SWNOVELXO Chapter 6: Identity
"The Cindergarde Family," how could the boy forget that name? It was one of the four Ducal Houses of the Great Empire, the Rulers of the East, and the clan known for producing the greatest pyromancers in the entire Empire. Many such titles belonging to that family danced through his mind, but his thoughts were anchored on one singular figure.
The very reason why the Cindergarde family was well known across the entire empire in hushed whispers—THE EMPEROR OF THE UNDYING FLAME. This title, this name, burned with a significance far greater than any other.
The boy then suddenly remembered the word exiled heir and, feeling a spark of realization, he asked the System, his voice steady as if confirming something. "By exiled heir, do you mean heir of some vassal family related to the Cindergarde Family?"
The question hung in the air, the boy's mind racing as he connected the dots. An exiled heir— it was possible that the one who had been cast out came from a lesser family tied to the mighty Cindergarde? The thought seemed plausible.
[NO, THE MAIN FAMILY] said the System crashing all his thoughts.
Not caring about the usual undescribed short answers given by the system, the boy became even more confused. As far as he could remember, the Cindergarde family had only two heirs—both of them females. One of them was even a playable character, a prominent figure in the entire main plot. The other, however, was more of a shadow, appearing only during a special event, her presence fleeting and almost mysterious. But that was not important right now.
'The important question was, where did the Flame Emperor, who is a bloodline freak, buy out a third heir from? I've played with that female character multiple times and completed the entire story of the Cindergarde Family, but there was never once a single mention of some third heir in the entire history or backstory of the family. The family's legacy had been crystal clear—two heirs, both females, each with their own significance in the grand narrative of the Family. Just where did this guy pop out from.'
"It's impossible, there must be a mistake," concluded the boy, shaking his head in disbelief. The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. Everything he knew about the Cindergarde Family—their bloodlines, their heirs, their legacy had been clear, documented, and meticulously crafted. The Flame Emperor had two heirs, both females, and that was the end of it.
[There is nothing impossible, everything is the will of the GREAT DEITY. It's better to show you rather than clear your doubts]
Then suddenly, a long panel popped right in front of his eyes. The boy blinked in surprise as the holographic screen materialized out of thin air, its edges glowing with a faint, ethereal light.
NAME: Adlet
JOB: Priest
FACTION: Neutral
BLOODLINE: Not Awakened
AFFINITY: Fire
SOUL TRAIT: Fire Warmonger
TRAITS: Narcissist, False Monarch, Pyromancer, [Remaining traits will be displayed after completing the First Quest]
SKILLS: NIL
ARTS: NIL
SPELLS: NIL
SPECIALS: NIL
STATS:
STR: F
AGI: F+
END: F-
MIND: F+
CHA: E
MANA CORE: F-
DIVINE ENERGY: F-
Quests: 2(NEW):
FIRST QUEST
Assimilate the Memory of the Previous Owner
REWARD: FULL VISIBILITY OF THE TRAIT SECTION
PENALTY: NONE
MAIN QUEST
ACHIEVE THE BEST PERFECT ENDING AGAIN
REWARD: ANY WISH INCLUDING RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS WORLD
UPON FAILURE OR REJECTION OF THE QUEST: DEATH
"Just kill me and send me back to my previous world," said the boy in a dejected tone, his voice hollow as he stared at the status of his current body presented by the system.
[Not possible, Host], the System responded flatly, its voice cold and unyielding.
"What do you mean NOT POSSIBLE? Does having this kind of stats is POSSIBLE and sending me back is not POSSIBLE?" shouted the boy, his frustration spilling over as he pointed furiously at the hologram presented by the System.
[What is the problem with the stats? Host]
"First, stop with that Host bullshit! I have a name, and that is ASHOK KUMAR MAURYA. I neither care about this body anymore nor the name Adlet. I would like to be called by my previous name!" The outburst of Ashok did not stop there. His voice cracked through the air with the force of his frustration, each word an explosion of defiance against the cold, emotionless System.
"And what do you even mean the problem with stats? The Cindergarde family is a very prestigious family of Mages. MAGES. Not priests! So why is his fucking job a Priest? If I keep the Faction, Bloodline, and Affinity aside for a second, just what is wrong with that Unique Soul Trait?
An Elemental Close Combat Physical Type Trait? What will I even do with that when both Priest and Mage are long-range classes? This kind of trait suits a magic swordsman or a paladin, not someone who's stuck being a priest for some shitty reason.
Even the normal traits aren't displayed in full. And among those that are displayed, not a single mind, will, or physique type trait… not even a special type trait. No skill, spell, or art as well. The quests are shitty as well.
What does this so-called Great Deity of yours want from me, huh? To pray that he comes down and shoves these negligible stats down in his ass while I watch him doing the act. You--"
Ashok's words were cut off as an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon him, crushing him from all sides. His knees buckled beneath the weight, and he was forced to the ground, gasping for air. It felt like the very air around him had thickened, pressing down on him with the force of a thousand storms.
Before he could even comprehend what was happening, a voice boomed inside his mind. It wasn't the usual cold, mechanical voice of the system.