As the years passed, the forest had become more than just a refuge—it had become my training ground, a place where I could hone my abilities in secret. By the time I reached six years old, my skills had grown exponentially. Each day I pushed my limits, testing not just the strength of my magic but the depth of my knowledge.
It was the magic circles that fascinated me the most. Back at Cresent Academy, summoning a few magic circles had been enough to shock everyone, but here, with no one watching and no one to limit me, I could experiment freely. The forest seemed to pulse with energy, as though it recognized the magic I wielded and responded to it.
---
One afternoon, I stood in my usual clearing, focusing on the flow of mana inside me. My body was still small, but my soul—my mind—had lived through years of rigorous training in my previous life. That training, combined with my Analyze skill and new knowledge of spellcrafting, had allowed me to grasp advanced magic far beyond what a child of my age should have been capable of.
But today, I wasn't satisfied with basic spells. I wanted to go further.
"I've done five before... what about ten?"
It was a challenge, but one I felt ready to face. I began channeling mana through my body, imagining the familiar symbols in my mind. The air around me crackled with energy as I focused, summoning the first circle. It appeared before me, glowing faintly.
Then, I pushed harder.
The second circle emerged next to it, followed by a third. My breathing quickened as I felt the strain of controlling them all at once, but I kept going. Fourth, fifth… one by one, more circles formed, floating in the air, humming with energy.
By the time I reached ten, my body felt heavy, but the sight before me filled me with satisfaction. Ten magic circles, all glowing in sync, surrounding me like a protective barrier.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and smiled.
---
Over the next few weeks, I continued to push the boundaries of what I could do. I practiced relentlessly, increasing the number of circles I could control at once. Each day, I managed to add a few more until I could summon fifteen, then twenty. By the time I could control thirty circles simultaneously, the forest around me had become a veritable storm of magic.
The process wasn't easy, of course. Each time I created a new circle, the strain on my body and mind increased. The mana flowed faster, and the pressure built until it felt like my head might explode. But with each attempt, I grew stronger, more resilient. My control over the circles became more refined, and I could shift and direct them with ease.
What fascinated me the most, however, was the sheer versatility of magic circles. They weren't just for offensive spells. I could use them to enhance my defense, speed, and even my perception of the world around me. I experimented with barriers that deflected attacks, circles that enhanced my physical abilities, and even one that allowed me to manipulate the elements around me—wind, fire, earth, and water.
The forest had become my laboratory, and I was the alchemist, mixing and matching spells to create something entirely new.
---
One day, while sitting on a rock by the stream, I pondered how far I could take my newfound mastery. A thought had been gnawing at me for a while: What if I could combine circles into a larger, more powerful spell? Instead of just summoning individual circles, I could merge their power to create something truly devastating.
It was an idea worth exploring.
I stood up, shaking out my arms as I prepared to give it a try. Summoning thirty circles was already something I could manage, but merging them required precision and focus I hadn't yet tested.
"Let's do this."
With a deep breath, I focused once more on the mana within me. The circles appeared easily enough, shimmering into existence one after another. But now came the hard part: merging them. Slowly, I began guiding them together, mentally weaving their energy into one cohesive force.
At first, the circles resisted, flickering slightly as if they didn't want to combine. But I pushed harder, gritting my teeth as I willed them to merge. The air around me grew thick with energy, and I could feel the pressure building inside me, but I didn't stop.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the circles fused into one massive glowing symbol. It hovered above me, pulsating with raw power.
I stood there for a moment, stunned by what I had created. This wasn't just a spell—it was a manifestation of everything I had learned, all the training and effort I had put into mastering my magic. And it was powerful. Incredibly powerful.
With a grin, I released the energy, directing it at a nearby tree. The resulting blast was unlike anything I had seen before. The tree was uprooted instantly, sent flying through the air as if it weighed nothing. The ground shook beneath me, and the shockwave rippled through the forest, scattering leaves and sending birds into the sky.
I stood there, breathless, as the energy slowly dissipated. The silence that followed was almost eerie, but I couldn't help but smile.
---
As I walked back home that evening, the glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the village, I thought about the possibilities ahead. I had reached a level of power that far exceeded what I'd ever imagined possible in this new life. And yet, I was still just a child—at least in this body.
My parents, of course, had no idea. My father, a kind but stern man, believed I spent my time playing in the forest. My mother, always gentle and loving, thought I was simply exploring, curious about the world around me.
"Leo," my father had said one evening at dinner, "I know you like wandering in the woods, but don't forget that you'll have to start learning more practical skills soon. There's more to life than just running around outside."
I'd nodded, not wanting to argue. They didn't know about my training or the power I had unlocked, and for now, I wanted to keep it that way. I was still learning, still growing. There would be time later to reveal everything—once I had a better grasp of my abilities.
But in the meantime, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. The forest had grown quieter in recent days, as though the very air was waiting for something to happen. I didn't know what, but I knew one thing for sure:
Whatever it was, I'd be ready.