I wake up to my heart beating in a frenzy inside of my chest. Each time it pumps blood through my body the pain follows, searing my veins.

Strangely enough with each wave of pain a slight hint of pleasure comes along with it. Growing every second. ‘I really hope I’m not an M.’ Real panic settles into my heart along with that thought.

And that panic only grows as what I think should be pain starts feeling immensely pleasurable. Loud enough to where it attracts the attention of my head maid Anne.

“Young master!” She cries out with obvious worry reflected in her eyes.

‘Noooo, don’t come in!’ I panic and begin thrashing around which only draws her closer. The rest of the servants begin piling in due to the disturbance.

“Call healer Celene,” Anne says to my growing horror.

‘They must think I was having a seizure. Alright.. let’s just calm down.’ I immediately close my eyes and lay as still as possible. Only to be shaken and slapped over and over.

“Young master! Please open your eyes! Young master!” Anne and the other servants crowd around me in a suffocating manner. My face turning raw from their constant abuse.

“Owwww!” I scream out and jump past them. ‘Wait.. pain? Just unadulterated raw physical pain?!’

“I’m not an M!!!!” I cry out with glee as I do a little dance.

“Young master?” I turn around to see all the servants staring at my unusual behavior. I see one of the younger maids promptly walking over to my medicine before hiding it out of sight.

“Confiscate the young master’s medication Sylvia.” Anne says towards the maid closest to my table.

“Already done Miss Anne.” Sylvia responds.

‘They think I’ve been experimenting again…’

“Still, despite the unwanted side-effects, his body seems to be in great spirits,” Anne remarks as she gives me the one over.

I look down at myself and realize something I was too embarrassed to notice before. Despite all of that thrashing and jumping about I don’t feel exhausted at all. ‘Hell! I’m even standing!’ I whoop and begin jumping about again at my new-found health.

“Restrain him for now… I can’t believe the effects this drug has on the young master..,” Anne remarks.

“Yes, completely unlike the studious and mature young man he usually is,” Sylvia responds.

“Hahahaha,” the booming laughter comes from Heith, a butler under my service, “If the body’s fine the mind is sure to follow!”

He storms over to me and instantly puts me in a body lock. I just resign myself as this giant hulk of a man takes hold of me and pins me onto the bed.

I look over and see several of the maids beginning to salivate. “Hey, Heith. I’ll behave myself so could you please release me? The maids are beginning to misunderstand.”

Heith wheels around and his tanned skin turns into a muddy red as he takes several meter long steps away.

I’m slightly alarmed… ‘Does Heith… swing that way?! Then again, I am pretty handsome.’ I take the mirror from the table and gaze at myself. ‘Long silky white hair, beautiful golden eyes that just scream nobility, and luscious lips to seduce any lady. All surrounded by the gaunt skin framing my skeletal face…’

My body’s much the same. Inebriated and frail from being bedridden for the twenty years of my life.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I hear some commotion outside as Celene makes her way into my home.

“Ah, Miss Celene, if you would,” Anne says while directing the healer’s attention towards me.

She walks up soundlessly and begins examining my body. “Lady Celene, I’m afraid I cannot sanction your unwarranted advances,” I say while turning my head to the side.

The horde of maids blush fervently as the humidity in the room visibly rises. All the while Celene just holds a hand out towards Sylvia. Some kind of understanding passes between them and the pouch of medication is handed to her.

“You’re making me really sad here,” I say in protest, “either you’re insulting my intelligence regarding herbs, or you’re saying that I’m somehow addicted to a despicable past time.”

“If only this was the first time, young master,” Celene responds in a flat tone.

“Like I said, that’s just my personality. I’ve been robbed of my childhood, and I must squeeze it in from time to time.” This time my lips curl into a wry grin.

Celene’s gaze softens a bit before returning to her task at hand. A few questions later she seems satisfied by my answers.

“Seems to be an improvised sleeping drug, but you really shouldn’t have put in the oracleaf, what was its intended purpose,” Celene asks.

“I was trying to create a catalyst for subconscious activity so that the brain would be able to commit things to long term memory, and that in turn, would bypass the memory loss common in so many others.”

“I would have never guessed it could exhibit such an influence. However it seems to have affected your emotions in a negative manner.”

“Childlike wonder and joy would be positive if I would say so myself. Also, I tried mixing in some herculean roots for increased metabolism and a dash of disrose nectar for a splash of euphoria.”

“Mixing so many potent drugs can result in unknown effects,” Celene begins to admonish my decisions.

“Well, let’s stop there. What’s done is done and I’m afraid Heith is beginning to lose consciousness.” I cut off the conversation as I know many healers would disagree with my progressive thoughts.

I dismiss all of the servants so I can return to my work. It seems that this last experiment of mine was a dull success. A boost in vitality and vigor along with a small splash of insanity. ‘No, no, it may have been natural.’ I think to myself as I record my findings.

The small leather-bound notebook has become a treasure trove of information over the years. At least, for myself. Unable to test my creations on others may allow the other scholars to disregard my findings, but I initially only began for my own well-being so it’s fine.

I decide to keep myself on this new creation of mine and record the progress over the course of a month.

Week 1: Each day I wake up with a little more vitality than the day before. My emotions seem to be in slight disarray, but nothing outside of my expectations.

Week 2: Weird markings have begun showing under my skin. The concoction V-21 may be cross-contaminated by aelbloom. However, the pain from overload seems to have diminished. The poison may be intercepting the pain receptors.

Week 3: My body now looks astonishing to put it lightly. A beauty and radiance that surpasses any mortal being. As if carved from marble and given no distinct features… perhaps I'd be irresistible to those with necrophiliac tendencies...

Week 4: The blackened veins have faded and still no discomfort from overload. Seems as if my body has evened out after crossing a certain threshold. I seem to be cured. Time will tell.

As I finish writing the last words in I call for Anne.

“You’ve called?”

“Prepare a carriage. I believe it’s about time to consult my parents. Besides, I wish to pay a visit to my darling little sister.”