Chapter 38: Western Fantasy World (1)

When Lin Yuetian woke from the chaos, he found himself floating in midair. Around him was a somewhat cluttered room, resembling some kind of workshop. The floor was piled with various books, and the table was covered with a messy assortment of objects, including several scrolls of parchment. He was wearing a deep blue robe adorned with starry sky-like patterns.

“I’m a ghost again?” Lin Yuetian asked, based on his fresh and recent experience.

“No, what are you thinking? Don’t jump to conclusions,” the system replied. “Just accept the memories first.”

This world was a fantasy realm filled with swords and magic. The original body’s father was from the East, so he had an Eastern name—Lin Yuetian. He had been a minor noble of the human kingdom, the Jonian Empire. Thanks to his exceptional magical talent, he became the royal alchemist of the palace. Up until that point, his life had been smooth and uneventful. But then, he fell in love with his first love—Prince Vina of the Jonian Empire, who would later become King Vina I, the twentieth ruler of the empire.

Their first meeting had been romantic. Both were young, crossing paths in the royal palace, borrowing books about magic and adventure, dreaming about a future that seemed out of reach. The original body was pure-hearted and truly fell in love with Vina. He wanted to accompany him as his alchemist for life, even if Vina would eventually marry a wife after ascending the throne—he was willing to accept that without regret. To prove his devotion, he even rejected an invitation to the legendary Mage Tower, a sacred place that every wizard in the world yearned to enter.

However, he never expected that, despite Vina being the undisputed heir and having no need to exploit him for power, Vina’s obsession with magic would become a hidden threat between them. He never imagined that to Vina, he was merely a stepping stone on the path to magical mastery. When Vina once asked, “Why can’t I be like you?” the original body worked tirelessly to find a way to enhance his magic affinity. But the moment Vina achieved that goal, he turned on him without hesitation, expelling him from the kingdom. Not only that, but Vina even sent soldiers to hunt him down to cover up the matter.

Despite his magical talent, the original body was a researcher, not a fighter. He barely escaped with his life, his heart shattered. He decided to give up on love and dedicate himself to studying magic at the Mage Tower, spending his remaining years alone.

But fate wasn’t done tormenting him.

On his way to the Mage Tower, he fell into danger and was rescued by a knight named Kason. Kason was a lone wanderer, upholding justice in the magical world—a true ranger. His righteousness and solitude attracted the original body, while his kindness and strength soothed his wounded heart. They traveled together for years, growing closer and eventually forming an unspoken bond akin to a lifelong commitment.

But once again, the original body’s trust was betrayed.

Kason had not saved him out of righteousness, nor did he have any feelings for him. He had secretly harbored feelings for a sickly noble boy and needed the bones of a mage to create a cure. A knight could never outshine a talented wizard who had the potential to enter the Mage Tower. So, he swallowed his pride, waited until the original body let down his guard, and then struck.

Truly a story worthy of song and tears, deeply moving.

Although the original body miraculously survived after having his bones dug out, the pain was unbearable. He decided he would never love again, choosing instead to dedicate his life to magic. He finally arrived at the Mage Tower, where he immersed himself in his studies. This was the happiest and most peaceful period of his life. He only needed to focus on research, doing what he loved and excelled at, finding fulfillment in his work.

But perhaps fate was determined to break him.

After years of studying at the Mage Tower, he once left with other mages to purchase magical materials. That was when he happened to meet a child. The boy’s name was Jay, the illegitimate son of a bard. When the original body met him, his mother had just passed away, leaving him all alone. Moved by his plight, he decided to take Jay to a safe place. On a whim, he tested Jay’s magic affinity—only to discover that Jay was a magical prodigy!

And so, he took Jay in as his apprentice.

The original body had been lonely for years, never experiencing true, unwavering love. He poured all his energy into Jay, raising him as if he were his own child. Their bond grew deep, and when Jay turned eighteen, the original body asked him if he had any wishes.

Jay looked at him and said, “I only wish to become lovers with my teacher.”

The original body was utterly shocked and refused outright. But Jay secretly pursued him relentlessly. The original body was a passionate, love-starved person—he could not resist the fervor of youth. Moreover, he truly cared for the student he had raised since childhood.

In the end, he gave in. They became a master-disciple pair in public and lovers in private.

From that moment on, he devoted himself even more to Jay, never considering his own well-being. He paved the way for Jay, personally shaping him into the new Chief Mage of the Mage Tower.

The original body believed that as long as he gave his true heart, he would eventually receive true love in return. He held onto this belief despite the betrayals of Vina and Kason, which had scarred him deeply. He still trusted in love, believing the world couldn’t be so unfair to him. He only wanted sincerity and was willing to give everything for it.

He believed in his student.

He believed in his young lover.

But sometimes, fate is nothing more than a cruel, unrelenting villain.

After Jay became the Chief Mage, he did not stay by the original body’s side as expected, growing old together. Instead, he became increasingly indifferent, and in the end, he publicly severed their master-disciple relationship—his reason being that the original body had made no progress in magic research over the years! But the truth was, if he hadn’t spent all his time nurturing Jay, his own achievements would have far surpassed what they were now!

When the original body confronted Jay in disbelief, Jay bluntly admitted that he had never liked him—an old mage who only looked young on the outside. He openly stated that everything he did was solely to extract benefits from the original body. Without hesitation, he confessed that he was an ambitious young man, and the idea that the original body could still have feelings for someone he had raised since childhood actually disgusted him.

Now that Jay was the Chief Mage, his status had surpassed the original body’s, leaving the original body powerless to do anything but endure. He became increasingly distraught, and last night, he suffered a fatal accident while conducting a potion experiment.

“…This is way too unlucky.” Lin Yuetian couldn’t help but sigh after finally processing the original body’s memories.

“The original body’s wishes in this world are as follows: Task One—Make Prince Vina, Knight Kason, and Apprentice Jay all confess their love to you and repent. Task Two—Take back everything they stole from the original body.” The system stated.

“…Why do I feel like this mission is kind of easy?” Lin Yuetian asked seriously. “Is it just my mindset that’s off?”

“No,” the system retorted in exasperation. “I specifically picked this one for you. Kill however you like—just don’t get weird with it again. And for the love of everything, stop giving me nightmares.”

Lin Yuetian was slightly surprised but nodded, replying gently, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“I was thinking of myself, alright, bro?” The system shuddered. “Don’t be so gentle, it’s freaking me out…”

“I understand. I won’t let your thoughtfulness go to waste,” Lin Yuetian said earnestly. “In short, I’ll handle this. You can rest assured.”