The soft morning sunlight filtered through the small window of their modest house, casting long shadows over the wooden floor. Noah sat near the bookshelf, a pile of books scattered around him. His tiny fingers turned the pages carefully, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
For weeks, Noah had been engrossed in learning about magic. The books at home provided a basic understanding—barely enough to scratch the surface. Still, they explained the fundamentals: mana was the energy of life, present in everything and everyone. It flowed through the air, trees, animals, and humans. Some individuals naturally possessed more mana due to their lineage, while others could cultivate it through sheer effort.
Noah knew from the novel The World of Magic and Sword that nobles had an inherent advantage. Generations of magical training had made them stronger, and their mana reserves were often far superior to those of commoners. Yet Noah refused to let that discourage him.
"I can't afford to stay weak in this world," he whispered, flipping to another page.
One afternoon, while his mother was busy sewing, Noah approached her. "Mother," he said in a small but determined voice, "can we go to the public library? I want to read more books."
His mother paused, surprised by the request. Most children his age were more interested in playing outside, not in visiting libraries. She smiled warmly. "Of course, Noah. I'll take you tomorrow."
The next day, they walked through the bustling streets of Reshan to the library. Noah's eyes gleamed as he entered the large, stone building filled with shelves upon shelves of books. It felt like a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be uncovered. He eagerly browsed through books about magic, mana, and its various applications.
Through his reading, Noah discovered more about the nature of mana. It was like an invisible current, flowing both within and outside the body. With focused training, one could expand their mana reserves and learn to control it. However, the type of magic one could wield depended on the nature of their mana.
Determined to understand his own abilities, Noah began experimenting. During quiet moments at home, he sat cross-legged, closing his eyes and focusing inward. At first, he felt nothing, but with persistence, he began to notice a faint warmth in his chest—a flicker of energy that felt foreign yet familiar.
One evening, Noah sat outside with a dry leaf in front of him. He concentrated hard, trying to channel his mana toward the leaf. After countless failed attempts, the leaf finally quivered, moving slightly across the ground. His heart raced with excitement.
Day by day, Noah continued practicing. He soon realized that his ability was psychokinesis—the power to move and manipulate objects using mental strength. For now, he could only move small objects, like leaves or pebbles, but he knew this was just the beginning.
Despite his progress, Noah decided to keep his newfound ability a secret. He knew that most children discovered their powers around the age of ten. A three-and-a-half-year-old displaying magical abilities would draw unnecessary attention—and possibly suspicion.
"I need to get stronger," Noah resolved. "In this world, strength is survival."
As time passed, Noah's practice grew more disciplined. By the age of five, he had developed better control over his abilities. He could now lift slightly heavier objects and sustain the movements for longer durations. Alongside his training, he consumed every book on mana he could find in the library, deepening his knowledge.
Exploring the World of Blacksmithing
At five years old, most children in Reshan started attending school to learn reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. But Noah had already mastered those skills through his mother's early teachings and his own efforts. His parents decided that formal schooling wasn't necessary just yet.
Instead, Noah began spending more time at his father's blacksmith shop. His father, John Gray, was a broad-shouldered man with calloused hands and a kind smile. The shop, though modest, was well-equipped and stocked with various weapons and magical artifacts.
When John noticed Noah's interest in his work, he was thrilled. "You want to learn about blacksmithing, Noah?" he asked, his voice filled with pride.
Noah nodded eagerly. "Yes, Father. I want to understand the weapons and magic tools you make."
John wasted no time. He began explaining the basics, showing Noah different tools and their purposes. He taught him how swords were forged, how mana-infused metals were tempered, and how magical artifacts were carefully crafted to hold enchantments.
Although Noah's young hands weren't yet strong enough to wield the tools, he absorbed the information like a sponge. His fascination with the magical properties of the items only grew.
Every evening, as Noah watched his father work, he felt a sense of admiration. The tools, the forge, the glowing mana stones—it all reminded him of the fantasy stories he once read in his past life. But now, this wasn't just a story; it was his reality.
And in this world of danger and uncertainty, Noah knew one thing for sure: he had to be ready for whatever lay ahead.