"Ah… I'm finally dead," Jing Quan thought as darkness swallowed him.
"I remember… Lady Deng Xia performed a reincarnation ritual. I begged for it to fail.
Why is everything empty? Is this the afterlife?"
Then—light.
A woman's strained breathing.
A man's excited shout.
A newborn crying.
"Wow! Is this my son?" the man asked, eyes glowing.
"This is our son," the woman said, exhausted but happy. "He's finally here."
Jing Quan tried to blink—but his eyelids wouldn't move. His body felt tiny. His vision blurry.
What's happening? Who are these giant people?
"Let's give him a name," the woman whispered.
"I already picked one."
The man smiled proudly. "Rowan. It fits perfectly."
In that moment, Jing Quan understood.
He had been reborn.
Rowan.
That was his new name.
---
Six Years Later
Six years had passed.
I'm really tired, Rowan thought.
His father was a noble—but barely. A viscount in title, but their wealth was closer to commoners.
Not that it mattered anymore.
He was no longer Jing Quan.
He was Rowan.
Aldwin Rowan.
He held the small practice sword his father had given him. It was plain and worn, but meaningful. He swung it clumsily but with determination, slicing the air again and again.
"Rowan! It's time to come inside and eat!" Mira called from the doorway.
"I'm coming!" he shouted back, smiling before running toward her.
Their home was modest. Elian, the household maid, worked quietly in the kitchen.
Aldwin had once been an adventurer, earning enough merit to be made a viscount, but the title hadn't brought riches—only stories and a few dusty trophies.
Rowan swung his little sword once more before climbing into his chair.
Mira placed dishes on the table and handed him a knife.
"I saved this piece for you," she said warmly.
Rowan took a bite. Mira truly was a wonderful cook.
He chewed slowly, thinking to himself:
I never asked for this life. I wanted to die. I wanted everything to end.
Yet here I am, reincarnated.
And this world… it feels too similar. There's a Demon Lord here too.
The thought made his chest tighten.
"If you're not satisfied and want more food, tell me. I can give you more," Aldwin said.
"I'm okay. This is enough," Rowan replied.
Aldwin cleared his throat.
"Since everyone is here, I want to discuss something."
"What is it?" Rowan asked.
"I want him to become an adventurer," Aldwin said firmly.
"What? Absolutely not." Mira shook her head. "I don't want him walking that dangerous path. He could become a merchant. There are safer futures."
"But this is what I want," Aldwin insisted.
Mira fell silent, troubled but listening.
Elian quietly set dishes on the table, smiling gently at Rowan.
Aldwin turned back to his son.
"Rowan, when you turn ten, you'll go to the capital to study at the Royal Academy. Most powerful adventurers graduated from there. The tuition is high, but I've saved enough to send you."
Rowan nodded, finishing his food.
My parents here are kind and warm, he thought.
My previous father, Jing, was strict and harsh. When I was seven, he made me train under a waterfall. I fainted after two days—but he didn't look away.
He wanted me to become a Sword Saint.
And he died as one… killed by the Demon Lord.
Rowan climbed down from his chair, but Mira called out, "Hey! Don't run off so fast. You just ate. Rest for a bit."
"Okay, Mom," Rowan said, heading to his room.
Once inside, he shut the door.
I came here to train.
I haven't used my abilities yet. I'm building my physical base first, so when I finally use my skills, the strain won't destroy my body.
He exhaled softly.
Let's test it… let's try flight.
He lifted off the ground—floating effortlessly.
Now unseen, he stretched his hand has his sword move from the ground to his hand. Golden energy shimmered along the blade as he swung, cutting through the air with precision.
He darted up toward the ceiling, pivoted in midair, then descended lightly onto the floor.
Good… better than before.
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock.
Rowan froze.
He quickly deactivated his skill.
The golden glow faded from his sword just as the doorknob began to turn.