He never knew his mother.
They said she died after giving birth to him.
However, after years, he started to believe otherwise.
His father.
Brian had conflicting thoughts about him.
His father treated him more seriously than anything in the world, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only because of how useful he was.
Or rather—how unique he was.
But even as the feeling of being treated as a tool deepened with age, Brian couldn’t help but find himself wanting to follow his father’s wishes and win his favor.
The first time he killed—he was seven.
His father praised him.
It made Brian happy despite the conflicting emotions within him.
But as he grew stronger, killing ordinary people no longer satisfied his father.
That made Brian anxious.
This was the only man he cared about in the world. The others around his father only respected him from afar and rarely interacted with him.
Though his father’s actions changed as he grew older, Brian still remembered the days they played together. He longed for those days.
The only remnant of that time was the rare moments when he did something that satisfied his father—earning a simple rub on the head.
It didn’t matter how old he got. He still wanted that man’s acknowledgment.
Fortunately, he was special.
A natural mage from birth, blessed with great knightly talent.
For the sake of his father’s mission, he never abandoned his knight training, but he slowed it down—ensuring that stronger supernaturals wouldn’t sense anything odd about him.
However, while he limited his growth as a mage, he never stopped accumulating knowledge.
Even against a mage apprentice of the same rank, he wouldn’t lose.
That wasn’t the uniqueness of mage battles.
Sometimes, it wasn’t just about raw power. Of course, overwhelming strength was valuable, but wielding it with knowledge was even more dangerous.
In an evenly matched battle, it became a contest of knowledge.
Whoever could apply their understanding of magic better would win.
And yes—
Not only was Brian a knight.
He was also a mage.
All of this, before awakening.
What did that mean?
Stepping into the official role of a cultivator almost guaranteed a second class—so long as it wasn’t the same as their previous profession.
But Brian’s case was different.
His affinity for fire wasn’t even his best, though it was his second highest.
His greatest affinity was with the wind.
Yes.
Brian didn’t awaken one class.
He didn’t awaken two.
Instead, he awakened three.
—The Knight class.
—The Fire Mage class.
—The Wind Mage class.
Two rare classes and one common grade.
But only he knew.
Even if a fellow Awakener used Detect on him, they would only see his profession as a Fire Mage—never the other two.
From that moment, it was just as his teachers in school had thought.
A talented being became even more of a genius.
They were right—but they were also wrong.
Brian wasn’t just a genius who became even more of a genius.
He was a monster.
However, this realization didn’t bring him much happiness when he first discovered it.
It was only when his father praised him with a loud laugh and pulled him into a hug that he truly felt amazing.
Though he could see the deepening gaze in his father’s eyes—the gaze that saw him as nothing more than a tool—Brian no longer cared.
He was already coming to accept that only those who could bring benefits truly mattered.
“You said you’re my nephew’s friends?”
Brian glanced at the woman in front of him.
She was ridiculously weak.
But he still kept up his public persona.
Not just because he had to maintain it long-term for his father’s plan—but also because something within the apartment behind her made his heart shake.
With his heightened senses as a mage, he could detect four strong presences behind the door.
Three of them made his heart tremble slightly.
Aside from Mira—the girl with a special class and good talent, whom he already had plans for—he had believed they were the only unique Awakeners in Woodstone City.
Yet now—what was this power?
He had already sensed it from outside.
Those undead…
Who was this Michael they spoke of?
How could he be this powerful?
No—how could he be so much stronger than him?
Yet, despite the storm of thoughts flashing through his mind, Brian showed no reaction.
Even after hearing the blatant lie the woman in front of him spoke.
“Sorry. My nephew is currently busy, and I have no idea where he is.” Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
In the end, the trio had no choice but to leave Michael’s community.
They had gotten his address from the principal, who had gathered all living Awakeners for an important announcement, but unsurprisingly, they were unable to meet Michael.
The girls had thought this was a good chance to check up on him and discuss things, but they were unsuccessful.
As for the aunt’s words?
Putting aside their method, she was a terrible liar.
They didn’t believe her.
As Rank 1 Awakeners with enhanced senses, they could tell Michael was inside.
But sensing that he remained stationary—his presence intertwined with a familiar undead aura—they figured he was likely in the Land of Origin.
And since they couldn’t force their way in, they gave up.
*****
Michael had no idea his classmates had come to visit his home and instead remained focused, staring at the massive ship before him in awe.
[Flying Ship]
That, along with a few other details, was all that Detect had given him.
After collecting more information, Michael began to notice even more about the ship.
Increasing his senses as he stepped closer, he detected faint magical waves pulsing from it.
In fact, it felt as if the entire ship was coated in mana.
“What does Sir Mic think of it?”
A familiar voice spoke beside him.
Michael turned his head slightly—it was Mage Lian.
He paused for a moment, then responded.
“It’s quite the sight,” he said before hesitating briefly. Taking a small risk, he added, “It seems to be quite a capable flying ship.”
There was a reason for this.
In the Land of Origin, he would inevitably use Detect. If he didn’t want to appear completely ignorant, there were certain things he should be expected to know.
Like this flying ship.
As a ‘noble,’ it was only natural that he should recognize something like this, right?
And as for whether the ship was truly a capable tool—
Considering it belonged to knights serving directly under the kingdom and royal family, it shouldn’t be anything inferior.
Besides, its appearance alone spoke volumes.
Fortunately, it seemed his words were acceptable.
Mage Lian flashed a pleased smile.
“Sir Mic is indeed a man of great sight.”
Michael’s lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing in response.
Luckily, Mage Lian didn’t push the topic further. Instead, he turned to look toward the knight captain, who wasn’t too far away.
“Make haste and start the ship! We must reach the capital soon!”The knight captain didn’t hesitate any longer and immediately began instructing the knights who could still move.
Michael watched as the magic users among them cast spells, opening a hole in the ship’s wall before helping everyone inside.
The interior was spacious.
Glowing stones embedded in the walls illuminated the surroundings, casting a soft, steady light.
From its external appearance alone, Michael had already guessed that the ship had multiple floors—and he was right.
It had five.
The third floor housed the rooms for VIP guests, one of which had been assigned to him.
However, he didn’t settle there immediately.
Instead, he followed Mage Lian to the top deck.
Mage Lian had invited him not just to witness the ship’s takeoff but—Michael suspected—for a conversation.
The old mage hadn’t spoken about the departure itself as anything particularly grand. Instead, his invitation felt like a perfect excuse to spend time together and talk.
Michael wasn’t too keen on conversation.
He could tell Mage Lian was curious about him, but he preferred to be the one listening rather than speaking.
He still didn’t trust himself not to slip up.
Still, refusing outright wasn’t an option—not when the old mage had gone out of his way to personally visit Michael’s room, bowing as he extended the invitation.
Besides, Michael was somewhat curious about the ship’s takeoff.
And so, before long, he found himself standing atop the flying ship, gazing at the vast blue sky stretching endlessly before him.
Michael admired the seemingly empty sky.
For some reason, he was starting to enjoy this feeling—standing at the top, gazing down at the world below.
Just as he continued taking in the vast expanse before him, Mage Lian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
“Sir Mic, I wonder if you’d be interested in a certain opportunity.”
Michael immediately became cautious.
He didn’t let it show on his face and responded as usual.
“And what kind of opportunity would that be?” he inquired.
“A chance to obtain a Soul Pool Fruit.”
“A Soul Magic Pool Fruit?”
Michael couldn’t help but show a hint of confusion.
Mage Lian, however, didn’t seem particularly surprised by his reaction.
“It seems Sir Mic hasn’t heard of this natural treasure. That’s not surprising—it’s incredibly rare.”
“The Soul Magic Pool Fruit is something that can significantly enhance both the quality and quantity of mana—even for people like us. But I read in a record that its true value lies elsewhere.”
Michael listened attentively as Mage Lian’s tone deepened.
“It also strengthens the soul itself—in fact, that’s considered its primary effect.”
“Though the soul is something that mainly Great mages and knights dabble in, it’s still very beneficial.”