The light blinded him, harsh and white, as if the sun itself had invaded the room. Liam or rather the body he now inhabited opened his eyes slowly. Every movement weighed on him with a familiar yet unsettling strangeness. His hands… they weren't his. More slender, more graceful, yet carrying an unsuspected strength. These were not fingers made for tapping on a keyboard or clutching a coffee cup, but for wielding steel… and perhaps magic.
"But… where am I? I don't remember being taken to a hospital…" he thought, his breath short.
As he questioned his own appearance, the door burst open. A young girl entered, dressed in an emerald-green gown, a rose-gold necklace gleaming at her throat.
— "Liam von Leywin! How many times must I tell you? You need to help Mother prepare the banquet hall for your birthday. And don't think you'll slip away again like last night!" she snapped sharply.
Liam stared at her, bewildered.
— "Uh… excuse me, but… who are you? I… I don't really remember what happened."
The girl's eyes widened.
— "What? What do you mean, who am I? My name is Alycia… I'm your little sister!"
— "Your… sister?" he murmured, lost. "Then… where are we? In France?"
She burst out laughing, mocking him.
— "France? That doesn't exist! You're talking nonsense again. We're in Elyndrelle, the land of Men. Now hurry up, don't keep Mother waiting!"
Still dazed, Liam slipped into a coat hanging near the bed and followed Alycia. They descended a staircase of silvered marble that gleamed in the torchlight, leading into a grand banquet hall. The place was so vast it could have housed an entire cathedral.
The moment he crossed the threshold, every servant froze, staring at him as if they had seen a ghost. Uneasy, Liam leaned toward his sister.
— "Why are they looking at me like that? As if… as if I hadn't been here in centuries?"
— "Because you haven't been at the manor for a month," Alycia replied with a sly smile. "You went to Varaam to meet the new princess. Remember? She had just received her title… Elowen, I think."
A shiver ran down Liam's spine.
— "Varaam… Isn't that the capital of the elves? If I recall correctly, there are four realms: Elyndrelle, our empire… Hallor, the dwarves' land… Asha, the beastkin territory… and Liarma, with whom we've just established relations."
Alycia watched him, astonished.
— "Yes, that's right. But how do you know all that if you don't remember your trip?"
— "I… I'm not sure. What I experienced there feels blurry. As if those memories… weren't really mine," he whispered.
At that instant, a male voice rang out behind them:
— "'I can't tell you everything,' really? And why the secrecy, brother?" exclaimed a young man approaching. It was Belior, their elder brother. His eyes gleamed with suspicion. "You're not hiding secret mana training, are you? If Father and Mother found out, you'd have a lot to answer for…"
Alycia frowned.
— "Belior, that's enough! He just got back. Let him breathe for once instead of picking fights. You know how Father reacts when you show off."
Then, a deep yet kindly voice filled the hall.
— "Welcome back, Liam! I hope your journey wasn't too rough. Haha! Now, go help your mother and sister—they need you. And you, Belior, come with me to fetch the silverware for our guests."
Belior clenched his jaw but obeyed, leaving the hall with their father.
Left with the servants and their mother, Liam and Alycia got to work. The hall sparkled with brilliance: pristine white tablecloths, colorful bouquets adorning the tables, golden chandeliers casting their glow. Yet beneath the lively preparations, a quiet tension lingered in the air.
Alycia placed her hands on her hips and gave him a conspiratorial smile.
— "You know, even if you don't remember everything, I'm glad you came back. You were gone far too long."
Liam nodded, troubled.
— "Yes… but I can't shake this strange feeling. As if… this world isn't really mine."
His sister looked at him seriously.
— "Maybe you've changed, Liam. Not just on the outside… but inside too. Either way, don't ever forget: we're here for you."
Their gazes met, only to be interrupted by the arrival of their mother, a woman of majestic elegance. She placed a hand on her son's shoulder.
— "Liam, my dear. Whatever happened in Varaam, what matters is that you've returned. Family comes first. And today, we celebrate together."
A faint smile curved Liam's lips.
— "Thank you, Mother. I'll do my best… even if a fog still clouds my memories."
— "Don't worry. Time will lift that veil. For now, focus on your birthday. Elowen has even prepared a performance in your honor—you'll love it."
At the mention of that name, excitement lit up Alycia's eyes.
— "Yes! Dances, magic… This celebration will be unforgettable. You can't miss it!"
Liam drew in a deep breath. He still felt lost, but a gentle warmth spread through him. Perhaps this celebration would help him reclaim a piece of himself.
— "Very well. Just tell me what I need to do."
Alycia burst into joyous laughter.
— "Perfect! You can start by arranging the chairs and setting up the lights. But don't forget—you're the guest of honor, so you'd better get ready too."
A genuine smile finally appeared on Liam's lips. For the first time since waking, he felt a little more at home. As he joined the preparations, he made himself a promise: to uncover the truth of what had happened to him. But for now, he let himself be carried by the warmth of his family and the brilliance of the day.