Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 — A New Name

Chapter 2 — A New Name

Kevin slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, everything was blurry. A bright light hung above him, forcing him to squint as his vision gradually returned. His body felt heavy, almost as if he had been asleep for days. He tried to move, but the first thing he noticed was the cold surface beneath him.

A table.

Kevin looked around.

The room was unlike anything he had ever seen. Dark stone walls surrounded him, covered with shelves filled with glass bottles, strange metal tools, bowls containing dried plants, and various pieces of equipment that he couldn’t begin to identify. Several containers held liquids of different colors, some of them glowing faintly in the dim room. Tubes ran between different pieces of equipment, connecting them to a large apparatus nearby.

It looked like a laboratory.

But not one he recognized.

Kevin’s eyes moved across the room until they settled on the people standing nearby.

An old man stood a few steps away from the table. He had a long gray beard and gray hair, with a calm expression that revealed almost nothing. Two younger people stood near him, both wearing robes and watching Kevin closely. From their appearance, they seemed to be disciples of the old man.

Kevin stared at them for several seconds.

Who are these people?

Before he could ask, something suddenly struck his mind.

Memories.

They came without warning.

The memories flooded through him faster than he could understand them. Kevin’s head began to ache as unfamiliar experiences mixed with his own memories. He saw things he had never done and places he had never been, yet somehow he knew them.

Kevin’s breathing became slower as the memories settled into place. He understood the situation with a clarity that made his stomach turn.

He had died.

And somehow, he had awakened in another person’s body.

Kevin stared blankly ahead for a moment before muttering to himself, "I transmigrated."

The words sounded ridiculous when spoken aloud.

I’m in a new world.

He barely had time to process the thought before one of the disciples looked toward the old man.

"Elder Benton, it looks like he’s awake now."

The old man turned his attention toward Kevin.

"I see."

His voice was calm and steady.

Benton stepped closer to the table and looked down at him.

"All right, boy. What’s your name?"

Kevin opened his mouth.

"Kev..."

He stopped.

The answer no longer felt right.

The memories of the boy whose body he now occupied surfaced again. Victor Ashcroft.

Kevin took a breath.

"Victor. My name is Victor."

Benton looked at him for a moment before simply nodding.

"Victor."

He didn’t question the hesitation.

Instead, he continued, "Well, boy, I have some advice for you. You succeeded in awakening your bloodline, so I’ll give you a little advice while I have the chance."

Victor listened carefully.

"In this world, the weak are nothing. The weak become slaves, and if you don’t want to remain one, you have to become strong."

Benton glanced around the laboratory before continuing.

"This tower is an Alchemy Tower, but don’t mistake it for a peaceful place. It eats the weak. Slaves don’t last long here."

His eyes returned to Victor.

"So figure out how to become strong, and do it quickly. Otherwise, you won’t live long."

Victor remained silent for a moment, thinking about the words.

Before he could respond, one of the disciples walked over to the table and began undoing the latches holding him down. The restraints were released one by one until Victor was finally able to move.

He slowly pushed himself upright.

His body felt weak, and he had to pause for a moment before the dizziness passed. Victor looked down at himself, still trying to understand the reality of what had happened.

Benton turned toward the disciples.

"All right. It’s time to go."

He began walking toward the door before stopping.

"Someone will be here soon to escort you to your quarters."

Victor looked toward him.

Benton stood at the doorway for a moment before turning around.

"You know, Victor, I don’t normally do this."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a small coin.

"But because you awakened your bloodline, I’ll give you a chance."

Benton flicked the coin toward him.

Victor caught it.

He looked down at the small metal coin. An emblem was engraved into its surface, clearly belonging to Benton.

"This will give you an audience with me."

Victor looked back at him.

Benton continued, "But it won’t be effective now. The only time you can use it is when you become an acolyte and are no longer a slave."

Victor listened carefully.

"You must conquer the weakness you have now. Become stronger. When you are no longer a slave, bring me this coin."

Benton paused.

"I will give you one opportunity."

He turned around without saying anything else and walked out of the door. The two disciples followed him, leaving Victor alone in the room.

Victor remained seated on the edge of the table for a while, staring at the coin in his hand.

He didn’t know what Benton expected from him, nor did he know what that one opportunity would eventually mean.

For now, he simply put the coin away and looked around the room.

Slowly, Victor stood.

His legs felt weak, but he managed to remain upright. He looked around until he noticed a mirror against one of the walls.

He walked toward it.

The reflection that greeted him was strange.

A young boy stared back at him.

Victor studied his face carefully. He had jet-black hair and black eyes, with pale skin and a body that looked far younger and different than he was used to seeing.

He was thirteen now.

The realization was still strange.

Thirteen years old.

Victor reached up and touched his hair.

From the memories he’d received, Victor’s hair hadn’t always been this dark. It had been a much lighter shade before the bloodline awakening.

The bloodline must have changed it.

He lowered his hand and continued staring at himself.

This wasn’t Kevin’s body.

It wasn’t Kevin’s life.

The memories began to surface again as he thought about the person he had become.

Victor Ashcroft belonged to a noble family, but it was a fallen noble house. The Ashcrofts had once held more influence, but their position had declined over the years. Victor was the youngest son, and from what he could remember, his older brother had never looked at him as someone important.

Then came the memories of the carriage.

Being taken away.

Being sold.

Victor’s expression hardened.

He couldn’t say with absolute certainty who had arranged it, but he believed it had been his brother.

His brother had sold him to the Alchemy Tower.

Victor stared at his reflection.

"Victor’s family..."

He stopped.

The words felt strange.

He looked at himself again.

"No."

He shook his head slightly.

"My family now."

He remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

"I guess it’s my family now."

Victor looked directly into his own eyes.

"I know this isn’t fair to you, Victor."

He paused.

"But I’ll get revenge for you."

His voice became firmer.

"I’ll make it my vow. I’ll get revenge for you, Victor, so you can rest in peace."

Victor continued staring at the boy in the mirror.

"My name is Victor Ashcroft."

He said it again, this time with certainty.

"I am Victor Ashcroft now."

The words settled inside him.

Kevin was dead.

Whatever life he had left belonged to Victor Ashcroft.

A loud crash suddenly came from the doorway.

Victor turned.

The door was thrown open, revealing a guard standing outside.

The guard looked at him impatiently.

"Come on, slave. It’s time to go."

Victor stared at him for a moment.

Then he turned away from the mirror and followed the guard out the door.

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