One year later.

There had been a time when Adrian once felled mountains, slayed dragons, and brought nations to kneel before him. But today, none of that held any meaning. Today, something far more important had taken precedence.

The stone floor of the convent pressed against Adrian’s small, bare feet as he stood, legs wobbling beneath him. Muscles that once commanded power now struggled to keep balance, each slight shift of weight sending him off-center.

Focus. His toes curled slightly, gripping the ground as if it might slip away beneath him. The fabric of the simple robe he wore brushed against his legs, reminding him that this body is indeed that of a child's.

The nuns surrounding him watched with wide eyes. Gentle clapping filled the room as they encouraged him forward.

Finally, his body swayed dangerously to the side, but somehow, his legs held. A sense of relief washed over him. That was way too much effort just to walk.

The clapping grew louder as the nuns leaned forward, hands clasped in front of them and eyes shining with pride. Adrian stood there, legs wobbling, catching his breath. His chest heaved slightly, the effort of standing for so long evident in his unsteady form. This body… it’s infuriating, but I did it.

One of the nuns stepped closer. She had blonde hair, pulled back beneath her habit, Adrian was familiar with this one as she was his primary caretaker. The one who had been with him through countless mundane moments: feeding him, cleaning him, soothing him when his infant body cried out in discomfort.

“Good job, Adrian!” she cheered.

Then, she crouched down to his level. “Can you say my name now? Come on, I know you can do it!”

Adrian’s mind worked rapidly, searching for the name he knew he should remember. I believe she's called Selena.

“Sss… sssaa…” he mumbled. The sound coming out garbled, far from the clear articulation he wanted. His tongue felt thick, clumsy. Curse this young body.

The blonde-haired nun chuckled softly, her amusement gentle rather than mocking. “It’s Sister Selena. Sss-eh-le-na,” she repeated slowly, her mouth exaggerating each syllable.

Adrian concentrated harder, feeling a familiar stubbornness rise within him. Damn it, I know how to speak. e

Adrian focused and tried again. “Ssss… Sss-eh… le… na.”

Sister Selena’s face lit up with surprise and joy. “That’s right! Good job, Adrian!”

She reached out, rubbing his chubby cheeks with delight. “You’re such a bright boy!” The other nuns echoed her praise, their hands lightly patting his head or stroking his back in approval.

However, the celebration didn’t last long. The nuns exchanged quick glances before one of them said, “Sister Selena, we have to prepare for the midday prayers. The Mother Superior expects us to be ready by the next bell.”

Sister Selena nodded, still smiling down at Adrian. “Go on, then. I’ll join you once I’ve made lunch for this little one.”

Her gaze softened as she looked at Adrian. “You must be hungry after all that hard work.”

Adrian wanted to respond with a dry, Not really. But the words tangled in his throat, emerging as little more than a garbled sound. Before he could try again, his stomach betrayed him with a low rumble.

Sister Selena chuckled. “I suppose your belly has spoken for you. Come on then, let’s get you something to eat.”

She rose to her feet and extended a hand to Adrian, who reached up instinctively. Her hand was warm, and he felt a strange comfort in it.

She guided him toward the small kitchen at the back of the convent. Adrian's steps were slow but more confident than before. His legs wobbled with the effort, but he maintained balance.

When they reached the kitchen, Sister Selena gently patted a small wooden chair. “Sit here,” she instructed.

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Adrian complied, clambering onto the seat with a few awkward shifts of his tiny body. He settled down and watched her move about, observing every detail.

To his surprise, she didn’t simply rely on her hands to cook. With a casual flick of her fingers, she summoned a small flame beneath a pot. She whispered a few words, and a knife floated up from the counter, dicing vegetables with precision. Another motion of her hand caused the vegetables to be dropped into the pot and a spoon to stir the pot on its own.

Magic, Adrian thought. So, they use it even for simple tasks like cooking. Is magic here the same as in my previous life?

Before long, Selena ladled a portion of the soup into a small wooden bowl, its contents simple but aromatic—a gentle blend of potatoes, carrots, and a hint of fresh herbs. She grabbed a spoonful and blew on it before bringing it to Adrian’s mouth. “Alright, open wide!”

Adrian complied, letting her feed him. The taste was mild but pleasant, soothing in a way that reminded him of simpler times. He gave her a small, somewhat clumsy nod, wanting to say something in return but finding himself stifled by the limits of his small form.

Instead, he managed a quiet “Thh…ank… you.”

Selena’s face lit up with a gentle smile. “You’re very welcome, Adrian. You’re doing wonderfully, you know. Learning so quickly.”

They continued their meal, with Sister Selena occasionally talking, telling him bits about her day or what was happening in the convent. Adrian’s responses were little more than garbled sounds, but he still tried, focusing intently on forming words. Yet, the nun simply nodded and encouraged him with each attempt. By the time they finished, he felt a surprising sense of satisfaction, both from the meal and the quiet warmth of her presence.

“Let’s get you to your room,” Selena said, wiping his mouth gently before lifting him into her arms. She carried him through the halls of the convent. When they reached his small, cozy room, she lowered him onto his bed and brushed his hair back from his face.

“I have to go attend service for a while,” she said, adjusting the blankets around him. “But I’ll be back soon. You rest, alright?”

Adrian nodded, watching her with a small spark of curiosity. Though his outward expressions were limited, his mind was as sharp as ever, taking in every word, every gesture. Selena’s gentle smile lingered as she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Left alone, Adrian lay quietly, his mind whirling. Magic seems to function in this world as naturally as it did in my old life. Could I use it the same way? He searched through his memories, piecing together fragments that had slowly returned to him since his rebirth. Images, sensations, and knowledge had drifted back.

He remembered the core principles of magic: the seven elemental affinities. Each person was born with an inclination toward one of these affinities, a unique resonance that allowed them to channel their power effectively. He mentally ran through them: Augmentation, Evocation, Abjuration, Transmutation, Conjuration, Illusion, and Divination.

Naturally, there were additional sub-affinities that a person could have, depending on their circumstances. Adrian’s memories grew sharper as he recalled his particular affinity: fire, and specifically, evocation magic, the art of manifesting raw energy into the world. But none of that matters if I don’t have a mana core, he reminded himself.

He needed to check if he possessed the vital reservoir within himself. Without it, magic would remain out of reach.

Adrian closed his eyes, concentrating, his small body sinking into the quiet of his room. He willed himself to focus inward, searching for even the faintest spark of energy. But instead of the expected stillness, a vivid image emerged in his mind, as clear as if he were watching a scene from his past. My… head hurts.

A man stood before him, tall and regal, with flowing blue hair and eyes that shimmered like sapphires. He wore robes of azure and gold, trimmed with intricate patterns that seemed almost alive with light. A gilded crown rested upon his brow, and people gathered around him with awestruck expressions. Adrian recognized the look in their eyes: admiration and loyalty. He’s a king, and a seemingly a powerful one at that.

The vision shifted, scenes passing like glimpses into a memory: the man with blue hair raising his hand to call forth a gentle rain over parched lands, laughter and cheers filling the air as he restored prosperity to his kingdom; guiding his people with a wisdom and kindness that shone as brightly as his magic.

But then, darkness clouded the vision. Adrian’s pulse quickened as he saw a monstrous figure looming over the horizon: a massive, world-consuming beast, black as the void and serpentine in form, its scales gleaming with a toxic, ominous sheen. The creature was a hydra, its heads writhing and snapping, blotting out the sky. The earth trembled as it approached, and the people around the king in blue recoiled in terror.

Unfazed, the man in blue raised his arms, his radiant gaze locked on the beast. Energy crackled around him, azure light building in intensity until it blazed as brightly as the sun. He stepped forward, power gathering in his hands, ready to face the monstrous foe without hesitation.

But before Adrian could see the battle unfold, his concentration shattered. He blinked, his heart pounding, as his gaze fell upon Sister Selena, who had opened the door, looking at him with concern.

“Adrian, are you alright?” she asked softly.

Adrian nodded, though his mind still lingered on the vision. Who was that man? He wanted to ask, to understand, but the words were tangled, still out of reach. He met Sister Selena’s gaze, doing his best to convey calm.

Sister Selena’s concern eased, and she smiled gently. “Good. Now, why don’t you try to rest?”