He hastily retrieved the wristwatch after dropping it in shock, still struggling to believe what he had discovered.

"There's no way this is real," he muttered in disbelief as he stared at his inventory.

=== Inventory (1/1) ===

- 1x Red Blood Cell

==================

But as he stared at it again, he saw the same image. Being able to hold a measly blood cell may seem insignificant, however the implications are enormous.

All he had to do was simply press his hand against the skin to collect it. What if he put his hand against someone's chest? Could he extract their heart without touching it? He never directly touched the red blood cell, so what else could he put in his inventory? Could he collect a secret document from halfway across the earth?

He gently pressed his hand against his heart, as the loud ringing of his tinnitus brought him back to reality. Investigating this ability would have to be a new priority. For now, he needed to inspect the wristwatch.

Pushing aside his curiosity, he turned his attention back to the wristwatch. Placing a finger on it, he carefully extracted the red blood cell from his inventory. An immediate mental link formed between him and the wristwatch, confirming that Duncan Linrad was now the owner.

After fiddling with the watch briefly to understand the controls, he accessed the watch's search function to find the date.

August 28th, 2064. His mind raced, and the implications of this revelation sent shockwaves through his consciousness. The novel was set to begin on August 30th, 2064, a date that was etched perfectly in his photographic memory. He had somehow transmigrated back in time, before the novel's events commenced.

This revelation upended his plans entirely. With the story yet to unfold, there would be more opportunities than he had initially anticipated, but he needed to act decisively and swiftly to capitalize on them.

He continued to explore the wristwatch's features and noticed a glowing red notification. Clicking on it, he opened Duncan Linrad's email.

Dear Duncan Linrad,

We are delighted to extend to you this formal acceptance letter to the Bastion of Humanity, one of the most esteemed academies within Pangea Prime. Your application and test results have demonstrated exceptional potential, and it is with great anticipation that we welcome you to join our ranks.

Upon your enrollment, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The Bastion is committed to nurturing the skills and talents of every student, empowering them to reach their fullest potential. We believe that you possess the qualities and determination that will make you an invaluable addition to our diverse community of scholars, warriors, and leaders.

As you step onto the path of Bastion, you will have the opportunity to explore various fields of study and engage with a wide range of races and cultures. You will be guided by our experienced faculty, who are dedicated to providing a supportive and challenging educational experience. Additionally, the bonds you forge with your fellow students will be invaluable as you embark on this extraordinary adventure together.

Your admission is a testament to your potential as a Bastion student. We have every confidence in your ability to thrive and contribute to the legacy of our academy. Upon arrival, you will be guided through our orientation process, where you will receive more information about your academic schedule, accommodations, and the tools you will need to succeed.

Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to the Bastion of Humanity. We eagerly anticipate your arrival and the contributions you will make to our prestigious institution.

Sincerely,

Dean Elara Thorne

Bastion of Humanity

The ringing in his ears seemed to intensify by an octave as his eyes fixated on the email. Duncan... Attended Bastion?! Then how did he manage to never read about him in the novel? Surely a character who appeared in the same year as the main character would be mentioned at least once.

Closing his eyes, he tried to recall any mention of Duncan in the story, but turned up blank. If he couldn't remember with his photographic memory, then Duncan was truly never mentioned at all in the entire story.

A small chill crept down his back as he realized this info. Who, no what exactly is Duncan Linrad? He felt a slight headache coming from thinking about this, so he decided to put it off for later. For now, he would test out his inventory a bit more.

Checking his bank balance, which was unsurprisingly at zero credits he formulated a plan he had in mind for a while now. Ever since he had successfully stored a red blood cell in his inventory, an incredible possibility had filled his mind. Opening up the internet browser, he searched "Top 50 fun facts."

A plethora of articles popped up, as he leisurely selected an article titled "50 Amazing Facts About the Alchemist Profession." He placed his hand on top of the text and concentrated, feeling a slight mental pull.

Glancing down at the article, it now read "0 Amazing Facts About the Alchemist Profession."

"No way.... You can't be serious right now." He stuttered in disbelief.

=== Inventory (1/1) ===

- 1x 00000101

=================

Looking at his inventory panel he couldn't help but feel slightly bewildered at the string of ones and zeros. But looking at the numbers again, they seemed slightly familiar. That's when he remembered where he had seen it, binary! That string of numbers was the binary for five!

Which meant... His gaze slowly fell back onto his credit balance, as he focused his mind.

Credits: 50

"Haha... This may be a bit more powerful than I thought."