Rei walked away from the village, his mind clouded with questions. What had happened to the real Rei? Why was he reincarnated in this body? And most importantly, what was he supposed to do in this world? As he pondered these questions, the real Rei had been born somewhere in a world without him.
This Rei was different. He was a cheerful child from the moment he entered the world. As a newborn, he would cry and seek comfort in his mother, Lily, or his older sister, Hanna, whenever he felt uneasy. Most of his time, however, was spent with his father, Thomas. He would watch with wide, curious eyes as his father worked, sometimes attempting to imitate his movements.
As he grew older, Rei strongly preferred sweets, much to the dismay of his mother and sister, who often scolded him for eating too many. He also had a strong dislike for certain vegetables, pushing them aside at every meal. His carefree days continued until he turned three.
One day, he saw his father swinging a sword in the yard. Fascinated, he tried to mimic his father's movements, but his tiny hands could barely lift a real sword. Instead, he picked up a small branch and began swinging it around, imagining himself as a great warrior. Hanna, who had always doted on him, found his efforts adorable and decided to help him. From that day on, she spent time teaching him simple movements whenever she had the chance.
During this same year, Rei spoke his first word—"destiny." He had heard his mother say it while speaking with his aunt and had repeated it without fully understanding its meaning. His mother was both amused and surprised at his choice of a first word.
A few months later, Hanna discovered that she possessed magic. She would often practice in front of Rei, creating small bursts of light and balls of flames that made his eyes sparkle with wonder. He would clap excitedly each time she demonstrated her abilities. Inspired by his sister, Rei attempted to chant the same incantations, but nothing ever happened.
When Rei turned four, he began learning the Zeltrise language alongside his sister. Although he struggled at first, he eventually managed to write simple words. His mother and father were pleased with his progress, and Hanna was more than happy to help him whenever he needed it.
At five years old, Rei's future took a turn. It was discovered that he did not possess any magic. The realization left him dejected. He had dreamed of casting spells like Hanna, but reality had denied him that chance. His father, seeing the sadness in his son's eyes, knelt down and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You don't need magic to be strong, Rei," Thomas said. "Strength comes in many forms. If you work hard, you'll find your own path."
Encouraged by his father's words, Rei decided to dedicate himself to swordsmanship. He began taking lessons from Thomas, determined to grow stronger in his own way.
By the time he turned six, Rei had made significant progress in his training. Alongside his swordsmanship lessons, he also attended the village school, where he learned more about the world and its history. His days were filled with rigorous training, studies, and moments of laughter with his family.
A year later, everything changed. Hanna left the village after her naming ceremony. On the day of her departure, Rei clung to her, his small hands grasping the hem of her robe as tears welled in his eyes.
"I don't want you to go," he sniffled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hanna knelt down and hugged him tightly. "I have to go, Rei. But I promise, when we see each other again, we'll go on a long journey together. Just you and me, okay?"
Rei nodded, though he was far from reassured. He watched as she disappeared into the distance, feeling an emptiness settle in his heart.
At seven years old, Rei found solace in a new friendship. He met Lyla, a shy girl with a happy personality. The two quickly bonded when Rei trained, and she would often bring food for him and then train with him, pushing each other to improve. It was during this year that Rei learned the first verse of the Central Sword Style, marking a significant step in his journey as a swordsman.
By nine, he had mastered the second verse of the Central Sword Style. His skills had grown tremendously, and he was no longer the small child struggling to lift a branch. He had become strong, both in body and spirit.
At ten years old, Rei was sent out on his own. In a world without reincarnated Rei, there was no attack by bandits, nor was his little sister Maria ever born.
Unknown to everyone in that world, the reincarnated Rei continued to walk, lost in thought. If he had been reincarnated into this body, did that mean he had unknowingly taken the life of the real Rei? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Had he erased someone's existence simply by being here?
As he looked up at the endless sky, he couldn't help but wonder—was his existence a mistake, or was there a purpose waiting for him to uncover?