The mysterious system of the MC with mysterious past

I woke up in a familiar room—my own. The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the walls. My head felt heavy, as if I had been asleep for an eternity. Blinking away the haze in my vision, I tried to recall what had happened, how I had ended up here. Then, a sudden realization struck me.

"Ignis! Where are you? Are you okay? Ignis!" I called out, my voice filled with urgency, my heart pounding in my chest.

The door swung open, and a maid rushed in, her expression laced with worry.

"Young Master, please calm down! Are you alright?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. She hurried to my bedside, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Please don't worry. Ignis is safe. She's resting as well."

A wave of relief washed over me. My tense shoulders loosened slightly, but the confusion in my mind remained. How long had I been unconscious?

"How long have I been out?" I asked, my voice weak, barely more than a whisper.

"A full day has passed, Young Master," she informed me. "Your parents have been worried sick. I'll go inform them that you've woken up."

With that, she gave me a slight bow before hurrying out of the room. I took a deep breath, my mind still catching up with everything that had happened. One day... Had it really been that long?

Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. The door burst open, and my mother and father rushed inside.

"Rave!" My mother's voice trembled with emotion as she knelt by my bed, cupping my face with warm hands. Her usually composed expression was now filled with worry and relief. "Oh, my dear, you're finally awake!"

My father, though a man of few words, stood beside her, his gaze intense. "You had us worried, son," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "Do you feel alright? Are you in any pain?"

I forced a small smile. "I'm fine," I reassured them, though the lingering exhaustion in my body told me otherwise.

My mother exhaled shakily, brushing a strand of my hair aside. "You don't know how frightened we were... When they brought you back, you were barely conscious. We didn't know when you'd wake up."

My father placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip strong but comforting. "You're our only son, Rave. You must be more careful."

Their concern, their warmth—it stirred something deep within me. No matter how strong I wished to be, at this moment, I was just their son.

"I'm sorry for making you worry," I said softly, guilt creeping into my heart.

My mother shook her head, pulling me into a gentle embrace. "All that matters is that you're here now."

My father gave a small nod, his usually stern expression easing. "Rest for now, Rave. We'll talk later."

As they sat by my side, their presence a soothing comfort, I realized just how much they truly cared for me. But even with their warmth surrounding me, questions swirled in my mind, each one more urgent than the last.

Just as I settled back against the pillows, a familiar chime echoed in my head.

[System Notification: Do you wish to know who saved you?]

My eyes widened slightly. The system…

"Yes," I answered inwardly, my heart pounding.

[The Head Mage had already sensed the ominous aura. He arrived just in time to save you from the Demonic Reaper.]

I exhaled slowly. So it wasn't just luck—I was saved because the Head Mage had been vigilant. That meant… that the thing I fought was truly dangerous.

My fingers clenched the bedsheet beneath me. A Demonic Reaper… If the Head Mage hadn't come, I wouldn't be alive right now.

A chill ran down my spine as fragments of the battle flashed through my mind. The monstrous presence, the suffocating aura of death, the overwhelming power I had faced. I had thrown everything I had at it, and yet, I had still lost.

Then, another realization struck me. Lucia…

Princess Lucia had seen everything. She knew now—I was a Third Circle Mage. A secret I had guarded for years was no longer hidden from her.

A knot of worry formed in my stomach. Did she tell anyone? If word got out, it could change everything. Even my own family might start seeing me differently.

I let out a slow breath. No… Lucia isn't the type to spread secrets. At least, I hope she isn't.

But this whole situation had shown me something undeniable—I was too weak.

If I had been stronger, I wouldn't have needed saving. If I had been stronger, I could have fought back, protected myself, protected Ignis…

Frustration gnawed at me. I hated this helplessness.

I had spent so many years training in secret, pushing myself beyond my limits. But now, I realized it wasn't enough.

I have to work harder. I can't stay weak forever.

I let my gaze wander around my room, taking in its familiar sights—the bookshelves filled with tomes of magic, the sword resting against the wall, the training dummies in the corner. These things had always been part of my world, yet they suddenly felt so distant. I had trained, yes, but not nearly enough. I needed to be more. Stronger. Faster. Smarter.

The battle had exposed my limits. I had reached the edge of my power, and it wasn't enough. I clenched my fist, feeling the dull ache in my muscles. It was a painful reminder of my failure.

My parents' voices pulled me back to reality. My mother was talking to my father in hushed tones, her worry still evident in her eyes. My father, ever the stoic figure, nodded occasionally, his sharp gaze flickering toward me now and then.

I wanted to reassure them, to tell them I'd be fine. But words felt empty. I would prove it through action.

For now… my body was too exhausted to keep thinking. My eyelids felt unbearably heavy, the weight of my injuries dragging me down.

As sleep slowly overtook me, a single thought echoed in my mind:

Next time… I will be stronger.