After exiting that mental space I finally started to get a feel for my body. Although my head still ached like hell, my heart was filled with so much passion and determination to make something of this new life.

I still had my eyes closed as I felt the state of my body. And while I was doing that I felt a lot of weight on my chest.

“Huh why the hell is my chest so heavy…” I opened my eyes to see a pale teen black furred beast man resting his head on my chest.

“…” I smacked his head with my left hand.

“Wha…what whats going on?” he looked at me confused but when he saw that my eyes were open, I saw his tail wag and his ears perk up while his eyes became as round as a full moon. Tears started to drip from those big puppy dog eyes and he immediately pounced at me with arms wide open. Before I could even say anything he was already sobbing in my chest.

“Some protector…tsk" I chide him silently but I can’t lie. Seeing this tough beastkin eye like a baby definitely pulled on my heart strings. The pure joy I saw in his eyes mixed with the sad sobs he had pent up. It definitely melted my heart.

So instead of pushing him away I wrapped my arms around his head and spoke silently “I’m alright now. Thank you for watching over me" I let out a little smile. Then I smacked him

“Why the hell did you destroy my door!!!” I yelled at him

“You know I’m gonna have to replace that door and I doubt any carpenter in town would take my order unless I have one of the servants do it saying its from the chieftain!” I continue to playfully reprimand him. I was really mad. I just felt uncomfortable having a man hug me for so long.

He looked at me straight in the eye and in his most unapologetic voice he could muster he said “I’d do it again if you were ever in danger. I’d do it a thousand times to make sure you were safe.” I looked at him tongue tied for a moment. This idiot.

I smacked his head again but with my weak arms I knew there was absolutely no way I’d damage this muscle head. Plus, he unflinchingly took the hit as if to satisfy me. “You muscle head. The door was unlocked! Did you even think to try it??”

“How many times do I have to lecture you? Remember to think with your head and not your muscles. A good subordinate can act rash when needed AND think when needed. Not every problem requires your maximum strength.” I take up the kid’s signature lecturing stance that I saw in our memories. Which is weird for me because I wanna say I’m not him but I know deep in my heart that without a doubt we are one now. So, I know I took over some of his habits. And a big habit for him recently was lecturing this muscle head. I won’t lie. Its kinda fun.

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“Yes young master I understand” he tilts his head slightly down as if to acknowledge the lecture I gave him. But I could see in those clear red eyes that he didn’t learn a damn thing.

“…. whatever, first off, I have something very important to tell you. But you have to keep it a secret. Swear to me you’ll keep this a secret.” I look at him very seriously.

“I was poisoned…I do not know by who and I don’t know what by.” Before I could continue Loki was already almost in a state of insanity. His red pupils were glowing and all the shadows near him were reacting to his Flux of emotions.

I calmly wait until Loki calms himself. Which wasn’t long. I was kinda happy my lessons were starting to sink into his thick skull.

“Yes, I know. I was fairly upset too trust me. But its not all bad.” I smile at Loki and for some reason Loki gave me a weird look, which I ignored and continued.

“Loki, I have awakened…” He jumps back in absolute surprise. Its written all over his slack Jawed fface.I smile again and this time it was one of my more devious smiles I used to have when I was up to something in my previous life. Loki now looked at me like I was scary. Fuck did my creepy smile follow me here!!

“Anyways, this should be more of a time for celebration because stuff is about to get very interesting. If you’re wondering my gift is Will Empowerment. Basically, the more I want something and work for it with a singular goal in mind the stronger and more durable I get. But it comes at a cost. I’ll reap double what I sow in order to gain that temporary power.” I decided not to tell him a few things like how I’m able to upgrade my physique and my major weakness. I trust Loki but I can’t burden his mind too much. There’s all kinds of magic out there. Only a matter of time before we meet a mind reader or something.

“Young master! That’s absolutely amazing! I honestly couldn’t be happier! The moment I swore to serve you I knew that you were blessed. And your gift sounds incredible. No wonder you were able to power through the poison. Your will to live must be very strong.” I was glad that he came down to his own conclusion for what happened. I honestly do not have the heart to tell him how his young master has moved on from this life. And the biggest thing now is I won’t seem suspicious to him if I act out of character and start to build my physique up. All is going perfect.

*Creeeaak the floorboards outside my door squeaked. I signal to Loki to check it out. He puts on a stone face and went towards the door. He then checked out everything around the door to make sure that it was clear. After that he returned by my side but maintained his stone face.

Well that would suck if someone heard me but I’m confident no one did. I try to sooth my anxiety with these subtle thoughts.

“Anyways we’ll continue this discussion tomorrow. Get some rest Loki" I smile at my faithful friend trying to put his heart to rest.

I quickly go to bed after everything settles down and Loki finally leaves my side. Today has been the craziest day of my life. I experienced the apocalypse first hand, I saved a girl (only to be killed by her after), I met a god, got reincarnated. I raise my hand in the air and as I do that I focus more intently on it. My tanned fingers and their smooth baby like softness.

“huh, life is only going to get more hectic from here. Let’s see how far I can take this body. I might even be able to go back home and help everyone with the crisis. I mean that elf girl made over there somehow.” I grasp my hand as hard as I can. Imagining fate between my fingers. With this second chance I’ll not only fulfill this body’s dream to be acknowledged but I’ll make everyone acknowledge me. I will be seen. I swear it. And with those passing thoughts I drift off and close my eyes to sleep. Satisfied with the new conviction and thankful for the second chance but also hopeful for the future.