Narihu

I want to become better; I don't want to keep fighting this endless battle… How did I end up here?

My name is Narihu Mizuhara. I was a trained soldier who "saved" humanity from evil, only to lose my life in that battle. I have few memories of my past life; the ones I do recall are of fighting — battle after battle. But somehow, I have been reborn into the body of a young boy, barely seven years old.

My father's name is Olig and my mother's is Elizabeth; both of them love me. Being with them brings such warmth — a feeling I never experienced in my previous life. This world is very similar to the one I knew. We live in a small, backward village, quite far from the nearest town. Strangely, the way people write and speak here is exactly the same as it was in my previous life. I began to wonder if perhaps this is the same Earth I once lived on. But since I'm still a child, I have no way of finding out, and it would be odd to ask one of the older villagers about it.

Secretly, I began to develop my mana. The books in our home, along with the knowledge from my past life, have been a great help. My parents were warriors in the past, but for some reason they no longer wish to fight. Still, they keep their weapons in good condition.

---

In my previous life, everyone called me Narihu Mizuhara.

I don't know if that name was given to me by my parents or if I chose it myself. Strangely enough, I have no memories of them as if they had been erased entirely.

What's even more mysterious, and almost impossible to understand, is that in this world, I was born with the exact same name.

When I grow older, I'll have to uncover the mysteries of this world. But for now, I must wait at least four more years until I can develop my mana to a level strong enough to explore this world without fear.

---

One night, when I secretly went out to train my mana, I was too careless to notice the approaching footsteps. Before I knew it, Olig my father had found me.

-Son, do you already have mana? Am I seeing this right? You're only eight years old how do you even know how to use it?

He said it with a shocked and astonished expression. I tried to come up with an excuse, but the situation caught me off guard. I could only hope he wouldn't grow suspicious.

-I was reading a book, I said nervously, and I liked the pictures in it… so I wanted to try it myself. Then this strange mist appeared around me.

Father's expression softened, then turned proud.

- Your mother must be so proud of you not only have you learned to read so well, but you've also managed to awaken your mana at such a young age. I'm proud of you, my son!

He lifted me up in joy, hugging me tightly as he spun around the room. Just then, my mother appeared, her face stern and tired.

- What's going on here, Olig? Do you have any idea what time it is?

she asked angrily. Father, still grinning ear to ear, turned to her excitedly.

- Our son he has mana! I'm going to start training him. He'll be strong and skilled like his father no, even better!

Mother stared at him in disbelief, rubbing her temples as if he'd completely lost his mind.

- Olig, do you even hear yourself? He's only eight! He just learned to read properly, and you think he already has mana?

-I'm telling you the truth, Elizabeth, he insisted. We can show you, right, Narihu?

I wanted to avoid this situation, but now that it had come to this, I had no choice. I sat down, focused on my inner mana, and began gathering the surrounding energies into one point.

Before me appeared a radiant, pure-white mana vibrant and overflowing with energy.

I realized that meant my first Mana Crystal had filled completely. From now on, I could ascend to a new level. But to do that, I would need my parents' help.

-See, Elizabeth? I wasn't lying! Our child is a prodigy.

- I can't believe what I'm seeing, Mother whispered. How is this even possible? He's only eight… he should be outside playing, not wielding mana.

Father turned serious for the first time I'd ever seen.

- Elizabeth,(he said, looking first at me, then at her). I've decided. I'll train him myself. I'll teach him how to use a sword, and I want you to teach him how to channel his mana.

-That's not what we agreed on, Mother protested. We promised to keep him away from that world.

-I know… (Father sighed). But teaching him the basics doesn't mean we're throwing him into it. If something ever happens to us, at least he'll be able to protect himself. Please, Elizabeth it's for our child's sake.

I had never seen that expression on Father's face before. He had always been cheerful and lighthearted, like someone untouched by tragedy. But now I understood his smile existed because of the pain he had endured.

Mother finally nodded, though her expression remained uncertain, as if she wasn't sure whether they were making the right choice.