The bustling noise of the city streets filled the air. Cars honked, people rushed by, and the billboards lit up the night sky. Aaron Reyes trudged down the busy city street, his backpack heavy with the weight of textbooks and homework. He was tired. School had been exhausting, and the thought of another long day tomorrow made him sigh.
"I wish life was like the games I play," Aaron mumbled to himself. "With levels, quests, and all that cool stuff."
Just then, a bright flash of light caught his eye. He looked up, squinting as the light grew brighter and brighter. His heart raced as he noticed a Jeepney speeding towards him. Before he could react, everything went black.
[SYSTEM INITIATED]
"Wh-What's happening?" Aaron's voice echoed in the emptiness. He was floating in a dark space with no ground beneath him. A calm, robotic voice spoke to him.
[Welcome to the Celestial rebirth system.]
[User: Aaron Reyes]
[You have died.]
Aaron's mind raced. He was dead? He tried to grasp the reality of it. How could this happen?
[Rebirth initiated: You will now be reincarnated as the youngest son of Datu Malik, ruler of the great Arakan tribe.]
Before he could even ask a question, the darkness around him vanished. Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by towering trees, a canopy of leaves shading him from the sun. He blinked rapidly, adjusting to the scene around him. Instead of the modern world, he was now in a lush, tropical forest, dressed in simple yet intricately woven clothing. His hands were small. His body was smaller—like that of a child.
"W-What's going on?" Aaron stammered. His voice was different, higher-pitched. He looked down at his hands, noticing the brown, sun-kissed skin and calloused fingers. He quickly realized this wasn't his body.
A notification appeared in his mind's eye:
[Welcome to your new life.]
[You have reincarnated as Arin, youngest son of Datu Malik, in the Kingdom of Arakan.]
"What? Arin?" Aaron—or now Arin—could hardly process the information. He stumbled forward, his small legs barely carrying his weight. The world around him felt strange and unfamiliar. Birds with vibrant feathers flew overhead, and the distant sound of rushing water could be heard. He was no longer in the bustling city of Manila. He was in a completely different era.
A sense of urgency rose within him. This wasn't a dream. It was real. He had died, and now, he was someone else—someone from a distant, ancient past.
Suddenly, a glowing screen appeared in front of him, like a floating interface from the RPGs he used to play:
Name: Arin Malik
Title: Datu's Youngest Son
Level: 1
Health: 100/100
Mana: 50/50
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 7
Luck: 15
Skills: None
Special Abilities: None
Aaron's eyes widened. "A system, just like in games?" He was excited despite being confused. His wish had come true, but in a very unexpected way.
Before he could explore more, a figure emerged from the trees. A tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in tribal armor, with an intimidating presence, walked toward him. His face was stern, yet there was a softness in his eyes as he looked down at Arin.
"Arin, there you are!" The man's voice boomed. "I've been looking all over for you, my son."
Aaron gulped. My son? This was Datu Malik—the man who ruled over the tribe, his father in this new life.
"I… I'm sorry, Father," Aaron—now Arin—replied instinctively, his mind racing. He didn't know how to act or what was expected of him, but something inside him pushed him to go along with this. For now, at least.
Datu Malik knelt and patted Arin's head. A rare, gentle smile appeared on his face. "Come on, the elders are waiting. It's time you learn about our ways. You are young, but you have great potential."
[New Quest: Learn the Ways of the Arakan Tribe]