Chapter 1

Will City is a medium-sized city in the southern part of the Empire, surrounded by vast farmlands, pastures, and forest areas, making its economy primarily focused on producing food, timber, and meat.

Of course, in a city under the Empire's rule, there are no shortages of nobles and artists.

Lyt Street is a district within Will City where a large number of middle-class individuals live, including wealthy merchants, fallen nobles, and gradually rising artists.

However, even fallen nobles are still nobles. Many wealthy merchants in the area are willing to marry their daughters to nobles, but the nobles are unwilling to marry the merchants' daughters, as it would invite ridicule.

For nobles, dignity is more important than money.

Collin Russell slowly walked down Lyt Street. He was twelve years old, with thick, short blonde hair, regular features, and a pair of blue eyes that exuded a deep, sea-like aura.

Despite his young age, his physique was extremely robust, with arms that extended past his knees and were unusually muscular.

He wore a white shirt that had been washed until it was almost colorless, a black fitted jacket with gold buttons, black trousers of the same color, and a pair of yellow leather shoes. At his waist, he carried a training greatsword, and on his back, a square black backpack.

Passing by pedestrians and carriages, Collin Russell arrived at a villa with a "36" sign on the door. The villa was a two-story building without a garden.

The blue roof complemented the white walls, making it quite ordinary. However, the white walls had lost much of their paint, revealing the owner's financial struggles.

The door was open, and Collin Russell walked in. He first bent down to take a pair of clean blue slippers from the shoe cabinet, took off his leather shoes, placed them on the shoe cabinet, and then put on the blue slippers.

"Welcome back, Collin." His older sister, Linda Collin, came out to greet him upon hearing the commotion. She was twenty-three years old, with long blonde hair and a face that resembled Collin's, though more delicate. She had the mature figure common among Caucasians. She was wearing a blue apron and smelled of olive oil.

"Big sister." A hint of unease flashed in Collin Russell's eyes, but he quickly called out sweetly.

Linda, however, warmly hugged Collin, pressing his head between her breasts. She kissed Collin's right cheek and then let him go, saying, "Rest for a bit; the steak will be ready soon."

"Okay." Collin's face turned slightly red, and he nodded awkwardly before fleeing upstairs.

"The little guy is blushing." Linda looked at Collin's back thoughtfully and smiled mischievously.

There were four rooms on the second floor, one for each of the three siblings. Collin's room had the best lighting, with sunlight refracting through the glass windows every morning, reminding him to wake up.

After entering his bedroom, Collin took off his jacket and placed it on a nearby clothes hanger, laid the training greatsword on the ground, and put his backpack on the old desk.

The floor, the house, and the bed were all old, but the bed was extremely clean and slightly fragrant.

Linda would clean his room daily and wash the bedding on schedule, making her a capable older sister.

"Ah." Collin climbed onto the bed, placed his hands behind his head, and stared blankly at the ceiling, which was covered in fine cracks.

He was not from this world but a young man from the 21st century. After crossing over, he was naturally shocked, but as time passed, he gradually adapted to this world. However, he often thought of his family in the other world, whom he would never see again.

Then, he opened the system interface.

Collin Russell

Occupation: Apprentice Knight

Vitality: 2

Intelligence: 5

Strength: 3 (+1)

Agility: 3

Bloodline: Black Bear Bloodline (Diluted)

Bloodline Effect: +1 Strength

Skills: Roar Military Swordsmanship (Basic), Horsemanship (Proficient)

Unassigned Attribute Points: 0

Unassigned Skill Points: 0

Unassigned Bloodline Points: 0

Energy: 0

Status: Healthy

This was the system he had obtained after crossing over, but so far, he had no idea how to use it.

"Ah." Collin sighed again, closed the system interface, and couldn't help but think about his family.

His older sister, Linda Russell, his older brother, Smith Russell, and himself, Collin Russell, were the last three members of the Russell family in Will City.

This was a world ruled by the Emperor and nobles, with mages, knights, and sorcerers among the extraordinary beings. The Church, which worshipped various deities, did not directly rule the secular world but still wielded considerable influence.

The country they lived in was called the Fanguo Empire.

As for the nobles, only those who met two conditions could be considered nobles: having a surname and a bloodline.

Collin had heard from his brother and sister about the glory of the Russell family, which supposedly originated from a prominent duke. However, while the main branch still existed, the side branches had gradually withered.

Currently, the Russell family's life was quite difficult. Linda worked as a governess in a noble's household, earning a decent income. Smith worked at the city hall as a young financial officer, also earning a decent income.

But he was a burden to his brother and sister.

To restore the family's glory, the family needed to produce an extraordinary being. His brother and sister worked hard, but most of their income went to him, funding his education at the Will Knight Academy.

"Although my soul is not native to this world, I am connected by blood. I am like a giant infant, consuming my brother and sister's energy, which is truly shameful."

Collin sighed again. Then he opened the system interface again, wondering how to use it.

Ordinary people sigh because of their mediocrity, but he had a golden finger and didn't know how to use it. How could he not be in agony?

At that moment, Collin smelled the slightly burnt aroma of steak and heard heavy footsteps.

Collin knew it was Smith coming home from work, and it was time for dinner. Linda would call them soon.

Sure enough.

"Collin, dinner is ready." Linda's enthusiastic voice came from downstairs.

"Got it, big sister." Collin got up from the bed, put on his slippers, and stomped down the stairs to the dining room.

The dining room was decorated very simply, with some areas showing signs of wear, reflecting the family's financial struggles. In the center stood a rectangular wooden table and five simple chairs.

On the table were three white porcelain plates with grilled steaks, iron knives and forks, and a glass of water.

In the middle was a bamboo basket containing fragrant long bread.

Although Smith was the younger brother, he sat at the head of the table. If there was any difference between Linda and Collin due to gender, Smith looked like a grown-up version of Collin.

Smith's attire was very formal and meticulous, as he worked at the city hall and had a mustache to appear more mature.