Chapter 3
Part 1
Five months have passed and Harald has lived Comfortably with Gavin, Olaf and Frey. Harald had slowly gotten used to his body. He inhabited the body of a Caramel skinned boy with brown wavy hair, and emerald green eyes.
Most of the time Frey would read children books or work around the house. On the other hand Gavin would spend his time cutting down trees then chopping them up in tiny pieces to sell.
While Olaf would go out with his gramps to play outside and practice his swordsmanship.
Harald would spend most of the time pretending to be a baby because of how much Frey watched him. Though in his free time he would explore the three bedroom house with a big kitchen, but his favorite room was the library.
After Harald had discovered this room he would basically spend most of his time reading the books there to gain new knowledge for he desperately wanted to know more of this world and mana.
To his mother Harald was seen as the most adorable baby in the world. Though she denied it she was a very doting mother.
Harald POV
About two years and six months have passed. Since my reincarnation.
In those two years I have made great progress in trying to make a mana body. I even made some modifications on the meditation so I can better absorb natural mana. Anyway I constantly meditate and try to bring those little bits of mana to form the mana brain and heart. Because of my prior knowledge on how the body works I understand perfectly what a heart and brain does and exactly how it looks. While this process was very very long I had time. Nobody was rushing me and nobody knew I was doing this. But still why does it take so damn long.
Either way though I'm above all of my peers my age. In the book it stated that if you had parents that could use mana it was a 40/60% chance of forming one but the study showed that only 2 out of 100 could sense mana. The fact that I think I'm moving them already puts me above some teenagers.
Who knew all those boring and training sessions in the Academy would come in handy. If I had let the mana flow naturally it would take about another ten year for me to gain a brain and heart. Then another two years to get mana nerves or viens.
Though I have been trying to do this meditation every day I only have so much time alone as a baby. Olaf and gramps would take me who knows where through the town to do some mayor inspecting. It wasn't the worst thing but I rather be training but I can't say that. Olaf seemed to love the time me and him spent together. It seemed he held great pride in being a good big brother. Also he has drastically improved his swordsmanship. He doesn't quit halfway through and has more grit and determination in his eyes.
While we strolled through the town Gramps would teach us things about being a mayor. Most of his lessons are something that I already knew because of my prior life but sometimes he would say something I hadn't thought about before. He was a very leader wise man and he acted like one as well.
My father on the other hand still threw me around like a doll and expected me to do things that a baby shouldn't be able to.
Luckily all of my family members kept him in line like giving him stern talking to. Especially my mother, she was just as kind as before but she could switch on a dime to being a storm and strict mother. That is not what scared me though it was the fact that when me and Olaf were interacting she would have this strange expression. I couldn't tell you what it was but I knew that it was scary.
Anyway my family is pretty normal if you overlook the fact that they can punch down trees and they think kids are Einstein.
Part 2
"Frey bring Harald to me, we're going to take him to the town to sight see!" Gramps shouted half way through the door. "Okay don't stay out too long be back for lunch." Frey agreed.
"Ok, back by twelve see you later." Gramps said walking through the door. "No by 11:45 ok." Frey shouted out, correcting him. "Yeah, yeah whatever see you in a few." Gramps said, waving it off.
"Ok you guys ready to sight see?" Gramps asked, looking at me and Olaf. "Yeah!" Olaf shouted with excitement. "What are we going to do today, gramps?" Olaf asked, jittering with excitement. "Today you are going to see what it's like to be a mayor for the best town in the continent." Gramps said with a wide grin. "Ugh again? Why can't we do something fun like get new weapons, fight beasts or spare?" Olaf asked while sulking in disappointment. "Well if you help me well I have a surprise for you and you little Harald." Gramps said reinvigorating Olafs excitement and also bringing a new anticipation.
We walked down the steep hill for 15 minutes. I saw many native creatures on this land like weird looking bunnies and deer. I wonder if they have weird looking bears as well.(gramps)
"What are we going to do first?" Olaf asked, bouncing down the hill. "We are going to head to my office to pick up my check list. Then I'm going to hand you a checklist as well so we can both check off things in the town." Gramps explained. "Ok." Olaf said with fire in his eyes. I could tell that he really yearned for the thrill of battle.
Once we finally made it down the hill I saw some of the residents that live farther south which was in more of a less advanced part of town. That's saying a lot because this world isn't advanced at all.
We walked through the Bjorn trail for a while until we finally made it to the big wooden building. It was much bigger than the house that I have spent most of my time in. Many people worked in this building, some doing paperwork others building things. There were different buildings for both of those jobs but gramps office allowed all work inside. It was about 50ft tall and it seemed out of place in this Nordic-like town there was glass and there were typewriters. It seemed like the 1900s not the 1600s.
Opening the door gramps was greeted with many "Hellos, Gooddays, Welcomes, and What's ups." As I thought before my gramps is a great leader if he can have so much respect and constantly not have to show his power.
Walking up stairs, gramps directed us to his main office. It wasn't anything special, it's just what you'd expect for this undeveloped world. The office was filled with paper and one wooden desk and three chairs, one that I assumed was gramps and the others for guests who wanted to discuss something. Gramps untied the knot of the baby carrier and set me and Olaf down on seats. "Ok you guys wait a few I'm going to try to find the checklist through all this good forsaken paperwork." I could tell my gramps loved his job but I also knew it wasn't the cause of paperwork.
Me and Olaf waited there for a few seconds. Then those seconds turned into minutes. Until I had a wonderful idea of using my time wisely and trying to build my mana brain and heart.
I shut my eyes and did the short controlled breaths. I have made progress but it always felt slow. I could feel myself getting closer just a few more. Come on come I'm almost. "Hey Hara." Olaf said to the side of me. Oh my goodness you ruined my concentration. I was so close.
"Do you want to play a game?" He asked with a grin. I'm still mad at you but since you're a child and have no clue of what you have done I will let you off the hook. "Y..yeah." I answered. I have learned a few basic words in the past two years. I could say Mama, Dada, gramps, Olaf, like, love, no, and yes with ease and some others as well.
"Ok let's play Pock the goo." He vocalized. His face lit up when I agreed so I can't refuse now even though we are going to play some knock off peekaboo.
"Pock the goo. Can you see me Hara?" Olaf asked. I can't Believe all humans were this stupid at one point. Might as well get some enjoyment by messing with him. "Wh…where did Olaf go wawawawa gramps Olaf disappeared.!" I shouted and cried. "No no it's ok Hara I'm right here big brother didn't disappear. I'm right here." Olaf reassured me. "Olaf stop messing with Harald. You know what come help me find these cursed checklists." Gramps said clearly annoyed at the fact he couldn't find the sheets, not the fact I was crying. "I'm sorry Hara." Olaf apologized walking to the sheets begrudgingly. I kinda feel bad. But at least I can get back to work.
"Wait, look gramps , I found it!" Olaf shouted out of excitement. "You did? Thank god I thought I was never going to find it." Gramps spoke with relief rushing to Olaf. "You have a good eye, kid." Gramps voiced, patting Olaf's head. Okay screw you eagle eyes. Damn and I was so close.
"Ok guys let's head out. We have work to do." Gramps said, walking over to me and tying the baby Carrier back on to himself. If only I didn't need total stillness to absorb mana I would have already awakened.
Gramps, me, and Olaf all walked out the office saying goodbye to the people present.
Part 3
"Is this the last one Gramps?" Olaf asked in total exasperation. He was desperate and would beg for this to be over. We have been going at this for three hours checking stores trails and people to make sure everything was alright. Well I should restate that they were doing the work while I was sleeping. "Yes, this is the last one." Gramps reassured Olaf. For he was tired as well. I guess being a leader for years doesn't make you immune to the grueling paperwork.
Through all of the people we had met today gramps was never particularly excited to see any of them, he greeted them with a kind manner, but that was just the proper thing to do. For some reason I could tell that gramps was happy to see this person.
Gramps opened the door and shouted "Oi bowl head it's me Bremy!" This is only the Second time I had seen gramps shout with excitement. The first being when we had first met. He must be very close with this person. "Shut up, I might be old but I'm not deaf." An old blonde man said walking down the stairs. He had a prosthetic leg that looked similar to the books about pirates. He had ash all over him and had leather gloves on. "So how have you been?" Gramps asked. "You know, get requests, make requests, sell requests. Enough about me so these are your grandkids?" The man asked. "Yeah this is Olaf, say hi." "Hi," Olaf uttered. "Hello, how are you?" The man asked, kneeling down to be face level with Olaf. "I'm good, thank you for asking. How are you?" Olaf asked. "I'm fine, thank you for asking." The man stood up and said "He has manners, he can't be a part of you Bremy." "Yeah whatever anyway this is my second grandchild his name is Harald but some call him Hara." Gramps remarked pointing at me. Was there any point in telling him the nickname?
"Well hello little Hara aren't you just as cute as a dove." The man said to me in a baby voice. Ugh get away from me old man. "How old is he Bremy?" The man asked, looking up to gramps. "He's about two and half." Gramps answered.
"Well hello you two my name is Ragnar pleasure to meet you. And don't listen to this buffer head he's blind so he thinks I have a bowl head." The man introduced.
"Now to the point I came here, are you almost done with your project?" Gramps questioned. "You know I have a lot of work on my plate and I can't get everything done." Ragnar answered. "We need them sooner than expected. Make sure this project is your top priority." Gramps asserted. "Yeah yeah, need project done blah blah. I'll have it done in a month." "Three weeks I want it finished when I come back." I had never seen gramps so stern before. Whatever the reason, it must be important.
"Fine, but make sure you bring these little cuties back when you do. I want to be happy when I sell my projects and your face won't do that." Ragnar expressed his dislike of gramps a lot it seemed.
"Whatever, see you in three weeks." Gramps said, turning around and opening the door. "Fine, bye Olaf and Hara see you around." Ragnar said Waving to us. Might as well lighten the mood so I waved back at the man because I felt bad.
"Ok you guys ready for the surprise we have about two hours left let's hurry up so your mom doesn't kill me." Gramps announce, trying to act like nothing happened. "Ok let's hurry, gramps, we're are we headed?" Olaf asked. "To Skaoi forest." Gramps answered. Oh no it looks like I won't be able to rest. I thought it was going to be something boring. Well my Beauty sleep will have to wait then.
Part 4
The Skaoi forest was the largest piece of land in black stone. It was filled with many creatures and prevailing winds. It was tradition in these parts for young men to travel inside and bring back the head of a beast so they can be considered full fledged men.
What was the purpose of taking me and Olaf. We both haven't reached the age of ten. Taking children would almost be guaranteed death. What is going on?
"Are we really going to the Skaoi forest?" Olaf asked. "Why scared?" Gramps asked. "N..no I'm not scared of anything the knight lord is not scared of some tiny forest." Olaf responded. I could tell Olaf was, frightened me and him we're both told stories about this forest from Mother. And they always went something like a boy goes into the forest and is never seen again I think.
"Relax, we're only going in the exterior of the forest. Nothing to worry about. Any beasts we may find in that region are no match for me after all. I made it to the A+ interior and brought the head of an Axsafoon(bird-like creatures that are highly dangerous)." Wow, I heard of Axsafoons and how they are apex predators in the B+ interior. "You're so strong gramps. Can I get as strong as you?" Olaf asked with glimmering eyes.
"Maybe if you train hard and awaken your mana body." Gramps explained. "Wow you have a mana body?" Olaf questioned. "Of course I have mana body, how am I supposed to kill an Axsafoon with no control over mana?" Gramps asked rhetorically. "I guess you're right. Now I'm excited I can't wait to kill an Axsafoon too." Olaf jumping around.
We walked down the 'Lief trail' for a while until it disappeared once gramps saw that he knew that we were getting closer. I could feel his body getting tensor. Though I believed gramps killed the Axsafoon you always had to keep your Guard up in the wilderness.
"Stay on guard Olaf and tell me if you see anything strange. And here, for safe measure." Gramps said, taking a sheathed sword from his side. The sword was about two feet long and 5 inches wide. Suitable for Olaf's size.
"Thanks gramps." Olaf said, trying to hide his excitement of having his first real sword. "Remember what I said, keep a lookout. We will be by the exterior in a few minutes." Gramps explained sternly.
We had reached the start of the forest. Besides the humongous trees the drop in temperature was all I needed to know that we were here.
"Ok we are here before we enter let me explain a few things. You are here to get some experience not to fight a humongous monster. Got that?" Gramps asked. "Yes sir." Olaf replied. "Second, if anything goes wrong, go behind me and take Hara with you, it is not likely because all of the monsters that inhabit the exterior are D class and below. Just for safe measure I must warn you. Lastly the wilderness does not care about rules, regulations, and especially it doesn't care about you. Be aware of your surroundings because believe me all the animals will do the same and will take any chance they can get to strike. Now that I've told you this, are you ready to head in? You don't have to if you don't want to." Gramps asked with genuine concern.
He wasn't a very forceful person. "Of course I want to head in. Most adults don't even get near the forest, and I'm going to travel through there. This is a once in a lifetime experience." Olaf was very excited; he was desperate to prove himself. But I'm worried because of how excited he is he might let his guard down.
"Ok let's head in." Gramps said walking toward the forest. "Ok." Olaf said following behind him. Then we entered the giant forest filled with large trees and new experiences.
Part 5
We had walked for minutes and came across some creatures along the way with the occasional noteworthy mana beast. The first one we came across was in an open area surrounded with maple and sapwood trees about 100 feet away from the entrance. We came across a weird looking serpent that moved much faster than I expected. Surprisingly Olaf reacted fast and sliced the beast's throat open with little hesitation. He was a natural, and the look on his face when he realized he had his first mana beast kill was amazing. The beast was like a serpent and left some sort of invisible poison because when Olaf was about to continue walking he would have stepped into it.
"Watch out Olaf, you almost stepped on the poison." Gramps said, grabbing Olaf's shoulder. "What poison there's nothing here." Olaf stated with a confused brow. "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there." Gramps explained. "These beasts leave A translucent liquid that blends in with its environment." Gramps added. "Ok I'll keep a watch out for it from now on but how can I tell if it's there when it is basically invisible?" Olaf asked. "It's very subtle but as you can see the substance is melting the ice. When a little mist is coming out of the snow you will know that this dead beast was killed and left its poison there." Gramps explained.
"We won't be harmed by the poison right now because we are not close enough and it is not being spread around. The only things that gets truly affected by the stationary venom are beasts with a keen sense of smell. And the effects of the poison is distortion of senses like everything is inverted." Gramps explained. "Keep a lookout from now on not just for beasts but for their traps as well." Gramps implored.
After Olaf's first kill there were not many noteworthy events. I guess Olaf had become much more experienced with the sword because he had to fight something that was not trying to have a friendly spare. Olaf didn't realize it because of how weak the creatures were but the thing was trying to kill him because of that he will gain phenomenal experience for a life threatening situation.
Also we had learned many things about the forest. Similarly to dungeons in this world specific areas are ranked by letter and exterior and interior. Obviously the deeper you get into the forest the more dangerous it will get because animals that live in this cold of an environment will adapt and become stronger than usual.
Secondly the forest has an internal freeze that will never subside. I learned this when Olaf killed a beast and saw an icicle picking it up. He saw that it didn't start melting. "Hey gramps, why isn't the icicle melting?" Olaf asked, looking up to gramps. "Because of how cold it is icicles are not fragile here, in fact some have the density of real life swords." Gramps explained. I don't know how this forest kept its chill but it was astounding. My hypothesis is that a mage had something to do with it.
Lastly as I already heard, multiple citizens from town come to this forest, especially young men, to prove themselves. Though the lower rank exteriors aren't hard to handle once you get to the B rank exterior you can feel a big difference in everything. The air changes and the beast becomes stronger in the face of the overwhelming power that is nature you feel inferior.
No one mentions it but since the forest is not regularly explored there is no cleanup crew for things that are left inside of it. So while we have been walking even now we have seen hundreds of scraps and clothes from people who ventured in.
A few more minutes passed and those minutes eventually turned into an hour. "Ok let's call it a day Olaf you had your first kill and it's almost time for lunch." Gramps said, placing a hand on Olaf's shoulder. Gramps hadn't done much in our stay in the forest. It made sense given the fact he had made it to the interior and the only reason we came here was to give Olaf hands-on training. But I was hoping to see him use a weapon to analyze his fighting style. It was a pretty good learning experience for Olaf though so at least I'm happy he improved his swordsmanship.
"Ok gramps, today was fun thank you for taking me." Olaf said, yanking the sword out of a mana beasts throat. "No problem now, let's hurry back, Harald looks pretty tired." He was right. I was tired. I haven't gotten much sleep today. Normally I would be napping at this hour. "Also Olaf make sure you wash off the blood on your clothes. I don't want your mother seeing that." Gramps said, looking at Olaf. Olaf was a bloody mess to say the least, almost every part of his clothes was smeared with blood. I wouldn't be surprised if the clothes got stained.
"Why don't you want mom knowing about our adventure? Was I not allowed to go here. I don't want to make mom mad." Olaf expressed in a worried tone. "No no nothing like that, it's just that don't you want to surprise your mom and show her how strong you are later on. But you can't do that when there's evidence of you training." Gramps lied. "Yeah you're right on my 10th birthday I'm going to show them how cool I am." Olaf explained with a wide grin. "Yeah that's the spirit." Gramps encouraged.
Then we heard a gut wrenching scream behind us that forced birds to fly up from the trees. "Aghhh!!! Someone please help me!!" A voice shouted. "Olaf, do you know your way to the house from here?" Gramps questioned. "I think so." Olaf answered. "W..why?" Olaf asked. "Good if you get lost, ask an adult to direct you ok." Gramps announced, ignoring Olaf's question.
"Take Harald and run out of here now.!" Gramps ordered. Because of the desperation but authority in his voice Olaf listened immediately. Taking the baby carrier and tieing it around his chest. Immediately he began to run full speed for the exit of the forest. That scream was far too close to us. No beast in this area should be able to cause that reaction from someone. Whatever caused it was out of place. I hope gramps stays safe. He should have gone out with us as well. I guess his protective mayor side kicked in abandoning loving grandfather.
Bremndal POV
What creature could cause such a scream in these parts. Whatever it is, it can't be good news. I have to hurry if I'm too late, that person might already be dead and devoured from the inside out. I controlled my mana brain and ordered my mana heart to pump mana in my legs to move faster. I was rushed with the phenomenal power of mana surging through me. I was moving two times my regular speed. "Faster, Faster, Faster." I muttered. I couldn't let one of my citizens die.
I finally reached the location of where I heard the scream. I looked around but saw nothing, no towering beast or bloodthirsty creature, just silence. I walked around surveying the area until I felt something squishy under my boot. Looking down I saw a mauled leg that was turned inside out. Behind the leg was a trail of blood. Following the trails of blood I was led to the misconstrued body of a young man no older than 20.
"Who did this to you Rem." Rem was a very promising man who loved to make others smile. He would always come into the office and ask if there was any work he could do to help the town. Always think of others before himself. It was tradition for young men to travel in this forest and bring back the head of a strong mana beast to bring pride to their family. Because of that a child had died. Who did this? I was surging with an indescribable amount of anger and rage. Whatever creature did this I swear on my pride as a leader. I will wipe from this world in the most painful way possible.
Calming down I inspected the body. It was torn apart with multiple gashes along the body. Whichever animal did this had very strong claws. Looking closer I saw a deep bite mark across the shoulder that went completely through it. How could an E to D class exterior mana beast do this. Inspecting the body even farther I noticed a trial of blood curving headed south. "Shit." My whole body was in overdrive. I had never moved faster. I was pouring all my mana supply in my legs. I had to get there in time. If I didn't I don't know what I would do with myself. I can't lose another one not again.
POV Harald
We were heading to the exit. It was close inside. While we headed to the exit it was mostly quiet besides the occasionally reassuring smile from all Olaf and the repeated phrase "don't worry everything will be alright your big bro is here." These were shallow words to me. I was not worried at all and was pretty happy to finally be able to get out of this godforsaken forest.
"Don't worry Hara we are almost there just a few hundred feet to go." Olaf said with a grin. He was pretty good at hiding his concern. If I was a normal child I would think everything was ok.
Suddenly a chill ran through my spin. This feeling and I was well acquainted with. The feeling of absolute danger. In front of us was a grotesque creature with ginormous fangs, and jagged long claws. He was the A pitta me of an Apex predator. "Don't worry Hara I'm here everything's alright it's just an average mana beast." Olaf remarked, almost trying to convince himself more than me.
I didn't want to admit it but I was scared in this body there was nothing I could do against this beast. Olaf was fast and witty but he could do nothing to such a creature. Think think "Think Think." Olaf muttered. What can I do? Suddenly the beast lundged at us. Thinking on his toes Olaf pivoted to the right so he could be guarded by a nearby tree. While the beast tour through half of a boulder. "Come on Olaf , think. I'm not strong enough to fight that thing. Use your brain. Come on, after all, think smarter not harder. If you can't beat them with your physical strength, beat them with your brain. That's it." What is he about to do? After Olaf's little monologue he suddenly started climbing up the tree that was covering us. Following behind us was the ferocious beast that was still pursuing his prey.
What are you thinking? Do you see those claws? It can climb a tree. I can't Believe I'm going to die like this again. Once we reached the peak Olaf stood still on top of a branch. Well he gave up to I guess he realized that the plan of climbing a tree to run away from a clawed monster was pretty dumb. It's pretty sad though Olaf didn't get to live out his dreams though.
Once the beast started closing in I shut my eyes accepting death. It was fun while it lasted. Why am I not hearing any crunching noises of my flesh? Slowly opening my eyes I realized we were in the air and I was in Olafs shirt. So that was your plan. Reach a high enough altitude to gain floats with the cloth from the baby holder. "Whew, that was a close one." Olaf stated with a sigh of relief. "Are you okay Hara?" Olaf asked, looking down at me. I nodded in confirmation that I was not hurt. "I told everything will be okay when your big bro is here. But its not over time for the second half of my plan." Olaf declared while landing on the ground.
"It will take the beast a while to climb back down because his body is too big. So I have about a minute to get everything in motion, let's get started." Olaf vocalized. After the rundown Olaf started picking up random branches, twigs, and rocks of the ground. I couldn't tell what he was doing but I had faith Olaf could get us out of this.
"Ok everything is ready and perfect timing as well." Olaf said standing up and stretching. He later picked up the cloth and tied me up on his chest. "Growl." The beast was ready and was not going to be fooled again. Drool was spewing from his mouth and his claws were digging in the ground out of pure anger. "You ready Hara?" Olaf asked. I nodded, let's kick some ugly beat ass.