Ethan suppressed the shock that found its way into his heart. He didn't even know why he was shocked by meeting Old Sam's gaze. Nothing in Kael's memories explained why.
He stared at Kael's mother. She was looking at him strangely, as if confused why Old Sam would smile… after all, this was the first time Old Sam had smiled since she was a child.
Ethan shook his head and went back to his room. He had thought of asking Kael's mother for money, but the unsettling smile from Old Sam confused him. It wasn't really a smile—it was like Old Sam had seen through him, and that scared Ethan.
He thought about it for a while but found no answers.'Kael's mother said Old Sam has mental problems. Maybe he didn't see anything strange about me and just smiled because of that... or is something wrong?'
Ethan walked to the dressing mirror and observed himself closely for the first time. His reflection was that of a 17-year-old boy: tall, blue-eyed, moderately handsome, with jet-black hair.
But it was his mouth that caught his attention.
His mouth was unnaturally wide.
Ethan opened and closed it several times, shock flooding him each time. When his mouth was shut, you might notice it was big, but not unnaturally so. But when he opened it fully—it was disturbing.
'What's with this wide mouth?'
He was sure Kael's memories didn't show anything like this. This was strange.Ethan shivered, as if standing in a snowstorm without clothes. After a moment, he calmed his mind, shook his head, and took off his coat to bathe.
From the bathroom window, while waiting for the water to boil, Ethan looked toward Old Sam's house. He found it uncomfortable being bathed by someone else, so he had asked the maid to leave.
He pondered what to do if the ritual failed but quickly shook his head.
'Let's not think about bad things. Your thoughts are powerful.'
"Stop!""Hey!""Come here, don't go there!"
Ethan's attention was drawn by several kids chasing a red-haired girl. She was dragging a toy connected to a rope, heading toward Old Sam's house.
She had already stepped onto his lawn.
The other kids didn't take a single step onto the lawn.
The girl stopped and reluctantly turned to the kids.
"Don't go any further!""Come here!""Yes, over here!" another kid said, waving.
The red-haired girl rolled her eyes. "Are you guys mentally challenged?"
The kids quieted down. Some shook their heads. Others didn't even seem to understand.
"Master… the water is hot enough," a voice said, pulling Ethan from the window.
He nodded. "Turn the fire off. I'll do the rest. You can leave now."
The maid bowed and left. Ethan turned back, but the kids were gone. Displeased, he frowned. He hadn't even looked away for long. How could they disappear so fast? He couldn't see them in the crowd either.
Ethan sighed. Ever since the wealth ritual pulled him into this world, he felt trapped in a spider web.
With his intelligence, how could he not suspect Kael had done something before dying? But what it was, Ethan didn't know—and hoped not to find out until he gathered the ingredients to return to Earth.
He soaked himself in the warm water, letting his tired body relax. The sting against his skin felt oddly comforting.
After bathing, he dressed and considered taking out the note he saw earlier—but decided against it. At the mirror, he adjusted his clothes.
Then the feeling hit.
As he stared at the mirror, it felt like he wasn't real.
But the feeling vanished instantly.
'I'm not Kael. I'm Ethan.'
He walked through the manor toward Kael's mother's room. She was the only one he could ask for money. His father was too stingy, even with his children.
Ethan was the only one still at home—his siblings had gone off to the academy. Kael's unruly behavior had been a disgrace, so they kept him home.
'Strange… it's all strange,' Ethan thought. His body felt warm despite the cold. Something was wrong—he just didn't know what.
He reached the door and knocked twice.
"Come in," a voice called.
Ethan hesitated, then entered.'I have to admit, she's gorgeous.'
"Mother… I need some money. Just a little."
It took a lot of mental strength to ask. It felt like begging a stranger—because, well, she was.
Kael's mother smiled brightly and shook her head but didn't speak.
"There's something I wanted to buy… I—I promise I'm not going there."
He didn't specify what "there" meant, but a chill ran through him after saying it.
"Kael, you spent your allowance in a brothel. What makes you think I'd give you more money? Aren't you going to waste it the same way?"
"I'm sorry, but if you give me this, you can subtract it from my next allowance."
"I don't handle your allowance. Your father does. What if you hide it after you get it?"
"Mother is indeed smart and wise. You don't trust me."
And then, before Ethan knew it—they were arguing. Loudly.
Meanwhile…
"Hmm… This isn't part of the plan," a man in a black coat and gloves muttered as he opened his eyes.
"Is there anything strange about him?" another voice asked.
"No. He started arguing with his mother right after entering the illusion," the man replied as he stepped into a horse-drawn carriage. "His mental strength is also impressive."
The carriage began to move. People in the streets didn't seem to notice it. A strange force gently guided them away. Some looked back in confusion after it passed. Others continued on, oblivious.
"The illusion can't always be trusted. And as a noble, he may have an item that prevents him from revealing his secret. We'll have to meet him in person."
"But sir, if I may… why are we investigating him at all? He seems like a typical spoiled noble. Visits brothels every two days."
"This is a classified mission. I'm not allowed to say. When the time is right, you'll know. But understand this: even the tiniest bit of knowledge can get you killed."