Kaelor looked around the place. In the open space between two old houses, he noticed an old wooden box lying on the ground. It looked worn, dusty, and strangely out of place.
He stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. "Ahh, thankfully I'm safe," he muttered. He picked up his backpack, put the books and the letter inside, and started searching around.
He walked straight ahead. Soon, he found himself…
In the middle of the unknown place, he saw something unbelievable. There were old buildings, cars, and roads—everything looked like it was from the mid-1900s. Kaelor was shocked. "What… is this?" he whispered.
Then suddenly, somehow, he caught everyone's attention.
"Who is this guy? Where did he come from? What weird clothes… and what's that thing on his back?"
People began whispering loudly as everyone slowly surrounded him, forming a wide circle around him.
A boy around the same age approached him. His clothes were a little dirty as he asked,
"Hey… what's your name? Where did you come from? Are you lost?"
"Answer"
Kaelor stayed silent for a few seconds, still overwhelmed.
"A… aaaa… Where am I?" he finally asked.
The boy blinked at Kaelor's confusion.
"You're in the capital city of the Vyrnhardt Empire… Caelbourne," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Kaelor's face froze in shock, unable to take in everything around him.
"C-Caelbourne? What… what's today's date and year?"
The boy frowned. "Why are you acting so weird? You don't even know the date?"
He laughed lightly. "It's 9th January, year 1958! Are you stupid or what?"
CONT. IN Past Royal Court Avenue of Caelbourne
09/01/1958
09.09A.M.
Kaelor's eyes widened, his face turning pale. The world around him began to blur.
"1958…?" he whispered.
The boy quickly rushed to Kaelor's side. Seeing he had fainted, he called for help no-one come and lifted him up.
"He's really out… I'd better take him home."
He brought Kaelor to a small, worn-out house at the edge of the street, where he lived with his younger sister.
Kaelor slowly regained consciousness. His eyelids fluttered open, vision hazy and unfocused.
"Ugh… where am I?" he muttered, trying to sit up as the room around him came into view.
The boy stepped closer when he saw Kaelor waking up.
"You collapsed in the street," he explained. "So I brought you to my house. It's… not much, but it was the closest place I could take you."
Beside him, a girl—maybe fifteen years old—peeked out from behind her brother, trying to hide while still watching the stranger in their home.
The boy cleared his throat. "Hi… I'm Noel Collins, and this is my sister, Mary. It's just the two of us living here."
Noel Collin's dark brown hair fell in unruly waves over his forehead, often brushing against the steel-gray eyes that seemed too old for his eighteen years. His face was angular, with high cheekbones and a straight, narrow nose, sun-weathered from days spent running errands and scavenging what he could. A small scar marked his left hand, a quiet testament to childhood hardships. His lips, usually pressed into a line of determination, hinted at both stubbornness and the weight of responsibility he bore for his sister.
Noel Whitmore, eighteen, had grown up in the shadow of the palace, his father a loyal royal guard who had died defending the crown. After that, his mother vanished, leaving him to care for his younger sister. Life on the streets had sharpened him—quick-witted, cautious, and resilient—but beneath his rough exterior burned a longing for justice, a desire to honor his father, and a hope that one day they might find safety and belonging.
He looked Kaelor up and down with curiosity.
"Where are you from, sir? Your clothes… they don't look like anything from around here. And that doesn't look like something a commoner would wear."
Noel leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing.
"So… who exactly are you?"
Kaelor hesitated, his mind racing. No one would ever believe the truth…
"Yes, I'm not from here," he finally said, lowering his gaze. "And I'm… not able to tell you anything more than that."
He pushed himself up, still unsteady, and reached for his bag.
Noel stepped forward quickly.
"Wait—what are you trying to do? You're just leaving like that?" he said, worry spreading across his face. "By the look of you, it seems like you have nowhere to go."
He gave a small, gentle smile.
"If you want… you can stay with us. At least until you figure things out."
Kaelor stared at Noel, then at his little sister. For a moment, he hesitated—torn between instinct and uncertainty.
But finally, he shook his head.
"…Thankyou for your concern and help, but," he murmured softly. "I should leave."
He tightened his grip on his bag and turned toward the door.
Mary stepped forward slightly, clutching the edge of her brother's shirt.
With a soft, trembling voice she said:
"If you have nowhere to go… please stay with us, brother.
I'd be happy to have another big brother."
Her eyes shimmered with a quiet hope, innocent and earnest.
Kaelor looked at the two of them—Noel's gentle grin and Mary's hopeful eyes.
They weren't greedy or suspicious… just warm, honest, and lonely.
He let out a slow breath.
"Okay…" he said softly. "Okay. I'll stay.
And… I'm Kaelor."
Mary's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands. "Yaaay, big brother!"
But then her gaze shifted to the bag Kaelor was holding tightly.
Noel's younger sister, Mery Collin, fifteen, clung to his sleeve, her chestnut hair in a messy braid and warm hazel eyes wide with both fear and trust. Orphaned and abandoned after their mother vanished, the siblings survived together, Noel protecting her with stubborn determination, while Mery's quiet courage and gentle spirit reminded him what he was fighting for.
"Um… but… what is that?" she asked, tilting her head with innocent curiosity.
Kaelor gave a small smile. "Oh—this? It's just a bag. We use it to carry things… goods and stuff."
Mary tilted her head, studying the bag with curious eyes.
"Hmmm… but it doesn't look like the bags people have here. It's not similar at all."
Kaelor forced a small smile. Yes… because it doesn't really belong to this century.
He paused and thinked — What am I supposed to tell them?
"I… I'm feeling a little headache. I think I need to rest for a while," he said, gently avoiding their questions.
Noel stepped forward and gently supported Kaelor by the arm.
"Come, brother," he said with a warm smile, "you can rest in this room."
He pushed open a small wooden door. Inside was a simple space — a narrow bed, a cracked window, and a faint smell of old books and dust. Despite its worn condition, the room felt strangely comforting.
Noel gave a small nod and stepped back toward the door.
"Alright, brother. Take your rest," he said softly. "We'll leave for now. I… I hope this room is acceptable to you and if u need somthing asked witout any hesitation."
He glanced around the small space, as if embarrassed by its simplicity, then offered a gentle smile before closing the door halfway.
The door slid shut with a soft "tssss", leaving the room in quiet stillness.
Kaelor let out a tired sigh. "Uff… I guess I need to hide these things."
He opened his bag and whispered to himself, checking each item.
"Let's see… my torch, some food, chocolates… these five books—I've read three, the other two I'll read later. And the important things… my smartphone and the medicines."
He looked around the small room, wondering where he could safely hide them in this unfamiliar century.
Kaelor sank onto the bed, rubbing his face with both hands.
"Haaa… I really messed up," he muttered. "Is my family worried about me now? Is there even any way to return?"
His thoughts spiraled faster, frustration tightening in his chest.
"And more importantly… how did my great-grandfather know this portal would appear? Why didn't he tell me directly instead of leaving all those useless puzzles?"
He clenched his fists.
"And why me of all people?"
The room felt smaller, the silence heavier, as his questions echoed without answers.
In the middle of all those tangled thoughts, exhaustion finally pulled him under. Kaelor drifted into sleep without even realizing it.
Hours passed. Afternoon light crept through the cracked window, but he didn't stir—not even once.
Noel and Mary returned to check on him, but no matter how gently they called his name, he didn't wake.
Noel frowned, worry tightening his expression.
Mary's small hands trembled as she shook Kaelor's arm again and again.
With each failed attempt, their concern only grew heavier, tension climbing inside the tiny room like a rising storm.
8.09p.m.
Noel's breath hitched with growing panic.
"I… I'll go get the doctor," he said, voice unsteady. He rushed toward the door, ready to bolt down the street.
Suddenly—
Kaelor's body jerked.
A faint glow pulsed beneath his skin, like thin threads of light racing through his veins. The air in the room vibrated with a soft hum, as if reality itself had exhaled.
Mary froze, eyes wide.
"B-Brother… look!"
Noel stopped in his tracks, turning back in shock as the strange light flickered again around Kaelor's hands...
A faint voice escaped Kaelor's mouth.
"Water… waterr…"
Noel quickly rushed to get some and helped him drink.
Kaelor slowly woke up…
His breath hitched, his eyes wide with terror. His hands trembled uncontrollably.
"W-what… what did I just see? Am I dreaming? Was that really… a dream?" he whispered, fear tightening his voice.
Mary slowly reached out, her fingers trembling.
"Kae…" she whispered gently.
But the moment her hand brushed his arm—
Kaelor screamed,
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
He jerked back in panic, eyes wild, breath shaking as fear surged through him.
Mary flinched in terror at his sudden scream. Her eyes widened, and without thinking she ducked behind Noel, clutching his shirt tightly.
Noel stepped in front of her, confused and alarmed.
"What happened?! Why are you shouting like that?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
Kaelor, still traumatized, lowered his head.
His whole body trembled as he grabbed his own hands tightly, trying to steady his breathing.
Noel stepped closer, worry softening his voice.
"Are you alright? Did you see a nightmare or something?"
Kaelor's voice trembled. "What… what was that thing I saw in the dream?"
He fell silent for a moment, staring at the floor, his hands still shaking.
Then he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
Noel leaned in, concern rising in his eyes.
"Kaelor… Kaelor, can you hear me?"
Mary peeked from behind her brother, her small voice trembling.
"Brother Kaelor… are you okay?"
Kaelor slowly lifted his head, his trembling finally easing.
He turned and looked at both of them, his eyes still clouded with fear and confusion.
Noel leaned forward, worry tightening his voice.
"Are you hearing me? Are you okay, Kaelor?"
Kaelor reached for the cup and took a slow sip of water.
"Hmn… I'm alright," he said quietly, though his voice still shook a little.
Noel sat beside him, still worried.
"What happened to you suddenly? Were you seeing a nightmare?"
Kaelor's face remained unreadable, his expression flat and distant.
"...Nothing," he said quietly.
"No… this doesn't look like 'nothing.' Should we call the doctor?" Noel asked, concern tightening his voice.
Kaelor shook his head lightly. "No… I'm fine," he murmured.
Noel let out a relieved sigh.
"What a relief. Okay, let's go have dinner—you haven't eaten anything since this morning."
Kaelor's eyes widened in surprise.
"What… morning? What time is it right now?"
Noel glanced at the small wooden clock on the wall.
"It's almost 9 p.m.," he said.
Kaelor froze, eyes wide in shock.
"It's… already night?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
Gurgur… his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his hunger.
Noel chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Haha, okay! Let's go have dinner before your stomach growls any louder."
They went to the small dining area for dinner. Mary, however, kept her distance from Kaelor, avoiding his gaze.
Kaelor noticed and frowned.
"Mary… what's wrong? Why are you avoiding me?"
Mary shook her head quickly.
"Nothing," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
Noel laughed softly and patted her shoulder.
"Haha, she's just a little scared after your… screaming earlier. Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Kaelor felt a little awkward, unsure where to look or what to say.
During dinner, they ate outside in the fresh evening air, the cool breeze rustling gently around them.
Kaelor " Neol Who is the ruler of this kingdom and what the geopolitical of this kingdom"
Noel froze, caught off guard by Kaelor's question.
Why does he want to know about the ruler and the geography of this kingdom? he wondered, his brow furrowing in surprise.
Noel's mind raced as he studied Kaelor. Is he a spy from another nation? If so, he'd already know all this. But looking at his outfit… he seems like a noble, maybe even royalty. So why doesn't he know anything?
Could he have forgotten his memory? Maybe…
Noel straightened his posture, deciding to act more formally. I need to be careful. His expression is… strange. Something about his face just feels… off.
Noel straightened, adopting a more formal tone.
"Yes, my lord. The current ruler of the kingdom is King Rowan Vyrn.
The Vyrnhardt Empire stretches from the misty coasts of Eastreach Bay to the shadowed peaks of the Westmere Mountains,
from the fertile Greenvale Plains in the south to the cold highlands of Northward Ridge."
Kaelor's brow furrowed, irritation rising. Did I just mishear, or did he really say "My lord" to me?
Why did his tone suddenly change? Is he thinking I'm royalty or something?
Well… technically, yes, I am. But not in this time. There's no need to be that formal.
He exhaled quietly, relieved. Thank God I didn't tell him my surname. Otherwise, he'd probably die of curiosity.
Kaelor rubbed the back of his neck, a bit awkward.
"Hey, Noel… why the sudden formality? I'm not a lord—just Kaelor, okay? Understand?"
Noel blinked, clearly confused by Kaelor's words.
"…I-I'm sorry, my lord—uh, I mean… Brother kaelor?" he stammered, unsure of how to respond.
Kaelor burst out laughing, the tension of the moment breaking.
"Hahahahaha!"
Mary couldn't help but giggle too, her laughter joining his. She peeked at Noel, who stood frozen, utterly confused.
After dinner, the evening wound down. One by one, they all prepared for bed. The room grew quiet as Noel and Mary settled in, and Kaelor finally lay down, exhausted from the long day and the whirlwind of events.
Lying in bed, Kaelor's mind refused to quiet. The cold highlands of Northward Ridge… in the future, that's taken by the North Tribe—the Wyanbir Empire… in the war of 2001.
His eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. Wait a second… King Rowan Vyrn isn't just any ruler… he's my great-grandfather's father-in-law?! What!
The realization made his chest tighten, and a chill ran down his spine.
Kaelor sank back against the bed, a wave of disappointment washing over him. What… I'm in 1958, and my great-grandfather isn't even here? Why didn't I think of this earlier?
Maybe… he wanted these books of his research to be used to complete the work he couldn't finish in his current time.
That must be why he left these books… and sent me here, Kaelor thought, realization slowly settling in.
In the next morning
A gorgeous day in the mid-1900s unfolded under a clear, endless blue sky. Sunlight bathed fields and streets, the air crisp and pure, untouched by smoke or smog. Birds sang freely, leaves whispered in the gentle breeze, and the world seemed calm, simple, and infinite, alive with untouched beauty and quiet peace.
Noel glanced at Kaelor, worry flickering across his face.
"Kaelor, where are we going? I'm off to deliver the newspaper,"
Kaelor shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Noel's gaze.
"I… I'm going to find someone. But you don't need to follow me—I'll go on my own. I'll be back in time. You… go do your work,"
Kaelor didn't ask him because… when Kaelor was ready to go.
Noel yawned and stretched, glancing at Kaelor.
"Kaelor, why are you up so early? Do you want to help me with my work?"
Kaelor shook his head.
"Nope," he said simply.
Noel's smile faltered, and his face fell, a hint of sadness crossing his features.
Mary looked at Kaelor and said gently,
"Brother Kaelor… you asked for some clothes? Here is it."
Noel nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmn… it's okay. Otherwise, everyone would keep staring at him wherever he goes with those weird clothes."
Mary glanced at Kaelor and whispered,
"Brother… he said he wants to go somewhere."
Noel stepped closer, concern etched on his face.
"Kaelor, I told you—you live here! Why are you leaving us all of a sudden? What's happening?"
Noel and Mary both grabbed Kaelor tightly, tears streaming down their faces.
"Waaaahhhhh! Don't go, Brother Kaelor! Waaaahhh!" they cried, clinging to him desperately.
Kaelor felt a mix of confusion and amusement. It's just one day… why are they acting like we've lived together for a lifetime, and I'm leaving forever?
He spoke quickly, trying to reassure them.
"I'm not leaving! I'm just going to look around. I'll be back in time, I promise."
Noel and Mary looked at him with wide, watery eyes, their voices trembling.
"Really?" they asked, hope and sadness mingling in their gaze.
Kaelor, drained and weary, let out a soft sigh.
"Yes…" he murmured, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Back in time—
Noel glanced around frantically in the crowd.
"Kaelor! Wait—don't leave me behind!" he shouted, running to catch up.
Kaelor's face flushed with frustration. What a flustered idiot, he muttered under his breath, shaking his head at Noel's frantic behavior.
Noel glanced at Kaelor, a mix of curiosity and concern on his face.
"So… where are we going, and why am I coming along?"
Kaelor's eyes blazed with frustration.
"It's you who's following me! I'm going to find someone!"
Noel grinned mischievously, tilting his head.
"Hehehe… finding who?" he asked, teasing.
Kaelor's lips curved into a proud, gentle smile.
"A genius."