Chapter 1 - Alder Gray

A pair of eyes, emitting blinding white light, was getting closer and closer. A deafening noise was accompanying the approaching beast.

'I'm reading too many fantasy novels…What beast, it's clearly a…'

THUD!

A second of pain which felt like century passed away. Then silence and emptiness took over.

…

Alder Gray opened his eyes when Corey Wood closed his eyes.

Alder's eyelashes trembled and a slit appeared between his eyelids. A pair of blue eyes started screening the surroundings. The unfamiliar environment scared him a little bit but before he could think anything about it, feeling of pain filled his mind. He looked below and saw the body of a ten-year-old. His arms were wrapped in bandages.

'Did I return to my youth? Is it the rumored time travel? But why don't I remember being hospitalized?' thought Alder grimly. He was a little bit surprised but mostly relieved. He couldn't process what happened before but feeling of impending doom and fear of seeing Death probably scarred him for life.

He tried to lift his arms. It was painful but nevertheless successful. Unlike his arms his legs were in much better condition. Thus he slowly got up from the bed.

From the previous scanning he noticed a sink with a mirror hanged on the wall above it. He walked towards it with great effort and took a look of himself.

Even his head was bandaged. Strands of hair could be seen between the bandages. But after checking out the obvious thing in the mirror his vision fell to the level of his eyes.

'Blue eyes…'

That discovery proved what he feared.

'It's not time travel… I took over someone else's body. But worst of it is I don't even have a single memory of this body.'

Alder was a medical student in his previous life. But he couldn't think of any explanation to this situation other than fantasy books. Brain transplantation? It was an area yet to be discovered. Maybe he was in the future when it could be possible but surrounding environment denied any possibility of this. No facility which is able to transplant his brain to another body could be seen like it's out of 1980s drama.

He noticed a newspaper beside a chair which probably put here for visitors. He didn't even bother looking at the news but focused the date.

-1 July 1984-

'How? Why?'

Alder's hands trembled and he slumped to the bed.

'Even my original body isn't born yet. What am I supposed to do? I don't even remember these years. Am I supposed to be richest man in the world? Maybe run for some political position with my previous knowledge? Or show medical skills in the age of 10 and aim for the top in medical profession with the education resources could be bought with that fame. Not impossible, but certainly not easy either.' All sorts of thoughts were running through his mind. But it didn't take long before those thoughts got interrupted.

'Loading Academic System… 1%… 5%... 10%… 50%… 100%.'

'Starting the System… System is on. Host may take a look at his stats, talents and skills by saying Status, quests by saying Quests. These are the current available functions. More can be activated in the future through various activities or opportunities. With the instructions over, may the host have a great day and bright future.'

"Hey! Stop, why did you bring me here!?" said Alder hurriedly. But no answer or further instruction appeared in his head.

Alder lost control of the volume of his sound, nearly screamed. Thus subsequent to that, sound of footsteps could be heard outside the door of his room. He was yet to check what the system was about, the door opened with a bang.

"Mr. Alder, you're awake. Why did you get up, you should be lying. Just think about the accident you have been through." said a middle aged woman wearing nursing scrubs.

"I…"

More footsteps were heard outside the room.

An old woman with fierce brown eyes appeared at the door. The woman took a look at him and turned towards the nurse. She patted the nurse's shoulders once and said slowly. "May I have a word with Alder before examinations? I promise it won't take long."

The nurse thought the woman was probably too worried for the boy. She took a final glance at the boy, checking anything that needs to be addressed urgently. Not noticing any alarming symptoms she decided to give a couple of minutes to the lady and stepped out of the room.

"I am glad you're alive but how on earth are you up so early considering you fell from third floor? Also why the balcony suddenly collapsed?" asked the woman sternly. Her right hand was in her pocket, holding something she would take out if she noticed or heard anything wrong.

Alder saw the weird movements of the woman and thought the woman was wary of him for some reason. He didn't know the situation the previous owner of the body lived in and diverting or delaying the question was probably the optimal option.

"Madam honestly, I wonder what happened that lead me here too. And worse, I don't even remember who you are, even my name. Are you perhaps my grandmother?" said Alder, trying to look a little bit hopeful to be more convincing.

Woman hummed as she thought deeply, looking the bandages on his head from time to time. She didn't take out her hand from her pocket but decided to explain the situation and check the expressions of the boy before her.

"You're Alder Gray. And no, I am not your grandmother. I am the headmistress of the Radiance Orphanage. You were left in our doorsteps almost eleven years ago with a gray feather beside you. That is where your surname comes from. And you had an accident. The balcony you have been standing on collapsed. Considering our building is relatively new, collapse of the balcony is suspicious in itself. Don't you remember anything? Don't you even remember the warnings I gave you?" said the woman, her eyes squinted.

"Sadly no, madam. Can you tell me about those, am I in danger?"

Maybe the woman felt some fear in the words of the boy, she took her hand out reluctantly.

"I am not sure. Maybe it's just a coincidence and you just fell and lost your memory. But worse and something more likely, you became a victim of something…magical… and obliviated or you're the source." said the woman slowly. The last few words came out as low as whisper. "No, I know you're too dumb to be able to lie to me. You may be a waste but maybe you will finally be useful for once. I must tell others, we finally can eradicate one of their kind." continued woman viciously.

-Side Quest triggered.-

-Side Quest: Threat of Exposure-

-Description: You came across a case which could lead to exposure of yourself or a fellow wizard/witch. Solve the case before it got out of hand otherwise consequences will be unpredictable.-

-Reward: 1 Stats Point, 1 Talent Point, 1000 Experience.-