Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Survival Instinct
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"No, seriously, why am I going to die?"
Elric scowled as he quickly read through the rest of the content.
[The future is a collection of possibilities. Oh, is that too difficult a concept for you?]
"What the hell, man?"
No explanation for the reason, but picking a fight? This bastard! And you think I wouldn't know that? It's a famous line from a movie!
[Let me explain simply. Unlike the fixed past or the present, which can be somewhat predicted by your actions, the future gradually takes shape based on what you do in the past and present. That's why nothing is 'certain,' only 'possible.' Think you get it now?]
The way it explained so politely, as if truly looking down on him, only fueled Elric's anger. And the next line was even more outrageous.
[Based on that, all I could see was a future where you get exposed as not being me and die with very high probability. Well, good luck.]
"...That's it?"
After reading that entire long book, all he got was this hollow emptiness. Elric shook the book out in a dazed expression. Naturally, nothing fell out.
"Hoo..."
He'd read all the given information, so now it was time to think. Elric flopped down into the chair.
First off, no matter how you sliced it, the possession seemed real. A completely different person, environment, language—and being able to read it effortlessly, included.
Honestly, this defied common sense. Unless he was trapped in some hyper-realistic hallucination 24/7.
The key was verifying the truth of 'Elric's' information.
How did this guy know all this? About the possession, the future, everything.
But that doubt vanished with the fact that the letter had mentioned his name exactly. No one who didn't know could possibly get that name right, especially since it was in a completely different format from this world's.
And the second question: even if he knew, what did he see in me to explain everything so kindly, step by step?
Because of the possession? Meaning, be careful since it's ultimately his body too? If he lost it, he might not be able to return?
No, but normally, wouldn't you hold a grudge against someone who stole your body? Handing over info like feeding a baby? It didn't add up on so many levels.
"The problem is, even so..."
He didn't want to die, not even on the slim chance, so he had no choice but to follow this guy's advice. A thorough underdog position, unavoidable.
"Hoo, damn it..."
I want to go home...
After slamming his head on the desk in despair for a moment, Elric lifted himself up looking a decade older.
"First... I need to figure out why getting exposed means death."
The book from 'Elric' had no mentions of people to watch out for. Nothing about the novel either. It detailed everything else meticulously, though. Did he really not know about that?
Ah, of course, it did list his current relationships. But only family and a few exclusive servants—that was the problem.
'This guy's a total nuclear loner...'
How do you reach 18 without a single friend?
Elric chuckled bitterly, a self-deprecating smile crossing his face.
"Who's worrying about who..."
The one in mortal danger right now was him, not that guy.
No more detours. Elric slapped both cheeks hard. The stinging cleared his mind.
"First, dangerous people..."
The novel devoted most space to the academy after a brief early intro. So his guesses were limited to academy folks.
Figures from the academy who might enter Elric's relationships flashed through his mind. Easy to recall—he'd loved the novel. The problem was...
"So why the hell does getting exposed as not me mean death?!"
Family or prior acquaintances might be one thing, but most academy people were strangers. They wouldn't know his real personality, so the risk of exposure should be way lower.
"Or maybe not academy... Family or a servant?"
Unfortunately, he knew little about them. The book's fragments weren't enough to pinpoint, and in the novel, they were background air.
"Uwaaaah-!"
After racking his brain, Elric slammed his head on the desk again. So hard his forehead throbbed.
No answers.
Guess he'd have to face it head-on.
The next morning, Elric opened his eyes to the same ceiling and despaired. Damn, this wasn't a dream.
Worse still, today he had to start truly acting like 'Elric.' The guy whose personality was the polar opposite of his!
From the novel, 'Elric' was cold, blunt, oblivious, antisocial, magic-obsessed, a genius, and rarely smiled. No wonder he was the villain.
But Yeo Si-un was bright, energetic, well-liked, sociable, people-loving, far from studious or brainy, and laughed a lot.
Could personalities differ this much? Worse, he had to impersonate it himself. Elric sighed, feeling complicated.
'No way back, seems like...'
Guess he'd act and survive somehow.
If there was even one way back, 'Elric' wouldn't have omitted it. That guy wouldn't just sit idly while losing his body.
Yet the book had zero mention.
If a future-seeing genius didn't know, then there really was no way. Elric sighed again.
Knock knock-
"...!"
He nearly chirped "Who is it?" brightly on reflex, but clamped his mouth shut. An unfamiliar male voice came from outside.
"Young Master, are you awake? Breakfast is ready."
"...Got it."
Is this how to respond? What would 'Elric' say?
Uwaaaah, if only there was a situational manual! All I have is the novel and the book!
After clutching his head and silently screaming while rolling on the bed, Elric rose looking haggard.
'Yeah, gotta face it... No choice but to go...'
No more denial or complaints. He had to analyze and impersonate 'Elric Raishion' somehow.
To avoid death.
Shwaaaah-
Elric headed to the bathroom, fumbling a bit to turn on the water and wash. Totally different from Yeo Si-un's home setup caused a delay, but the explanation in the book made it manageable.
'Breakfast, huh...'
First time meeting the whole family? The book said all family joined breakfast and dinner unless something came up.
'Duke father, Duchess mother, one brother, one sister...'
Incidentally, Elric was the only Raishion child with magic talent.
Moreover, his innate magic gift was the first in Raishion Ducal House history. Before, they'd only had insane swordsmanship and physical prowess.
Thus, Elric's status in the family was near-divine, if exaggerated a bit.
'They're just amazed, right? First time seeing a magic genius up close.'
Who knew their true feelings.
Point was, all eyes would be on Elric. Every little action scrutinized—no room for suspicious behavior.
'...Can I skip?'
But skipping for no reason would raise flags.
True dilemma. Elric sighed inwardly as he thought that.
After washing and somehow donning clothes, he took a deep breath, donned a cold blank expression, and opened the door.
"You've arrived. I'll guide you, Young Master."
Servants bowed deeply. Elric, who'd worried about the route to the dining hall, felt relieved inside.
'Phew, they're guiding me. Good.'
The book had mansion maps, but untraveled paths made him doubt.
Guided by the servant—relief. Elric followed diligently, maintaining his blank face.
'Hoo...'
Keeping blank forever made his face cramp. Impersonating this stone-cold ice block lifelong? Vision already darkening.
But hey, humans adapt. Eventually it'd feel natural.
...Right?
'Path isn't too complex.'
Luckily. Easy to memorize. Even solo, he'd manage.
Plenty of mansion walking ahead, and life-threatening risks possible—memorize everything feasible.
Discreetly scanning while memorizing, Elric suddenly tilted his head inwardly.
'Huh? Wait...'
Was my memory this good?
Since possession, he'd read 'Elric's' thick book, memorized it all, and now effortlessly retained the dining hall path.
Original him? Not at all. Paths maybe, but that volume in one read? Average memory.
'Survival instinct.'
Makes sense—fail to, and he'd die or worse.
"We've arrived, Young Master. I'll open the door."
While memorizing and pondering, he'd reached the dining hall. The servant bowed politely and approached the grand door.
'Opening this door... 'Elric's' family...'
Family—impersonation difficulty incomparable. Would he fool them?
Had to. Maybe survival instinct pulls through. Elric swallowed discreetly.
And the ornate grand door slowly opened.
Following the servant, Elric stepped inside slowly.
"You're here, Elric."
And he came face-to-face with Elric's family—the novel's background air—for real.