein bowed.

His robust body was still intact at such an age that people would describe as old.

The wrinkles in his face didn’t deprive him of his beauty. Instead, one could perceive him as handsome this way.

Uncle Zwein gestured Zachariel to lead the way.

They soon arrived at a large door, marked with intricate lines that Zachariel couldn’t comprehend.

At the center was the symbol of the Great Human Imperium.

A golden helmet with wings spreading from its sides.

An aura fell upon him, persuading Zachariel to prostrate in front of the symbol. However, he resisted it easily.

Zachariel pushed the large door open.

His nose was assaulted by the fragrance of delicious food.

Maids rushed here and there, delivering various edibles in the large long table at the center of the dining hall.

Zachariel took a seat and felt the comfort of sitting in the dining chair.

He straightened his body and waited.

He could hear the gossips of everyone chatting in the dining hall, though he lost interest and stared blankly in front of him.

At that moment, the large doors were opened again.

Big and small footsteps resounded.

The figures were led by a tall and burly old man.

He was Albert Strom, the previous lord of the Strom Household.

His bald head was riddled with a variety of scars.

If it was not for the calm demeanor he was exuding, the rest would’ve already pissed themselves because of fear.

His looks intimidated everyone, not daring to raise their heads unless he finds them unpleasant to the eyes.

Behind him was the little Anastasia.

Zachariel noticed her grumpy look.

`She lost.`

He snorted in his mind.

There was no way a naïve little girl like her could win against an experienced old man.

Anastasia sat behind her brother, trying to catch his attention with her cute puppy eyes.

However, Zachariel could not be easily persuaded.

Thus, her mood worsened when he ignored her.

`Boohoo! My brother no longer loves me.`, she lamented on her misfortune.

Not only did her grandfather punish her; her brother ignored her as well during a bad day.

The old man signaled everyone to start eating.

He then called out for Zachariel after breakfast with regards to the matter of the upcoming school selection event.

Zachariel was already 16 years old and now was the time for him to broaden his horizon.

Albert led Zachariel to his study room.

Books and more books dominated Albert’s study room.

Nobody would think that a ferocious old man like him had a hobby of reading.

“Sit down, Zachariel.”, he gestured.

“Your school selection event will happen two days from now. Your school teacher didn’t impart much information about the Great Schools, so I will be doing the impartation instead.”