Ryuzhen POV
I could hear voices whispering, soft and careful, and that sound slowly pulled me back into awareness. My eyes opened a little, heavy at first, but when I looked around, confusion hit me hard. This… wasn't a hospital. No white walls, no medical equipment, no smell of alcohol or disinfectant. Instead, the room around me looked like something out of a royal palace golden curtains, carved furniture, polished marble floors.
I sat up quickly, heart racing. Where am I?
A young woman approached me, her hands folded politely in front of her. She looked relieved, her eyes shining. "Thank goodness, you are awake, young master" she said with a bright smile.
My mind froze. Young master? Did she just call me that? My head spun.
I stood up too fast, ignoring her surprised gasp, and ran to the tall mirror standing at the corner of the room. She tried to stop me, reaching out with her hand. "Please, wait—"
But I was already there.
And what I saw made my stomach drop.
The reflection staring back wasn't mine. It was a girl no, a young woman beautiful but strangely masculine at the same time. Long purple hair flowed down her back, shining under the light. Her amber eyes glowed like molten fire, sharp and commanding. Her height was tall, taller than most girls her age should be. She wore fine silk nightclothes, soft and elegant, far too expensive for anything I ever owned.
I stumbled back, breathing hard. My knees gave way and I sat on the floor, shocked.
The servant hurried over to me, kneeling by my side. "Are you alright, young lady?" she asked with worry, but her voice was gentle.
"I… I'm fine," I muttered, though I clearly wasn't. My thoughts were racing, questions pounding in my head.
Slowly, I stood up again and moved to the bed, forcing myself to sit down. I needed answers. My eyes turned to the servant. "Who are you?" I asked sharply.
The girl placed her hand over her chest and bowed respectfully. "My name is Lyra. I am one of the servants assigned to take care of you, my lady."
I swallowed hard. "And… me? Who am I? What happened to me?"
Lyra lifted her head, smiling kindly as if she was explaining to a child. "You are Lady Kaien Akiren Zhenyakushi, the youngest daughter of Lord Akihiro Zhenyakushi and Lady Meiyun Zhenyakushi. You come from the most honored family of medicine. Your father is the court's top pharmacist, and your mother is the Head of Medicine. You also have older siblings who are all talented in their own way."
Her words sounded unreal, like a story from a dream.
I frowned, clutching the blanket in my lap. "And… how old am I?"
"You are fifteen years old, my lady," Lyra said happily, her voice light as though she was proud to say it.
"Fifteen…?" I whispered to myself, shocked. In my past life, I was already a grown man, a world-renowned doctor, Ryuzhen Liuzhaki. How could I now be a teenage girl with purple hair and glowing amber eyes?
Still lost in thought, I asked another question. "Then… why did I faint? Why am I here?"
Lyra clasped her hands together, a spark of relief still on her face. "You collapsed after being struck by lightning, my lady. It was a terrible storm that night. Everyone thought we would lose you. But somehow, you survived. It is a miracle!" Her voice carried excitement, almost happiness. "The heavens must be watching over you."
Lightning…? My mind reeled. In my old world, I died in a plane crash. So why was I here now, alive, inside this strange, beautiful body?
I stared at my reflection again, my heart pounding. Why me? Why am I here? Why was I… reincarnated?
But no matter how much I asked, the only answer I had was the amber-eyed girl in the mirror staring back at me.
I went back to the bed and sat down, then looked out the window. The view was not of a city skyline I knew. It was gardens and a wide courtyard, lanterns and stone paths—so quiet and so far from the world I had left behind. In my old life I had died in a plane crash. I remembered the metal, the fire, the dark. I remembered hands reaching and then nothing.
So why was I here? Why in this new room, in this new body?
I breathed out slowly and looked at Lyra. "Lyra," I said, my voice small, "please… leave me alone for a while. Call me if anything happens. I want to be by myself."
She smiled, a little amused. "You never change, young lady. You always want to be alone." She laughed softly. "But very well. I will call you if anyone needs you. Your parents will come later—when they arrive I will wake you."
"Tell them not to hurry," I said, standing. She bowed once more and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Alone, I stood and walked to the study table near the window. Beside it, a large bookcase filled the wall books with thick spines, rows and rows like a small forest. Most looked like medical texts. I ran my fingers along the bindings, feeling the leather and cloth, the small dust of a place that had cared for knowledge for a long time.
One book caught my eye. It was different older, darker, with symbols on the cover that I could not read. I pulled it free and sat at the table. The pages felt warm in my hands. Curiosity pushed me to open it.
The letters were strange. They were not Japanese, not any language from my old world. Still, the words moved on the page like patterns I somehow understood. The book spoke about mana, about the flow of life energy in this world. It described healing not just as skill but as a river that runs inside and between people. It said that some people could touch that river and mend broken things.
I did not understand how I could read it. In my past life I had studied anatomy and pharmacology, not magic. But the words made sense to me in a way that felt deeper than learning like memory waking up under ice.
As I read, my thoughts drifted. What happened to my family back home? Rinlei, Arika, my mother… Were they safe? Could I ever return to them? An ache spread in my chest loss, sudden and raw.
The room grew bright without warning. A warm light wrapped around me like a ribbon. I blinked and closed my eyes, unsure if I was dreaming.
When I opened them, a woman stood before me. She was small like a statue of a goddess perfect and calm. Her hair and face were familiar in a strange way. My heart stuttered when she smiled.
"Ryuzhen," she said simply.
My mouth fell open. "How do you know that name?" I asked, shocked.
She came closer. Her voice was soft and certain. "Because I brought you here."
"Brought me… why? Who are you?" I asked, panic and wonder mixed in my tone.
She bent and kissed my forehead lightly. The touch was warm and real. "Because it is written in the prophecy," she said. "And because you do not truly belong to the world you left. You were meant for this place."
I could not stop the question that rose in me. "What am I? Why—why am I here?"
She smiled gently and touched my cheek. Her face looked like someone I might have known long ago like my mother in the other life, and like my own face reflected back through time. The resemblance made my eyes burn.
"You are my child," she said. "You are Kaien Akiren Zhenyakushi. And you are the Medicine Goddess."
She reached behind her and took out a thin, gleaming necklace. The pendant glowed faintly with the same light that had filled the room. She held it out to me. "Wear this," she said. "Do not tell anyone that you are the Medicine Goddess."
"But… why me? Why was I in the other world?" I asked, voice small and urgent. "Why was I Ryuzhen? How can I be both?"
She looked at me as if she could read my mind. "Child, I can read what you think. I know you are confused. I know you miss the life you had. One day you will understand everything. All your questions will find answers. For now, this is enough."
I reached out and took the necklace. It was heavier than it looked, and its warmth spread up my arm, pulsing like a heartbeat. I pressed it to my chest and felt something shift inside me—soft and deep, like a small tide turning.
"Keep it secret," she said again. "The world is not yet ready for the truth."
I opened my mouth to ask more. When I looked up, she was already fading, her form becoming like morning mist. Her last words were like a promise.
"You will learn, child. You will discover everything. Trust the light."
Then she was gone.
I did not notice that tears had started rolling down my face until they wet my hands. I felt alone and held at the same time pulled between two lives, two names, two sets of memories. I pressed the necklace until it warmed my skin and let the tears fall.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I walked into the bathroom, the marble floor cool under my feet. The water was warm and calming as I bathed, washing away the heaviness in my chest. For a moment, I closed my eyes under the stream, letting it carry away the feeling of being lost between two worlds.
Afterward, I wrapped a towel around myself and went to the closet. When I opened it, I froze. My eyes widened in surprise.
"What the…" I whispered. All the clothes were for men coats, tunics, trousers, and boots. The designs were so different, not modern at all, but fantasy-like, just like the ones I used to admire in isekai anime and novels. Some had silver linings, others had leather belts and golden threads. My heart skipped.
"So cool…" I muttered, touching the fabrics one by one.
I smiled for the first time since I arrived.
"Well, this is perfect for me. I always wanted to wear clothes like this." I picked a black set with silver details it had a high collar and a cloak-like coat. It fit me surprisingly well, almost like it was made just for me. Looking at the mirror, I felt different, stronger, like someone who belonged in this world.
After dressing, I stepped out of my room. The hallway stretched long and wide, polished floors reflecting the light of chandeliers. As I walked, many servants bowed and greeted me politely.
"Good morning, young master," one said.
"Welcome back," another added. I only gave them small nods, still not used to being treated like someone important.
My eyes caught the walls. There were many paintings hanging neatly, but one large picture in the middle made me stop. It was a family portrait. They were tall, graceful, dressed in fine clothes. My gaze compared them one by one. Strangely, even among the girls, I seemed taller.
"Weird…" I whispered to myself, then shook my head. "Never mind." I continued walking, though the thought stayed in my mind.
A familiar voice called to me. "Young master!" It was Lyra, approaching with a smile.
"Oh, Lyra," I said, realizing something. "I… don't actually know where the dining room is. This mansion is way too big."
She chuckled softly. "You were on your way there? Perfect timing. I just came from the dining room. Your parents are waiting already. I was about to fetch you."
"Really? That's good, because I'm starving," I admitted with a small laugh. "Lead the way, Lyra."
"Yes, follow me, young lady," she said cheerfully, and we walked side by side.
When we reached the large double doors, a butler stepped forward and opened them wide with a formal bow. Wow, even a butler? This place is insane… I thought to myself, trying not to look too awkward.
Inside, the dining hall was grand long polished table, crystal chandeliers, silverware shining under the light. My eyes moved to the people already seated. At the center sat a tall man with a sharp and noble aura. His presence was commanding, his posture straight. That must be my father, I thought immediately.
On his left sat a beautiful woman who didn't even look her age. Her gentle eyes and graceful posture told me she was my mother. Beside her were two young women—elegant, calm, and obviously my sisters. On the right side of the man were two young men, both handsome and dignified. So… these are my brothers.
I took a quiet breath and walked slowly toward them. My feet felt heavy, but I forced a small smile. I chose a seat beside the two young men, thinking it would be easier to blend in.
The man at the center my father looked at me directly. His eyes were sharp but not unkind.
"Kaien," he said firmly. "At last, you join us."
I nodded, unsure what to say. "Yes, Father," I answered softly, testing the word on my tongue.
My mother leaned forward slightly, her smile gentle and warm. "You look well, my child. We were worried when you collapsed"
"I… I'm fine now," I said, though my voice trembled a little. "Thank you, Mother."
One of the brothers leaned toward me with a small grin. "You finally woke up. I thought you'd sleep through the whole week," he teased lightly.
"Brother," the other said in a calm voice, "don't tease Kaien too much. He just recovered."
I gave a nervous chuckle. "It's okay. I… I guess I did sleep for a long time."
One of my sisters spoke, her voice soft and curious. "You look different somehow. Taller… stronger." She tilted her head, studying me.
My heart skipped, but I forced myself to smile. "Maybe the rest helped," I replied.
The father raised a hand slightly, silencing the small chatter. His eyes locked onto mine again, serious but steady.
"Kaien, we will talk after dinner. There are things you must understand. But for now sit, eat, and regain your strength."
"Yes, Father," I said quickly, lowering my gaze.
As I sat there, the servants moved swiftly, placing food on the table dishes of roasted meat, fresh bread, and soups that smelled heavenly. My stomach growled quietly, and my brother sitting closest to me laughed.
"Hungry, aren't you?" he said.
I smiled shyly. "Yeah. Very."
For the first time since waking in this world, I felt almost… normal. Not entirely safe, not entirely sure, but surrounded by people who might really be my family. And for now, that was enough.