Lucien stared at the glowing blue screen in front of him, blinking slowly.
[Welcome to the System!]
Initializing... Done.
"So this... is actually happening. I've read enough isekai manga and webnovels to know this isn't a dream. Trashy ones, good ones, even that one where the guy turns into a vending machine... but I never thought I'd be isekai'd."
He flopped back onto the bed, sighing dramatically.
"Of course I get the useless prince route."
The system responded in its chipper, genderless voice:
Ding!
Would the host like a basic overview of the world?
"Yes, please."
Lucien said, sitting up.
Processing...
You are currently in the Kingdom of Elreim, a powerful human nation located in the central continent of Eclevia. The world is governed by four major forces: humans, beastkin, elves, and demons. Magic, swordsmanship, and magical beasts are common elements of daily life. Adventurers, nobles, and academies are part of the structure of society.
"So basically... fantasy template #3 with DLC. Alright. What about this body? Who was I?"
Would the host like to initialize memory transfer? Please remain on the bed.
Lucien didn't argue. He lay flat on his back again and nodded.
"Do it."
Memory Transfer Beginning... 20%... 80%... 99%... Complete.
A sharp jolt hit his head like a sledgehammer. He sat up with a gasp, clutching his skull. Pain lanced through his brain as fragmented memories flooded in—etiquette lessons, magic lectures, sword training... constant failure, pitying looks from the maids, his father's disappointed eyes, his siblings' mocking smirks.
Lucien Graycliff, fourth child of King Otto Graycliff, the ruler of Elreim.
The king known for siring monstrous talents in his bloodline. First prince, a genius swordsman. Second princess, a prodigy in healing magic. Third prince, the youngest to tame a wyvern.
And then... Lucien.
Weak, sickly, magicless. The stain of the royal bloodline.
Lucien sat in silence for a moment, letting that sink in.
"Makes sense why the original owner didn't want to stick around."
He took a deep breath.
"System... do I still have mana drain?"
Analyzing...
Result: No. Host has been granted a new soul-bound core during reincarnation. Mana drain has been removed.
His eyes widened.
"Wait, seriously?"
He almost leapt off the bed.
"So I don't have to be useless anymore?! That disease was half the problem!"
Excited, he rushed to the bathroom attached to his chamber. The room was marble-floored and decked with expensive gold-framed mirrors. A wave of warm air and lavender hit him from the enchanted bath nearby.
Lucien leaned over the mirror and got his first real look at his new face.
Black hair—messy, yet charming. Fair skin, slightly sharp jawline, youthful but already promising good looks. He tilted his head.
"Damn... not bad."
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"This face is wasted on being the 'useless prince.' I bet this body could be a real lady-killer if he just... smiled once in a while."
Then, curious, he looked down.
Pause.
He blinked.
"...Huh."
A moment passed.
"It's... actually bigger than before?"
He groaned and covered his face.
"This is embarrassing—not because I saw it, but because I know it's like... two centimeters longer than my old one."
Sighing, he splashed cold water on his face and looked back at the mirror.
"Okay. Enough stalling. I need to meet the family. If I want to stop being the useless prince, I've got to start somewhere."
He walked to the ornate double doors of his chamber, adjusted his collar, and slowly pushed them open.
The hallway outside was quiet, carpeted in red and gold. Maids passed by and paused upon seeing him. Some looked surprised. Others, concerned. One even gasped.
"Oh—Prince Lucien! You're... up?"
He blinked.
"Yeah. Is that weird?"
"Y-You've been sick for days... and you never usually leave your room…"
Lucien smiled awkwardly.
"Guess I'm feeling a little better."
He stepped out into the hall.
Time to meet the family.
Time to stop being useless.
Time to start his second life—properly.