Well, this will be thrilling," Darius couldn't hold back his grin, the edges of his mouth curling with the kind of excitement only a man who'd returned from death could feel.
He turned around to examine the luxurious room once more, his sharp eyes scanning every opulent detail. Ornate wallpaper, soft velvet curtains flowing in the gentle breeze of a hidden vent, and a crystal chandelier that hummed with arcane energy hung overhead. Golden rays of sunlight bathed the interior in a warm, noble glow. As he looked around, his gaze settled on a series of photographs neatly arranged on the far wall. They depicted the boy whose body he now inhabited—Caelum Valeborne—posed with his family in regal outfits. Other framed pictures captured important memories: Caelum winning academic trophies, standing at the helm of a corporate stage, and shaking hands with renowned dignitaries.
It was exquisite. A display of wealth and legacy.
"I guess this family is quite rich," Darius muttered aloud, his voice laced with curiosity and irony, when a sudden knocking sound startled him.
Knock-knock!
He turned on instinct, then took a moment to steady his breath. Each step toward the door was cautious, almost reverent. It had been years since he'd done something as mundane as opening one.
Knock-knock!
A third knock landed just as he reached the door. Slowly, he unlatched it and pulled it open. Standing before him was a woman in a neatly pressed maid uniform, her poise impeccable. Embroidered on the left side of her chest was the sigil of the Valeborne family—a silver phoenix wrapped in ivy, encircled by twelve stars.
"Goodness, Lord Caelum, you're just waking up? Oh dear, you'll be late for breakfast. You know Lord Alaric shouldn't get there before you!" she said with a voice that was both scolding and maternal.
The maid remained in place, thinking Darius had heard her clearly, but the moment she uttered the name Caelum, a cascade of memories erupted in his mind like a broken dam. They poured into his consciousness with such force he stumbled backward, clutching the doorframe as the influx of foreign thoughts and emotions surged through him.
"Lord Caelum, please hurry up. Breakfast will be served in five minutes," she added, unaware of the internal chaos she'd just triggered. With a bow, she turned and walked briskly down the hallway, leaving Darius alone with his thoughts.
It took a few moments, but he eventually steadied himself.
"Memories of the former host of this body just came rushing into my head," Darius whispered, eyes wide with awe. "Everything... I've gotten all the information I needed now—memories of this family, their friends, businesses, supernatural abilities... and the world."
A grin crept across his face as the reality of his situation crystallized.
"This is indeed the same Monarchical world where I died... and I am currently in Europe. Sweet."
Then his eyes shot open with realization.
"Shit! I forgot about breakfast!"
Without wasting another second, Darius dashed into the massive suite bathroom, its walls lined with marble and golden faucets shaped like dragon heads. Steam soon filled the air as he took his first real bath in years, scrubbing away the weight of death and time. Once clean, he adorned himself in a sharp black and gold suit that shimmered faintly under the magical lighting—regal, sleek, and tailored for power.
Just as he was about to leave, a gleam on the bed caught his eye. Sitting neatly atop his bed was a sleek electronic device. His eyes lit up with childlike joy.
"A smartphone!"
He could barely contain his excitement. Although he probably didn't remember how to use it entirely, the sheer sight of it filled him with glee. He reached out, picking up the Somsang S23 Ultra—a top-tier model favored by elites in this era. Powering it on, the screen flickered to life, displaying the date:
–June 16th, 2025–
His breath hitched. That confirmed it. He had reincarnated in the same world, but five years after he died tragically in the Endbringer's cave.
Pocketing the phone, Darius—now Caelum—stepped out into the hallway.
In this family, everyone wore business-style clothing. Why?
"Because it's a noble family that had fallen from grace," he recalled, absorbing the truth from his newly inherited memories. "This building is literally a sales company now—the last source of income for the Valebornes."
The truth was bitter. According to Caelum's memories, the story of this once-glorious family unfolded like a tragedy…
The Valeborne Family.
Once one of the most powerful conglomerate families in all of Europe. Their rise began with a groundbreaking magic potion.
The True-Life Elixir, it was capable of healing 98% of known injuries. The world had never seen anything like it.
It became a sensation overnight.
With wealth pouring in, they expanded into nearly every industry—automobiles, construction, health, fashion, biotech. Soon, they were not just a family, but an aristocracy, feared and admired.
But their empire began to crumble with the very product that birthed it.
The secret recipe of the True-Life Elixir was leaked to rival noble families—anonymously. In mere weeks, the elixir became common. Sales plummeted. Their exclusivity vanished.
And it didn't stop there. One by one, the proprietary secrets behind all their high-end products were mysteriously exposed. Within two years, their influence collapsed. Their name was still whispered, but now in tones of pity and scorn.
The cause? Their refusal to serve any of the Thirteen Monarchs.
The family patriarch, Alaric Valeborne, had chosen independence—and in this world, independence was treason to power.
To this day, the traitor who betrayed them from within remains unknown.
By now, Caelum had taken the elevator down to the forty-fifth floor. The dining area awaited.
Ding!
The elevator opened to reveal a magnificent dining hall. High-arched windows bathed the room in golden morning light. Crystal chandeliers hovered overhead, glowing softly. A long, embroidered table stretched across the center, surrounded by eight carved mahogany chairs. Behind each mahogany chair stood a personal butler or maid, all standing stiff with trained discipline.
In this household, each child had a personal servant assigned to them from birth.
Darius walked in, his posture composed, regal. The maid who greeted him earlier stood silently behind a chair near the far end. He made his way to it and sat.
Her name was Anna Popora. Caelum's personal maid. Unknown to her, he now knew everything—including the fact that she was a magic caster, a shapeshifter specialized in stealth illusions.
Of course, she didn't know he knew that. According to the memories, Caelum figured it out years ago but kept it secret.
The moment Darius sat down, he sensed it.
Tension.
Thick, sharp, and quiet as a drawn blade. It hung between the family members like a fog of unspoken threats. The battle for the right to inherit the family legacy was clearly cutthroat. And now, half of that tension was focused on him.
Before he could analyze further, the head of the family arrived.
Alaric Valeborne. Tall. Cold. A man of war, strategy, and unwavering pride. His butler, Veron Knightingale, followed behind.
Alaric took his seat, and the meal commenced.
> Note: From this point forward, Darius will be referred to as Caelum for clarity.
According to the memories, the family's hierarchy was as follows:
Alaric Valeborne – The stern, unyielding patriarch.
Seraphina Valeborne – His poised, sharp-eyed wife.
Lucien Valeborne – First son, calculative and ambitious.
Selira Valeborne – First daughter, graceful but aloof.
Theron Valeborne – The hot-headed third child, a bully to Caelum.
Caelum Valeborne – The fourth child, business prodigy.
Aeris Valeborne – The second daughter, last child, and the genius of the family.
Breakfast was a silent affair—until Lucien broke it with a deafening question.
"Father, don't you think it's about time the Valeborne family came under the Phoenix Monarch—Lord Fenix Aetheris? As a family of Ashwing Disciples?" Lucien said, lowering his fork with finality.
The room reacted instantly.
Seraphina glass slipped from her hands, the sound of shattering crystal echoing like a war cry.
Aeris turned ghost-pale, her lips trembling.
Theron froze, his spoon rattling as he turned to watch their father's facial reaction.
Selira continued cutting her steak, unfazed.
Caelum raised a brow. So this is the kind of landmine I'll be navigating.
Alaric's face twisted into something terrifying—disgust, fury, and heartbreak clashing all at once.
Lucien, undeterred, pressed on.
"Do you really think Caelum's business alone will sustain us? It's only a matter of time before the Ashwing Disciples devour what little we have left. And yet, you spend like royalty—on food, clothes, servants—when we're nothing close to what we once were."
Kpash!
Alaric slammed the table.
"Never speak of this again," he commanded. His voice was the final word of gods.
He stood, rage boiling beneath his calm, and stormed away. Veron–his butler, quietly lifted his master's untouched dishes and followed.
"Tsk." Lucien clicked his tongue and stood. "Bring my food," he told his butler.
But before the man could touch a plate—
"He is no longer permitted to eat the expensive food prepared by this penthouse!" Alaric's voice boomed from the hallway, like thunder chasing lightning.
"Y-yes, my Lord," the butler stammered, but still obeyed Lucien's command, collecting the food anyway.
So Lucien's butler only answers to him, not the family patriarch. Interesting, Caelum noted.
One by one, the siblings left the dining hall—off to train, explore, or indulge in their vices. Only Caelum and Anna remained.
> Things to note:
Alaric refuses to serve under any of the Monarchs—a rare stand in this era.
The Phoenix Monarch's followers are called Ashwing Disciples.
Caelum is the business talent of the family. The penthouse skyscraper they live in is his acquisition and the family's last financial stronghold.
"Hmmm... if I'm going to fix the Valeborne financial crisis, I need to figure out where to start," Caelum mused, resting his chin on steepled fingers.
A pause. Then his eyes lit up.
"I know." He turned slightly. "Anna, send for Vinicius."
She bowed and exited without a word.
This skyscraper—The Valeborne GeneX Corporation (Bio-Alchemy & Enhancement)—was worth millions. Caelum had acquired it when it was worth only ten thousand pounds, recognizing its potential before anyone else.
Now, it was the family's final lifeline.
If they lost this business... they'd be no different from commoners.
He would have to make sure that doesn't happen.