Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Now that Evan Noah had transmigrated, recalling the plot he had once created, he held not a shred of fondness for Arthur anymore. Thinking about the part he had written where Arthur Nicholas, nearing graduation, decided to abandon his family's heir status to start a new life together with the main male lead, Valen, in the imperial colonies, leaving the little spare tire, Evan Noah, to wallow in heartbreak, Evan couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. He was relieved that Evan Noah had just turned 15 and hadn't yet taken the entrance exam for the Imperial Knight Academy. Although he had been supporting the main protagonist for nearly a year, only his pocket money had been drained. The savings he had accumulated since childhood were still intact, not yet sacrificed out of pity for "Brother Arthur's" lack of a suitable weapon.

While feeling relieved, Evan Noah also began to seriously contemplate his own future. This novel was set in an alternate era, similar to the time of World War I. In this world, steam machinery was just beginning to take off, and the great age of sail had already commenced.

The country Evan Noah found himself in was called the Sala Empire, where old-fashioned nobility coexisted with emerging capitalists. Besides possessing significant domestic territory, the empire also held considerable overseas colonies. The empire's military primarily used swords and blades as weapons, although gunpowder weapons like cannons were sporadically equipped on important imperial naval vessels.

However, unlike the WWI world of Evan's previous life, this world possessed extraordinary powers. The most common were knights who strengthened themselves through breathing techniques; they were practically superhuman, having broken past normal human limits. Beyond that, there were also briefly mentioned practices like alchemy and potion-making. This unfinished novel had now become a real world, and Evan Noah, the original author, had no idea just how much supernatural power existed here. There was even an uncertain possibility whether the main protagonist and love interest would follow his design to reach their zenith.

Lying in bed, eyes wide open, Evan Noah's heart was filled with a slight sense of bewilderment. Knowing the plot's development, he naturally had no desire to act as the main protagonist's wallet. However, coming from a wealthy merchant family, the only path for him to access supernatural powers was through the Imperial Knight Academy.

The Imperial Knight Academy publicly enrolled students of Sala Empire origin every July, with an age limit between 14 and 16 years old. The assessment method changed annually, and based on that method, the academy would consider whether to have examinees sign a liability waiver.

Evan Noah pondered inwardly: if he were to live as an ordinary person, he would be utterly unwilling. After all, having crossed over, if he couldn't even touch the supernatural, then what difference was there between him and a salted fish?

The first light of dawn, soft and gentle, filtered through the gaps in the window, quietly spilling onto the stairs of the Noah residence. Evan Noah slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually awakening from slumber. He stretched, feeling the pleasant pull in his limbs, then got out of bed, straightened his clothes, and walked down the stairs with a somewhat brisk step, heading straight for the dining room.

Entering the dining room, the warm and familiar scene came into view. The long wooden dining table stood like a steady elder in the center of the room. A bamboo basket of bread, placed upon it like a carefully guarded treasure, emitted waves of wheaty fragrance, seemingly calling to everyone's taste buds. On each person's plate, two fried eggs resembled two small golden suns, shining with an enticing glow, while a sausage lay quietly beside them like a loyal guard. Various jars of jam adorned the table like colorful gems. Steaming hot milk was contained in a specially insulated wooden bucket, the wisps of rising heat dancing in the air like lively sprites, adding a rich touch of life to the entire dining room.

In the living room, the fireplace blazed vigorously. The cheerfully leaping flames licked at the hearth, illuminating the room brightly and warmly. The charcoal brazier placed in the dining room also burned quietly, emitting threads of comforting warmth, making the temperature here as pleasant as a spring afternoon. Eldest brother Mark sat there with a straight posture. His shirt was slightly open, the first two buttons undone, inadvertently revealing a glimpse of his chest where the firm lines of his pectoral muscles were faintly visible, as if containing boundless strength. Evan Noah's gaze was instantly drawn, and a ripple of longing and envy stirred in his heart—a desire for growth and robustness. After all, big brother was already twenty, with maturity and fitness settled upon him by time, while he himself had just turned fifteen, his body still growing, the future full of infinite possibilities. He secretly hoped to possess such an impressive physique himself one day soon.

"Look, our newly minted adult is here!" Second brother Edward's face beamed with a bright, warm smile, like a flower blooming in spring. He enthusiastically waved at Evan Noah, his eyes filled with affection and doting, gesturing for Evan to take the empty seat beside him.

A slight, charming smile curved the corners of eldest brother Mark's lips as he asked with concern, "Headache?" Last night, they had celebrated Evan's coming of age together at the tavern. While the good drink was enjoyable, it could also easily lead to a hangover. Mark's greeting was like a gentle breeze, dispelling any lingering discomfort or gloom in Evan's heart, his words brimming with meticulous care for his younger brother.

Evan Noah shook his head gently, a grateful smile appearing on his face. Then, his gaze quickly shifted to his mother, Martha. He slightly narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting to reveal a row of white teeth, his face plastered with an ingratiating expression, looking very much like an obedient kitten trying to win its owner's favor. Seeing her son like this, Martha's worry instantly transformed into disapproval. She immediately showed a look of disapproval and said, "So you two really took Evan out drinking! He just turned 15!" Her voice was slightly raised, carrying a hint of reproach and thick concern, her eyes full of reproach for her sons' actions.

Hearing his mother's words, Edward shrank back slightly, quickly spreading his hands in a gesture of innocence like a child who had done wrong, unhesitatingly shifting the blame onto Mark: "It was big brother's idea!" A flicker of cunning showed in his eyes as he tried to evade his mother's scolding.

Mark, however, merely smiled calmly, revealing a row of neat, white teeth like stars twinkling in the night sky. He explained unhurriedly, "Mom, it was just a few beers. It's tradition. When I was 15, Dad took me to the tavern himself. Evan is 15 now, no longer a little pumpkin who only drinks milk!" His tone was firm and confident, attempting to use the long-standing family tradition to persuade his mother, to make her understand that their actions weren't reckless but a respect for and continuation of family custom.

Upon hearing this, Martha immediately shot a displeased, arrow-like glare at Bruce Noah, seated at the head of the table. Caught under his wife's sudden, sharp gaze, Bruce stiffened slightly, an awkward expression appearing on his face. He gave a light cough and hurriedly changed the subject: "Alice, don't put honey on your fried eggs! Mind your teeth!" His voice rose slightly, trying to break the somewhat tense atmosphere.

Author's Note:

Please add to your collection.

----------------------