After taking a bath, I followed Sir Tev's assistant through the mansion toward the family library. The mansion wasn't as grand as I initially imagined. But what could I expect from a baron family? They were the lowest rank among the nobility.
Along the way, I saw a few maids cleaning and carrying supplies. When we reached the library, the assistant opened the door for me.
"You have three hours. Read any book you want," he said before leaving.
I stepped inside. The library looked like it hadn't been used in decades—dusty, cramped, more like a storage room than a place of learning.
The first book I wanted to read was about the history of this village. Maybe it would trigger some of Tyler's memories… anything to keep my soul from breaking apart in this borrowed body.
I searched for a bit and finally found a few dusty books on local history. Instead of reading them fully, I used the system.
Ding.
[Book scan completed. Ready to transfer to host's mind.]
Pain pricked my head again, not as bad as the first transfer, and then the knowledge flowed in.
The village had been nothing but dense forest for two hundred years. Then, one day, two SS-rank beings fought here, destroying everything...the forest, monsters, everything in the area. Years later, a civil war in the empire forced people to move and settle here, forming this village and the other forty-eight surrounding villages.
I was confused for a moment. Who were those two SS-ranks strong enough to reshape land on such a scale? Their battle created space for forty-nine villages…
These villages weren't small either. While traveling to the baron's mansion, I had passed through two of them.
I leave this matter.
The Tev family managed fourteen of the forty-nine villages, and they had done so for generations.
I skimmed through the Tev family's history but ignored most of it.
There weren't many books worth reading, but one colorful book caught my eye...it looked like a children's storybook. Out of curiosity, I opened it and started reading. At first, I planned to stop, but I had time, and I used to love reading in my previous life, so I continued.
There were five stories.
The first was about a king who destroyed an entire kingdom for the girl he loved.
Are Children in this world read things like this?
Did they even understand love or other feelings.
The second was another love story...this time about a commoner from the slums who became a royal knight and fell in love with the princess. He helped her win the throne, and she became queen… only to betray him. She loved another man and eventually killed the knight, the story's main character.
Seriously? For kids?
The third wasn't even a story but a letter written by a soldier at war to the girl he loved. He died before she ever replied.
It's was sad.
It made me think of the girl I liked back home. We talked like we were in love, but… neither of us ever confessed. Suddenly, I felt the urge to see her again. To see my family too.
Tears gathered in my eyes, but I wiped them away.
Do they even know I'm alive?
No… they probably think I'm dead.
I could return if I completed that Mr.Traveler task. But how he was going to do it—that part unknown to me.
I pushed the thoughts aside and continued reading.
The fourth story was simple: a powerful man was offered the chance to become a demi-god, but he refused because of a crime he had committed. He believed he didn't deserve divinity.
Short but heavy.
The fifth story was the longest. It was about three childhood friends...two boys and a girl....living normal lives until a space portal opened, unleashing another species into their world… followed by demons. A great war began. Even the other species fought against the demons. The three friends fought together, until one betrayed them and joined the demon army. In the end, the demons fell...but so did their traitorous friend.
It was interesting one .
By the end of it, I was bored out of my mind. I wanted to do swordsmanship and practice breathing again.
I see my injuries which are from the morning had healed. Recovery in this world was impressive....I healed in hours.
I returned to the training arena and practiced sword swings while using the breathing technique. I failed a lot… but I kept trying.
By nightfall, my body felt broken. I went straight to sleep.
---
Days passed with the same routine. Running still difficult but after using the breathing technique it was become easy. Fighting soldiers in the morning while Tev observed and corrected my mistakes. Winter reached its peak, but I was improving fast. I could now use the breathing technique properly and run much longer distances. In hand-to-hand combat, I could go toe-to-toe with the soldiers, though I still couldn't defeat them.
One morning, after a sparring match, Tev called me over.
"You're growing fast. I can see your muscles forming," he said.
I also see my body and feel my body becoming tough.
"Thank you, sir. It's because of your training and your potions," I replied.
"Now, cut that dummy in two. I've watched you strike it for days."
What !
I was shocked because I still can't much damage the dummy much and he want me to cut it with wooden Sword.
I still have no choice and I picked up a wooden sword and faced the dummy again. I inhaled slowly, letting the air fill my chest.
Then I swung.
The wooden sword cracked and snapped in half.
My heart dropped. I thought Tev would be angry or disappointed… but he wasn't. He simply sighed, walked over, and crouched beside the broken pieces.
"Before you swing," Tev said, circling the dummy, "you breathe."
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"In through the nose. Slow. Fill your chest, then your stomach."
I inhaled.
"Good. Now keep that calm. Let your breath guide the strike. When you swing, exhale...not a shout, just a release."
I loosened my grip.
"Bring the sword to your side," he instructed. "Hips first. Don't force it."
I twisted at the waist.
I was doing everything he is saying to me.
"Now… exhale and sweep."
I let my breath flow out as the sword moved.
Smooth. Fast. Clean.
The blade whispered through the air and sliced straight through the dummy. The top half dropped to the ground.
Tev smiled.
"That's it. Breath, speed, and control...those are your weapons in the real fight with the same rank person these are will help you in to take upper hand."
I was shocked. After all my failed attempts, he corrected me once and I finally did it.
"Remember what I taught you. Combine the breathing technique with your natural breathing," Tev said.
I nodded quickly.
Happiness swelled inside me...this was the first time in this world I truly learned something.
I made up my mind then: for the next two months, I would completely master my basics.
---
One month passed.
I could now defeat the soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. I no longer trained with the dummy...Tev himself sparred with me. He still beat me easily, but my progress was undeniable. I could use the sword well now, though only with one blade. Tev insisted I master one before trying anything else.
By the days passed. I had a new fear.
Tyler's memories.
I still hadn't recovered a single one from the last time.
If I couldn't retrieve them, what would happen to my soul? Would it break? Would I die?
I had an idea...but it required Tev's permission.
And also want to ask the one location.
I'd have to ask where Tyler's parents' house was.
That place might trigger the memories I desperately needed.