"Live freely-and find your happiness in that world."
The gentle, echoing voice faded into the void.
"GODDESS NERFILIA, PLEASE WAIT!!"
The desperate cry of a boy tore through the emptiness, and with a gasp-
-his eyes snapped open.
A sharp, ragged breath escaped his lips. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs, and a sheen of cold sweat coated his forehead. For a disorienting moment, the world around him felt foreign-too quiet, too sharp, too real.
Ah... right, I was reborn.
A faint, almost disbelieving laugh bubbled up from his throat.
"What a truly ridiculous twist of fate..."
When he finally rose from the oversized bed, the morning sunlight filtering through heavy silk curtains illuminated his new reflection-a boy who appeared no older than thirteen, with silver-white hair that caught the light in a faint, ethereal shimmer. His deep red eyes held an unnatural clarity, seeming to pierce through the quiet luxury of the room.
This was the body of Kazien Altavis, the fifth and youngest child of Duke Elgard Altavis of the powerful Altavis Duchy.
A profound warmth spread through his chest as he recalled the layered memories of growing up here.
Despite not being the direct heir, despite being the youngest, his family had utterly cherished him. They treated him with an overwhelming affection that stood in stark contrast to the lonely, isolated life he remembered from before.
Goddess Nirfelia... truly, thank you.
He stepped out into the grand, marble hallway. Sunlight smoothly glided across the highly polished floor, and a gentle morning breeze wafted through the open balcony doors, carrying the intoxicating scent of blooming lilies from the gardens below.
Today, like most mornings since his rebirth, Kazien found himself instinctively drawn to the soldiers' training ground.
The metallic clang of steel, the sharp shouts of men, and the steady, rhythmic thud of disciplined footwork greeted him. Dozens of soldiers moved in perfect unison, their synchronized weapon swings forming a mesmerizing display of organized power and order.
As Kazien approached the edge of the field, a man broke away from the main group.
He was immensely tall, with wide, powerful shoulders and a sculpted physique forged through countless drills and battles. His striking golden eyes reflected both formidable strength and genuine warmth.
"Good morning, young master," he said, his deep voice carrying an easy, familiar tone. "Back to watch our training again today?"
Kazien offered a bright smile.
"Yes, Commander Hellius. It's always a thrilling sight to behold."
Hellius-a man renowned across the entire region as the strongest commander serving under the Altavis banner-let out a hearty chuckle.
"If you enjoy watching it so much, how about joining us for once?"
A sudden, fierce spark lit up in Kazien's red eyes.
"In that case... could I spar with you, Commander?"
For a moment, Hellius simply stared at him, bewildered. Then his thick eyebrows shot straight up.
"You want me as your sparring partner?"
Kazien nodded eagerly, his smile unfaltering.
Hellius let out a theatrical sigh of defeat, a wry grin spreading across his face. "You leave me with absolutely no choice."
They stood center stage in the training field, each holding a practice wooden sword. The other soldiers quickly gathered at a respectful distance, a tangible wave of excitement buzzing among them.
Hellius tightened his grip on the hilt.
"Young master... are you sure about this?"
"I am!"
Kazien lowered his stance. His posture was unexpectedly refined-clean, precise, and utterly balanced. It was not the stance of a noble boy who occasionally observed training, but the foundation of someone who intrinsically understood the physics of combat.
"Then-begin!"
Hellius dashed forward, a blur of motion.
Clack!
Their swords met with an explosive force, a burst of wind emanating from the raw power of the impact alone.
Hellius followed up instantly, swinging a devastating blow from the side.
Woosh-
Kazien saw everything in slow motion. Every precise line of the motion. Every subtle shift in the Commander's weight. Every tension knotting the Commander's muscles.
And-
Clack!
He blocked the second strike with impossible ease.
Hellius blinked, visibly stunned.
"You... you actually blocked that?"
"Thank you for the compliment, Commander."
Of course I did. I have your movements memorized down to the smallest detail.
This was Kazien's blessing.
His eyes-blessed by the goddess-could observe and perfectly copy any technique. Blade movements, complex footwork, lethal martial techniques, intricate magic circles-even subtle breathing patterns that affected stamina.
Hellius immediately increased the tempo.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Fast, precise, relentless strikes rained down one after another. Yet Kazien countered each one. His footwork was light and controlled, his movement fluid and economical, and his gaze remained perfectly calm.
The watching soldiers were utterly speechless.
"That speed..."
"He's actually matching the Commander's tempo..."
"He's only thirteen, isn't he...?"
Hellius wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. He's reading everything... effortlessly.
Then Kazien called out: "Commander Hellius! Please show me Blink!"
Hellius huffed, a challenging grin returning. "You want to see that?"
Kazien nodded with clear, childlike eagerness.
"...Very well."
The next moment-
Hellius vanished.
To ordinary eyes, he became a sheer blur, leaving only faint, quickly dissipating afterimages. To Kazien-
-it was agonizingly slow.
Perfectly clear.
Completely readable.
He followed every jump of mana, every fractional shift in direction, every micro-change in momentum.
Then-
Kazien simply copied it.
Zap-!
He reappeared directly behind Hellius, making not a single sound.
Hellius froze.
The soldiers froze.
Even the wind seemed to pause in the air.
"...You copied it?" Hellius whispered, his voice hushed with disbelief.
Kazien smiled innocently, breaking the tension.
"That's enough for today, Commander Hellius! I only wanted your Blink technique."
The Commander stared for one more second, then burst into a booming, infectious laughter.
"Hahahaha! You are utterly unbelievable! A genius beyond all reason! You absolutely must enroll in the Royal Academy next year!"
Kazien's eyes widened with genuine excitement.
"That's a brilliant idea! I'll tell my parents right away!"
Hellius watched the boy sprint back towards the manor, a mixture of pride and awe spreading across his face.
"One day..." he murmured to himself, "...that child will surely surpass us all."
Kazien burst into the mansion's lavish living room.
"Kazien?"
His father, Duke Elgard Altavis-a tall, imposing man with matching silver hair and a commanding presence-turned toward him in surprise.
His mother, Duchess Larina, looked up from her embroidery, her soft red hair glimmering gently under the huge crystal chandelier.
"What's wrong, dear?" she asked sweetly.
Kazien inhaled deeply, trying to regain his breath.
"Dad, Mom-I want to enroll in the Royal Academy next year!"
Both parents blinked, sharing a surprised look.
"Kazien... are you truly certain?" his father asked, his voice gentle yet serious.
Kazien nodded emphatically.
His mother smiled warmly, her doubts vanishing.
"If that is what you truly wish, then we will support you completely."
"Thank you! I'm going to start studying in the library right now!"
Without waiting for another reply, he sprinted away. His parents exchanged puzzled but loving smiles.
"That boy... He grows more mysterious every day."
The Altavis family library was vast-hundreds of soaring shelves filled with volumes on history, advanced magic, monsterology, military strategy, and classic literature.
Kazien pushed the heavy door open.
Creak-
Sunlight poured through the tall arched windows, illuminating the lazy dance of dust particles in the air. Books lined the walls like silent, ancient towers of knowledge waiting to be devoured.
He grabbed a thick volume-History and Peoples of Aeriallis-and flipped it open with a thirst for knowledge.
Elves. Beastfolks. Dryads. Spirits. Dwarfs. Ancient tribes. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Iwant to meet a cute elf boy... and maybe even marry him someday!
As he turned the page, a comple magic formula caught his immediate attention-
A high-level taming spell.
Kazien grinned, rubbing his hands together. "A griffon? A true dragon? A Phoenix? A Fenrir? What should I tame first...?"
Hours bled into days. Kazien feverishly absorbed hundreds of books. His divine 'cheat' ability flawlessly copied every magic formula, every spell structure, and every historical date into his mind like a perfect, easily retrievable archive.
His parents, passing by the library door, could only gape at the sight of their youngest son reading with an intensity bordering on mania.
By lunchtime the next day, the entire Altavis family gathered around the long, polished dining table.
"Kazien, you're late!"
Selena his eldest sister, who shared his mother's radiant red hair, puffed her cheeks in mock offense.
"He's busy preparing for the academy, Sis Selena," William, the calm, poised family heir, noted evenly.
"Sit with meee~ I want to feed you!" Virena insisted, pulling out a chair next to her.
"I refuse! I am not a child!"
"You're cruel, Kazien!" Virena, his third sister, with silky white hair that matched his own, pouted dramatically. "Come on, just one bite... Davin?"
"Sis Virena, I'm sixteen! Stop trying to feed me too!" Davin, his fourth sibling, complained loudly.
Kazien sighed, then reluctantly walked toward Virena.
"...Just one, fine."
"Aaaa-"
Hap!
Virena happily fed him a bite like he was a toddler.
Kazien immediately took a step back.
"That's enough."
"Hehehe... you're so adorable when you try to act tough..."
Please don't let my sister have a brother complex... I want to get married someday...
Their father cleared his throat, bringing the table back to order.
"So, Kazien. I heard from Hellius that you actually kept up with him. Are you truly still only thirteen years old?"
Kazien puffed out his cheeks, wounded. "Of course I'm thirteen!"
Everyone around the table burst into warm laughter.
Kazien sulked, but the sight only made him look even more endearing.
This family... I want to protect their beautiful smiles forever.
But deep in his heart, a quiet shadow lingered, a stark memory from his past life.
Our time together won't last forever.
This world is merciless. And someday, death will inevitably separate us.
Yet, for now-their loving laughter filled the luxurious dining hall, a warmth powerful enough to melt even the coldest of fears.