"Alright, Yohi, one more time, okay?" Lilith said, having a sports bra on with sweats. It was chilly outside, yet she still wore stuff like this? I saw beads of sweat drip down her forehead as she pants.
I stood up, rubbing my chin, being a little worse for wear. It had been four years, having spent most of my time being coddled by my mother and protected by Lilith.
I was four now, yes, but I had the body of a six-year-old. Yet, she was going this hard on me?!
I dusted myself off, sweating profusely as a stinging pain persisted in the lower left side of my body, like when you run for too long. "Lilith, please, I'm tired!" I whined.
"Stop being such a baby! You're four. When I was your age, I—" I immediately tuned her out. When she was four, she was allegedly battling teenage dragons, bringing back their parts for the townsfolk.
"Okay! I get it!" I yelled, getting into a fighting stance.
"Glad to know!" She said, crouching down and spreading her arms and legs, like a sumo wrestler or grappler.
"Go!" She yelled, dashing forward and aiming for my waist.
I leaped over her, my knees brought to my chest. I then thrust my legs downward, hoping to hit her head, but of course...
She evaded, her form a blur as she grabbed my left knee, slamming me into the ground.
The wind was knocked out of me, causing me to cough as I heaved my chest.
I didn't have time to catch my breath, though, because immediately, Lilith had her arm cocked back, a devilish smile on her face as she threw her fist forward.
Luckily, I rolled out of the way, getting on my hands and spinning around. She blocked my incoming kick, grabbing my ankle again, but that was my plan!
Immediately, I wrapped my legs around her neck, putting her in a leg lock. Still, she stood tall, having the advantage over me in age, of course.
She giggled and tapped my leg. "Alright, alright. You can have that one. That was impressive, Yohi."
I let go, falling onto the ground with a soft thud.
Lilith helped me up, rubbing my head. "Oh! By the way, I have a present for you." She grabbed my hand, leading me back to the house. The fields were nice this time around, but we were still in the winter.
The time here functioned weirdly. Technically, it has been four years, as I've been counting the months... But as I've learned about the world, a single orbital period is actually 976 earth years.
Then that meant that each season was around 244 years, and the months in this world were around... I don't even know; some big number. Still, I've grown quite used to this body and this family.
As I've come to realize, being a Sin puts you at a higher status than most Demons. Sins are seen as fragments of the original Sin, Pride, therefore seen as a gift from Alice.
It didn't take me long to notice that Alice was, in fact, Lucifera. According to most demons, she was the one who created them after her fall from heaven.
All sins, by extension, are part of her, but not under her.
Lilith led me to her room, which was a normal room with black wooden floors, a singular bed, a large dresser with a mirror to the left against the wall, and a closet to the right.
She reached into her drawer, taking out a revolver that resembled a Colt Python. Its barrel was about 9 inches long and silver in color. The barrel had intricate, bronze patterns while the handle seemed to be crafted out of a deep crimson wood.
"It's a magical item I got from a dungeon. It's called the Gun of Return. We all make mistakes in life, and some are irreversible, but with this, you can go back and undo it. All it takes is a simple trigger pull." Lilith said, rubbing my head as she handed me the gun.
You're seriously handing a four-year-old a gun?
Then again, we were a battle race. We were meant to fight. This could be much more useful than anticipated.
"Thanks, Lilith..." That wasn't the main issue; along with trying to live a good life, I have to find out who's behind these reincarnations. Those, and I have to find Kaido; I do hope he's alright.
"Of course, bud. Now that you're at that age, we can go check your magical affinities and age you up so you can get on with fighting! Maybe exploring too." Lilith spoke with a smile on her face.
Mother entered the room, having a bag next to her. She saw the gun in my hand, and her eyes widened, stepping forward and snatching it from me.
"Lilith, what're you thinking?!" She yelled, Lilith taking the gun back.
"Calm down, Maulie. He's at the age where he can defend himself. Besides, we have to head to the guy to grow him up; after all, word around is that there's been a recent batch of Summons lately, all human too." Lilith's tone became more serious.
"Really? I've heard rumors, but..." Maulie fiddled with her fingers as a protective gaze lingered in her eyes.
"They were summoned by the Queen of the Ventu Kingdom. Since she prepped her ability this time, this is the biggest bunch she's summoned yet." She said, putting the gun in her pocket.
"Are you willing to risk his life or give him a chance to actually defend himself?" Lilith tilted her head.
Maulie looked down at me, a look of sadness in her eyes. The thought of her boy dying to people who deemed them evil sickened her. She sighed, kneeling down and grabbing my shoulder. "Do you want this, Yohi?"
I looked at her, then at Lilith. With this, I could finally open my eyes to something new. Then, when all is said and done... I can fulfill my lifelong dreams of exploring the stars. I'll push this world forward, and we'll reach a new age.
"Yes..." I said, Maulie taking a long, deep breath.
"Very well. If you decide to explore after you've grown, I won't stop you, but do know I love you, okay?" Mother pulled me into a tight hug, to which I responded with a hug of my own.
This life—this second life. It will be my last reincarnation. I'll make sure of it. Lilith and Maulie may not know, but while I was a baby, I was experimenting with mana since I didn't know any spells yet.
Apparently, magic is something that is studied and not inherited, unless you're an Aspect, at which point the force is bound to your soul.
They had a book in the storage room labeled Arcane Texts, and I gave it a quick read but immediately stopped because my mother entered the room. I just forgot about it from there.
Lilith grabbed my hand, putting the gun in it. "Let's go now, okay?" She said, lifting me up and taking me outside as my mother waved goodbye to me.
After a few hours of walking, Lilith and I reached some circular stone ruins. She put me down in front of a cloaked individual, their face obscured.
"Have you come seeking something again, Lilith?" The figure asked, Lilith smiling.
"Tell me my little cousin's magic and age him up for me, please." She said, the figure nodding.
"Come close, young one." They said their voice was indiscernible. I couldn't tell whether it was a man or a woman. Whatever.
I stepped forward nervously, not trying to die on my second run. The Mystic placed their hand on my forehead, and I didn't feel anything for a moment before feeling dizzy.
"Ugh..." I mumbled, the Mystic using their other hand to keep me straight.
"Ahh, yes. Most impressive. His mana pool is vast, and he's one of Triple Affinity." The Mystic said, taking their hands off. The dizziness immediately dissipated.
"Triple Affinity?!" Lilith said, looking at me.
"Correct. I sense Water, Light, and something else... Something I can't discern. Only time will tell what this third affinity is. Now, it is time for you to age, boy." The Mystic made a magic circle under me.
Its dark blue glow shines beneath my feet as I look at the intricate patterns and carvings. I feel myself grow taller, stronger, more developed.
Soon, I stood at 5'5, looking at my body.
"You're now 18 years of age for a demon. You will be able to fight and defend yourself. May the ones above have favors upon you, Yohi." They said, raising a hand, and within the blink of an eye, they were gone.
Lilith looked at me, hands on her hips. "Not as tall as I'd expect you to be." She said, tilting her head. "Sorry we couldn't give you an education. It's... weird. Demons aren't allowed in many places. It seems like you inherited your dad's trait of no horns, so that's good."
She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Still need me? Or do you think you can function on your own?"
"I'm fine on my own." I said, smiling.
"Remember, keep that gun safe, okay?" She said as I nodded.
Turning around, she then walked away. "Bye, Yohi, see ya soon!" She waved, with me only smiling at her.
Now, life starts anew. My first objective is to become a Demon Lord. For that, I'll need to join a human adventurer group set on that goal. My second objective would then be to find Kaido, my third... Find out who's behind my reincarnations.
That's... if all goes as planned.