Death was silent.
No light.
No voices.
No judgment.
Just a cold, endless fall—until it stopped.
The boy opened his eyes and felt silk beneath his fingers.
Warmth.
Breath.
His lungs filled with air that didn't burn.
I'm… alive?
Above him stretched a ceiling carved in gold and white stone, unfamiliar symbols glowing faintly as if alive. The smell of incense and polished wood replaced the hospital sterility he remembered.
Before he could think further, a sharp cry escaped his mouth.
Not his voice.
Too small.
Too weak.
Panic surged—then hands lifted him.
"Your Majesty! He's breathing!"
"A strong cry… the prince lives!"
"Praise the heavens!"
Prince?
His vision blurred as a woman's exhausted but radiant face leaned over him. Silver hair clung to her forehead, and her violet eyes trembled with tears.
"My son…" she whispered. "My king… look. He survived."
A man stepped into view.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Wearing a crown that bent the air around it.
The King.
His gaze was heavy—sharp enough to crush armies. When those eyes fell on the newborn, the room went quiet.
"This child…" the king said slowly, "nearly drained the royal womb dry."
Murmurs spread among the robed figures surrounding the bed.
"A bad omen?"
"No—perhaps a blessing."
"The mana spike was unheard of…"
Mana?
The boy's mind reeled.
Royal womb? Mana? Prince?
Memories crashed in—his past life. A modern world. Loneliness. Hunger for power. The feeling of always being small in a world ruled by giants.
Then a voice echoed—cold, mechanical, absolute.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
[SOUL MATCH: COMPLETE]
[HOST STATUS: ROYAL BLOODLINE — CONFIRMED]
The world froze.
Time stopped.
Even the king stood motionless.
[DEVOUR SYSTEM — ACTIVATED]
Unique Trait Detected: KING'S SEED
Eyes Compatibility: 100%
The boy didn't understand.
But he felt it.
Something vast.
Hungry.
Ancient.
[ABILITY UNLOCKED]
▶ Devour (Passive) — Consume essence to grow without limit
▶ Royal Insight (Eyes – Dormant) — Copy, analyze, and evolve abilities
▶ King's Authority (Sealed) — Absolute dominance over weaker beings
Warnings flooded his vision.
[CAUTION]
Host body too weak.
Abilities sealed.
Growth required.
Time resumed.
The king frowned suddenly, sensing something he couldn't see.
"…This child," he said, voice low, "will either become the empire's greatest weapon—"
He looked down at the infant.
"—or its end."
The boy stopped crying.
Inside that tiny body, his mind was calm.
Cold.
Focused.
So… I'm a prince.
And I have a system.
A faint, almost invisible smile formed.
This time… I won't be small.