'...Actually, can anyone besides me even see the system?'
For a moment, nothing happened.
The system remained silent, as if processing the question.
Then the familiar chime echoed again inside his mind.
!~Ding~!
[Processing query...]
A short pause followed.
[Answer: This System interface is invisible to all external entities.]
Evan's tense mind relaxed slightly.
But before he could fully feel relieved, another line slowly appeared beneath it.
[However...]
Evan's imaginary eyebrows twitched.
'Come on, tell me already.'
The system responded immediately.
[Answer: This System is secure enough to hide all system records, traits, and interface details from other beings.]
Evan nodded internally.
'Good.'
But the panel wasn't finished yet.
A final message appeared.
[Exception: The Creator of the System may possess observation authority. They may be able to see everything]
Evan froze.
His relief instantly disappeared.
'...Of course, there is an exception.'
He stared at the floating words with a complicated expression.
If someone created the system…
Then that meant someone out there could potentially see everything about him.
His status.
His traits.
Even the fact that he was a reincarnated soul.
'That's exactly what I am worried about.'
The system offered no response this time.
It simply returned to silence, as if the matter had already been explained.
Evan sighed internally.
There was no point worrying about something he couldn't control.
Right now, he was nothing more than a newborn lying in a crib.
Even if the creator of the system existed somewhere in this vast universe, there was nothing he could do about it.
'Forget it…'
He pushed the thought aside.
'I will cross that bridge when I get there.'
The system panel slowly faded from his vision, leaving his mind quiet once more.
But deep down—
A small seed of curiosity had already been planted.
Just who exactly created this system?
And more importantly…
Why was it given to him?
'...sigh.'
'Okay… this is a new life, and I need to respect it.'
Evan let the thought settle in his mind.
His previous life was already over. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no returning to it now.
This world… this body… this family—
They were his reality now.
'Also… I don't think my mother is going to kill me after she finds out I'm a reincarnated soul.'
The image of the elegant, blue-haired woman holding him earlier surfaced in his mind.
The warmth in her eyes had been unmistakable.
That wasn't the look someone gave to a stranger.
That was the look of a mother.
'I will come clean when she eventually figures it out.'
He paused for a moment.
'She probably won't do anything… she loves me very much.'
Even though he had only been in this world for a short time, he could already feel it.
The way she held him was carefully.
The way her voice softened whenever she spoke to him.
It felt… genuine.
'I hope she accepts me for who I am.'
His thoughts quieted for a brief moment.
'If she does…'
'Then I'll be the best son she could ever ask for.'
With that decision made, Evan pushed aside the unnecessary worries.
There was no point in overthinking something that might not even happen.
Instead, he shifted his attention to his surroundings.
And the moment he truly looked around—
He was stunned.
This place was beautiful.
No… calling it beautiful was actually an understatement.
Through the large open windows, endless greenery stretched across the landscape. Tall trees swayed gently in the wind, their leaves glowing under the warm sunlight.
Colorful flowers bloomed along stone pathways outside, arranged so perfectly that the entire garden looked like something taken straight from a fantasy painting.
Even the building itself was breathtaking.
The walls were crafted from smooth white stone etched with delicate patterns that almost looked like ancient runes. Tall pillars rose toward the high ceiling, supporting elegant arches decorated with gold and silver engravings.
The architecture felt strangely familiar.
Evan narrowed his eyes slightly.
'I've definitely seen something like this before…'
Not in real life—
But in books.
And games.
The kind of grand palaces you would see in fantasy worlds where kings ruled powerful kingdoms and cultivators defied the heavens.
A slow realization began forming in his mind.
Only vast forests and wild land stretching as far as his eyes could see.
'So this is where she sent me…'
The memory of the earlier conversation resurfaced faintly in his mind.
His mother… injured.
The war.
The hurried decision.
And the only solution she had left.
Send him away.
Far away.
To a world where no one would think to search.
His tiny fingers curled slightly.
'Mother…'
Even now, he could still remember the way she held him before they left.
Tightly.
As if she didn't want to let go.
But she still did.
Because she had no other choice.
Evan exhaled slowly.
Or at least… he tried to. His newborn lungs didn't quite cooperate.
'Well…'
He shifted his gaze again.
Right now, there is no palace compared to the old world.
No family estate.
No comfortable life is waiting for him.
They had just arrived in this world.
Which meant—
'We don't even have a home yet.'
Somewhere nearby, he could hear movement in the trees.
Branches swayed as the wind passed through the forest canopy.
Birds scattered into the sky.
And standing not far from him was the one person currently responsible for his survival.
Lyra.
His mother's most trusted maid.
The one who had carried him across worlds.
Evan watched quietly.
Right now, she was probably trying to figure out what to do next.
Find shelter.
Hide their presence.
Or simply survive in this unfamiliar realm.
A strange feeling slowly grew inside his chest.
Not fear.
Not sadness.
Something closer to excitement.
'So this is how my second life begins…'
No noble house.
No powerful backing.
No luxurious palace.
Just a newborn baby…
And a maid stranded in an unknown world.
Evan's lips curled slightly.
'Or maybe…'
His eyes gleamed faintly.
'This is even better.'
Because if he truly wanted to rise to the top one day—
Starting from nothing might be the best beginning possible.