Chapter 1: Awakening in an Unknown World
A dull ache pulsed in his head as consciousness returned.
Lei Feng's eyes snapped open.
A white ceiling greeted him—sterile, unfamiliar. The faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air. He blinked rapidly, his mind sluggish as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.
The last thing he remembered was—
The train robbery.
The masked men.
The sudden chaos.
The pain.
A bullet had torn through his chest, stealing his breath and drowning his world in darkness.
Yet, here he was. Alive.
His hands trembled as he reached toward his chest, expecting to feel bandages or a gaping wound—but there was nothing. His skin was smooth, unblemished. It was as if the fatal injury had never happened.
"What… is happening?" he muttered, voice hoarse.
Sitting upright, he finally took in his surroundings. The room was simple yet refined, wooden walls decorated in an unfamiliar style. A small bedside table held a ceramic teapot, and beside it, a candle flickered softly. The bed beneath him was firm but comfortable, draped in a blue hospital blanket.
Something felt off.
He swung his legs off the bed. Cool wooden flooring met his feet. With hesitant steps, he approached the window and pulled the curtain aside.
What he saw made his heart lurch.
The city stretched before him—a surreal blend of ancient and modern. Towering pagoda-style buildings stood beside sleek glass structures, creating a bizarre yet harmonious fusion of past and future. Streets bustled with people. But what shocked him the most—
An elderly man, clad in flowing white robes, soared through the air, leaving a trail of golden light in his wake.
Lei Feng's breath hitched.
His body trembled as an impossible realization dawned on him.
"This… this isn't Earth."
His fingers clenched the windowsill, panic and confusion warring within him.
Where am I?
Before he could fully process it, the door creaked open.
He turned sharply, heart pounding, as two figures entered.
The first was a girl, around sixteen, dressed in flowing green robes. She was stunning—tall, slender, graceful. Her long raven-black hair cascaded down her back, framing a delicate heart-shaped face. But it was her emerald green eyes that truly drew him in—shimmering with intelligence, yet now flooded with concern.
A strange sense of familiarity rose within him.
Then his gaze shifted.
The second woman was older, perhaps mid-twenties, with a refined yet commanding presence. Her vibrant green hair tumbled down her back in wild waves, contrasting her pale, flawless skin. But what truly caught his attention—
Elongated ears.
His breath caught.
An elf?
He had read of them in fantasy novels, seen them in games—but now, here she was. Real. Mesmerizing. Ethereal.
Yet her golden eyes were cold, calculating, as they assessed him.
The girl spoke first.
"Brother Chen, are you alright?" Her voice was soft, trembling.
Lei Feng blinked. Brother Chen?
"…Do I know you, miss?" he asked hesitantly.
She froze.
Her eyes widened. Lips parted as if she'd just heard the most devastating words. Tears welled in her eyes, and she raised a trembling hand to cover her mouth.
The elf woman—Eira Solstice—let out a quiet sigh, expression unreadable.
"It seems he's suffering from anemia," she said curtly. "His memory may be hazy for a while. I'll summon a physician."
The girl—Ling Mei—turned to Eira, shoulders trembling.
She bit her lip, fingers gripping her robe as she looked back at Lei Feng. Her emerald eyes shimmered, emotion threatening to spill.
Eira's gaze flicked to her. "We should go. Ling Mei, you know how delicate this situation is."
Lei Feng caught the subtle hesitation in her voice.
Delicate?
Ling Mei clenched her fists, whispering, "But he's my brother…"
Eira's expression softened—briefly—before hardening again. "Not everyone will see it that way."
What did that mean? Why would her presence bring trouble? And why did it feel like she was looking at someone she wasn't supposed to have back?
"…Then I can see him later, right?" Ling Mei asked softly.
Eira rested a hand on her shoulder. "Yes. But for now, we should go. If the Master and Mistress find out you were here, it could bring trouble—for both him and you."
Ling Mei hesitated, stealing one last look at Lei Feng. Her eyes shimmered with sorrow before she finally turned away.
Eira followed, pausing at the door. Her golden eyes lingered on him—curious, suspicious—then she stepped out, shutting the door behind her.
Silence returned.
Lei Feng sat on the bed, thoughts a storm.
A new world. A different identity. Strangers treating him like family.
His hands clenched.
What kind of life have I been thrown into?
---
After a long moment, he exhaled and rubbed his temples.
"It seems I've been reincarnated… into someone else's body," he muttered.
His gaze shifted to a polished mirror on the wall. Heart pounding, he stepped toward it.
What stared back—
Was his own face.
His appearance from Earth. Familiar. Unchanged.
His breath caught. He raised a hand to his face. The skin was smoother, his usually tired eyes clearer—but they were still his.
A hollow laugh escaped him. "Even in another world… I'm still just me?"
He had hoped for more. A new face. A noble lineage. A sign he was special.
But reality was cruel.
Eyes squeezed shut, he pressed his fingers to his temples.
No. Don't think like that.
But the memories rushed in anyway.
An orphan. Raised in shelters. Fighting for scraps. Abandoned by everyone.
He had clawed his way through life—dead-end jobs, empty apartments, forgotten dreams. No family. No future.
He had found escape in cultivation novels. Tales of rising from nothing. Power. Legacy. Respect.
But that had never been his fate.
He had died without changing a damn thing.
Lei Feng's fists trembled.
I refuse to let that happen again.
The door creaked open.
A middle-aged man stepped in. Black-and-white hair, rimless glasses, dressed in a white coat with an embroidered insignia on the chest—a winged caduceus within a circle.
He smiled warmly. "Ah, you're awake. I'm Dr. Ryan Thorne. But just call me Ryan. Welcome to ApexHealth Hospital."
Lei Feng nodded absently.
Ryan approached, palm glowing with soft green light.
Lei Feng's eyes widened.
"...Magic?"
The energy pulsed gently, casting a warm glow. Beautiful. Ethereal.
Ryan chuckled. "Hold still."
The magic swept over Lei Feng. Scanning. Probing.
Then silence.
Ryan adjusted his glasses. His expression unreadable.
"Strange…"
Lei Feng stiffened. "What is it?"
Ryan glanced at him, then quickly masked his thoughts. "Nothing serious. You're perfectly healthy. Just rest."
But doubt lingered. Lei Feng had seen that look. He didn't believe him.
As Ryan turned to leave, Lei Feng blurted, "Can I… can I learn magic?"
Ryan paused, then looked back.
"…Unfortunately, you've already passed that age."
And then he was gone.
Silence fell again.
Lei Feng sat there, gripping the sheets.
No magic? But I'm a reincarnator!
His chest tightened.
He had dreamed of this—being chosen. Special. Powerful.
But if he had no magic, no advantage… what now?
No. I won't be weak again.
Suddenly, the air shifted. A chill raced down his spine.
Then—
> [Conditions Met: "Will of the Weak"]
[System Initializing…]
The voice echoed in his mind.
His vision blurred. The room flickered. Something ancient stirred within him.
His journey had just begun.