[System Time: Cycle 404 - Initialization Phase]
The room had no walls, only an endless horizon of sterile white light. There was no sound, save for the low, rhythmic hum of data streams processing millions of variables per second.
In the center of this void stood a sleek, obsidian console. Five figures stood around it. They wore pristine white coats that shimmered like liquid mercury, their faces obscured by shifting digital masks. They were the Overseers.
"Subject 017 is prepped for insertion," said Vanz, tapping a holographic interface. His voice was bored, the tone of a man who had watched the world end a thousand times. "Memory wipe complete. Physical stats... abysmal. Zero mana affinity. Minimal muscle density. Why are we even bothering with this one?"
"Because," replied a deeper, colder voice. Mr. X, the Lead Architect, stepped forward. His mask was a featureless void. "Perfection is not found in strength, Vanz. It is found in adaptability. In the previous three hundred cycles, the 'Hero' archetype failed to stabilize the region 98% of the time. They rely too much on the system's gifts."
Mr. X looked at the floating screen. It displayed the sleeping face of a young man
"Subject 017 has the highest survival index in the database. He doesn't need magic. He needs a reason to survive."
"So, what's the script?" Eru, another Overseer, asked, leaning against the console. "The usual? Demon King rises, hero finds holy sword, saves the princess?"
"No," Mr. X said. "We are testing the 'Rebellion' scenario. We will strip him of everything. Family, status, power. We will back him into a corner and see if he breaks... or if he builds."
Mr. X pressed a single, red command key.
[INJECTING CONSCIOUSNESS INTO: REYNOLD VAN DER] [WORLD: VALENCIA] [SCENARIO: THE FALLEN HOUSE]
"Let the game begin," Mr. X whispered. "And keep an eye on the code. This Subject has a habit of... improvising."