The morning sun had just risen when the curtains in Veyron's room were drawn open by one of his mother's attendants, allowing golden light to pour into the room, brushing against his face. His eyes squinted slightly, disturbed by the sudden intrusion of sunlight.
"Wake up, Veyron. You're going to the northern region today to participate in a tournament with Violet Hari. Hurry and get ready," came his mother's soft voice, laced with noble authority.
Veyron stretched lazily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Okay, Mama. I'll take a shower first, then get ready to eat."
As he slipped his feet into his sandals, a memory flickered in his mind—an intense aura from the day before, something that had watched him from the shadows.
"I almost forgot... Xuantian, where are you?"
A calm, teasing voice echoed in his mind.
"Why are you yelling so early in the morning, kid?"
"You felt that strong aura yesterday too, didn't you? You even said to me, 'So he has risen.' Who were you talking about? Who has risen?"
"I did say that," Xuantian replied casually, "but unfortunately, the tickets to tell you the answer are sold out. Sorry, kid."
"Wait... tickets? You told me before that I once saved the entire Multiverse dimension thanks to a ticket, right?"
"That's true. But that ticket was very expensive. Someone out there misses you, and they want your memories to return slowly... not all at once."
"Tch. So I still can't know who's awakened, huh?" Veyron clicked his tongue in annoyance. He stood up and walked into the bathroom.
As water ran down his body and steam filled the mirror, a faint memory started to seep into his consciousness—just 1% of something long forgotten.
A voice echoed in the recesses of his mind, soft and heart-wrenching, as if from another life.
"Veyron, promise me... when you fall asleep, you won't forget me."
"I promise. I swear I won't forget."
Veyron gasped. His breathing became ragged. His whole body was soaked in cold sweat. And he'd just finished showering—he had to do it all over again.
"Xuantian," he muttered, staring into the mirror. "Just now... a memory returned. I saw a beautiful woman with silver hair, wearing traditional Chinese clothes. Who is she?"
"Sorry... I'm really out of tickets now. Can't tell you," Xuantian replied flatly.
Veyron could only sigh. The system, which usually felt so present, suddenly vanished from his awareness. But just as he was about to give up, a blue screen appeared before him.
[Third Tutorial Mission Activated]
You must complete the third tutorial mission.
The mission will expire in 3 years.
Finally... the system returned.
"So I need to complete this before it vanishes... Alright then," Veyron said with renewed focus.
He dressed in his princely attire, carefully combed his hair, sheathed his sword at his waist, and stepped forward—not on the path to inherit the throne, but to become the strongest in the world.
---
Palace Dining Room
As Veyron and Hari were about to leave, their parents called them to have breakfast first. Veyron, of course, couldn't refuse his mother's request.
"Veyron, after the tournament, you'll go straight to the academy. Even though you're only seven, the academy has accepted your admission due to your abilities. Hari will go with you."
"Okay, Father. Once the tournament is over, I'll head to the academy with Hari."
Veyron smiled at everyone in the dining hall. Everyone in the palace already knew he was far too strong for his age. But his biggest flaw—or rather, his most notorious label—was being called the ugly prince.
Meanwhile, Hari's cheeks turned slightly red.
"How can I go with Veyron to my territory and then to the academy after the tournament? Is this... even considered a date?"
After finishing their meal, everyone escorted Veyron to the palace gate. When the doors opened, a grand horse carriage awaited them, guarded by elite knights bearing the Aldrecht family crest.
Veyron and Hari stepped into the carriage. Before leaving, Veyron took his mother's hand and gave her the cloth she had sewn the night before.
"Take care of yourself, Veyron. Mama will miss you deeply."
"Yeah, Mama. I'll miss you too," he replied warmly.
As the carriage began to roll away, Veyron and Hari waved their hands goodbye. The Aldrecht family waved back. But as the carriage vanished from sight, the smiles faded into grim expressions.
"Finally, we're done dealing with Elyndra Aldrecht and Altharion Aldrecht."
"Yeah... he's got his mother's looks—handsome and graceful—and his father's willpower and overwhelming strength."
"Of course he does. He's the direct descendant of our ancestor, the founder of the Aldrecht family, the man who led us to dominate the world."
What Veyron didn't know was that his adoptive mother had never truly suffered. In fact, she was planning something far more complex: to ensure that all Aldrecht branches carried the blood of the Fire God, Water God, and even the Creator God.
The entire Aldrecht family was also keeping one major secret from Veyron: that Gabriel's sword held the soul of ancient China within it.
---
Inside the Horse Carriage
Veyron quickly fell asleep. He had barely rested the night before, worrying about the mysterious aura. Hari watched him as he slept.
"He's so handsome... So why does everyone call him the ugly prince? Which part is ugly, exactly?" she whispered to herself.
Quietly, she moved to sit beside Veyron and gently shifted his head onto her shoulder. A soft smile spread across her face, glowing with happiness.
Unbeknownst to her, Xuantian observed from within the sword.
"What's with this girl? How is she able to see Veyron's handsomeness? Shouldn't it be blocked by default...?"
Hari turned her head slightly toward the sword and gestured for it to be quiet, placing her finger over her lips.
She leaned closer to Veyron, their breaths mingling. Her face was inches from his... when suddenly—
BRAKKK!!
The horse carriage hit a large rock.
Hari jumped back in shock, quickly returning to her seat and pretending nothing had happened.
Veyron stirred from the jolt.
"Sorry, Hari. I can't really talk right now, I didn't sleep enough..." he yawned.
"N-no problem. Just sleep, Veyron. The journey is long. It'll take a week to arrive," she replied, blushing.
Veyron pulled his sword closer and hugged it like a pillow. A dark aura of jealousy slowly emanated from Hari.
But the moment she touched his hand, her expression shifted. She blinked, confused, as if waking from a dream.
"W-why... why am I touching this ugly guy's hand?"
Xuantian immediately realized the truth. Hari possessed two souls—sometimes her original self, sometimes another entity within her took control.
"So... you can't stand the thought of Veyron having another woman besides you... and now, you're sharing your body with another soul fighting over the same man," Xuantian muttered quietly.
---
Arriving at the First City
Veyron woke up to the sound of a faint whisper brushing against his ear. As his eyes slowly opened, he realized they had arrived at the first city—together with Hari. The moment they stepped off the horse-drawn carriage, a rush of noise and movement greeted them.
They had reached Windale—a bustling metropolis, known as the primary stopover for participants journeying to the Grand Tournament.
"This city… it's unbelievably crowded. I've never seen Windale this alive," Veyron murmured with awe, a faint smile appearing as his eyes shimmered with fascination.
But the joy didn't last. When Veyron turned to look at Hari, he noticed something unsettling. Hari stood motionless, his face angled downward like a lifeless statue—expressionless and unnaturally still. Suddenly, Hari lifted his head, locked eyes with Veyron, and tightly grasped his hand.
"Come on, Veyron. Let's enjoy ourselves in this first city. After all, it's the beginning of our journey—to the tournament and to my domain."
Within Veyron's soul, Xuantian remained silent, observing the bizarre shift in Hari's aura. He sighed internally, yet Veyron could feel that breath echo through his spirit.
"What's wrong, Xuantian? Why did you sigh like that? Is something off?"
"Nothing's off. If you want to keep simping, be my guest. I'm going to sleep."
"You're really acting weird lately..."
Shrugging it off, Veyron walked ahead with Hari. They roamed through Windale—tasting snacks, playing games, and browsing local shops. Veyron smiled—not because the city was beautiful, but because something about being near Hari brought him peace.
"Hey, Hari… why do I feel so comfortable when I'm with you? It's like… like we've met before. Have we?"
Hari's cheerful expression darkened instantly. The light in his eyes dimmed, as if the sky had suddenly clouded over. At that same moment, Veyron heard a whisper—not loud, but sorrowful, echoing in his mind.
"I'm heartbroken you forgot me… You once promised never to forget, not even if you lost your memories."
Veyron spun around, trying to locate the voice, but as he searched, Hari abruptly pulled his hand away.
"Why are you holding my hand like that? What were you trying to do? You pervert. You're already ugly—you know that, right?"
For a moment, Veyron's face went cold. He stared at Hari with a chilling stillness before turning away, gripping his Gabriel sword at his side.
"Why does this sadness keep creeping in? It's like… something precious has been taken from me. But who was it…?"
---
In the Guest Room
That night, Veyron lay on the inn's bed, eyes fixed on the glow peeking through the window's edge. His arms were folded behind his head, gaze heavy with unspoken sorrow.
"Why do I always feel this way? Hari's behavior was strange, yes… but this pain—this grief—doesn't feel like it's about him. It's about… someone else. But who?"
Unwilling to dwell on the question, Veyron shook the thoughts from his head and closed his eyes, hoping to sleep early. Tomorrow, they would depart for the city hosting the tournament—the territory governed by Hari's family.
---
The Next Morning
Veyron awoke with a sharp gasp, sweat pouring down his body. He had dreamt of leading a girl—someone he couldn't recognize, yet felt inexplicably close to.
"Damn… who was that girl? I can't even ask Xuantian—he'd just mock me for being dramatic. Whatever, I'll just wash up, eat, and get going."
After bathing, Veyron descended to the inn's dining area. Hari and the carriage driver were already eating.
"Venison and Calvor Broath Soup, please," he ordered the waitress.
"Alright, coming right up."
As he waited, Veyron took in the busy, warm atmosphere of the inn. But before he could relax, the mysterious voice returned—soft but piercing.
"Veyron… when you complete all the Tutorials, you'll finally understand the truth."
He let out a long breath. With Zephyron absent, there was no one to confide in. The only companions he had were Gabriel's sword… and Xuantian's lingering soul.
"So… once I've finished the Tutorials, all of this will finally make sense?"
His thoughts were interrupted when the food arrived. One bite, and his eyes widened.
"What is this? It's… incredible. No wonder this place is always packed."
Once everyone had finished their meals, Veyron and Hari boarded the carriage again, setting off toward the fabled city of Eidravelle.
As the carriage rolled away from Windale, Veyron gazed back with a tinge of sadness—leaving the first city that had felt strangely like home.
"Hey Hari… why do you act so disgusted with me? Is it because of how I look?"
"Exactly. You're too ugly. That's why I'm being forced to be engaged to you."
"...I see. Then I'll just follow my mother and father's wishes."
Without another word, Veyron closed his eyes and drifted into sleep, holding his sword close to his chest. But as he fell into slumber, Hari's soul was suddenly pulled into another dimension.
---
In Another Realm
"What… what is this place? I feel like I'm inside… some kind of train?"
A female voice echoed in the space around Hari.
"Hello, Hari. Give me your body. I want to be with him forever—so no other girl can get close."
"Who are you?! Why would you want to be with him? He's hideous!"
"Tch. How dare you call him that. Look again."
The woman raised her hand, and the space transformed—an enormous mirror appeared, revealing Veyron's true face.
"What?! Veyron is… actually handsome? But why does everyone say he's ugly?"
"That's my doing. I've cast the illusion for every other woman. Don't fall for it. I want to be the only one who can see his real face. Oh… and one more thing: only his biological mother and father—from the Aldrecht family—can see his true appearance."
"Alright, enough talk. Now, give me your body."
In an instant, Hari's soul vanished—swallowed by the endless layers of space and the multiverse. The soul of the mysterious girl from Veyron's dream entered Hari's body.
"It's been so long, Veyron… I was heartbroken when you said, 'Have we met?' But it's okay. I understand—you've lost your memories."
---
Arriving at Eidravelle
The carriage came to a halt. Veyron and Hari stepped down together. Hari smiled sweetly at him—but Veyron ignored it. His attention was fully drawn to the massive city before them.
Eidravelle—capital of power, mystery, and combat—was alive with excitement. Dozens, even hundreds, of warriors from noble families gathered here for the legendary tournament.
"This is insane… so many challengers in one place, hahaha. Looks like I'll get to test myself against some powerful noble brats."
But as he walked through the city gates, a heavy feeling crept into his chest. A dark aura—thicker than before—surrounded him. It felt as though… something was watching.
He turned his head sharply toward the sensation.
High above, standing atop the tallest mountain in Eidravelle, a shadowy figure observed him in silence.
Veyron's expression hardened. His breath slowed.
"So… you're brave enough to watch me from there?"
He picked up a stone, ready to throw—but before he could act, the black figure vanished, as if dissolved by the wind.
---
Chapter 3 Completed