Days passed as Eman gradually adjusted to his new life. The woman, whose name he learned was Amanda, continued to nurture him with warmth and affection. Her daily routine fascinated him.
She woke early, fed him milk, then headed to the farm. Eman explored his crib, listened to farm sounds, and watched Amanda whenever she was nearby.
Amanda was not only beautiful but incredibly hardworking. Despite her modest attire and worn clothes, she always smiled. Eman admired her resilience and felt a growing desire to protect and support her.
One day, while Amanda was outside, Eman summoned every ounce of strength to stand by gripping his crib. Exhausted, he gazed around the cozy room with wooden furniture and handmade decorations. A fireplace crackled in one corner, and shelves filled with jars and trinkets lined the walls. The scent of herbs and freshly baked bread lingered.
Eman's attention shifted to a window gap. Fields of green stretched out, dotted with cultivated land and grazing animals. He saw people working, their laughter and conversations carried by the breeze, igniting a spark of longing within him.
That evening, Amanda returned from the fields carrying a small, glowing orb. Eman remembered the first time he saw it—an enchanting magic tool that illuminated the area as dusk approached. It functioned without batteries or intricate mechanisms; it simply glowed to signal nightfall.
Magic was real here, and he could see it firsthand. His determination to learn and grow stronger intensified. If magic was possible, he could master it too. He just needed to be patient.
As he lay in his crib, Eman dreamed of the future. He imagined himself growing up, mastering magic. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful. He was given a second chance and was determined to make it count.
A year had passed, and his body, though still that of a child, had grown stronger. He could now easily stand inside his crib, a far cry from his initial helplessness. His curiosity gnawed at him daily, but so did frustration. Being confined felt like a cage within a cage.
One morning, driven by insatiable curiosity, Eman decided to escape. He placed his right leg on the crib and, with effort, forced himself over the edge. In his excitement, he miscalculated the height and fell with a thud. Pain surged as bruises formed on his tender skin.
"Damn, that hurts," he mumbled softly. His body protested, but his determination burned brighter. Pain was nothing compared to his desire to escape, explore, and grow. This was his chance, and nothing—certainly not this feeble body—would stop him.
Eman gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain.
In my old life, I might have given up, he thought. But not here. Every obstacle is a chance to prove I deserve this second life.
He began to crawl toward the door, his heart pounding with excitement and fear. When he reached the door, the handle was out of his reach.
It was a dead end.
Frustration flared as he tried to stand and reach the handle, banging on the door with desperate force.
Just as he was about to give up, the door creaked ominously. His heart leapt, but before he could react, it swung open slowly, and he tumbled forward, unable to catch himself. Lying on the floor, he pushed into a sitting position and felt the fresh air hit his face and body.
He inhaled deeply—the scent of fresh earth, cut grass, and something sweet—flowers?—filled his lungs.
The wind tousled his hair as the sun's warmth caressed his skin for the first time. It was a world of life and light, so different from his crib. When he opened his eyes, a vast field stretched out before him, its end nowhere in sight. Workers dotted the landscape, their laughter and shouts carried by the wind.
His eyes widened as he noticed workers using magical powers and enhanced abilities. Some plowed soil with a wave of their hands, others planted crops with incredible speed. Some used super strength to handle multiple tools simultaneously, plowing several lanes at once. Eman's heart pounded with excitement, wondering what abilities he might possess.
He saw one worker conjuring water to irrigate crops, another accelerating seedling growth with a soft, green glow from their hands. The diversity of magic on display was staggering, hinting at a complex system of skills and affinities.
Seeing these workers manipulate elements effortlessly gave him hope.
One day, he thought, I'll do that too. I just need to figure out how.
Without realizing it, he started to crawl forward again, now at the edge of the wooden stairs leading down from the house. He lost his balance and tumbled forward, crying out as he braced for impact.
Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted, suspended in mid-air.
"Feeling adventurous now, little one?" came a familiar voice. It was Amanda. She had appeared just in time to catch him. He felt her sweaty body pressed against him from her hard work in the fields.
Despite the sweat, she still smelled sweet, like morning flowers.
Her cheeks were flushed, and she breathed heavily. Amanda's gaze softened as she looked down at him, her usual warmth tinged with worry. Beneath her calm exterior, Eman sensed a deeper vigilance that never left her.
He noticed her dress clinging to her skin from sweat, defining her silhouette. Amanda moved with quiet confidence, ignoring the leering gazes from men and sharp stares from women. She had long grown used to their judgment, letting it roll off her like rain. Her focus remained on her work—and on protecting the little one in her arms.
Anger flared in his chest, not just for Amanda, but for the helplessness that plagued him in both lives. He had been powerless before—no more. He would grow stronger, master magic, and ensure no one ever looked at Amanda—or anyone he cared for—with anything less than respect.
He owed her that much, and more. This was his new purpose, and he would dedicate his life to it.
As Amanda carried him back inside, she whispered gently, "You gave me quite a scare, little one. But I'm glad you're safe." She smiled warmly, a smile that reached her eyes.
But before they approached the door, an ominous shadow crept across the field, stretching slowly, swallowing the light inch by inch. The wind stilled, and even the workers paused, their laughter fading into uneasy silence. For a moment, the world held its breath—then came the crash.
The ground trembled, sending vibrations through their feet.
Dirt clouds mushroomed into the air, accompanied by a spray of tools and debris flying in every direction. A rusty old hoe spun dangerously toward them. Eman's tiny heart raced, his instincts screaming to cover his face, but his limbs wouldn't cooperate. Just when the collision seemed inevitable, a faint clang rang out, and a spark flickered before them.
To his astonishment, the hoe halted mid-air, inches from them. He turned his wide eyes up to Amanda, who stood calm and unflinching, her hand subtly lowered from a deflective gesture. Her gaze sharpened, her hair whipping around like a silver storm. There was no panic in her eyes, only a calm, practiced focus, as though she had faced dangers like this before.
In that moment, Eman realized there was much more to her than the gentle caretaker she appeared to be.
So, she's not normal! he thought with awe and pride.
She was as powerful as the magic he had only dreamed of.
The air crackled with unseen energy, raising the hair on Eman's neck. A metallic taste filled his mouth, and he sensed Amanda's muscles tensing beneath him. Something was coming—something that made even the brave Amanda wary.
A deafening roar shattered his daydream. Eman's eyes snapped to the field, where a massive form loomed amidst the debris. What he saw chilled his blood despite Amanda's proximity.
The ground rumbled, and the air seemed to still, heavy with something terrible. From the chaos of debris and dust, it emerged—a colossal beast with eyes like burning coals, black fur rippling in the wind, and claws that could tear through earth itself. If not for its multiple swishing tails, it could have been mistaken for a mythical grizzly bear.
Above, the creature floated a bizarre apparition—a label reading: Level ???: Black Os.
Eman gurgled and pointed, his baby voice unable to contain his fear and excitement.
"Oooohh!" he exclaimed, drawing Amanda's glance.
His mind raced.
A level system? Just like in games! He tried to focus, wondering if he could see similar labels for Amanda or himself, but the overwhelming presence of the Black Os made it impossible to concentrate.
Seeing the thrill in his eyes, Amanda realized this moment was as much a revelation for him as it was a threat. "I guess he is your son after all," she murmured, her voice a blend of wonder and resolve.
She looked down at Eman, their eyes meeting.
Despite the danger, a small smile played on her lips, and Eman felt a surge of affection and protectiveness. He knew he'd do anything to keep her safe, just as she'd done for him.
Without hesitation, she scooped Eman up and sat on the wooden step, positioning him on her lap so he could see the field. Her arms encircled him protectively, yet her grip remained loose for quick movement if needed. Amanda's breath was steady against his head, contrasting the chaos unfolding before them.
"Watch carefully, little one," she whispered, her voice tense but controlled. "This is the world you've been born into."
The Black Os loomed in the distance, its massive form casting long shadows across the once-peaceful fields. As the creature took a thunderous step forward, Amanda tensed, ready for whatever might come next.