And so begins my journey of ascension. After the events of my previous life ending, I was reborn into 2 human parents. The most interesting part was that my gestation period was complete in just a time of 5 months. I heard later from my new parents that there were no signs of underdevelopment, and in fact I was as healthy as a typical newborn. Most wondrously, I already had baby teeth in my jaw, all grown. This meant that I could already talk, but they were unaware that I had the skill to do so.
I was told that when I was reincarnated as a mortal on the Earth, I did not cry when I was born. My biological parents & the nurse midwife that gave birth to me were disturbed at that point. They checked my vitals and saw that everything was normal, but I did not cry. In fact, I wore an expression of surprise on my face.
Of course, you can understand why, however. After being killed by the gods, I had expected to descend to purgatory. But that didn't happen. I do not remember my time being dead, however. Nor did I remember my memories.
Wait.
How did I know I lost my memories? What memories, to begin with? What gods was my newborn self imagining in my brain?
A sudden wave of deja vu swept across me. A phrase, and a monotone voice flashed across my mind. "You have failed."
Was I recalling memories from my past life? Who am I? Or more accurately, what was I? Gods? What nonsense am I thinking?
And yet, as I recalled what little of my knowledge on the situation, I began to comprehend the fact that I was a newborn baby. And yet, I was able to think these complex thoughts, recall memories when I should've had infantile amnesia in place. How was my mind already fully developed?
How?
Moments later, I learned that my name is Arwin Hearthaven. I was born to Alyssa and Thomas Hearthaven, who are, based on my measurements, both slightly above average in terms of magic abilities.
Overall, magic aptitude is classified by a number on one's identification badge, which must be worn at all times. This identification badge appears in a shield-like design, with the higher number you have, the stronger your abilities in comparison to another's. This badge is assigned to you in primary school, and upon reaching certain thresholds in magic development, your points counter will increase with your ability as well. The badge must be worn at all times slightly below the right shoulder after you have received it.
The average adult has a magical aptitude of around 5,000, and most people ascend in increments of 250 - 500 at a time. My mother had an aptitude of 6,449, whereas my father had an aptitude of 7,230.
But for me, that number was insignificant. I was aware that I had retained all my powers from my former life, so that number was currently irrelevant to me. My current goal was to discover where I was. But as to that, there was no information that I could gleam from passerby's conversations so far.
Fast forward a few days later. My mom had been discharged from the hospital. The sign said "Beauregard Hospital". Hm. That was surprising. Beauregard Hospital is a well-known hospital, with the current state of the art technology, featuring many healer-magic specialists. I was startled that my parents could afford such a hospital. What did they do for a living?
Upon arriving home, I mapped out my surroundings. The house that my mother and father lived in was not large, but it wasn't cramped either. There were 2 bedrooms, 1 master bedroom, and 1 master & regular bathroom.
Inside the master bedroom, there was an adjoining bathroom, and a picture frame with a photo of my mother and father during their wedding. Mom had a slim build, with a height of around 5'5". My dad however, was slightly taller than the average person, with a height of around 6'3". He was athletic, and he seemed to have a muted strength about him.
In the other 2 bedrooms, I found one that was designed for a baby boy, most likely me. My parents were obviously expecting a child. The other room was piled with boxes and random junk that my parents had most likely discarded there, thinking that they would eventually find a use for the items in there, except there wasn't one for the time being.
Based on their conversations so far, I could assume that they were good people with the best of my intentions at heart. I believe that I should tell them more about me. Since my physical body was not yet fully mature as my brain was, I resorted to crawling back to the master bedroom, which was where my parents were.
When I entered the room, they were at the desk looking at something. There was a stack of what appeared to be reports on the desk, and they appeared to be skimming through all of them.
"Mother, father," I said.
They turned around in shock. Both of my parents wore a surprised expression. They had never heard my voice except for when I was crying. All an act, of course. But now, it was time to drop the charades.
"Alyssa... Is Arwin talking?" my father said.
"I- I don't know," my mother stammered.
I sighed. This was bound to happen, I mean, when did you see 4 day old babies talk?
"Look," I replied, "I don't know how this works either. I apparently have memories of my previous life. The only thing that I can remember is the basic elements of magic and just one phrase."
Dad frowned. "What phrase?"
"You have failed," I said.
"That's the phrase?"
"Yep."
"Well, I have no idea what that means," Mom replied. "You understand all the basics of magic already? How people are classified? The different types?"
I nodded. "My assumption is that my mind is fully grown as an adult, but my physical body grows at a normal rate."
My dad frowned. "I see."
"I still can't get over the fact that our 4 day old son is already talking," my mom said.
"Neither can I," my dad said, chuckling. "But I expected no less from him. After all, he shares my blood."
"Well, since he's already mastered the basics of magic, I suppose that we can have him attempt the Borealis Academy Entrance Exams once he hits the age of 5," my mother said.
Borealis. Borealis Academy. That name was so startlingly familiar, yet so far away. What did that place have to do with me? Was it from my past?
"If you don't mind me asking, what's that?" I asked.
My father picked me up and held me over his head, grinning. "It's only the most prestigious school of magic, allegedly founded by the Divine Light, that only the most academically and magically apt students can enroll in," he said.