Orion's mother, Elena, decided it was time for him to interact with other children. As they walked hand-in-hand towards the village square, Orion observed the bustling atmosphere. The square was filled with people going about their daily routines. Shopkeepers were advertising their goods, street vendors were hawking their wares, and children were playing games.

As they arrived at the square, Elena led Orion to a group of a dozen children who were playing various games. Some were engaged in a game of tag, while others were drawing with sticks in the dirt. Orion noticed a girl with long, dark hair tied back in a braid, her brown eyes shining with curiosity as she observed the other children.

Despite his adult mindset, Orion tried his best to join in and interact with the children. He attempted to participate in a game of tag but found it challenging to connect with the others. They played and laughed together, but Orion felt like an outsider, his mind far too mature for their simple games.

As he stepped back to observe, Orion spotted a boy around his age who seemed a little too strong for his age. The boy had short, messy blond hair and green eyes that seemed to be always searching for the next challenge. He was trying to hit a small girl with a stick. The girl, with her bright red hair and lively blue eyes, seemed both actively annoyed and simultaneously enjoyed the "game" of dodging his stick.

The boy and the girl exchanged words, calling out each other's names. "You'll never hit me, Thomas!" the girl taunted. "Watch me, Elara!" Thomas retorted, swinging the stick again, only for Elara to dodge with ease. Their interaction was interrupted when their parents arrived, pulling them away from each other. Thomas's father, a very big and strong man, grabbed his son's arm, while Elara's father, a thin but seemingly quite in-shape man, took her by the hand.

The two fathers exchanged words, their conversation implying that they had known each other for a long time, and this conflict between their children was not the first. "Thomas and Elara are always at it, aren't they, Samuel?" Thomas's father said with a hint of frustration. "Indeed, William. But you know how kids can be," Samuel replied, sharing a knowing glance with his friend.

As the day went on, Orion's attempts to join in with the children proved fruitless. Eventually, he gave up and decided to focus on his magical and physical training instead. His mother, seeing his disappointment, tried to console him, but Orion could tell she felt helpless, unable to provide her child with the company he needed.

As the day went on, Orion's attempts to join in with the children proved fruitless. Eventually, he gave up and decided to focus on his magical and physical training instead. His mother, seeing his disappointment, tried to console him, but Orion could tell she felt helpless, unable to provide her child with the company he needed.

Noticing his mother's sadness, Orion had an idea. In his best baby voice, he asked, "Mama, can we go for a walk? Maybe to the forest nearby?"

Elena's face lit up with surprise and happiness. "Of course, sweetheart," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "I'd love to go for a walk with you."

They walked hand-in-hand towards the forest, leaving the village square behind. As they strolled through the woods, Elena pointed out various plants and animals, sharing her knowledge with Orion. He listened intently, soaking up the information, even though he already knew much of it. The important thing was that he was spending time with his mother, and they were both enjoying it.

The peaceful walk through the forest proved to be a bonding experience for Orion and Elena, providing them both with a much-needed respite from the challenges of their daily lives.

Back in his room, Orion resumed his training, determined to make progress in both his physical and magical abilities. As he worked on his exercises, his parents, Elena and Gregor, watched him from the doorway, concern etched on their faces.

"I don't understand why he can't seem to connect with the other kids," Gregor said, his voice low and troubled.

Elena sighed, her eyes never leaving their son. "I know, it's heartbreaking to see him playing alone all the time. But maybe he just needs more time. He's still so young."

As they continued to watch Orion, Elena brought up the events that had transpired at the village square. "Gregor, you should have seen the way Thomas and Elara were going at each other today," she said, a hint of unease in her voice.

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Gregor frowned, concerned. "Really? What happened?"

Elena nodded. "Yes, it's quite surprising. They're just children, yet they seem to be reflecting their fathers' rivalry. You know how William and Edward have always had a strained relationship."

Gregor shook his head. "I hope our little Orion doesn't get caught up in their feud. I'd hate for him to get hurt because of someone else's issues."

Elena reached out to touch her husband's arm, offering comfort. "We'll do our best to protect him, Gregor. That's all we can do."

As they continued to watch Orion, both parents couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and concern. Their son was growing stronger and more capable every day, but they couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unusual about his rapid progress.

"I just wish I knew how to help him," Elena murmured, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Our little boy deserves to have friends and be happy."

Gregor wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "We'll find a way, Elena. We always do. For now, let's just be there for him and do our best to support him in any way we can."

Elena and Gregor reminisced about their own childhood experiences, comparing them to Orion's current situation. "I remember when I was young, I had trouble making friends at first, too," Gregor admitted. "But eventually, I found a group of people who understood me."

Elena nodded, adding, "Maybe we can talk to the other parents in the village and arrange some playdates for Orion. That way, he can interact with the other children in a more controlled environment."

As they discussed their hopes for Orion's future, they also talked about William and Edward, the fathers of Thomas and Elara. "I've known them both since we were kids," Gregor said. "We used to be friends, but as we grew older, their rivalry became more intense. I just hope our son won't be affected by it."

Feeling a sudden urge to engage with their son, Elena and Gregor walked over to Orion, who was still training. "Orion, sweetheart, how was your day?" Elena asked, hoping to understand his perspective better.

Orion paused, his thoughts racing as he tried to find the right words. "It was... interesting," he replied cautiously. He didn't want to worry his parents further.

With a heavy heart, the couple retreated from Orion's room, giving him the space to continue his training. Little did they know that their son's journey was only just beginning and that new adventures and challenges for the entire family were on the horizon.

That evening, as Orion lay in bed, he couldn't help but think about the day's events. Despite the fact that he had the mind of an adult, he had failed to connect with the other children in the village. He couldn't help but wonder if it would always be this difficult for him to fit in with his peers. He knew that his past life was to blame for the disconnect he felt, but there was little he could do about that now.

Orion's thoughts wandered to their small house on the outskirts of the village, close to the edge of the forest. He recalled how the trees seemed to beckon him during their walk earlier in the day, and he felt an odd pull of his mana in that direction. He wondered what secrets the depths of the forest held, and he made a mental note to explore further when he had the chance.

Orion decided to focus on the things that he could control: his training and his growth. He thought about his future in this world, and the possibility of becoming a powerful mage or a skilled warrior. He imagined himself standing tall, using his abilities to protect those he cared about.

Determined to make more progress, Orion decided to focus on improving his magical control. He practiced manipulating his mana, attempting to find the most efficient method to direct it. He spent hours concentrating on his efforts, feeling the energy flow through his body and into his surroundings. The room began to fill with a faint, magical glow as he experimented with different techniques.

At first, his efforts were met with little success, but then he tried a slightly different approach, and to his delight, he discovered that he could control the mana flow a little better. The glow in the room intensified, and a small breeze emanated from his hand as he channeled his newfound control into the air.

[Skill Rank Up: Basic Magic Control - Rank G]

A sense of accomplishment washed over Orion as he saw the notification of his improved skill. It was a small victory, but it was still progress. And progress, no matter how small, was something to be celebrated.

As he continued to train, he contemplated the future. He thought about the children he had encountered earlier and their unique abilities. Perhaps one day, he could learn from them, and they could learn from him. He wondered if there were others like him, individuals who had been reborn with memories of a past life. The thought intrigued him and gave him hope that he might not be so alone in this world after all.

Exhausted from his training, Orion finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep. Just as he was about to succumb to slumber, he faintly heard a small scratching sound. His curiosity was piqued, and Orion made a mental note to investigate the noise further in the morning.