A Reliable Backup

[A/N: This chapter is subject to potential changes and revisions, so if you see any errors, let me know.]

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After an unsuccessful attempt to find a library in that sumptuous penthouse, Ezran locked himself in good faith in his quarters and did not leave his room for the next few days.

Honestly, it wasn't that he couldn't go out, it was that he was preparing as much as he could for his new routine, otherwise he might end up overwhelmed with the different lifestyle he had now.

Everything that had happened seemed to indicate that the next day, he would go back to his own boring, horrible life, with zero notable or pleasant points.

And it made sense that he would feel that way at first.

After all, overnight — in the literal sense of the whole thing — his life changed completely, like from water to wine.

It was, frankly, bizarre to have his consciousness suddenly transported into the world of a novel he adored immensely, but he couldn't help but think it was wonderful too.

''It's actually an obvious opportunity.''

A chance to live in luxury.

To live in a very different, and probably special, way that went beyond the suffering he had been subjected to all his life on Earth.

A chance to live beyond the streak of bad luck, and the misfortunes that seemed to follow him wherever the man went.

''But that's only if I can survive the ordeals, huh...'' Snorting, interrupting his own futile thoughts, he focused on finishing devouring the plate of food on his table.

Things might look relatively good at first, but one only had to look a little deeper and one would be able to discern that 'curse disguised as a blessing'.

Ezran, formerly known by the name 'Luxxan', was sadly strapped into the body of a villainous supporting character destined to come across a wall written 'death'.

In short, from all that he had managed to formulate, through his prior knowledge and the few things he knew of the original Ezran, he could only state that there were many people and beings in this world capable of killing him.

Fate, even on another planet, seemed to be playing unfunny pranks on him once again.

And, in addition to that, the nervousness and anxiety, now less stamped on his face, made him hungry.

Luckily, even though he was cloistered in that vast, cold room, his personal bodyguard, Pharah, personally took care of his meals and changes of clothes, leaving them on the table every day.

However, to the man's annoyance, she had already asked several times for the doctors opinion, but with each attempt, the same thing happened and Ezran sent them away.

''I need to at least finish this, for now.''

In those days, all Ezran did was search the phone he'd found on the bedside table — unlocked via fingerprint —, making notes of what he remembered, and with information gleaned from the world itself.

''It's not the same cell phone I had before I was teleported here.'' He stated, shaking his head. ''But a much more useful, different and clearly more expensive phone.''

As he continued to search the internet, Ezran felt like dying from all the information, realities, and possibilities crashing through his mind.

Through everything he had collected from texts, excerpts and his own memoirs, the man could assert that he really was the younger brother of one of the main character's companions — Damian del Razón Zebedee.

Not that it was a bad thing.

But it also didn't seem to be beneficial. At least, not for now.

Nonetheless, perhaps, who knows, if in the future he made good use of his older brother's affection, the difficulties in his path would ease a little.

''Given his personality, I don't think it's an impossible plan to carry out.''

Damian was the typical straight-laced character who cherished the good of all and, as the heir son of one of the biggest corporate conglomerates of all the remaining colonies in the world, he helped the protagonist outright.

New equipment? He would easily secure it for Jhin and his companions, buying them the finest and finest quality available.

Coaches as specialized as Brivid Academy teachers? It was no problem for his purchasing power.

Artifacts and growth potions that cost a fortune? Child's play, in his opinion.

''He is an example of philanthropy, using money for the benefit of others. For the sake of humanity." Reading his file, while sketching other notes in his notebook, he realized. "Damian is considered by many to be as good a hero as Jhin."

However, on the other side, still in his family tree, was Ezran del Razón Zebedee — his younger brother who would only serve as cannon fodder for the story to progress correctly.

Ezran was his complete opposite, and made it seem like the genes of the influential Zebedee family had some 'Yin Yang' effect built in.

His fame and reputation were not good at all, and although the boy was extremely gifted with the art of swordsmanship, he was known as the tedious and not-so-decent trash of the family.

Furthermore, to make matters worse, during a party he had attended, some confidential files from his father's company were stolen because of him, leaving him in an unfavorable position in the family.

Like a worm who got drunk all night, sleeping with different working girls each night, he shamed the name of Razón Zebedee for the last time.

His father, Harlan del Razón Zebedee, declared an ultimatum and exiled him to a luxurious apartment near the Brivid Academy — which, hopefully, he would be able to attend.

And in case he refuses to attend the institution, or ends up not being accepted when trying to get into the Academy, only the worst would be waiting for him, even in the best case...

''I have to take the opportunity to thank Damian, by the way.''

From what official documents pointed out, apparently the boy had not been completely deposed of his noble title as a 'del Razón Zebedee', because of his older brother's pleas.

It was difficult to deal with so much bullshit, but he had no choice.

''Besides, it looks like I've inherited some small family businesses.''

Damian might even be the oldest and, without a doubt, the only viable candidate for the post of next heir to the post of president of the Zebedee corporation that his father had built.

However, Ezran also mattered to the family, or something.

That was why, in order to maintain his livelihood and small fortune, in addition to learning to manage business from an early age, he was gifted with small and medium-sized businesses close to the region.

The documents piled on top of each other, in a mess, right next to Ezran, showed the income generated by the subsidiaries, temporarily managed by Pharah and some of his other subordinates.

''Ha...'' He laughed.

Ezran suddenly smiled, finding it all amusing.

Leaning back further in the comfortable chair, the boy sighed.

He'd only been in that world for about five days, if his count was right, and even then he still couldn't shake the feeling that one day he would awaken back to his world.

Opening his eyes once again to his tragic and mediocre life on the ancient Earth he inhabited. Being greeted by his dirty, crumbling ceiling in his decrepit and poorly maintained apartment.

Waking up in that wretched world. In that society as dirty as the worst parts of Excedia.

A world where no one looked at him twice and cared about him.

A world where everything that mattered to him was gone.

''If I can get rid of these curses, and advance the story...'' He began, stretching his hands forward. ''So maybe I can live a decent life?''

Even in the face of so many trials, he didn't seem as shaken as expected.

That is, of course, internally he was still immensely preoccupied with the question of the various variations of his death — assumptions that could lead to his death, being an unprepared weakling, were many.

It got to the point where it became difficult to guess how he would die.

If he avoided his death instituted in the events of the original novel, there was no guarantee that it would actually prevent him from dying later, during future occasions.

However, he just took a deep, calm breath.

Now that he was in a novel, his favorite novel, [Lord of the Heroes], whose he'd been following the serialization since it was first published, Ezran supposed he might have some fun.

It was okay that he would have to deal with problems, but so what? Hadn't her life been an unfortunate one so far?

It was just a matter of a little more effort. He would need to be resilient, and rise even when fate was against him.

Just as he once did and entered the most renowned University in his entire country, against all odds and expectations.

''So, I guess for that, I need to get out of here as soon as possible, huh?''

After researching so much about the world for countless days without rest, Ezran could finally feel satisfied enough about his notes and memories of the novel.

Even if they weren't quite ready yet, at least the initial part and the important events of the plot had been written down.

In fact, for the record, he'd jotted down so many things, that his diary, cell phone, and laptop were crammed with password files, where he recorded and documented every event he could remember about.

''Well, that's it.'' He stated. ''For now, it's the best one can have.''

Rising from his chair, he finally felt confident to leave the room.

''.....'' Turning the knob of the wooden door, he looked back.

That had been his refuge for the past few days.

It seemed that he had become attached to it in that short period of time he'd passed there.

But, honestly, whatever.

"Ehew"

Leaving behind the bedroom of the large apartment that Ezran was happy to have, he finally began to explore that new, unknown world.