The group moved steadily through the bustling dirt roads of the village, the earlier chaos of the field left behind. Adam walked at the front, his gaze fixed ahead, while Sophia, Yami, Eric, and George followed close behind.

The faint murmur of village life surrounded them—the clatter of wooden wheels on uneven paths, the distant laughter of children, and the occasional calls of traders hawking their wares.

Adam's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. His steps were steady, but his mind churned with questions. He could feel it—the faint tingle in his body, the inexplicable surge of energy from earlier. How did I recover so quickly? he wondered.

His mana, which had been completely depleted, now seemed to have returned, if only partially. A daring thought crossed his mind, one that sent a thrill of anticipation through him. Why not test it?

Adam's dark eyes flicked ahead, narrowing as he spotted a small crowd gathered near the village's marketplace.

It was a modest area, but lively. Traders had set up simple wooden stalls, displaying everything from freshly harvested vegetables to handmade tools.

Villagers moved between the stalls, bartering and chatting animatedly.

He slowed his pace, allowing his companions to catch up, but his focus remained on the idea forming in his mind. If my mana has returned… what else can I do with it?

Taking a deep breath, Adam closed his eyes. The chatter of the marketplace faded into the background as he centered himself. Slowly, in a voice barely above a whisper, he uttered a single word:

"Detection."

The moment the word left his lips, a subtle hum of energy coursed through his body. From the soles of his feet, a soft, white light began to radiate outward in all directions.

The light was invisible to those around him, but Adam could feel its presence—a warm, pulsating energy spreading like ripples across the ground.The light moved swiftly, weaving its way through the marketplace.

It flowed beneath the wooden stalls, wrapped around the villagers, and brushed against the walls of nearby houses. Every object, every person, every structure was touched by the light before it began to return to its source.

Adam felt the energy collect back at his feet, then surge upward, rushing into his mind like a flood. His closed eyes were suddenly filled with images—an intricate web of glowing outlines that mapped the world around him. He could see everything.

Every house, every stall, every villager was outlined in faint white light, as if sketched with a glowing pen.

The structures appeared three-dimensional, their contours precise and detailed. Even with his eyes closed, Adam could see as if through a heightened sense, his awareness extending far beyond his physical vision.

A surge of exhilaration coursed through him. This is incredible… he thought. Unable to resist, Adam tried again. He whispered "Detection" once more, and the white light burst forth again.

This time, he walked forward as the energy spread, the outlines shifting and changing with his movements.It was as if he were painting the world anew with each step, every object and person illuminated in his mind's eye.

The beauty of the glowing structures captivated him, and a smile tugged at his lips. Magic is truly amazing, he thought, marveling at the possibilities it held.

Sophia, walking beside him, noticed his unusual expression. Adam's eyes were still closed, but the faint smile on his face and his oddly calm demeanor caught her attention. Concern flickered in her green eyes as she reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Adam," she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "Are you okay?"

Her touch snapped Adam out of his trance. He opened his eyes, startled, and looked at her. He had expected the images to fade, but they didn't.

Even with his eyes open, he could still see the glowing outlines of the world around him, layered over reality like a second sight.

Adam's heart raced. He was seeing the world in an entirely new way, as if a third eye had been opened within him. The glowing structures, the energy, the heightened awareness—it was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once.

What is this…?

Sophia frowned, her concern deepening as she studied his wide-eyed expression. "Adam, are you sure you're all right? You're acting strange…"Before Adam could respond, Yami's voice cut through the moment.

"Did something hit you on the head while you were sleeping?" she asked dryly, her arms still crossed as she walked behind him.

The teasing tone snapped Adam out of his daze. He turned to face his companions, schooling his expression into one of annoyance.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, waving a dismissive hand. "But if you keep talking, I'll fall asleep while walking. That's how boring you all are."

Yami rolled her eyes, stepping forward to playfully smack the back of Adam's head. "You're getting too cheeky for your age," she said, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

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Adam froze for a moment, a jolt of fear shooting through him. Did they figure it out? he wondered. Do they know I'm not the Adam they think I am? That I'm from modern Earth?

The thought was fleeting, but it left a heavy weight in his chest.Before he could dwell on it, Sophia stepped forward, her brother George trailing just behind her.

"We're heading home now," Sophia said, her gaze lingering on Adam as if trying to read his thoughts.

Adam simply nodded, choosing not to respond. Beside him, Yami stretched her arms above her head and turned toward Sophia.

"Fine," Yami said. "We'll see you later this evening."

The sun was still high in the sky, its golden rays casting long shadows across the village. Despite the vibrant activity around them, a sense of calm settled over the group as they prepared to part ways.

Eric, Yami, and Adam began walking toward their family home, the soft crunch of dirt underfoot punctuating the quiet. Adam glanced over his shoulder one last time, watching as Sophia and George headed in the opposite direction.

The marketplace behind them bustled with life, but Adam's mind was elsewhere.He couldn't stop thinking about the power he had just discovered—the glowing structures, the expanded awareness, the potential of magic.

It was as if a door had been opened, one that he had only begun to step through.And yet, the questions lingered. How far could he push his abilities? What were the limits of his mana?As the group approached the familiar outline of their home, Adam exhaled deeply. One step at a time, he thought.

Adam's steps slowed as he approached the familiar sight of his home, his mind buzzing with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.The house was large, its wooden structure sturdy and well-crafted, with an air of simplicity that belied its charm.

A wide, lush garden sprawled within the boundary, vibrant green plants stretching out in neatly tended rows.

The sight made Adam pause for a moment. His gaze swept over the spacious yard, the well-maintained exterior, and the general sense of care that had gone into its upkeep.

If this house existed back on Earth, he mused, my parents would have been considered rich. Very rich.The thought lingered as he pushed open the gate and stepped inside.

The scent of freshly tilled soil from the garden mingled with the faint aroma of something cooking, wafting from within the house. Adam let out a small sigh of appreciation.

For all the strangeness of this new world, there was a comforting warmth to this home.But that warmth was short-lived.As soon as Adam entered, his eyes caught sight of his mother standing in the kitchen. She turned toward him, and her expression shifted instantly.

Her dark eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her face flushed with anger.

"Adam!" she yelled, her voice cutting through the air like a whip.Adam flinched, taken completely off guard.

"How many times have I told you not to go out there?" she continued, her voice rising with every word.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is near the outskirts of our village?"

Adam froze in place, his hands raised defensively. He hadn't been expecting this sudden onslaught.

His modern life on Earth had left him unaccustomed to such scolding—especially from parents.

Back there, he had been a college student living away from home, free from the constant supervision of his family. It had been years since anyone had yelled at him like this.

"But, Mom—" Adam started, his voice faltering under the weight of her glare.

"Quiet!" she snapped, cutting him off. She grabbed a small, cloth-wrapped package from the counter and thrust it toward him. "Take this to your father. Now."

Adam blinked, staring at the bundle in her hands. It was a lunchbox, the faint aroma of freshly cooked food wafting from within the fabric wrap.

Realizing he had no room to argue, Adam sighed and took the lunchbox from her outstretched hands.

His mother turned away without another word, resuming her work in the kitchen. Adam shifted uncomfortably, his mind drifting back to his life on Earth.

The sharpness of her tone and the unyielding authority in her words reminded him of his own mother, and a pang of nostalgia tugged at his chest.

She even sounds like her, Adam thought, shaking his head as he tried to dismiss the comparison.

Turning on his heel, Adam began to leave the house, but the tension in the air lingered. Just as he reached the door, his sister Yami's voice rang out behind him.

"Mom," Yami said hesitantly, "I'll go with Adam."

Adam glanced over his shoulder, relief flickering in his expression. But his mother's response dashed his hopes.

"No one is going with him," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "If either of you want to help, you can start by finishing your chores."

Yami's shoulders slumped, and she exchanged a helpless glance with Eric, who stood nearby.

Both siblings looked at Adam, their guilt evident in their apologetic eyes.

Adam let out a resigned sigh, his grip tightening on the lunchbox. "It's fine," he muttered, turning toward the door.

Without another word, he stepped outside, leaving the house and its lingering tension behind.

Adam's steps were slow and deliberate as he walked through the village streets. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the dirt paths and wooden houses.

Villagers bustled around him, their conversations and laughter filling the air, but Adam's thoughts were elsewhere.

Where do I even find my father? he wondered, his brow furrowing. The memories of his new life were still incomplete, leaving him uncertain about the details of his surroundings.

He continued walking, allowing his feet to guide him.

Subconsciously, he found himself heading toward the edge of the village, moving farther from the familiar sights of the central square.

Eventually, Adam reached the village's border. Beyond it, the land opened up into sprawling fields that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Crops of all kinds swayed gently in the breeze—wheat, rice, and vegetables Adam could barely recognize.

The sight stopped him in his tracks.

This… is incredible, Adam thought, his eyes widening as he took in the vibrant greenery. The fields were alive with activity, dotted with villagers hard at work, their hands moving skillfully as they tended to the crops.

Adam's gaze swept over the scene, marveling at the beauty of the land. The roads flanking the fields were lower than the elevated farmland, creating a layered effect that made the view even more striking.

Who says villages are inferior to cities? Adam mused, a small smile tugging at his lips. There was a charm here, a quiet strength in the simplicity and hard work that sustained this place.

He continued walking, his footsteps crunching softly against the dirt path. The further he went, the more he began to appreciate the quiet rhythm of village life.

And then, in the distance, he saw a figure.

It was a man, bent over in one of the fields, his hands moving deftly as he worked the soil. Even from afar, Adam recognized him. A memory surfaced, clear and vivid, confirming what he already suspected.

That's him, Adam thought. My father.

The man stood tall, his broad shoulders and weathered hands evidence of years spent working in the fields. There was an air of quiet dignity about him, a steadfastness that Adam couldn't help but admire.

Taking a deep breath, Adam cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Father! I brought your lunch!"

The man straightened at the sound of Adam's voice, turning to face him. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he raised a hand in acknowledgment.

And with that, the chapter came to an end, the golden fields swaying gently in the breeze as father and son prepared to reunite.

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End of Chapter Five