When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by nothing but darkness. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, and I noticed a man standing in a soft, glowing light.

The man’s smile seemed so bright in the gloom. He lifted me high into the air and hugged me tightly before passing me to someone else.

That’s when I saw her—a beautiful woman with radiant features. Her hair was the color of blooming roses, her smile sweet, and her gaze filled with a happiness too deep to express in words. She cradled me in her arms as though she never wanted to let me go. Her delicate fingers gently caressed my cheeks with a touch full of warmth and love.

They were my new parents—at least in this new life.

My father walked over and wrapped his arms around both my mother and me. His eyes welled up with tears of joy, and his smile stretched wide enough to cover the world.

“Sebastian,” my father said. “Sebastian D’Kraus.”

“What a beautiful name,” my mother replied.

“He’ll grow into a strong man—maybe an even greater soldier than his father!”

Sebastian... such a unique name. I was no longer William. I was Sebastian now.

I cried and cried, letting go of all the sorrow left over from my past life to embrace this new beginning. How lucky I am to live again—not everyone gets a second chance like this. A bittersweet mix of sadness and joy filled my heart, making it ache yet heal at the same time.

“Look at him! So full of energy! His voice is strong and loud!” my father exclaimed excitedly.

I kept crying, my body gently rocking as though I were floating in the air. My mother hummed a soothing melody to calm me down. Gradually, peace washed over me, and I drifted into sleep, carried off into the world of dreams.

*

It has been five years since I arrived in this world. Time passes so quickly. My mother’s name is Apollonia, and my father’s name is Edward. We are a small family living in a modest village at the edge of the city—a district where low-ranking soldiers reside.

My father works as a patrol captain, overseeing the city’s lower districts. Meanwhile, my mother tends to our chickens and vegetable garden to fill her time. Our life is simple but enough. My father’s salary covers our daily needs, and sometimes we take short trips to the city during his days off.

Whenever my mother finishes her chores, she takes time to teach me how to read. There’s a school in the city, but only nobles or wealthy merchants can afford to send their children there. Most commoners like us rely on family education.

What I know about this world, I’ve learned from my parents. The world is called Stretleheim, a name from an ancient language long forgotten. The city we live in is Isildus, part of the Kingdom of Corsica.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

In this world, there are other humanoid races besides humans. Although they supposedly coexist with us, discrimination and racism still exist between the various humanoid species.

Felinid: A proud race resembling large cats or lions from my previous world. They originate from Berbaros, a desert and savanna region far to the south. Their society is known for its brutal succession practices.

Kalnud: Giant lizard-like beings who live in the swamps of the west. Though they look intimidating with their sharp teeth, most Kalnud prefer fish over land animals. Some rumors claim that certain Kalnud tribes eat humans, but these are mostly baseless stereotypes born from ignorance.

Dwarves: They surprised me the most. Everything about them—their customs, culture, and appearance—is exactly like the dwarves from the fantasy books I used to read. They live inside tall mountains and rarely concern themselves with the outside world. Occasionally, dwarven merchants venture out to trade, but their goods are rare and expensive, making them luxury items for nobles.

My mother also told me about other ancient races, most of whom have long disappeared from history—such as the Drod, who were wiped out centuries ago for their violent nature, and the Elves, who vanished thousands of years ago, becoming nothing more than a legend.

She even taught me basic magic: creating a small flame to light a fire, a breeze to fan it, water to wash my hands, and earth magic to dig holes for planting. There’s no grand, city-destroying magic like in the fantasy novels I once read, but magic still exists—controlled by only a few.

“Sebastian! Help me bring in the laundry!”

Her voice snapped me out of my daydream. I closed the window and ran outside to help my mother. I grabbed the dry clothes and carried them inside.

“Oh, by the way,” my mother said as we worked. “Your father said he wants to teach you something after he gets home from work.”

“Teach me something?”

My mother sighed deeply. “Probably sword techniques. He’s so impatient, and you just turned five last week!”

Sword techniques! My father was a city guard captain, so it made sense that I might become a soldier one day too. Jobs are often passed down from parent to child to preserve family traditions. My family has been soldiers for generations—since the founding of the Kingdom of Corsica.

My mother gently stroked my head. “But if you don’t want to, just tell him. I’ll support whatever dreams you have, no matter what they are. Don’t let your father force his traditions on you.”

I knew her words came from a place of love and concern. Being a soldier is dangerous—many die in the line of duty, whether from bandit attacks, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or monster attacks during routine patrols. My father was lucky to have survived so long, though whether it was due to skill or sheer luck, I wasn’t sure.

“Mom, can I go play now?”

She pinched my cheek playfully. “Don’t bother Father Daniel! Remember, he’s an old man!”

Yesterday, I accidentally spilled ritual oil all over the church floor. Father Daniel just laughed it off, but my mother spent the whole day scolding me while helping him clean up the mess.

“Okay, Mom! I won’t cause any trouble!” I said with my cheek still pinched.

She let go, ruffled my hair, and handed me three copper coins for pocket money.

“Don’t forget, you promised your father you’d meet him this afternoon. Be careful on your way.”

I ran toward the church, passing through the village. Some people greeted me along the way, and I cheerfully waved back. When I reached the church, I saw my friends playing in the courtyard.

“Sebastian! Let’s play war!”

I picked up a fallen tree branch and joined them. It felt strange to play like this again, considering my mental age from my previous life. Still, it had been so long since I could move freely and enjoy myself.

Even though I was once an adult, there was nothing wrong with acting like a child again. Why not enjoy my second childhood? I only hoped these peaceful days would last long enough until I heard God’s call—a call I knew would eventually come.