Awakening in the Past
Reyon's breath came in short, shallow bursts as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.
His hands trembled. His face was smooth, youthful, and unscarred. The weariness that had once settled into his features was gone, replaced by the unmistakable face of his seventeen-year-old self.
"I really came back…"
His heart pounded in his chest. He looked down at his arms, his legs, feeling the lack of aching muscles that had accompanied years of relentless training. He was no longer a battle-hardened magician, struggling against the limits of his magic.
He had returned to a time when everything was still possible.
"A second chance."
The realization struck him like a tidal wave. He wasn't dead. He wasn't powerless. He had knowledge that no one else in this timeline had—knowledge of the future.
Most importantly, he knew when the dragon would appear.
Three months. That was all he had in his past life before the world burned.
But this time, he wouldn't let it happen.
"I will surpass my limits. I will find what's missing from Vector Magic."
He clenched his fists, determination settling deep into his bones. If his grandfather, Leywin Phoenix, had been able to defy the laws of magic and become the strongest magician in history, then Reyon would do the same.
No—he would surpass him.
Memories of the Past Life
A knock on the door startled him from his thoughts.
"Young Master Reyon," a voice called. "The Patriarch has summoned you to the main hall."
The Patriarch. His father. Edmund Phoenix, the leader of the strongest magic household in the world.
A strict, cold, and pragmatic man. One who valued strength above all else.
In Reyon's previous life, his father had always been disappointed in him. While Reyon's control over magic was exceptional, his low magic reserves had made him unworthy in the eyes of the family.
But Reyon now knew something he hadn't before.
Strength wasn't just about raw power. It was about control, efficiency, and mastery.
He would prove himself, not just to his father but to the entire world.
The Gathering of the Phoenix Household
Reyon stepped into the grand hall of the Phoenix manor. The moment he entered, dozens of eyes turned to him.
At the head of the hall sat Patriarch Edmund Phoenix, a tall, imposing figure with fiery red hair and piercing golden eyes—the same eyes that Reyon had inherited.
Beside him stood Ryan Phoenix, Reyon's eldest half-brother and the most talented Phoenix descendant in this generation—second only to Alice, the prodigy of the royal family.
Ryan. The brother who had died protecting Reyon in the previous life.
Reyon's chest tightened as memories flooded his mind—Ryan, standing on the battlefield, covered in wounds, refusing to let Reyon die.
"If I had been stronger… Ryan wouldn't have needed to sacrifice himself."
This time, he would change that future.
"Reyon," his father's voice echoed through the hall, pulling him back to the present.
Reyon straightened his posture. He refused to show weakness.
"I am here, Father."
Edmund's gaze bore into him, analyzing every movement. "Tomorrow marks the beginning of your final year at the Phoenix Academy. You must prove your worth if you wish to gain access to the Phoenix Vault."
The Phoenix Vault.
It was a legendary repository of knowledge, containing the secrets of magic from the most powerful ancestors of House Phoenix, including Leywin Phoenix. The Vault was a prize for those who could prove their mastery, and the family expected nothing less than perfection from their heirs.
Reyon had just entered his final year at the Academy, but that year held more significance than any other. It was the last chance for all the descendants of House Phoenix to earn the right to unlock the Phoenix Vault.
In his past life, he had barely scraped by in his studies and never even considered the Vault. He had not been good enough, not strong enough.
But now, with this second chance… And now he can read the complete version of leywin's book
"I will succeed."
"Prepare yourself," Edmund continued, his voice stern. "The final year at the Academy is the time to prove your worth. If you fail, you will bring shame to this household. You understand?"
Reyon nodded. There was no room for failure.
"I will not fail," he replied, his voice firm.
Preparation for the Final Year
Reyon returned to his quarters, his mind racing. The final year trials at the Phoenix Academy would be the most important challenge of his life. The trials consisted of three tests:
Mana Control – A test to measure precision and efficiency in controlling mana.
Combat Proficiency – A duel against another family member to assess real battle capability.
Spellcasting – A demonstration of raw magical power.
In his past life, he had excelled in mana control but had struggled in combat and spellcasting due to his low reserves.
But now, he knew better.
He didn't need massive reserves—he had Vector Magic. And this time, he had something no one else did: knowledge of the future.
"If I can integrate Epsilon (£) into my Vectors… I'll break past my limits."
Epsilon (£) was one of the secret symbols he had discovered in his past life from Leywin's book. It was a formula that allowed mana transformation, something even his grandfather had failed to perfect.
If he could make it work…
He wouldn't just be a 5th Circle magician with the power of a 7th Circle.
He could reach the 9th Circle.
The First Step Toward Greatness
Reyon sat in meditation, focusing on the flow of mana in his body. He extended his senses outward, feeling the mana in the air around him.
Vectors do not rely on internal mana. They guide and redirect external mana.
Slowly, he began tracing the Epsilon (£) symbol in his mind, attempting to weave it into the existing Vector System.
The moment he did, his body shuddered.
The mana responded differently.
It wasn't just being redirected.
It was being transformed.
For the first time, he felt the pieces falling into place.
For the first time…
A smirk formed on his lips.
"I will show them all."