Part One
After having his head decapitating, something strange occurred. He observed a sudden flash of his memories as he was dying then heard two voices. The voices were unrecognizable and their words was indecipherable. A sudden light shined brightly onto his face. He opened his eyes to see a man and a woman. The woman was brown-haired with blue eyes and and a gleeful smile. She was beautiful. The man was blonde-haired with green eyes and a muscular build. He had a scar stretching across his right palm. His hands were rough like a warrior. Atticus opened his mouth to speak but the wrong words came out.
"Waah! Waah!"
He thought that was strange. The man's face softened and he began to smile. He hugged the woman and they continued to smile at Atticus. Atticus tried to move but it was as if he lost control of his body. His body would not listen to his mind's commands. With every attempted movement, the two smiled more and more.
Half a year passed and Atticus learned much in that time. For starters, he realized he was reborn as a baby. He noticed this world was substantially technologically behind compared to his former world. He also learned this world's language was much different from the one he was familiar with. He began picking up on the language two months ago through listening to the man and woman who he learned were his new parents. By the six month mark, he nearly fully understood the language with the exception of some words. It was around this age when he began crawling. This was the beginning of his quest for information on this world. Lastly, he learned his name was Clay and he was from the Feyther family.
"Clay where are you?" asked his mother.
Once Clay could understand the language he began exploring the house for any books he could learn about this world from. Through reading maps found out there was only a single continent fully discovered and settled on. On this continent, there were three countries: Albrath, Valdris, and Calvora.
He lived in Valdris located in the middle of the continent. It was the most powerful and the largest country. They lived in the rural Windmere Town. Albrath was located in the north and was a military state. Calvora was to the south and not much was known about it.
Everyday Clay would eat breakfast then hide in their home library, reading books from the lowest shelf.
Six months later, Clay managed to finish two book on the geography and history of this world. In the process he learned how to read. He could now finally move onto the book that truly interested him, Essence Manipulation For Beginners. Just as he grew intellectually, he grew physically. He was able to stand with support from furniture and other objects. He could finally reach books on the second shelf.
Part Two
Finally able to stand, Clay reached up to the second shelf and grabbed Essence Manipulation For Beginniners. The book was quite hefty and after a few pulls Clay fell backwards with the book landing on his face. Although mentally Atticus was 42 years old, Clay was but a child. Naturally, as a child does, Clay began crying because of tumble.
"Waah!"
"Clay where are you, baby?"
Clay's mother rushed throughout the house looking for Clay. Listening to the whacking cries of the baby, she was walked into the library confused as to why Clay would be there. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms.
"Oh Clay, are you ok?" she asked as she bestowed a kiss upon his face.
Motherly love was something Atticus has never experienced before. At first he fought it, however, he realized this was his new life. He was given the opportunity to live again with better starting circumstances. He was born into a loving family and he was not going to waste this chance. It was in this moment he made a decision. He decided he would live this life out and attempt to be the best son he could be. He would not squander the opportunity he was blessed with and he certainly would not alert them that their newborn is a 42 year old General from another world.
His mother squatted down to pick up the book and return it to the shelf. Her face froze as she read the title of the book then slowly turned into a grin.
"What were you doing with this?"
She placed the book back on the shelf and carried her grin into the kitchen where Clay's father was.
"You wouldn't believe it! Daniel, our son is going to be an essence genius!"
"That's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it Amelia?"
"Our son tried to grab one of the essence book in the library."
"Oh is that right Clay?" he asked as he squeezed Clay's cheeks.
Amelia set the table for dinner as Daniel played with Clay.
"Dinner's ready!" Amelia announced.
Daniel carried Clay to his seat and placed him down. They all dug into their food and began to eat. After a bit, Amelia started to speak.
"So… do you think you'll end up going back out?"
Daniel took took a sip of his water then placed the glass back.
"I'm…I'm not sure. With Clay here, I'm not sure if it's worth the risk," he shifted his gaze downward.
"I can stay here taking care of Clay and eventually Aurelia when she arrives."
"Aurelia? I have a sister on the way?"
"I can't leave our children in such formative years. I'll see if I can take missions ne—."
"Go, stop worrying about us. You need to provide for your family. I'll take care of the kids. You can back home in between mission."
Amelia's eyes began to swell with tears. Daniel contemplated refuting Amelia's assertions but ultimately decided against it.
"Fine, I'll contact the group for any missions."
A month later, the family finished dinner and Amelia put Clay to bed. Afterwards, she left the room and Clay could hear a discussion between Amelia and Daniel. Once he heard Amelia start to cry he crawled out of bed and walked into the hallway, peaking around the corner.
"Goodbye, I'll try to return home as much as possible." Daniel kissed Amelia and turned to leave.
Amelia held onto him and begged, "Please stay safe."
Clay also walked up to his father and hugged his leg. Daniel picked up Clay and gave him a hug before leaving.
Part Three
(Clay's POV)
Two years passed since Daniel left to adventure again. In that time he would return every couple of months to stay with us and update us on his adventures. Also in this time my baby sister was born. Aurelia was a little bit past one year old. I also grew stronger physically. I was finally able to walk and stand unsupported and grab the books on the second shelf without falling over and injuring myself. I was also able to speak more than just the normal baby talk. Reaching up to the second shelf, I grabbed the Essence Manipulation For Beginniners book. I carried the heavy book into the corner and planted it down.
"Finally!"
I sat in that corner for hours reading the book before I placed it back and went to dinner.
For starters, essence was essentially mana from my old life. It was the life energy of everything in this world. The difference was that essence was also a collection of a person's lived experiences and deepest desires. Everyone had essence however not everyone could manipulate and use it. Resonance is the cultivation of a person's essence into a specific ability. Resonances can form through a traumatic event or intentionally through deep meditation. There are four categories of essence user based on their resonance: manifesters, infusers, projectors, and transcendents. Manifesters are people that can turn their essence into constructs. Infuser are people who use their essence to increase their physical capabilities and strength. Projectors are people who transform their essence into elements or external forces. Transcendents are people who don't fit into any of the other category or have reality-manipulating abilities.
"Oh I understand it."
After dinner, I returned to read the book. The first chapter was named "How To Channel Essence" and delved into how one can begin to control their essence. The first step was to sit cross legged. The next step was was to press your fingertips together. The last step was to feel the energy flowing through each limb of your body and to close your eyes and visualize it. As you visualize it, focus on trying to grow it. When completing each step, I closed my eyes to see a tiny orb before me. I reached out to hold the orb and began cultivating it in my hands just as one nurtures a flame. The orb began growing, though it was slow. While I continued to grow my essence, I was interrupted by Mom.
"Oh Clay, I can't believe you! You should be in bed!"
She walked over to me as I tried to hide the book.
"What's behind your back?"
"Nothing."
"I'm going to ask again and give you a chance to come clean. What is behind your back Clay Thomas Feyther?"
I moved my hands from behind my back to reveal the essence book.
"Oh you mischievous little boy! So you want to become an essence user?"
I nodded my head nervously. She began to grin almost devilishly.
"You're way too young to develop a resonance, but if you want to continue learning about essence I'll buy a couple more books as long as you don't destroy the house."
She extended her hand towards me and we locked fingers.
"That's a promise."
From that point on everyday I had a schedule. I would wake up and eat breakfast. After breakfast, I read the book and grew my essence reservoirs. I'd continue this after lunch and dinner. It was important to get started as soon as possible as the older a person gets, the harder it is to increase your essence pool. Ultimately, my goal was to develop a resonance at the youngest age possible.
By the time three months had passed, my essence reserves had grown substantially. I was finally able to move onto the next step.
"The basics of essence!"
I was off to the next chapter. The next three chapters covered the basic techniques of essence. The first of the three covered concentrating essence into a specific body part. I closed my eyes and felt the flow of essence throughout my entire body. I envisioned my essence focused into my right hand.
"I'm getting close."
I began to feel lightheaded but continued to push through. I passed out on the library floor for what must have been hours before my mother woke me up.
"Clay you know where your bed is. Let's go to sleep now."
She carried me in her arms and placed me in her bed. She then walked into the other room to put my baby sister to sleep.
As I laid in bed I thought, "So I can't overdo it with the basics. If I do mother will stop allowing me to learn about essence. I'll stop just before I feel lightheaded."
The next day I went back to the library and updated my schedule. After dinner, I would focus all my essence into a specific body party until I was feeling lightheaded. When I started feeling lightheaded, I would stop and go to bed.
"How's it going learning essence?"
"It's really hard but I'm learning."
"You know if you really want to learn essence I might not be any help but you're father certainly can be. He is an essence user after all. Next time he comes home ma—."
"Sorry mother but I want to get the basics down before anything else. I don't want any help learning the basics. Maybe I'll ask him for help with resonance later on."
She patted my head and said, "Oh Clay."