First day

The next morning Vilkar was woken up by rays of light, still groggy as he slept only for a few hours and his body wasn't accustomed to it, while sequence 9 helped dramatically it will take some to time get used to.

Not wanting to stand up Vilkar recalled his recent memories, learning spirit vision, cogitating for the first time, drinking the potion, reading the letter, and waking up in Hector's body.

What had happened before was cloudy, Vilkar couldn't recall how or why he got sent here. Whoever the so-called "friend" was didn't elaborate about that particular subject.

Presumably, something had happened to him to transmigrate here. One possibility was picking up a strange object, another would be being picked up by a "friend" and sent here for some reason.

Vilkar didn't presume that he could understand anything about it at this time. What he got from the letter wasn't the most informative.

Truth be told Vilkar didn't much care about the reason he got here, and as long as said reason won't affect him too much in the future he will be contented not knowing.

"Hector, Hec-tor, He-ct-or, H-e-c-t-o-r..." Vilkar repeated his new name, carving it into his memory. Being called by his name and not responding would be troublesome to some extent.

Finishing his mind exercise Hector raised his hand and took the pocketwatch from the nightstand. When it showed 8 in the morning he stood up and went to his wardrobe and picked appropriate clothes for the day.

Black trousers, white shirt with black vest. While standing before a mirror Hector inspected his body more closely, looking for changes after drinking the potion.

While there were no significant ones he felt that his muscles and bones became tougher.

When he was done, Hector opened the door just as one of the maids came to wake him up.

"Ah... Good morning sir," She was surprised by the sudden opening of the door but was able to calm down immediately "Breakfast will be ready soon."

After thanking her and exchanging a few pleasantries Hector walked downstairs into the main dining hall. His father was always adamant about eating here as a family, and so Hector continued doing the same.

Thanks to Hector's memories of the house and its layout being intact he was able to arrive without any problems. While walking Hector saw that most of the walls in the house were covered in all kinds of paintings and heraldry. Some were Leon made while others his father bought from merchants who traveled through Leon's colonies.

As he was getting closer to his destination he could already smell delicacies that awaited him. When he entered the dining hall he saw that maids were already preparing the table.

When they saw him enter each gave him a small bow and one of them informed him that breakfast would be brought shortly.

After sitting down servants put a glass of water and a glass of apple juice before him, then they brought a cart with his plate. For breakfast, he was served two eggs cooked sunny side up, sausage, some type of sauce, and freshly baked buns.

Hector savored his meal as he had ample time today, while he planned to visit some hooligans in Easten Borough but first, he wanted to get used to his new body and fighting capabilities so he planned to visit Quelaag Club.

Hector's father became its member when he opened his bank all those years back, and from then on his father used to go there to socialize, "He always said middle class are bread and butter of any business as some poor didn't have enough money to feed themself, and rich would use their power, influence or some outright lawyers to pay as little as possible on interest. Especially those that were falling behind."

It is only in recent times that the highest tiers of the social ladder are opening to people without family trees to tie them to nobility in Leon.

"In Quelaag Club they also have a shooting range, some practice will be beneficial. While criminal potion does give me the knowledge and the ability to use weapons that doesn't mean that I'm truly exceptional with any of them, only that I can use them effectively.

"I also need to buy a gun, the best option would be Breavehearts Bar as I don't know any other black-market arms dealer."

While finishing his breakfast Hector spotted a figure standing in his peripheral vision. After turning his head he saw his butler Alberth standing in the corner of the dining hall.

He wore a black suit with a white handkerchief in his left breast pocket, a golden chain right under it. His hands were covered with white cotton gloves with stitched engravings on top.

His eyes were sunken with a bright grey color showing no emotion but resonating uncomfortable feelings in those that looked into them, his raised cheekbone, and sharp features with a slightly bigger jaw and scar going from the middle of his lips to his neck. Short black hair adorned his head.

Hector didn't pay much attention to him, as him appearing from nowhere was a common occurrence.

'After breakfast, I have to check the family vault to know the extent of my funds. While most of the expenditure was handled by Alberth, after my parent's death I received keys to the family reserves

'It is surprising that Father didn't trust banks much, even if he himself was a bank owner.' Hector thought as he finished eating.

After drinking the last of apple juice he stood up and left the dining hall. When he retrieved the keys from his room Hector then went through the same path he did at night. After arriving in the cellar he went the opposite way.

There he saw the metallic door more than two meters tall with imagery engraved into it, in each corner of the door he could see a rune of some kind.

Then he took out the key and put it into the keyhole. After turning it in a clockwise direction he could hear gears turning as the door unlocked. Once opened he saw that the door was nearly half a meter thick with metallic rods connecting the frame and door when locked.

After a closer look, he could see that the door was made of multiple layers of different metals.

Beyonder World was not cheap especially beyonder characteristics, ingredients and not to mention weapons. Hector hoped that there would be enough money to cover it all.

While he could make money from the bank it would take time as he got paid in quarterly intervals same as his father was before, allegedly it was because he could change it depending on how well the bank was doing at the time.

Even now he had many expenditures that were taken from that pay, celebrations, balls, food, stocked wine cellar, payments to staff like maids, groundskeepers, carriage drivers, chef, and his staff, and much more.

Hector planned to continue paying them as what he was experiencing, the house he was living in was just not something he would want to lose any time soon. His previous life was much different while he never was poor he wasn't rich either.

"Magnificent..." was all that he could utter as he saw the contents of the vault.

Gold bars, gold coins, stacks of banknotes, jewelry, and precious stones, "That makes it certain, this family holds secrets."

With his family owning a bank he had rudimentary knowledge of the value of items present. While not most precise he calculated that there were around fifty thousand pounds in coins, another fifty in gold bars, twenty thousand pounds in stacks of banknotes, and who knows how much in stones and jewelry as that he wasn't sure.

"More than one hundred and twenty thousand pounds! Oh thank you Hector's father even if you stole and fled from a secret organization only to get killed by them later it would be worth it!

"Shame that even your son died but worry not for I will avenge you if! If there will be a time..." Hector felt like dancing as he hit the jackpot, there was no need to worry about money for some time.

Once the time comes when characteristics will cost tens of thousands of pounds he hopefully will have ways to make more money or take them from others like pirates, criminals, and secret organizations.

As he was calming down Hector saw a stone pedestal with a ring on top. What caught his attention the most was a letter next to it, "Another from that 'friend'?"

After he took the letter and opened it he realized that it wasn't from the 'friend' but from Hector's father.

"Son, If you are reading this letter that means that I have perished, hopefully with your mother at my side."

"That's cold." Hector thought.

"Ruin has come to our family, do you see our venerable house? Gazing proudly at the rest of the city, one of the few marbles among the filth that is Backlund. For many of my years, I lived in that structure and made it our home.

"In the past, my family lived in far more opulent and imperial palaces. But time bought decadence and luxury, and yet we began to tire of conventional extravagance. With power and influence, we bent every effort toward our desires. Exhausting what remained of a once proud family blessed by the divine.

"And we transformed ourselves into vile antediluvian evil. Our every act unsettled the very earth upon which we stood until we stood in the realm of death and madness.

"In the end, we became subservient to another family in desperation and hope of survival. Our blackened souls hated the world for it and desired retribution but were unable to have any.

"Until I had enough, while my ancestors remained still clinging with their pride to old ways I had fled to new beginnings.

"Remember our new house opulent and imperial it is the new hope of the new day and age. I implore you to claim your birthright and deliver our family to our rightful place. For the glory of Andariel." after reading the letter Hector stood silently rooted in place.

"That explains..." Hector did not know what to say, while it explained his questions about his father's family and their past, he still didn't know why they died.

If they were killed by one of their families he wouldn't be spared, so there had to be another reason behind their demise.

After thinking about it for some time Hector didn't come to any conclusion so he put them aside for the time being. After putting the letter back in its place he looked at the ring.

It was made out of gold with red gemstone in which three vertical lines were crossed by one horizontal. While the middle one was straight ones on the side were aimed at the middle one.

Hector thought about taking it, but then he decided to leave it there for now. After taking a thousand pounds from the vault Hector decided to visit Backlund Bridge, while he could obtain a revolver legitimately it would take time. If he were forced to discard it there would be questions that he would need to deal with.

But before he went he planned to remind himself of the layout of his property so he just walked around his new home. Thankfully he hadn't anything planned for the day, so he had plenty of time to kill.

When he thought it was the right time he went to the entrance. There he saw Alberth already standing next to the door looking at him.

After Hector walked towards him Alberth didn't say anything and handed him a top hat and cane which Hector took.

While leaving through the door Hector could hear Alberth speak, "Good day, sir."

"Thanks," Hector said back.

Hector thought about the option of transportation he should take. While he could go with his carriage he would lose seeing Backlund first hand.

As Hector walked through the streets of Backlund, he found himself immersed in a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells. The bustling city was alive with activity, its streets teeming with people going about their daily lives. Only its ever-present clouds and smog clouding the sun brought the otherwise idyllic part of the city to what would once expect it to be.

After walking for a few minutes he no longer was accompanied by Vilas and grandiose houses and entered the commerce district.

Tall buildings lined the streets, their facades a mix of architectural styles ranging from sleek modern designs to ornate historical structures. The sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone pavement, creating a play of light and shadow that danced along the walls.

When he walked a considerable distance he could see how scenery started to change once more. Hector passed by street vendors selling an array of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade crafts and trinkets. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of sizzling street food, as vendors grilled skewers of meat and fried savory snacks in hot oil.

When he was entertained enough he looked around looking for a carriage to rent. Once he boarded and was on his way he continued to watch as he passed throughout the city.

As he was getting closer to the Backlund bridge he could see how buildings, roads, people, and one could say that wery weather became colder and rundown.

Once he was at the Backlund Bridge Hector paid his fare and emerged from the carriage. Hector looked around himself taking in his surroundings and its denizens.

After a little looking and asking for a few pointers, Hector found his target. When he walked towards the bar, Hector saw a big brawny man standing before the heavy black wooden door.

As he saw Hector getting closer to the bar he looked him over but did not comment.

While being observed Hector realized his mistake and cursed himself for not wearing cheaper clothing, "I have to be more careful in the future."

Then he put down his top hat and walked inside. A strong aroma of sweat, cigarettes, and alcohol mixed together assaulted his nostrils. He put his hand in his inner pocket where he put his money for safekeeping and walked towards the bar. 

There he sat behind the counter and looked at the bartender gaining his passing attention. "What it will be mister?" the bartender asked after which he returned most of his attention to polishing the cup in his hands.

"One Southville beer," Hector said in response as he remembered that it was supposed to be the best beer in Backlund. While he had no memory of tasting any beer in Backlund he wasn't sure of the validity of the statement and had nothing to compare.

After a moment of silence bartender took now clean cup and poured Southville beer into it, "Five pence."

Hector handed him the money for which the bartender put the cup before him.