The Decision

Sunlight streamed through the pavilion window, coaxing Urotasu’s eyes open. The sound of footsteps echoed around the room. His gaze landed on a pink-haired girl pulling back the curtains.

“Good morning, Master Duncan,” Phoebe greeted, her smile warm. Her navy-blue dress swayed as she turned toward the bed. “I’ll fetch your breakfast shortly.”

Urotasu sat up, stretching his stiff body. His voice was rough from sleep. “How’s the ceiling back to normal? I blasted it to bits yesterday with that lightning magic.”

Phoebe nodded slightly, her bandaged hands fidgeting with her apron’s hem. “Master Dyre repaired it with his magic after you passed out, Master. He was terribly worried about you.”

“Hmm,” Urotasu muttered, eyeing the restored ceiling. “I’d wager there’s no need for builders in this world. Magic’s like a cheat code in a game.”

He noticed Phoebe’s bandaged hands, his brow arching. “Did you get hurt because of my stunt yesterday?”

“No, Master Duncan!” Phoebe shook her head frantically. “I should be the one apologising for teaching you magic.”

Urotasu frowned, puzzled. “Why’re you saying sorry to me?”

Phoebe’s face flushed, her eyes dropping. “I’m just a maid, Master. It was improper for me to teach my master anything.” Her voice trembled. “These wounds… they’re from a whipping Master Dyre gave me for overstepping.”

Before Urotasu could respond, Phoebe bowed deeply. “Please, allow me to fetch your breakfast, Master Duncan.”

She hurried out. Urotasu stared at the door, his expression unreadable. “A whipping? That’s bloody ridiculous,” he muttered, his fists clenching. “Why not just make her commit seppuku while they’re at it? Feudal nonsense makes me sick.”

Soon, the door opened again. Phoebe returned with two figures who immediately caught Urotasu’s eye. Dyre wore a long, navy robe with gold embroidery, while Eleana looked elegant in an emerald-green gown, a sheer scarf draped over her grey hair.

“Duncan, how are you feeling?” Dyre asked, his face etched with concern.

Eleana sat on the bed’s edge, her hand gently touching Urotasu’s forehead. “We were so worried, dear.”

But Urotasu’s eyes narrowed at Dyre. “Why’d you punish Phoebe?” His tone was sharp, a stark contrast to Duncan’s usual quiet demeanour.

Dyre blinked, startled by the blunt question, but kept his composure. “Phoebe overstepped by teaching you magic, Duncan. She forgot her place and didn’t consider your frail condition after waking.”

“Phoebe’s my maid. If anyone’s to punish her, it’s me,” Urotasu said firmly, his gaze piercing Dyre. “She’s under my charge.”

Thump.

Dyre and Eleana exchanged shocked glances. Duncan’s sudden assertiveness floored them.

“Besides,” Urotasu added, glancing at Phoebe, who stood rigid in the corner, “she taught me magic because I asked her to. It’s not her fault.”

Eleana tried to ease the tension with a warm smile. “Alright, it seems we misunderstood Phoebe. We won’t punish her again.”

“Not good enough,” Urotasu said, his voice unyielding. “Apologise to her, Uncle Dyre.”

Dyre and Eleana’s eyes widened, stunned by what they’d heard.

“N-no need, Master Duncan!” Phoebe stammered, panicked. “I’m fine, truly. Master Dyre doesn’t need to apologise.”

Dyre paused, studying Duncan’s resolute expression. After a moment, he sighed and turned to Phoebe. “I’m sorry, Phoebe. I punished you without hearing your side.”

Phoebe bowed deeply, her voice shaking with gratitude. “I forgive you, Master Dyre. Thank you for your kindness.”

Dyre faced Urotasu again. “I owe you an apology too, Duncan, for disciplining your maid without your knowledge.”

Eleana nodded. “Dyre only acted out of concern for you, dear.”

“I get it,” Urotasu replied flatly. “If there’s nothing else, you can go. I’d rather be alone, and I’m feeling fine.”

Dyre and Eleana shared a brief look.

“Very well,” Eleana said, a touch awkwardly. “We were heading to the vineyard after checking on you. We’re glad you’re alright. If you need anything, Phoebe’s here. Farewell, Duncan.”

Once they left, the room’s mood shifted. Urotasu sprang from the bed with newfound energy, a wide grin breaking out. “Right, now for the important stuff! Phoebe, where’s that breakfast? I’m absolutely famished.”

Phoebe, catching her master’s change in tone, gave a small smile as she set a breakfast tray on a small table. “Master Duncan… thank you for standing up for me.”

“From now on, don’t be so stiff with me, Phoebe,” Urotasu said, tucking into a slice of bread with gusto. “As far as I’m concerned, everyone’s equal. None of this master-and-servant nonsense.”

Phoebe’s orange eyes sparkled at his words. For the first time in her years serving Duncan, she felt genuine warmth from him, unaware that the soul in his body wasn’t his.

After breakfast, Urotasu strode to the window. The morning sun warmed his face. The vineyard and tea fields, with mountains in the distance, were a stunning sight. The Thorington manor was perfectly placed, offering breathtaking views in every direction.

“This place reminds me I never took a proper holiday in my old life,” Urotasu muttered, leaning against the window frame. “Hang on, I never even made it to Mount Fuji. What a sodding tragedy my old life was!”

Phoebe, clearing the breakfast dishes, stood silently confused as her master rambled about strange things.

Urotasu’s gaze flicked to the pavilion’s restored roof. “If magic can fix anything…” His eyes narrowed, an idea forming. “Then maybe I can use it to drag Duncan’s soul back into this body.”

The thought cemented his resolve to master this world’s magic. “But with no internet or mobiles here, there’s only one place to dig for answers. The library!”

“Phoebe,” he called, turning. “Is there a library in the Manor?”

“Yes, Master Duncan,” she replied, having just finished tidying. “There is.”

“Brilliant.” Urotasu nodded, chuffed. “After I wash up, take me there. I want to learn more about magic.”

“Y-yes, Master.” Phoebe nodded, though her expression betrayed worry.

***

Urotasu quickly bathed and dressed, then marched toward the main manor with confident strides. Phoebe trailed behind, her face anxious. She knew Duncan was forbidden from entering the manor but couldn’t bring herself to say it. His newfound spirit warmed her, and she didn’t want to dampen it.

“Their clothes are a right laugh,” Urotasu remarked, eyeing the medieval-style uniforms of passing servants. “Feels like I’m the main character in a fantasy Isekai anime. Any chance a notification window’ll pop up in front of me?”

The pavilion and manor were close, separated only by a wide lawn and the manor’s garden. Urotasu drew stares from the servants, who’d never seen Duncan leave his pavilion.

He reached the manor’s entrance. Phoebe hurried to his side.

“Let me open the door, Master—”

“No need, Phoebe. My hands still work.” Urotasu cut her off. But as his fingers neared the door handle, something unexpected hit.

BLAM!

A horrific memory of that murderous night slammed into his mind with brutal force. Blood on the marble floor, lightning flashes, his mother’s scream cut short—it spun in his head like a horror film on loop.

Urotasu’s chest tightened, his head throbbed. Duncan’s body instinctively rejected entering the place tied to his worst trauma.

“Master Duncan!” Phoebe cried, seeing him go pale.

The manor door swung open, and Alice stormed out, her purple gown billowing. “Phoebe! Why’d you let Duncan come to the manor? You know he’s not allowed—”

“I came on my own,” Urotasu rasped, fighting the pain in his head. “Just wanted some books on magic.”

Alice froze, stunned by Duncan’s firm tone. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped back.

“But look at you, you’re still weak.”

“It’s nothing major,” Urotasu insisted, forcing himself to stand straighter.

“Fine… if that’s what you want.” Alice stared, bewildered, then moved aside.

Urotasu pushed himself to step forward, but the symptoms worsened. His breath grew short, his vision blurred. Before he blacked out, he felt Phoebe pulling him away from the manor.

“You should’ve stopped him, Phoebe! Dyre might need to punish you again!” Alice snapped, furious.

“I-I’m sorry, my lady!” Phoebe bowed, clutching her unconscious master.

“What’s going on?” Julia’s voice was cool as she appeared at the doorway. Her long blonde hair was neatly tied, her sky-blue dress elegant yet striking.

“M-Master Duncan wanted to visit the library for magic books, but he fainted, miss,” Phoebe stammered.

Julia eyed her unconscious cousin with a blank expression. “I’ll fetch the books he wants. Take him back to the pavilion.”

“Servants! Help Phoebe!” Alice ordered. Other maids rushed to assist.

***

In the dark subconscious, Urotasu faced Duncan again. The boy stood with his usual vacant stare, but now a faint smile played on his lips.

“Now do you get my suffering?” Duncan asked softly. “Trapped by past trauma, unable to go anywhere, even into the Manor.”

Urotasu scoffed, irritated. “Your trauma’s making my life a right mess, kid. That’s why I’m finding magic to yank your soul back into this body.”

“I died when I fell into that ravine,” Duncan said calmly. “I’ve no desire to live anymore.”

“I died in my last life too!” Urotasu snapped, anger flaring. “And I don’t want to live in a body riddled with your baggage!”

Duncan stepped forward and touched Urotasu’s chest.

Siiing!

A radiant light burst from the contact, warm and soothing.

“What the bloody hell?” Urotasu blinked, caught off guard.

“You still have a bright spark of life,” Duncan said. “Maybe this is your fate.” He gestured to his own chest, where a gaping hole symbolized emptiness and death. “I’ve got none left.”

Duncan stepped back, his smile clearer. “I’ve given my body to you. Sorry it’s not perfect.”

Stunned but stubborn, Urotasu held firm. “No! I’ll still find a way to drag your soul back, dead or not.”

“You called me daft for believing in the Wiedersehen Cycle, but you’ve forgotten you reincarnated into my body. And now you think magic can do something as mad as pulling my soul back?” Duncan tilted his head.

“Cheeky little git for an antisocial kid, aren’t you?” Urotasu’s jaw tightened, annoyed. Though it stung, Duncan had a point. Urotasu felt like a writer who’d left a gaping plot hole. He’d overlooked his own reincarnation, the very thing Duncan had chased.

“If you’re so keen on magic,” Duncan pressed, “wouldn’t it be easier to find a spell to erase the trauma in my body?”

Urotasu’s anger surged. “Trauma doesn’t need magic to vanish, you sodding brat! Just take revenge on the one who killed your mum—your dad!”

“Then do it,” Duncan said.

Thump.

“What!?” Urotasu’s eyes widened.

“Take revenge. I know you can,” Duncan replied.

“Pfft, that’s just Tuesday for me as a Kanjo-gun.” A cold grin spread across Urotasu’s face.

He let out a long sigh. Though frustrated, he couldn’t deny the twisted fate binding them held answers he’d find in time.

“Fine, kid. If you really want to stay dead, then stay dead,” Urotasu said, dripping with sarcasm.

His gaze sharpened, intense. “I’ll take revenge on your dad for you. But,” he raised a finger, warning, “don’t get it twisted. I’m not doing this to give your soul peace.”

Urotasu stepped closer, grabbing Duncan’s throat. “I’m doing this to rub your cowardly, spineless face in it. To show you what a pathetic git you are for giving up. And to wipe that trauma from this body so I can live as Duncan, my way, free to do whatever I bloody well please.”

Duncan didn’t flinch, his faint smile unwavering despite Urotasu’s grip. His usually empty eyes flickered with a hint of light. “Thank you…” he whispered, his form slowly fading until it vanished completely.

In the end, Duncan’s soul was truly gone, and Urotasu resolved to live as Duncan—and seek revenge.

***

Urotasu awoke in the pavilion, his consciousness snapping back. Phoebe’s worried face hovered over him at the bedside.

“How long was I out, Phoebe?” he asked.

“About twenty minutes, Master,” she replied. “Are you in pain? Should I fetch Master Dyre for the doctor?”

“No need, I’m fine,” Urotasu said, rising from the bed.

The door knocked, and Phoebe opened it to reveal Julia, carrying a stack of thick books.

“I brought the magic books you wanted,” Julia said, her voice cool and measured.

“Cheers,” Urotasu replied. “Proper noble, this one, eh? Chin up, full of confidence, and judging me like I’m a peasant,” he thought, sizing up his supposed cousin.

“Who’s this old codger, then?” he mused.

Julia wasn’t alone. An elderly man followed, catching Urotasu’s attention. Thin, with narrow eyes, sharp cheekbones, and a strong jaw, he sported a white mustache and beard, with waist-length grey hair neatly braided. His bald crown and brown robe with loose trousers gave him an odd air. “Blimey, he looks like a kung-fu master from a Hong Kong flick,” Urotasu thought, a spark of familiarity hitting him.

At least someone reminded him of his old world, boosting his hope that somewhere in this new one might resemble Japan or East Asia. “This world’s a mash-up of fantasy and wuxia. I bet this bloke’s got some high-level cultivation skills and might teach me to use Chi. Wonder where he’s from—some place like Japan? God, I hope they’ve got takoyaki there!”

Lost in thought, Urotasu barely noticed the old man’s thin smile as he stepped forward. “It’s been a while, Master Duncan.”

Thump.

A flash of Duncan’s memories hit, revealing the man’s identity. Without thinking, Urotasu’s mouth moved.

“Long time no see, Sir Choi.”