Li Wei's consciousness came back, like a tide coming in very slowly, carrying with it a confusing rush of impressions. His skin was aware of a softness he had never experienced before-the feel of fine silk supporting his small body. The air was warm, and his body moved up and down, as if someone was holding him against them. There were voices around him, muffled, speaking a language he did not know, their inflections rising and falling between gentle croons and quiet command.
He tried to move, instinctively attempting to sit up, but his limbs refused to cooperate. They felt heavy, weak, as if weighed down by an unfamiliar force. His body didn't respond as it should, and that realization sent a jolt of panic through him. Was he paralyzed? Had the impact of the truck have him broken and immobile?
Forcing his eyes open proved to be an immersion into a highly disorienting blur of shapes and colors. His eyes were weak and out of focus, the outlines of the world swimming in and out of clear definition. Light streamed in from a window nearby to reveal a high ceiling with a number of intricate carvings. The faint outline of figures moved in and out of his view, their details hazy.
Confusion overwhelmed him. He recalled the truck, the child, the impact. He remembered the voice—the one that had spoken of a second chance. The weight of that memory fell over him like a stone falling into a deep lake. And then slowly, pieces of the puzzle began to click into place.
He wasn't paralyzed. He was… a baby.
It came upon him like a bolt of thunder. His chest constricted, and his heart raced with alarm. How could this be? Was this the "second chance" the voice spoke of? As the shock began to wear off, his mind raced to understand. He remembered everything-his identity as Li Wei, his knowledge, his experiences. His body, however, was fresh, untired, fragile.
He made himself concentrate, to breathe deeply. There was no room for fear. His past life had taught him discipline, and he summoned every ounce of it now. Panic wouldn't help him; observation would. He needed to understand his surroundings.
Over the course of the next few days, Li Wei—or rather, the new life he had been given—gained as much knowledge as his infant state could manage. He spent hours taking in the people around him. They were definitely rich. The women around him wore fine silk gowns embroidered with golden threads while the men who often came to see them, well dressed in their brightly shined boots and crested jackets.
The room itself spoke to luxury. The high, vaulted ceilings bore murals of fantastic creatures: flying dragons that soared through storms, warriors clad in glowing armor, sprawling forests teeming with life. The walls were lined by tapestries-their rich colors telling stories of valor and conquest. Dominating one wall was a grand fireplace, its mantle decorated with fine sculptures and what appeared to be glowing crystals.
The bed on which he had mostly lain was nothing less than impressive. The mattress was soft, almost cloud-like, while the sheets were of silk, their smooth texture caressing his skin. Above him, there had been a mobile in polished wood, carved with celestial symbols—a sun, a crescent moon, an array of stars. They spun lazily, catching the light in ways that made them almost alive.
Two images stood out amidst the sea of faces: one was that of a woman who held him often, golden hair adorning her back like a waterfall of sunlight. Delicate and yet regal in features, soft eyes woven into maternal warmth, speaking to him in a tone so soft that, even if he couldn't understand the words, her voice could still soothe. There was no doubt in his mind—this was his new mother.
The second figure was more imposing-a man with clearly chiseled features that spoke volumes of strength and discipline. Each and every movement that he performed carried the weight of authority. His gaze, though piercing, softened whenever it fell upon him. This was his new father, he concluded. The man would visit often, standing by the bedside with arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he observed Li Wei in silence.
Servants came and went, their footsteps muffled by thick rugs. They spoke in hushed tones, even while bowing to address his parents. Some carried trays with food, aromas tempting even to his infant senses, and others brought stacks of neatly folded linens or books bound in leather. Everything about their demeanor spoke of deference and respect.
The first barrier he had to overcome was the language. The words spoken around him were unfamiliar, but not incomprehensible. He listened intently, his mind parsing the sounds and rhythms. In time, he picked up patterns—certain phrases repeated when food was brought, or when his mother comforted him. He matched gestures to words, which started a foundation for understanding.
Necessity drove him to learn. In his former life, Li Wei had been a plain man, circumscribed by the narrowness of his surroundings. But here, in this land of gilded fixtures and ornamented grandeur, he grasped an opportunity. This wasn't any usual household. He knew that with a vengeance. The lushness, the strictness of the staff, the imposing disposition of his father-all spoke to nobility.
He began to observe the subtlety of his parents interacting. His father's tone when giving instructions carried authority, yet his words were met with respect, not fear. His mother's smile could light up the room; her presence was oozing with kindness. They simply weren't rulers but loved ones. That realization sparked something in him: a deep-seated desire to not only live up to their expectations but to surpass them.
Days grew into weeks, and Li Wei adjusted to his new life. His vision improved; the blurry shapes around him sharpened into defined details. He was now able to see the embroidery on his mother's dresses, a gleam of his father's ceremonial sword, intricate carvings on wooden beams that supported the ceiling.
He soon began to notice oddities about this world. He observed repeatedly servants doing things that could not be explained. One maiden waved her hand above the candle and it flared instantly, the flame springing to life without flint or spark. Another servant carried a huge trunk with ease, his arms glowing faintly with a soft, golden light.
Magic.
The thought exhilarated him. He had read about it many a time in numerous novels of his past life, but it was quite another thing altogether to actually see it in action. The ramifications were enormous. If magic was real—and apparently mundane—what other things might be true in this world?
Even though Li Wei was confined to his nursery, his determination never faltered; when his mother held him, he watched the way her lips moved, practicing silently in his head. When his father came to see him, he would note how a man carried himself with poise. And whenever the servants bustled around him, he was sure to note their efficiency, the quiet but purposeful motions.
He also began testing the limits of his new body. At first, his attempts to move were clumsy, his limbs flailing with little coordination. But he persisted. He would curl his fingers, wiggle his toes, and turn his head to follow sounds. Each small victory filled him with a sense of accomplishment. This body was weak now, but it wouldn't remain so. He would make sure of that.
One evening, as the room was bathed in the golden glow of a setting sun, his mother held him in her arms and hummed softly. Her voice was sweet, laced with affection that warmed him to his core. For the first time in either of his lives, Li Wei felt truly cherished. Strange and unfamiliar, it was a feeling he welcomed wholeheartedly.
As he drifted off to sleep, he made a silent vow. This world was a gift, a second chance to do more, to be more. He would not squander it. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on. He would grow stronger, wiser, and perhaps, in time, discover the full potential of this life.
The stars twinkled outside in a velvet sky, it seemed, testimony to his resolve. For the first time in years, Li Wei was at peace-Lion Valerian. And so his journey finally began.