Orion's fourth birthday was fast approaching, and he continued to keep his secret life hidden from his parents. The clues he'd found so far included the strange rat with the mysterious object, the odd occurrences happening around the village of similar things happening that he overheard from his mom while she worked and chatted with others, and the sense that someone or something was observing him from the shadows. Despite all these hints, he had yet to determine the true nature of the threat, but his gut told him they were connected.

In an effort to gather more information, Orion had been focusing on training magical abilities. He practiced his Elementary Magic Control daily, attempting to channel his mana into more precise and powerful spells if he knew any so he stuck to the basics. He also experimented with Basic Herbalism, learning to identify and mix various herbs to create simple potions and remedies with his mother's help. This was helped by his mom having a sort of picture book he could point to and learn names which helped him get the skill related earlier. Orion, once he acquired it, seemed to have a faster time picking up things related to it the subject.

With each passing day, his parents grew increasingly concerned about his unusual behavior. They noticed that Orion seemed to prefer solitude, spending hours alone in the nearby woods or locked in his room. They let him go outside despite his young age because they wanted him to get out of the house, interact with other people, and just have a hopefully good change.

One night, as Orion lay in bed, the spirit appeared around him, offering a few comforting words.

"Happy birthday, Orion. I know it's been a difficult time and this is a bit early for your birthday, but remember not everything is bad in your new life. here is my gift for you"

Wait! I have been waiting for you to tell me what to do, am I doing the right thing, is what I am doing now what I am supposed to do?

The Spirit never answer him back but as a small token of encouragement, the spirit granted Orion a new passive skill, Mana Sense (Rank G). With this ability, Orion could sense the flow of mana in his surroundings, helping him detect magical anomalies and better understand the use of magic in the world.

Feeling somewhat bolstered by the spirit's words and gift, Orion resolved to redouble his efforts in training and uncovering the secrets behind the strange events. He spent the following weeks honing his magic and physical abilities, occasionally testing his newfound Mana Sense skill to detect any unusual magical activity in the area.

During one of his training sessions, Orion stumbled upon a hidden grove deep in the woods for him, where the ambient mana seemed to flow more strongly than anywhere else he'd encountered. After all this time he had finally found the source of the ‘pull’ he had been feeling ever since the day with his mother He decided to make this secluded spot his secret training ground, where he could practice his magic and skills without arousing suspicion.

A small child like me found this place and it's not even that far from Town so why does it seem like nobody has been here before

Over the course of the next few weeks, Orion's investigation into the strange occurrences continued to yield more questions than answers. He discovered that the mysterious object the rat had taken from his home was an amulet with inscriptions he couldn't decipher, none of the symbols on the necklace matched any he had seen before. He also felt traces of a dark force in the village usually he felt in the mornings and went away by mid-day, suggesting that someone was dabbling in something his limited knowledge could only describe as uncomfortable.

To make matters more complicated, Orion began to sense a powerful magical presence lurking in the shadows, seemingly watching his every move. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't shake the feeling that this unknown force was connected to the rat because he had felt this presence ever since that night

Undeterred by these challenges, Orion pressed on, determined to unravel the mystery and protect himself from any potential danger. As his skills improved and his knowledge of the world expanded, he couldn't help but wonder if his unique abilities were the key to unlocking the truth about his past and the strange events plaguing his village

That night, as Orion lay in bed, the voice of the spirit appeared around him again, offering a few comforting words.

"Orion, you've been working hard to understand this world and your place in it. I can see the determination in your heart. What is it that you truly want?"

Once again he reached out to the spirit for answers and once again this one-sided conversation continued. Orion continued his secret training in the hidden grove, focusing on both his magical and physical abilities. He pushed himself, knowing that he needed to be stronger to face the unknown threat lurking in the shadows. As he trained, Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in watching his abilities grow, even if he wasn't sure how everything fits together.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

His efforts didn't go unnoticed, as the other villagers began to whisper about the mysterious child who spent hours alone in the woods. While some found it endearing, others saw it as a cause for concern. Orion's parents, already feeling the strain of their own relationship, found themselves increasingly worried about their son's unusual behavior.

While Orion had initially suspected that these events were somehow connected to his previous life as Jake, he eventually came to the realization that his past life might not have anything to do with the current situation. The truth was far more complex and mysterious than he'd initially thought.

On the day of his fourth birthday, Orion's parents organized a small party for him, inviting a few children from the village to celebrate. During the party, Orion struggled to relate to the other kids, who found his advanced vocabulary and serious demeanor off-putting. To make matters worse, his parents continued to bicker, their strained relationship casting a dark cloud over the celebration.

Orion found himself sitting on a bench in the village square, feeling a bit out of place among the children his age. He saw Thomas and Elara playing a few feet away from him, their previous conflict seemingly forgotten. Noticing Orion's solitude, they walked over to him.

"Hey, Orion!" Thomas called out. "Why are you just sitting there? Come play with us!"

Elara chimed in, "Yeah, it's no fun just watching."

Orion hesitated for a moment, feeling the mental gap between himself and the other children. However, he decided to give it a try. "Alright, what are we playing?"

Thomas grinned, "We're playing tag! You're it!" He tapped Orion on the shoulder and then darted away, laughing.

Orion, despite his reservations, couldn't help but smile at the simple joy of the game. He chased after Thomas and Elara, who skillfully dodged his attempts to tag them. At one point, he managed to corner Elara and tagged her before she could escape.

"Got you!" he exclaimed, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Elara huffed, but a smile spread across her face. "Fine, you got me. But now, it's my turn to catch you!"

As the three children played, Orion found himself starting to enjoy their company. Even though he was much more mature mentally, there was something refreshing about letting go and just being a kid for a while.

After some time, they took a break, sitting on the grass and catching their breath. Thomas looked at Orion,

"You know, you're not so bad, Orion. I thought you were just a weird kid who liked to be alone all the time."

Elara nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you should play with us more often."

Orion smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie he hadn't experienced in his new life. "I'd like that," he said, already looking forward to the next time they could play together.

As the children continued playing, Orion's mother, Elena, stood off to the side, chatting with William and Samuel. The three parents watched their children with smiles, happy to see them getting along.

"It's good to see Orion making friends," Elena said. "He's always been a bit of a loner."

William chuckled. "Thomas can be a handful, but he has a good heart. I'm glad he's found some new friends as well."

Samuel, observing Elara, added, "And Elara has always been quite independent, but she seems to enjoy their company."

As they continued their conversation, a rat suddenly scurried past them, startling the group. They watched as it disappeared into the shadows, an uneasy feeling settling among them.

"Ugh, those rats have been such a nuisance lately," William muttered, shaking his head.

Elena frowned, concern evident in her voice. "I hope they don't become a bigger problem. It's unsettling to see so many around the village."

Samuel nodded in agreement. "We should keep an eye on our children and make sure they're safe from any harm."

Elena, William, and Samuel continued their conversation, the topic shifting to their children's interests and aspirations.

"Thomas has always been fascinated by the knights' tales," William shared, his eyes gleaming with pride. "He dreams of becoming one someday and protecting the kingdom."

Samuel smiled, looking at Elara as she laughed with her friends. "Elara has a keen interest in learning. She's always asking questions and trying to figure out how things work. I believe she has the potential to become a great scholar one day."

Elena's gaze settled on Orion, who was engaged in animated conversation with Thomas and Elara.

"As for Orion, he's always been a bit mysterious. He's incredibly intelligent and has a curious mind. I'm not sure what path he'll choose, but I know he'll be able to do whatever he wants if he puts his mind to it"

The parents shared a moment of understanding, knowing that each of their children there own quirks and dreams.

"It's important that we support and encourage them, no matter what they choose to pursue," Samuel added, his voice full of conviction.

Elena and William nodded in agreement. "Absolutely," Elena affirmed. "Our children are the future, and it's our responsibility to guide them toward their dreams."

As they continued to chat, sharing stories and anecdotes about their children's lives, the bond between them grew stronger, just as it did between their children.

As the three parents returned to their conversation, they remained unaware of a hooded figure watching them from a distance that for some reason nobody seemed ot notice. The figure's eyes followed the rat that had scampered by then ran to the person's side then just as quickly disappeared, they shifted their focus back to the chatting parents and the children playing nearby. The figure's expression remained unreadable, hidden beneath the shadow of the hood, as they continued to observe the scene.