With Rei,
Three years had passed since my rebirth. I had been reincarnated in the Kingdom of the Elves, a realm famed for its beauty of course. I was a Lower Elf, the second lowest tier in the hierarchy of my race. Elves, I'd learned, were divided into four classes: Lower Elf, Elf, High Elf, and the rarest of all, Half-Elf, which ranked the lowest in social system.
Being a Lower Elf wasn't too hard in society, but my parents—ordinary elves without any remarkable status showered me with love and care that felt absolute. It was weird having love and attention when in my previous life it was Older Sister Yuna who basically took care of us.
The past three years had been dedicated to adapting. I'd learned the language. Thank that god for only making this world with one language. I can't be bothered to learn 70 different languages. But now, I was old enough to take the next step: uncovering the full extent of my magic.
Having the Appraisal skill automatically granted access to Status Magic, so my anticipation was a mix of excitement and trepidation as I activated it for the first time.
A translucent screen shimmered into existence before me, displaying my stats and abilities in neat, glowing text. I scanned through them carefully:
<
Name: Rei
Mana Bar: 100%
Titles: Unknown Growth Specimen
Race: Lower Elf
Skills: Appraisal, Magic Creation, Magic Weaving
Magic Affinities: Status Magic, Fire Magic, Air Magic
Level: 1
Attack: 138
Defense: 54
Speed: 208 (Proficiency due to Race)
Stamina: 124
Boosts: Unpredicatable Growth. Normal Mechanics don't apply due to Title Unknown Growth Specimen.
>
I froze at Fire Magic. Among elves, fire was taboo, a sin to their natural affinity for Nature Magic. Air Magic wasn't remarkable, but Fire Magic? That was trouble for me. I shook my head, half-amused. Well, it's not like it matters. I have Magic Creation, so I can craft any magic I want. Still… best to keep my fire affinity hidden. No one can know about this.
The numbers of my stats left me uneasy. My speed was phenomenal, 208 was far beyond what I'd expect for someone at level one but this defense is concerning. I heard that even born babies have defense above 100 yet mine was at 54, yes double digit...this cursed status. Well, If I can dodge attacks, defense shouldn't matter too much… but eventually, I'll need a way to balance this out.
As I continued looking at my status, a question came to me: How exactly do I level up? The mechanics of this world were still opaque, and growth seemed crucial if I wanted to survive and thrive. And this title "Unknown Growth Specimen", what did it mean? Was it tied to my low defense? And its Unpredictable Growth. "Normal Mechanics don't apply?"...I get it, so this world's growth is the same as games with grinding experience but for me, due to this cursed title, I can't level up grinding experience. Sob. Urgh! God! Why did you have to give me this title? This is the worst in the world!
One thing I knew for certain: I wouldn't stop at merely exploring my magic or leveling up. My siblings were out there somewhere, reincarnated and scattered across the world just like I was. I still didn't understand why the god had separated us, but I couldn't dwell on it.
It would be ideal if they were in the Elf Kingdom… I muttered. But luck isn't something I can count on. I'll need to search for them eventually.
For now then, I will focus on getting stronger. I closed the translucent status screen. This was only the beginning.
Let's try practicing Air Magic, I thought, excitement prickling through me. Maybe I can even show it to my parents. But… how do I even start? The question lingered as I sat cross-legged on the floor. Should I imagine it? Or chant something? Hmm… I don't know any chants, so imagining it will have to do.
I closed my eyes, focusing my mind. I pictured a gentle breeze swirling around me, gradually growing into a small, controlled typhoon. I coughed. Damn it is harder than expected and I am feeling some pain in my chest. Concentrating harder, I felt it—an invisible force stirring in the air, wrapping around me like a living thing.
Opening my eyes, I saw it: a small gust of wind twirling gently around my body. A triumphant smile crept across my face. It worked! I thought, watching the magic I had created.
My celebration, however, was short-lived.
The door creaked open, and my mother stepped in. Her eyes went wide at the small whirlwind circling me. The plate she had been holding slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor.
"Rei!" she gasped, rushing forward and scooping me up into a tight hug. "You're a genius! To use magic at the age of three—this is incredible!" Her voice trembled with pride, and warmth radiated from her like sunlight.
I quickly stilled the air, letting it return to calmness. Interestingly, stopping the magic felt far easier than starting it. My mother hugged me tighter, joy practically vibrating off her. "Today calls for a celebration! I'll make your favorite dish tonight!" she announced, beaming as she hurried off to the kitchen.
I sat there, processing what had just happened. Well… that somewhat paid off, I guess? A small smile tugged at my lips. Seeing my mother so happy was nice. Air Magic, though… maybe it's not taken as seriously, I mused. It's probably safe to train it openly. Deciding to focus on mastering Air Magic for now. Especially how to eventually create my own magic. Maybe it was Magic Creation at work during this time? For now, my mind was happily preoccupied with the thought of my favorite dish being prepared in the kitchen. At least today is turning out great.
We sat down for dinner shortly after.
"Dear, I saw Rei casting magic today!" my mother said, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Really? At age three?" my father asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes!" Mother's grin was infectious.
Father smirked with pride and gently patted my head. "Well, today is a celebration indeed. We should get him appraised soon."
"Appraised?" I asked cautiously.
"It's how we learn your proficiency, titles, and magic abilities," my father explained. "Judging by today, you probably have Air Magic and Nature Magic."
I choked back a nervous laugh, my stomach twisting. Y-yeah… father… there's a small problem. Fire Magic. I had Fire Magic. I needed to hide it before anyone noticed. Time to put Magic Creation to work…You know what, I will do it tonight!
It was midnight and the village was sleeping. Mother and Father were asleep. I slipped out of the house, careful not to wake anyone.
Alright… time to put Magic Creation to work, I thought, a mixture of excitement and dread coiling in my stomach. This is the first time I'm using it… how do I even access it?
I shivered. Living high up in these giant trees wasn't exactly ideal—two times the size of Tokyo Tower, swaying slightly in the wind. It was beautiful, but it made night practice… perfect. I looked around. Silence. Darkness. Maybe I'll just spell it.
"Magic Creation," I whispered.
Suddenly, a white light with a tint of teal enveloped me. Alright…it worked... here goes nothing. I closed my eyes, imagining my status.
Then it hit me. Pain, sharp and scorching, radiating through my chest.
"Argh!" I gasped, stumbling, spitting blood. Ouch… this hurts… but I can't let the elves discover my Fire Magic, I whispered to myself, gritting my teeth.
I forced my focus again, ignoring the searing pain. Was this the price of Magic Creation? My entire body felt drained, my mana was being drained, I could feel it, I am becoming weaker by the second. But...I concentrated on my goal: removing Fire Magic from the perception of everyone in the world—except me. I also hid my Unknown Growth Specimen title and all my skills except for Appraisal.
"Status Magic: Conceal!" I commanded, blood dripping freely from my mouth and nose. My vision blurred as the strain continued to sap my life force. I've lost too much blood… I'm going to be weak for a while…
Then a voice echoed in my mind, calm but mechanical:
"Mana consumption exceeded safety levels… entering Mana Stabilization Mode… Mana destabilized… releasing all stored mana… expected recovery time: two days."
Before I could process it, darkness swallowed me.
The commotion didn't go unnoticed. The villagers awoke to a terrifying surge of mana, a pressure so immense it made the hair on their necks stand on end.
Mother's voice trembled. "Dear…!"
"Fear not, Firiell. Our baby is fine," Father said, trying to calm her, though even he looked tense.
"But… Gary… he is not in bed!" she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
His expression remained steadfast. "Let's go outside."
The entire village gathered near our home, eyes wide in disbelief. The mana emanating from the house was… impossible. No child should possess such power.
"Firiell! Garynnon! What is happening?!" the villagers demanded.
Even the elders were shocked. The source was unmistakable—a three-year-old boy, bleeding from the mouth and nose, yet radiating an aura of power that made the air itself tremble. This much mana, it was more than the entire village combined
"Chief… I don't understand… my baby has this much mana," Firiell said, trembling.
"Do not worry, Firiell. We will handle this together as a village" the village chief said, voice firm. "First… we need to stop his nosebleed. Get the doctor!" he commanded
Garynnon carefully carried me to my bed while the village doctor inspected me.
"There's… nothing physically wrong with the child," the doctor said, frowning. Confusion rippled through the gathered elves.
"Then why… why does he suddenly have this much mana? And why is he has blood coming from his nose and mouth?" Garynnon pressed.
The doctor sighed. "I cannot explain it. But… this weakness indicates he has used a skill that consumed life force."
"Then… is it a curse?" Garynnon asked, worry creeping into his tone.
"I'm not sure," the doctor admitted. "We need to have him appraised."
"Then… tomorrow, we shall do it," the chief decided, though fear still lingered in his eyes.
Firiell sat by Rei's side, tears falling silently, while Garynnon remained vigilant as well. The rest of the villagers, shaken and awed by the display of power, returned to their homes. The night stretched long and heavy. A voice ran inside Rei's mind, "Unknown Growth Specimen Interference. Warning: Sacrifice is nearing for Individual Rei. Focusing all Physical Energy for recovering Life Force drained by Skill: Magic Creation"
Garynnon carried Rei inside the house after calming Firiell down.