William Lazarro is one of the best male lead protagonist characters from any fantasy romance web novel I've ever read. He's portrayed as a great hero who's handsome, strong, and kind, yet also intelligent. Basically, he's the ultimate green flag with no flaws.
Well, almost…
His only shortcoming is that he was born out of wedlock, an illegitimate child from the Marquess's affair with a servant. Later, even though Marquess Lazarro and his wife officially adopted him, William could not inherit his father's title which led him to serve the kingdom as Chrisola's knight.
He is indeed a character with some tragic backgrounds, but one thing I know for certain… William is not a character with autism.
Then why did Marquess Lazarro refer to him that way? Has something happened that caused a difference between this world and the storyline in Twilight's Chronicle?
If so, this could be a big problem because after all, William is one of the main characters who plays a key role in the story!
"What are you thinking about, Sister?" Chrisola's cheerful voice broke my daydream.
"Oh, nothing!" I laughed, masking my thoughts.
"You're reading one of those difficult books again, aren't you?" Chrisola asked while pointing to the book in my hands entitled "Fundamentals of Elements and Chain Reactions in Magic Science".
"Ah, it's just a guidebook for basic knowledge on using magic!" I replied then returned the book to the palace library's bookshelf. "Are you interested in magic, Chrisola?"
"Nope." She shook her head with a small sigh. "I'm a bit envious of you, Sister. Everyone says you're a genius. You're already learning swordsmanship and magic, while I… I'm still struggling with reading, writing, and arithmetic…"
"Hey. Things like this aren't meant to be compared. Everyone has their own strengths and learns at their own pace." I gently patted her head and reassured her. "I'm just lucky to have a knack for picking things up quickly."
"Does that mean someday I'll be able to awaken my EMBLEM like you did?" Chrisola looked at me hopefully.
"Of course you will! You're the daughter of this kingdom's King and Queen!" I encouraged the young girl with a smile.
Chrisola and I then spent the rest of the afternoon together in the library, where I read some children's stories to her. As evening approached, Elly arrived to take Chrisola back to her chamber.
Anna joined as well and with a respectful bow, she asked me to rest. "Your Highness, it's time to retire for the evening."
"Wait a moment, Anna. I'd like to stay here a bit longer. You don't need to wait for me; I'll return to my room on my own later."
Anna hesitated at first, but then she relented and left me with a nod. "Very well, Your Highness."
Hmm… While I have some free time to read here in the library, there are a few things I want to look up…
I waited until the library was completely empty before slipping into a secluded section dedicated to magical science. The atmosphere on that side of the room was different. It was heavy with the scent of old parchment and pungent ink that I kinda hate.
"Space and Time Magic…" I muttered to myself as I scanned the ancient tomes and scrolls lined on the shelves, searching for a specific title.
"Ah, that's it!" I reached up to grab a book on a high shelf, out of reach for someone with my height. It took a bit of effort as I had to tiptoe and fumble around, but after a while, I finally managed to pull it down.
"Art of Summoning Magic… Summoning Rituals…" I murmured as I flipped through and read the contents of the thick, black-covered book.
One thing that had piqued my curiosity since I was reincarnated into Luna D'Emeralia's body was how summoning magic worked in this world. Could it have something to do with why I was summoned here?
If there's a way for me to return to my original world without continuing my life as Luna, wouldn't that be far better?
Wait… What was my previous life really like?
A pang of uncertainty hit me as I tried to remember, but my head was filled with only vague memories of my past life.
I knew I was an only child, born in the modern world… But… How old was I actually? Who was my family? My full name…?
The more I tried to recall, the blurrier those things became.
Ugh…! My head hurts…!
A sudden pain strained my head as if it forced me to stop remembering everything. I clutched my head, trying to focus, but the ache only deepened.
Then, suddenly, the book before me opened to a page with a mysterious summoning ritual diagram.
The magic circle on the page began to glow as if drawing me into it. Before I could scream or make a sound, the light enveloped me and...
Thud!
I hit solid ground and found myself in a dimly lit room surrounded by a magic circle and candles. Standing in front of me was a young boy dressed in a robe and all-black attire.
"Yaaass! I did it! I'm the GOAT! The genius! The sigma sorcerer of the century!" he crowed, punching the air in triumph. Then, seeing me, he frowned in confusion. "Eh…? Why did a girl come out? What an ick."
"What did you just say!?" I snapped, pushing myself up and advancing toward him. I grabbed his collar, my face inches from his, my voice dangerously low. "Hey, where am I?!"
"Gyaah! Barbaric girl! Let go of me!" he shrieked, squirming in my grip.
"Young Master William! I heard shouting. Is everything all right?" A man's voice came from outside the room, sounding alarmed.
Wait. Did I just hear that right? William?
My grip on his collar tightened as I processed what I'd just heard.
"N-nothing! I'm just practicing a magic incantation!" the boy hurriedly said, clamping his hand over my mouth and signaling me to keep quiet.
The man let out a sigh as he walked away. "Ugh…! Maybe Lord Lazarro was right about that kid being autistic!"
Once the coast was clear, the boy released me, letting out a sigh of relief. He scowled at me while smoothing his robe.
"Ugh! I was trying to summon a magical creature. Why did a mid-looking girl appear instead? So not fire!" he grumbled, picking up a spellbook from the floor and flipping through its pages.
I studied this boy who had been speaking in a strangely modern slang. His jet-black hair, pale skin, and blazing ruby eyes… There's no doubt, this boy is…
"Hey, you!" I called out. "Tell me your name!"
"Sheesh! Why should I tell you my name?" he sneered, wearing an irritating expression that made my blood boil.
"Shall I use a little persuasion to make you say it… Like burning your balls?" I looked at him in the eye and conjured a fireball with my hand.
"Eh!? An EMBLEM spell!?" His courage vanished, and he stumbled back in fear. "F-fine! My name is Ren!"
Huh? Ren?
"Liar!" I shot back, not releasing my fireball. "Your name isn't Ren. It's William, isn't it?"
"No cap. My full name is William Renfield Lazarro. But please, William is not lit at all." He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms with a huff. "Ren sounds way more lit."
I extinguished my fireball and thought hard. My head was spinning from the strange events that had just happened. But one thing was clear… This boy before me was indeed William, the protagonist and male lead of Twilight's Chronicle. And another thing beyond that…
"Hey, William… or Ren, whatever you call yourself…" I furrowed my brows, looking at him sharply, heart pounding with a wild suspicion. "Are you… a transmigrator?"