“Molecular regeneration?”

Having lived a lifetime of science, he was a man of reason and logic. Therefore, he quickly forgot about the horror and fear he had felt seconds ago and stared with bright eyes at the grotesque and disgusting wound on his abdomen.

“Molecular regeneration” refers to tissue and organ regeneration, such as the activation of specific genes, protein synthesis, and cell signaling.

“This is nonsense… But what other explanation would I have? The wound is real, like the black blood that stains my shirt and the smell of gunpowder on my fingers.

What exactly has happened to me?

No, I have to put those questions aside. For now, I must accept who I am in this new body and avoid major problems.

Slowly, my questions are going to receive answers. I just have to be patient, like I always have been.”

When he figured out his priorities and put his mind in order, Edward regained a firm grip on the reins of his present. Because digging into the past and theorizing about the future would only get in the way of his search for the truth.

While he was thinking about this, suddenly the wooden door was gently knocked twice; immediately after, the doorknob was tipped down and a person entered.

He was a young man with golden hair that was curly at the ends; his eyebrows were big and thick, and his nose was small and pointed. His eyes stood out in a polished, radiant blue. His physical build, on the other hand, made a stark contrast to his baby face, as he had broad shoulders and firm muscles.

Edward quickly covered the wound by moving his left hand and covering the blood with his black suit.

Seeing this, the young man at the door smiled mischievously.

—It looks like I caught the thief in the mace, although hey, yours is surely a small hammer… Haha! You're finally awake! That means you won't starve, huh?

Edward looked anxiously and with a hint of fear at the boy in front of him.

But when he barely heard his voice, he remembered who this person was.

—William?

As the name came to Edward's mind, so did new memories.

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William, along with him and the hundreds of other students on this train, were headed to the Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the Empire's northeast coast, in Aelorien.

Aelorien was a kingdom belonging to the Young Kingdoms and the pillar that held the current peace between the Young Kingdoms and the Empire.

As the Great War came to an end, the leaders agreed to sign a non-aggression pact. But the pact did not seem to convince the citizens of both governments at all, so to promote the ideals of peace and camaraderie, every year a group of citizens would go on an exchange. That group always consisted of students who had been chosen at random.

And such an opportunity was not given every day. Edward accepted because he knew that the funds that covered his trip also covered his family. So while he was studying in Aelorien, his older brother and his two younger sisters would be receiving money monthly.

But why had these memories come so late to him?

“What does this mean…? How many more things have not yet been revealed to me?”

Doubt was on his mind, but this development of events only confirmed his reasoning. Slowly, all the answers would come to him.

But on the other hand, as a man of science, the mention of a force as mystical and famous as “magic” shook the foundations of his existence.

“If I'm able to get into that academy, I probably won't have to go back to my brothers for a long five years. That's more than enough time to adjust to this world and change enough to make my brothers believe that I am the Edward Fitzgerald they knew and not some usurper who has transmigrated into his brother's body.”

—Congratulations! You know my name. Now. What are you thinking about?

William's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

—Huh? Oh, nothing —Edward shook his head in embarrassment—. I was just wondering why you didn't wait for my answer before entering.

When Edward's eyes locked on William after asking, the stocky young man broke out in a cold sweat. He felt like a predator was analyzing him.

—E-Er… Everyone is currently meeting in the main restaurant —William scratched the back of his neck and looked away, avoiding Edward's eyes—. You know, seats fill up fast, and you don't want to eat on the floor like some loser! Haha…

Edward narrowed his eyes and frowned.

—Why do I have the feeling that you are lying to me, friend?

—Ah… —William sighed—. OK! John sent me to see if you were still alive —His eyes dropped to Edward's hands covering the wound—. I heard them talking; they were muttering among themselves while laughing about shooting you… Everyone has heard the shot, and thanks to the rumors John spread, everyone on the train sees you as the enemy! I don't want that bastard to create rumors about me if I refuse to come get you!

And just like that, another memory came back to him.

It had all happened when John found Lydia, his girlfriend, and Edward talking alone in this very carriage. Lydia was a girl of only seventeen, but she had fine curves and jutting hips, along with an overall well-developed, voluptuous body.

The original Edward wasn't a scoundrel who preyed on defenseless girls or seduced other people's girlfriends; in fact, Edward liked to collect rare books, play the violin, and attend the opera. In short, Edward Fitzgerald was a virgin with trouble making conversation with the opposite gender and keeping an eye on anyone.

Yet there was something about Edward Fitzgerald that made women see past their shyness and anxiety. Edward was attractive. His face was elegant and fragile; he had inherited the best of his blood, and among all his flaws, his beauty stood out above him.

But the current Edward viewed this with cold and indifferent eyes because, in reality, it only explained the reason this boy's body was so weak and useless.

Lydia was one of those young ladies who had been taken in by Edward's unconscious seductive appearance, and she had been studying him until she had created a pattern about when he was alone. When she got the chance, she scuttled over to Edward's wagon.

Naturally, the original Edward had been aware of this, but even he and his shame were able to enjoy the attention someone else was giving him. Especially if she was an obsessive girl like Lydia. Besides, it wasn't like Edward could go and tell her to stop bothering him, either. After all, he was afraid of women.

But because of his stupidity, the jealousy he had caused John cost him his life. The shot had been enough, but it seemed John's henchmen had joined in on the lesson they gave him and beat him to a pulp. That explained the pain in his head and body. Finally, the frail body of the frail Edward Fitzgerald succumbed to injuries.

However, the garbage of some was gold for others.

“Seems like I should thank John and his crew; if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here. But it's not that simple. All of this was caused by that larva named Lydia and her inherent ignorance.

Now that I own this body, I want to put all my regrets behind me and let the old Edward rest in peace with his parents.

For that, I will avenge you.”

Edward's oath was true because he felt that, thanks to the old Edward, he had been given a second chance.