"Urgh…"
I rubbed my head due to frustration, the phantom pain still haunting my body. It aches everywhere, but I still somehow felt fine. The first thing I saw waking up was the ceiling, it looked too fancy to be coming from a hospital.
At the center of the room there hung a chandelier, the surface of the ceiling had markings of flowery patterns and golden lining. The bed I was laying down on felt oddly soft.
'A design my grandma would love.'
Come to think of it, my body seemed a tad less bulkier than before. How long was I even out?
Bringing myself to get up, my body stuttered, fully seeing the room I was in.
It looked out of the ordinary, grandeur to be specific. Each and every corner is furnished with expensive objects. Dragging my feet towards the huge full-body mirror on the side, I noticed the lack of injuries in my figure. I expected myself to have a bunch of bruises and cuts from the glass shards that pierced my skin. I didn't think I'd have my body parts and organs intact either.
As I slowly looked up to my face in the mirror, an unfamiliar person appeared. It mimicked my movements, even my facial expressions. Was it making fun of me?
It was clearly a mirror, it didn't have anything behind it. I had a silly hunch in mind, thinking that maybe it was enchanted. But there was no such thing as magic in the world.
Or so I thought. Catching onto the situation, I eventually accepted that the boy reflected in the mirror was me. It's either I've been reincarnated, or currently in a dream while my actual body laid on the hospital bed.
Focusing my attention back to the reflection, I couldn't help but be in awe of this body's visuals. He definitely is more good-looking than how I originally looked. His blonde, medium-length hair covered some parts of his face, almond-shaped eyes whose irises are akin to an emerald, a small beauty mark located just below his right eye. The body I was possessing looked like it belonged to a 14 year old, which explained why I felt a little scrawny.
After scanning my new self in the mirror, I went back to my bed. A few knocks were then heard from the door.
"Who is it?"
I asked loud enough for the person to hear. They went silent for a brief moment before answering.
"Your butler, young master."
"Come in."
The fancy-looking door opened, giving way to the middle-aged man who was wearing a suit, looking surprised. Before him was a two-deck metal trolley with a beverage set, a plate of pancakes which I assumed to be my breakfast, and some utensils.
"You're already awake?"
His expression was a mess, displaying a mixture of shock and relief as he rushed towards me, handing a glass of warm water.
"Umm… yeah."
I replied before downing the glass. Of course I am, I wouldn't be answering him if I was still asleep. The previous emotions he showed now transitioned into worry.
"How are you feeling?"
The butler's behavior made me think. Was this body previously injured? Seeing that it's unscathed, maybe it got into an accident that suffered internally instead.
I have no idea about this new body's life. There was no use pretending when I didn't even know its previous owner's name and personality. Taking my chances at the assumption, I opened my mouth.
"I don't know, I can't remember anything."
I replied in a nonchalant tone. His worried expression worsened, bowing at me before gently placing the wheeled table which had a plate of food and utensils beside my bed.
"I will report this to the Marquis, please eat well."
He states, going outside the room hurriedly and closing the door. I sighed, rubbing my nape as I looked down at the plate. He gave me a bunch of knives and forks.
Since I was still ignorant of this era's dining etiquette, I chose to eat using the moderate sized utensils that could fit my hands perfectly. Cutting through the stack of pancakes, I put a piece in my mouth. The powdered sugar immediately melted, tasting syrup the more I chewed onto its softness. I imagined it to taste dull but surprisingly, its flavor could be on par with the pancakes I ate in my previous life. It still left me in wonder why the butler had to give me that much utensils with only a single meal…
[ Achievement Unlocked: Don't Judge a Meal by its Era ]
'Huh?'
A translucent message box suddenly appeared in front of me. Even though I knew what it was, seeing it in person was still shocking.
'Isn't this what they call a system?'
After a couple of seconds, it faded into another message box showing my character's stats. On the upper right side was my profile and beside it was my personal information.
This body's previous owner is "Coulin Danford". As expected, he's only 15 years old. His stats weren't particularly bad, but they weren't that good either. Under the same information were my skills.
Coulin's stamina is only 5, which was the lowest out of those listed. His strength is 10, charm is 7, lastly, his mana is 30. I don't know how much is too high or low, but most of his abilities were obviously lower than average. Seeing three blurred lines at the end of the box made me wonder, are those my hidden skills? Perhaps I have to increase my stats to unlock them.
A gold script appeared right at the very bottom of the window, a slight glow emanating from it. It looked special and out of place compared to the other showcased skills, further fuelling my curiosity. Perhaps it's an extraordinary passive I'm yet to discover.
Being immersed in looking through my abilities, a thud coming from the abruptly opened door startled me. This time, it was a man who was nearing his 40s based on his matured features, looking similar to my current appearance. I could assume he's Coulin's father. Walking towards me, I noticed his disheveled face.
"Son, is it true?"
He anxiously asked, holding both my shoulders. His under eyes looked puffy and red mixed with his dark eyebags. Poor man, he must have been stressed due to Coulin's condition.
"That I can't remember anything? Yes."
Be it hurt my conscience, I didn't have a choice. Imitating a dead person who I'm absolutely clueless of would only make me look like a fool. Seeing him tear up in front of me, it pierced my heart.
Another person then entered my room, one who's wearing an oversized white coat.
"Just in time!"
Watching my 'father' wipe his tears off, he immediately glanced in his direction and gave him an order. The doctor looked at me next and went beside my bed.
"Check his condition."
Positioning his hand on my chest, he chanted a few words, making his palm glow a sky blue hue. After a couple of moments had passed, the doctor removed his hand on me.
"His physical condition is alright, no injuries in his body. He must've suffered mentally due to the fall's effects. Although, it's possible that he may or may not recover his memories."
Their eyes widened at his conclusion. Before I knew it, both the butler and my father, wailed before me. Sigh… this body's previous owner is well loved.
After a couple of hours since my wake, I've still been remaining within my quarters, monitored by the same butler who I first met. The aesthetics of this room never failed to amaze me.
At first the designs gave off something an elderly would choose. Now that I looked at them more carefully, I could say that the room is akin to the interior of a baroque cruciform without the religious illustrations.
Here I am, sipping tea and eating porridge as I have myself seated near the huge Victorian window in my room. The view from here is pleasant, as right outside of my room there lies a large garden full of flowers and fruit trees. It was tempting me to go outside and take a stroll.
"Butler."
"Yes, young master?"
"May I go outside?"
The butler then looked at me with a conflicted expression before opening his mouth to answer.
"You just recently woke up from a deep sleep, it'd be too harsh on your body to suddenly be taken outside."
He replied, immediately turning down my request. I felt disappointed, but he still has a point. Being bedridden in an era without mobile phones might possibly become one of my most torturing events in life. I'd just die of boredom.
"Young master, If you're feeling tedious with only being in your quarters, I'll move your scheduled activities to an earlier date."
My eyes perked up upon hearing his proposal. Experiencing this lack of stimulation in such a short time already bored me out.
'Finally…!'
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be attending your tutoring sessions for relearning."
I almost dropped the cup of tea I was sipping as he made that follow-up.
'Say what?'