The dull ache in the back of my head never subsided; it only made the class harder to endure. Every single noise sent another wave of pain crashing through me.
The chattering students murmured to each other, the laughter from those in the back row—everyone except my brother, who was ignoring the class and messing around.
Each sound worsened my headache, while my thoughts drifted, memories colliding with each other.
My childhood slowly faded, blending with a past I didn't live through.
It was all so confusing, but I had to push through.
Only 10 minutes left… I just need to hold on.
I thought it would get better, but it only got worse as a sudden influx of memories hit me like a bullet train.
"Argh..."
I tried to stay silent, but the pain forced a groan out of me.
"Mister White!"
Oh my god, just leave me alone… he's so loud.
"I'm sorry, Mister Zachary. I thought Liam was fine, but he seems to be still sick…" the girl next to me apologized, but the bald demon didn't seem to care.
"I don't care if you're dying or not, but don't disturb me while I'm teaching. Your presence is becoming too distracting."
"Your shining bald head is more distracting."
"Pfft…"
The class erupted in laughter, only making the teacher angrier, the veins on his bald head nearly popping from rage.
I glanced back at the last row, catching sight of my brother struggling to hold back his laughter after his joke. Even I had to admit, it was funny…
Which was rare—most people around me said my sense of humor was broken. Well, I don't think they're right.
The teacher stormed out of the classroom, thankfully without unleashing solar death rays with his forehead. Honestly, I didn't care.
I collapsed onto my desk, exhausted.
I just want this to end already.
System.
I called out to it, and the blue screen flashed up in front of me. The [Memory Fragment] menu was now fully loaded, revealing things that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
()
—————
Memory Fragments
—————
Related skill — ???
[Liam White]
[Liam White - 17%]
I was right.
This was me, but not quite me. A version of me from another world, living a life that diverged from mine in ways I could feel in my very bones.
I saw it clearly—this other me, dancing, singing, and acting in the playground. His passion and obsession had taken a different path, but the drive, the need to pour everything into something, was the same.
It left a bitter taste in my mouth and stirred a quiet anger within me. I knew too well where this could lead—how obsession could consume everything. But what could I do?
No.
I couldn't let this other version of myself repeat the same mistakes. While I'm here, I'll make sure that the things that ruined me don't do the same to him. I'll do whatever it takes.
My memories, now blending and fading, made it harder to grasp the past.
But I knew enough. Even if this is another world—one that mirrors my own too closely—the same fate is bound to catch up with this Liam.
No.
Not if I'm here to change it.
I focused on the system, my gaze locking onto the screen as I willed it to switch back to the quest window. As if reading my thoughts, the screen shifted immediately.
My head throbbed with pain, but I wasn't going to stand by and do nothing.
()
My head pounded as I pushed my chair back, the sound grating against the quiet of the classroom.
Ignoring the curious looks of my classmates, I headed straight for the door. The hallway felt too empty, the echo of my footsteps too loud.
I kept my eyes on the quest window, the words "The Door" were always in the corner of my eyes.
Good, I wanted to see it.
I was heading back to the washroom, needing to cool my head.
Bang—
My body slammed into the metal cabinets, and my vision blurred.
I could barely see.
The pain was intense.
I wasn't about to risk going up to the third floor again. I wouldn't have gone there in the first place if I'd known there was a washroom right at the other end of the hallway.
It was just something I hadn't been aware of.
These memories were bound to cause more trouble down the line. I needed to understand the memories of Liam... the other Liam.
It was all too confusing right now.
Holding onto the wall, I kept moving forward, though my legs felt like lead, barely responding.
Each step was a struggle; walking was difficult, and thinking was almost impossible.
The pain in my mind was overwhelming, making it nearly impossible to form a coherent thought.
I clutched my head, the agony intensifying.
Just…
Reach…
The washroom…
I need the cold water.
It's going to get better after that.
Well, I hope it will.
One step.
Then another.
It's not far now…
Another.
And another…
I opened the door in front of me and stumbled into the washroom, practically lunging at the sink. I splashed my face with the cold water, feeling the icy sting as it hit my skin, the cold washing over me, helping to clear my throbbing head. The pain was still there, but it was slightly more manageable now.
"Huff…"
I took deep breaths, but the relief was short-lived as the pain began to creep back, stronger than before. I stared at the percentage in front of me.
[18%]
I'm going to pass out before I even reach 25%…
I had no illusions about pushing through this pain; it was a miracle I hadn't passed out already…
Another wave of pain hit me, and no matter how much cold water I splashed on my face, I could no longer use it to dull the agony. The pain came in waves, each one stronger than the last.
I need to sit down…
A bathroom stall.
I need to reach that…
One step…
Then another…
Not that far away… common.
Just a bit more.
…
Opening the door with shaking hands, I sat down on the toilet seat before closin the lid on it…
A sudden jump…
[20%]
And a wave of pain that knocked me out right away…
…
…
…
I was knocked out… but why was I conscious?
Looking around, everything was dark.
The pain started to fade while the darkness around me slowly lifted.
But instead of the washroom, what met me was thousands of images flashing up before me.
Overwhelming me with information that numbed my mind.
First… I saw hundreds of faces flash up before me.
[22%]
Their names were whispered into my ears.
[27%]
Then, more memories flow into my head.
[33%]
Events that the child went through in his life… moments of joy, grief, surprise… everything that he went through.
[44%]
Minutes.
[55%]
Hours.
[66%]
Days.
[79%]
Weeks.
[88%]
Years.
[95%]
The child's face is no longer a shadow silhouette in front of me… my face.
In a couple of moments… I lived through another life completely.
[100%]