The moon hung low, bathing Kael's room in a pale glow. The faint sound of wind rustling against the wooden walls filled the orphanage. Most children were fast asleep, but Kael sat cross-legged on his bed, his grimoire floating in front of him, pages glowing softly with shifting runes.
Then, the System pinged—clear and sharp in his mind.
> [Checkpoint Reached – Event Synced: Arcane Beast Encounter]
Sync Bonus: +2 Talent, +3 Body, +5 Skill
New Ability: "Memory Echo" Unlocked
Memory Echo – Temporarily access advanced combat instincts from your past life during extreme stress.
Kael's breath caught. The room shimmered for a split second as the system absorbed the event—the rogue battle, the beast in the forest, and everything in between. His body tingled, mana channels expanding subtly.
He gripped his fists, feeling the surge.
> [Body Level Increased: 12]
[Skill Level Increased: 16]
[Talent Score: 11]
A smirk tugged at his lips. "So this is what it means to get stronger just by living the story."
The System had said it clearly when he was a baby: "Each pivotal plot event unlocks growth beyond normal limits." He hadn't expected it to be so rapid, though. Now he understood—these moments weren't just events. They were checkpoints, woven into fate. Moments where choice and consequence collide.
He closed his grimoire, breathing steady.
But he knew it now.
This world wasn't safe.
And it wasn't on rails.
---
Next Morning – Church Grounds
Asta was mid-handstand push-up, counting loudly to no one in particular. "...Seventy-eight! Seventy-ni—"
"Three," Kael said behind him, smirking.
Asta flopped to the grass, groaning. "Kael! You always sneak up on me like that!"
Kael sat beside him, watching Yuno meditate under the lone tree. "I don't sneak. You're just loud."
Yuno cracked one eye open. "He's not wrong."
Asta jumped to his feet. "Whatever! I've been training like crazy! I might not have a grimoire, but I've got muscles and guts!"
Kael smiled but said nothing.
Asta's time was coming.
---
Later – Market Road to Hage
Kael walked along the dirt path that led to the village center. His errand was simple—buy herbs for Sister Lily—but his senses stayed alert. The beast attack had left a mark on him. He hadn't told Asta or Yuno about it. Not yet.
His crimson eyes scanned the horizon.
That was when he felt it—another ping from the System.
> [Minor Event Detected – Character Proximity: Secre Swallowtail]
[System Note: Hidden Character with direct ties to plot timeline. Observation recommended.]
He froze. "Secre?"
A flutter of wings made him glance up.
A single bird circled overhead—a black-winged sparrow, small, delicate, with red-tipped feathers.
"Odd coloration," Kael muttered, watching it.
The bird tilted its head, watching him back with intelligent eyes.
Then—it flew away.
Kael didn't chase. He couldn't. The System warning was clear: Secre wasn't ready to be interacted with directly. Not yet.
But her presence confirmed something deeper.
This world was moving. And it wasn't going to wait for him to catch up.
---
Nightfall – Rooftop Again
The stars blinked overhead as Kael reviewed the new Memory Echo ability. It wasn't a spell—not exactly. It was a trigger. During high-stakes moments, his past life's reflexes would surge forward.
He closed his eyes.
Images flickered in his mind—of himself in his old world. A dying boy who had once faced injustice, pain, and despair. A boy who wanted nothing more than to protect those he loved. That part of him was still alive, just under the surface.
"I won't let this world twist into something ugly," he whispered.
> "Not while I'm here."
His grimoire pulsed once, as if responding.
---
System Interface – Internal View
> [OC Name: Kael]
Checkpoint Progress: 3 of 200 Synced
– Body: 12
– Skill: 16
– Talent: 11
– Magic: ??? (System Lock until Magic Knight Exam)
Unlocked Abilities:
– Edge Reversal
– Phase Anchor
– Spirit Blade: Gale Howl
– Cursed Mana Sense
– Memory Echo (Passive)
> Next Plot Thread: Grimoire Tower Follow-Up (NPC: Father Orsi, Event Window: 3 Days)
> System Tip: Hidden romantic path potential detected – Charmy Pappitson proximity trigger pending. Unlock available in 7 events.
Kael stared at that last line, blinking.
"Wait, what?!"
---
The Next Day – Plot Thickens
A letter arrived from the Capital.
The Magic Knight Entrance Exam was announced—scheduled in two weeks at the Royal Capital's Colosseum.
Sister Lily handed the letter to Kael, Asta, and Yuno together. "This is your future, boys. Make it count."
Asta grinned so hard his cheeks trembled. "I'm gonna become the Wizard King!"
Yuno nodded, calm and quiet. "This is the first step."
Kael simply nodded. But deep inside, he felt it:
> [Major Event Incoming: Checkpoint Opportunity – Multiple Routes]
His eyes narrowed. "This is more than an exam."
He felt it in his soul—the scent of destiny thick in the air.
The Capital wasn't just a place to test strength.
It was a stage.
And he was about to step into the spotlight.