Liam was five when everything changed. It was an ordinary day—or so it seemed. He had spent the morning helping Elric and Lilia repair a section of the fence that bordered their farmland. By midday, the sun was high, and the family had gathered under the shade of a large oak tree for lunch. As they ate, Liam found himself staring at the patterns of light filtering through the leaves. Something about it stirred a deep sense of familiarity, and then, like a dam breaking, the memories flooded in.

It wasn’t a gradual process. One moment, he was a boy enjoying a simple meal with his family, and the next, he was overwhelmed by a torrent of knowledge. Equations, concepts, images—things that had no place in this world—filled his mind. The shock of it made him drop his wooden cup, the clatter drawing concerned looks from his parents.

“Liam, are you alright?” Mara asked, her voice tinged with worry.

He nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Mama. Just… thinking.”

But he wasn’t fine. His heart raced as he tried to make sense of what was happening. These weren’t just memories; they were pieces of his old life, a life where he had been a grown man living in a world of science and technology. How could he explain that to his family? To anyone?

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For the next few days, Liam withdrew into himself, processing what he now knew. He remembered his name from his past life, his job, the books he had read, and the knowledge he had accumulated. But more importantly, he remembered the struggles of that world—the pollution, the isolation, the relentless pace of life. It was a stark contrast to the warmth and simplicity of his new home.

Gradually, Liam came to a decision. These memories were a gift, and he would use them to make this world better. He started small, experimenting with ideas that could improve life in the village. Using sticks and stones, he sketched plans for tools that could make farming easier. He observed how water flowed in the creek and began to dream of ways to harness it for irrigation. And all the while, he kept his thoughts to himself, sharing his ideas only when he was certain they would work.

His first invention was a simple handcart, sturdier and easier to maneuver than the crude wooden sleds the villagers used. When Elric saw it, he laughed in delight. “Where did you come up with this, son?”

Liam shrugged, a shy smile on his face. “Just thought it might help.”

It did help, and soon the entire village was talking about Elric’s clever boy. But Liam wasn’t content to stop there. He had bigger plans, and with each passing day, his determination grew.