2. Into the New World (2)

"COUGH!"

"Young master!"

"Somebody call the doctor!"

"B-Blood!!"

He didn't know how it started, but he was just drinking when all of a sudden something clogged on his throat making him choke. Apparently, this small mishap was enough to cause his body stress and in return made him cough out the water alongside blood.

The maids inside, seeing this, gasped and called for Cedric. While the maids that heard this commotion from outside and rushed in with urgently, then screams erupted the moment a weak child coughed out an immense amount of blood on his clothes. He looked down with weak eyes and struggled to move his arms.

'Damn. Is this really going to be what my second life is?'

The child closed his eyes and cursed out his life.

It's been five days since he woke up from a long-term coma only to find himself in a completely different world with a different identity.

Lee Jihyun– a peculiar person who worked at an underground bar that served many rich and influential people– was only 30 when he was killed in an internal stifle between two different gang assassinations.

Thinking that his life ended there, Cedric, who was once Jihyun, accepted death without regrets, only to be brought back alive in another world.

Now, he was Cedric Kerill, a sickly young master of the Kerill household.

"Young master! Here's some water. . drink first to cleanse the iron taste."

A maid rushed inside with a glass of water, gently pushing it towards Cedric's mouth to help him drink.

'This is a hassle. .' Cedric groaned internally at the sight of being treated like a doll who couldn't move.

Well, he couldn't, but that wasn't the point.

Now, Lee Jihyun was brought here without any reason. Being brought inside the body of Cedric Kerill meant that destiny was probably playing a prank on him.

Because Cedric Kerill was never supposed to live long.

Cedric remembered during his free time, he would read a book about a thrilling story of a young man born in a family that isolated him until he grew with power and prestige enough to take the successor rights.

And that same man was Cedric's cousin.

Lee Jihyun transmigrated into a story where Cedric was a back-drop character used for filling up the gaps while the protagonist went off to unite kingdoms and influential families.

Cedric clenched his fist. With his eyes closed, he tried to figure out a way on how to actually live freely without even trying to touch the story.

It was easy, however his sickness prevented him from doing anything.

"Cough, cough. ."

"Young master, take it easy." A maid squeezed a freshly warm towel and put it on Cedric's head. "You've only woken up a few days ago and your body is still weak. . don't push yourself, young master."

Cedric thought that, although Cedric Kerill was a poor child without connections, the servants in this building seemed to cherish him.

He pursed his lips and decided to heed their request. Gradually, he settled down and rested as if going to sleep. The maids saw him like that and decided to leave quietly so as to not disturb him.

The moment the moon shined,

Cedric opened his eyes sharply and took a deep breath.

His skinny arms trembled as he took off the thick blanket. When his legs made contact with the floor, even a small amount of force caused them to shake. It was as if an earthquake was happening and Cedric couldn't balance himself.

Cedric was struggling, and his pale complexion was starting to worsen. He grunted in annoyance and cursed this weak body. His back was drenched in sweat and he wanted to collapse right there.

'Dammit! Just a bit more. . !'

He used the wall for support and walked with unbalanced steps towards the large window. 

When his hands reached the handle, a gust of strong wind blew it open. Cedric gasped at the strong blow and closed his eyes.

Clang! Clang!

He heard the clashing of metal and swings of the wind. When he opened his eyes, he could see a vague shadow far down, training.

"It's him."

Cedric's eyes stared intently at the shadow. He knew who this was. He was the protagonist of this story, Cedric's cousin.

Julius Aurthur Wrinsely.

Cedric couldn't help but stare at the kid in awe. For such a young age he had already achieved what most couldn't do in such a young state.

It was because he had an old soul inside him.

Unlike Lee Jihyun who was from another world that possessed Cedric, Julius' soul contained an experienced old warrior who was a legend of the past of this world.

To be more specific, an ancestor of the Kerill household.

Klang! Swoooosh!

Cedric closed his eyes at the bright fire made from a flimsy sword. It was amazing, unlike reading the scenario this version was even better. The way Julius' sword created aura, from afar Cedric only felt uncomfortable while staring at the flame-like aura.

With each swing, it was like air was being ripped out. Julius was the real deal alright.

Cedric seemed to have been staring too intently that Julius' eyes flickered to where he was. Cedric didn't flinch, and instead waved his feeble hand as greeting. Julius, seeing this, stopped his training and shouted,

". . .Who are you?" Julius asked.

'Right. . . This guy doesn't know many people here.' Cedric thought and hurriedly smiled softly.

"Cousin, it's me Cedric." He called out to Julius in a familiar tone as if they were close.

Julius frowned and then nodded. "It's already late at night, you should go to sleep." And then he continued on swinging his sword.

Cedric put a hand on his cheek and mused quietly, "What a monster. . " Julius didn't seem to care that someone had seen him, a boy who was supposed to have no talent with the swords since born, to be suddenly able to wield one.

This ancestor of the Kerills may have been more stupid that he thought.

Still, Julius really was a monster. Even when he had an old soul inside him, knowing how to maneuver that youthful body like it was his was admiring.

And he felt a little jealous.

Cedric's body was too weak and thin. When he stands his legs would shake like there were tremors in the earth, and when he walked for even just an hour he felt like walking in a desert without water for a year.

Cedric pursed his lips and closed the windows. He decided that it was fruitless to be jealous when all he needed was to live long and survive this hell-hole.

Then, after everything had settled down, he'd go and escape this place.

***

The next morning, Cedric went on to be dressed up and taken into the dining area where the other relatives were already eating.

'Nobody even went to call for him. . If it weren't for his maids. . tch.' He noted down his disappointment at Cedric's family.

When he entered, nobody seemed to greet him. Cedric's eyes scanned the room and found Julius sitting alone at the very end. He smiled and used a cane to walk slowly towards him.

When Julius heard the sound of wood tapping, he looked up and saw his cousin Cedric walked towards him. He nodded lightly as a greeting, not minding at all.

'This is such an awkward way to start the day.' Cedric kept his head hung low and munched on his food while keeping his ears open for any discussions the family was having.

"Ah right. Father, I've been notified by a colleague that the Founding Festival will happen sometime next week, and today all nobles and merchants are going in and out of the palace to pay their respect to the Emperor."

One of Cedric's uncle spoke up towards the current head of Kerill, their father.

Cedric's brows furrowed faintly when he heard this.

The Founding Festival, he knew of it. He was a bit surprised that it happened around this time given that he didn't really have an inkling about the time. It was the part of the story where Julius would start his journey as the protagonist.

"If that's the case. . Father, should I go ahead and send up a gift to pay tribute too?" Another son called out with eagerness.

It seemed that this family was trying to gain favor.

Cedric was boringly stabbing his food while listening to the morning gossips of the family, it seemed like all the talk of the town right now was about the festival and paying tribute to the emperor.

"Let's talk about that later," A woman's voice which sounded gentle stopped the discussion and everyone quieted down.

Cedric looked at the woman who had long curly blonde hair, her eyes were sharp with minimal make-up on. She was Elionore Shan Kerill, first born daughter of the Kerill head.

Cedric's memory of such an aunt was vague, only remembering how she would often send servants to inquire how his health was, and often send in treats.

While to the outside it seemed like she was a caring aunt, Cedric knew better. She was the best shield Julius could have in the Kerill household. That was because Elionore was the child between the first wife and the head, a pure and genuine noble.

Unlike Cedric and Julius' mothers who were born from commoners, Elionore's mother was a noble from another family. Elionore was a very good daughter, but she was also the best sister Julius' mother could have.

When his mom passed away, Elionore took up the role of becoming his guardian without making the other relatives notice, because she knew Julius was going to be targeted once they knew that he was faring well. However, Cedric didn't seem to be in this picture.

Cedric was too weak to even set foot outside the house unlike Julius. Often time, Elionore would visit him and give him medicine but that was it. Most of her attention was on the promising protagonist, which Cedric didn't mind.

Julius didn't know of this, nor did he seem to care. But Cedric being an omnipotent person in this world, he knew who to trust and who shouldn't be trusted.

Just when everyone was calming down, the door opened and the head butler came in.

"My Lord, a messenger from the Royal Palace came for Young Master Cedric."