Hayden wasn't sure about his purpose or why he was sent here. He had no idea what to do in this world… He didn't meet any celestial being even in his dreams or anyone capable of reincarnating him and giving him instructions on what to do in this life.
Is it really just a stroke of luck? He thought.
'But… Is this even a permanent thing? Am I going back? Ah--No, I'm surely dead in that world...'
He went silent for a moment as he organized his thoughts. There were just too many things in his mind right now.
After some time, he took a deep breath and he finally calmed down. Since he was already free from the Faction that controlled his life, he might as well live this new life as a free person, no longer following orders like a soldier.
'Maybe I'm given a second chance because of how unfair my previous life was…' Hayden thought as he decided to think positively about his situation.
***
The Gray estate was an old manor surrounded by small hills with decent arable land.
Hayden found himself in the orchard, so he wandered the grounds, testing his new body and absorbing the memories of his new identity.
'This body is a bit…'
He wasn't used to it just yet. However, after moving around for a few minutes, he was able to adjust as well.
Then, as he absorbed the memories of this body, Hayden realized that it was quite a normal life, aside from not having a good physique.
'This family is treating me well… It's not a bad idea to stay here, but I have to leave in a month for the Academy.' Hayden thought as he knew the limitations of a seven-year-old's body.
The Baron, his father, was a stern man with little patience for weakness. Hayden didn't actually dislike that and could agree with the Baron's sentiment. After all, they weren't that rich and he simply wanted Hayden to become strong.
Perhaps, if he was still in his Faction with this body in his previous life, he wouldn't last for a day at all. He was already fortunate that his father here was helping him at an early age. He was even enrolled in a small Knight Academy where he might get a chance to become a squire.
Of course, his five older brothers were all training to become knights, each vying for their father's approval. They were at least hoping to inherit something from their father.
As for the 6th and 7th child or his sisters, ages 9 and 10, even though they also had no affinity to mana and couldn't practice magic, the two of them were in a regular regional Academy and learning.
Anyway, three of his elder brothers were sent to the Capital's Knight Academy, the Frosthelm Academy. That was also one of the reasons why their financial situation wasn't great and he had to study instead in a local or small Knights Academy called Dawnspire Academy of Chivalry which was built by a couple of retired Knights a decade ago. That was where his two other brothers, the fourth and fifth child were currently studying.
"Knights Academy, huh…" Hayden muttered as he was unsure whether this would be a good idea. Instead of becoming a Knight, he'd rather live a normal life… It shouldn't be a bad idea to become a merchant or a craftsman since he wouldn't forget to train his body anyway. He believed he would at least not get bullied with his combat skills in his past life.
Hayden couldn't help but recall their eldest brother.
Their eldest was Roan and at seventeen years old, he had successfully become a squire, three years after graduating from Frosthelm Academy.
Then, at the age of twenty, even though he was still not a knight, he had already completed his service and decided to return to the estate to consider his future. At this time, Roan only needed to awaken his Aura. If he did not, he would have fewer options and the best option was perhaps, to inherit their father's title.
It may take years or it may not happen at all, but nonetheless, Hayden knew that their eldest brother was strong, in terms of swordsmanship.
'Should I just become a warrior again to make a living?' Hayden wryly smiled at the thought.
Hayden was truly hesitant to become a soldier once again even with a higher status. After all, with his Ocularis Lens, he believed that he would be able to earn money and live a decent life even without becoming a Knight and serving nobles or such.
Anyway, the only concern was his current age and health. There was no way he could decide for his own well-being with his current condition. There was also no way for him to earn money on his own, so he had to rely on his father first.
'Well, since I'm still young, I guess following my father's arrangement isn't a bad idea.' Hayden thought with a helpless smile on his face. His Lens wasn't omnipotent after all.
Nonetheless, Hayden also recalled that magic exists in this world but unfortunately, none of them had any talent related to that.
To be exact, not one in their entire manor had a talent on it.
Soon, as Hayden explored the estate, he found himself drawn to the training yard where two of his brothers practiced their swordsmanship.
They were the twins, Henry and Brody. They were the fourth and fifth child studying at Dawnspire Academy of Chivalry where he would be studying in a month.
They were both practicing with a sword instructor hired by his father before going back to the Academy next month.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Hayden heard the clash of steel against steel as it rang throughout the training grounds. After a couple of minutes, Hayden gently nodded as he analyzed their movements.
In his past life, he had relied on technology and other weapons. Although he had trained with a knife and some martial arts, he'd rarely use it in his missions since using a gun was a lot more reliable.
Here, Hayden could tell that their swordsmanship wasn't just for display. He could tell that the sword techniques they were using were meant to kill as they targeted vital parts of the human body.
These were the same calculations that the Ocularis Lens made after analyzing their combat for a brief moment.
'Good… I can still use my Lens just like before.' Hayden thought.