Takumi Yamazaki woke to the sound of birdsong and the soft rustling of leaves. The sunlight filtering through the canopy above painted his surroundings in hues of gold and green. Blinking away the last remnants of disorientation, he sat up and looked around.
The world felt alive in a way his old one never did. The air was crisp and invigorating, the scent of fresh grass mingling with the faint aroma of wildflowers. He touched his hands, smaller and rougher than he remembered, and ran his fingers through his short, slightly unruly black hair.
"This… this isn't a dream," he murmured.
The events in the void came rushing back. The luminous figure, the promise of a second life, and the tantalizing mention of magic. Takumi's heart raced with excitement as he stood, brushing dirt from his simple tunic. He was eager to explore.
It didn't take long before he spotted a dirt road winding through the trees. Following it, he soon reached the edge of a bustling village.
"Excuse me," Takumi called to a passing villager, a young man carrying a bundle of firewood. "Could you tell me where I am?"
The man gave him a curious look but nodded. "You're in Ashgrove. New here, are you? Judging by your clothes, you must've come from far away."
Takumi decided not to elaborate. "You could say that. What's this place like?"
The villager launched into a brief explanation. Ashgrove was a small but thriving community, part of a larger kingdom called Aerdria. It was a land of magic, where mages wielded elemental powers to shape their world.
Magic. The word sent a thrill through Takumi.
"Where can I learn more about magic?" he asked eagerly.
The villager chuckled. "If you've got the aptitude, you'll want to visit the town square. There's a traveling examiner there today. They'll measure your affinity and tell you what kind of magic you're suited for."