Kael's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself gazing at an unfamiliar ceiling. His last memory was collapsing on the battlefield, certain of his impending demise. Had he somehow survived? Sitting up, he glanced around and discovered that he was in his room—more precisely, his childhood bedroom.

"What's going on here?" Kael couldn't help but blurt out loud. The moment he did, he grew even more astonished. His voice was high-pitched and shrill, resembling a child's. Panicking, he quickly examined his hands, expecting to see the scarred and calloused ones shaped by decades of training and war. Instead, he found the small, soft-looking hands of a child.

For a moment, Kael sat there, utterly bewildered. He had heard and read tales of time travel, but to him, they were merely stories. As far as he knew, no mage had ever succeeded in such an endeavor. Was this some sort of illusion, then? No, there was no mage powerful enough to conjure such a vivid illusion. That left only one possibility—the afterlife.

With a sigh of exasperation, Kael got out of bed. Regardless of what was happening, he wouldn't discover the truth by remaining idle. Kael scrutinized his room for any inconsistencies, but everything was just as he remembered. The precision of the details from his past only served to further confound him. After his investigation, he steeled himself to continue.

Opening the door, he proceeded downstairs to the main living area and kitchen. As he descended, he realized how ungainly his body felt. He struggled to coordinate his movements, partially due to the limited range of motion his smaller body afforded, but also because some muscles seemed to be missing—muscles he hadn't even known existed, which appeared to be vital for walking and moving as he once had.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, he mentally prepared himself. Whatever was happening, it was best to act normally. Once he felt as ready as possible, he entered the kitchen. There, he saw his family. First, he noticed his mother, Elenor. She appeared younger than he remembered, with long blonde hair and large, tender brown eyes. Of average stature, she exuded a soft and gentle aura, both physically and in demeanor. She was feeding Kael's younger sister, Elara, who would have been around three years old at that time. Her hair was a light strawberry blonde, just a few inches above her shoulders, and she shared their mother's brown eyes. An unusually quiet child, she always gazed at you as if peering into your soul.

Seated to their left was Kael's father, Thomas, who stared at the bowl before him, seemingly lost in thought. Years of toiling under the sun had given him darker, leathery skin. Although not particularly large or muscular, the sinewy hardness of his muscles was evident even at a glance. He had short, dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. Eventually, he lifted his spoon with his large, calloused hand and resumed eating.

The first to notice Kael was his brother, Tristan, who would be around seven years old at this point. He perked up at Kael's presence, his piercing blue eyes fixing on him. A lanky youth with short, unruly light-brown hair and a smattering of freckles across his face, Tristan taunted, "Look who finally woke up. Can't you even wake up on time?"

The sound of his brother's voice jolted Kael back to the present. All thoughts of his predicament vanished from his mind as he focused on his family—the family he had failed to protect—now safe and sound before him.

"What's wrong, honey?" his mother asked, concern etched on her face. "Tristan, be nice to your brother."

Unbeknownst to Kael, tears had welled up in his eyes. He hastily wiped them away, remembering his resolve to act normally. "I just... I just had a bad dream, I think."

"It's probably because you stayed up all night," his mother scolded gently. "I know you're excited for the big day and to help your father, but you need to sleep if you want to be strong and healthy!"

His older brother was quick to interject, "It's not like it's a big deal or anything. I've been helping Dad for over a year now!"

Big day? Helping Dad? Oh, was today the day he started assisting around the farm? It had been an exhilarating milestone for him as a child...

"Well, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come eat breakfast so we can get started?" His father teased.

Kael nodded, clambered into the vacant chair, and endeavored to consume his small bowl of porridge. Upon finishing, his father spoke up, "All done? Good, time to show you your new responsibilities! Follow me." He led Kael to the fields and stopped in front of the chicken coop.

“Now that it’s morning time, we can let the chickens out to stretch their legs in this fenced off area. We don’t want them out at night or else the foxes will get them. Well, sometimes a fox will get one when they’re in the coop anyways, but very rarely. Now when you let them out you have to feed them. When they’re eating, it’s the perfect time to go gather the eggs inside the coop. If they’re in there with you, sometimes they’ll get a little violent when you touch their eggs. I love you son, but if it were between you and one of the chickens, well, I’d have to put my money on the chicken. The feed is in a bag on the fence over there, go ahead and let them out, feed them, and gather the eggs. When you’re done, meet me in the field over there.”

Kael simply nodded and ambled over to release the chickens as his father departed to resume his work elsewhere. He couldn't help but cast a wistful glance back at the days when life was simpler, and his only concerns were tending to the chickens and uprooting stubborn weeds. As he gathered the eggs, he arrived at a decisive conclusion. Whether he had traveled back in time, found himself in the afterlife, or become a plaything of capricious gods, it ultimately held no significance. With nothing to lose, he chose to act on the assumption that he had been granted a second chance. Kael resolved to seize this opportunity and accomplish what had eluded him in his previous life.

Having collected the eggs, Kael sought out his father in the sun-drenched field. Just as in his childhood, his father patiently guided him through the process of weeding the fertile land. As he uprooted the intrusive plants, Kael's thoughts delved deep into his past life, contemplating how he might harness the knowledge gleaned from it to enhance his present existence. The answer that emerged was, at best, disheartening. He couldn't recall any pivotal details that would create a significant impact. No locations of hidden relics or ancient tomes that might bestow wealth or power, nor any opportunities ripe for exploitation. Such matters had not piqued his interest in his former life. After all, events that had already transpired held no sway in his quest for vengeance.

Ultimately, Kael resolved to rely on the skills he had mastered: training. Fortuitously, he had already conquered the most arduous and time-consuming aspect—learning how to channel mana. This ability would enable him to expand his mana capacity at a pace unmatched by any warrior in history, as he didn't need to laboriously learn the technique from scratch. Teaching someone how to channel mana within their body was nigh impossible, beyond the most rudimentary principles. Each individual was unique, with distinctive paths and channels that optimized efficiency. As internal mana was so personal, warriors referred to it as aura. Consequently, the only way to acquire this skill was through years, or even decades, of persistent practice. Yet, Kael already possessed this experience. His body remained unchanged, and the methods he had employed in his previous life would prove equally effective here.

However, one concern weighed on his mind. A robust physique was essential to withstand the stress of channeling aura. The more aura his body harnessed, the stronger his muscles needed to be to endure the strain. He would have to proceed with caution, as his growth would be constrained by his physical strength. While he would undoubtedly become far more powerful at an extraordinary rate, it wouldn't suffice. A solitary genius couldn't safeguard a kingdom. No, Kael would need to transcend mere genius; he would have morph into something more. He would need to become an awe-inspiring and terrifying monster.

The solution was clear: magic. Kael had never delved into the arcane arts before, and there were several reasons for his reluctance. First and foremost was the matter of finances. Utilizing magic required a solid grasp of the underlying principles. For instance, a mage once explained how he could conjure fire from thin air. Apparently, air comprised various gasses, with one component being both essential for breathing and an ingredient in fire. By heating ambient mana and using it as a fuel source, the very air humans breathe would sustain the flame. Mages possessed an odd fascination with understanding the intricacies of the world, often assuming others shared their enthusiasm. While Kael didn't harbor a particular interest in such matters, he didn't dismiss them outright either.

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Another reason Kael never pursued magic was the scarcity of time. To hone his warrior skills, he dedicated countless hours to improving his physical prowess and even more to learning and channeling mana. This regimen left him with barely enough time for sustenance and slumber, let alone work. Finding additional hours to study and practice magic seemed impossible. Beyond mere knowledge, fine mana perception was necessary to wield magic—a skill distinct from mana channeling, as mana's nature changed once absorbed into the body and transformed into aura. Practicing both disciplines simultaneously was simply unfeasible.

Nevertheless, Kael had already achieved considerable proficiency in mana channeling. All he truly needed was time to train his body. However, his youthful physique could withstand only a couple hours of daily exertion, even with aura-enhanced recovery. This constraint would afford him ample opportunity to practice magic, drawing from the limited knowledge gleaned in his previous life. Once he had grasped the basics, he would need to discover a means of expanding his arcane knowledge. But such concerns, along with other planning, could be put off until later. It would be years before he could enact his ambitions. After all, a five-year-old child could hardly roam freely and pursue their desires.

In the blink of an eye, Kael had completed his task and sought out his father to inform him.

"Wow, already? Are you sure? Let's make sure…" His father responded, disbelief etched on his face.

Upon inspecting the fields, he couldn't find a single weed.

"Well, I'll be…" He muttered to himself before casting a concerned glance at Kael. "Are you doing alright, son? You've been awfully… quiet. And you didn't goof off once today!"

"Oh, yes…" Kael stammered in haste. "I just… wanted to do a good job!" He felt a swell of pride for the impromptu excuse he had concocted. Feigning the innocence of a child proved far more challenging than he had anticipated, especially with the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him.

"Hmm… well, don't fall in love with farm work. Remember, you'll have a different job soon enough… as soon as I can find something for you…"

Ah, that's right. Kael wasn't the eldest son. The oldest always inherited the farm. Dividing the land among siblings was an alternative, but that approach would inevitably lead to farms too small to sustain a livelihood. Because of this, farmers typically sought apprenticeships for their younger sons in other trades. Unfortunately, in a modest village such as theirs, most craftsmen already had their own progeny to mentor. As a child, Kael had dreamt of becoming a soldier—or rather, a hero, imbued with a child's unshakable confidence that anything was achievable. His father, however, staunchly opposed the idea, unwilling to see his children surrounded by war, bloodshed, and death. Instead, he had persuaded the local blacksmith to take Kael under his wing. Ultimately, it mattered little, as Kael found himself thrust into battle regardless. As he grew older, he came to appreciate his father's persistent efforts to secure a safe life for him.

“And I see that look on your face, no son of mine is going off to die for some rich folk. You’ll have a proper job and a nice family if I have anything to say about it. Well, I suppose you earned some free time. Go ahead and go play. Oh, but remember to put the chickens back in the coop before the sun starts to set! You’ll be in big trouble if we lose any! And remember, you’ll be doing these things every day, so you’ll have to start waking up early! Alright, run along now, I have more work to do.”

Kael breathed a sigh of relief as the conversation drew to a close. Despite the deep love he held for his family, navigating their interactions under these peculiar circumstances remained awkward and strenuous. At least, for the remainder of the day, he could focus on training.

Though his body lacked significant strength, it boasted an impressive level of endurance. The seemingly boundless energy of children now made perfect sense; they genuinely possessed a seemingly inexhaustible supply of vigor. Between running and engaging in various strength exercises to develop a balanced physique, Kael managed to train for over three hours—double the duration he had anticipated. With a few hours remaining before darkness enveloped the sky, he still had ample time to mana channeling and refine his aura.

Every living being possesses mana circuits and harbors a modest amount of aura. However, humans are not born with the innate ability to sense their own aura. As a result, it typically takes weeks or even months for someone to discern the presence of their aura and initiate the process of channeling it. Kael settled down, closed his eyes, and drew a deep, calming breath. Turning his focus inward, he immediately detected the faint ebb and flow of aura coursing through his body. Seizing control of this aura, he guided it along the intricate pathways and patterns he had spent decades refining in his previous life. Gradually, he accelerated the movement of aura to warm up his circuits. Once primed, he absorbed a tad more mana—just enough to induce discomfort—and allowed it to circulate alongside his existing aura. In time, his circuits expanded to accommodate the additional mana. During this delicate process, Kael had to exercise caution; taking in too little mana would slow his progress, while absorbing too much at once risked irreparable damage to his circuits.

Kael completed this cycle four more times before noticing the sun's waning light. Rising to his feet, he promptly stumbled and cursed, recalling that his present body was unaccustomed to sitting for extended periods. Shifting to a different position, he allowed sensation to return to his legs while contemplating his current situation.

"I died…" he murmured.

The thought had not crossed his mind since awakening that morning, but it now struck him with sudden, poignant clarity. He had perished and, in some twisted way, had been at peace with it. Perhaps he had even felt a sense of relief, as his embittered existence finally drew to a close, granting him much-needed respite.

Reflecting upon his former life, Kael recognized that it had been far from joyful. Most would likely consider his existence a pitiable one. "Well, there's no point in wallowing in sorrow. All I need to do is grow strong and vanquish my enemies. Everything will work out then," he declared, attempting to stand once more, his legs having regained feeling. After stretching, he tended to the chickens and returned indoors for supper.

Dinner transpired without incident. Kael was grateful that his excuse of exhaustion served to explain his uncharacteristic quietness and desire to retire to his room early. He silently appreciated his younger self's insistence on having a separate room, which he now shared with his older brother, Tristan. Their sister, Thea, would continue to sleep with their parents for a few more years.

If Kael persisted in dedicating a few hours to mana channeling each day, his circuits would reach their maximum capacity within a few months, despite his ongoing physical training. Thus, the time had come to learn magic. He seated himself on his bed to commence his practice, the room enveloped in darkness with the sun set and no candles lit. But… how should he begin? Just as sensing one's aura was the first step in learning to channel it, the initial stage of mastering magic involved detecting the ambient mana. But where should he start?

For over an hour he sat there, in the darkness with his eyes closed. Concentrating on trying to extend his senses past his body, out into the room. For over an hour nothing changed, no matter how hard he focused. Was he missing something? Think… did someone say something about how to do this? Unlike learning to sense mana inside yourself, this technique should be less personal, thus there should be a teachable method for it right? But no one ever mentioned anything like that… is it a secret and protected method?

He started to get frustrated. It was like a blind person trying to see or a deaf person trying to hear. How was he supposed to sense something he can’t sense? Except… he’d done it before. Learning to sense his aura was pretty much the same. Sure, aura is fundamentally different from ambient mana, but they’re both mana. And it was less of learning… and more of it just happening when the conditions were right. Now he could sense his aura without even needing to focus on it.

He decided to try a new method. He gathered a bit of aura into a finger tip, and shot it out into the air, focusing as hard as he could on the mana. However, the moment the aura left his finger tip, he suddenly couldn’t sense it anymore. He saw the light it produced as it left his finger, but he couldn’t sense it. But this was expected. If he could learn to sense his aura when it left his body, maybe that could help him sense the ambient mana as well.

Kael kept it up for over another hour. The amount of mana he used for each shot was very little, so he could recover the amount of mana needed for it indefinitely without stressing his mana circuits. Even with his extreme focus, the task was so monotonous that he eventually stopped fully paying attention to it. He just subconsciously kept firing little aura bursts from his finger while his mind was blank. Then it happened. Suddenly brought back to the moment, Kael couldn’t help but smile. It was only for a split second, but he definitely felt the mana after it had left his body. Full of pride and relief, Kael fell back into the bed and let sleep take him.