The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Honored House, casting soft, golden rays over the living room. Grandpa George leaned against the doorframe of the training yard, a mischievous grin on his face and his legendary sword, *Chronoblade*, slung over his shoulder.
I sat cross-legged in front of him, my head still buzzing with everything that had happened since my reincarnation. Alysia skipped in circles nearby, her usual bundle of endless energy.
"Alright, kid," Grandpa began, his voice filled with mock seriousness. "It's time you learned the *real* family legacy. No better time than now to start teaching you the basics of swordsmanship!"
"Wait, Grandpa!" Alysia piped up, her big, sparkling eyes locking onto him. "What about magic? Can't he learn magic first?"
Grandpa chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Magic's important, sure, but if you don't have the strength to back it up, what's the point? And besides…" He gave me a sly look. "I've got a *special* trick for him to learn."
I wasn't sure if I should be excited or worried. "Special trick?"
George smirked, twirling his sword like it was weightless. "Just watch and learn."
---
The day's training began with a simple but exhausting series of drills. Grandpa made me run laps around the yard, swing a wooden sword until my arms were numb, and, of course, endure his endless stream of jokes.
"You see, Alyso," he said during one of our breaks, leaning in with a conspiratorial glint in his eyes, "swordsmanship is all about finesse and timing. It's not just about hacking and slashing—though, let me tell you, that's pretty satisfying."
Alysia, who had taken a seat on the grass beside us, raised her hand like she was in school. "Grandpa, why don't you just teach him magic if he has a small mana pool? Wouldn't it be better for him to learn something lighter?"
"Light doesn't win wars, sweetheart," Grandpa replied, his tone suddenly serious. "And anyway…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. The cover was worn, the title faded with age. He handed it to me. "This is *The Hero's Book*. It's a record of everything I learned during my adventures—how to fight, how to survive, and most importantly…"
He paused, his gaze softening. "How to find your own path."
I turned the book over in my hands, feeling its weight. "Why are you giving this to me?"
Grandpa didn't answer. Instead, he stood up, stretched, and grinned. "Alright! Time to show you something cool!"
---
As the day wore on, Grandpa introduced me to two techniques that felt like they belonged in a fantasy novel.
"Now, pay attention," he said, stepping forward with *Chronoblade*. "This is called *Advanced Strike*. The idea is simple: you manipulate the mana around your sword so the attack lands *before* the blade connects."
He demonstrated with a quick slash. A burst of air erupted several feet in front of him, and the training dummy he was aiming for collapsed into pieces.
"Whoa…" I breathed, my eyes wide.
"Pretty neat, huh? But that's not all!" Grandpa raised his sword again. "This one's called *Delayed Strike*. It's the opposite—you hit your target, but the damage doesn't show up until later."
He swung again, but this time, nothing happened. Alysia looked confused, tilting her head.
"Grandpa, did you miss?"
Grandpa grinned. "Watch closely, kiddo."
A moment later, the dummy exploded into splinters.
---
After training, I spent the afternoon flipping through the Hero's Book. The pages were filled with notes about the world—its geography, its history, and its dangers. One section caught my eye: a detailed map of a place called the Westland.
"Grandpa," I asked during dinner, "what's the Westland?"
He paused, his usual jovial expression fading. "The Westland is a place where no water flows, the air burns like fire, and demons roam freely. It's said that at its center lies a massive hole, a gateway to the Creator's House."
"Why would anyone go there?" I asked.
"Some seek power. Others seek answers. But most don't come back," he replied, his voice low. "It's not a place for the faint of heart."
---
The next day, Grandpa decided to teach me how to use mana. "It's not just about raw power," he explained. "It's about understanding the flow of the world around you."
He guided me through the process of activating *Mana Vision*. At first, it was difficult, like trying to focus on something just out of reach. But eventually, the world began to change. Colors appeared where there had been none—blue for the mana that flowed through the air, green for the trees, yellow for Alysia, and red…
"Grandpa," I said, pointing to a distant figure in the forest. "Why is that one red?"
His expression darkened. "That's a demon. Stay close to me, kid."
---
Training continued for weeks, and while I was slowly improving, there was one thing I couldn't shake: my mana deficiency. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't perform high-level spells like Alysia.
One day, after I had collapsed trying to manipulate the mana around my sword, Alysia came over and sat beside me.
"You don't have to push yourself so hard," she said softly. "We love you just the way you are."
Her words stayed with me, giving me the strength to keep going.
---
Later that week, Grandpa decided to take us to a nearby bakery to celebrate my progress. The owner, Drago, was a towering man with a booming laugh, and his daughter, Anna, was a quiet but kind girl who worked behind the counter.
When Anna handed me a pastry, I couldn't help but blush. Alysia noticed immediately.
"Do you have a crush on her, Alyso?" she teased, grinning from ear to ear.
"No!" I stammered, my face burning.
The bakery was filled with the warm scent of freshly baked bread, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
---
Back at home, we gathered around the table for dinner. Grandpa regaled us with tales of his youth, though most of them seemed exaggerated—if not completely made up.
"And then," he said, gesturing wildly, "I swung my sword so hard that it split the mountain in two!"
"Dad," my mom interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Can you please stop filling their heads with nonsense?"
"It's not nonsense if it's entertaining!" Grandpa shot back, grinning.
Despite the chaos, I couldn't help but feel grateful. After all these years, I finally had a family.
---
As the day came to an end, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The Hero's Book rested on my bedside table, its pages filled with secrets I had yet to uncover.
"This world…" I murmured to myself. "It's so much bigger than I ever imagined."
And with that thought, I drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
---