Pain, an inevitable experience in every person's life, had visited countless individuals. Yet, Brian was convinced that the torment he now endured was a pain singularly his own. His ethereal essence seemed engulfed in an inferno, not an ordinary fire, but rather as if the very sun itself had chosen to embrace him, its scorching heat searing his every fiber.

Fortune favored him with a swift recovery. Before long, Ethan regained consciousness only to find himself surrounded by unfamiliar surroundings and unfamiliar faces. An aged man loomed over him, his eyes clouded with sorrow and weariness. Alongside him, a group of rugged-looking men occupied what Ethan deduced to be a carriage, discernible by the rhythmic thud of hooves striking the ground.

“ The young master lives! “ the old man gave his thanks in prayer to whatever deity he worshipped. The other didn't seem to share his enthusiasm. It took a minute, but the memories of both Ethan and Brian found harmony in his new vessel.

The happy old man is John. He's Ethan’s butler and caretaker since his mother died at a young age. From his memories, Brian saw that the man truly cared for him. Shockingly, his memories don't portray Ethan as the asshole noble. Something happened.

Brian locked eyes with John, their gazes interlocking in a moment of unspoken connection. A surge of warmth emanated from his chest, suffusing his being with a comforting sensation. His grin stretched across his face, growing wider with each passing second, a reflection of the joy and camaraderie shared between them.

“ John,” he said. “ Thank you for being by my side old man.”

John's eyes grew wide. “ Y-young master. W-what did you say?”

Brian understood why old man John was flustered. Ethan treated the old man better than everyone else in his life. But that didn't say much since he was a giant dick to everyone.

A sudden shiver raced along his spine, shooting sharp tendrils of agony through his body. His muscles tensed, and he involuntarily contorted, his face contorting into a grimace of pain. Each breath heaved in ragged gasps as if his lungs were engaged in a struggle for air. The rhythm of his respiration became irregular, interspersed with wheezes, as his chest seemed to tighten, slowly constricting under an invisible grip.

The poison he remembered. He was sure he was going to live of course. The goddess wouldn't have given him this body otherwise but the feeling of barely being alive was one he was used to.

‘ Coeus? How to dispel this poison?’

<< Answer. Guide the magic from the heart into the bloodstream to detoxify harmful substances. Alert. The chance of detoxifying poison is 100% due to bloodline. Detoxify poison?>>

Brian thought he should get acclimated with magic, but dispelling poison as his first introduction seemed to advance for an amateur.

‘ Can you do it for me Coeus?’

<< Alert. Grant permission for Coeus to take over the user’s body?>>

‘ Yes’

<< Taking over user’s body in 3..2..1>>

In the blink of an eye, Brian sensed a surge of warmth, an electrifying current coursing through the depths of his being. The magic surged through his veins, a vivifying torrent that swept away impurities, mending the weary fabric of his flesh, and infusing his insides with newfound strength. With each passing moment, the intensity grew, as if the magic itself were a searing heat, radiating from the core of his existence. Peering inward, Brian witnessed a mesmerizing spectacle—a vivid blaze of scarlet flames, dancing and devouring every inch of his being with untamed ferocity.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Brian opened his eyes to surprised looks and sat up to John’s dismay.

"Young master, please recline," he implored, his gaze fixed on Brian. His scrutiny intensified as he lifted Brian's eyelids, examining the depths of his eyes, and gently inspecting the interior of his mouth. Only upon confirming the steady rhythm of his pulse did the worry in his eyes dissipate, but an unsettling chill seeped into Brian's bones, originating from the guards themselves. Their hands rested ominously on the hilts of their blades, their glances turning predatory, hinting at an unknown danger lurking in their intentions.

“ What are you doing? You dare draw blades on me? The lord's son?” Brian's life was endangered, but he felt giddy playing the role of an arrogant young master.

A man with tousled blonde hair responded, his age etched upon his face. "Your body emitted an intense crimson aura, surpassing any brilliance I have ever witnessed," he declared, his voice laced with a mixture of awe and suspicion. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his blade in its entirety, the steel gleaming in the ambient light. His eyes narrowed as he confronted Brian, his tone demanding answers. "Speak! What have you done? How is it that your aura mirrors that of the king?"

It was John’s time to interrupt.” Stay your blades! That is an order!”

Though hesitant, the guards withdrew their swords, but patiently waited for Brian to answer. Could he tell them that Ethan died and someone from another world took his body? No. No, he could not

. But did he have to?

Brian shook off his hostility and allowed his face to relax. His gaze slowly reached every guard and John. It was time to live out his new life.

“ As you all have seen, I’ve repelled the poison on my own. How do you ask? Through goddess Iris, all is both possible and impossible.” He gently removed John’s hand from his shoulder and stood up. Brian suppressed a squeal as he felt how it feels to be tall for the first time in his life and though Ethan’s body was broad, he was fill was a bit too wimpy for his liking. Nothing a bit of body cultivation couldn't fix. If it existed.

<< Alert. Body cultivation exists in this realm. The ranking is from…>>

‘ Not now Coeus!’

Brian coughed, his voice strained yet resolute. "Comprehend this. I have traversed the threshold of death itself. It was no mere hallucination, but a profound encounter with my savior, Iris. By her benevolence, I have obtained powers that lie beyond your wildest imagination. Should you dare to brandish your blades against me once more, we shall all meet our demise. Is that understood?"

The carriage fell into an uneasy silence, an atmosphere that did not sit well with him.

"I said!" he thundered, his aura erupting in a radiant golden-scarlet blaze. The horses reared in fright, their shrill neighs filling the air as the carriage trembled under the force of his power.

That certainly grabbed the guards' attention. Their expressions shifted, a mix of surprise and trepidation.

"Yes, sir," one of the guards hastily replied, his voice laced with newfound deference.

A sense of familiarity settled over him. Brian swiftly discarded his crimson and ebony tunic, the fabric slipping off his form. It became apparent why the guards' unease had manifested into drawn weapons. Adorning his neck, shoulder, chest, and the entirety of his right side were intricate patterns of magical symbols, etched as if an unseen hand had meticulously inscribed them upon his skin. The enigmatic markings radiated an aura of otherworldly power, intertwining in an intricate tapestry that seemed to pulse with latent energy.

“ Young master! What is this?” John was silent until now, but Brian couldn't blame him. By everyone's reactions, this wasn't supposed to be here.

‘Coeus?’

<<< Alert. The markings are caused by the user's bloodline awakening. Bloodline scarlet dragon phoenix awakened. Does the user want to know its benefits?>>>

‘ Not now. ‘

“ I do not want to slaughter everyone in this carriage to keep a secret. Do I have everyone's trust that this doesn't leave here?” Brian had never hurt a fly. Let alone kill a person. These weren’t monsters, but human beings. Hell, he wasn't sure he could do it and then he remember something.

‘Coeus, can you tell me how strong blondie is? Please put in terms I would understand.’

<< Alert. Analyzing… The blond guard's power level would be 220. Algorithms scale soul rank higher than body cultivation. The blond guard is a master rank body cultivator with adequate soul level. The power level scale is from 100-400.>>

‘ What would be my power level.’

<<< Alert. The user has ascendant soul ranking and apprentice-level body cultivation. The user’s power level is 210.>>>

Brian knew he had to keep the bluff up or his secret would be out.