Suitcase

Reiner stared at his distorted reflection on the icy surface, but he couldn't discern any meaningful clues.

Why was I transmigrated? Is there something familiar between me and Zephyr?

Reiner's head started throbbing as he tried to find some clues from Zephyr's memories.

However, it wasn't as easy as he thought. The majority portion of his memories were missing.

After some futile attempts, frustration gnawed at him, and he decided to take a step back, clearing his mind.

Taking a deep breath, he observed his immediate surroundings with a keen eye.

The snowy wilderness extended as far as the eye could see, with dense forests of snow-laden trees on one side and an open expanse of untouched snowfield on the other.

Zephyr came from that direction.

Reiner thought as he looked at the opposite side of the dense forest.

But didn't he have a suitcase with him?

According to the memory fragments, Zephyr left his home a day ago for Ysvelor City.

Strangely, rather than taking the customary route used for centuries, he chose to travel through the forest.

Reiner was curious about many other things. For example, why did he choose a different route or why was he going to Ysvelor city?

But that wasn't the most important thing at the moment.

I have to return home and find some clues.

Where is that suitcase?

As he looked around, he noticed that the trees on the forest's edge were gnarled and twisted, their branches heavy with snow.

The forest had an eerie and almost otherworldly quality as if it belonged to a realm where time had stood still.

Reiner's keen eye also caught sight of peculiar footprints leading away from where he had initially woken.

They were larger than any human prints, more akin to those of a wild beast. The prints seemed to disappear into the dense forest.

Reiner's breath formed frosty clouds in the crisp air as he scanned the surroundings, his senses on high alert.

A few meters away, concealed beneath a blanket of snow, he noticed an irregularity in the surface.

Huh? Why does that look like someone did sloppy retouching?

As an experienced art conservator, Reiner undertook countless painting restorations, each with its unique challenges. Throughout his career, he encountered numerous instances where he had to address retouching applied by previous conservators.

Time and accidents often took their toll on the paintings, leading to significant damage.

At times, the original paint was lost forever. In such cases, the conservator's role was to restore the artwork to its original state, matching the artist's original intent by carefully retouching the damaged areas.

It's crucial to note that there is a subtle yet essential difference between repainting and retouching.

Repainting involves recreating an entire section of the painting while retouching focuses on mending specific imperfections or damages, preserving the original work.

Unfortunately, there were instances where well-meaning but inexperienced individuals attempted repainting when retouching was required. Such amateur attempts could harm the artwork irreparably.

Recognizing these nuances takes a keen eye. It's these distinctions that separate the work of a skilled conservator from less experienced hands.

For Reiner, nature itself was a painting. But at the moment, he had seen some horrible retouching, a few meters away.

It was a pattern of distortions as if the snow there had been disturbed in a way that didn't match the surrounding landscape.

While the surrounding snow followed the gentle slopes and curves of the terrain, this specific area had an asymmetrical and almost geometric arrangement of inconsistencies.

Intrigued, Reiner decided to investigate. He approached the peculiar pattern and knelt down, using the dagger to carefully cut away the snow and ice.

The blade of the dagger, while sharp and efficient, was wielded with precision and caution.

The texture of snow and its color is different.

Over time, the sun and weather subtly discolored the snow, giving it a uniform, slightly grayish appearance.

In contrast, the area with distortions showed signs of slightly different coloration, indicating that it might not have been exposed to the elements in the same way as the surrounding snow.

Someone messed with this place!

Reiner had used a scalpel many times during art restoration, so he could use a dagger easily.

However, he noticed something and started using his hands to remove layers of snow.

As the white powder fell away, he began to discern a contrasting texture.

It was wood, and it didn't take long for Reiner to realize that he had uncovered the corner of an old, weathered suitcase, half-buried in the snow.

Who buried it here?

Was it Zephyr or someone else?

Reiner kept doubting, as he started using his hands, and gently swept the snow away from the surface of the suitcase.

He made sure not to apply too much pressure, avoiding any unnecessary friction with the aged leather. The wooden suitcase was covered with old leather.

The oxidized wooden frame was visible at the corners, where the leather covering had peeled away with age and use, revealing the subtle fine cracks and creases that only added to its character.

The oxidized wood had a slightly rough texture, the result of years of interaction with moisture and dryness. Its color had darkened, shifting from a pristine light hue to a more rustic, deep tan or even a touch of amber.

I will have to do some restoration afterwards. This suitcase won't be usable in this condition.

As he cleared more snow, the outline of the suitcase's handle became visible. It was made of worn leather and had a slightly curved shape, showing signs of years of use.

The exterior was covered in dark, aged leather, worn at the corners, and creased with use. The leather had a distinctive, slightly musty smell.

It sucks. This is worse than I expected. Even leather has deteriorated.

The stitching that held the leather together was meticulous. However, it looked like it would break away if a slight force was applied to it.

Reiner continued to expose the suitcase, revealing the metal clasps that held the lid closed. The clasps were oxidized and had taken on a rusty patina from exposure to the elements.

With great care, Reiner unfastened the clasps and slowly lifted the suitcase's lid.

It seems that the problem will be resolved.