A Promising Life in Another World.

““Hahahahahah””

The joyful laughter of kids can be heard not so far away in a peaceful forest. Enjoying the beauty to the fullest, running around with a smile on their faces. The exhilaration was so evident on their faces that even tears of joy dripped down their faces.

““Hiihhhh””

The thrill scream of them even echoes in the forest as they soar in the sky. A few of them exhaustedly lay on the ground. The clothes they are in are tattered from so much enjoyment they have gone through. Smiling widely with a bloodied mouth and shattered teeth.

"Kekekkeke, Ohhh? Are you all tired? We're still not done playing, you know..."

Amid fun mayhem, a petite little boy stands, blasting a kid to the sky, stomping on another kid's head, as well as choking a pudgy kid, all of them bigger than his size. His dark hair with lapis streaks correlates with his bluish-dark eyes. His eyes were bent in a crescent shape. With a savage grin unimaginable for his age,

“Heh… “

Nice to meet you; that was me.

There's a not-so-long reason for this. Everything changed after that incident.

----------------------------------------

“Newspaper?”

As I casually laze on the sofa in our living room, newspapers catch my attention.

"Huh? Something like this is still around in such a civilized world."

Such a thing was odd for my eyes. To be honest, it's my first time seeing one in this world. It's a rare thing to see in an advanced world like this. Even in my past life, I barely saw one. I pick up the newspaper on the table in front of me, as it piques my interest.

I didn't pick it up for the picture alone. I've already learned how to read words from this world. In my past life, I was not able to read at this age. Maybe this is the perk of reincarnation?

Oh, it's the latest news. Skimming through its content, it seems like it's something that occurred not long ago. However, it's so shocking in more than one way. It's unbelievable information that bombed my head with confusion—a horrible fact that'd affect the course of my life.

{“Putang ina..!? ”}

(An means son of a bitch. Its meaning changes depending on the situation. In this one, it used to interject frustration.)

"Hmmh... Caru, was there a problem?"

Lhina peeks out from the kitchen to check on me. This house was quite small but comfortable. The living room was just across the kitchen; turning your head was enough to see it. Since it was this close, Lhina could make out what I was saying.

“Ahh, nothing.” Forcing a smile, I wave my hand.

"Mhmm, if you say so." She turned back, continuing what she was doing. "The food would be ready in a few minutes."

“Okay.”

I turn back to the newspaper, securitizing each word with bloodshot eyes. I hope my brain is just playing a trick on me, but fate is cruel to me. I read it subduedly, just for my ears to confirm it.

"[A near planet with our world, 'Araeh', was mysteriously destroyed by an unknown force; the official was currently investigating it for a possible threat. The Grandian Empire was currently sending forces for a small chance of survival.]"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I curse under my breath, so Lhina won't catch on to it. "This crap can't be serious."

I'm not shocked by the news itself, but to...

"Umm, Lhina, this world is named Araeh, right?"

"Mhmm, that's right," she said gently, not minding my question that much. "Is something the matter?"

"And this orphanage was part of the Grandian empire, right?" I inquire, ignoring her question. Cold sweats are already flowing down my body as I wait for Lhina's response.

“Huh, uhh…”

Despite Lhina's quizzical answer, it was already a disaster for me. It's not the news that's causing a tremor in me, but the name. This world is Araeh, and we're in a Grandian empire above all this orphanage. Everything connects in my mind as if a puzzle has been solved.

"Isn't this the world of that novel?"

As I was in a state of distress, an orb of light containing a bluish space appeared. A size smaller than a baseball ball, it shines beautifully. It rubs itself on me as it senses my woes and consoles me.

"Thanks, Cilestia…"

A warm smile inevitably resurfaces on my face. This orb brightens when it successfully soothes me. Despite this, my mind was in a cold state.

But something needs to be done. or else we're all done for.

That novel….

I got reincarnated in my favorite game with a game system and explored other worlds.

If I don’t do something, I’ll lose everything. There’s no other choice but to...

“Cilestia, I………”

----------------------------------------

"Arggh!!" I groan in pain as a pebble falls on my head. "Damn, I lose focus."

Why do I need to remember that damn day and that cursed newspaper? It's been a year since I discovered the cruel truth. It's been five years since I got reincarnated here. I've gotten used to my life here easily, as for the fact that this world is already developing, although much more advanced.

I'm just supposed to live the rest of my life peacefully. However, that fucking newspaper shows up. I guess I'm the one to blame; maybe I must have noticed it earlier, but I deny that fact to indulge myself.

The ways I view my life here change entirely, from wholesome to survival. Since that day, I have implemented a few things in my daily routine, rather than slacking off.

The primary goal is to research information about this world. I am also preparing for a lot of things and even learning basic combat. But that's not my main focus. The thing I pour most of my effort into is...

“Mana training…”

'Mana' is one of the many key differences between Earth and this world, something Earth lacks. Also, there is something called the magic dimension within a person, where the mana is stored. Unlike Earth, the primary energy used in this world is mana. It's the so-called magic power—a powerful magical energy that can be found anywhere, even in space or air.

However, even if there're more types of magical energies besides mana, The magic dimension has a limit; its capacity can't be cheated with different magic energies. Yet there are exceptions, like aura that create an independent core within a body through a certain mastery.

Since I discovered that this is the world of that novel, I resolved to strengthen myself in my own way. Improving my control over mana and anything that has something to do with it. I didn't learn magic or anything besides that. The reason being...

I have no talent—no innate tact or even a latent power that'll awaken later. Maybe it's the way of fate saying you're not the protagonist. Well, it's not something that changes; I'm also talentless from my past life. I wouldn't waste my time and effort on something I don't have a ladder to climb to.

Though, sadly, my mana was also measured and deemed to be the worst. The quantity was so small that the average looked high.

But something like that can’t stop me. ‘I'll work more easily and efficiently.’ I know what I need to do.

Of course, I’ll not rely on unknown ‘power’ to power up.

This is the world of causes and consequences. I know the trope of a talentless character gaining a cheat, but it will be different for me.

However, there are still unanswered questions in my head, such as: Was this really within that novel, or is it...

While in the middle of my thoughts, irksome scrapes made their way into the forest. Disturbing the tranquil land with just their existence alone—above all, they aroused irritation within me.

“Why’s the freak here?”

"Maybe he also sneaked out?"

"We'll tell this to the vice head, so she'll throw an inept like you."

“Yeah!!”

“Yeah!!!”

“Report him”

Several brats appeared from the brushes, bombarding me with derision as soon as they found me. They seem to be kids from the orphanage—I don't know them, though. While a round kid acts as their leader. He seems to be older than me—older than this body. He seems to be around ten at most. I guess he's two heads taller?

'What the fuck is this pig saying? Report me to the vice head? Is he an idiot? ' I pressed my temple, irritated. I don't want to deal with these goons now.

"What did you get sacred? Even if you beg, we won't back down.” He pushed out his round belly. "I might think about it if you lick my foot, though."

The brats laugh at the fat kid’s lead.

Is he trying to provoke me with that belly? What is this—a pig trying to taunt his butcher? How bold... I can't contain my sneaker, which seems to hit this pig's nerve.

"Huh? What're you laughing at? We're serious, you know?"

"Did you lose your mind on your way here?" I sneer at them mockingly. "Don't you remember you're also outside? If you tell them about me, they'll also know you snowflakes were also outside."

And does this idiot know the orphanage vice-head is my guardian?

They jerk off. Looking at the pig, as if asking, What'll we do now?

“Fucking idiots…”

Scoffing, I turn my back to them. I'm not scared of them, despite their numbers and ages. Simple. Because I'm 17 inside, don't you think it's pathetic to get scared by some haughty brats? And I'm not in the mood to deal with this.

My stride comes to a halt as this pig shouts something he shouldn't have.

"How dare you say that to me?!!" he wails with a red face. "You're nothing but a mere inept kid."

What is he wailing about this time? Is he about to be butchered? I continue on my way, ignoring his whines.

"Don't ignore me!!! You're trash that can only use his weak mana!!! He seems to lose his breath. "Your mana is ugly!!!!!! ."

HUH?!!!

What the fuck did this fucker say?

I've been irritated since earlier. I even remember something annoying. To be honest, I don't care how much they slander me. However, they dare to insult Cilestia. I can feel the chill and hatred rising in my body.

"Anyway, don't you dare tell anything about us, or we're going to beat you up!!!" They turn their backs from the way they came, taking their leave. But—

There’s no way I’d let that slide. I'm going to give you a taste of the consequences of your words.

Compressing abundant mana on my feet, I fly straight to the pig. He turns back, noticing me—but he's already too late. His eyes met mine. My obnoxious grin reflects in his eyes. That's perfect; now I can blast your face directly.

A loud explosion shook the forest. But strangely enough, the shrill cry of a pig echoes with the explosion.