Gris took out a quill and a paper to note the essential plotlines of the story he remembered. The story was set ten years after the First Doomsday Wave.
It began when Lux was still young, recounting his struggle against people who looked down on him because he did not receive divine blessings.
Every year, there was a battle between the Doomsday Committee and the Heroes. People called it the doomsday wave. The battle left a trail of devastation, claiming countless lives, reducing buildings to rubble, and obliterating the kingdom's historical legacy.
The Doomsday Wave was not bound by the rules of the Committee or the Heroes, meaning that the villains were free to kill people or destroy certain previously forbidden areas.
Given the scale of the colossal battle, Heroes attacks often accidentally claimed the lives of evacuees who had delayed their escape, finding themselves trapped in the conflict zone. In routine circumstances, heroes faced point deductions as a penalty for causing harm to innocent lives.
However, there were no penalties for anything people did during the Doomsday Wave. This made Virtue Vista, a special academy for heroes, implement morality as a mandatory subject for all its students.
"In the story, Lux is explained as younger than Griswalden. Lux entered the academy when he was 17 years old, later than other kids his age, because of his low class. That means he hasn't entered the academy yet..."
Gris immediately noted the information about Lux that was stored in his memory. The people of this world only adhered to one belief system, polytheism, which worshiped various deities and divine entities.
Legend holds that Amarthia, the radiant Sun Goddess, graced the earthly realm with her divine presence, leaving in her wake the vast expanse now revered as the Amarthia Empire.
The people of this empire held an unparalleled devotion to their celestial benefactor, their genuine worship of the Sun Goddess surpassing that bestowed upon any other deity.
The Amarthia Empire was ruled by the empress Lyora, who had five well-known strong husbands from the Heroes' side.
"Ugh, damn it. I can't remember who Lyora's children are. She has several stepchildren from her widower husbands, one of whom is Lux. Damn, this reverses harem! Lyora has many stepchildren from her illegitimate husbands..."
Gris had already finished noting the information about Lux, the Amartia Empire, and Lyora's harem. But his memory did not reach the names of all Lyora's children.
"The transmigrators in the web novel I read must have a photographic memory. They can remember even the smallest details of the story. Or do they remember everything in case they transmigrate?"
Annoyed at not being able to remember the information he wanted, Gris decided to skip that part. He was about to note the information about the Silverth family when he recalled something.
"How can I forget the crazy girl who ignited the readers' emotions? Lyora's biological daughter lives in a Palace close to Lux."
The good readers naturally hated the Committee of Doomsday, the main character's opponent. But nothing could beat their hatred towards Solnisca de Amarthia.
Solnisca, Lux's stepsister, showed him uncommon kindness amidst Lyora's children, who often tormented him. She helped him adjust to Virtue Vista with care and compassion.
She was the "sister" in Lux's harem. But towards the end of the story, it was revealed that she was working with the Doomsday Committee to infiltrate Virtue Visa and look for the heroes' weaknesses.
Rhetoric Dominance would have no effect if Lux fully trusted someone. Solnisca had acted suspiciously several times, but the author made her trustworthy again to Lux and the readers.
Gris recalled the readers' reaction when Solnisca's true nature was revealed.
[- Whoa, that plot twist just blew my mind! Truly unexpected and totally epic.
- Author, is this for real? Ah, spirits be damned! I've been enjoying the pleasure of admiring Solnisca's artwork through my own hands.
- This is better. I'm diggin' a wild chick.
- Yo, if I were Solnisca, I woulda snaked my tail around Lux's body during our intimate vibe, and bam! His ribs woulda felt the squeeze, chucklin' all the way, hehe!]
The last comment that came to Gris' mind made the quill slip from his grasp. Solnisca could transform into a half-snake woman. Her ancestor was said to be a legendary draconic who once served the Divine Guardianess.
"Could it be that Solnisca sent the poisonous snake to the Forest of Death? Only she and her snake-man father survived after the Doomsday Committee destroyed their territory in the third wave."
Gris believed Solnisca could control the snakes thanks to her unique identity. But Solnisca and Griswalden knew each other after he officially became the Doomsday Committee.
He glanced at the strange symbols binding his hand. It appeared when he transmigrated, and people could not see it, as evidenced by Alberic's not questioning it.
"This is a crazy speculation. It seems like there are other transmigrators besides me..."
The other speculations about Solnisca were interesting to think about. Unfortunately, Gris had to put away his paper and quill as he heard footsteps approaching his room.
It must be Blayz. Gris was not close to anyone in the Silverth family, so no one came to congratulate him other than Alberic.
Timely, he opened the door for Blayz, who came with Alberic. "Welcome to my room, Father."
Blayz paused in the doorway, watching Gris' room intently. Thanks to his contributions to the empire and society, Lyora granted him a large mansion previously occupied by the second prince, who died in the Fifth Wave.
The Silverth family lived comfortably like royalty while others were still trying to rebuild their areas destroyed in the previous Doomsday Wave.
Gris lived in a part of the mansion called the Oleander Pavilion. Blayz could not remember the last time he had set foot there to see his son.
"Your mother once said you would grow up as a strong child who can survive difficult situations. I don't think she meant what she said."
Blayz spoke while observing Gris from head to toe. He took a seat, followed by Gris, who sat opposite him.
"Are you and your mother hiding something from me?"
"I have nothing to hide," Gris answered honestly.
The background of Adelind, Griswalden's mother, was not told in detail. She was only mentioned as the reason he got the necromancy class, triggered by his efforts to revive his dead mother.
But Gris got new information about Adelind that was never mentioned in the story. Griswalden's original memory showed his mother telling him how she and Blayz could marry.
It was before the gods decided on the Doomsday. Adelind and Blayz were alchemists obsessed with testing different chemical elements to create something extraordinary.
Long story short, they got married, and Gris was born. He was different from the other children, most of whom were victims of the Doomsday Committee that Blayz rescued.
Nevertheless, the identity of a biological son did not make Gris special. Blayz ignored him because he did not see any good opportunities in him.
"How did you pass the test?" asked Blayz, unsatisfied with Gris' previous short answer.
Gris shrugged indifferently. "There are no special rules for tests. I can do whatever it takes to pass."
"Well, you're right. But I need your answers to evaluate you and provide you with suitable facilities."
"Speaking of perks, I want a magical beast and a land for my personal training ground."
Alberic nearly cursed, resisting the urge to label Gris as ignorant when he requested a magical beast from Blayz. Securing magical creatures posed a considerable challenge; their prices soared even if available for purchase.
What kept him from yelling at Gris was Blayz's presence. He was waiting for his master's reaction.