The next morning arrived with the typical London-esque gloom that seemed to perpetually shroud Tingen. Klein woke with a start, the memories of his transmigration still fresh and disorienting. The cramped apartment felt both familiar and alien, like wearing clothes that almost fit but not quite.
After a simple breakfast of bread and weak tea—luxuries were beyond the original Klein's meager budget—he decided to investigate the letter from Welch more thoroughly. The handwriting was definitely excited, almost fevered, and certain phrases stood out: "Fourth Epoch," "Emperor Roselle's secret research," and most ominously, "the Antigonus family notebook."
Klein's Earth-born knowledge of literature immediately recognized these as classic supernatural thriller elements. Ancient families, secret notebooks, lost epochs—it was like a checklist for occult horror. But this wasn't fiction; this was his new reality.
He spent the morning reviewing the original Klein's notes and correspondence. Welch McGovern was a fellow history graduate, specializing in the Fourth Epoch—a period that seemed shrouded in mystery and conflicting historical accounts. Their mutual friend, Naya, was also involved in this research, though her letters suggested she was more skeptical than Welch about their discoveries.
As Klein prepared to leave for the meeting, he caught sight of himself in the mirror again. The face looking back at him was pale, with dark circles under the eyes—signs of the original Klein's recent stress and poor health. But there was something else, a glint of intelligence and wariness that hadn't been there before. Zhou Mingrui's modern knowledge and skepticism were already changing how this body carried itself.
The walk to Welch's apartment took Klein through the industrial heart of Tingen. Smoke stacks belched dark clouds into the already gray sky, and the streets bustled with workers, merchants, and the occasional well-dressed gentleman or lady. It was a world caught between the old and the new, where gas lamps coexisted with the latest steam-powered machinery.
Klein couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of the supernatural that seemed to lurk just beneath the surface of this seemingly normal Victorian world. Street vendors sold "protective charms" alongside their regular wares, and he overheard conversations about "strange dreams" and "unexplained phenomena" that would have been dismissed as superstition on Earth.
Welch's apartment was in a slightly better neighborhood than Klein's, reflecting his family's modest wealth. When Klein knocked on the door, it was answered by a young woman with auburn hair and intelligent green eyes—Naya, he realized from the original Klein's memories.
"Klein! Thank goodness you're here," she said, though her expression was troubled. "Welch has been... different since he found that notebook. I'm starting to worry about him."
As they entered the apartment, Klein immediately noticed the change in atmosphere. The air felt heavy, almost oppressive, and there was a strange, musty smell that reminded him of old libraries and forgotten tombs. Welch was hunched over a desk in the corner, completely absorbed in studying what appeared to be an ancient, leather-bound notebook.
"Welch," Naya called softly. "Klein is here."
Welch looked up, and Klein was shocked by the change in his appearance. The young man's eyes were bloodshot, his hair disheveled, and there was an almost manic intensity in his gaze. But when he smiled, it was with genuine excitement.
"Klein! Perfect timing. You have to see this. This notebook... it's going to revolutionize everything we know about the Fourth Epoch. The Antigonus family wasn't just a noble house—they were involved in something much more significant."
As Welch began to explain his discoveries, Klein felt a chill run down his spine. The notebook contained references to "pathways," "sequences," and "beyonder characteristics"—terms that meant nothing to the original Klein but sent warning bells ringing in Zhou Mingrui's mind. This was clearly the beginning of something supernatural, and Klein realized he was about to be thrust into a world where the impossible was not only possible but dangerous.
The crimson moon, visible even through the grimy windows of Welch's apartment, seemed to pulse with anticipation, as if it too was waiting to see what would unfold when mortals dabbled in powers beyond their understanding.