Marcus and Lyra were from the Ironheart family, a minor noble clan that specialized in weapon cultivation. Their father was a Fiendgod Realm expert who served as a general in the Federation military, and their mother was a renowned weapon smith.

The Feng twins, Kai and Ren, came from a merchant family that had grown wealthy through dimensional zone exploration and beast material trade. They'd been friends with the Ironhearts since childhood and had chosen to attend Silverpeak Academy together.

"What about you?" Lyra asked Levi around a mouthful of roasted meat. "Where are you from?"

"Redwood Village," Levi replied simply. "Small settlement near the border of the Eastern Federation. My father was a hunter before he got injured. My mother works multiple jobs. I have two younger sisters."

He kept his description brief and factual, not mentioning the original Levi's struggles or his own transmigration. As far as anyone needed to know, he was just a village boy who had gotten lucky.

"Redwood Village…" Marcus frowned thoughtfully. "I don't think I've heard of it. Is it one of the frontier settlements?"

"Sort of. It's in a relatively safe area, but far from any major cities. Most people there are farmers or low-level hunters."

"And yet you made it into Crimson Sun Academy's Elite Class," Kai said with obvious admiration. "That's incredible. The competition for those spots must be insane."

"It was… challenging," Levi allowed.

"Challenging," Lyra repeated with a snort. "He says, having placed first in the entire trial examination." She pointed her chopsticks at him accusingly. "You're way too modest. That's another protagonist trait, by the way."

"Lyra," Marcus warned.

"What? I'm just saying!"

The banter continued as darkness fell completely. Eventually, they organized a watch rotation—Marcus first, then Ren, then Levi, with Kai and Lyra exempt since Kai was still recovering from his injuries.

Levi took the opportunity to rest, lying back on his bedroll and staring up at the stars visible through the forest canopy. Luna curled up on his chest, snoring softly.

His meridians had recovered to about eighty percent now. Another day of travel and rest, and he'd be back to full capacity.

Tomorrow, they'd reach Redwood Village.

He'd see his family—well, the family of the original Levi, though he'd come to think of them as his own—for the first time since transmigrating to this world.

That thought brought a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Would they notice the change in him? The original Levi had been meek, withdrawn, crushed by his F-rank talent designation. The current Levi was confident, decisive, shaped by both lives' worth of experiences.

Would his parents see the difference? Would his sisters?

And what would he even say to them?

These thoughts swirled through Levi's mind as he drifted toward sleep, Luna's gentle breathing a soothing rhythm against his chest.

Tomorrow would bring answers.

-----

Levi's watch shift came in the early hours of morning, that time between midnight and dawn when the world felt suspended between night and day.

He sat near the fire, adding wood occasionally to keep it burning, his senses extended outward to monitor for threats. The forest was alive with nocturnal sounds—insects chirping, small animals rustling through undergrowth, the occasional distant cry of a predator.

But nothing approached their camp. Marcus's perimeter formations were working perfectly, creating a subtle repellent effect that discouraged beasts from investigating.

Luna had woken up partway through Levi's shift and was now sitting on his lap, occasionally squeaking softly and pointing at things only she could see in the darkness.

"You're a strange little creature," Levi murmured, scratching behind her ears. "I still don't know what you really are. Some kind of ancient bloodline, probably. But you're useful, so I won't complain."

"Squeak!" Luna responded indignantly, as if offended by being called merely "useful."

Levi smiled slightly. Despite everything—the battles, the deaths, the constant danger—Luna had been a constant presence. Loyal, helpful, occasionally annoying, but always there.

He was glad he'd found her.

As dawn approached, Levi woke Kai for the final watch shift and retired to his own bedroll for a few hours of sleep.

When morning came, the group broke camp efficiently and resumed their journey.

The third day of travel passed quickly. They encountered only minor threats—a pack of Level 5 Genetic Soldier tier wolves that Marcus's group handled easily, and a territorial Level 8 Genetic Soldier giant eagle that Levi frightened off by releasing his slaughter domain.

"Okay, that was terrifying," Lyra admitted after the eagle had fled. "That pressure you released… it's too overwhelming. It's almost asrhough you've killed hundreds of thousands of people. But that's impossible. How exactly did you do that?"

"Special technique," Levi said vaguely.

"Of course it is. Another special technique that no one else has. Very protagonist-like."

Levi rolled his eyes and almost knocked the girls head.

By early afternoon, they reached a hill and finally saw their destination in the distance.

Redwood Village.

It wasn't much to look at, maybe two hundred buildings scattered across a valley, surrounded by fields and orchards. A wooden palisade enclosed the settlement, more for keeping wild animals out than serious defense. Smoke rose from chimneys, and Levi could make out tiny figures moving through the streets.

Home.

Well, the original Levi's home. But in the weeks since transmigrating, Levi had come to accept this place as his own.

"That's your village?" Ren asked, shading his eyes as he studied the settlement. "It's… cozy."

"It's small," Levi shrugged. "But it's safe, relatively prosperous, and the people are decent. I grew up here."

"How long do you need?" Marcus asked. "We can wait outside the village if you want privacy, or we can find an inn if there is one."

"There's no need for that," Levi shook his head. " There's an inn, only one, but it's clean and the food is good. I'll probably need the rest of today and tonight to handle my business. We can leave for Whitehaven tomorrow morning."

"That works for us. We need to resupply anyway, and Kai should rest properly before we attempt the wyvern hunt."

They descended the hill and approached the village gates. Two guards stood watch—older men with simple leather armor and spears, clearly veterans who had retired from more dangerous work.

Both guards' eyes widened as they saw the group approach.

"Halt! State your business!" one of the guards immediately roared in a time that seemed as though he was trying too hard ti be intimidating.

They were probably farmers or hunters that were trying to keep their community safe.

Marcus stepped forward, showing his academy identification badge. "We are students from Silverpeak Academy, passing through on our way to Whitehaven City. We request permission to rest in your village for one night."

The guards relaxed immediately. Academy students were generally considered trustworthy, and their presence actually made villages safer since they often dealt with nearby beast threats.

"Of course, of course! Welcome to Redwood Village!" The first guard bowed slightly, then his eyes landed on Levi. "Wait… aren't you…?"

Recognition dawned on his face.

"Little Levi? Levi Borne? Is that really you?"

Levi smiled slightly. "Hello, Uncle Chen. It's been a while."

"A while? It's been three months! And look at you—you've grown! And you're with academy students now!" Uncle Chen's face split into a huge grin. "Your parents will be so happy to see you! They've been worried sick since you left for the academy!"

"I sent them a message a few days ago," Levi said.

"Messages aren't the same as seeing you in person!" Uncle Chen clapped him on the shoulder. "Go on, go see them! They're probably at home, your mother works evening shifts at the restaurant these days."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Levi turned to Marcus and the others. "The inn is on the main street, about halfway through the village. Just ask anyone for directions to 'Old Ma's Inn' and they'll point you there. I'll meet you later tonight."

"Take your time," Marcus said. "Family is important."

The group split up—Marcus, Lyra, and the twins heading into the village proper while Levi took a different route toward the residential district.

As he walked through the familiar streets, memories flooded back. Not his memories, but the original Levi's. This street where he'd played as a child. That shop where his mother bought groceries. The square where the annual harvest festival took place.

It was strange, experiencing memories that weren't his own yet felt real nonetheless.

Finally, he reached a small house on the edge of the residential area. It was modest—just two rooms and a tiny kitchen—but well-maintained. Flowers grew in boxes beneath the windows, and the wooden door had been recently repainted.

Levi stood before the door for a long moment, suddenly nervous.

Then he raised his hand and knocked.

"Coming!" a woman's voice called from inside.

The door opened, revealing a tired-looking woman in her late thirties with kind eyes and brown hair pulled back in a simple bun. She wore an apron over worn but clean clothes, and her hands showed calluses from hard work.

She stared at Levi for exactly two seconds.

Then her eyes went wide with shock and joy.

"Levi!" she cried, pulling him into a fierce hug. "Oh, my baby, you're home! You're actually home!"

"Hi, Mom," Levi said softly, returning the embrace. "I'm home."

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