I am a novel author who created a story that, unexpectedly, became popular. My name is Dakota Leal, but in my first life, I was known as Michael Leal.
Dakota: My novel is called I Got Reincarnated Into a Magical World.
I poured everything I had into that story—the worldbuilding, the characters, the magic system. Writing became almost like an escape, a way to live in a world that didn't exist, yet felt more real than anything around me. Then, just as I was about to write the final chapter, something unbelievable happened. Someone broke into my house…and shot me.
The pain was sudden and blinding, and before I could even process what was happening, everything went dark. Just like that, my life was over, and I hadn't finished my novel. I hadn't given it the ending it deserved. But, surprisingly, my story wasn't over. I woke up again, in a strange hospital, as a baby. Standing around me were three figures: a doctor, a man, and a woman.
The woman said softly, "Oh, honey, look at him—he's so beautiful."
The man next to her smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Yes, he is, honey. He's our child."
As I heard those words, I glanced down and saw tiny, chubby baby hands. My mind spun with realization: I had been reincarnated. Somehow, after dying, I was starting a new life as someone else's child.
Dakota: Damn, I actually died... I couldn't even finish my novel. And I had so many regrets, so many people I'd left behind in my life as Michael. People I never apologized to.
My thoughts were interrupted by something I'd never expected to see: the doctor waved his hand over my mother, and a soft glow surrounded her. He was healing her. With magic.
I stared in shock. Magic wasn't real—at least, not on Earth. I had assumed I was reborn there. But apparently, I was wrong.
A grin spread across my face. "Looks like I got isekai'd. How amazing is that?"
My mother, overhearing my odd little laugh, just patted my tiny head. She looked up at the doctor and asked, "Doctor, can we leave now?"
He nodded. "Yes, you're free to go."
We left the hospital, and to my surprise, we arrived at a mansion. My new home was a literal mansion. It had towering walls, polished stone, grand wooden doors, and more rooms than I could count. Inside, the decor was breathtaking, with paintings, statues, and all sorts of luxuries fit for nobility.
My mother looked down at me lovingly and said, "Dakota, this is your new home."
Dakota: Wow, I reincarnated into a fantasy world, and I get to live in a mansion. This is incredible.
---
Six years later
Over the years, I learned more about my family, this world, and, most importantly, magic. In this world, magic was as natural as breathing, but to me, it was a wonder. I had to learn everything about it, and with the knowledge from my previous life—and some help from the story I'd written as Michael—I managed to awaken my magic by the time I was three years old. People began calling me a genius, but the truth was, I was just using what I already knew.
---
Today was my first day at the academy.
Dakota: Mother, Father, I'm leaving now.
Mother: Okay, Dakota, be careful.
Father: Yeah, don't get into any trouble, Dakota.
Dakota: Don't worry, I won't.
I headed outside and ran all the way to the academy, a grand building that looked almost like a castle with towering stone walls and large arched windows. There was one thing about this world that still surprised me: it was almost exactly like the world from my novel. The magic system, the academy, the monsters, the landscape—everything was eerily similar.
Dakota: Yeah, I was pretty shocked when I realized that.
But thanks to my knowledge of the story, I'd been able to navigate this world with a bit of an advantage. I went inside the academy and finally arrived at my classroom, though I was a bit late. Everyone turned to look at me as I entered.
The teacher greeted me with a smile. "Oh, you must be the new student, Dakota, right?"
Dakota: Yes, that's me.
Teacher: Well, Dakota, we've already introduced ourselves, so please come here and introduce yourself.
I walked to the front of the class, feeling everyone's eyes on me. I wasn't nervous—after everything I'd been through, a simple introduction was nothing.
Dakota: Hello, I'm Dakota Leal, and I hope to get along with all of you.
The teacher nodded. "Thank you, Dakota. Now that you've introduced yourself, go find an open seat."
I looked around and found a spot. Sitting beside me were four people—two girls and two boys. One of the boys, a blue-haired boy with sharp blue eyes, turned to me and smiled.
Lucas: Hello, I'm Lucas Evans. It's nice to meet you.
Dakota: Nice to meet you too.
Lucas then gestured to the others.
Lucas: And these are my friends: Liam Hayes, Ava Marly, and Mia Lopez.
Liam: Nice to meet you.
Ava: Nice to meet you too.
Mia: Nice to meet you.
Liam had white hair and striking white eyes, Ava had golden blonde hair and golden eyes, and Mia had violet hair and deep purple eyes. Each of them had a unique appearance, almost as if they were straight out of some fantasy.
Dakota: It's nice to meet all of you too.
Looking around, I felt an odd sense of comfort. They reminded me of friends I'd once had as Michael, people I'd lost or hurt along the way. I vowed that I wouldn't make the same mistakes here.
---
After the lesson ended, we all went outside.
Liam: So, what should we do now?
Dakota: I don't know. Have you guys awakened your magic yet?
The four of them looked surprised.
Lucas: Wait, you've awakened your magic already?
Dakota: Yeah, pretty cool, right?
Ava: That's amazing! But don't worry; we'll catch up to you soon.
Dakota: I hope so! Then we can all train together.
Mia: Yeah, don't worry. We'll awaken soon enough.
We played together for a while until the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Dakota: Alright, guys, I've got to go. Goodbye!
The four of them waved and said goodbye as I headed home. When I arrived, my mother was waiting for me.
Mother: Oh, Dakota, welcome back! How was your first day at the academy?
Dakota: It was fun. I made some friends and played a lot.
Mother: That's good to hear. Now, go upstairs and take a bath.
Dakota: Okay, I'll do that.
I went up to my room and started the bath, taking a moment to reflect. This new life still felt surreal.
Dakota: I still can't believe I died and got reincarnated into my own novel. And those kids… I don't remember creating them. It's strange.
I wondered when I would meet the characters I had actually written as Michael. They were out there somewhere, though I was currently at the Children's Academy, while they would be in the Hero's Academy. But I knew our paths would cross eventually.
Dakota: I wonder what they're doing now… I wonder if they even found out about my death. Although, they probably wouldn't care after the things I did to them.
I looked at my reflection, thinking about the mistakes I had made as Michael. Those four kids reminded me of people I had wronged, people I didn't want to hurt again. This time, I would be better. This time, I would be the friend they deserved.
Dakota: I'm going to get strong—really strong—so I don't make the same mistakes I did in my past life.
I clenched my fist, filled with new determination.
Dakota: Let's do this.