As days turned into weeks and weeks into months and years, I settled into my new life as Thadeus.The orphanage was a small, quaint place filled with laughter and occasional chaos. The walls were adorned with colourful drawings from the children, depicting everything from dragons to castles. I found comfort in the sounds of their giggles
Despite being just a baby, I could sense the world around me in ways I hadn't expected. The air was dense with energy, mana flowing like a gentle river.My little fingers would curl and stretch as if reaching for something
unseen, and I could feel it pulsing within me, awakening.
Every night, when the other children were asleep, I would lie awake, listening to the soft creaks of the building. My mind would wander back to my previous life as Kijin, the youngest brother of the First Demonic Family. I couldn't shake the feeling that my past was still around, watching over me. Would they find me? Would I ever face them again? I brushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the power called Mana.
One evening,i found myself alone in the small garden behind the building.The air was crisp, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth. I sat on the soft grass, feeling the energy of the world pulse beneath me. "This is peaceful," I mused, a smile creeping onto my baby face.
Suddenly, I felt a spark. The mana within me surged, and for the first time, I reached out with my tiny hands. The air around me shimmered as I tried to pull the mana into my grasp.It stood just out of reach, teasing me like a playful breeze. I giggled, a sound that seemed to surprise even me.
"Come on, little mana," I coaxed, mimicking the sounds of mages I had overheard in the orphanage. "You can do it!"
With all my focus, I summoned my will. A faint glow surrounded my fingertips, flickering like candlelight. My heart raced. "I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!" The excitement bubbled within me, and I didn't even notice when a small flower began to bloom beside me.
The flower disappeared just as quickly as it bloomed, but it didn't matter. I had tapped into my mana, however briefly, and it felt exhilarating. "If I can do this now, just think of what I'll be able to do later!" I thought, a grin spreading across my face.
Just then, I heard the familiar patter of little feet approaching. It was a girl named Elara, one of the older children at the orphanage. "Thaddeus! What are you doing out here all alone?" she asked, her voice playful and teasing.
"Just... uh, practising my magic!" I replied, trying to sound as confident as a 4 year old could.
Elara raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical. "Magic? You're just a baby! You can't do magic yet!"
"Oh, really?" I shot back, puffing out my tiny chest. "I can do lots of things! Like uh make flowers grow!"
"Sure, let's see it then!" she challenged, crossing her arms with a smirk.
I hesitated, then concentrated again, drawing on the mana I had felt before. To my surprise, the same flower bloomed again, and I watched it burst into life. Elara's eyes widened, and she gasped.
"No way! You really can do magic!" she exclaimed, her disbelief evaporating.
"Of course I can! I'm going to be the greatest mage ever!" I declared, the thrill of accomplishment rushing through me.
"Okay, Mister Greatest Mage," she said with a laugh, "let's see if you can make more flowers!"
And so, the challenge began. I focused, my small brow furrowed in concentration. The mana flower within me, and with every attempt, I felt stronger. I managed to conjure several flowers, each blooming a little more vibrantly than the last.
But then, I overdid it. I felt a rush of energy surging through me, and before I knew it, a small burst of wind swept through the garden, scattering petals everywhere. Elara squealed in delight, twirling around as the flowers flew in the air.
"Look! You're making a flower storm!" she shouted, clapping her hands in joy.
"Oops!" I giggled, feeling both proud and embarrassed. "I didn't mean to!"
As the petals fell like confetti around us, I realised I had done something incredible. For the first time,someone was happy with what I had accomplished and not like the people who praised me for killing.
That night, as I lay in my crib, I gazed up at the stars shining through the window. "I'll find my place here," I promised myself, a soft smile on my lips. "And who knows? Maybe I'll even find a way to embrace my past."
With that thought, I drifted into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of magic.
Next day,the sun filtered through the dusty windows of the orphanage, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. I sat cross legged on the ground, my back against the wall, absorbing the quiet of the room. The other children played outside.
In my mind, I was not just a child anymkre and I should stop acting like one. I was Kijin, a skilled swordsman who had faced countless battles. But here, I was Thaddeus, a boy with snow white hair and blood red eyes, trying to explore a world that felt both familiar and foreign.
I glanced at Elara, who was chasing butterflies in the garden.I admired her, envying her innocence.
I stood up, brushing the dirt from my pants. "I need to train," I murmured to myself, the voice of my past guiding me. I made my way to the small garden behind the orphanage, a hidden sanctuary where I could practice without interruption.
As I stepped into the sunlight, I felt the warmth on my skin.I took a deep breath, centering my thoughts. Mana is the essence of the world, I recalled from the books I had secretly read, and I will learn to control it like I once controlled my blade.
My first attempts were measured and deliberate. I summoned a small flame in my palm, watching as it came to life. It was a simple task, but each spark reminded of the fire I had wielded as Kijin. "Focus," I had to remain calm, grounded.
I began to form a small circle of earth beneath my feet, manipulating the mana around me with precision. "Elemental manipulation is a foundation," I murmured, "but control is the key."
As I practiced, Elara approached, her curiosity piqued. "What are you doing, Thaddeus?" she asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"Training," I replied simply, my tone calm. "I must grow stronger."
She nodded, though her expression reflected the innocent excitement of childhood. "Can I help?"
I considered her request for a moment. "If you can keep up," I said with a hint of a smirk, a playful spark breaking through my stoic facade.
With her by my side, I began to demonstrate basic techniques. "Feel the mana in your surroundings," I instructed, guiding her small hands to focus on the earth. "It flows like a river..learn to navigate its currents."
Elara concentrated, brow furrowed. "Like this?" she asked, attempting to lift a small stone with her mind.
"Close, but you must be patient," I replied, my voice steady. "Control is born from understanding. You need to trust yourself."
As I watched her struggle, I felt a flicker of nostalgia. In my past life, I had often trained alongside my brothers, sharing lessons and guiding each other. The bond we had was strong, but what happened in the past can never be forgotten.
I shook my head, dispelling the dark thoughts. "Focus, Thaddeus," I whispered to myself, reclaiming my resolve.
Over the next few days, I honed my abilities. I practiced late into the evening, occasionally pushing the limits of what I thought possible. I experimented with different elements fire and air each being challenging I must confess.
One afternoon, I decided to try summoning rain, wanting to experience the sensation of wielding nature's wrath. "This should be simple enough," I muttered, channelling my mana as dark clouds began to form above us.
Elara watched in awe as the clouds grew darker. "Thaddeus, that's amazing!" she exclaimed.
But as the first raindrops began to fall, I realised my control was slipping. "No, no! Just a light drizzle!" I shouted, trying to rein in the storm.
Instead, the clouds unleashed a torrential downpour, soaking us both in seconds. Elara squealed, laughter mixing with surprise as she danced in the rain. "You made it rain too much!"
I couldn't help but chuckle, despite the chaos. "Perhaps I need more practice," I admitted, shaking the water from my hair.
As the rain finally eased, leaving us drenched and laughing, I felt a warmth in my chest. The bond with Elara was growing stronger.
After our rainstorm, I retreated to the library once again, seeking knowledge among the dusty tomes. I lost myself in the pages, reading about the various types of mages and combatants who had roamed the world.
"The more I learn, the stronger i can become," I thought, envisioning the day I would leave this orphanage and step into Heartforge Academy, where I could truly embrace my destiny.
That night, as I lay in bed, I gazed at the ceiling, thoughts swirling. My past as Kijin weighed heavily on my mind, but I refused to let it define me.In this new life, I would forge my own path.
I would get to the top.But for now, I would train, learn, and protect those around me. After all, even the stoic swordsman had to embrace the light of friendship.