Victor was walking down a quiet street in Boston, somewhat stressed out by work issues. He was a graphic designer, and one of his most important clients to date had rudely expressed his "dislike" for Victor's work. It didn't bother Victor to have to redo everything; that was his job, he was paid very well for it, and he enjoyed it.
"It's boring. Who did this, a retard?" said the brand manager.
As for his little derogatory term at the end, it was nothing compared to what his co-workers were saying, jealous that this 19-year-old had caught the attention of a big brand with his designs. It had taken the young man a year, while they had been trying for years to stand out in the industry, or perhaps they were simply envious of the juicy commission or even contract that would come with completing the job.
What really bothered the young man was time. More work meant more money, but less time for his very important hobbies: manga, novels, anime, films, and series. He consumed everything.
"I would have time to finish all the ones I missed this season. I was so looking forward to seeing Guillermo del Toro's new film."
"All those series that piled up that I couldn't watch... ahhhhh" (Sigh)
The young man thought reluctantly that if his first proposal had been successful and accepted on the first attempt, it would have given him a good amount of free time.
"Brrrr"
Suddenly Victor felt a slight vibration in his pocket. It was his work mobile phone with an urgent message from his boss. Before he could take it out and read the message, which would bring a smile to his face, a slight blue flash caught his attention.
"What's that... arghh!"
Before he could understand what had happened, a small sphere struck his temple, piercing a perfect tunnel through his skull. His death was instantaneous.
"Hey, young man, are you okay... Holy God!"
Exclaimed a passerby, as he lifted his body slightly off the pavement, horrified at the sight of the charred tunnel where his brain used to be.
A fragment of a meteorite, the atmosphere had worn it down to a small sphere one centimetre wide. By chance or fate, that meteorite, which should have disintegrated into microscopic dust, did not.
"Victor, I spoke to the agent at Tiffany & Co. They say they love your designs." "They want to sign an exclusive contract with you as their designer." "Some untalented idiot changed the documents that were sent, replacing yours with his." "His designs aren't even as good as yours were when you joined the company." "Cheer up, you'll have a lot of free time from now on..."
"Brrrr Brrrr Brrrr"
The messages kept coming one after another. A huge jewellery company had accepted and praised his work, the work of a young man who had only been immersed in that industry for a year. It was normal for his colleagues to try to snatch away that precious opportunity and feel envious of his superior talent.
Only that young man knew how much effort and dedication he put into each of his works, hours of practice and time spent perfecting every detail of his art. It was easier for them to minimise his efforts than to realise that the problem was them and their mediocre efforts.
Universo W (Wednesday)
"I don't recognise that ceiling, and my bed isn't that soft."
"Wait, I wasn't in the middle of the street. I was planning to buy a pizza and some beer and have a marathon of my favourite films, starting with Pan's Labyrinth."
"That would help me regain inspiration to go back to work the next day."
Those were the first thoughts that came to mind before he looked around.
"It's a big bed and it looks expensive..."
He was lying in a large bed covered by a canopy. Everything looked luxurious but not ostentatious. It was a large room with a wooden desk, a wardrobe, a mirror, and a door that seemed to lead to an en-suite bathroom. A carpet covered the floor, and pleasant sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Let's recap the facts: unknown location, unknown date and time, I look younger."
William thought, looking at his hands, which were smaller and softer than he remembered, his skin white and smooth. He was thinner now, not that he had been fat before.
"Last memories, a blue flash coming straight at me... conclusion: I've transmigrated into a new body."
"Does that mean I'm dead in my original world? How? I have no idea."
He was calm in this situation. Any fan of novels and anime has wondered what it would be like to be reincarnated in their favourite film or series.
"It's a shame to have to start over, but let's look on the bright side of this."
"Wow, I'm handsome," Victor exclaimed as he got up quickly and saw his reflection in that large mirror. Before his eyes stood a tall, slim young man with golden blond hair, white skin and blue eyes.
"I'm lacking a bit of muscle, but that's nothing that can't be solved with some daily exercise."
Handsome and rich, hmmm, I'm not sure if this was bad luck or good luck.
In his previous life, he was average, not ugly but not exactly handsome either, with a somewhat dysfunctional family that wouldn't miss anyone in particular, a strict father and a distant mother—what a great combination for raising a child. At that time, he had no girlfriend and only one or two true friends, who would be fine without him.
¡¡¡Uwaghh!!!
Suddenly, William was overcome by an immense urge to vomit. He rushed to the bathroom and emptied his stomach into the toilet, while all the memories of William Stone, the previous owner of this body, flooded him like a tide. Fifteen years of memories crowding into his mind at once was difficult to bear.
"So that's me now, William, second son of the Stone family, jewellery makers enchanted by 'Runes', magical objects that allow the wearer to do anything from stopping a bullet to making them immune to poison, as long as they are wearing them."
William quickly washed his mouth and sat in the lotus position, doing his best to sort through his memories, now they were his. It took him an hour to organise most of them, discarding the useless ones and prioritising the important ones: memories with his family and five full years of studying goldsmithing, the art of creating jewellery from various materials, precious metals, and gems; carving each ancient Rune and the ability to infuse mana into them; memories of private lessons in art, fencing, and music. The previous William was talented.
"Mana, that's new. The energy that circulates in all living beings. It means I'm not in my previous world or universe. I wonder if I'm in some series or film. I need some information..."
And where better to gather information than from his family? The Stones were not the only family of enchanted jewellery makers, but they were the richest. Their objects were the strongest in the world. They were rich and powerful and had connections everywhere, from politics to business.
"From my memories, they seem like a warm family, not too extravagant or strict."
¡¡¡Toc toc toc!!!
Suddenly, the knocking on his door startled William, and then he heard a sweet voice, full of warmth and motherly affection.
"Darling, you're awake! Breakfast is ready. Hurry downstairs before Dad finishes all the pancakes. I made your favourite ones with blackberries and honey!"
"Blackberries! I'm coming, Mum!"
He responded unconsciously, surprising even himself: "It's useless to think about it," he didn't care, 14 years of memories had merged with him, attitudes that Victor lacked but William had, attitudes that William lacked but Victor had, the best of both worlds in one.
"All right," his mother replied, oblivious to what had happened just an hour earlier.
"I'm sorry, mate, but I'll take care of your family." William prayed silently, then took a quick shower, brushed his teeth and grabbed a change of clean clothes, a soft white sweatshirt and matching white trousers. His wardrobe was large and filled with fashionable clothes, predominantly black and white.
"Thank you, sister, for choosing all this for me."
All these clothes had been chosen and bought by his sister, whose sense of fashion was admirable.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
"Achuu"
A beautiful young woman with golden hair, dressed fashionably, sneezes while doing her homework in the Yale University library. "Maybe Will is thanking me for something."
"You should wrap up warmer and not show so much skin," comments one of her close friends.
Stone Residence.
"I look great... cough..." William thought somewhat narcissistically as he looked at himself in the mirror. "Now hurry up and have breakfast. There's a lot I want to find out about my new parents."
He ran downstairs to take a seat at the elegant four-seater glass table right next to the kitchen.
A chandelier decorated the ceiling and illuminated everything with its soft light.
"Good morning, Dad, Mum," William said with a slight smile on his lips.
"Good morning, darling," his mother replied before placing a plate full of freshly made pancakes on the table.
"Good morning, son. Did you sleep well? I heard you got up early," his father replied, lowering his newspaper slightly to look him in the eyes and smile.
"I slept better than other nights," William replied.