In just two short years, I experienced a remarkable transformation. I was merely five years old, yet within that brief span of time, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery that unveiled an entirely new realm of existence: a world teeming with enchanting magic and captivating fantasies.
Amidst this enchanting world, I stumbled upon an extraordinary gift: the innate ability to wield magic, a talent that manifested at an extraordinarily tender age. Yet, despite my enchanting prowess, I found myself ensnared by circumstances beyond my control. I was compelled to make a solemn vow, a pledge to guard my magical prowess as a profound secret, an oath that would remain sealed until I reached a certain age of maturity.
This commitment, though burdensome, serves as the cornerstone of my aspiration for a serene and peaceful existence, a life of quietude and solitude that I ardently envision for my future.
Today marked the auspicious day when I embarked on a new journey, distinct from the circumstances that transpired two years ago. Following a significant incident, let's just say we had a heartfelt conversation. I brought up the matter that I yearned to explore beyond the confines of our compound's walls. My insatiable curiosity and the desire to witness the world outside compelled me to sneak out. That was the crux of my argument.
After a period of thoughtful contemplation and discussion, we eventually reached a consensus. They agreed to permit me to venture out on my own, but there was a caveat: this freedom would only be granted once I reached the age of five, which I have now attained.
Both of them emphasized that I couldn't spend my entire life sheltered at home. It was imperative for me to step out into the world, explore its mysteries, and perhaps even forge a friendship or two. However, I must confess, I harbor some reservations and lack confidence, especially regarding the prospect of making new friends.
Socializing wasn't exactly my strong suit in my previous life, but today marks a fresh start. Fully prepared, I made my way to a corner of my room where a substantial, well-bound book rested on the shelf. This particular tome had been a birthday gift from Leila, a cherished friend. Its pages held a treasure trove of knowledge about this world's ecology, encompassing details about its flora, fauna, landscapes, weather patterns, and more.
I also plucked a children's book from the shelf, another thoughtful gift from Leila, which I hadn't had the chance to read yet. With a final adjustment to my attire, I steeled my resolve and made my way toward the door, ready to embrace this new adventure.
I paused before the mirror hanging on the left wall of my room, its surface offering an exact replica of my current appearance. My facial features exhibited subtle echoes of my previous life, particularly in the deep, obsidian hue of both my hair and eyes. However, in this life, they boasted a pristine, lustrous black quality that seemed almost otherworldly.
Apart from the commonality of my dark hair and eyes, every other aspect of my countenance had undergone a complete transformation, bearing no resemblance to my former face. I had been granted a striking visage, characterized by features that appeared to have been meticulously crafted to perfection. My complexion was a marvel in itself – fair, velvety, and possessing a creamy radiance that could outshine the majority of beauty models back on Earth without breaking a sweat.
Even in this fantastical world, I undeniably stood above the crowd in the realm of physical appearance, firmly cementing my status as a person of extraordinary charm.
After indulging in a brief session of narcissistic admiration before the mirror, complete with a repertoire of smug expressions, I finally decided it was time to depart. With swift determination, I dashed through the top floor and descended the stairs in a hurry.
"Mother, father, I'm heading out," I announced, making sure to inform both Cliff and Leila of my impending departure. However, upon hearing my announcement, Leila's expression turned slightly troubled, and she responded with a hint of surprise, "Eh!? Already!?"
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern or suspicion at her reaction. "Hm? Yeah. Is there any problem?" I inquired, furrowing my brows slightly.
Her response was a bit cryptic, "Well, no. It's just, don't you think it's, well, you know... too early?"
"Too early!?" I exclaimed mentally. By Earth's time standards, it was somewhere between ten to eleven in the morning. "Well, no. Not exactly..." I replied, my eyes narrowing with a hint of confusion.
Cliff chimed in with an awkward mutter, scratching the side of his face in a strange manner, avoiding my gaze uncomfortably. It didn't take me long to sense that something was amiss.
Leila had been quite adamant against the idea of me venturing out on my own, primarily because of the fear that I might inadvertently reveal my magical abilities. As I observed their faces and expressions, and even glanced around the sitting room, apart from the awkward and uneasy demeanor of my parents, nothing else appeared suspicious.
But then it dawned on me—they might be reconsidering their decision. Just as this thought crossed my mind, one of them began to speak, and without giving them a chance to voice their concerns, I quickly interjected, "Actually, Reo... Well then, I'm out. Bye!" And with that, I hastened to the door, leaving their words unspoken.
My heart pounding with exhilaration, I wasted no time and sprinted across the front yard without a second thought. As I raced onward, I soon found myself leaving the confines of our compound, descending the hillside, and entering the bustling town beyond. There, I finally released a pent-up sigh of relief, a tangible symbol of my newfound independence.
Strolling further along the path that led into the heart of the main village, I reveled in the sensation of the wind brushing against my face, carrying with it the enchanting fragrance of the surrounding trees. It was a feeling like no other – pure, unadulterated freedom.
As I made my way, I encountered a group of children roughly my age who were engrossed in play and headed in the same direction I had come from. However, their playful demeanor swiftly morphed into an expression of stiff bewilderment upon spotting me, as if they had encountered an alien presence.
Intrigued by their reaction, I instinctively halted and locked eyes with them, a tense silence enveloping us all. Not a word was spoken, but our mutual gaze conveyed volumes of unspoken curiosity.
"...," I found myself at a loss for words, puzzled by their response. Eventually, I tore my gaze away and watched their retreating figures as they maintained their aloof expressions. It was a look I had grown accustomed to receiving back on Earth.
With a resigned sigh, I resumed my journey, venturing into the nearby bushes, armed with the Ecology book I had brought along. My goal was to identify the various types of plants and creatures that inhabited this intriguing world.
For the next thirty minutes to an hour, I immersed myself in observing the bugs and lizard-like creatures that scuttled about. Using the book as my guide, I diligently worked on differentiating the poisonous plants from the harmless ones. The intricate ecology of this world had me captivated, and I lost all sense of time during this absorbing activity.
Eventually, I realized there was much more to explore than limiting myself to the bushes. However, I couldn't resist taking some samples with me, primarily captivating flower plants that piqued my interest. I had plans to cultivate them in our backyard, which now seemed to offer ample space.
Emerging from the bushes, I dusted off my clothes, feeling a sense of satisfaction. There was one thing I had yearned to do, or rather a place I had longed to revisit. But before that, I decided to indulge in some bird-watching, drawn by the allure of this enchanting world's avian residents.
"Chirp, chirp..." I followed the delightful melody of the exotic and brilliantly colored birds that flitted through the village, their graceful flight patterns and vibrant plumage a mesmerizing sight to behold.
Afterward, I strolled through the village, which was surrounded by lush greenery and expansive fields of crops. Despite the picturesque setting, the population here was noticeably smaller, creating a close-knit community where everyone seemed to know each other.
As I continued to revel in the scenic beauty and familiarize myself with the village, I decided it was time for a brief respite. I already had a perfect spot in mind.
Before me stretched a vast, golden sea of swaying wheat, seemingly extending to the distant horizon. The undulating waves, formed as the straw bent under the gentle caress of the wind, created a breathtaking panorama.
I soon found the ideal location, beneath a tree atop a small hill that offered an unobstructed view of the sweeping plain. Seated there, I gazed out over the landscape, and an appreciative smile began to play upon my lips.
"This... truly is a fantasy world, huh," I murmured to myself, fully immersed in the enchantment of this wondrous realm.
As I flipped through the pages of the Ecology textbook, one particular page captured my attention and piqued my interest. This page revealed the global regions of this world, and what I discovered was truly fascinating. This world consisted of nine continents, with four of them taking the lead in terms of economy and power.
First, there was the Eastern continent, the smallest among the nine, yet renowned for hosting some of the world's most popular tourist attractions and sights. Beyond its tourism appeal, the Eastern continent engaged in significant intercontinental resource exchange.
Next, there was the Southern continent, the second-largest landmass teeming with abundant greenery. This continent boasted the richest natural resources, including something known as "magic ore." The book explained that magic ores were rare rocks, typically found in areas with a high concentration of manna, and they held various essential uses in this world.
Moving on to the third, we had the Northern continent, the second-smallest among the four leaders. This continent specialized in trade and foreign exchange, directly neighboring the Southern continent, which supplied it with materials for distribution to other regions. The Northern continent's primary focus was on trade, particularly with one specific partner.
That partner was the Western continent, also known as the Notos Empire. This was the largest, most influential, and powerful continent of them all. It stood as the pinnacle of development, possessing the most formidable military prowess among the four leading continents.
While the book provided extensive details about each continent, including their histories, populations, birth rates, and more, the other five continents were also listed: the North Eastern continent, the South Eastern continent, the South Western continent, the South South continent, and the North Western continent. However, in comparison to the first four, these continents seemed to lack comprehensive information or were not discussed in detail.
With the thick Ecology book now closed and resting beside me, my attention shifted to the other book I had brought along—a children's book thoughtfully gifted by Leila. Its cover bore the title, "The Heroic Legend and Tales of the Hero," a classic fantasy story tailored for young readers. Even though it was a children's book, I thought it might offer insights into this world's literature and folklore.
Curiosity piqued, I decided to delve into its pages, and I eagerly opened the book, ready to immerse myself in the heroic tales and legends it held within.
The book I held in my hands recounted the epic saga of a great hero who had achieved remarkable feats and became a symbol of justice and peace for humanity four centuries ago. This heroic figure had valiantly protected the world, vanquishing foes and extinguishing threats with unwavering determination.
Among all adversaries, one stood out as particularly formidable—the Demon Lord, also known as the vile Lord of Destruction and Chaos. This dark antagonist had left a trail of devastation in his wake, reducing cities, kingdoms, and even entire continents to ashes in a relentless inferno. His power surpassed that of gods, and it was said that he had even brought down the heavens and vanquished most of the divine entities.
The book detailed how the Demon Lord had mastered every spell and form of magic, an accomplishment deemed unattainable for any human. His alternate title, the God of Magic and Spells, spoke volumes about his formidable prowess in the arcane arts. Commanding a formidable horde of monsters and demons, he had pushed the world to the brink of ruin, a supreme foe who defied gods and reason itself—the Demon Lord of Chaos.
Yet, despite the insurmountable odds, the Demon Lord was ultimately defeated and slain by the hero. The tale concluded with the promise of a happily ever after, a story of triumph over seemingly invincible darkness.
As I finished reading the book, a sense of disbelief washed over me.
"Like hell that's the end!!" I exclaimed aloud, unable to accept what I had just read. It seemed inconceivable that someone as overwhelmingly powerful as the Demon Lord could be defeated and killed.
I pondered the text's portrayal of the Demon Lord's immense strength and malevolence. If he truly matched the description in the book, it was difficult to fathom how anyone could have vanquished him in battle. Sealing him away might have seemed more plausible and within the realms of possibility, but the notion of outright killing such an omnipotent adversary was a concept I found hard to grasp.
I sighed and shook my head, realizing there was no point in dwelling on it any further. After all, it was just a children's book, and even if the events it described had actually occurred, they took place four centuries ago.
Yet, as I continued to contemplate the book's contents, the vivid flashes and glimpses of that moment kept replaying in my mind. This led me to a peculiar idea and question: Could it be that I had been reincarnated into this body for the purpose of becoming the next hero, destined to save the world from impending doom? It sounded like a plot straight out of a fantasy novel, a well-worn trope.
However, if this was truly the path my life was meant to follow, I had a clear message for whatever divine force or entity might have summoned me here: I had absolutely no intention of fulfilling that heroic destiny. Such a task seemed like an insurmountable hassle, the polar opposite of the slow and peaceful life I had envisioned for myself. The prospect of slaying dragons and confronting demon lords held no appeal for me; I simply desired a mundane and uneventful existence. To put it plainly, I had no interest in such grand adventures – they were just too much of a burden