The Otaku's Odyssey: Reincarnated with a Grand System

As Astrid walked back toward the Ethera mansion, the weight of the past decade pressed heavily on his young shoulders. He had lived ten long, exhausting years in this new world since his reincarnation.

From a teenage boy with a mundane life to the youngest son of one of the most powerful families on the Calyndor continent, his life had shifted dramatically. He was no longer Alex from Earth, but Astrid Ethera, heir to a lineage of monsters.

He often wondered how different things could have been had the system not interfered. Initially destined to be a mage, his abundant mana would've placed him among the elite already. But thanks to the system—bless its overpowered, smug existence—his fate was altered. The result? A rare classification: Magic Swordsman.

Astrid smirked bitterly as the memory resurfaced. That day, his father had smiled. Not the fake smiles nobles usually put on, but a genuine, proud one. Orion Ethera, his father, one of the strongest beings on the continent, had declared that he would personally oversee Astrid's training. That should have been an honor. Instead, it was the beginning of hell.

No child, let alone a ten-year-old, should have to endure what he did. Grueling sword drills, endless magic refinement sessions, and impossible expectations. And yet, it was all his fault. He had been too cocky, too composed. Rather than play the role of a clueless child, he had acted like a tiny genius. His maturity had sealed his doom.

And then there were his sisters.

He had three.

Laura, the eldest at nineteen, was the brain of the family. Calm, disciplined, and already at the Guardian Stage. She was the family's pride. Then came Beth, seventeen, his second sister. Astrid despised her. Not because she was strong—which she was, having reached the Aetherist Stage and trained by their mother—but because she had a twisted hobby. Every chance she got, she'd dress him up like a girl. Just because he had a pretty face didn't mean he wanted to wear pink frills.

And then there was Aria.

His favorite, though he'd never say it aloud. She was fifteen, only five years older than him, and she was the one he sparred with the most. The one who talked with him like he was a person, not a baby. Aria was a Warrior now and was set to leave for the Academy today.

His thoughts were interrupted as he approached the mansion. The staff greeted him at the entrance.

"Welcome back, young master. We hope your training was productive. The Mistress is expecting you."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks," Astrid replied with a tired sigh as he stepped inside.

The Ethera household was a strange blend of magic and modern tech. The walls were ancient stone reinforced with mana, but you could still find enchanted lights, mana-charged cleaning devices, and even a few flat screens.

Just as he was heading up the stairs, a familiar voice called out.

"Astrid! You're finally back. What took you so long?" Lia Ethera, his mother, appeared from the hallway, worry etched on her elegant features.

He flashed her a bright smile. "Nothing much. Just got lost in thought."

She frowned slightly. "Your sister's about to leave. You should go say goodbye."

"I'll see her after I shower. Won't take long."

With a wave, he dashed upstairs. Lia sighed, watching her son disappear into the hallway.

She was always left surprised anytime her son acted like this. Hell, they stopped bathing him when he was three years old.

Astrid entered his room and immediately began stripping off his training clothes. His room was just like the one he had on Earth: minimalist, practical, and oddly nostalgic. A flat screen that was rarely on, a bed that was always made, and books—a lot of them.

Another day, another blank TV, he thought as he stepped into the shower.

After a long, relaxing rinse, he threw on a sweatshirt and sweatpants—his go-to comfort outfit. No need for anything flashy. He wasn't trying to impress anyone.

Back downstairs, he saw his family gathered at the front of the mansion. Aria stood beside the family hover-car, luggage packed, uniform crisp. Her father stood tall beside her, while their mother fussed over her appearance.

"Take care of yourself," Lia said softly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask your sisters."

"And remember, you are an Ethera. Show them why our name is feared. Make an impact. Be overpowered," Orion added with a confident nod.

Aria grinned. "Relax, I got this."

Then she looked around. "Wait, where's Astrid? I can't leave without seeing his annoying face."

"You bitch!" Astrid shouted as he dashed out the front door. "You think I didn't hear that?!"

Aria laughed, throwing her arms open. "Yo, little bro!"

"Don't 'little bro' me! You dare insult this beautiful face of mine?!"

She snorted. "Don't forget to catch up, alright? I'll be waiting in the Vargaea Continent. Our 100th duel still needs to happen."

Astrid clenched his fists. "Don't worry. I'll get so strong even Dad will fear me!"

"Yes! That's my boy! Wait… what?" Orion raised a brow. "You stupid child."

SMACK!

A loud slap echoed as Orion hit the back of his son's head.

"OW!" Astrid winced.

His mother and sister burst out laughing.

"I'll be off now," Aria said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Till next year, I guess."

She stepped into the car, waving through the window. As it lifted into the air, her family shouted their goodbyes.

Then the car vanished into the horizon.

Orion turned to Astrid, cracking his knuckles.

"Now you. You and your big mouth. Follow me to the training grounds. Today, I'll test how far you've come."

Astrid sighed. "Why me?" he mumbled, dragging his feet as his fate led him back into the training hell.

...

AN: congratulations on me being vetted

Bonus chapter coming up