By the time I was five years old, I was fully aware of the life I had been reborn into. The village where I lived was nestled in a valley, surrounded by vast, dense forests. It was a peaceful place, filled with the sounds of birds and the scent of fresh pine. My parents often let me explore, trusting that the forest was safe—though they didn't know that I had other reasons for spending so much time there.
Ever since I learned to walk and speak, I had been secretly training. My body might be young, but I had all the skills and knowledge from my previous life. And more than anything, I needed to make sure those skills were still intact.
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The forest became my sanctuary. Whenever I had free time, I'd slip away from the house, darting through the village until I reached the edge of the woods. Once under the cover of trees, I felt more at ease. The rustling of leaves in the wind and the soft crunch of twigs beneath my feet were like background music to my thoughts.
It was in this forest that I began testing my skills again.
"Analyze."
The familiar system notification appeared in my mind, detailing information about the trees, plants, and even small animals around me. It was just as I remembered—sharp, clear, and incredibly useful.
[Species: Oak Tree]
[Age: 72 years]
[Health: Excellent]
[Uses: Timber, leaves for medicinal purposes.]
I smiled to myself. It was reassuring to know that Analyze still worked perfectly. I could gather information on just about anything, which made navigating the forest a breeze. But that was just the beginning.
Next, I practiced Flicker, the skill that allowed me to move with lightning speed for short bursts. I found an open patch of ground and concentrated. My young body felt light and agile, but I knew I needed to control the skill carefully. In my previous life, Flicker had been one of my favorite abilities—perfect for dodging attacks and catching enemies off guard.
I took a deep breath and activated it.
In an instant, the world around me blurred, and I found myself standing several meters from where I had been. I wobbled slightly, unsteady from the speed, but I grinned. Flicker still worked—though I'd need to practice to adjust to my new body's limitations.
But what I was most interested in was Spellcrafting. The skill had been invaluable during my time at Cresent Academy, and I wanted to push its boundaries. The idea of crafting custom spells from scratch fascinated me, and now that I was in a world with magic so deeply intertwined, the possibilities seemed endless.
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One afternoon, deep in the forest, I found a secluded clearing by a small stream. It was the perfect place to practice. Kneeling down, I gathered a few stones and placed them in front of me, intending to start small. I closed my eyes and focused on the energy within me.
Spellcrafting required not just mana, but creativity. The system allowed me to combine elements and effects, forming unique spells tailored to my needs. I concentrated, reaching deep into my memories of my past life's training, and imagined a simple but powerful spell.
"Let's try something basic first."
I wanted to craft a spell that could both defend and attack, something versatile. My first thought was to create a barrier that could also reflect damage back to the attacker. With a deep breath, I visualized a dome of shimmering light around me, one that could absorb and deflect energy.
"[Spellcrafting: Reflective Shield]."
The mana flowed from my body, swirling around me as the system processed my command. Within moments, a translucent, shimmering barrier appeared, encasing me in a bubble of energy. I took a moment to admire my handiwork, feeling the hum of power in the air.
So far, so good.
To test it, I picked up a nearby stick and threw it at the shield. The stick hit the barrier and, to my satisfaction, ricocheted off, flying back in the direction it had come from. It wasn't a full-fledged attack, but it was enough to show me that the spell worked as intended.
Satisfied, I let the barrier dissolve and moved on to more complex spells. Over the next few weeks, I spent every spare moment crafting new spells. Some worked, others failed spectacularly, but each one taught me something new.
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As time passed, I became more comfortable in my young body, and my skill with Spellcrafting grew. I created a few basic attack spells—nothing too flashy, just enough to defend myself in case of danger. Simple fireballs, wind blades, and water orbs, all drawn from the elements around me. The forest was rich with natural mana, making it the perfect place to hone my craft.
But beyond combat, I also began experimenting with utility spells. I crafted a spell that allowed me to purify water, which came in handy during long afternoons in the woods. I created small bursts of light to guide me through the forest at dusk. And I even managed to craft a spell that helped accelerate the growth of plants—though that one was more for fun than practicality.
Of course, I had to keep all of this a secret from my family. My parents, while loving and supportive, had no idea I was capable of such things. As far as they knew, I was just a bright, curious boy with a love for the outdoors. They had no reason to suspect that I was training myself to become something far more.
Marta, the family maid, occasionally caught me sneaking out into the woods, but she never questioned it. If anything, she seemed amused by my love of exploring. "You've got your father's adventurous spirit, little Leo," she'd say with a knowing smile. "Just be careful out there."
I always promised I would.
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One evening, as the sun began to set, I found myself sitting on a fallen log, gazing out at the golden light filtering through the trees. The day's training had been successful—I had crafted a new spell that allowed me to create a shield of stone for protection, and I was feeling confident in my abilities.
But as I sat there, watching the sunset, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. I had all the skills from my past life, but I was in a new world now. A different place, with different rules. Would I ever encounter the kinds of dangers I had faced before? Or would this life be a peaceful one, free from the chaos of my past?
One thing was for sure: I wasn't going to waste this second chance. I would continue to train, to grow stronger. And when the time came—if it ever came—I'd be ready.
For now, though, I was content.