Michael was lost in thought when a strange realization struck him:
"Wait… how am I even understanding this world's language? Their words sound foreign, yet I can clearly make out the meaning. Is it because I once inherited Alex's body? I thought I had returned to my original form, yet Alex's memories haven't faded. Does that mean—despite the change in my body's appearance—this is still Alex's brain I'm using? Damn… this is confusing. Someone must be planning all of this carefully. But who? Could it be… God? If so, then there must be a greater purpose behind it."
Before he could ponder further, he heard a call. It was Lily's voice, ringing in this strange tongue:
"Pe mon teo e, Michael oho!"
Though the language sounded unusual, the meaning reached him easily thanks to Alex's brain.
It meant: "Uncle Michael, come quickly!"
Michael brushed aside his thoughts and moved forward. By now, he had realized he could access fragments of knowledge from Alex's memories.
Another voice called out—Catherine's:
"Mi a tuo eklog jaun no, guld et."
("You and I will take him to the guild together.")
Michael sighed inwardly. He decided not to overthink their language anymore.
But from Alex's mind, he had barely any knowledge about magic. What he did inherit were sword skills. After all, Alex had been a general of the Liberty Kingdom thirty years ago—a loyal right-hand of King John Liberty himself.
"Well then," Michael thought slyly, "among these three, two seem to be magicians. Maybe I can trick them into teaching me some magic."
Putting on a pitiful expression, Michael said,
"Does my life even have any meaning anymore? If I join the guild… will I even get work?"
Louis frowned at this. "Uncle, do you truly not remember what you once were? From the looks of it, I'd say you used to be a knight."
Lily gasped. "A knight? How can you tell?"
Louis smirked. "Look at his clothes. No ordinary man could buy garments like these. And his build—this is the physique of a knight, or perhaps a noble warrior."
Michael thought, "Ah, this kid is sharp. I'll have to play my cards carefully. I don't want trouble in this new life."
He lifted his head, feigning confusion.
"A knight? What is that?"
Lily looked at him with pity. "See? He doesn't even remember what a knight is! How will he possibly recall if he was noble-born or just a commoner?"
Michael lowered his tone, almost whispering—but loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Can anyone… teach me magic?"
Though spoken softly, the words carried through. Of course, Michael wanted them to hear.
Catherine sighed in frustration. "Ah, stop beating around the bush already. If you want to learn magic, you'll need to start with the basics. Since you've forgotten everything, that's the only way forward."
---
Meanwhile…
Far away, in a luxurious garden, a man stood silently watching. In front of him was a young woman, about twenty-one or twenty-two. Her skin was pale, her figure slender, her long black hair reaching all the way to her feet, tied neatly in a braid with a thin stick woven into it—perhaps some sort of fashion. Her eyes shimmered blue like crystals, and she wore clothing so fine it could only belong to nobility.
The girl plucked a Snapdragon-like flower, dipped it playfully into the pond beside her, and watched as tiny fish leapt upward to nibble at it.
From behind, the man finally spoke in that same otherworldly language:
"Ne nis, jaun to et lacp… ni ojom giu derei."
("Miss, we must leave now. He is waiting for us.")
The girl pouted, her voice soft and sweet:
"Ed feow tem e no bagci?"
("Can't we stay in the garden just a little longer?")