The m, after Frieren and the others had departed, I found myself alone in my modest home. The silence felt unnatural—almost suffog. Without the bahe ughter, or the occasional chaos that followed Heiter’s drinking, the house seemed emptier than ever. It had only been a day, yet I already felt the weight of solitude pressing against my chest.

  Sitting by the window, I let the sunlight warm my face as I decided to distract myself.

  "System."

  At my thought, a familiar translut s materialized in front of me, dispying two core funs:

  [States] – Dispys your abilities and progress.

  [Iory] – Stores all non-living objects.

  I opehe Iory first.

  A list of items appeared before me:

  Minor Mana Potion

  Grimoire (Fire and Defensive Spells)

  Not much, but it was a start. Closing the s, I moved on to the States fun.

  ---

  [States]

  Name: Himmel

  Level: 1

  Tier: Beginner

  Race: Human

  Title: Hero

  Age: 26 + 105

  Skills: Sword Proficy, Superhuman Speed, Super Sense, High Intelligence, Basic Fireball

  ---

  I stared at the stats for a moment. So, this is what I’m w with.

  “The old Himmel was this strong, huh?” I murmured. While I had ied his abilities, I still felt like a pale imitation.

  Before I could dwell too mu that thought, a familiar, sultry voice echoed in my mind—smooth, teasing, and undeniably seductive.

  [New Quest: Learn a defensive spell. Reward: Grimoire (Water and Ice Spells).]

  Ah, right. The system spoke like this when giving me quests. I was still getting used to it.

  “A defensive spell, huh?” I mused, rising from my chair.

  I opened my Iain and focused on the grimoire i my will, the book materialized in my hands. Its leather cover was worn with age, and its pages had a slightly yellow tint, carrying the weight of history. Holding it felt strangely… natural.

  "Learn."

  The book shimmered, dissolving into particles of light.

  [Would you like to learn a defensive spell?]

  [Yes] [No]

  I chose [Yes], and instantly, a wave of knowledge surged into my mind. Unlike self-study, the system’s method was direct—it granted mastery of the spell the moment I accepted. The intation, the mana flow, the structure of the barrier—all of it settled into my sciousness like a memory I had alossessed.

  I raised my hand instinctively, eling my mana as I murmured the intation. A faint, shimmering shield formed before me, translut and fragile-looking.

  Time for a test.

  I retrieved my replica sword from the er of the room and took a deep breath. With all my strength, I swung at the shield.

  BOOM!

  The shield shattered instantly. The force sent a gust of wind through the room, blowing dust into the air.

  I blinked. "...That athetic."

  Just as I rocessing what went wrong, the system’s voice purred into my ears, its tone dripping with amusement.

  [Host~ do you even have a brain? Or did you just leave it behind when you reinated?]

  I ched my jaw. "...I asked why the shield broke, not for your damn insults."

  The system ignored my irritation, tinuing in a pyful, matter-of-fact tone.

  [That spell is a begiier barrier. More importantly, do you even realize whose body you're in?]

  It dawned on me.

  I wasn’t just some random mage. This body beloo Himmel the Hero—a man who once cleaved through demon generals and crushed fortresses with his bare hands. Even a mid-tier shield might not have withstood my raw strength.

  Before I could respond, a chime echoed in my mind.

  Ding!

  [gratutions, Host! You have successfully learned a defensive spell.]

  [Reward: Grimoire (Water and Ice Spells, Basic)]

  [Additional Reward: Title: "Dumb."]

  I froze.

  [This title make you permaly dumb, so think wisely before ag rashly~ ??]

  My lips twitched. "You piece of—"

  I cut myself off with a sigh, pressing my fingers against my temple. This system was really testing my patience.

  A new grimoire appeared in my Iory. As tempting as it was to open it immediately, I decided to take a moment to breathe.

  I have a long road ahead.

  I leaned ba my chair, staring at the ceiling. If I wao live up to this title of "Hero," I couldn’t afford to act like an idiot.

  The system had mocked me, but it wasn’t wrong. I o think. I o learn.

  And most importantly—

  I o bee strong.