After taking a moment to reflect on my new appearance, I realized that I looked cool, unique, and undeniably handsome. It was a pleasant surprise, considering how plain-looking I had been in my past life. This transformation felt like an added boon, a parting gift from whatever force had brought me into this world. I doubted this was my body's original appearance—perhaps it was a side effect of my reincarnation, transmigration, or whatever had happened to me.
Stepping out of the washroom, I headed toward the dining room, where I was met with curious and concerned expressions.
"I haven't noticed anything too unusual," I said, addressing their silent questions. "I have no idea how I changed this much either. Maybe it's just a side effect of what I went through."
Trying to brush off their concern, I reclaimed my seat and began eating. Nadine, the eldest among us, soon spoke up, offering a possible explanation.
"Maybe it's due to a dormant Imprint in your Codex?" she mused. "I've heard that some people experience physical changes after unlocking their Codex. It might be something similar."
She was trying to rationalize the phenomenon, possibly to ease my mind. I wasn't particularly panicked, but I appreciated her effort. Before I could respond, Mira interjected.
"But doesn't that only happen after someone obtains their first Imprint?" she asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Either way," Nadine said, "we won't find any answers just sitting here. If you're not in pain or discomfort, it's best to let it be for now."
She returned her focus to her meal, effectively closing the discussion. I glanced at the others, realizing that despite their concern, they weren't pressing me for answers.
Feeling guilty for the worry I was causing them, I decided to be honest. "I'm sorry. I know you're all looking out for me, but I don't remember anything about you or our past together. It'll take some time to adjust, but I'll do my best."
Silence settled over the table for a brief moment before they all suddenly burst into laughter. I blinked in surprise, utterly lost as to what was so funny. Seeing my bewildered expression only seemed to make them laugh harder.
Growing slightly annoyed, I demanded, "What's so funny? What did I say?"
Still chuckling, Ivy wiped a tear from her eye. "You sounded so formal! Like you were giving a speech or something. It was so serious and cute at the same time."
Realizing my overly stiff tone had been the source of their amusement, I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. I lowered my head, hoping to escape their teasing. To shift the conversation away from myself, I decided to ask something I was genuinely curious about.
"Can you explain what an Imprint or Codex is? I don't remember anything about them."
Nadine took the lead in answering. "This world runs on Imprints, which are engraved in your Codex. Think of your Codex as a massive book filled with interconnected stories, and your Imprint is the unique story written within it. That's how it was explained to me, at least. There's likely more to it, but information like that isn't easily accessible to people of our status."
She continued, "You can only awaken your Codex after turning sixteen. The grade of your Codex determines how far you can go in life. Unfortunately, it's not a private matter—once your Codex is revealed, people will know your potential, which can be both good and bad. Nobles have access to more discreet awakenings, but commoners don't. That's why this ceremony is such a big deal. It's an opportunity to change your fate."
She paused, then added, "Of course, it's not without risks. If your Imprint is powerful or unique, nobles might get jealous. Some resort to murder or worse. Then there are the insane scientists, cultists, and other dark forces who'd love to get their hands on someone with rare abilities. And if you awaken something strong, you'll likely be forced to fight for the kingdom in times of war."
I absorbed the information in silence. This world's system had clear advantages, but the dangers seemed just as prominent.
"If you're lucky enough to awaken a rare and high-potential path," Nadine continued, "there's a chance you'll be scouted by the Tower de Sanctum. They'll take note of your abilities and, if accepted, you and your family will be protected. Since the Sanctum isn't affiliated with any one kingdom, it grants its members independence and opportunities that others could only dream of. But that kind of luck is rare, so I wouldn't get my hopes up."
Her words painted a clear picture of how this world functioned. While there was still much I didn't understand, it seemed that status, power, and survival were closely intertwined with one's Codex.
Curious, I asked, "What did you all Imprint during your awakening?"
Sister Kat was the first to answer. "I awakened the Imprint of 'Janitor's Sweep' and a Codex of Tales. The grade of my Codex limited my potential, so I applied for an orphanage job and was assigned here as a caretaker."
Nadine hesitated before answering. "I… didn't awaken anything. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony for reasons I can't explain right now."
I wanted to press further, but a glance from Sister Kat told me that it was a sensitive topic. Respecting their silence, I moved on.
Mira grinned. "I got 'Fisher's Bounty' and a Codex of Tales. I guess it makes sense since I love fishing and the ocean."
Ivy answered next. "I awakened 'Farmer's Blessings' and a Codex of Tales. It helps with agriculture, which is why I handle the farm work around here."
Their responses gave me a better grasp of how the system worked. It seemed that while everyone had a chance at greatness, many were bound by the limitations of their Codex grade. There were still gaps in my understanding, but as they had mentioned, our status meant limited access to knowledge.
We continued eating, engaging in small talk. From the conversation, I picked up a few important details.
The kingdom we lived in was called the Cogia Kingdom, ruled by King Luis III Cogia. He had two official sons, numerous bastards, and concubines, but no official queen. The major religion here was the Holy Church of the Broken, a foreign faith that owned and funded most orphanages, including ours.
While the others expressed gratitude toward the church, I felt no particular reverence. In my past life, I hadn't been religious, and even now, I remained indifferent. Still, I could appreciate the faith and enthusiasm others had.
As the conversation wound down, we decided to head to bed, knowing that tomorrow was a significant day for me.
Lying in my bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing with everything I had learned. This world was filled with opportunities and dangers, and tomorrow would mark the beginning of my journey.
With those thoughts, I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, awaiting my big day tommorrow.
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