6 The Haunting Past
In his previous life, Riezel's background was completely extreme compared to his current one.
Unlike the original owner of the body he possessed at the moment, he didn't come from humble beginnings in the countryside; instead, he was born into a wealthy family, growing up as the pampered young master with a golden spoon in his mouth.
However, Riezel wasn't just a rich second-generation; he belonged to the affluent third generation. His grandfather, once the richest tycoon who started from scratch, had fought for decades, strategically riding the waves of the times, seizing opportunities, and overshadowing countless competitors.
In theory, being born into such a family should have made Riezel the object of envy and jealousy for many. But fate played a joke on him.
Riezel wasn't a rich second generation. His biological father, as the second generation, was the stereotypical indulged playboy, ignorant, incompetent, and spending his time in revelry, relying on his family background to bully others. He embodied the typical antagonist in most urban novels.
Riezel wasn't a child willingly born out of the union and love between his mother and his father. Instead, he was the result of an accident that his biological mother had to accept reluctantly due to his grandfather's compulsory order.
In such circumstances, one can easily imagine the treatment Riezel received after his birth.
His biological father rarely returned home, behaving as if he didn't exist, continuing his debauched lifestyle without any change from before or after marriage.
His biological mother didn't fare any better. Her goal in the first place was to approach his father with a plan to marry into a wealthy family and become a wealthy wife. After achieving her goal, she led a life of luxury, playing around independently from her husband. The extent of her extravagance outside was said to surpass her husband's.
Given these circumstances, his childhood could be described as being in almost an orphaned state.
As for his grandfather, unlike his parents, the grandfather treated him as if he were a tool. Perhaps due to complete disappointment in his son, the grandfather subjected him to strict education, making him remember various textbooks, study guides, high-society etiquette, and financial enlightenment since he could remember.
Riezel's childhood passed in this manner.
Fortunately, he had an outstanding memory from childhood, bordering on the exceptional. Though not to the level of photographic memory, whenever he put effort into memorizing, regardless of comprehension, he could rapidly recall a variety of knowledge. This led to excellent achievements from infancy to maturity, which pleased his grandfather.
Yet, because of his exceptional memory, he vividly remembered many events from infancy to maturity clearly, such as the kidnapping attempt at six, the near-fatal accident with a crazed driver at twelve, and the poison discovered in the toasts from relatives during his birthday at eighteen.
Encounters that were basically impossible for an ordinary person, events that should have happened in TV dramas or novels, unfolded in his life. He couldn't believe these dirty deeds were real, yet they repeatedly occurred.
Gradually, Riezel became numb and accustomed.
He became numb to the occasional threats on his life.
He got used to having his food checked for poison before every meal.
Even when his grandfather arranged a marriage for him with a supposedly suitable match, a woman nearly a hundred pounds heavier than him, he didn't voice any objections.
However, from that moment on, Riezel began seeking various thrills obsessively.
Rock climbing, parkour, bungee jumping, surfing, extreme off-roading, extreme water-skiing, extreme rollerblading, skydiving, hang gliding, and so on—he did it all. He even survived in the wild in a forest, as if seeking more stimulation.
It was during this process that he accidentally obtained the Dimensional Magic Cube, transporting him to the world of swords and magic.
Now, looking back on his life, his heart was filled not with anything else but intense anger.
'What have I gained in this life?'
'What have I pursued in this life?'
'Nothing!'
Everything was against his will.
Everything was not what he desired.
As Riezel reminisced about his previous life, he felt he had gained nothing.
The anger in his heart wasn't directed at others but at himself. It was directed at the self that seemed to have everything but actually had nothing.
'If that's the case, let go of everything from the past!'
Since he had already left his previous world, this time, he vowed to live for himself to the fullest.
'I will run towards the direction I desire!'
'I will pursue what I want!'
'If I can't, then I won't stop moving forward!'
Let the numbness from his previous life end here.
In this life, even if he had to exert all efforts, he must stride forward, reaching out for that unattainable wish.
As Riezel made this pledge in his heart, suddenly, he felt it.
Behind him, the finger that had been continuously moving until just now, sketching something, came to a halt.
"...Really?"
Loki's voice was no longer distant; instead, it sounded as if she were astonished or muttering to herself.
"What happened?"
Riezel instantly shook off the haunting memories, then asked doubtfully.
However, this question did not elicit any response.
Loki remained silent, causing Riezel to furrow his brow in perplexity.
"Hehe... Hehehe... Hahaha...!"
Not long after, Loki burst into laughter, the volume increasing with each moment, growing more excited.
When Riezel couldn't resist turning to look at her, he found she was already standing up, dancing and gesturing wildly.
"I've struck gold! I've hit the jackpot!"
Loki, the Goddess of the Loki Familia, one of the strongest Familias in Orario, seemed to have gone mad, dancing and laughing uproariously.
"First Finn, now Riezel! My luck in the lower world has definitely improved! After a long time, I've found a gem on the streets again, and this time, it's a damn good haul! Freya, see how you can compete with me now! Hahahaha!"
Loki was so excited that Riezel took a step back, finding her eccentric behavior a bit overwhelming.
"What the hell?" Riezel could only mumble helplessly.
"Hehe... Hehehe..."
After a while, she seemed to have gotten her fill of madness. With a mischievous grin, she approached him.
Seeing this, Riezel reflexively tried to put on his clothes.
"Don't!" Loki quickly stopped him, the excitement on her face impossible to conceal. "I haven't imprinted your status yet!"
After saying that, she took out a piece of parchment from somewhere, and her squinted eyes opened wide.
Inside, the sacred text that even Riezel couldn't understand flowed.
"Take a good look at the blessing you've received, kiddo." Loki said with a smile that was hard to conceal. "Don't blink, okay?"
She stuck the parchment to his back, spun her finger, and imprinted his status from his back.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he also turned around and faced a mirror in the corner of the room.
The next moment, he saw the pattern on his back. His previously smooth back now had an engraving that resembled both a stone tablet and a crest. The engraving was roughly similar to Loki Familia's flag, both depicting the face of a clown.
This was precisely the Falna that Riezel had received, proof that he had become a member of Loki Familia and the child of the Goddess of Mischief.
"All done!"
Loki also completed her work, writing down the imprinted status from Riezel's back on the parchment and happily handing it to him.
Riezel took the parchment, his gaze fixed on it.
...
Riezel Brynhart
Level 1
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
...
MAGIC
Almighty
- Memorize magic.
- Activate specific magic based on memory.
- The strength of the magic is determined by the basic ability of 'MAG'.
- Only effective for valid magic.
...
SKILL
Fool's Obsession
- Extraordinary increase in growth speed.
- Extraordinary increase in growth limit.
- The deeper the obsession, the stronger the effect.
- The effect is greatly enhanced in dangerous situations.
Endless
- Obtains the highest rank development ability 'Healing Power'.
- Obtains the highest rank development ability 'Spirit Healing'.
- Obtains the highest rank development ability 'Abnormal Resistance'.
- Improve obtained development abilities.
Self Redemption
- Immune to body interference.
- Immune to mental interference.
- The status can be updated independently by consuming the corresponding God's blood.
- Can accept and enhance the effects of friendly buffs on oneself.
...
That was the content of the parchment and the true nature of the status depicted by Riezel.
Originally portrayed as a clown, the sacred text, which was incomprehensible to ordinary people, had become a common language under Loki's imprint.
As he looked at the content on the parchment, he muttered.
"A magic and three skills...?"
Riezel unexpectedly awakened a magic and three skills from the start.
"Congrats, kid."
Loki patted his shoulder, laughing more and more recklessly.
No choice.
"Magic and skills that ordinary people may not possess even one of, and you awaken four just by receiving a blessing."
Loki was so delighted.
Because she really hit the jackpot.
She picked up a massive treasure.
