Chapter 2: New Identity

Tik- Tok- Tik-

Gulp.

Gently sliding my right hand into my trouser pocket, I immediately felt an object with a sleek, smooth surface.

Gripping it, I carefully pulled the object out. It was a pocket watch that met my gaze.

I elevated my hand a bit, seeking better visibility in the dim light, and felt my heart race.

The silver moonlight shone with an intensity I didn't recall, illuminating the pocket watch in my hand with crystal clarity.

While this light might have brightened the world for others, enhancing their vision, it only cast shadows on my path.

The playful mood I once had evaporated. I couldn't shake the feeling that a pair of eyes from the darkness were reveling in my distress.

"Haa, I'm truly at a loss for words."

I always knew that the 'salted fish that loves diving' was a brilliant author. But I never imagined that merely reading his novel could transport me between worlds.

Indeed, he's the same genius who penned the amusingly titled: "That time I got isekai'd into a normal world as an author only to find the webnovel app ending up with a bug and all my handwritten stories getting deleted, only to unlock my powers due to sadness and depression and get transported back to my previous magical world to defeat the demon king and build a harem of bookworms."

Quite the mouthful for his debut, I agree. Yet what really put him on the map was his masterpiece: "Lord of the Realms."

A novel with only two volumes, yet each one was a masterpiece. The first volume had approximately three hundred chapters, while the second boasts four hundred.

Why was I so sure that this was the world of the novel? Because of the name {Sebastian Lemonhgrey}.

One of the standout characters, and a fan favorite, he assisted the main character on many occasions.

As the plot thickened and slowly unfolded, us readers came to learn that his real name was Alister Klemort.

He was the heir to the Klemort family, a noble lineage. Owing to his intelligence and tactics, he was often called the genius of the family.

While everyone envisioned a bright future for the Klemort family, he left them behind and settled in Brassington City, known for its business in brass, iron, and other metals.

Brassington City, blessed with such resources and advantages, was second only to the capital of the Clandonshire Kingdom's brightest country, Medegeas.

I shook my head, dispelling these thoughts. Discarding much of the irrelevant details, I honed in on the most crucial information.

My gaze drifted to the pocket watch almost involuntarily.

If my recollections were accurate, in the novel, such pocket watches were the purview of the wealthy or the more affluent middle class. One such watch was owned by Sebastian Lemonhgrey, or rather, Alister Klemort.

However, it wasn't just any watch; it was a spiritual artifact. And what's more, he acquired it in the later chapters of the first volume but lost it not long after. Regardless, it held significance in the story.

This was a spiritual artifact with an affinity to time, which was quite rare. But it was sealed. The idea of a sealed artifact was daunting because if something accumulated enough spiritual energy, it could potentially gain consciousness.

And since spiritual artifacts thrived on this energy, the more powerful they became, the higher the chances they would achieve consciousness.

An artifact with consciousness was perilous, as the user no longer had control over it, necessitating its sealing.

"I should be able to use future sight with this, right?" I pondered, gazing at the golden pocket watch.

Sigh.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I was but a humble magician. Perhaps you've heard of me - Alister Bright. Yes, the very magician who, against all odds, made the Statue of Liberty vanish for a whole two minutes.

Why was I transmigrated? The manager up there did me dirty. Sigh, these useless thoughts once again.

I turned and directed my gaze to the window, particularly the narrow gap. The radiant silver moon was gradually giving way to the rising sun.

With just a step outside the house, the small amount of lingering uncertainty in my heart might be laid to rest.

However, before venturing out, there was a task I had to complete. Approaching the cabinet, I began searching through its drawers.

A revolver?

A pistol, bearing the hallmark design of ancient Europe, came into view.

Setting it aside, I persisted in my search, discovering more items like a holster for the revolver.

Then, the object of my quest finally revealed itself.

A wand!

This wand was nothing short of mesmerizing. It spanned about 12 inches, fashioned from the lustrous depths of mahogany. Age-old runes, rendered with painstaking precision, danced along its span, gracefully winding from its stout base to its slender tip. Each glyph glinted with a faint silver light, presenting a stunning contrast to the wand's dark timber.

This wand seemed to be out of the world... Ha, more like I was not of this world. I thought with a self-deprecating laugh.

There was finally emotion on the previously stoic face. With a determined stride, I headed back to the bathroom.

I soon stood before the 'crime' scene. A nauseating sensation welled up within me as my stomach churned, urging me to vomit. Somehow, I suppressed it while internally cursing my rotten luck.

Automatically, my face resumed its composed expression. This was undoubtedly an influence from my predecessor, Alister Kelmort, who had exceptional control over his facial expressions. Remarkably similar to mine, I'd note.

I pointed the tip of the wand toward the bodies in front of me. These bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. This caused my palms to shudder slightly, rebelling against my will. I was sure this would give me nightmares for months if not years.

I shut my eyes, seemingly in an effort to recall a memory. At last, with evident strain, I began to intone unfamiliar words. These phrases felt foreign to me. As I wasn't a wizard, I found myself obligated to recite the whole incantation rather than just the pivotal word. It was rather inconvenient.

"Igris!" As my chant concluded, a vivid luminescence emanated from the runes on the wand. Its tip gleamed a fervent red, and then a flare, akin to a blazing firework, shot forth towards the bodies. It might've appeared harmless, but upon contact, the bodies erupted in intense red flames.

Within moments, the corpses were reduced to ashes. A wave of fatigue swept over me, my spiritual energy nearly drained. But that wasn't the immediate issue.

The fetid odor from the incinerated remains, coupled with the gruesome sight... Despite the influence of the original Alister Klemort, my stomach could bear no more.

Blurgh!

...

A ruthless murderer with a kill count in the thousands... Unwaveringly cold... Clever and immensely intelligent... Adept at concealing his facial expressions... Someone who deemed food bland and often skipped meals...

Reflecting on all this, I sighed deeply. Though our names were similar, our natures were poles apart.

I was a glutton, savoring every morsel. In contrast, the original owner of this body couldn't find joy in food. He was cunning and sharp... whereas I often felt like a complete dunce.

A sudden longing to return to my home, to Earth, surged within me.

As I leaned back into the chair, I felt its sturdy embrace against my back and let my thoughts wander. Slowly raising my hand, I massaged my forehead, finding a small measure of solace in the gesture.

This was a harsh world. A land steeped in blood where the unthinkable was common.

It was home to powerful wizards, seekers of truth who broke every boundary set for mankind. There were gods, frenzied demons, abominations, and sinister beings that lurked in the dark.

Coming from the tranquil era of Earth, this chaotic realm was overwhelmingly foreign to me. Amidst all the madness, it seemed the only viable option was to return to Earth. But...

My gaze settled on the pocket watch. A prize from a reader's competition, it was the very artifact Alister Klemort was to receive on 22nd April, 1847.

A glance at the current calendar showed it was only 21st February. A discrepancy, or as one might describe in literary terms, a plot hole.

But that inconsistency wasn't my primary concern. This pocket watch was likely the catalyst for my unexpected journey to this world. Perhaps, with more research, I could find a way back to Earth. The real question remained... Did I truly want to?

I had no family left; my parents had passed, and there was no one genuinely concerned about my well-being, no one who would mourn my absence for more than a fleeting moment. The fans I had would perhaps feel a pang of sorrow for a day or two, then move on with their lives. I couldn't fault them for that...

Magic was my sole companion. So, what was the point in striving to return to Earth?

"Haa..."

I slowly stood up and walked towards the cupboard. Didn't notice it earlier, but now the mirror on the right side of the door caught my attention.

Dressed in a black vest with a matching coat and trousers, the material of the ensemble, especially the bow tie, felt remarkably smooth. These were the clothes I'd donned after cleaning up the crime scene.

Inhaling deeply, I switched the bow tie for an Ascot tie and undid the collar button to loosen it.

'This man's dressing style is different, out of time.'

I noticed a single black glove tailored to fit snugly on the left hand. Running my fingers through my hair, I gave it a disheveled appearance.

The absence of a cane or hat in the room struck me as odd. It wasn't the typical attire for a gentleman of twenty. Truly out of time.

‘Oh! I forgot about this!’ The pistol and pocket watch caught my eye.

Quickly, I removed the coat and strapped on the sling just above my trouser waistband. I positioned the pistol on the left and slid the wand into an adjacent slot.

After redonning the coat, which now concealed the revolver, I turned my attention to the golden pocket watch. I attached its chain to a designated loop on my vest and then tucked the watch into the jetted pocket of the coat.

Looking at my reflection, I saw a face that was cool and composed.

From today onwards... I was Alister Klemort.