‘Huh?’ Sol’s mouth dropped open.

“This isn’t your first life?” asked Cali, who sounded like she was still trying to digest the sentence.

“Nope.”

‘I mean it’s not surprising. But to just go out and say it? Whatever, I can’t lose to her.’

“This isn’t my first life either.” Sol joined in, making sure to keep his voice flat. Cali’s confused expression deepened. She sat in contemplation for several seconds, then backed further away in bed.

‘There’s no need to be that afraid.’ Sol smiled, watching her reaction.

“So, you asked me for milk earlier despite being an old man?” Cali asked in a scared voice. Sol’s face froze, and Lucy shot him another look of disgust.

“I was joking. You guys just don’t understand humor.” Sol tried defending himself.

‘Yep. That one went too far. Distraction. I need a distraction.’ Sol watched as their expressions didn’t change.

“The last world I was in didn’t even have magic.” Sol watched as Cali’s face turned to curiosity, and he sighed in relief.

“What were you like in your last life?” Cali excitedly asked, finally having the enthusiasm to match her age.

“Oh, in my last life? I ranked as the number one bachelor and was individually the strongest man on the planet, not that I let others know,” Sol gloated. He didn’t include that Nicky would beat him in a fight, and although Cali didn’t fully believe him, she still waited on bated breath for more information.

“A world without magic? What was it like?”

Sol described many different advancements in technology. He waved his hands, illustrating various sights, and cast physical mana - similar to that used in a mana barrier - to draw planes and cities. Cali listened carefully to each word he said and watched with awe the different sights he showed.

“So, what work did you do in your last life?” Cali kept her enthusiasm, but her question made Sol freeze. He thought back to his countless days working on Earth and the end of his life. His expression sank, but he shook his head.

“I’d prefer not to talk about it.” He tried adding some enthusiasm, but it only came halfway through.

“I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay.” Sol scratched his head. His reassurance could only come out half-hearted, and the mood turned solemn. Cali turned to Lucy to ask her questions but saw Lucy with her eyes shut, training. The night persisted in awkward silence, and no words were exchanged before everyone fell asleep.

The morning came, and with it, refreshed minds.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Milky, milky,” Sol cried from his crib, waving his arms at Cali. He was met with disgusted looks from both girls.

‘Still not funny, I guess.’ He floated into the air and stretched himself in all directions.

“Your mom said the house will be ready later in the afternoon. So for today, just try not to get killed,” Cali explained. Sol looked to Lucy to see what she was up to, but he only saw her training. By the time he looked back at Cali, she was doing the same. He rolled his eyes and followed suit. The trio paused their training for meals, and Sol fell asleep when his mind began to feel fuzzy.

Sol was nudged awake by Lucy. He rubbed his eyes, waking up from his nap, and saw out the window the sun was at about early evening. Cali stood by the door putting her shoes on. Sol floated out of his crib over to the door, changed to walking, and the group left the small room.

They made the trek to their rebuilt house. The house looked the same except for the key difference that now the walls were made of stone. They made their way up to the door and opened it.

“Surprise!” Nicky stood in the doorway, and miniature fireworks flashed around her, causing the kids to pause in puzzlement. Nicky knelt down to make eye contact with her babies, and two small cakes flew into each of her hands.

“Happy birthday.” She smiled.

The family sat down at their rebuilt kitchen table, the new chairs adjusted to Lucy and Sol’s growth, their cakes in front of them.

“I should get going,” said Cali, standing off to the side.

“You should join us.” Nicky gestured to the open seat. Cali started to protest but went quiet again due to Nicky’s warm smile, and she took a seat.

Nicky swung her finger, and the windows to the house closed, and with a snap, the candles on Lucy and Sol’s cake lit up. The candlelight progressively changed colors as it melted down the wax. Nicky sang an awfully familiar happy birthday song.

“Make a wish.” Nicky encouraged them.

‘A wish, huh?’ Sol thought back to the conversation from last night, ‘No, thank you.’

But his expression became awkward at the loss of a free wish. He looked over to his sister, who already blew her candle out.

‘I wish my sister gets embarrassed.’ Sol blew out his candle.

Once the candles were blown out, the cake was served. Random chatter filled the table. And with the end of the meal, Nicky pulled out two clumsily wrapped objects from under the table. Sol could tell they were hand wrapped.

‘She can make a house with magic but can hardly wrap a gift with her hands.’ Sol smiled and tore open the gift wrapping of the present that landed before him. His eyes widened when he saw his present.

Black wood spiraled among itself and joined together to form a smooth handle. At the tip sat a red gem, held in place with strands of wood that extended past the end of the spiral. Sol grabbed onto the wand and immediately felt the soul energy in his core push on his shell. He channeled small amounts of soul energy and felt it rush to the stone.

‘So, it helps channel soul energy, allowing for stronger spells faster.’ Sol smiled, flew over to his mom, and hugged her.

“Thank you for the present,” Sol expressed. Nicky gave him a kiss on the head, making him blush. Cali watched the scene from the side, slightly off-put.

‘Well, how should I act with my mom? I am being genuine, though.’ Sol side-eyed her.

Lucy excused herself from the table while she swung around the sword she received. Her eyes were lit up.

Then, a knock came at the door. The kids looked over with cautious glances, but Nicky wore a casual face and walked to the door. She cracked open the door, confirmed who it was, then turned to the kids.

“I would like to all meet my teacher, Speare.” Nicky swung open the door.

In the doorway was a tall man with a wide frame. His hair was primarily black, but the roots were pure white. He wore obnoxious sunglasses that covered his eyes, with a Hawaiian shirt and shorts that didn’t help hide his sizable mass of muscles.

‘A Hawaiian shirt?’

Sol didn’t have a moment to think further before he saw Lucy launch herself at Speare with her new sword in hand.