Five years. The time seemed to have flown by in a blur, yet at the same time, it felt like a lifetime. Five years since I, Leo Heisel, woke up in this strange new world, a reincarnated soul in the body of a child born into the prestigious Heisel family.
I had learned much in those years—about the world, magic, my new life, and the responsibilities that came with being part of a noble family. Yet, there was still one thing I hadn't figured out: friendship.
In my past life, I was too focused on work, too consumed with studying and climbing the corporate ladder. I never once considered what it would be like to have friends, to form bonds with people.
But now, as a child again, I felt the absence of those connections. I had no one to confide in, no one to share my thoughts with. And that, more than anything, weighed on me.
My eyes opened to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of my room. Five years, and today felt different. I was awake earlier than usual, and for the first time in a long while, I had a sudden urge to step outside the mansion's walls and see the world beyond. It was time to experience life, not just study it.
As I stretched and yawned, my mother's voice echoed from the doorway.
"Leo, you're awake early today."
I turned to face her, a smile tugging at my lips. "Good morning, Mother."
She walked into the room, her gentle smile softening her features. "What are your plans today?"
I hesitated for a moment. "I… was thinking of going outside."
Celia's eyes lit up with approval. "That sounds wonderful, Leo. You're getting old enough now. Maybe it's time to meet some of the other children around here."
I nodded, suddenly feeling more determined. Today would be the day.
The Heisel estate was large, with beautiful gardens and walls that kept the outside world at a distance. I stepped out of the estate gates, the real world greeting me with its cacophony of sounds—the clatter of carts rolling over cobblestone streets, the calls of street vendors advertising their wares, and the laughter of children playing.
At first, I walked with no particular destination in mind. I had lived in this world for five years, but there was something about leaving the security of home that made me feel oddly out of place. I was a noble, after all. The world beyond these walls was so... unfamiliar.
The common folk gave me curious glances as I passed, but no one dared to approach me. The Heisel name was respected here, and they knew better than to treat me like just any other child.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong in this bustling sea of unfamiliar faces. The more I walked, the more I realized how lonely it felt. No one had called me by name. No one had smiled at me like they would a friend.
I began to wonder if I was destined to live my life in solitude, surrounded by people, but never truly connecting with them. Is this what I'm meant to do? I asked myself. Live in this strange world, but be forever alone?
As I wandered, my mind drifted back to my past life—Ryo Kakashi. In that life, I had no time for friends, no time to form bonds. My work had consumed me, and I had let it. I had sacrificed relationships for success, and in the end, it was a hollow victory.
Now, in this world, I could feel the difference. I was Leo, a child with a chance at a new life, and yet I felt no different from the distant, cold man I had been. I wanted friends, but I didn't know how to make them.
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a commotion up ahead. I instinctively quickened my pace, drawn toward the noise.
As I turned the corner, I froze. There, in the middle of the street, a group of boys was harassing a girl. She had wolf ears—a clear sign that she was a demi-human, one of the demi-humans who were often targeted for their differences.
The boys were laughing and pushing her around, taunting her, calling her derogatory names. One of them kicked the dirt at her, and she stumbled back, her ears drooping.
Without thinking, I rushed forward. "Hey!" I shouted, drawing their attention.
They turned to face me. The boys, slightly older than me, narrowed their eyes at my noble attire but didn't seem particularly intimidated.
"Oh, look, it's a little noble playing hero," one of them sneered. "What's it to you?"
"Leave her alone," I demanded, my voice firm despite my racing heartbeat.
The boys laughed, clearly dismissive of my words. They stepped toward me, cracking their knuckles in preparation to intimidate. I knew I had no magic to defend myself—no skills. But I wasn't going to stand idly by.
I threw myself at the nearest boy, aiming a punch at his gut. He grunted, but it didn't stop him. A moment later, another boy grabbed me from behind. I kicked and struggled, but I wasn't strong enough to break free.
Then, just as I thought they might overpower me, a voice rang out from behind.
"Enough!"
The voice was sharp, full of authority.
I turned to see the girl with the wolf ears, now standing tall. There was a fire in her eyes, something fierce and determined. She stepped forward, raising her hand as if to ward the boys off. The group hesitated, but the leader scowled and motioned for the others to retreat.
"This isn't worth it," the leader muttered, and they scattered into the crowd.
I took a deep breath, my heart still pounding in my chest. The girl, who had been shaking moments before, was now standing tall. She turned to me and gave me a small smile. "Thank you," she said, her voice surprisingly soft. "No one has ever helped me like that before."
I dusted myself off and nodded. "It's nothing. You don't deserve to be treated like that."
She gave me a grateful look before her expression shifted to something more wary. "I'm Flora," she said, her voice a little hesitant.
"Leo," I replied, offering my hand.
She looked at it for a moment before shaking it carefully.
We sat down on a bench nearby, the dust from the confrontation still hanging in the air. I noticed she seemed somewhat distant, her wolf ears flicking nervously. I realized that, despite the bravado she had shown in confronting the bullies, she was probably not used to human company.
I took a deep breath and asked, "So, what happened? Why were they picking on you?"
Flora hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I'm a demi-human, you see. People like me… we're often seen as less than human. Some think we're wild animals, that we can't be trusted. But I'm not like that." Her voice faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I've just been trying to live my life, but people don't see me as anything but a monster."
I frowned, the weight of her words sinking in. "That's not fair," I said, my fists clenching in anger. "You shouldn't have to deal with that."
Flora smiled a little, though it was tinged with sadness. "It's just the way things are. But today… today was different."
We continued talking for a while, and as the conversation unfolded, I learned more about Flora's life as a demi-human. She had been born in a small village outside the city and had been forced to move to Aurestia after her family had been ostracized. Despite the prejudice she faced, she remained strong and determined.
As we spoke, we noticed two boys playing nearby—Eldric and Cranel, who were engaged in a game of hide-and-seek. They were laughing, calling out to each other as they darted between the trees.
"You should join us!" Eldric called, spotting us and waving.
"Yeah! The more the merrier!" Cranel added with a grin.
I looked at Flora, unsure, but she seemed to brighten at the invitation. "Come on," she said, standing up. "It might be fun."
We joined the game, running through the trees and laughing together. Despite our differences, despite everything that separated us, we were just kids having fun. In that moment, it didn't matter that I was a noble or that Flora was a demi-human. We were friends.
As the sun began to set, we sat down, exhausted but happy. "Thanks for today," Flora said softly, looking at me with a sincere smile.
"Of course," I replied, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in my chest. "I'm glad we met."
Eldric and Cranel, both smiling, nodded in agreement. "We're friends now, right?" Cranel asked.
"Right," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.
That day, I realized something important. Friendship wasn't about titles or backgrounds—it was about being there for each other, supporting each other through the ups and downs.
And for the first time since my arrival in this world, I felt like I wasn't alone anymore.