Part 1 : A Conversion at the Livingstone estate
Anna Livingstone, a bright-eyed 10-year-old girl with long, curly blonde hair and a big smile, greeted her father, Count Livingstone, in the grand foyer of their estate. "Father, welcome back! How was your trip?"
Count Livingstone, a middle-aged man with a strong jawline and a hint of grey in his hair, knelt down to give his daughter a warm hug. "Ah, Anna, it's great to see you! I had a fascinating time at the Super Clash Tournament. Guess who won?"
Anna's eyes widened with excitement. "Who? Tell me!"
Count Livingstone chuckled. "A young man named Paul emerged victorious, but what's really interesting is that he refused the nobles' offer. Can you believe it?"
Anna's face scrunched up in confusion. "Why would he do that? Was he silly?"
Count Livingstone smiled. "Well, maybe he just wanted to do things his own way. But it's definitely got people talking!"
Anna nodded, taking it all in. "I want to hear more about him, Father! Tell me everything!"
Count Livingstone's eyes sparkled with amazement. "And you know what's even more incredible, Anna? Paul could use Aura at the age of 11! Can you believe it?"
Anna's eyes went wide with wonder. "Wow! That's so cool! I've never heard of anyone being able to use Aura that young!"
Count Livingstone nodded. "Yes, it's extremely rare. Most people can't even sense Aura until they're much older. But Paul... he's something special."
Anna's face lit up with excitement. "I want to meet him, Father! Can I meet Paul?"
Count Livingstone chuckled. "Well, I'm not sure if that's possible right now, Anna. But I'll see what I can do. Maybe one day you'll get to meet this young Aura prodigy."
Part 2 : The Black Mage Tower
Kareen Vin, a 14-year-old girl with long, dark hair and piercing brown eyes, stood nervously before her father, the 7th Circle Black Mage Tower Master, in the dimly lit chambers of the Black Tower. "Father, I have news to share with you. I've finally reached 1st Circle!"
Her father's expression remained stern, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's about time, Kareen. You're 14, after all. I had expected more from you."
Kareen's face fell, but she tried to defend herself. "But Father, reaching 1st Circle is a great achievement! Not many can do it at my age."
Her father snorted. "Not many? Ha! I've heard of an 11-year-old girl who reached 1st Circle in the Super Clash Tournament. And to make matters worse, the Red Mage Tower snatched her up immediately. Her name is Kaira, and she's a true prodigy."
Kareen's eyes widened in shock. "An 11-year-old? That's impossible!"
Her father's expression turned disapproving. "Impossible? It seems not. And what's more, Kaira's talent is far surpassing yours at this point. I must admit, I'm disappointed in you, Kareen. You should be striving to be like Kaira, not lagging behind."
Part 3 : Maid Lenna
Lenna, a 15-year-old maid with a timid demeanor, stood trembling in the lavish bedroom of Young Lord Brad Modrig. She had been his personal maid for only a few months, and she still couldn't get used to his volatile temper.
As she was dusting the shelves, her hand slipped, and a glass vase fell to the floor, shattering into a hundred pieces. Young Lord Brad's face turned red with rage as he strode towards her.
"How careless can you be, Lenna?!" he bellowed, his hand raised.
Lenna cowered, trying to apologize, but before she could utter a word, Young Lord Brad's hand cracked against her cheek, sending her stumbling backward.
"I'm s-sorry, Young Lord," Lenna stammered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Young Lord Brad's expression didn't soften. "Get out of my sight, and clean up this mess. And be more careful next time, or you'll face worse than a slap."
Lenna nodded, still sniffling, and quickly set to work cleaning up the broken glass, her heart heavy with fear and her cheek stinging from the slap.
Part 4 : Preview of Volume 2 : The Adventurer Arc
In the midst of a fierce battle, a group of adventurers finds themselves struggling to take down a raiding party of orcs. Just as all hope seems lost, a mysterious young boy with long, wild orange hair appears out of nowhere, sword in hand.
With swift and deadly precision, the boy cuts down the remaining orcs, leaving the adventurers stunned and grateful. As they approach him, they ask:
"Thanks for the help, kid. What's your name?"
The boy stands tall, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm Paul, a 13-year-old adventurer."
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"Hello, I'm Burning, the author of 'The Reincarnated Bastard'. As you've anticipated, the next arc of our story will indeed feature a two-year time skip, propelling us forward in Paul's journey. But be prepared for more than just your typical adventuring fare. Paul's experiences during this period will not only hone his skills as an adventurer but also lay the groundwork for his future endeavors, setting the stage for even greater challenges and opportunities to come. Get ready to witness Paul's transformation into a valuable asset, poised to make a significant impact on the world of 'The Reincarnated Bastard'."