Chapter 1: Transmigration and the AI Chip

Alex awoke with a sharp gasp, feeling the coolness of silk sheets against his skin. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming—his mind tangled in the remnants of his old world. He had just been in his lab, researching new advancements in AI and biotechnology, but now… now, he was lying in an unfamiliar room. The walls were adorned with golden tapestries, the air smelled faintly of incense, and the soft light of the morning sun filtered through large, arched windows. His hand instinctively moved to his neck, where the familiar hum of an AI chip pulsed gently beneath his skin.

He had been transmigrated—he didn't know how or why, but the evidence was clear. This wasn't his old world.

The first thing Alex noticed was the difference in the air—thick with magic, something he had only read about in his past life's fantasy novels. The hum of magic was almost tangible, as though the very air was alive with energy. And yet, despite the mystical surroundings, something felt familiar to him. The AI chip still functioned within his body. It wasn't alive, not really. But it was there, a constant presence—a connection to his past.

Sitting up in bed, Alex glanced around the room. The furniture was exquisite, made of dark wood and polished stone, with intricate carvings of creatures and symbols he couldn't immediately recognize. His gaze shifted to the window, and he caught his first glimpse of the world outside. A sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens and towering walls. The landscape beyond appeared untouched by time, ancient yet beautifully preserved. The city that lay in the distance was alive with people moving about, but there were no cars or technology as he knew it.

He took a deep breath. Magic was real in this world, but where did he fit into it?

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a middle-aged woman entered, her face soft but firm. She wore a noblewoman's attire, rich in color and texture, her dark hair pulled into a neat bun. "Ah, you're awake, my son," she said, her voice warm yet authoritative. "Your father will be happy to see you well."

"Mother?" Alex murmured, still in shock. He blinked, trying to understand. He had no memories of this family, yet the word came naturally. "What's going on? Where am I?"

The woman sighed softly, walking over to his bedside and placing a gentle hand on his forehead. "You've been through much. You've been asleep for two days now, recovering from the strain of your journey. But all that matters now is that you're here. This is our home, the Duke's estate. You're safe, Alex. You are the second son of House Halford. You belong here."

House Halford? The name sounded familiar, yet foreign. Alex struggled to reconcile this new reality with the fragments of his old life. His mind felt foggy, but there was one thing that cut through the haze: his AI chip. It buzzed softly, a constant presence. It could analyze, calculate, store information, and help him process the world around him. It was still his anchor, despite the overwhelming newness of everything else.

"Your brother is out training," his mother continued, "but he'll be here soon. I'll leave you to get dressed and have some breakfast. Your father will want to speak with you later."

Before Alex could respond, she exited the room, leaving him alone. The room was quiet again, save for the soft tick of a clock on the wall. Alex placed his hand over his chest, feeling the slight pulse of his AI chip beneath his skin. It felt like a lifeline, a thread back to his previous life. If nothing else, he could rely on the chip's basic functions to help him navigate this strange new world.

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The Estate and the Family Dynamics

After a few moments of gathering his thoughts, Alex forced himself out of bed. The clothes in the wardrobe were unfamiliar—a noble's attire, finely tailored and made of rich fabrics. He dressed quickly, not wanting to waste any time. The room he found himself in was part of an expansive estate, the residence of a family with immense wealth and influence. It was clear from the surroundings that they were nobles, possibly even aristocracy.

As he descended into the grand dining hall, Alex could feel the weight of the family's expectations pressing down on him. The hall was vast, its high ceilings adorned with chandeliers that sparkled like stars. The family's emblem—a majestic lion entwined with ivy—was embroidered onto the walls and tapestries.

At the long dining table, his father, a tall, stern man with graying hair and a strong presence, sat at the head. His eyes were sharp, but there was a kindness in them that Alex couldn't deny. "Ah, Alex," his father greeted, his voice booming yet warm. "You're up early. Come, sit with us."

Alex took his place at the table, unsure of how to act. His brother, a young man around Alex's age, sat to his father's left. His name was Ronan, and his eyes held the same calculating sharpness as their father. Ronan was already in the process of preparing for his future as the family heir. He gave Alex a brief nod, a polite gesture, but it was clear that Alex wasn't expected to take any significant role in the family's power structure.

"Alex," his father said, cutting into his thoughts, "tell me what you know about the world you've entered. You've been unconscious for some time, but you're a part of House Halford now. Your place is among us."

Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He had a thousand questions, but there was one that lingered above the rest: What was his role in this world? He had been born into a noble family, yes, but what did that mean for someone who had come from a world governed by science and technology, not magic and knights?

"I… I don't know much," Alex admitted. "I remember being a scientist in my previous life. There was no magic, no… wizards. Just technology and machines."

His father's eyebrows rose. "A scientist? Fascinating. Here, magic is everything. It flows through the land, through the very air we breathe. You'll learn soon enough how to harness it. But first, your training begins today. As a noble, you must understand the basics of combat, diplomacy, and magic. There's much for you to learn."

Alex felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Combat? Magic? He had come from a world where science ruled, where battles were fought with intellect, not sword or spell. Still, there was no denying the truth of his father's words. He was in a new world—a world where his scientific knowledge could help him, but it could only take him so far.

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The AI Chip's Potential in a Magical World

Later that day, after his family had gone about their duties, Alex found a quiet corner of the estate and activated his AI chip. The familiar hum filled his mind as the chip's systems booted up, scanning the environment. He could feel it gathering information, processing data, and analyzing his surroundings.

The chip's interface was still as he remembered it—clean, efficient, and reliable. But now, it felt like a foreign object in a world it was never designed for. Alex accessed the chip's data storage, looking for anything related to magic. Unfortunately, the AI could only provide basic knowledge on the subject: Magic is an innate force within the world. Some people are born with the ability to harness it.

But that wasn't enough. Alex needed more. He needed to understand how to use this knowledge to his advantage.

The AI chip could help him catalog information, track the magical energies around him, and even analyze potential threats. But he needed to dig deeper. He needed to discover the hidden layers of this world—the intricacies of magic that no one had yet taught him.

As the sun began to set, Alex realized that his journey had only just begun. This new world, with all its wonders and mysteries, was his to explore. And he would use every ounce of his scientific mind—and the power of the AI chip—to navigate it.

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End of Chapter 1