My name is Bell Harol. I had working experience as a programmer only for 3 years, and yet I already got a permanent position in one of the top gaming company, Yoyoverse. People often call me a genius due to my speed along with no error in my work.

Many says I had saved the quite newly established company I had internship with, named LBGaming from failing as I correct all the codes; removing all the bugs they had and remove every glitch and lag in their first game ever within 1 week.

That alone made many companies scouted me into permanent position. And eventually I end up in Yoyoverse after 3 years. Even though the company was among the top in the gaming industry, they treat their workers like slaves. The company often say that in every company it is the same. Especially when a deadline is nearing, some workers even slept in the office. The company monitors the in and out of the employees some more, and if they deemed you slacking off in the slightest, they would cut our bonus.

The manager will even personally text the employees related to pressure them into doing their work as fast as possible. Perhaps, it was just my personality or it was due to my emptiness, but I don't really mind.

I am aware that I was working 'hard' simply to distract myself from my trauma of the past. I stared at the screen blankly while my hand moves typing each and every buttons. Sounds of sighs was heard in the room here and there.

Maybe the manager thought I didn't notice, but I do know he gave me the most tedious task there is, and always ask me to fix things up for other employees mistakes.

And yet I don't bother to refuse. I simply tap my fingers away, using the mechanical melody to fill the time I had.

"Bell, I will get going first. Emm, you shouldn't work too hard and get enough rest. See you tomorrow". My co-worker left, leaving me alone in the workplace. it's already 8.50pm, the place will be closed soon.

Did I take my dinner? I didn't. Now I realised I am hungry, and tired. My fingertips had calluses and felt numb due to the amount of work forced on my fingers.

Moving out of the building, I walk steadily towards the train station nearby. I should get the last train at 9.10pm and maybe get dinner from the convenience store near my house.

...

This routine, still doesn't fill me. At the end of the day, I would always be reminded of the past. The disgusted look from my family, the betrayal from the one I loved most, and that insane sociopathic bastard who tried to hurt me because he hated me due to his own insecurities.

It's weird really... I was once, a cheerful person. Full of emotions. I even had passion for the course for the job I pursued. I am now working my 'dream job', but those passion was gone. I lost interest in everything. I can't get anything to make me feel, something.

HONK! HONK!

"Huh?", a bright light flashes before my eyes. Before I realised what is going on, a crushing pain run all over body in a split second before I lose my consciousness.

***

I was now in a dark warm place. Sometimes, I can hear muffled sounds and feel myself being carried. I can feel my limbs, but I can only move them a little. I wonder where I am. But I fell unconscious once more. Each time I am awake, it was the same darkness. I feel really sleepy every time I am awake.

One day, I feel unusual. I can feel my surroundings feels tighter and tighter, pushing me through a very narrow canal.

After the pressure finally relieved, I can sense light shining through my eyelids.

I opened my eyes, to see a middle aged lady wearing a typical middle age maid clothing. She held me firmly in her arms, before giving me to another woman laying down in bed.

"It's a healthy boy, my lady", the maid spoke. I can conclude that I was reincarnated, and the woman holding me now is my mother in this new life.

Maria Icarus, she was a pretty lady with a black hair and violet eyes. She looks really beautiful, gentle and elegant in my view.

"Your name will be Raylos Icarus, my child", the lady spoke to me. A handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes approaches us and caresses my cheeks.

"He looks like you Maria". He is my father. Geraldine Icarus, the head of the Icarus clan, one of the noble mage lineage.

It seems, that I was born into a family of aristocrat in a world with magic.

When it comes to my daily life as a helpless baby, there's really nothing much going on other than drinking fresh milk and having my diapers changed. Unfortunately I can't control my own excretion and it felt really uncomfortable especially in the middle of the night. I feel bad to wake up others to change my diapers. This is really embarrassing.

"Layla, don't you think the young lord is too quiet? Usually babies like to cry right? I am worried that he might be sick". It seems that the maid that had always took care actually feel concerned. Well, its understandable.

Honestly I am super bored. She give me some sort of rattling toy but really its just lame. I wish I can move out of this crib.

The boring time eventually passes and I am able to crawl around.

"Young Lord! It's dangerous!", the nanny picked me up as I crawl under the table.

Tch. I can't even explore this mansion freely. I figured my family is RICH from the fancy looking furniture, the sizes of the rooms and space and the sheer number of maids and butlers we had. One day, I finally stumbled upon a large mirror and sees exactly how I look.

Silver-white hair, porcelain skin with a warm undertone. My light violet eyes are indeed beautiful and enthralling. Just like mother's.

As time passes, I can finally walk around and speak a little although my pronunciation is off. I tried to speak like a baby or else it would be too suspicious.

The maid that took care of me is nice enough to actually let me read, or rather she read books for me when she saw that I was reading one. The language in this world is the same as in my previous life, English language to be exact. Although some of the words are rather traditional, but it does fit the period of this world.

As time goes by, I slowly reveals that I can read and they assume I was a genius or something. So they let me read more books and it won't be so boring. I stumbled upon a book about magic.

Magic. It's a manifestation of phenomena using 'mana', a form of energy that surrounds us and flow within every living being. At least from my understanding with knowledge from previous life added, 'mana' is a form of energy just like how you would classify kinetic, heat, and other forms of energy. And I suppose, based on E=mc^2, this mana can also transform into matters.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Thinking about the possibility that I can use magic someday made me feel excited.

Huh?

It's been a while that I feel excited over something. I breath in fresh air free from pollution, realising how its actually different from my past life.

This life... isn't bad. Its, a new chapter for me. I should be try to live how I want to.

I affirmed myself to move on from my past life. I had been, lifeless, for a long time. I want to explore and do many things I can. One of it is magic for sure.

While I still stay at the mansion, I tried many things. Help the maids prepare cookies, tend to the flowers in the garden, read more books, visit places with the guards and very rarely my parents.

My parents, aren't the doting type. They occasionally check on me, and I never asked for their attention either just doing things on my own. We aren't really close but it was not bad per say. I have a brother too, but I rarely sees him due to him having tutors teaching him stuffs especially since he will be the next head of the family as the first-born.

Time passes and so I reached 5 years old. It was time for a priest to come and check my 'status'. It was to verify the talents I had.

An old men in full white came to me holding a crystal slate, asking me to touch them.

As I touch it, it glows dimly and a blue panel appears in front of me. It was a panel that was seen in games and stuffs. The slate that I touched also seems to have the similar information written on it.

______

Name: Raylos Icarus

Mana: 13/13

Affinity: None

Skills:

Unique skills:

Artesean Lvl 1 (Increase ease of learning, proficiency and quality of product in crafting by 5%)

______

"L-lord Geraldine, I-", the priest was spooked and unable to make further comment.

The whole room was quiet upon seeing the crystal slate.

"H-how can this be?", Maria was shocked seeing what's written there.

"I need some time alone", Geraldine spoke and walked calmly into his office, closing his door.

From their reactions, I can guess my status is too low. At least from the conversations and books I read, this family lineage supposed to have great talents in magic. But, I know that I don't have such talents from the numbers. Is it because my soul was not originated from here?

I feel a bit anxious at what will happen.

A week passes like nothing happened, until my father came to my room without notice.

"Raylos, you will be going on a trip. Prepare yourself". As he told that, he just leaves. It's, unusual really. Because a maid should have come to inform me to visit him, not him visiting me. It's unusual and I have an ominous feeling. As I had prepared myself, a guard come to guide me into a carriage. Oddly, the carriage is really simple and seems a bit worn out, unbefitting of our noble family.

I entered the carriage hesitatingly, feeling really anxious.

Will I be safe?

Some guards and a maid came along with me, with some riding horse some distance away from the carriage monitoring the surroundings.

I looked outside and it was just trees. We are deep in the woods.

My heart beats faster as I start to feel really scared and think of the worst.

'They will kill me', the thoughts finally surfaced in my mind, I remembered this kind of troupe. I was a disappointment to my parent, and they will dispose of me,

I, I don't want to die! Not yet. I had only start to live again. What should I do?

Even though I tried to remain calm, but my body is shivering.

Deep down, I am afraid of death, and the pain.

Even if I escape from the carriage, I am just a 5 year old kid. I can't do anything.

Throughout the journey across the woods, I was really scared and shaking inside.

But soon the scenery changes as the carriage passes through the forest. It was, a place with large lands and farms. It was a rural area. I can see villagers here and there.

Huh? They won't kill me?

As the carriage move some more distant for few more days, reaching a town we finally reached a big old looking building. The guard opened the carriage door and lead me to a woman wearing a nun clothing standing by in front of the door of a building.

The guard patted my head, telling me he's sorry. "From now on, you are no longer a part of the Icarus family."

He continued, "You don't have anything to do with them, and don't know them. You are smart, you understand right?". I simply nodded. I understand that this place will be my new home. I take a look at the woman again, and sees some children of different ages peeking through the door.

I was sent to an orphanage. It seems that I was abandoned by my parents, but.... I guess, its good that I am alive.

A part of me feels sad that, it feels as if I was abandoned by family twice. In this life and even the past.

...

Sometimes, I wished I would have received warmth from them. But, I am strong enough to not need them.

The orphanage caretaker, Miss Jane gave her hand to me, asking me to hold her hand and follow her into the building. I was greeted by few children of younger and older of age. I started my new life in the orphanage.

***

Few years had passed.

It is nice staying here really. Although the food is not as good as back when I was still with the Icarus family, but even the bland soup and the hard bread tastes good.

Even though the kids my age here are immature snotty brats, but, I feel like I am a brother to them. It feels like a family in a way. I taught them how to read and do basic math, tend to the garden, sewing cloths, spinning threads, do all sort of things to gain extra fund for the orphanage together with other kids.

Doing chores like washing cloths and helping preparing food, even though it was routine, but seeing the warm smile of the children and the kind Miss Jane who always give a bright smile and try her best for us, I feel alive.

Perhaps, its a good thing I was sent here. Some of the kids found new homes as they leave with their new foster parents. One even get adopted by a noble because he has absurd talent for magic even rivalling named families. I wonder if there will be someone want to adopt me.

Time passes until I reach 10 years old. The caretaker, Miss Jane had grown is bit older. She is still the same gentle woman she is, caring for all the children equally.

Unfortunately, the fund for the orphanage was cut down, making us run short on money. To help the orphanage, others around my age decides to ask Miss Jane for permission to find work in the nearby town. She hesitatingly allowed us to do so after we beg her.

Some of us craft souvenirs, take odd jobs from villagers and take apprenticeship for work in the town where different workshop or shop owners take apprentices or one may call it internship, giving training and job at the same time with pay. It takes 30 minutes or so of walking from the orphanage to the town, but its worth the journey.

As I walk around town, I can see different workshops around and some are open for apprenticeship and for hire. I am thinking of going for the clothing workshop, but I keep walking around to see anything that is interesting.

I stumbled upon "Gold Alchemy Workshop", which deals with making potions and draughts for various purposes. It's open for apprenticeship! Right! Although my mana amount is literal s**t, but alchemy is really interesting too!

With motivation, I walked into the building. I sees various liquids of different colours arranged on the shelves.

"Oh dear. What are you looking for", the lady asked me with a smile. I told her that I sees its open for apprenticeship. She looked at me carefully and asked for my age. And knowing that I was from the orphanage, it seems that she will allow me for consideration.

She took out a familiar looking crystal tablet under her table, asking me to touch it.

Ah. Isn't this to check the status?

"It's to check the mana amount. You need at least 30 mana or so at least but usually around a third of commoners have that amount".

As expected, I failed the test. My mana value doesn't change at all after years. She explained that for alchemy they have to pour in mana during processing of many ingredients to create potions and so I can't learn alchemy.

I feel down and disappointed. Does this mean I will never do anything special in this fantasy world?

I keep walking around the town until I found a general store that sells various things for mercenaries. Mercenaries in this world take various jobs such as escorting and guarding clients, hunting monsters and gathering materials. I take a look around and sees various colours of potions, weapons, herbs, clothing, powders, and... magic scrolls.

"Miss!", I called out the shopkeeper and ask about the magic scrolls.

She pinched my cheeks seeing how cute I am and start to explain about magic scrolls.

Apparently, it can be used by anyone. All you have to do is channel mana to it for a second or so and it will trigger the magic written on the scroll. Everyone can use it no matter how little your mana is because the magic uses mana from mana crystal powder used in the scrolls.

That means, I can use magic!

The shopkeeper smiled at seeing my dilated eyes. She told me there was a magic scroll workshop down the road and that they are always open for apprenticeship and new workers. She told me the work to make scrolls are tedious and repetitive and you cannot make any mistakes as she personally had tried herself but she cannot do such boring and stressful work and quit.

But still, being able to make magic scroll myself seems really interesting.

***