Ivory Village, Aerion Kingdom
After washing away the fatigue of morning training, Merlin dressed and stood before the mirror, a towel draped loosely around his neck.
Droplets slid from his hair, tracing down his cheek before vanishing into the fabric of his shirt.
He stared at the reflection in the mirror. The face that stared back was young, and undeniably his. Still, whenever he looked long enough, the image seemed to blur, overlapping with his other self from another world.
He was a reincarnator—though not the usual kind one would imagine. He had reincarnated not into one world, but into two at the same time.
The first was close to the modern Earth he once lived in, just set a few decades earlier. In that world, he lived in a state-owned orphanage in London, abandoned at birth.
The place was noisy, crowded, and exhausting. He wasn't exactly antisocial, but he couldn't force himself to fit in with children who had learned far too early that no one in the world truly cared for them—many carrying more emotional scars than they could handle.
Still, over time, he learned how to adapt.
And if life there was dull and gray, this world more than made up for it.
Here, he had a family—one that truly cared for him. The world itself was something straight out of a medieval fantasy, with knights who could cut through steel with a single swing of their blades, mages who could hurl fireballs with a wave of their hands, and magical beasts he had only heard about in fairy tales.
It was a pity he didn't have any cheat. He had assumed it was standard for every reincarnator.
His strange situation did come with an advantage, though. Both of his bodies, though capable of acting independently, possessed the same core.
They shared thoughts, memories, and even senses. When both focused on the same task, the results were like two minds working together in perfect harmony, doubling their efficiency.
Thanks to that, his speed in learning swordsmanship was far faster than his brother Ralph's, despite never having held a sword in his previous life.
A faint sound of footsteps outside his room pulled him from his thoughts.
He turned toward the door just in time to catch a flash of golden—before something soft slammed into him, small arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
"Good morning, Angel," Merlin sighed helplessly, looking down at the little girl who barely reached his waist. "How many times have I told you to knock before coming in?"
Angel blinked up at him with wide, sparkling eyes—the same vivid emerald green as his own, both inherited from their mother.
"...But Brother," she whined, puffing her cheeks slightly, "Mumma said Angel should call Brother for breakfast."
Merlin exhaled, whatever resolve he had dissolving under her gaze. "Alright, alright," he muttered, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. He scooped her up effortlessly into his arms. "Let's not keep Mother waiting, then."
Angel giggled, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck. "Let's go!"
Merlin chuckled, shaking his head as he carried her toward the stairs.
...
"Eat more, dear," Elena said warmly as she placed a third portion of steak onto Merlin's plate.
Merlin stared at it helplessly. "Mom, that's enough! I'm really full. If I eat even one more bite, I think I'll explode," he groaned, leaning back and patting his slightly bulging belly for emphasis.
Elena clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Nonsense. Look at you—you're all skin and bones. If you eat so little, people will think your mother doesn't feed you properly," she said, cutting a small piece and gently feeding it to Angel, who accepted it with a happy hum.
"I'm not thin, Mom. Your reference point is just... biased," Merlin muttered, casting a meaningful look at Ralph, who was seated across the table.
Ralph was already on his fifth portion, chewing blissfully without a care in the world.
Angel, chewing happily, pointed at Ralph with her fork. "Hehe! Big Brother Ralph eats like a monkey. A big monkey!"
Elena stared at her daughter, momentarily speechless.
Merlin immediately burst into laughter, nearly choking on the food in his mouth.
Ralph, too absorbed in devouring his meal, froze mid-bite only after he noticed his two siblings laughing. He looked up, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, confusion clear on his face. "...What?"
That only made Merlin laugh harder, clutching his stomach.
"Nothing, dear. You can eat however much you want," Elena said gently to Ralph before turning to her daughter, who was still giggling proudly at her own joke. "Angel, don't make fun of your brother. That's bad manners."
Angel pouted but nodded obediently, stabbing her steak again.
Elena turned, fully prepared to scold Merlin as well—only to realize he wasn't laughing anymore. He had gone completely still, a slightly disbelieving expression on his face.
Feeling that something wasn't quite right, Elena called out worriedly, "Merlin, are you alright?"
He didn't respond.
"Merlin?" she called again, her voice a bit louder this time.
He blinked once and seemed to snap back, composing himself as his expression returned to normal.
"I'm fine," he said, giving a small shake of his head. "A piece got stuck in my throat for a second."
Elena let out a sigh of relief and handed him a glass of water. "Then don't laugh while eating," she said—more a habitual reminder than a reprimand.
Merlin nodded and took a sip before lowering his head again, calmly continuing his meal as if nothing had happened. But his thoughts had already drifted far away from the breakfast table.
...
St. Augustine's Orphanage, London
Merlin had just returned to his room after a dull breakfast in the cafeteria when he was surprised by the sight of a plump gray owl perched on his window, holding an envelope in its beak.
'It's 1989. Are people still using birds to send letters?'
Although technology was far from reaching the heights it would in the coming decades, there were still landline phones and postal mail services for long-distance communication. A bird carrying a letter was truly a rare sight.
"Is it for me?" He didn't expect an answer, but surprisingly, the owl tilted its head at his question, its yellow eyes staring straight at him—and Merlin could swear they were full of intelligence, as if it understood what he was saying.
Narrowing his eyes, Merlin decided to approach the bird. As he reached arm's length, he cautiously extended his hand toward the envelope. The owl seemed amused by his actions but loosened its grip, letting him take it.
Merlin blinked at the bird before turning his attention to the envelope. There was indeed his name and address—oddly detailed—written on it. The parchment felt unusually thick, and the emerald-green ink was not a commonly used color.
Turning it over, he found a red wax seal pressed with a shield-shaped crest. At its center was a capital "H," surrounded by four animals: a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
Looking at it, Merlin froze, his eyes widening in shock. "How could this be..."
He took a deep breath and, with slightly trembling fingers, tore open the envelope.
...
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Professor Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Merlin Graves,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Term begins on 1st September. Enclosed you will find a list of all necessary books and equipment.
As you are a Muggle-born student currently residing at St. Augustine's Orphanage, London, one of our professors will visit you on Sunday afternoon, the 28th of July, to explain everything you will need to know about the wizarding world and to assist with your preparations for the coming school year.
Please ensure that you are available at that time. The visiting professor will answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process of obtaining your supplies from Diagon Alley.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to Hogwarts.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress