Walking into the room, the mother and daughter duo were singing.
"Happy Birthday, dear Beeelll, Happy birthday to you."
Within the split second they had entered the room, all of Bellator's memories had returned, and Noah or Bellator had become one person.
Although they had mixed and become one person, the predominant personality the body retained was Noah's.
Looking at the mother-daughter duo, Bellator felt love for them. It was a weird feeling; he felt as if he had known them his entire life, yet it also felt like it was his first time meeting them.
Looking at the mother-daughter duo, they both shared striking similarities with their golden blonde hair cascading to their backs and their crystal blue eyes.
Aurelia, the name of Bellator's little sister, had eyes that held the innocence of a child, eyes that had not yet been tainted by living in the world of [Luminous Conquest], a dark story about a hero versus the demon king, a novel Noah had read in his previous life and the very same novel he had just woken up in.
Yet, in contrast to her lively and youthful expression, Beatriz, Bellator's mother, had a small and frail body – a body that seemed to have been through hell and back. Yet, she still had a beautiful smile on her face as she sang happy birthday for her one and only son.
Unexpectedly for Bellator, today was his 16th Birthday. His mom held a cake in her hands as she spoke.
"It seems you're still not out of bed. Get ready; I'm not going to work today, so we can celebrate together the whole day," Beatriz said as she looked at Bellator, who looked slightly confused.
Leaving the room, Beatriz and Aurelia went to the living room – a small, modest-looking room with a small holographic TV, a few family portraits, and pictures of her deceased husband.
As Bellator sat in the room, thoughts ran rampant in his head as he tried to comprehend the situation he was in.
'How am I here? Why am I here? It would've been better to have just been sent to hell. Why the hell am I in this bloody novel?' Bellator thought as he sat on the bed.
'At least in hell, I wouldn't have to watch those I care about suffer, and if this is 'that' novel, my mom and sister, all of them will die,' Bellator thought as he contemplated what to do.
Bellator was right to have those thoughts as this novel was destined for ruin. This was not a story with a good ending, and if he let the story run its course, he was destined to die too.
*Huuhh* Letting out a sigh, Bellator stood up.
'I'll have to figure out what to do later, but I do know one thing. Even if it means my own death, I will make sure my mother and sister don't suffer, and for that, I will have to change the fate of this novel.'
With a newfound purpose, Bellator left his room and went to the bathroom. Although he had gained memories of his new appearance, he had wanted to see it for himself. Looking at the mirror, Bellator could see his own reflection.
White hair and golden eyes, completely different from his mother, and from the few memories he acquired about his deceased father, it seemed he bore no striking resemblance to either of them.
Looking at his new appearance, he certainly had a charm around him, although he had sunken eyes and cheekbones that were probably due to the fact that he was malnourished.
'If I could just gain some weight, girls would be fighting for a chance to be with me,' Bellator thought as he admired his new appearance.
Walking to the living room, Bellator could see his mother cooking some breakfast as his sister sat and watched TV. The news was broadcasting how Luminar Guild, the number 1 guild, had just conquered an SS rank gate – an unprecedented feat within the human domain.
Taking a seat next to his little sister, Bellator had a conversation with her. Aurelia was currently 7 years old. Aurelia had always loved her big brother, as she had never met her father; he had died while she was still in her mother's womb. That is why, although she was his little sister, Bellator had always treated her like his own child.
As they chatted, Bellator could feel the love he had for them – a love that felt unnatural, as to him, it was his first time meeting them.
As his mother finished preparing breakfast – a simple bacon and eggs – they all had breakfast.
Time passed quickly as Bellator spent time with his new family.
'So this is what it feels like to have a family. I forgot this feeling since Dad's death,' Bellator thought as he recalled his past life.
'I will never let anyone take my family from me again,' Bellator thought as a dark glimpse passed through his eye.
As the day approached evening, Aurelia went to bed. Bellator, too, was about to go to bed when his mom called him.
"Hey Bell, can you come with me to my room? There's something I need to talk to you about," Beatriz said as she looked at Bellator.
"Yeah, sure," Bellator said as he followed her into her room.
***