Northern Continent, Frostholm
Age 9770
A vast snow plain stretched across the land. Thick snow covered everything, leaving only endless whiteness as far as the eye could see.
Amid the frozen landscape stood a conspicuous orphanage, home to many orphans across Frostholm. For those unfortunate children, it could be called a small sanctuary.
Inside, giggles and laughter rang through the air.
Children from the age of five to fifteen ran
around freely. Some chased a ball across the yard while others hid behind snow piles in a game of hide and seek.
Yet even among the lively atmosphere, one figure seemed out of place.
Under the eaves sat a young lad, quietly reading a book.
Blue hair fell in messy strands that caught the light, and pale white eyes calmly stared at the pages before him. His slim figure carried a quiet presence, as if he might disappear into the background at any moment.
"Law, aren't you tired of reading? Why don't you take a break and go play with the others?"
A gentle voice called from behind.
Law stiffened slightly before turning around. Standing there was a woman in her middle years. Her hair was streaked with silver at the temples, and her warm eyes carried the kindness of someone used to caring for children.
"You've been at it for hours," she said, stepping closer. Her footsteps were soft against the wooden floor.
"Even the most devoted mind needs rest. Don't let your mind suffer for your books."
"I'm fine, Aunt Maria," Law replied as he closed the book.
The worn cover read History of Eriria.
Aunt Maria sighed softly and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Knowledge is good," she said gently, "but a young body needs fresh air and friends. The world outside isn't as frightening as the books make it."
The word 'frightening' lingered in Law's mind.
He knew better than anyone that this world was far from safe.
Because this was not the world he was born in.
Law—his full name, Lawliet—was not originally from Eriria.
He was a transmigrator.
In his previous life, he had lived in a world called Earth.
He died at the age of seventeen, just after finishing high school.
Life truly was unpredictable.
'I thought I could achieve something great after graduating… maybe start a business and become a tycoon,' Law thought silently.
But those dreams had ended far sooner than he expected.
He lost his parents when he was only three years old, long before he could truly understand the world around him.
Luckily, his aunt and uncle took him in. Otherwise, he might have ended up in an orphanage even back then.
Yet growing up with them never truly felt like being part of a family.
He never understood what parental warmth felt like.
Perhaps the cold distance they showed him was the closest thing he knew.
By the age of seventeen, he had finally graduated from high school.
On the way home that day, he saw two young girls crossing the street.
What caught his attention wasn't their youth or beauty.
It was the truck speeding toward them.
Without thinking, Law ran as fast as he could.
The distance between them was short.
He pushed the girls away from the road just in time.
But he remained standing in front of the speeding truck.
Not because he wanted to.
But because it was already too late.
*Bang!*
His body flew across the street, rolling across the ground before finally coming to a stop.
Blood spread beneath him.
As his vision dimmed, one final thought passed through his mind.
'Is this the legendary Truck-k…?'
Darkness followed.
"Law? Law?"
A worried voice pulled him back.
"Ah… sorry," Law said, standing up and brushing the dust from his pants. "I just spaced out thinking about something."
Aunt Maria looked at him for a moment before smiling.
"You must be tired from reading," she said.
"Go get some rest. I'll handle the chores today."
She paused briefly before adding,
"You should prepare well. Tomorrow is your awakening day."
With that, she turned and walked back into the orphanage.
Law remained standing under the eaves.
He took a slow breath.
It had already been five years since he arrived in this world.
Aunt Maria had found him outside the orphanage back then, lying in the snow as if he were already dead.
Since then, he had spent most of his time reading and learning about this unfamiliar world.
Tomorrow would be an important day.
In Eriria, every child could awaken once they reached the age of sixteen.
Only once in their lifetime.
Talent.
Affinity.
The two things that determined a person's future.
What path they would walk.
And how far they could go.
Law looked down at his hands quietly.
He didn't have high expectations.
Having too much hope only made disappointment hurt more.
Just then, a small boy with a runny nose tugged at Law's sleeve.
Law's wandering mind return back.
"Brother Law, can you read to us later?" the boy asked, his eyes full of innocent curiosity.
Law looked down at him, then at the other children watching with hopeful expressions.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"Alright. I'll read tonight."
The boy's face lit up.
"Promise?"
Law gave a small smile.
"Promise."
The children cheered softly and ran back to their games, already arguing about what story they wanted.
After five years here, Law had already become like a big brother to the children.
Looking at them playing in the courtyard, he suddenly thought of tomorrow's awakening.
Perhaps tonight deserved something special.
Living alone in his previous life had forced him to learn how to cook. After all, it was much cheaper than buying food from convenience stores.
With that thought, Law headed to the orphanage kitchen.
It was a small, simple place—wooden counters, a few old pots, and the faint smell of spices.
There, a young girl about his age stood beside the sink preparing ingredients.
Her small hands carefully cut vegetables, though her movements were slightly shaky.
Her soft purple hair that fell neatly around her shoulders and matching purple eyes.
Her skills in household chores can be said to be third best here. The first being Aunt Maria and Second is Law himself.
Though… when it came to cooking, she was a little lacking.
There was one time when she tried to cook by herself and almost burned the whole orphanage down.
Fortunately, Law arrived just in time to stop the disaster.
Unfortunately for the food, it was left completely charred—so burnt that no one could even tell what it had originally been.
"Lily, why are you here? Didn't I tell you cooking can be left to me?" Law asked as he looked at her back.
"I just want to help Brother Law," she replied, turning around to meet his eyes.
They were the same age but she still called him Brother Law. Truly a good girl.
"Don't waste your time doing this. You should prepare yourself for tomorrow," Law said.
While speaking, he quickly examined the available ingredients and decided what to cook for today's meal.
"Hmph. Don't you also need to prepare? Then why can you be here and not me?" Lily puffed her cheeks as she placed the cut vegetables beside the stove.
""Is it because you don't trust me?!" Her eyes became watery. "Brother Law is cruel!"
"Ah! This…" Law was caught off guard. What is this kid trying to do?
'It's just cooking… do you need cry to about it?' He thought to himself.
"Forget it. You can help cut the meat. Just make sure you stay away from the stove."
"Yay! Brother Law is the best!" Lily cheered, spinning around before hurrying back to the sink.
Law blinked.
Just a moment ago she looked like she was about to cry...
Now she is joyful.
'How about give her an Oscar reward?'
Law knelt by the old firewood stove, stacking dry logs before striking a small flame.
Soon enough, the meal was ready—large portions that could easily feed several families of four.
Law carefully lifted one of the pots while Lily carried a bowl of vegetables behind him.
The moment they pushed open the dining hall door, the noise of many children filled the room.
Rows of long wooden tables were already packed with eager faces.
Some children sat properly while others leaned forward impatiently, their eyes fixed on the food.
"They're here!" one boy shouted.
Immediately, several children began cheering.
"Brother Law brought the food!"
"Hurry, I'm starving!"
Law placed the pot on the serving table with a small sigh while Lily giggled softly at the children's excitement.
"Line up," Law said calmly.
He glanced at the children and raised his voice slightly so everyone can hear it
"This time, Sister Lily helped cook. So what
should you say?"
"Thank you, Sister Lily!" the children chorused happily.
Lily placed her hands on her hips and nodded proudly, looking extremely pleased with herself.
One by one, he served warm bowls of food into their hands.
Soon the hall filled with the sounds of eating, laughter, and cheerful chatter.
Night eventually arrived.
The children gathered in the living room, a spacious area large enough to fit everyone.
They sat in a circle around Law, their eyes full of anticipation.
"Brother Law! Hurry and read the story!" one child urged.
"Yes, yes! The story!"
Law sighed softly, though a small smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, alright."
He picked up the worn book and flipped through its old pages.
The room slowly quieted.
Dozens of small eyes stared at him expectantly.
Law glanced at the title before opening to the first page.
Then he began to speak.
The children leaned forward eagerly.
Law turned the page.
"It's about the age from the past…"
The room fell silent.
Outside the orphanage, snow continued to fall quietly across the Northern land.
"The Age of Chaos."