Seraphina helped the young mistress to her feet with surprising gentleness. The proud knight then lowered herself to one knee before Naomi, her head bowed deeply.
"Youthful master," she said, her voice steady but tinged with regret, "I am grateful you have awoken from your coma. I failed to protect you once. Let me offer my head as atonement for my failure."
Naomi stared at her in shock.
"Stop," he said, his voice calm, firm — different from the frightened boy she remembered.
There was a power in his tone now. A quiet authority that made even the cold-hearted Seraphina stiffen in surprise.
Had he always possessed this strength?
No… this was something new. Something awakened.
She kept her head bowed, waiting for his permission to rise.
Naomi sighed, exhaustion and confusion heavy on him.
"Please," he said, softer, "both of you... leave me alone for now."
Seraphina immediately responded, "As you command, my lord."
The young mistress — his supposed mother — gave a tearful smile. "Take care, Nel."
With a final glance, they turned and left the room, leaving Naomi alone in the heavy silence.
He sat there for a moment, head in his hands.
"What the hell is this place...?" he muttered. "No dignity, no morals... That bastard tried to kill me, and that woman —"
His hands clenched into fists.
"I'll make you pay, Murin."
Slowly, he stood. His legs wobbled, weak from long days in a coma, but determination fueled him.
He stumbled to the window and pushed it open.
The view stole his breath.
Beyond the balcony, a breathtaking garden stretched out — vibrant flowers in full bloom, marble statues gleaming under the sun, servants bustling along paved paths.
Beyond the garden, dozens of carriages and armored soldiers moved in disciplined formations.
And further still — a sprawling, bustling city with shining rooftops and colorful banners fluttering in the breeze.
It was a world ripped straight out of fantasy.
Magic.
Knighthood.
Nobility.
Power.
Naomi's heart pounded against his ribs.
This wasn't Earth.
This was a new life — one built on bloodlines, blades, and betrayals.
And if he wanted to survive...
He would have to become something far greater than the boy he used to be.
Outside the grand chamber, Seraphina stood like a silent sentinel, her posture perfect, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her blade.
She was waiting.
Waiting for him — the young master she had sworn to protect, no matter the cost.
Many within the duchy looked upon Naomi with scorn, seeing only weakness and disgrace.
But Seraphina saw something different.
She saw her lord.
Her rightful master.
And her loyalty was absolute.
The heavy door creaked open.
Naomi stumbled out, his legs shaking under his own weight.
As he tried to step forward, he lost balance and fell hard onto the marble floor.
"Ouch..." he muttered, wincing.
Without hesitation, Seraphina moved.
She lifted him up as if he weighed nothing, steadying him carefully. Then, without waiting for permission, she crouched and pulled him onto her back — carrying him like a precious burden.
"W-What are you doing?!" Naomi stammered, his face burning with embarrassment.
Seraphina answered without pause, her voice calm and certain.
"My lord, I cannot allow you to walk in such a state. Please… let me be your carriage."
Naomi could hardly find the words to respond.
He clutched at her cloak awkwardly, feeling her strength — steady, dependable, warm.
Why... why was she doing this?
Why did she serve him with such devotion, when the entire world seemed to think he was worthless?
He bit his lip and muttered, "Take me to the library."
For a moment, Seraphina froze — shocked by the request.
The Naomi she remembered — the Nel she had once served — had never once asked for books or knowledge.
But she didn't question him.
"Yes, my lord," she said firmly, as if the order was absolute.
She moved swiftly through the halls, carrying him with unwavering dignity.
As they passed, maids, footmen, and lower knights turned to stare.
Whispers erupted behind them like poison clouds:
"Disgusting... Look at her — the White Sword carrying that worthless worm..."
"Such a waste of talent. She could have been captain of the royal guard..."
"How can she lower herself for him?"
Naomi heard every word.
Each whisper cut deeper than the last.
He gritted his teeth, feeling a knot of anger and sadness twist inside him.
So this is the life Nel lived... he thought bitterly. Despised. Ridiculed. Alone.
But he refused to break.
Not now.
Not anymore.
He needed to understand this world — its rules, its history, its power struggles.
Only then could he carve a future not just for himself...
But for the name Nel Darkstar.
And so, carried on the back of his knight, Naomi set his first step toward a destiny far greater than any of them could imagine.
The Darkstar Library was massive.
No kidding.
High arched ceilings stretched above Naomi like the inside of a cathedral. Endless rows of towering bookshelves sprawled across the polished floors, packed with ancient tomes, scrolls, and relics.
The scent of old paper and candle wax filled the air.
As Seraphina carried him through the entrance, an elderly librarian glanced up from his desk. His wrinkled face twisted into a sly smile.
"Oh my," the old man chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "I never thought I'd see you walking in here, young master."
The teasing in his voice was impossible to miss.
Seraphina's expression hardened instantly.
"Young master wishes to borrow the library for a while," she said coldly, her hand casually brushing the hilt of her sword.
The librarian raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Of course, of course. But be careful with the books... The Duke would have my head if anything was damaged."
Naomi muttered, "I'll be careful. Now... leave me alone."
With a respectful bow, Seraphina carried him to the first floor and gently set him down on a cushioned reading bench.
"My lord," she said, kneeling briefly, "I will bring you something to eat."
Naomi shook his head.
"No... it's fine. Just return to your duty. Let me read in peace."
Seraphina hesitated — just for a second — studying him with a strange glint in her blue eyes.
Something is different about young master Nel..
But she said nothing, only bowed again.
"As you command."
She left the library silently, but stationed herself just outside the doors, arms crossed, keeping a silent watch over her lord.
Inside, Naomi rubbed his temples and looked up at the endless sea of books.
"Alright... let's see what kind of world this is."
He pulled a thick volume from the shelf, its cover marked with a faded crest: a phoenix surrounded by seven stars.
The title read:
"The Seven Kingdoms and the Age of Blood."
As he flipped through, he quickly gathered the basics:
This world was divided into Seven Great Kingdoms, each ruled by a royal family.
Beneath them, ducal houses — like Darkstar — held immense power, often governing entire provinces.
Each Kingdom prized two pillars above all else: Magic and Swordsmanship.
But it was when he reached the section on ancient history that Naomi's breath caught.
The Age of Blood: 1,200 years ago
Once, the world had teetered on the brink of annihilation.
A great invasion — the Demon Tide — had spilled from the Abyss, led by the Twelve Demon Lords.
Humanity, fractured and weak, nearly crumbled.
Until the Dukes rose.
Among them, the First Lord of Darkstar, known as Aeron Darkstar, became a legendary figure.
It was said he wielded the sword "Nox Aeternum", the Blade of Eternal Night — a weapon forged from starlight and dragon's blood.
Aeron led the charge against the Demon Lords, alongside six other Dukes, forming the Seven Bloodlines of Salvation.
Their descendants — like Naomi — carried the blood of heroes, blessed with affinity for both magic and sword.
Without the Darkstar bloodline, the Demon Lords would have conquered all.
Without Aeron Darkstar, there would be no kingdoms at all.
Naomi sat back, stunned.
This blood... Nel's blood... was once revered as savior blood.
And now?
Despised. Mocked. Treated like filth.
His chest tightened.
Not for himself — but for the legacy that had been trampled.
Naomi clenched his fists.
"If Nel's blood once saved the world..." he whispered, "then I'll make sure it rises again."
Outside the door, Seraphina glanced back at the library and smiled faintly.
Even without seeing him, she could feel it.
The quiet, burning flame of her young master's soul had been lit.
[End of Chapter]
To be continue.....