There were two things I had found out ever since I was transmigrated into Arzel's body. One was that the original story hasn't started yet, and the other was that I was currently a 7-year-old.
Holding the blank expression on my face, I quietly stared at the empty space that had an interface only I could see.
[ Villain System ]
• Arzel Ravien Von Herczhide
Gender: Male
Class: Magic Swordsman
Rank: F+
Talent: SSS+
Strength: G+
Dexterity: F+
Stamina: F
Constitution: F-
Intelligence: Can not be measured.
Mana Capacity: E-
Luck: B-
Charm: B+
===Status===
• [Behavior Seal] Active
- The original story must be followed and user will not be able to act as they please.
- System will control host's actions.
• [Caera's Blessing] Active
- The user is a beloved child of Caera, the founder of the empire of Caeralius.
+ EXP gained increased by 300%.
+ Reputation increased by 20.
===
My eyes turned to look at one specific status that just ruined my entire mood.
"System will control host's actions."
Ha...so that's how it is.
"I've been transmigrated here just to experience Arzel's life? Then what, I'll just die like him?"
[ Do not be discouraged, host. The system will only control your actions whenever you do something extremely out of character/OOC. ]
"What do you expect me to do, then? I'm sure it isn't to carry out the storyline, as you've mentioned a loophole within the seal."
[ Yes, host. Due to numerous complaints accompanied by an anomaly from the outside world, the creator of this world has issued an important task such as fixing the plot of "The Sun's Throne". ]
"By creator of thus world, is it partaining to the author?"
[ Creator doesn't necessarily mean the one that created the story. It can also be referred to as the ones that built the world. ]
"What do you mean by that? And who are the ones that built the world?"
[ The answer to your question is strictly confidential, host. Therefore, the system will not be able to tell you. ]
...
Mhm...
I see...This is a dream, yes.
There's no way there's a system as incompetent as this.
"I heard that you must kill yourself in your dream to leave and wake up," Turning my head towards the drawer on the left side of the bed, I walked towards it and held it against my neck. "...how convenient."
[ Killing yourself is not recommended, host. ]
"Shut up."
I stabbed the knife on to my throat and watched as blood came out of my flesh. Excruciating pain exploded through me as if a hot boiling pot were inside, waiting to be released as my vision blurred, making me gasp and scream in agony. My whole body trembled from the shock, seemingly trying to ask for help but to no avail.
[ Irregularity detected. ]
[ Preparing to restart. ]
...
...
...
[ Loading the system... ]
I gazed blankly at the notification that had just appeared in front of me.
[ Restart successful. ]
Everything was back into place where I had first woken up.
"Am I going insane? Is this retribution for killing my awful parents that abused me?"
[ Host, please calm down. This is not a dream. There are some information that can not be disclosed to you, but it is for your own good. ]
"...Yes."
I needed to calm down.
'Be rational, Arzel.' I mumbled to myself.
Damn it, I even have the same name as him.
Silence engulfed the room. I could hear the sound of servants breathing outside, quietly guarding me as if to monitor my movements.
[ Quest unlocked! ]
• Fix and enhance the novel, "The Sun's Throne" through the villain, Arzel Ravien Von Herczhide. User will be entrusted tasks such as eliminating unidentified characters, filling plot holes, character depth, and world-building. ( EX+ )
Reward: ???
Warning: [Behavior Seal] has been placed as guidance.
Recollecting my thoughts, I reached out for the nearest piece of paper I could find.
It looked to be expensive and thick. Faintly scented with something floral—lavender, maybe. Nobility indulgence.
I stared at the blank page.
Slowly, I began to write.
===
Goals
• Act as the perfect Arzel.
• Get stronger.
• Build manpower and reputation.
• Survive.
===
How ironic. A child that killed his parents and was on the verge of suicide suddenly wants to live.
"Hey, system. The reward better be good for such a high difficulty." While I was chuckling to myself trying to cope with the absurd situation, a soft knock came from the door.
"Young master," A woman's voice called out gently. "Are you awake?"
"I'm awa-" Just as I was about to answer, I suddenly felt a sharp, chilling pain that seemed to pierce my heart.
[ Host is out of character. The original Arzel did not answer his servants with respect as he deemed them too weak and too much a hindrance to properly converse with. ]
Fixing my expression into that of an unfeeling one, I exhaled.
"...Enter." Replying with coldness, I commanded the woman to come inside.
As she stepped in, I noticed the maid uniform she was wearing. Her head was lowered with a posture so rigid it looked stiff. I caught a glimpse of her trembling lips as she tried to speak.
"T-the Duke requests your presence for breakfast."
How would Arzel act like? I'm sure that as a child, he'd have a bit of compassion in him.
[ Do you need help, host? ]
I lifted my gaze towards the maid with dull eyes, silently monitoring her while talking to the system.
'How exactly are you able to help?'
[ While I can not guide you into doing what the original Arzel would do, I can tell you how he treated everyone in the Herczhide family. ]
I was moving towards the mirror while the system's voice echoed in my mind—acting like I was contemplating something so as not to arouse suspicion from the maid, keeping her in place where she dared not lift her head.
'Say it already. I can already see the way her body is shaking due to fear.'
[ Arzel couldn't just kill off anyone he didn't like, so what he did was show indifference. Pure, agitating, and dismissive silence. ]
I stopped in my tracks, changed direction, and walked straight toward the maid—brushing past her without pause. She was forced to move aside with humiliation flickering across her face as I left the room.
'Sorry, miss.' I inwardly apologized.
The outside of my chamber was huge; the corridors stretched far beyond what a young mind should comprehend, with chandeliers visible every 5 steps and the walls painted violet containing the Herczhide family crest.
'Holy macaroni. This house—no, this mansion is gigantic!' I struggled to keep my emotions in check as I was scanning the halls. I mean, who wouldn't be overwhelmed with this much grandeur?
I soon reached the dining room where all my other siblings seemed to have already arrived. The empty chair in the middle of the long table was soon occupied by Arzel's father, Erziach Cornelio Von Herczhide not long after I had sat down. The table consisted of 11 people, me included. 2 for my father's wives and 8 for his children.
The maid I had victimized with my fake edgy facade earlier seemed to have followed, as she was now standing behind me. Ezriach took a quick glimpse at me ang began to speak. "Does anyone know the reason I called for all of you here?" An ominous pressure came out of him as he spoke. Dread filled the room as his voice shook the air. No words came out of our mouths.
[ Arzel doesn't care about anything related to politics and familial love. Refrain from doing anything. ]
"I-isn't it because of older brother Arelian's upcoming debut?" Well, except for one daring girl. Aireah, my foolish younger half-sister.
Ezriach looked at her with disdain because she clearly wanted his attention, but didn't posses the bravery to have it. Shaking his head, he ignored her previous answer and began telling us the reason he called for a meeting.
"Arelian will have his debut in 2 weeks. As soon as he turns 13, he will be cast out from the family for 5 years and will be able to return after the time period. As per custom, we will all attend the celebration..." Eating his food, he calmly stated.
Come to think of it, every child in this table aged below 13. With a father figure like this, it wouldn't be a surprise all of them acted like they did in the original novel...
"Of course, I wouldn't call all of you here just to say something that the servants should have already told everyone.
Ezriach set his cutlery down with deliberate slowness. The faint clink of metal against porcelain sounded absurdly loud in the suffocating silence. His aubergine eyes swept across the table—cold, evaluative, as if he were inspecting tools rather than children.
"There will be a test."
The atmosphere instantly dropped several degrees.
"A test?" one of my brothers blurted out before he could stop himself. His face drained of color the moment the words left his mouth.
Ezriach's gaze snapped toward him.
Silence followed.
"…As expected," Ezriach said flatly. "You children grow complacent the moment comfort is provided." He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked. "Two weeks from now, before Arelian's debut ceremony, each of you shall be evaluated."
'What a nice word for something that was clearly going to be hell.' My grip on the spoon tightened. 'Why do I have to suffer this early?!' I screamed internally as I tried to keep my tears from flowing. Ahh...shibal my life.
"Those who fail will have their monthly resources severely deducted. Food, servants, money, and support." Finishing the plate he was eating from, Ezriach put heavy emphasis on the word, ''support'' as if to say they are cut off from the heir position if they fail.
As panic took over the table, I calmly scanned each of their faces.
Duchess Isolde Aureana Von Herczhide, the first wife, kept her composure. "Are you sure about this? This may seem unfair to the younger children. Especially to my Aireah." With long red hair that reached her waist, ruby eyes that shined like gems, and a formidable body that stood close to the Duke, she said in a dignified tone.
After Duchess Isolde had spoken, a woman with soft features, beautiful white hair and blue eyes also spoke. Lady Seraphine Celestia also voiced her thoughts with a gentle tone. "I believe Duchess Isolde is right, my lord. It is not something in which every child has an equal chance of passing. The...son of Lady Vivianne may feel the same. He is quite young."
All eyes paused on me the moment Seraphine said my mother's name. The Duke also stared at me, as if trying to see my reaction.
[ Use this as a chance to earn the Duke's favor, host. ]
I know! This—this has to be torture! Why the hell are they staring at me like I just killed someone off?! I'm trying not to piss my pants!
[ Emotional fluctuation detected. Activating [Stabilization] to calm user. ]
As if that would work. I'm trying to liven up the mood in my thoughts, you know? Anyway, I'd better answer now.
"I feel deep gratitude towards your thoughtfulness, Lady Seraphine. However, as smart as my father is, I believe that he has already taken consideration of our age and abilities to have come to this decision. Furthermore, I have been unable to test my strength and prowess due to the...limitations that have been placed on me."
"How insolent! You dare accuse me of planting assassins in our own residence?" Her refined composure cracked, fury blazing across her features at my supposed accusation.
"I did not say anything about assassins...or is it Lady Seraphine's guilt that has caused this sudden outburst?" I smiled with a mocking look. "Father, did I say something wrong?"
"…Father," I continued, lifting my eyes just enough to meet Ezriach's gaze, "I trust your judgment."