He convinced himself, over and over, that he had been reincarnated. The world warm and unfamiliar, had given him a second chance - a life untouched by the horrors of his previous one. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel something like peace.
His new parents, John and Sarah Margrave were kind and loving. John, a hunter, carried a quiet strength in his every movement, while Sarah filled their home with warmth, laughter and comfort. As he grew, he became close to them, their love a star contrast to the loss and betrayal he had once endured.
Physically, he resembled a combination of both. He had inherited his mother's long, brown hair, which fell past his shoulders in soft waves. His sharp eyes mirrored the gaze of a hunter, and his jawline was perfect, framing a calm, composed face. Even as a child, there was a quiet strength about him, drawing attention without even seeking it.
In the village, life was simple. Days began with the rising sun, the scent of baked bread and fresh herbs filling the air. He helped his mother with chores - sweeping the yard, tending to vegetables, and feeding the small flock of chickens. His father taught him to track small animals, recognise edible plants, and respect the forests surrounding the village. Though these lessons seemed ordinary to the villagers, they were laying the groundwork for something greater.
A few days before his fifth birthday, his father knelt beside him while he helped his mother gather firewood." Ask for anything," John said gently." Anything you want, and I'll give it to you."
He looked up, eyes wide. " Anything?"
" Anything," his father confirmed with a smile.
He thought carefully, recalling the countless days of imagining a weapon he could master."I want a sword," he said." A katana, long and light, that I can swing fast. The hilt should fit my hond perfectly, and the blade... the blade should feel like it's part of me."
John's eyebrows lifted, impressed." A katana, huh? very specific. I think I can manage that."
On his fifth birthday, the small wooden box beside his bed revealed the sword exactly as he had Imagined. The balance, the weight, the curve of the blade - it was perfect. Joy surged through him as he hugged his parents.
" Thank you." he whispered."I promise I'll use it wisely."
" Just promise me you'll never use it recklessly," his mother said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
Not long after, his mana awakened. Unlike the other children, whose mana glowed a familiar blue, his burned a deep red. His parents noticed immediately.
" This is... unusual," John murmured, examining the subtle glow emanating from his son's body." Red mana... it's never been seen before in this world."
His mother added quietly," Be careful. Do not use your magic around others. They won't understand."
Even at five, he understood the gravity of his situation. This was a gift - and a danger.
From that day, he honed in swordsmanship and tested his mana. Each swing, each movement, was dedicated to protect the people he loved. The trees became his teachers, the wind his rhythm, and the monsters lurking beyond the village his adversaries. Every day brought growth, every challenge a lesson.
He spent hours observing the forest, learning the paths of animals, the strength and weakness of local monsters, and the subtle ways mana affected living things. Though small, he fought monsters larger than himself, combining agility, sword skill, and his unusual red mana.
By the age of nine, he had grown strong enough to overpower anyone in the village, though he never spoke of it. He had no friends; the other children were either too young to understand him or too timid to follow him into the forests. Yet he didn't mind. The solitude gave him focus. He read books, studied herbs and hunting techniques, and trained endlessly.
Sometimes at night, he would sit by the window and watch the stars, thinking of his past life. The pain of loss and betrayal had almost vanished, replaced by quiet determination. But a shadow lingered at the edges of his thoughts - a whisper that fate had another plans.
" Why do you spend so much time alone?" his mother once asked, finding him sitting silently by the hearth, polishing his katana.
He looked up, calm." I'm learning to protect the people I love. That is all."
She studied him, sensing the depth in his quiet words, and said nothing more. She could not have known how much truth lay behind them.
Even in solitude, he found small joys - the rustle of the leaves in the forest, the gentle flow of the river, the satisfaction of mastering a new move with his sword. Everyday he trained, everyday he grew stronger, preparing himself for a future he did not yet understand.
The red mana within him pulsed like a living thing, whispering possibilities, power, and danger. He could feel it growing alongside him, shaping him into someone extraordinary. And the thought the world around him seemed peaceful, he knew deep down that this calm was fragile. Somewhere, beyond the safety of village, a shadow waited - a challenge that would test his strength, his heart, and the destiny of the life he had been given.