Infinite Returns

Volume One: The Kind Noble

Chapter 1: Ethan

Earth — Yagami Household

The morning sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, casting golden streaks over the lavishly decorated chamber. Exquisite vases stood proudly on shelves, their intricate carvings shimmering under the warm glow. Velvet drapes, embroidered with gold threads, swayed gently with the breeze from the slightly open balcony door. The air carried a faint, crisp scent of fresh morning dew.

Nestled in the heart of this opulence was a large, canopy bed draped in silken sheets. And on that bed, sprawled like a carefree cat, lay a boy no older than ten.

His black hair, sleek and soft, fanned out over his pillow like the night sky against snow. His delicate features were framed by long lashes, his serene expression undisturbed, his breaths even. The morning chill did nothing to rouse him, nor did the gentle rustling of the curtains.

Tok tok—

"Young Master, are you awake?"

A soft, feminine voice echoed from beyond the grand oak doors. A moment of silence followed.

No response.

A sigh. The door creaked open.

A small figure stepped inside, her polished leather shoes tapping lightly against the marble floor. She had a petite frame, with neatly braided brown hair and sharp, inquisitive black eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her maid uniform was crisp, perfectly arranged, a reflection of her diligence.

Ellie folded her arms and observed the boy, who remained dead to the world, his chest rising and falling steadily.

She wasn't surprised.

Her young master was the laziest person she had ever met. If there was an award for sleeping through important events, he would be the undisputed champion.

She walked to the bedside, hands on her hips.

Today was a big day. His big day. And here he was—sleeping as if the world itself didn't exist.

A slow smile crept onto her lips.

Bending down, she leaned in close, her breath brushing against his ear. In a voice dripping with honeyed playfulness, she whispered,

"Young Master Ethan, the Lord is waiting for you in the Awakening Room~"

The effect was immediate.

Ethan's eyes snapped open, revealing irises so vividly green they seemed to glow. Confusion flickered through them before understanding dawned.

He groaned.

"Ellie…" he muttered, rubbing his eyes. His voice thick with sleep. "How many times do I have to tell you? You can't wake me up like that anymore. I'm a grown man."

She tilted her head innocently. "Oh? But you wouldn't wake up otherwise, Young Master."

He shot her a glare, but it held no real malice.

Then, as if struck by lightning, he froze.

His head snapped toward the large clock by the wall. His breath hitched.

"Ellie." His voice was suddenly shaky. "What time is it?"

She clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels. "The Lord has been waiting for you since early this morning, Young Master."

A heavy silence filled the air.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

Ethan shot out of bed, his limbs tangling with the sheets, nearly sending him crashing to the floor. He fought against the fabric like a trapped animal before finally freeing himself. His hair was disheveled, his nightwear rumpled, but none of that mattered.

"Ellie, why didn't you wake me up earlier?!"

She simply smiled, watching him scramble.

"Young Master, I did try. Every morning, in fact."

Ethan gritted his teeth. No time for arguments. He bolted toward the bathroom, flinging open the door.

"Go tell my father I'll be there in five minutes—no scratch that —two minutes! I'll just splash water on my face!" he called out before disappearing inside.

Elie chuckled, shaking her head. She turned on her heels, heading for the door.

"I'll inform the Lord," she said, amusement lacing her tone.

As she walked down the hall, she could still hear Ethan's panicked muttering from inside the bathroom.

"Damn it, even on a day like this… I can't believe I overslept!"

"Ugh… Father's gonna give me another speech, isn't he?"

That was his real fear.

Not the Awakening Ceremony. Not the outcome.

His father's lectures.

He could already imagine it—his father seated in his grand chair, speaking with an air of absolute authority, droning on for hours about discipline and responsibility.

It was torture.

He'd rather spend his day in the servants' quarters, playing games. Or watching the knights train while enjoying some snacks.

But it couldn't be helped.

This was his Awakening Day.

Ethan sighed, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Droplets of water clung to his pale skin, trickling down his sharp jawline. His damp black hair clung to his forehead. He wiped his face with a towel and exhaled slowly.

This was it.

The day every child in the Yagami Household looked forward to.

The day they discovered their talents—their paths in this world.

A slow smirk played on his lips.

"Heh… I've done everything I could to awaken a golden finger, but nothing worked."

He ran a hand through his hair.

"But I can feel it. This time, I'll definitely awaken something good."

After all as a reincarnated being from a certain blue planet it's a must to have a cheat.

His excitement flickered for a moment. Then—

"…I just hope it's nothing combat-related. That would be way too troublesome."

A life of fighting? Training every day? Getting dragged into battles?

No, thank you.

Ethan was a man of simple dreams.

All he wanted was to be strong enough to not get nagged by his father. Just enough to secure his lazy, peaceful lifestyle.

'That's all I need.'

Still, despite his reluctance… he couldn't deny the thrill curling in his chest.

Magic. Power. The unknown.

As an avid novel reader in his past life, it was impossible not to be excited.

He threw the towel aside and straightened his clothes.

"Alright, let's do this."

With renewed energy, Ethan stormed out of his room, making a beeline for the Awakening Room.

Today…

He would awaken.

—End of Chapter 1—

Chapter 2: The Awakening Room

Ethan hurried down the long, marbled halls of the Yagami estate, his soft slippers barely making a sound. Sunlight poured in through the tall windows, painting golden streaks across the polished floors.

Despite his rush, he didn't ignore the familiar faces around him.

The moment the servants and knights caught sight of him, their expressions brightened.

"Young Master Ethan, how was your morning?"

"Did you sleep well? I'm making breakfast—I'll prepare something special just for you!"

"Young Master, did you like the decorations I arranged in your chamber yesterday?"

The sheer warmth in their voices made it impossible not to smile. Ethan's lips curled into that signature gentle, sweet smile—the one that never failed to melt hearts.

His presence was like a warm breeze, effortless yet comforting.

"I slept great! I hope you all did too." He responded cheerfully, waving as he walked past. Then, with a playful glint in his green eyes, he added, "I'll come play with you after my Awakening Ceremony, so start preparing the games."

Laughter rippled through the servants and knights.

Even on such an important day, their young master remained the same.

But beneath their amusement, some of them exchanged uncertain glances.

"Do you think Young Master Ethan will awaken a powerful talent like Young Master Lucas or Young Mistress Eva?" a maid whispered.

Ethan was different from his siblings. Unlike Lucas, who trained relentlessly, or Eva, who carried herself with unwavering discipline, Ethan spent his days playing, sleeping, and avoiding anything remotely exhausting.

He had trained once. Only once.

Then promptly declared it "too straining" and never stepped onto the training grounds again.

Yet, despite his lack of effort, not a single servant resented him for it. How could they?

He treated them with kindness, without a shred of arrogance. He never looked down on them, never saw them as lesser. He played alongside them without hesitation.

He was their "Kind Noble."

"Even if he awakens a useless talent," one of the maids said firmly, "we'll always be here to support him."

"That's right," another agreed.

"Then let's prepare something to cheer him up—just in case!"

With that, the servants hurried off, determined to make sure their young master never felt disappointed.

Inside the Awakening Room

Ethan stepped through the towering wooden doors into a vast chamber bathed in a soft, mystical glow. The air hummed faintly with magic. At the center of the room stood a large crystal orb, shimmering with countless colors, shifting and twisting like a living entity.

His gaze landed on the two figures standing behind it—his father and mother.

His father, Lionnel Yagami, was a man of undeniable presence. Tall and broad-shouldered, his black hair was streaked with hints of silver, his piercing green eyes carrying the weight of authority. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression as stern as ever.

Beside him, his mother, Iris Yagami, was his perfect contrast. Ethereal and graceful, with flowing crimson hair and piercing red eyes, she radiated warmth despite her noble bearing.

To the right, Ethan spotted two girls.

His eldest sister, Eva Yagami, stood poised and elegant, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. She bore their mother's red eyes, but unlike Iris's warmth, hers were sharp—cool, calculating. A wall of discipline.

And standing beside her, a much smaller figure.

A little girl, no older than five, with the same dark hair and bright red eyes. The moment Chloe spotted him, her face lit up like a festival lantern.

"Big Brother! You're finally here!"

She sprinted toward him at full speed, her tiny feet pattering against the floor.

Ethan barely had time to react before she crashed into his chest, wrapping her small arms around his waist. He chuckled, bending down to ruffle her hair.

"Sorry, I overslept," he admitted with a sheepish smile.

As he said this, he stole a glance at his father—half-expecting a long, drawn-out lecture about responsibility.

Lionnel merely exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "Ethan, come. We've wasted enough time."

Ethan inwardly sighed in relief. No lecture today. Perfect.

His mother, however, simply smiled at him.

"No matter what happens, my dear, don't worry."

Her words were soft, yet firm. A promise.

Ethan nodded lightly. "I know, Mother."

He carefully set Chloe back down, giving her a reassuring pat before stepping toward the Awakening Crystal.

Eva, who had remained silent this entire time, simply gave him a curt nod as he passed. Ethan, used to her reserved nature, smirked slightly.

His big sister wasn't cold—she just didn't know how to express herself well.

He stopped just before the crystal, staring at its swirling lights.

The Awakening Crystal—a sacred artifact that infused mana into a person's body, unlocking their latent talent.

No two talents were ever truly the same. Even if two people awakened abilities of the same name, their effects would be vastly different. Because talents were born from the very core of one's soul.

His father's voice cut through the air.

"Prepare yourself. The moment you touch it, mana will flood your body. It will feel… unsettling, like a thousand hands reaching into you."

Iris gave him a gentle look. "And don't worry about the grade of your talent, my love. No matter what, we will support you."

Ethan took a deep breath.

Then, with steady hands, he placed his palm against the crystal.

Instantly—

A blinding light erupted from the orb.

The entire room was swallowed in a burst of radiant energy.

'Ah damn typical awakening scene…'

—End of Chapter 2—

Chapter 3 : Awakening  

The moment Ethan placed his hand on the awakening crystal, a strange sensation flooded his body. It was exactly as his father had described—thousands of hands crawling over his skin, pressing into every inch of his being.

He grimaced. That's disgusting.

But before he could pull away, the crystal reacted.

A blinding light erupted from it, swallowing the entire room in a golden radiance. The glow was not just bright—it was pure, overwhelming, almost divine. The air shifted, thick with energy, and an indescribable warmth spread through the space.

Everyone instinctively took a step back.

The golden hue wasn't just an indicator of a high-ranking talent—it carried an unshakable presence. It demanded attention, exuding an authority beyond mortal comprehension. It was the kind of light that made people instinctively kneel, as though witnessing something beyond human understanding.

Iris, Ethan's mother, was the first to break the silence. Her lips curled into a wide, knowing smile.

"This level of radiance… It's at least an S-rank," she murmured, her voice filled with confidence.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with pride as she turned toward her husband, arms crossed with an almost smug expression. "I told you my baby isn't inferior to Lucas and Eva. You were too busy trying to force him into things he doesn't like to see it for yourself."

Lionnel, ever the stern and composed man, remained quiet. He simply watched the golden light with an unreadable expression.

For a brief second, the corner of his eye twitched. He was tempted to smack the self-satisfaction off his wife's face—but he knew better. He might be the head of the household, but Iris was his equal in every way. Not only was her intellect frightening, but her magic prowess was something he didn't dare provoke unnecessarily.

So, he did the next best thing—he ignored her and focused on his son's awakening.

Truth be told, even if he never said it aloud, Lionnel was fond of Ethan. The boy was kind, respectful, and had an undeniable charm that made people naturally gravitate toward him.

His only flaw? He's lazy.

Lionnel sighed inwardly. Tch. Even if I wanted to let you do as you pleased, this world isn't forgiving. If you don't have the strength to protect yourself, you'll be trampled underfoot.

Ethan, meanwhile, was drowning in a euphoric sensation.

Something deep within him—something he had never been able to grasp before—was now awakening. It wasn't just power. It was a part of his very existence, something that defined who he was.

And then—

[Ding! You have awakened your talent!]

[Talent: Heart of Benevolence (C Grade)]

Talent Description: You are a being of kindness, of love, of trust, of selflessness. You are weak in combat, but you don't need to fight your battles alone. You will always have allies willing to stand beside you.

Skills Unlocked:

➤ Aura of Trust (Passive)

➤ Blessing of Reciprocity (Active)

➤ Benevolent Shield (Active)

The golden light around him began to fade, but Ethan's mind was still processing the words in front of him.

C-Grade?

That made no sense. With this level of radiance, it should be at least an S or SS-rank talent. How could it only be C?

But before he could dwell on that—

[Ding! Additional awakening detected.]

[You have awakened your own system.]

Ethan's breath hitched. His heart skipped a beat.

And then, as if the world itself had been waiting for this moment—

[The Divine Benevolence System is bonding to you.]

A surge of energy flooded his body, different from before. It wasn't the foreign touch of mana awakening, nor was it an overwhelming force trying to reshape his being.

No—this energy was familiar.

It was as if it had always been a part of him, silently waiting for the right moment to emerge.

[Ding! The Divine Benevolence System is now bonded to you.]

[Ding! Welcome, Host.]

A strange warmth settled in his chest, but Ethan forced himself to remain calm.

This… this was it.

The thing he had been waiting for since his reincarnation into this world.

A system.

A golden finger.

Something that would finally give him an advantage.

A smile threatened to creep up his face, but he held it back. Now wasn't the time. His family was watching.

[Host, please give more and be benevolent.]

[Because the more you give, the more you shall receive.]

Ethan raised an eyebrow at the message. Before he could process it further, the system prompted him again.

[Would you like to view the system's full abilities?]

Ethan hesitated.

His fingers twitched, tempted to immediately say yes and examine everything.

But… no.

Not right now.

Not with his family eagerly waiting for his response.

With a thought, he dismissed the system window and looked up, meeting the expectant gazes of his parents and siblings.

The golden glow had finally receded, leaving an atmosphere thick with anticipation.

Ethan scratched his head with an awkward smile.

"Uh… guys, there's no need to be so excited," he said sheepishly. "I just awakened a C-Grade talent. Heart of Benevolence."

Silence.

A Yagami awakening a support-type talent?

It wasn't shocking, per se. Talents reflected a person's nature even before awakening. And Ethan, as everyone knew, had never been the combat type.

But… a C-Grade? With that kind of light?

The contradiction left them baffled.

Yet, before anyone could dwell on it too long—

"Big Brother is the strongest!"

Chloe, his youngest sister, ran toward him, beaming with pure adoration. She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him like a koala.

Ethan caught her easily, his heart warming at her innocent trust.

He ruffled her hair, smiling gently.

"Of course," he said. "Just wait—I'll give you lots of good things."

His voice was calm, his smile radiant.

And for some reason, his presence seemed different.

Lionnel narrowed his eyes slightly.

Iris raised an eyebrow.

Even Eva, usually unreadable, found herself staring.

Ethan's aura had shifted. It was warm. Inviting.

So peaceful and reassuring that standing in his presence made them instinctively lower their guard.

Iris suddenly grinned.

"This talent of his… it's not simple," she murmured. "Even I feel affected by it."

She glanced at her husband with a victorious smirk. "As expected of my son."

Eva rolled her eyes. "Mother, you're not even trying to hide your favoritism."

Iris didn't even flinch. "Oh, please. Isn't he all of our favorite? Just admit it. Don't be like your father, always pretending to be cold and strict."

Eva, rather than answering, simply turned back to her brother and refused to comment further.

Iris giggled. "You're so cute, Eva."

Lionnel, meanwhile, stood silently, observing.

This family—his family—was bound together by his lazy son's presence.

That boy…

He was the glue that held them all close.

Lionnel exhaled. Fine.

He'd indulge Ethan a little longer.

After all…

He was his favorite, too.

—End Of Chapter 3—

Chapter 4: The Power to Give

Ethan barely waited for the ceremony to end before excusing himself. He had faked exhaustion, claiming the awakening process had drained him, but the truth was far simpler—he just couldn't wait any longer.

He needed to see his system's abilities.

The moment he stepped into his room, he shut the door behind him and let out a deep breath. His heart was racing.

"Alright… first things first."

As much as he wanted to check the system, he still had to look at his talent's abilities. It was his first real power in this world, after all.

[Talent: Heart of Benevolence (C-Grade)]

Talent Description: You are a being of kindness, of love, of trust, of selflessness. You are weak in combat, but you don't need to fight your battles—because you will always have allies by your side.

Skills Unlocked:

Aura of Trust (Passive): People instinctively trust you, feeling at ease in your presence. Even the most doubtful and skeptical individuals will find it difficult to suspect you.

Blessing of Reciprocity (Active): When you give, purely out of kindness, an item, skill, or resource, the recipient receives an enhanced version of what was given.

Benevolent Shield (Active): Create a barrier around a target, absorbing damage based on how much goodwill you have for them.

Ethan whistled lowly.

"Damn. The passive is crazy. If even skeptical people have trouble doubting me, that's already broken in its own way."

But then he frowned.

"The other two, though… They're all about helping other people. What am I, some saint?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. It wasn't that he minded helping others. In fact, he actually enjoyed it. But if all his powers were just about supporting other people, then what about him?

His eyes lingered on Blessing of Reciprocity for a moment longer.

"An enhanced version of what was given… I need to test that immediately."

And Benevolent Shield was another mystery. How much goodwill did he need to make it strong? Did it scale based on emotions? Thoughts? He had too many questions.

But all of that could wait.

Because now, it was time for the real reason he had rushed back to his room.

Ethan took a deep breath, then grinned.

"Alright. System—show me what you can do."

At once, glowing golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Welcome back, Host.]

[Displaying System Abilities:]

Heavenly Reciprocity – Whatever you give out of pure goodwill, you will receive 10,000 times the value back.

Karmic Resonance – Helping others generates karmic energy, which can be converted into divine skills, artifacts, or blessings.

Blessing of the Benevolent Sovereign – The more people you uplift, the more your strength, luck, and influence grow.

Ethan blinked.

Then again.

His brain completely shut down for a solid five seconds.

"…What?"

He read Heavenly Reciprocity again, just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

Whatever you give out of pure goodwill, you will receive 10,000 times the value back.

"That's…"

He sucked in a sharp breath.

"That's ridiculous."

No, ridiculous wasn't even the right word. This was completely and utterly broken.

He sat there, staring at the golden text, his fingers gripping the armrest of his chair.

His mind raced with possibilities.

If he gave someone one gold coin, he'd get 10,000 in return.

If he gave away a low-grade potion, he'd get 10,000 of them.

If he gifted someone a skill book, he'd get 10,000 copies.

And if he handed over an artifact…

"Oh."

His breathing slowed. His lips curled into a smirk.

"Ohhhhhh."

Then—he burst out laughing.

"Hahahahahaha! I KNEW IT!"

He threw his head back, cackling like a madman.

"HAHAHAHAHA! THIS IS TOO MUCH! I'M A DAMN CHEAT CHARACTER!"

For a good minute, Ethan just sat there, shaking with laughter. This was better than anything he had expected. 10,000 times was an absurd multiplier. No matter what he did, he couldn't lose.

He eventually wiped his eyes, still grinning.

Then, his expression sobered slightly.

"Wait…"

His fingers tapped against his desk as he thought about it more deeply.

"It has to be out of pure goodwill."

That phrase wasn't just decoration. It was a condition.

He exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair.

"Giving without expecting anything in return, huh?"

That wasn't actually a problem for him.

In fact, he had always believed in that kind of giving.

"A gift isn't a gift if you're expecting something in return. That's just a disguised trade."

He had always found it ridiculous when people acted generous, only to get angry later because they didn't get repaid.

If you truly wanted to give something, you shouldn't need repayment.

And now, the system itself rewarded that exact mindset.

His grin returned.

"Perfect. This is made for me."

He looked back at his system abilities.

If Heavenly Reciprocity let him gain 10,000 times whatever he gave… and Blessing of Reciprocity already enhanced whatever he gave before it even reached the recipient…

Then…

"This isn't just a good ability. It's an infinite power loop."

His grin widened further.

"I see. I get it now."

He wasn't just a support character.

He was a kingmaker.

He could create monsters out of his allies. Warriors stronger than anything the world had ever seen.

And in return?

He'd be at the center of it all. The one person they would all protect at any cost.

His eyes gleamed as he thought of the future.

His family. His household. The knights and servants.

They would be his first test subjects.

"I'll make them powerful. So powerful that no one will ever dare to touch them."

He stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Well, that settles it."

It was time to stop being lazy.

For real this time.

First, he would grow the people around him.

Then, he would step into the Tower.

And after that?

He would keep giving.

And in return—he would become unstoppable.

His title wasn't just for show.

He would become the Kind Noble that they see in him.  

But behind that kindness?

Would be absolute power.

A power to protect and preserve.  

—End of Chapter 4—

Chapter 5: The Tower and the Path Forward

Ethan leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.

His mind kept drifting to the Tower.

A mystical structure that had appeared in their world three centuries ago. Its arrival had changed everything.

With it came the dungeons—dangerous domains filled with monstrous beasts, lost relics, and forgotten knowledge.

At that time, humanity had been on the brink of extinction. The creatures from these dungeons had nearly wiped them out.

But nature wasn't cruel.

Just as these horrors had appeared, so too had mana—the life force that now filled the world.

Mana had awakened something deep within humanity, allowing them to manifest talents. The first people to awaken such abilities were known as The Originals—pioneers of supernatural power.

They were the saviors who had turned the tide.

And their descendants…

They were now The Original Families—rulers of this new world.

Among them was the Yagami Family.

Ethan absentmindedly stroked his chin as he recalled these historical truths.

Their ancestor, Nathan Yagami, had once been known as the Sword God. A warrior whose blade had cut down armies, whose legend had shaped history itself. 3

"And now, three centuries later, here I am. The 'lazy' second son of the Yagami family, awakening a support-type talent while everyone expected a combat genius."

He smirked to himself.

"What a mystical world. But of all its mysteries, none compare to the Tower."

Yes, the Tower was the greatest enigma of all.

It wasn't just a structure. It was a gateway—a path that connected countless worlds, dimensions, and realms.

Inside, one could find races never seen before, beasts from forgotten myths, and treasures beyond imagination.

And, if the rumors were true…

Even gods walked within its halls.

Ethan chuckled at the thought.

"Hah, will I find the gods I used to read about back on Blue Earth? Zeus? Odin? Ra?"

It was a ridiculous thought. But then again, the mere fact that he had reincarnated into this world was ridiculous enough.

Nothing was impossible anymore.

And, most importantly—he could enter the Tower.

From the moment a person awakened—becoming an E-Rank existence—they were eligible to step inside.

From there, it was a journey of trials and ascension.

Climbing each floor required proving oneself, overcoming tests of strength, intelligence, and willpower.

And once someone reached the 10th floor, everything changed.

There, unlike the lower levels filled with trials, the 10th floor was a world of its own—filled with kingdoms, guilds, and countless other forces vying for power.

And most importantly—

It was there that one could awaken their Class.

Ethan's fingers drummed against the table.

Classes.

The second defining factor of one's power, next to talent.

"I wonder what class I'll awaken?"

He smirked to himself.

"Let me guess… something related to benevolence again?"

He sighed, but there was no frustration in his expression.

If the world wanted to make him a Saint, then so be it.

He'd be the greatest Saint this world had ever seen.

"The Saint of Benevolence."

He chuckled at the thought.

"Cool nickname, right?"

Still, he had a long way to go before that moment arrived.

For now, his first goal was clear—

Strengthen his family.

By using his Blessing of Reciprocity and Heavenly Reciprocity, he could make the people around him stronger than ever before.

And through that… he would strengthen himself.

Once he had secured his foundation, he would step into the Tower.

And when he did, his first goal would be simple—reaching the 10th floor and awakening his Class.

His path was set.

A satisfied smile spread across his face.

With his plan in place, Ethan stretched his arms above his head.

"Well, that's enough thinking for now."

The excitement from earlier had drained him more than he expected.

He let out a yawn, lying back onto his bed.

Tomorrow would be a big day.

The first step in his journey of power.

He couldn't wait.

And with that final thought, he drifted off into sleep, his breathing steady and even.

At that moment, a shadow flickered near his bedside.

A small figure appeared, moving silently through the room.

Ellie.

His personal maid.

Her gaze softened as she watched her young master sleep.

She sighed quietly.

"I thought you'd be devastated after awakening a C-Grade talent…"

She had even prepared his favorite meal to cheer him up.

But instead…

He had spent the entire evening staring blankly into the air and laughing madly.

Her expression turned grim.

"Is this the madness of despair? Did the shock break him?"

A hint of worry flickered in her emerald eyes.

She leaned down, brushing her fingers gently against his cheek.

Her voice was soft.

"Don't worry, Master. Even if the world looks down on you… I won't."

Her eyes hardened with resolve.

"No one will touch you. I'll protect you, no matter what."

For a moment, her presence flickered—her figure dissolving into the darkness itself.

Then, she was gone.

Had Ethan been awake, he would have been both speechless and touched.

But he never knew of this moment.

Because no one could see the system but him.

And so, to Ellie, all she had seen was her young master staring into nothingness and laughing like a madman.

And honestly…

That was a little concerning.

—End of Chapter 5—

Chapter 6: The First Act of Benevolence

The first rays of morning light filtered through the large windows of Ethan's room as he stirred awake.

For the first time since his birth, no one had to wake him up.

His personal maid, Ellie, usually had to drag him out of bed with bribes of delicious food or, on some occasions, outright threats.

But today was different.

Because today, Ethan would truly begin his journey.

His abilities, his system, and his talent all relied on the act of giving—and for that, he needed something to give.

And that was exactly what he planned to acquire today.

A grin stretched across his face.

"Time to see just how broken my system really is."

After freshening up in record time, Ethan stepped out of his room, his movements brisk with purpose.

His destination was clear—his mother's office.

The Yagami family never lacked resources. In fact, their wealth rivaled entire nations.

And as the second young master of this prestigious household, Ethan had access to all of it.

The only problem?

He never actually used any of those resources before.

His past expenses consisted of pointless luxuries—fine clothes, expensive skin care products, and other vain indulgences.

As a result, he still had 100 gold coins left from his personal allowance.

"This should be enough for a test run."

Currency in this world mirrored the Tower's system rather than the old financial institutions of modern Earth.

1 Silver Coin = 100 Copper Coins

1 Gold Coin = 100 Silver Coins

1 Platinum Coin = 100 Gold Coins

For a commoner, owning a single gold coin was considered a fortune.

For Ethan, it was pocket change.

But soon…

Wealth itself would mean nothing to him.

Because his system could turn even the smallest gift into an empire of power.

As Ethan strode confidently through the halls, the household servants glanced at him in shock.

It was rare to see him up so early.

No…

It was unheard of.

"Since when does Young Master Ethan wake up early?" whispered one maid to another.

"Right? We always have to wake him up ourselves!"

Then, as if coming to a shared realization, their expressions turned somber.

"Could it be… is this because of his C-Rank talent?"

"He must be feeling so depressed…"

Ethan lips twitched.

With his newly awakened E-Rank realm, his senses were sharper than ever.

He could hear every single word they whispered not so silently.  

He stopped in his tracks, turned his head slightly, and said calmly—

"Don't go around spreading nonsense. I'm just feeling motivated today."

The maids gasped.

"Young Master Ethan, don't worry! We'll always stand by you!" one of them blurted out.

"You can just stay here forever! You have nothing to prove!"

Ethan sighed.

"Looks like I'll have to show them myself."

Instead of replying, he simply gave them a calm smile and continued walking.

Soon, they would see.

The Office of Iris Yagami

Knock, knock.

A soft but firm voice responded.

"Enter."

Ethan stepped inside.