The Old World: The Final Farewell
As the morning sun filtered through Arthur's window, he stood before the mirror, adjusting his high school uniform. At seventeen, he was an ordinary student. His most defining trait was the unbreakable bond he shared with his neighbor and childhood friend, Anna—a friendship forged over sixteen years.
That morning, as always, he was waiting by the door. When Anna shouted with her characteristic cheer, "Good morning, sleepyhead!" Arthur couldn't help but smile.
On their way to school, they reached the pedestrian crossing they used every day. The lights flickered, turning red for pedestrians. Anna, however, was lost in her phone, clutching Arthur's arm as she prattled on. "Arthur, did you see the season finale last night? It was so utterly ridiculous..."
Distracted by the conversation, Anna stepped onto the asphalt, completely oblivious to the red light staring them in the face.
Arthur's mind went blank. The roar of a rapidly approaching black car pierced his ears. Anna was right in the middle of the road. The driver slammed on the horn, but it was far too late to stop.
Time slowed to a crawl. Arthur saw the confusion on his friend's face and the blinding glare of the approaching headlights. Without a second thought, driven by pure instinct, he grabbed Anna's wrist and shoved her back with every ounce of his strength.
"Anna, STOP!"
Anna lost her balance and collapsed onto the pavement. Arthur's hand was still reaching for her, but he was now the one in the middle of the road. The last thing he saw were Anna's wide, terror-stricken eyes, followed by the deafening crunch of metal and a sharp, searing pain.
Before consciousness slipped away, a single thought echoed in his mind: "I sacrificed this life for her."
II. The New World: Reincarnation
The pain faded. The sounds dissolved into a hum, like a distant rushing river. Then came a warm, rhythmic embrace. When Arthur opened his eyes, he saw the dim glow of a lamp and a cracked wooden ceiling. He was a tiny infant, cradled in large, calloused hands.
Arthur spent the early years of this new life in the "Barren Town," one of the dustiest and poorest corners of the continent of Aethel.
His new family treated him with profound love. His father, Alex—a farmer with tanned skin and powerful shoulders—was stern but always fair. His mother was Satella, a woman with tired but compassionate eyes and golden hair.
As Arthur grew in this new world, he learned its fundamental truth: Magic is everything.
In this realm, people controlled the elements through innate Mana: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. There were derivative elements (Light, Shadow, Flora) and the Forbidden Elements that could only be acquired later (Seal, Darkness, Adhesion). Everyone could wield an element; nobles and those with high mana capacity could rarely master two.
Arthur never forgot his previous life or the sacrifice he made. But here, he didn't crave to be a legendary hero; he simply wanted to be happy. To live in peace as the ordinary son of Alex and Satella...
III. Mana Appraisal: The Pale Blue Glimmer
When Arthur turned five, the time came for the ceremony that would dictate the rest of his life: The Elemental Awakening Rite.
Villagers and children gathered in the town's small chapel. The High Priest held a glowing crystal sphere. "Those with high Mana levels achieve greatness in Aethoria. Those with weak Mana help with the crops in the fields," an old woman whispered.
It was Arthur's turn. The High Priest carefully placed the crystal sphere into Arthur's palm. "Little Arthur, channel all your strength and Mana into this sphere."
Arthur focused. He pushed that small, unnoticed spark within him. He wanted to break free from the shadow of that car crash and hold onto his new life.
The crystal sphere glowed with a pale, almost white-blue light. It was so faint, it looked as if it were about to flicker out inside the glass.
Alex's face turned stony. Satella's eyes welled with tears. Distant whispers broke out among the crowd.
"Element: Water. Mana Potency: F-Class."
The worst class. The weakest of all.
The High Priest examined the sphere, his brow furrowing into a deep line. "The Mana level isn't just F. There is a... blockage in his body. A Mana Seal. An obstruction that seems to repel the Mana outward. As the ancient mages say, this must be an innate anomaly. Extremely rare—and extremely difficult."
Arthur's world shook.
A Seal... one of the Forbidden elements. It wasn't something you were supposed to be born with. Yet now, it was stifling his most basic power.
Was he paying the price for his sacrifice? Was his most fundamental right to power stripped away even in this new beginning? His dream of a happy, peaceful life lay shattered under the labels of "F-Class" and "Sealed."
However, the old Arthur within him whispered: "I saved a life once. I will not let this life go to waste."
In that moment, he accepted the label of the Sealed. It was his first and greatest trial in this new life.
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bookcooking195
bookcooking195
05.01.2026 23:08
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