My eyes opened. I saw a completely white world; a blinding light assaulted my vision.
For a moment, I thought it was just a dream. However, I clearly remembered that I had just been in a terrible accident on my way home.
My last memory was being inside my private car, when I received a message on my phone—a photo of children from an orphanage smiling happily after receiving new clothes.
Am I in heaven?
That was what I thought before everything turned dark again, leaving only emptiness.
My five senses didn't function; I couldn't even feel the weight of my own body.
[Ding!]
A sound exactly like my phone notification echoed. Yet, I still couldn't see anything in this total darkness.
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
The sound kept echoing in my head until the atmosphere finally returned to silence. After some time in the void, a voice slowly began to be heard.
"@#@&@#$&."
A language I couldn't understand at all. Gradually, the voices overlapped, like several people having a conversation.
As time passed, somehow, I began to understand what they were saying—even though I was aware they were using a language different from my world.
"He's been in a coma for several days and still hasn't regained consciousness."
Huh? Seriously? Am I in a coma because of that car accident? My thoughts immediately drifted to the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses from missing important meetings.
"The Young Master just caused a disturbance and got into a fight with the son of the Stelheart family," the voice sounded like that of a middle-aged man.
A fight? Not a car accident? Where am I now?
Slowly, my previously dull senses fully returned. I could feel my body lying on a very soft bed.
When I opened my eyes, I saw an old man dressed in black and white—like a servant from a fantasy story—talking to another middle-aged man wearing a white robe with a star symbol. He looked like a priest.
Seeing my eyes open, the old servant widened his eyes in shock.
"Young Master, you're awake?! Priest, quickly check the Young Master's condition!"
The old priest approached and helped me sit up on the bed.
I looked around; a room with unique medieval architecture.
The walls featured exposed masonry, laid with a precision that defied the lack of plaster. It was furnished with opulent wooden pieces that felt medieval in craft, yet possessed a sleek, almost futuristic silhouette.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I covered my own mouth. Somehow, I could suddenly speak their language fluently.
The old servant simply stared at me in silence. He exchanged glances with the priest, then gave a small nod.
"Young Master, please wait here for a moment," the servant said as he invited the priest to talk outside the room.
***
A few days later.
I sat in the family library. What I was doing now wasn't writing company documents, but learning basic writing…
"Young Master, your handwriting is incredible! Previously you lost your memory and couldn't read, but in just three days, you've already mastered it again," said Hans, the old servant who had accompanied me since I regained consciousness.
Hans praised me with a proud expression, as if he were watching his grandchild take their first steps.
The situation was indeed strange; I could understand their spoken language instantly, but I was illiterate when it came to this world's script.
"I was worried because you had severe amnesia, even forgetting how to read. Yet you were able to relearn it in such a short time," Hans nodded in satisfaction.
The priest had previously checked my honesty with a "divine blessing," and he confirmed that I wasn't lying about my memory loss.
Now, after a few days of staying here, I finally realized several important things:
First, I had died in my previous life due to an accident and had now transmigrated into the body of a young man named Zios von Leonhart.
I came from a prestigious noble family, although my status was only that of a branch family managing a remote territory. Zios was an orphan; his parents had fallen on the battlefield, and he was raised by Hans.
Second, and most crucial: this world was the dating simulation game titled 'Hero and the True Love' that I had once played. Zios was merely an evil background character who wasn't even mentioned in any route.
Third, the biggest problem: I had just been beaten up by this world's protagonist, Alvert von Stelheart.
"Seriously unlucky," I muttered softly while leaning back in my chair.
In the original storyline, the prologue began during the academy entrance exam. There, the protagonist, along with his loyal servant—Lea—would begin their adventure.
In Lea's route, it was only briefly mentioned that she used to be a servant of an "evil noble" before being saved by Alvert. That evil noble never even appeared again in the main storyline.
"Who would've thought that background noble who barely showed up in the narrative… was me?" I muttered while staring at the magic lamp on the ceiling.
"Did Young Master Zios say something?" Hans asked.
"Please bring me some tea and snacks," I replied.
"Of course, Young Master." Hans bowed and left.
I fell silent again, thinking about my next plan. I hadn't finished the game due to work, but I knew the general outline of its conflicts. The threats in this world were no joke.
Should I go to the academy or not? In the original route, Zios never even appeared there.
The academy entrance exam would begin in mid-April, and it was still March. I reopened the letter from the main Leonhart family that I had received earlier:
—"Zios von Leonhart, due to your misconduct and acts of violence, we have decided to expel you from the Leonhart family lineage. However, considering your condition of amnesia, your punishment is reduced: the main family will no longer provide financial subsidies for an indefinite period. The academy entrance fee, which has already been paid by the Stelheart family as compensation, cannot be withdrawn, so you are free to enroll. However, future semester fees will no longer be covered by the Leonhart family."
I threw the letter into the fireplace and let out a long sigh. The academy semester fee was equivalent to a Baron family's annual operational cost. The income from this remote territory clearly wouldn't be enough.
Then, I opened another letter from the Stelheart family:
—"Considering the incident involving our eldest son, Alvert von Stelheart, which caused Young Master Leonhart to suffer amnesia, we respectfully cover all necessary compensation expenses."
I threw that letter into the fire as well. This situation was truly chaotic, but as a former CEO, I wouldn't let myself go bankrupt—either financially or in dignity.
I looked at a box about 30 cm in diameter containing around two thousand gold coins. It was additional compensation from the Stelheart family for taking away my personal servant—Lea.
If I went to the academy with that money, it would be enough to cover two semesters. The problem was, why should I bother going there?
That damn power-hungry protagonist, Feng Aotian, would solve all the problems at the academy with his harem according to the original route, right? Besides, the original Zios never even set foot in the academy.
Even though I could learn many things there to become stronger, it felt ridiculous to waste that much money just for school.
As long as I could find another way to grow stronger, it would be better to use this money to build a business in this world.
With all my modern knowledge and experience, becoming a successful entrepreneur here should be as easy as turning my hand.
The corner of my lips began to rise. "Hehe… Hehehe…" A sly chuckle escaped my mouth.
However, just as I had made my decision, that notification sound appeared again.
[Ding!]
A blue screen with neon text appeared before me. One thing I realized: I had a System.
"A System?" I muttered in disbelief.
[Congratulations to the Host for fully regaining consciousness.]
[Please read the unread messages.]
Suddenly, a mail icon appeared floating in front of me. I tried tapping the empty screen, but nothing happened. I frowned. "Open message."
[Beginner Reward: Language Comprehension (Active)]
[Status: System not fully activated. Complete missions for full activation.]
[System Feature Unlocked – Inventory: Active]
I froze. I realized this was a feature similar to the game I had played, though with some differences.
A thought crossed my mind. "Does Alvert also have a system?"
[Negative. This world has become real. Only the Host is granted special treatment.]
"Who created you?"
[Information locked. Increase System level to access the answer.]
I nodded in satisfaction. It seemed like this was a standard blessing for transmigrators.
Combined with the Inventory feature, this would greatly help me store important items—an extremely valuable asset if I wanted to start a career as an entrepreneur.
"Amazing," I said with a wide smile.
However, amidst that joy, a new notification window suddenly appeared in a striking red color.
[Main Mission: Successfully pass the Imperial Academy entrance exam.]
[Failure Penalty: Become IMPOTENT FOREVER.]
Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
"W-What?! You're joking, right?!" I cried out, the dread far outweighing any fear of bankruptcy.
***
"So, that's the situation." An old man with white hair muttered after finishing reading the report in his hand.
"That is correct, my lord. Zios has suffered total amnesia. His behavior has changed drastically, as if he has become a different person," the head servant reported while bowing.
"As long as he no longer causes trouble, I suppose that is for the best," the old man said as he placed the document on his executive desk.
"Father, do you really have no intention of removing Zios from our family lineage?" A soft yet sharp voice came from the corner of the room.
A girl around seventeen years old stood there. Her silver hair shimmered beautifully, cascading down to her slim waist. Her bright blue eyes stared with an intimidating gaze, reflecting the high dignity of her family. She was Selena von Leonhart, the eldest daughter and the jewel of the main family.
"Selena, regardless, Zios's late parents rendered great service on the battlefield," the family head replied while stroking his chin.
"It is unfortunate that their son inherited bad behavior, but we cannot simply cast him aside."
"Father, do you really believe he has amnesia?" Selena narrowed her eyes, looking skeptical.
"The priest has confirmed it with a divine blessing. Rather than worrying about something useless, you should focus on your sword training, Selena."
"Ah, Father… I'm bored. There's no worthy opponent left in this main residence," Selena complained as she threw herself onto the soft sofa.
As she leaned back, the tight silk dress she wore further emphasized her figure, which was more mature than her age. Her chest and hips were clearly outlined, giving off a provocative impression that contrasted with her pure, goddess-like face.
"Watch your behavior, Selena!" the family head snapped, trying to remain firm despite being overwhelmed by his daughter.
"Hmph! You're so harsh, Father. I'll complain to Mother," Selena said with a pout, then stood up gracefully, revealing her long legs.
The head servant remained silent. He was already used to Selena's dual personality; outwardly, she appeared as a graceful and firm female knight, but in front of her family, she was a very spoiled daughter.
The family head massaged his temples, troubled by his beloved daughter's complaints. He knew very well why Selena had no sparring partners: every opponent she faced ended up with severe injuries or mental trauma.
At her age, Selena's swordsmanship was already on par with the heir of the Stelheart family. In the Leonhart family, ability was everything, and Selena was the strongest candidate to become the next family head regardless of gender.
"Hmm… since I don't have a sparring partner, should I go meet that troublemaker?" Selena raised the corner of her lips, forming a deadly sly smile. "As the future head of the family, I suppose I should personally confirm whether my cousin truly lost his memory… or is merely pretending."
The family head could only shake his head at the glint of excitement in his daughter's eyes.
"Hehe, I can't wait to meet my new 'toy,'" Selena murmured softly.
Without anyone realizing it, this meeting would become the trigger that shattered the course of fate that was supposed to happen. A major anomaly had just begun.