"Kaen Von Celestain," he murmured, and he continued in his mind, "so that's the name of this body."
"He really doesn't remember, does he..." whispered the eldest sister, her eyes filled with mistrust and disbelief.
"You seem to be feeling better. Come, follow us. It's time to eat," she said in a serious tone, her gaze cold and distant.
"Yes, elder sister," he replied respectfully.
Elisabeth looked surprised for a second, but no one really noticed except Kaen, who had spent his life doubting everything and everyone. However, she wasn't the only one surprised; Solvane, the youngest, was too, except that she didn't hide it. The maid had already seen this new side of Kaen, so she didn't show much reaction.
'Why are you all reacting like this?'
Then he asks, "Uh, may I know your name? I don't remember anything."
"Elisabeth," answered the eldest sister, coldly, without adding any detail, before turning away, leaving the room as if nothing had happened, and leaving everyone stunned.
The young sister steps forward calmly, and gently, her voice was as warm as a mother's
"My name is Solvane, Solvane Von Celestain. Like you, you are my elder brother by just a few months. "
After calmly introducing herself, she set off to join Elizabeth.
Kaen watched her leave calmly, or at least that's what he let show, but his mind was anything but calm. He could have sworn he had heard those names before.
And what was that warmth in their voices? Even though Elizabeth tried to hide it, it didn't escape me. Was it deliberate? Emotions make us weak. I don't need them.
He began to follow his sisters through the corridors of the mansion, frowning as he tried to remember where he had heard those names before. The corridors of the mansion were elegant, with chandeliers in every corner of the corridors and magnificent red and gold carpets.
Everything in this mansion exuded power and luxury, yet Kaen felt something else: loneliness. He did not know why, but these feelings were there, and they were his feelings, not someone else's. Was it some kind of illusion or a memory left behind by the previous owner?
They finally passed through the door, and what he saw shocked him: a large banquet table worthy of a film about the Renaissance, although it also looked modern, a sort of blend of two eras. It was made of marble with gold and diamond ornaments. The walls were covered with paintings that looked rather old but had no emotional value; they were there just to show power and wealth. The walls were actually white with gold ornaments.
After arriving at the other end of the room, where the table ended or began, depending on the direction.
"Sit down," she ordered in a soft but authoritative voice.
A silent butler appeared and served them wine and a meal of roast beef seasoned with fresh, aromatic herbs to enhance the flavour. It smelled wonderful. That was enough to dispel the awkward atmosphere that had prevailed for a few seconds.
After a few seconds of silence, Solvane asked the question, 'Tell me, big brother, you really don't remember anything, not even this house?'
Kaen hesitated for a split second and replied, 'Nah, I don't remember anything,' he said, placing his fork on the table. That split second could have made it seem like he was lying, but in this situation, where he had lost his memory, it just made it seem like he was trying to remember.
Elizabeth looked at them strangely.
"Stop talking. We're at the table. If you want to talk, talk afterwards." She began to look at her plate again and ate as if nothing could disturb her.
The meal continued in an eerie, almost deathly calm, with only the clinking of cutlery to be heard. And yet, despite all the warmth that the meal had brought him, he felt an unsettling, icy chill.
Why the silence? Why those looks? Every detail, every word held back... There's something they're not telling me. But why should I care? They're just strangers who share my blood.
"May I ask a question?" he asked his sisters in a perfectly neutral tone.
Elizabeth just nodded her head in confirmation.
"Yes, of course," replied Solvane with such intense warmth that it made Kaen uncomfortable.
'"I don't remember anything. Can you tell me about the world we live in? And... do we have parents?"
Solvane looked at Elisabeth, who nodded.
Solvane's voice softened, but Kaen sensed the pain she was trying to hide.
" No, we don't have parents. They died five years ago to protect us."
'To protect us. Like my uncle. And look how that turned out. Love and sacrifice only lead to death.'
Kaen pretended not to be affected, took a breath of fresh air, and asked Solvane to continue.
"We can stop here, you know. No need to force yourself. "Solave replied, visibly shaken, as if she had experienced some kind of trauma.
"No, I want to hear everything, please," he asked her with pleading eyes, playing on the girl's heartstrings.
"Agreed", she replied, biting her lip.
In this world, there is something called cultivation.
There are several levels.
Awakening→F
Initiate→E
Intermediate→D
Advanced→C
Expert→B
Master→A
sovereign →S
Saint → SS
Monarch → SSS
Transcendent → EX
Each level reached offers a dramatic increase in powers.
There are four dominant species:
Humans
Demons
Elves
Semi-humans
Each species has subspecies, except for humans. For example, demons can be vampires or succubus. Elves can be high elves or wood elves. Semi-humans can be mermaids, beastmen, and others.
"Are demons our enemies? " he asked with genuine curiosity.
They were in the past, but those days are now gone. Everything changed when a species from another world came to invade this world. We call them 'outer species' simply because they have no name, but they can take on the appearance of both humans and demons.
"I see," he said, leaving a silence hanging in the room.
"Tell me you said that everyone in this world can cultivate right, so what is my actual level of cultivation?" The sister shared a glare and answered in unison.
You are incapable of cultivating. We don't know why, but it's like this.
'Cool, I find myself in a world of cultivation with a body incapable of doing it. What a stroke of luck! As if my previous life wasn't already blessed by Mother Luck'
He rose from the table without showing any particular emotion, just a polite acceptance of his fate.
He walked quietly through the corridors when everyone else had left. Kaen was thinking about how he could get himself out of this predicament.
"I was killed in the modern world by a man with supernatural powers, but in the end, I survived by luck. No, it was pure talent, yes, pure talent,"he said, nodding his head to try to convince himself of his bullshit.
Back in the dining room, Solvane turned to her sister.
"Are you sure it was really the right thing to do?" Solvane asked, panicked and worried, which was evident in the way she spoke, but also in the appearance of wrinkles all over her face.
"My sister, he might not be able to overcome it once again," she added, with tears in her eyes.
Elisabeth replied coldly, "He's the only one who couldn't get over the death of our parents. He couldn't pick himself up when he should have. He was too weak. If he can't get over someone's death, how will he be able to survive this reality that is ours? Will he have to rely on us again and again, as he has done until now? No, if he can't get back on his feet now that he has no memory, then no one will be able to save him from himself."
"But Sister... he seemed so... cold. Detached. It's not grief. It's... indifference."
Elisabeth remained silent for a few seconds before finally replying, " Perhaps it's better this way".
Solvane got up from the table. "Excuse me, sister, I'm not very hungry anymore. If you would kindly excuse me."
She headed towards her brother's room.
Elizabeth remained alone,staring into the space.
"Mom, Dad, he's so distant now. How can I reach him when he won't even let us get close to him?" she whispered into the void.
Solvane knocked on her brother's door.
"It's me, brother, can I enter?"
"Yes, you can", answered Kaen.
She entered and saw him standing by the window, his eyes empty of emotion, gazing at the horizon.
"You know, we don't really know what happened to you before you lost your memory", she began, sitting down cautiously on the bed.
"After our parents died, you became apathetic. You didn't care about anything anymore, but more than anything else, you were angry," she says with tears in her eyes.
"I see" answered Kaen.
Two words. That's all I can offer her. Because if I give her more, if I let these walls fall... I know how it ends. It always ends the same way.
You know, it was hard for me too.
You know, it was hard for me too after they died. My big sister became more distant and colder. She had to shoulder the fate of our duchy, and some time later, she became vice director of the Stelaris Academy.
She stepped forward, hesitantly reaching out her hand towards him. "You know, I am, we are here, you don't nee...."
'Thank you,' he said, interrupting her gently but firmly. 'But I'm fine. I just need time to... adjust.'
He turned to her, a slight smile playing on his lips, not reaching his eyes. "You should rest. You look tired."
Solvane hesitated, then slowly nodded, her heart heavy. 'All right. But... if you need to talk...'
"I know where to find you," he finished.
When she left, gently closing the door behind her, Kaen returned to the window.
Stellaris Academy.
Solvane Celestain.
Elisabeth Celestain.
The name Celestain.
Too many similarities to be a coincidence.
I've been reincarnated into a novel. And not a novel with a happy ending.
His reflection in the glass stared back at him — a young man with cold, calculating eyes.
They want me to get attached. To let them in. But attachment is a luxury I cannot afford. Not in this world.
Not with what is coming.
My uncle loved me, and he died screaming.
I will never let that happen again.
Even if it means staying alone.