Kain sat on the porch of the modest home, his sharp eyes scanning the dirt road. He was deep in thought, mentally revisiting the plans he had made in his secret dimension. Though he looked like an innocent five-year-old, his mind was anything but. His thoughts moved with the precision of an experienced tactician, constantly analyzing his surroundings and calculating his next steps.
Today, however, wasn't about his secret projects or the bots tirelessly working in the hidden space he had created. Today was about his father's return.
Darren, his father, was a traveling mercenary. Though not a legendary hero, Darren's stories of adventure and battle were always engaging—pieces of information Kain tucked away for future use. The thrill of exploration, the danger of the unknown—Kain desired it all. But he was shackled by his small, undeveloped body, the very thing that kept him grounded in the role of a child.
Kain's ears perked up as he heard the familiar sound of hooves on the dirt path. He saw Darren riding toward the house, his frame hunched with fatigue. Even though Darren was exhausted, he was still a formidable man, one Kain respected. Kain stood up, composing his thoughts as Darren dismounted the horse and walked toward him.
"Dad," Kain said, keeping his voice light, masking the maturity behind his words.
Darren smiled tiredly, kneeling to embrace him. "Kain, you've been good while I was away?"
"Yes, I've been keeping up with everything," Kain replied. His tone was measured, knowing how to play the part. "I've been training too."
"Good, that's what I like to hear," Darren said, standing and leading the horse toward the stable.
As they neared the house, Elena stepped outside, greeting Darren with relief. She kissed his cheek, and the two shared a quiet moment. Kain observed them carefully, taking mental notes on emotional interactions that still felt foreign to him, despite years of experience.
"Kain, go wash up. I'm sure your father needs to rest," Elena called out as she turned back toward the house.
But Kain wasn't finished. He tugged at Darren's sleeve. "Dad, can we train together?" he asked, his words deliberately crafted to sound eager but not overbearing. "I want to show you what I've learned."
Darren chuckled, clearly amused by Kain's insistence. "Alright, after I settle in. But don't push yourself too hard, kid."
"And... when can I come on an adventure with you?" Kain's words came out softly, but they carried the weight of something much deeper than childish excitement. He wasn't asking for fun—he was seeking knowledge, experience, and the freedom to leave the village. "I want to help. I'm getting stronger."
Darren's smile faded slightly, and his expression turned serious. He knelt again, meeting Kain's eyes with a gentle firmness. "Kain, you're not ready for that yet. Adventuring isn't just about strength. It's about knowing when to fight, when to run, and when to think before acting."
Kain's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "I understand," he said, knowing there was no point in arguing. He had to play the long game. This body was still too weak. "But soon, right?"
Darren placed a hand on Kain's shoulder, giving him a proud but firm look. "When you're older and stronger."
Kain nodded. He knew it would be a long time before Darren saw him as capable, but that didn't matter. His secret training in the dimension would speed things along. There, in his hidden sanctuary, time worked differently, and his body would follow soon enough.
"Come on," Darren said with a grin. "Let's see what you've been practicing."
---
They headed to the small training area behind the house. Darren handed Kain a wooden practice sword, watching as Kain took his stance. To anyone else, Kain's posture would have seemed that of an eager child, but there was precision in his movements—a focus honed not just by practice, but by years of combat experience in his previous life.
"Show me your stance," Darren said, crossing his arms.
Kain adjusted his feet, gripping the wooden sword just so, recalling every piece of advice Darren had given him and combining it with the techniques he knew from before his reincarnation. His body was small and underdeveloped, but his mind knew how to make the most of it.
"Good balance," Darren commented, watching him closely. "You've been practicing."
"I don't waste time," Kain replied. His tone was neutral, careful not to reveal his impatience.
Darren raised an eyebrow but smiled. "Let's see your swings."
Kain moved fluidly through the drills, his strikes quick and precise for a child of his size. Of course, his body lacked the strength to make the blows truly effective, but his technique was near flawless. Darren nodded approvingly as they continued.
"You've got good form, Kain," Darren said. "But remember, it's not just about swinging harder. You need to adapt to your opponent, use your head as much as your sword."
Kain bit back the urge to respond with something more sophisticated than what was expected of a five-year-old. "I'll keep that in mind, Dad."
They continued for a while longer, with Darren giving Kain pointers on his footwork and strike control. Kain soaked it all in, already mentally cataloging what he could improve upon later in his secret dimension. His mind was already a step ahead, planning his next moves.
"That's enough for today," Darren finally said, wiping sweat from his brow as the sun began to set.
"I could keep going," Kain said, testing his father's patience. But the truth was, his body was tired, and he knew pushing it further wouldn't help.
"Pushing yourself too hard won't do you any good," Darren said, ruffling Kain's hair. "You've done well. Keep at it, and you'll be ready in no time."
Kain nodded, though inside, he was already impatient. His father's words were meant to encourage, but to Kain, they were just another reminder of how far he still had to go in this small, fragile body.
---
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Kain quietly slipped out of his room. His body still ached from the training session, but he had work to do. He summoned the gateway to his secret dimension and stepped inside, the air around him changing as the hidden space came into view.
The bots he had created worked tirelessly, constructing and expanding the dimension under Techno's direction. Kain watched them for a moment, his mind already shifting gears. Here, away from the eyes of his parents and the limits of his five-year-old body, he could push himself further.
He gazed at his virtual interface, pulling up his "programmer's toolbox." It was here that Kain's abilities truly shined—he could modify, enhance, and create anything within the dimension. His power seemed limitless, except for one frustrating flaw: he could not modify the inhabitants of this world. He had tried before with Darren, hoping to enhance his father's physical abilities, but the system refused. No matter how skilled Kain was, the toolbox had a hardcoded restriction preventing any changes to living beings other than himself.
It irritated him, but Kain had accepted it. He couldn't make his father stronger directly, but there were other ways to help. Tools. Weapons. Equipment. Those could be enhanced, and Kain had already done so with Darren's weapon. His father had no idea that his sword was augmented with technological upgrades far beyond the understanding of this world. Soon, Darren's equipment would be among the best, even if his body remained untouched.
"Limitations," Kain muttered to himself, "are just another challenge to overcome."
He smirked as he walked deeper into the dimension, where the bots continued their work.
---