"Yep," Alex stared at his reflection. "I've definitely become Cassien."
It wasn't just the mirror that proved his theory, but also the sudden memory flush.
Each of them belonged to the male side character in the novel, [A Hero's Will To Survive].
"Damn, I'm handsome." He whispered, "But in these types of novels, there's always a catch."
Alex remembered multiple stories similar to this transmigration trope, but never a case where someone was sent as the side-character.
There was another novel he vaguely remembered, one where the author played a major role in the plot, but the title slipped away from him. Even the name of the author behind [A Hero's Will To Survive] refused to surface.
Studying himself again, Alex concluded.
"Lavish blonde, shoulder-length hair…"
"Lean, six-foot build…"
"Brown leather coat… with a blackbird engraved into it…"
"Blue eyes… clear like the sky."
The mirror reflected it all perfectly.
"Pale skin…"
"A small pistol strapped in my right pocket…"
"And this smile…"
Alex let out a quiet breath, staring at the stranger who was now himself.
"I'm not Alex anymore."
"I'm Cassien Artfold."
And Cassien Artfold is what he would now be called.
'I've been transmigrated inside [A Hero's Will To Survive].'
The room around him was extravagant, every detail screaming wealth and status.
It made sense. After all, Cassien was born of royal blood. Not high enough to matter, but not low enough to ignore; he was a simple third-degree.
The bottom of the chain.
But with the memories settling in, one thing became clear.
Cassien Artfold had always been arrogant, deceitful, and insufferably provocative.
And Alex didn't mind that at all.
Because deceit had its uses.
Lying in public was also fine.
In a world built on judgment, controlling what others believed was the same as controlling the verdict.
If no one understood you, no one could predict you. That was exactly what he wanted.
A slow smile crept up on his lips.
His role in this novel wasn't meaningless. He wasn't some 'wannabe Mc type of guy.'
'I'm talking about you, you pathetic disposable extras.'
His thoughts sharpened as fragments of memory continued to fall into place.
Even through the lingering haze of transmigration, he began piecing things together.
'...'
He tried to think of the best course of action for his current situation, and one thing was evident.
This world ran on a system. Everyone had one, a game-like interface that tracked stats, mana, and growth.
As far as anyone knew, systems were private, visible only to their user. That alone made information the most valuable weapon he could have.
But there was one keyword to activate it.
"Status." Cassien looked at his surroundings, "Just as expected."
In this novel, aside from the protagonist, everyone was said to share the same system structure. But Cassien Artfold had never been properly explained, or at least not in a way that mattered.
------------------------
[Host: Cassien Artfold | Age: 16 | Title: Fated For Exile | Expulsion: 192 Days | Sync: 0% | Character Points: 0]
[Status]
[Potential: ?????]
Level: 1
[Attributes]
Strength: 6
Agility: 8
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 9
Perception: 10
Luck: 4
[Mana]
Current Mana: 40
Maximum Mana: 40
Mana Recovery: 1.2 per minute
[Weapon Mastery: Pistol]
Accuracy: D
Reload Speed: E-
Handling: D
Critical Aim: E
[Skills]
Basic Firearm Handling Lv. 1
Quick Draw Lv. 1
Observation Lv. 2
[Elemental Affinities]
└ NONE
[Traits]
Fated For Exile
Effect: Events will gradually align toward the user's expulsion. Slight increase in awareness and perception when danger is near.
[System Notice]
All systems are private and cannot be viewed by others.
------------------------
'Oh yeah, by sixteen it's either you awaken a mana core, or you don't.'
While it all seemed normal, Cassien was slightly confused about the [character points].
But he didn't think much about it because the system explained it for him.
------------------------
[Character Points]
└ Character Points are directly tied to Sync. Whenever you act in a way that aligns with the original Cassien Artfold, your Sync temporarily rises to a percentage the system evaluates as worthy.
└ Based on that percentage, Character Points are awarded accordingly. After the evaluation, Sync returns to 0 percent, requiring new actions to trigger it again.
└ Character Points can be used to enhance attributes, which influence overall performance and growth.
------------------------
The rest wasn't as important. Cassien already understood the fundamentals.
Skills improved through repeated use, especially when executed with precision.
As his attributes increased, so did the effectiveness and rank of his weapon mastery.
Mana grew through constant usage, exhaustion, meditation, and control training. Increasing intelligence and perception also contributed, along with moments where he pushed past his limits.
Exactly as the original novel described.
'If it was 192 days until the expulsion event and I'm sixteen… then that means I've been transmigrated towards the beginning of where the novel first began.'
They never once explained his backstory well, but that was also part of a trait Cassien had, which the author promised his readers was 'part of the plot.'
Bullshit, he just forgot.
While the [Fate] area was confusing, Cassien didn't linger on it any further, because knocks erupted outside his door.
Cassien stretched lightly, straightening his posture as he composed himself. His expression settled into calm indifference as he took a quiet breath.
"Come in."
The door opened softly. His maid stepped inside.
"Good morning, Young Master," she said with a bow. "Your sister has a request she wishes for you to hear."
"Go on…"
"The young mistress would like you to accompany her to her elementary school, if possible."
Cassien paused for only a moment. He had no reason to refuse.
"Will we pass through the royal capital?"
"Yes, Young Master. You will travel by carriage."
"Sounds fine. Let Alexandria know I'll join her."
The maid's face brightened. "O–of course. My apologies for raising my voice—I'll inform her right away. Should I prepare your clothes for today?"
Cassien gave himself one last glance in the mirror before turning back to her.
"No need, Tiara. I look fine as I am."
"You look exceptional, Young Master." She straightened her posture. "If you'll excuse me, I'll deliver the good news to the young mistress."
"Good. I'll be waiting outside the estate."
He paused briefly, as if recalling something.
"One more thing… I have a watch, but could you remind me of the current date? My mind's a bit hazy."
"Of course. It is the year 312 of the royal calendar."
That settled most of his thoughts, but not all.
"And the month?"
"December 7th."
"Thank you. You may go."
Tiara offered one last cheerful smile before quietly closing the door behind her.
Cassien exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the window.
'Getting a feel for the royal capital doesn't sound too bad.'
Ding!
His system's interface portrayed something new this time.
------------------------
[Sync Percentage: 0%]
└ You gained 1%, but then lost 1% because you called the maid by her first name.
└ Try next time ;-)
------------------------
'Well, damn it all.'