Kael Lanpar's POV
In my past life, I was a soldier—a warrior. Someone who, despite everything, stood tall… with a shattered soul.
I wish I could forget that life, but, to be honest, it's impossible. Forgetting those scars, those screams… those souls that still chant my name, as if trying to drag me back into the same hell again and again.
And yet, despite it all, I'm still here. Alive. With a new life… and a new chapter in this story that, apparently, has no end.
It had already been two long years since I reincarnated into this world. A world full of magic.
Something I never believed was real—until I saw it with my own eyes.
My mother clad in crystal armor. My sister, bending ice to her will.
Things I once couldn't comprehend. Things I thought were impossible.
These years haven't been a waste of time. They've been years of learning… and great discoveries.
—"Still meditating, Matías?" Kraidir's voice forced me to open one eye and break from my concentration.
—"I don't usually interrupt your mental breakdown sessions, but… don't you think you're having them more often lately?" he added.
Meditation and reflection are vital to keep one's sanity in this world. Even the landscape shows it.
The mental space… that place where each person expresses their emotions and worldview.
It forms like a painting: the colors reflect every experience lived, and the final image is…
…your being. Your soul.
Mine used to be blank—littered with corpses… and those pillars I still don't understand, the ones I refused to look at.
Now, at least, my work of art held something beautiful.
Something that brought me peace: a tree… and grass.
—"Really? A tree and grass? You humans are so basic when it comes to representation," said Kraidir with his usual stoic expression.
—"We, unlike gods, possess a soul, Kraidir," I sighed, gazing back at the tree.
When I was a child, I used to sit beneath one just like it with my parents. A mango tree.
But to me, it was more than that: it was life. It was childhood. It was a happiness that will never return…
The hardest part of being in your mental space… is opening your eyes and leaving that inner refuge.
I'm not saying this new life is bad, nor do I hate it. But forgetting… forgetting is hard.
And accepting… even more painful.
At the moment, I was in my new parents' bedroom, alone, with no one else around. Four pillows formed a sort of wall around me—probably to keep me from falling off the bed.
Not that it would stop me from trying to escape.
I smiled, thankful to still have my consciousness… and my memories. Sometimes, they were quite useful.
As always, the room's window was open, letting in the warm and cozy sunlight—my natural alarm clock, telling me a new day had begun.
—"New day, huh? How nice…" I murmured to myself.
Well, time to see what's new.
I stretched a little before grabbing a pillow with the little strength I had and tossing it to the floor to cushion the fall.
—"One… two… three… here we go."
I fell quickly, but silently. I smiled when I saw I had succeeded.
Maybe using wind magic would've been a good idea, but… the last time I used it secretly, I nearly killed myself.
Start of Flashback
Most of the time, I was alone in the castle—without my parents or my sister. Just Lilia now and then.
It wasn't because they didn't love me… but something I've learned in this time is that ruling a kingdom—one where every decision can shape the fate of many—is a heavy burden. Even more so for my parents.
Saying I held no resentment toward them would be lying to myself… but what could I do? I'm a baby.
It's not like I could say, "Don't worry, I've got a solution"… when in truth, I had none.
Back to what matters: this book was awesome.
Somehow, I managed to figure out the royal guards' shifts and the exact moment they switched. That gap was something I could use—to sneak out and learn.
The place I ended up in was my father's office… though now it was messier.
After the attack, Xavier enforced stricter rules about the kingdom's protection—at least in the capital.
The book in my hands was titled "Basic Mana Control."
Honestly, this concept was completely new to me… but fascinating.
From what I understood, mana is a universal source. It's in everything and is what allows all things to exist.
It's like atoms in my old world… but with different properties, unique qualities.
Apparently, there are two types of elements you can manipulate through mana.
Excerpt from "Basic Mana Control"
Everything that exists in this world is made of mana. This energy is responsible for the existence and formation of all things.
Since everything is different, various elements are needed for their creation.
The main elements—the most basic and essential forms of matter—are: Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning.
I closed the book.
—"Phew… well, I've read enough. Time to put it into practice."
If I'm not mistaken, I should bring my hands together… sit in a lotus position… and feel the mana.
Truthfully, I couldn't feel anything inside… but outside? That was another story.
I was completely focused, trying to sense something—anything…
Until, without realizing it, I opened one eye.
I was floating.
Not just me… the books around me too.
It was… incredible.
I was floating at the height of my father's desk.
The books began to dance around me, as if responding to an invisible symphony.
I could feel every movement, every connection, every element.
I was so mesmerized by what I saw that I didn't notice the pain beginning to rise in my chest.
At first, it was mild… but then…
A sharp pain.
One that felt familiar.
That same emptiness I felt when I died.
When I was dragged into this new world.
To be honest, I don't remember anything after that.
I woke up in my parents' bedroom, with Lilia by my side.
End of Flashback
Back then, I was barely a year old… and I almost got reincarnated again. Well… if that was even possible.
Something I didn't consider at the time was the concept of a spirit.
To be honest, even I don't fully understand it… it's something ambiguous, like a fog between the soul and the will.
I had to look both ways, making sure no guard was coming. Luckily, I saw no one.
Just the right time, at the perfect moment.
—"I'm just saying it'd be a good idea for Kael to start learning more," my father's distant voice interrupted my escape plan and forced me to hide behind a couch.
—"Xavier, are you even hearing yourself…" my mother's voice cut in, firm— "He's just a child! He's barely two damn years old.
You promised me we wouldn't burden our children with what we had to endure."
Her voice… it was breaking. I could feel it.
And I understood.
Something I always knew, thanks to my previous parents, is that a father's duty isn't just to protect…
It's also to give their children what they never had.
—"I'm not saying this as a king… but as a father," my father replied, trying to sound firm, though something in his voice trembled.
"Our generation has learned it the hard way: peace is an illusion."
He placed his hands on my mother's shoulders, trying to comfort her.
It was obvious this was going to end in an unnecessary argument.
So it was time to put on the mask of the sweet child… and defuse the emotional bomb.
I slowly emerged from my hiding spot, letting the sunlight from the window reveal my presence.
My parents saw me immediately… and their expressions changed.
They weren't first-time parents—they knew exactly how to react.
—"Mom? Dad? Are you fighting?" My voice was soft, trembling, with just the right touch of innocence and fragility, as if I was about to cry.
I know—it was a bit over the top… but necessary.
—"No," my father said quickly, his face softening as he looked at my mother. "We were just having an adult conversation.
What are you doing awake at this hour, little one?"
—"That's what I should be asking you two…" I muttered with a tiny smile. "But oh well, what can I do.
I just… couldn't sleep."
I walked up to them and hugged them tightly. I didn't want to let go.
Maybe it was the echo of a wish I could never fulfill in my past life.
—"Where's Mai?" I asked, looking up.
—"She's busy with some clan matters," my mother replied, gently ruffling my hair with a loving gaze.
Then my father gently stepped back from the hug, knelt in front of me, and looked into my eyes.
His pupils looked tired, but still burned with that unshakable determination.
The determination of a king. Of a father.
—"Kael… son… you know being human also means growing and preparing yourself."
My mother tried to interrupt, but he gave her a sad look—no anger, just nostalgia—then looked back at me.
—"Soon, this legacy… this kingdom… will fall into your hands.
You will have to be the pillar, the guide, the one who protects those around you. Not for honor. Not out of duty.
But out of love.
One day, you'll understand what these words mean."
Love.
That word…
In another life, I acted out of love too.
It wasn't just hatred. Not just rage. It was… all of it together.
—"What do you mean, Dad?" I asked, trying to read past his expressions.
—"I mean that, starting today, you'll be the writer of your own destiny.
This is the beginning of something new… but also something incredible.
You'll train, learn, grow stronger."
His words weren't a command.
They were a promise… and a warning.
This time, the world wasn't completely forcing me to become strong.
This time, I had the chance to do it by choice.
Though… the result would still be the same.
Power is cruel. It's ugly to say, but… life isn't for the weak.
Living is for those who have the courage to carry their own story.
I was never afraid of death.
I was afraid of reliving… those painful moments.
The fear. The despair.
Humans were born for this. It's our curse… and our redemption.
—"I understand, Father. You want me to become strong… like you, right?"
My father's eyes were different from my mother's.
His reflected pride. Hope.
My mother's… reflected a single word: pain.
But even in pain… something beautiful can be built.
And somehow, I understand her.
I sighed.
—"I've rested long enough," I finally thought. "It's time to fight for this new life.
If I have it… it must be for a reason.
Right, Kraidir?"
—"Indeed, Matías Castleboard…"