Isekai Time-Looper

"Tie the goods thoroughly. Make sure they don't fall from the cart."

"Move quickly."

"You two eat properly, don't stray away from the merchants, and send a letter when you reach the academy."

Grandma Rui's words barely reached us through the noises. 

The bustling caravan of merchants was a chaotic scene, filled with the creaking of wooden carts, the low murmurs of traders, and the occasional bray of restless horses. 

A dusty breeze carried the faint aroma of dried spices and hay as everyone hurried about, preparing for departure.

I glanced at Sia from the corner of my eyes. 

Her silver hair glinted faintly under the morning sun, but her expression was distant.

"Do something about her," I signaled to Sia with a subtle gesture.

Sia raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence, and signaled back, "What can I do? Let her speak, she's worried about us."

I sighed internally. She had always been the tail stuck at Grandma's behind. I was a fool to think this girl would back me up.

"Grandma, we need to leave," I said aloud, trying to sound firm.

The old woman's weathered face crumpled as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Sighing, I stepped forward and hugged her, her fragile frame trembling slightly in my arms. 

Sia followed, her own eyes glistening, though she stubbornly refused to let her tears fall.

"Stop crying. We are only going away to study. Besides, it's not even confirmed that I will be admitted to the academy."

"I… I know." Grandma sniffled, dabbing her eyes with the corner of her apron. "Now go, and make sure you don't skip a meal."

We exchanged our final goodbyes and climbed into the wagon at the tail end of the merchant caravan.

Sia sniffled quietly, turning her face away from me. 

I caught her lingering gaze fixed on the village.

Her eyes were filled with sadness and nostalgia. 

The familiar sight of home, with its weathered rooftops and the faint smoke rising from chimneys, grew smaller as the wagon jolted forward.

It wasn't easy to leave the place where we had spent sixteen years of our childhood. But we had no choice.

Sia was about to awaken her Systema. 

If she did not receive formal education and guidance soon, there was a high chance she could self-destruct.

Me? 

I wasn't awakening anything. 

Systema could be opened by only talented individuals. 

I might be smarter than average, but that was because I was a reincarnator. Nothing else about me was special.

An extra. That is who I was.

I rested my head against the wooden frame of the wagon and gazed at the uneven road ahead.

The rattling wheels provided a rhythmic background to my brooding thoughts.

'If I knew I was going to be reincarnated, I would've read beyond the first three chapters of that damned novel.'

The starting chapters had been boring and I dropped the novel.

'Dammit, how was I supposed to know I would reincarnate in that novel?'

'Hell, I didn't even gain the memories of my previous life until a few years back.'

'What sort of useless reincarnation is this?'

"How much time will it take to reach the academy?" 

Sia's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"A month at best, three weeks if we are lucky," I answered. "How are you feeling now?"

"It's fine. The pain is bearable."

She pulled up her sleeve, revealing the intricate black pattern etched into her left arm. 

The ominous design, which had been a mere dot last week, now resembled the beginnings of a flower. 

Its sinister beauty sent a chill down my spine.

"Your Systema has grown. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to reach maturity." 

I added hastily when I noticed her worried expression. "A quick awakening means you have high talent."

"I know."

She offered a faint smile before exhaustion took over, and she drifted off to sleep. 

Her peaceful face, framed by her silver locks, was almost ethereal in the dim light of the setting sun. 

I could only smile back. 

She had been worried since the day her Systema appeared and hadn't been able to take a proper rest.

'This confirms it. She is a heroine,' I thought, studying her delicate features. 

Calling Sia beautiful would be an understatement. 

Her charm was magnetic, capable of silencing even the most boisterous of crowds.

The caravan dropped us at Elodria after fifteen days of travel. 

The sprawling city buzzed with life, its cobblestone streets lined with bustling stalls, vivid banners, and a constant hum of activity. 

The vibrant hues of the marketplace were a sharp contrast to the muted tones of the countryside we had left behind.

We had to take another travel medium and leave the caravan from this city.

The academy was in the opposite direction of the caravan's destination from here. 

Sia stared at the city in amazement, her emerald eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. Her lips parted slightly, unable to contain her awe. It was her first time visiting a place with such vibrancy, and her delight was infectious. She pestered me for a tour, her eagerness barely contained.

When I agreed, she raised her hand and looked at me expectantly, her expression both smug and hopeful.

"What?"

"Hold my hand. Don't tell me you don't know how to escort a lady." 

Her tone carried a mix of teasing and mock indignation.

I barely suppressed the urge to roll my eyes and the corner of my lips rose into a smirk. 

"Just say that you are afraid of getting lost. Why are you trying to act mature?"

Sia's smile vanished, replaced by a stony expression. Her cold shoulder throughout the day was a silent rebuke, and an awkward tension hung between us as we moved through the lively streets.

In hindsight, I should've known better. It was normal for teenagers to act like grown-ups. I had gone through a similar phase in my last life. It was best not to point out when a teenager thought that they knew it all. But I had already made the mistake.

We had to look for a tavern for the night. 

The golden glow of lanterns lit up the narrow alleys as evening descended. The prices in the better parts of town were high, and we didn't have much leeway with money. After some searching, we settled for a rundown inn in the back alleys. 

"The food tastes good," Sia said while munching on the chicken, her earlier annoyance seemingly forgotten. 

She savored each bite, her cheeks puffed slightly with food.

It was expected. The city had more spices and flavors to add to the food. Compared to that, our village was poor. 

We were given quite an amount of food for a cheap inn. Sia and I did not hold back and ate our fill, relishing the simple pleasure of a hearty meal.

We entered our room after dinner. The wooden floor creaked underfoot, and the faint smell of old wood filled the small, dimly lit space.

"Eh? Why are we sleeping together?" Sia exclaimed as she stepped inside, her expression a mix of embarrassment and irritation.

"Nobody told you to sleep with me. There are two beds here," I replied flatly.

"Don't do anything weird…"

"Yeah, yeah."

I ignored her and claimed the bed near the window. The faint light of the moon filtered through the cracks in the shutters. 

While Sia was undeniably beautiful, I couldn't bring myself to think of her as more than a sibling, even if we were not related by blood. 

The two of us had spent the majority of our childhood together under Grandma's care, with me often taking care of Sia while Grandma was busy with work. 

The memories of changing Sia's diaper were too vivid to forget.

Suddenly, a soft blow hit my back.

I turned around, only to see Sia's pillow thrown at me. Her cheeks were puffed out in an adorable pout, and her narrowed eyes were filled with suspicion.

"What?"

"I felt that you were thinking something incredibly rude," she said accusingly. "Out with it."

"I was worried that my ears might not survive your titanic snoring," I teased, unable to resist.

"You..! You..!" she spluttered, throwing another pillow at me with all her might.

I laughed, threw it back at her, and then settled into bed. Maybe it was because I could eat my fill after weeks of journeying, but a wave of deep drowsiness washed over me—

"...!!!"

"Let me go! Let me go! Help! Brother!" 

Sia's cries pierced through the veil of sleep like a blade.

My eyes snapped open, and panic surged through me. I tried to jump to my feet, but the world tilted, making me tumble. 

The room was darker than it had been, and my body felt heavy, lethargic. The pounding headache made it hard to focus.

"Shit, the brat is awake! Hold him while we take care of the girl!" a gruff voice growled.

Rough hands grabbed me and pushed me down. I struggled, my muscles sluggish and unresponsive. A wave of nausea hit me, and my thoughts barely formed.

'...I feel weak. Was there... something in the food?' The realization hit me like a slap.

Before I could react, a heavy blow struck the back of my head. My vision blurred, and darkness threatened to swallow me whole.

What brought me back to my senses were Sia's cries. Fear laced her voice as she struggled against the attackers.

'It… hurts…'

Something warm and wet trickled down the back of my head, the coppery scent of blood filling my nostrils. A hand shoved my face into the floor.

"Why did you hit him so hard? We were planning to sell him with the girl!"

"B-boss, he was overpowering us—"

"That means he is a healthy product! We could've sold him for a higher price!"

I forced my eyes open, searching for Sia. My heart sank as I saw her pinned down and her face streaked with tears.

"Don't harm the girl now! We need her to be in a perfect state to sell her!" 

The rough hands didn't let me move.

The bandit's hand was holding down my face.

"S-Sia..?" My voice cracked, barely above a whisper. Her tear-filled gaze turned to me, desperate and pleading.

Something inside me snapped. My blood ran cold, and an icy fury ignited in my chest.

I crushed the bandit's thumb with my teeth, feeling the crunch of bone and cartilage. His agonized scream filled the room as his grip faltered.

Seizing the chance, I tackled him, grabbed the knife he dropped, and plunged it into his throat. Warm blood sprayed across my hands as he crumpled to the floor.

I turned towards Sia, her eyes wide with hope. But her expression quickly shifted to horror.

I followed her gaze, and my world shattered as I saw the sword piercing my chest. Pain exploded through me, and the world turned black—

"Tie the goods thoroughly. Make sure they don't fall from the cart."

"Move quickly."

"You two eat properly, don't stray away from the merchants, and send a letter when you reach the academy." 

Grandma Rui's familiar voice broke through the fog of my mind.

I blinked, disoriented. Sia stood beside me, her expression somber but untouched by the horrors I had just witnessed. The merchant caravan was preparing to leave.

"W-what?" I whispered, my heart pounding.

I was back. Back to the moment we were about to set off from the village.

"H-how?"

My legs bobbled.

Was it a vision of the future?

My heart hammered against my chest when everything came back to me.

The memories were vivid. 

Sia's cries, the blood on my hands, and...

I was murdered.

"Sia..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I pulled her into a tight hug.

Her warmth was a lifeline in the cold sea of despair threatening to drown me. Tears flowed from my eyes like a dam had burst, hot streams of anguish running unchecked.

"Everyone is watching… wait, why are you crying?!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of concern and embarrassment as she tried to wriggle free. 

Grandma Rui's soft, weathered hands embraced me from behind. Her familiar lavender scent filled my senses.

"There is no need to be sad," she said gently, her voice breaking slightly. "Don't worry, I will be here for you. You can always return to your home if things don't work at the academy."

I nodded with difficulty, my throat too tight to respond. The thought of what might have happened to Grandma if she had received news of our deaths was terrifying.

She wouldn't have been able to handle the shock at her age. Her frailty was a constant reminder of how close we'd come to shattering her world.

'A second chance,' I thought, gripping the moment like a lifeline. 'I don't know how I got it, but I won't waste it.'

After saying our farewells, we departed from the village. The sun painted the horizon in hues of orange and gold, the fading light casting long shadows on the dirt road.

We had to reach the academy before Sia awakened her Systema.

Awakening was dangerous. Those who couldn't handle it had their soul and body burned. The thought of such a cruel fate sent shivers down my spine.

"How are you feeling?" Sia asked, her voice tinged with worry. 

The memory of my last moments flashed before me. I clenched my fists, forcing the emotions down. I couldn't let her see me in this state, not when her life was in danger due to Systema.

"I'm feeling better. What about your Systema?" I asked, feigning calmness.

Sia raised her sleeves to show her arm. As we followed the same lighthearted conversation from my past life, the tension eased. Eventually, she fell asleep, her soft breathing filling the silence of the carriage.

The tranquility of the moment belied the turmoil within me. 

My mind kept wandering back to the final moments of my previous life. A cold fear gripped my heart.

I steeled my will and tried to analyze the events.

'The bandits attacked us inside the inn. They seemed like slave traders from their words.'

'The inn was helping the bandits.'

'The food was drugged, and even if it wasn't, Sia's cries should've been enough for someone to hear us and help. But that didn't happen.'

We were clearly country bumpkins and must've looked like easy targets.

Even if we went missing, there was no danger to the slave traders. No one would come looking for us.

The realization sent a fresh wave of determination through me.

'How can I avoid the slave traders? There's no guarantee another inn would be any better, and we don't have money to stay at high-end inns with better security.'

The easiest way to solve the issue was not leaving the village.

But Sia would die if we didn't reach the academy on time.

The merchant caravan stopped at the city nearest to the village as the evening fell. The lively market bustled with activity, the air filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked bread.

I got an idea when I saw the city.

"We can just avoid the city where we were attacked," I thought aloud.

Weeks passed in relative peace, and the time for us to part ways with the merchant caravan approached.

"Why are we stopping here? Weren't we going to Elodria with the caravan?" Sia questioned, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"I wanted to take a short tour," I replied nonchalantly. She didn't seem convinced, so I quickly added another excuse. "I just wanted to spend some time with you. If I fail to enter the academy, we won't be able to meet for a few years."

A flicker of sadness passed through her eyes before she masked it with a smug expression.

"You don't need to worry. I won't forget a peasant—ahem childhood friend—just because I entered the academy," she said, her smile radiant.

Her playful teasing lightened the mood, but I looked away.

I couldn't forget the look of fear and panic that had once shrouded her face.

Before searching for an inn, I scouted for a travel medium.

If there was no direct route from this city to the academy, we'd have to pass through Elodria, which would defeat the purpose of stopping in Ironforge City.

The distance between Ironforge and Elodria was considerable. We would inevitably arrive in Elodria in the evening, forcing us to stay overnight. The only alternative was a route that bypassed Elodria altogether.

Fortunately, we found a carriage departing for Brighthollow City the next day, two stops away from the academy.

I splurged a bit and booked a room in an average-quality inn with decent security. The dimly lit corridors had sturdy wooden doors, and the presence of armed guards reassured me.

When night fell, we ate from a bustling street stall, the savory aroma of grilled meat and spiced vegetables mingling with the cool night air. The chatter of merchants and travelers surrounded us, a stark contrast to the silence of the inn when we returned to sleep.

'There shouldn't be any problem this time,' I thought, staring at the ceiling.

'We changed the city and booked a good inn with good security.'

'We ate from a common stall that serves hundreds of people so there is no need to worry about being drugged either.'

The unease in my heart refused to fade.

I made sure that the window and the door were locked before going to bed.

The night was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made the faintest creak feel like a scream. The moonlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains, casting faint, ghostly shadows on the wooden floor.

We had the same conversation about sharing the room as last time.

I couldn't fall asleep no matter how much I tried. The tension in my chest didn't allow it. The knife I had brought from the village was held tightly within my grasp, my knuckles white with the force of my grip.

Suddenly, the floor creaked.

My breath hitched. My heart raced like a war drum as I snapped my head toward the noise, and I saw Sia sleepwalking. 

Her face was peaceful, oblivious to my fear. She slipped into my bed, her small frame curling into mine as she hugged me. A few minutes later, she gradually pushed me off the bed to hoard it for herself, her expression one of blissful ignorance.

"Brother, hehehee..." she mumbled while drooling in her sleep. Her giggles, innocent, made my chest light.

"I guess that answers why I was sleeping on the floor last time."

With a bitter smile, I sat on Sia's empty bed, staring at the ceiling. Fatigue weighed on my eyelids when, suddenly, a sharp pain stung my neck.

A dart.

I felt lightheaded within a few seconds. My legs wobbled as the world spun around me.

Thunderous knocks echoed from the door, each strike making my heart pound harder. Someone was trying to break in.

"Who is there?" I shouted, my voice cracking with panic.

My vision blurred as I scanned the room. Whoever threw the dart was inside. But I didn't see anyone else other than me and Sia.

Sia had been hit by the dart too. Her body was motionless, her face calm but pale. She did not wake up no matter how much I shook her.

The knocks grew louder, more violent. Splinters began to fall from the door. It would break soon.

I forced my trembling body, which was begging to succumb to sleep, to move. My arms dragged the bed, trying to block the door.

One step.

Two steps.

Three—

"How long are you going to sleep!?"

I jolted awake as a splash of ice-cold water hit my face.

A rugged man with a whip loomed over me, his glare as sharp as the sting of his weapon. The dim lighting illuminated his scarred face, his sneer twisted with disdain.

I turned my neck, stiff and aching, to inspect the surroundings. A pungent stench of sweat, urine, and decay filled my nose. My stomach churned. My body felt weak and brittle, like glass on the verge of shattering.

I was inside a cage.

And I wasn't alone.

All around me were men, women, children, and the elderly. Their limbs were chained, their faces hollow with despair. Each pair of eyes, those that could muster the strength to open, bore the weight of hopelessness.

'They were slaves.' 

I realized.

'We were caught by slave traders again.'

"Looked enough?"

The rugged man, the only one unshackled, kicked me in the chest with a force that drove the air from my lungs. Pain bloomed through my ribs as I crumpled to the floor. He continued to kick me, his boots bruising my skin, his lips curled in anger.

"Dammit, all that trouble for failures like this?"

"Wh...where is Sia…?" I croaked, my throat raw.

My words seemed to enrage him further. His face contorted, and his fist slammed into the side of my head, sending a sharp, white-hot pain shooting through my skull.

"This damn brat! Why did you have to remind me of that bitch!?"

Warm blood filled my mouth, the metallic tang mixing with the stench around me. The pain was unbearable, worse than any punishment the mercenary who trained me had ever delivered.

His final kick threw me toward a filthy corner of the cage. The ground was littered with rotting food and decomposing bodies. The smell was suffocating.

Suddenly, the man smirked.

He grabbed my hair roughly, yanking my head upward.

"There, see that?"

I followed his gaze, my vision blurry from tears and pain. The corpses piled in the corner were in varying stages of decay. The smell of death was overwhelming, a sickening mixture of piss, rot, and burnt flesh.

Among the bodies, my eyes locked onto one.

A charred corpse, burnt beyond recognition.

Burned.

I froze.

Those who couldn't handle the awakening of Systema would have their soul and body burned.

My mind raced, frantically searching for something, anything, that said the corpse wasn't hers.

But the floral pattern on her arm—the Systema—was unmistakable.

"Sia…?"

My voice broke as the realization hit me like a thunderclap. My chest heaved, and tears streamed down my face as my mind shattered under the weight of the truth.

The slave trader chuckled watching my state. His chuckles turned into hearty laughter. I charged at the man in a blind frenzy, every ounce of pain replaced by raw, unfiltered rage.

He punched me in the chest. Something cracked.

"Well fuck, I guess it's fine. He wasn't worth as much as his sister any way. At least he made me laugh—"

Darkness swallowed me whole.

"Tie the goods thoroughly. Make sure they don't fall from the cart."

"Move quickly."

"You two eat properly, don't stray away from the merchants, and send a letter when you reach the academy."

I was back to the past.

For the second time.

The bustling village square was alive with activity as merchants and villagers worked together to load the caravan. Horses snorted impatiently, their hooves stomping against the dirt road. The cool morning air carried the faint scent of damp earth mixed with the sharper tang of sweat and wood smoke.

When I set my eyes on Sia, her smile vibrant and expression hopeful. In an instant, I was reminded of that horrifying scene—her burnt corpse lying amid the ashes. The image surged through my mind like a tidal wave.

I felt nauseous. My stomach churned violently, and I doubled over, retching.

"Brother!"

Sia's voice was shrill with panic. She and Grandma Rui rushed to my side, their arms wrapping around me before I could collapse. Sia's face was pale, her eyes brimming with fear as she steadied me.

I wanted to assure them I was all right, to tell them it was nothing. But the overwhelming flood of emotions and memories proved too much.

"Brother, stop! You are hurting yourself!"

Her voice cracked as she grabbed my hand, prying it away from my face. Only then did I notice the stinging pain and the wet warmth trickling down my cheek. My nails had dug into my skin, leaving raw wounds.

"What is happening here?"

Uncle Ren's voice cut through the murmuring crowd that had gathered around us. He pushed through the throng, his face a mixture of worry and confusion. His eyes widened when they landed on my disheveled state.

"Get him into the house!"

Our house, a modest hut with a single room, stood at the edge of the village, surrounded by tall grass and a lone oak tree. Despite its simplicity, it felt more comfortable than any other place I had slept.

"Why didn't you say you didn't want to leave the village until it came to… this?" Uncle Ren's voice was firm yet gentle, his brows furrowed as he crouched beside me. 

He carefully applied a paste made from precious herbs he'd collected during his travels. The cool ointment soothed my burning wounds, but his concern weighed heavier on me than the pain.

Behind him, Sia's soft sobs filled the room. She clutched Grandma Rui's hand tightly, her swollen eyes fixed on me. I turned away. I couldn't bear to meet her gaze. Not now. Not while guilt and regret gnawed at my heart.

Grandma Rui and Sia left the house after a while at Uncle Ren's urging. Their absence brought a brief reprieve. I closed my eyes, silently thanking Uncle Ren for his compassion. 

Memories of our childhood resurfaced—how he had saved us from a life of begging on the streets after territorial skirmishes claimed our parents. Without him, we wouldn't have survived in this unforgiving world.

I could move by the evening and I stepped out into the cool twilight. The sky above was a shade of orange and purple, with stars beginning to pierce the fading light. The air carried the scent of fresh hay and distant cooking fires, calming my frayed nerves.

There were countless thoughts swirling in my mind. Were we cursed to attract slave traders twice, or was there a deeper ploy behind it? How could I have regressed twice? Was this my limit, or could I do it again if needed?

I needed clarity. I needed air.

To my surprise, the merchant caravan was still in the village. Their carts were lined up near the main path, the horses grazing nearby. Lanterns hung from the carts, casting a warm, flickering glow.

"Uncle Ren asked them to stay for a while. He couldn't leave until he confirmed that you were fine," Sia's voice came from behind me. 

I turned to find her standing there, her arms crossed and her face blotchy from crying. Her glare was sharp, but her trembling lips betrayed her worry.

"Why did you force yourself to come with me?"

"Stop talking nonsense," I replied, forcing a casual tone. "That wasn't homesickness. I think I ate something wrong when I was foraging in the forest this morning."

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I had no choice. Suppressing the trauma was difficult when I looked at her. Yet I had to steel my resolve. Her survival depended on it.

We couldn't stay in the village. If Sia didn't reach the academy on time, she would die from the awakening—just like last time.

"How are you feeling now?" Uncle Ren's voice interrupted my thoughts. He approached with Grandma Rui, their faces a mixture of relief, concern, and unease.

"I'm okay now. But when are we leaving, Uncle Ren?"

"You aren't leaving with us," he said firmly. "I'll arrange a carriage for Sia—"

"I'm fine, Uncle Ren," I interrupted. "I ate a bad mushroom in the morning and had an upset stomach. It was nothing serious."

He stared at me for a moment, his expression softening into reluctant acceptance. With a sigh, he said, "Ask your Grandma."

It wasn't difficult to convince Grandma Rui, though Sia protested relentlessly. Grandma understood the dangers of Systema awakening. She also knew me well enough to realize I wouldn't give up.

We left the village late into the night. The caravan moved under a blanket of stars, the rhythmic creak of wooden wheels blending with the faint rustle of leaves in the cool night breeze. 

Uncle Ren had wanted to stay with us in the last carriage, but I persuaded him to return to the front. I didn't want to burden him anymore. 

He had sacrificed so much for us already. The merchants came to this remote village at his request every year, and he paid them out of his own pocket for the loss. Watching him walk away, his back illuminated by the faint glow of lanterns, I felt a deep sense of gratitude.

"You are going to get off at Astralyn City? We are only a stop away from Elodria," Uncle Ren asked, his brows furrowed slightly as though trying to confirm he hadn't misheard.

A few weeks later, it was time for us to leave the merchant caravan. 

"Yes," I replied, my tone firm. "I wanted to spend some time with Sia and have her adjust to a city's environment at the same time. It would do her good if she did not look like a complete country bumpkin in the academy where elites gather."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Hmm, okay. Take this with you."

He handed me a heavy pouch filled with money. The weight of it startled me, and I glanced at him in disbelief.

"Uncle, I can't acce—"

"Hold it." He cut me off firmly but not unkindly, his gaze softening as he patted my shoulder with a smile. "I accepted your request, and you'll accept mine."

His smile was warm and resolute. He gave us a few pieces of advice, his voice steady as if masking a bittersweet feeling, and then left.

The pouch felt heavier than it should. The money must've come from his savings. I clenched my fists, silently vowing to repay him when I had more leeway with my regressions.

With the extra money, we could afford an even better inn. Astralyn was known for its low crime rates, after all. Maybe this time we wouldn't encounter the slave traders.

"Sia, what would you like to eat?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why do you care about that? It's not like you'll listen to me. Just do whatever you want," she snapped, crossing her arms and glaring at me.

Her sharp tone stung. It was rare for her to remain angry for weeks, but she had been like this for the better part of our journey with the caravan. Calling her a "country bumpkin" in front of Uncle Ren had definitely worsened things.

I sighed inwardly. Maybe treating her to some expensive chicken and giving her a city tour would help her forgive me.

"It's getting late. We should look for an inn," Sia said, her voice softening slightly. She glanced at the fading sunlight, her expression unreadable.

I had a different idea. The thought of staying in an inn didn't feel secure anymore, no matter how safe it seemed. I gave her my prepared excuse.

"I lost the money during the even—"

"You were pickpocketed?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.

"Probably," I admitted, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she demanded, gripping my arms tightly. "And how are we going to reach the academy?"

It was good to see her fiery self returning, but I winced at her grip. As someone with a partially awakened Systema, she was far stronger than an average person, and her frustration only added to her strength.

'If rumors were correct,' I thought, 'Systema Holders could split seas and crush mountains like it was nothing.'

"We'll get to the academy with the money Uncle gave me," I said, meeting her glare. "But we don't have anything for an inn. We'll roam the city and spend the night on the roads."

Astralyn's reputation as the safest city in the peninsula wasn't without credit. The streets were lit with firefly lamps, their golden glow creating a magical atmosphere. The markets bustled even at night, the lively chatter of vendors and buyers filling the air. City guards in gleaming armor patrolled regularly, their presence reassuring.

We should be safe, I thought, watching the guards pass by. There's no way the slave traders can make a move with so many eyes on us.

We stuck close to the crowded areas and guard patrols. Yet, as the hours dragged on, my nerves frayed. The night never felt longer.

My worries gnawed at my mind like hungry rats. What if we weren't just unlucky? What if the slave traders had a reason for targeting us? What if they attacked us despite the city guards?

What if I could never stop them?

"You are sweating," Sia said softly, her voice cutting through the whirlwind of my thoughts.

I blinked and found her wiping my forehead with a cloth, her face close to mine. Her large eyes, filled with concern, searched my expression.

"Is there something you haven't told me?"

"...You are getting fat. Maybe you should cut back on food," I quipped, forcing a smirk.

"You…!!! What sort of answer is that?" she yelled, smacking my back with mock anger. Her lips twitched as she hid a small smile. The worry in her gaze had disappeared, replaced with exasperation.

If I could joke, I was fine. Maybe that was what she was thinking.

The dawn soon broke, painting the city in hues of pink and orange. The firefly lamps dimmed, their magic fading as the streets came to life once more.

There was no news of slave traders throughout the night.

We had done it.

We survived.

A wave of relief washed over me. I wanted to shout, to jump and claim I — we —crossed the hurdle.

"Where are we going from here?" Sia asked from the side, unaware of my inner thoughts.

"Straight to Glimmerhaven."

There were six cities between the village and the academy: Ebonreach, Astralyn, Ironforge, Elodria, Brighthollow, and Glimmerhaven.

We stopped at Astralyn last night and took a carriage for the academy in the morning. The cobbled streets of the city were still damp from an early morning drizzle, and the mist clung to the buildings like a ghostly shroud. 

I made sure that the carriage wouldn't go to Ironforge or Elodria, double-checking with the driver.

The journey was uneventful for the most part. Rolling hills and dense forests stretched endlessly on either side of the dirt road. Birds chirped in the distance, and the occasional rustle of leaves added a soothing backdrop. We were on the road between Brighthollow and Glimmerhaven, a stretch known for its picturesque views. The forest canopy above let through dappled sunlight that danced on the ground like golden coins.

I was staring at the passing trees when suddenly I felt a sense of unease. The uncomfortable feeling increased with each passing second. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of my seat, my heart hammering loudly in my chest. 

"Stop the carriage!" I yelled, my voice slicing through the calm carriage.

I ignored the driver and the passengers' protests and forced the carriage to stop. The air felt heavy, suffocating. I scanned the forest, the same vibrant green we had been passing for days. The sunlight still poured in, and there were no signs of bandits or monsters.

Nothing seemed wrong.

But.

I felt it.

Death. It was coming—

"You have a good perception," said the woman sitting next to me.

My eyes widened in shock. She had been next to me for days—I could recall her shadowy presence following us from the village. Yet, it was as though she had been a ghost, hidden by a curtain I hadn't even realized was there. Now, her words pierced through, tearing away that invisible veil.

There was something wrong about her. Something deeply unsettling.

"Time's up, kid."

Before I could react, she swung her sword with a grace that belied its lethality. Blood sprayed as passengers screamed, their faces frozen in terror as life left their bodies. In a single, fluid motion, she threw darts at me and Sia. My limbs turned to lead as the poison coursed through me. Panic bubbled in my chest.

I faintly heard the chaos, the screams growing distant as if muffled by water. My vision blurred, but this time, I didn't lose consciousness. My body was paralyzed, leaving me trapped in a nightmare. It felt as though I was in a trance, watching helplessly as the woman dragged Sia and me away.

My thoughts were a jumbled mess.

'The sword and the darts. She is the one who killed me in the first round and the one who put me to sleep in the second round.'

The realization hit me like a lightning bolt. She had powers. A Systema Holder? Why was someone like that after us?

"Are you an assassin…? Who… hired you?" I managed to choke out as some of the numbness faded.

"You'll know soon enough," she said, her voice cold and detached.

She shoved a bag over my head, plunging me into darkness. I tried to listen, to track her movements, but the poison had dulled my senses. The rhythmic clopping of hooves on cobblestones echoed faintly as we passed through what I assumed was a secret passage into a city.

We entered a building. The air inside was damp and reeked of mold.

"You caught them?" a masculine voice questioned.

"I did. My job is finished with this," the woman replied curtly.

"I'll pay the due now. Leave the boy and the girl in the corner."

The man's voice was familiar. Too familiar. A knot of dread twisted in my gut as I listened to their conversation.

"U-uncle Ren?" I whispered, disbelief shaking my voice.

Silence.

No. It couldn't be him. There was no way it could be Uncle Ren. He was like a father to Sia and me. He had raised us, protected us. My heart pounded painfully as I waited for him to deny it, to tell me I was wrong.

But the silence was loud.

"Uncle? Are you there?"

"Why can he speak already? I told you to make sure these two—"

"Answer me! I'm talking to you!"

I tried to stand. My legs wobbled and gave out beneath me. The numbness still clung to my limbs like shackles, refusing to let go.

The woman suddenly removed the bag from my head. Harsh light flooded my vision, momentarily blinding me. When my eyes adjusted, I stared at him.

"H-hey, why did you remove the hood?" Uncle Ren stammered, his voice quivering.

His lips trembled. His face was pale, his breaths irregular. His eyes, wide and filled with fear, darted away from mine as though looking directly at me would shatter him. Guilt weighed heavily in his gaze.

Good.

At least he knew he was doing something wrong—

Like hell, I cared about that!

"Uncle Ren, no, you fucker, why are you doing this? We thought of you as our fath—"

"Because I'm desperate!" he shouted, cutting me off. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his head, his voice breaking with desperation. "The debt keeps increasing, and now they are threatening to kill me!" He looked at me, his eyes pleading. "P-please, don't you think of me as your father? Help me. I don't want to die."

"And you'll sell your children!? You fucking piece of shit!" I spat, my voice cracking with rage and despair.

I struggled against the paralysis, every muscle in my body screaming for release. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move.

The woman intervened, grabbing my collar and dragging me away like a ragdoll.

"Where are you taking him? This wasn't part of the deal! The boy stays with me!" Uncle Ren shouted, his voice frantic.

She didn't stop. "You don't need to pay the rest of the money. I'm taking him."

She hoisted me onto a horse and climbed in front. My anger surged, but my body betrayed me.

"Let me go, bitch! My sister is still there…! I'll kill that bastard and you—"

Her dart pierced my neck, the poison once again flooding my bloodstream. Semi-paralysis took hold, and the world dimmed as she shoved the bag back over my head.

Inside, all I could do was scream silently.

'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck…'

'Why, Uncle? Why?'

Tears flowed from my eyes, hot streams of despair streaking my face. The sharp ache of betrayal gnawed at my heart like a beast clawing at its prey. My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists, powerless to help Sia, powerless to do anything but grieve.

…

The forest around me was silent, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. We continued to move. Silence stretched between the woman and me. She made no attempt at initiating a conversation as she rode the horse.

After reaching her destination, the woman picked me up from the horse with a firm grip, her cold hands biting into my arm as she dragged me behind her. The ground was rough beneath my feet, loose pebbles digging into my soles. The air was damp and carried a faint, musty smell.

"Do you know why I saved you?" she asked, her voice echoing in the narrow passage.

"..."

"Do you want to save your sister?" she pressed, her tone sharp, probing.

The echoes of her voice, the damp air, and the uneven ground gave me a clue about our location. A cave. My mind raced, desperately trying to memorize any details that might help me later.

She paused before what sounded like a heavy door. The creak of rusty hinges echoed through the cavern, and my heart sank further into despair.

Finally, she ripped the bag off my head, and I squinted against the sudden light from an overhead lamp. The room resembled an operation theater, sterile yet sinister. Stainless steel tools lay on a table nearby, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the flickering light.

She forced me onto a cold metal table in the center of the room, making me lay on my stomach. Strapping my limbs tightly, she shoved a piece of cloth into my mouth, silencing my protests. Her eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of curiosity and detachment as she turned on a bright firefly lamp suspended above me.

"How are you feeling? Angry? Want to take your revenge on your uncle?" she asked, leaning over me with a smirk.

I glared at her, my fury burning hotter than the lamp above. My body was weak, but my resolve was not.

Ignoring my defiance, she removed her mask, revealing sharp features framed by strands of purple hair that had fallen across her face. With a quick motion, she tucked them behind her ears and scribbled something on a piece of paper, muttering to herself.

"Angry. Resolute. Strong emotions. Well-developed physique. Seems like a hunter or someone who regularly works out," she observed clinically, her gaze sweeping over me like I was nothing more than a specimen.

After setting down her notes, she grabbed a dagger, its blade sharp enough to slice through my shirt with ease.

"A good specimen," she murmured, her tone devoid of warmth.

Donning a pair of gloves, she picked up a pen with an unusual design—it lacked a tip. The feather quill glimmered faintly in the light.

She placed it on my back and spoke softly, almost to herself, "I hope this one survives."

Pain.

Immense, soul-crushing pain.

The moment the pen touched my skin, it felt as though a burning rod had been plunged into my back. I screamed into the cloth, my voice muffled but filled with agony. My body writhed against the bindings, but they held firm.

The pain wasn't just physical—it reached deeper, touching something primal, something intangible. My soul.

The woman drew.

Her movements were deliberate and skilled, the pen carving a pattern into me that seemed to sear itself into my very essence. The sensation was unbearable.

When she finally stopped, I was left gasping for breath, sweat dripping from every pore. The pain lessened, but lingered, growing worse with time.

"Give the Artificial Systema some time to work," she said matter-of-factly, removing her gloves. Without another word, she left the room.

My body boiled, my skin radiating heat as though I was on fire. Time became a blur, the minutes stretching endlessly as the pain gnawed at me.

When the woman returned, she lifted my head, her piercing gaze locking onto my unfocused eyes.

"No reaction. It doesn't seem you awakened the Systema. Is it another failure?" she mused, jotting notes in her notebook.

Suddenly, a screen flickered into view, hovering before my eyes.

[Scanning Systema 24!@#bs!@sh.]

[Matching results not found.]

[Searching for similar Systema.]

[Matching results found.]

[Submitting query.]

[Query Resolved.]

[Granting access to the Library Of Eternity.]

The pattern on my back shifted, its lines writhing like living snakes. They spread, covering my entire back in a defined design. The pain surged, sharper than before. My soul felt as though it was being ripped apart.

"It has reached maturity. The first step was a success," the woman noted, placing her palm on my back.

"The hard part starts now. Kid, no matter what happens, don't give up. Use rage as your fuel if you have to. You can save your sister if you survive this."

It pressed on my soul like a branding and breached the boundary of my soul in its shape. Violent energy flooded out from the opening made in my soul. The energy tore apart my innards like a saw cutting through wood. It made the pain from Artificial Systema carving look like a joke.

The woman wrapped her energy around the violent energy from my soul and tried to calm it.

But.

It did not seem to be working.

I tried to distract myself by recalling the anger I felt against Uncle Ren and the slave traders, and the gnawing worry for Sia.

The unending wish to kill the woman who had helped Uncle Ren burned like an eternal flame within me. My fists clenched, and my jaw tightened as rage surged through my veins.

I'll make them pay.

Every last one of them!

"Good, you did it," the woman said.

The woman removed her hand from my back, and the intense heat that had seared through me began to fade. The pain followed, ebbing away like a receding tide.

[Access to Library Of Eternity granted.]

[Class choices have been given.]

[Think 'Status' to view your attributes.]

Her face was an unreadable mask as she stood, her piercing gaze fixed on me.

"What are your classes? Open your Status and tell me." She picked up the notebook, her movements precise and deliberate.

I struggled to think clearly. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders and my mind.

The disappearance of pain was a strange relief, but it left me too drained to comprehend the situation fully. I opened my mouth without realizing what I was doing.

"St…atus."

Class: None

Skills: None

Available Classes for selection: Berserker Lvl.1, Knight Lvl.1, Hunter Lvl.1

I tilted my head, staring at the screen with vacant eyes. The woman waited patiently.

When I noticed her holding a pen, the faint scratch of it against the notebook brought a faint clarity to my thoughts. My mouth moved without much thought.

"Berserker, Knight, Hunter."

"Three classes? What about skills?" she asked, her brows lifting slightly.

"I don't have any," I replied, my voice hoarse and strained.

"That's strange." She stopped writing for a moment, her pen hovering mid-air. "I gave you the First Ascender's Systema. You should've gotten her class and initial skills. Is it a compatibility issue or was there a mistake during Carving?"

Her tone, though calm, carried a hint of frustration.

"What are your stats?" she asked again, her voice sharper this time.

"Stats?" I repeated, confused. I stared at my Status but found nothing of the sort. "I can't see them."

For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed her sharp, stoic eyes.

"You… don't have stats? What about 'Core'?"

"No."

"What can you see?"

"Class, Skills, Available Classes," I replied hesitantly.

"Not even a name?"

"No."

Her surprise deepened, her lips tightening into a thin line. She mumbled under her breath, the words too faint to catch.

"How is that possible?" she muttered before resuming her frantic scribbling in the notebook. "Special note: Subject 1026 can access only partial Status. Did the Librarian notice the fake Systema? If it did, why give access to the library at all?"

She looked up from the notebook, her piercing gaze locking onto mine.

"You can choose a Class. You'll get a skill with it," she explained, her tone softening slightly.

As the moments passed, the fog in my mind began to lift. Clarity returned bit by bit, and with it came a horrifying realization.

What have I been doing until now?

Amicably talking to the woman who kidnapped me and Sia?

Yet I was painfully aware of my ignorance. I had no knowledge of the Systema. I was powerless and, for now, I needed her guidance.

"What should I choose?" I asked warily, my voice tinged with hesitation.

"Anything. Follow what your heart tells you to. There is no need to be under pressure," she said with a rare gentleness. "I'm on your side. I'll help you if anything goes wrong."

I nodded, though the tension in my chest didn't ease. Staring at the Available Classes, I tried to focus.

Berserker Lvl.1, Knight Lvl.1, Hunter Lvl.1

There was no description, only the names and levels. My brows furrowed as I thought.

What did I need?

Power.

I needed strength.

If I stayed weak, I would not survive the future regressions. It was clear what I had to choose.

[You have chosen Berserker Lvl.1 as your Class.]

A surreal vision unfolded before me—a vast, infinite library stretching beyond comprehension. Shelves filled with ancient tomes spiraled toward the heavens, their towering heights seemingly unreachable. Books floated in the air, their pages glowing with mysterious light.

A crimson book, bound in blood-red leather, broke free from the ethereal expanse and hurtled toward me. It hit my chest and dissolved into me, filling me with foreign knowledge.

[For Blood, For Honor, For Glory!]

[You have gained skill Berserker Aura Lvl.1]

Berserker Aura Lvl.1

Enter a frenzied state, significantly increasing attack power and speed for a short duration, but lowering defense.

Effect: +3 Strength

MP: 05 

Duration: 30 seconds

Information that I did not know before flew into my head.

The energy flowing out of my soul was mana. Berserkers were warriors who ruled the battlefields with their superior strength. 

And I could use Berserker Aura now. 

The skill felt familiar, as if I had been training with it since childhood.

Class: Berserker Lvl.1 [0%]

Skills: Berserker Aura Lvl.1

The knowledge overflowed. Literally. My head swelled at an alarming pace and the mana flowing out of my soul grew thicker. It began to seep out of my body. 

The pain returned, far worse than earlier. I felt like I would burst.

The woman moved swiftly, placing her hand over my head. She pushed her mana into my body.

Her mana nourished my body. My skin and bones hardened, growing firm under her influence. 

She held it all together, preventing my body from shattering under the pressure of my chaotic mana and tried to stop my mana from leaving my body.

Her eyes flickered with a strange mix of determination and concern as she whispered under her breath, "It's a failure."

She let go.

The room was dimly lit, with the faint glow of flickering torches casting long, distorted shadows on the walls. Her expression was cold, almost devoid of empathy, as though my suffering was merely a passing curiosity.

My body began to morph under the mana's influence. The air around me felt heavy, suffused with an unnatural energy that twisted and contorted my flesh.

With no one to guide the mana, it created chaos. I felt an uncontrollable surge of energy rip through me, burning every nerve it touched.

My mind became a mush. It hurt so much that I couldn't think straight. My thoughts jumbled together, scattered like shards of broken glass.

The feeling in my body disappeared slowly.

I first lost the feeling in my legs, then arms. Thighs, torso, chest, neck, and finally the head. A cold, unfeeling void replaced the once-familiar sensations of life.

Time continued to pass. I was sure of it. However, I stopped counting after a year. The pain had become too much for me to handle it.

I didn't look like a human anymore but a grotesque mass of human flesh. The reflection in the polished metal floor made me sick—a mangled, pulsating monstrosity where my body once was.

The room, barren except for the experiment table and a few scattered tools, became my prison.

The woman would come every few days to check on me.

She would take notes, her expression clinical and detached, ask a few questions in a voice devoid of warmth, then leave without waiting for answers.

But even she stopped visiting me when I lost my ability to speak.

ears passed. Or maybe only a few weeks. The endless agony warped my sense of time.

I…

Wanted to die.

'Kill me.'

'Someone.'

'Please.'

'It hurts.'

The air around me remained stagnant. Nothing changed.

I continued to live. My thoughts grew incoherent.

I wanted to die. I wanted to take revenge. I wanted to live.

"Do you want to die?" an angelic voice suddenly asked me.

It was soft, serene, like the gentle hum of a lullaby. For a moment, it filled me with a fleeting hope.

'Yes.'

My body couldn't speak or move. I could only listen.

Still, I wished that the voice would hear my thoughts and kill me.

The angelic voice turned demonic as it spoke,

"Subject 1026 is still alive. His soul has managed to endure even though it lost its shape."

The noise of pen scribbling against paper was familiar, almost mocking in its rhythm.

"He has excellent resilience — maybe a result of his Willpower —but poor compatibility with the Systema. Overall Rating: Below average."

The woman left, her heels clicking against the cold floor, the sound growing distant until it vanished entirely.

That day, I lost my hearing. The world became an endless silence, broken only by the screams within my mind.

I could only think now. My body might as well not be present.

Still.

The noise of scribbling gave me a purpose.

I refused to die.

I would endure.

Even if I had to die a thousand times, I would continue living.

I would never stop until I gave her the worst possible death.

Pain.

It remained.

And finally…

One day, I heard familiar noises, and the sensations I had long forgotten returned.

"Tie the goods thoroughly. Make sure they don't fall from the cart."

"Move quickly."

"You two eat properly, don't stray away from the merchants, and send a letter when you reach the academy."

I was back.

It was my third return.