Elias blinked his eyes open, but all he saw was darkness. It enveloped him like a thick fog, heavy and unyielding. He instinctively reached out, his hands meeting nothing but a cold, empty void. A chill ran through him, a stark reminder of his last moments—a life filled with kindness, betrayal, and an abrupt end.
Memories flooded back: the laughter of children he had helped, the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the cold steel of the dagger that had pierced his heart. In his past life, he had strived to bring joy to others, to shield the weak from the harshness of the world. But in the end, his charity had brought him nothing but sorrow, his kindness met with cruelty.
As the memories swirled in his mind, a presence emerged from the darkness. A figure, radiant yet shrouded in mystery, appeared before him. The figure's features were indistinct, as if cloaked in shadows, but Elias felt an overwhelming sense of power radiating from it.
"Welcome, Elias," the figure spoke, its voice echoing like thunder in the void. "You have been granted a second chance."
"Am I dead?" Elias asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"You died You witnessed the cruelty of the world, and now because of your good deeds and your kindness i will let you reincarnate to another world"
"I will fulfil a wish"
Elias's heart raced. The pain of his past felt fresh, and he wanted nothing more than to ensure that he would never be a victim again. "I wish for power. I want to be strong enough to protect others."
The figure nodded, and a brilliant light enveloped Elias. As the light faded, he found himself lying on the ground, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant colors.
Elias opened his eyes to the soft light filtering through the delicate curtains of a nursery. Sunlight cast gentle patterns on the walls, illuminating the room in a warm glow. The faint scent of lavender filled the air, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. As he stirred, he felt a familiar presence close by. Turning his head, he spotted her: his mother, Celia, her face illuminated by a serene smile that radiated warmth and love.
In that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity and belonging. Though he was merely a newborn, fragmented memories from another life flickered in his mind like shadows—moments of kindness and compassion intertwined with the stark realities of a cruel world. The vividness of those memories stirred within him, awakening a deep-rooted understanding of suffering and joy.
Celia lifted him gently, cradling him against her chest. The rhythm of her heartbeat was a soothing melody that calmed his newfound awareness. As he lay nestled against her, Elias instinctively reached out, his tiny fingers brushing against her cheek, the softness of her skin igniting a warmth within him. A smile spread across her face, brightening her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, all seemed perfect.
But beneath the surface, an undercurrent of unease rippled through the household. Elias could sense it in the way the servants whispered behind closed doors, in the worried glances exchanged between them. The name "Lady Vespera" hung heavy in the air, a specter of dread that loomed over his mother like a dark cloud.
As the days turned into weeks, Elias adjusted to his new life, surrounded by the trappings of nobility. The mansion was grand, filled with ornate furniture, lavish decorations, and sprawling gardens that seemed to stretch endlessly. Yet, it was the warmth of his mother's love that provided true comfort amidst the opulence.
In those early days, Elias had a unique awareness about him, a flicker of consciousness that set him apart from an ordinary infant. One afternoon, as he lay in his crib, the familiar sensation of the Reincarnation System activated within him. It was as if a part of him had been waiting for this moment, and with it came a flood of notifications that filled his mind with purpose.
Welcome to the Reincarnation System!
A cascade of information unfolded before him, illuminating the possibilities that lay ahead:
1. Status: View your current abilities and stats.
2. Inventory: Access items and resources.
3. Missions: Complete tasks to earn rewards and level up.
4. Newbie Pack: Contains starter techniques to help you grow.
Eager to understand the depths of his abilities, Elias focused on the "Status" option, curious about what lay dormant within him. The system responded, displaying a detailed overview of his current state:
---
Status: Elias
Age: 0 years
Physique:
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Endurance: 1
Mental Capacity:
Intelligence: 5 (Enhanced cognitive abilities from reincarnation)
Awareness: 3 (Awareness of surroundings and emotional states)
Health:
Physical Health: 100%
Mental Health: 100%
Skills:
Basic Breathing Technique: Level 1
Infant Strength Training: Level 1
Mindfulness Practice: Level 1
Visual Learning: Level 1
---
Elias's heart raced as he scanned the numbers. He could feel the potential surging within him. The strength and agility stats were at their base level, but the mental capacity stood out with a higher score, hinting at the remnants of his past life fueling his growth.
He took a moment to absorb the implications of what he had just seen. Intelligence and Awareness—those were areas where he could excel if he applied himself. But it was his Health that truly caught his attention. A full 100% on both fronts meant he was in peak condition for his age, but would that last? Would the curse afflicting his mother soon reach him, too?
Determined to take advantage of the abilities that lay dormant, he opened the Newbie Pack feature, eager to explore the techniques it contained.
---
Newbie Pack Contents:
1. Basic Breathing Technique: Enhances focus and mental clarity.
2. Infant Strength Training: Exercises to build core strength.
3. Mindfulness Practice: Develops awareness and control over emotions.
4. Visual Learning: Aids in understanding surroundings through observation.
---
With each item listed, Elias felt a wave of purpose wash over him. He was not just a passive observer in this life; he had tools at his disposal to shape his destiny. He decided to begin with the Basic Breathing Technique. The system encouraged focus and mental clarity, which he could surely use in the days ahead.
As he practiced, he inhaled deeply, filling his tiny lungs with air, and exhaled slowly, releasing tension. It felt like a hidden energy was awakening within him, illuminating the corners of his mind. In that state of calm, he felt more aware, as though he could sense the very essence of the world around him—the soft rustle of leaves outside, the distant laughter of children at play, and the rhythmic heartbeat of his mother as she hummed softly nearby.
Days turned into weeks, and as his muscles grew stronger from the Infant Strength Training, so did his resolve to protect his mother. He could now roll over with ease and even push himself up on his arms to see the world from a different angle. Each tiny victory filled him with joy, but beneath that joy was the persistent worry about Celia's health.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden rays through the nursery window, Elias felt an overwhelming desire to help his mother. He reached out to her, his small fingers finding her hand, squeezing it gently. Celia looked down, her eyes softening as she smiled at him.
"Elias, my sweet boy," she murmured, brushing her thumb over his tiny hand. "You're growing so fast. Soon you'll be running and playing with the other children."
A flicker of sadness crossed her face, and Elias could sense it. It was a feeling that had become all too familiar. He had seen her struggle, felt the weight of her burdens, and knew he had to act.
"Why does it hurt, Mommy?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with the innocence of a child yet the urgency of someone who understood more than he should.
Celia looked down at him, her expression pained yet gentle. "It's just a little sickness, my love. I will be alright," she replied, but her voice wavered, and Elias sensed the truth hidden beneath her words.
That night, as the moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating the room in a soft glow, Elias's resolve hardened. He would uncover the truth, no matter the cost. As he drifted into a restless sleep, the system chimed in his mind once more, offering insights he desperately needed.
---
[Celia is under a curse placed by Lady Vespera. The curse saps her strength and health. The elixir needed to break the curse can be created with specific ingredients found in the world.]
---
Elias's heart sank at the revelation. He had to do something, but what? He focused on the knowledge within him, determined to gather the strength needed to confront the challenges ahead. His journey was just beginning, and he would not let fear dictate his path.