Six years had passed since Ignis's first sparring match with Kaelen, and now, at the age of twelve, Ignis found himself reflecting on the passage of time. Unlike most children his age, Ignis had no interest in grand celebrations. His birthday came and went quietly, marked only by a modest gathering with his parents and the household servants. This preference for simplicity was well-known among those close to him, and while some criticized his aloof demeanor, few understood the reasons behind it.
What no one knew was that Ignis carried within him the memories of a past life—a life in which he had been Yamamoto Genryusai, the revered Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. In that life, he had held a position of immense power and responsibility, one that demanded distance from those beneath him. He had interacted with only a select few, and even then, his conversations were strictly professional, limited to matters of duty. This solitary existence had shaped his personality, leaving him with a reserved and detached nature.
That same disposition had followed him into his new life. Ignis spoke little and avoided unnecessary social interactions, preferring to keep his distance from others. It wasn't out of malice or arrogance but rather a deeply ingrained habit born from centuries of living as a figure of authority. After thousands of years of upholding a "high and mighty" attitude, shedding such traits was no simple task. The weight of his past life lingered, shaping his present in ways that others could neither see nor fully comprehend.
----
At the exclusive training ground of Evan and Ignis, three figures stood beneath the open sky—Evan, Alenna, and their son, Ignis.
Alenna's gaze softened as she looked at her son. "Are you ready, Ignis?"
Ignis nodded, his golden eyes shimmering with anticipation. Despite having lived for thousands of years in his past life, he couldn't suppress the excitement thrumming in his veins. Today was a crucial moment—the test to determine whether his Mana Circuit had fully formed. Only with a complete circuit could he begin his true training.
Alenna stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Ignis's head, closing her eyes. A vibrant green aura flared to life around her, swirling before extending to envelop Ignis. The energy pulsed, flowing through him like a river of warmth, tracing the intricate pathways of his mana.
Minutes passed in silence. Then, Alenna's eyes fluttered open, a smile gracing her lips as she turned to Evan. "His Mana Circuit has formed completely. Our son can finally begin his training."
Ignis's heart pounded. A fire of determination burned within him—this was the moment he had been waiting for. The first step toward becoming a knight.
Evan's expression brightened. "This is excellent news! I'm truly happy." He paused, then added, "Wait here—I'll be back in a moment."
Without another word, he strode out of the training ground. A few minutes later, he returned, holding an aged book bound in leather. The cover bore an intricate emblem of crossed swords and a shining crest.
Handing it to Ignis, Evan said, "Son, this is the Knight's Mental Method—your foundation for training."
Ignis took the book from Evan's hands, feeling its weight settle into his palms. A sense of satisfaction swelled within him—this was an important step toward his path as a knight.
The Knight's Mental Method was the foundation of a warrior's strength. Through it, a knight could refine their mana, gradually advancing from a One-Star Knight to even greater heights. The method didn't just increase mana reserves—it fortified the body, sharpened reflexes, and enhanced combat prowess.
Ignis's curiosity burned. He had spent thousands of years mastering countless techniques, but this was his first time encountering the training system of this world. He wanted to compare it to the Shinigami Method of his previous life—a technique honed through brutal battles and relentless refinement.
Flipping open the book, his sharp eyes scanned the ancient text. Intricate diagrams illustrated the flow of mana through the body, guiding its circulation through the newly formed Mana Circuit. The introduction detailed how a knight's strength wasn't just about raw power—it was about harmonizing mana with the body, reinforcing muscles, bones, and even instincts.
"So this is how they cultivate power here..." Ignis mused. His lips curled into a small smile.
Evan watched his son's focused expression and chuckled. "You seem eager to start."
Ignis nodded, his grip tightening on the book. "Yes. I want to understand how this strengthens the body and forges a knight."
Evan smiled as he looked at his son's eager expression. "I'm glad to see your enthusiasm, Ignis. But not today. Before you begin training, you must memorize everything in this book about the Knight's Mental Method. Only after you fully understand it will I guide you in absorbing mana into your body. This foundation is crucial—you need to learn it properly."
Ignis nodded, understanding his father's concerns. He had only skimmed through the book, but his instincts—sharpened by thousands of years of experience—had already given him a rough idea of how the training worked. However, he knew better than to be reckless. No matter how skilled he was in his past life, this world followed different rules. There were still many mysteries he had yet to uncover.
"I won't be an overconfident fool," he reminded himself.
"Alright, Dad, Mom—I'll go and study the mental method right away," Ignis said.
Alenna and Evan exchanged a glance before nodding in approval. With that, Ignis turned and walked away, determination in his every step.
Alenna watched him with a fond smile. "Look at him… He's been waiting for this moment for so long."
Evan nodded, his gaze lingering on their son's retreating figure. "Yes. And this is only the beginning."
----
As Ignis approached his room, he stopped just outside the door. His golden eyes swept over the maids and servants stationed nearby.
"From this moment on, no one is to enter my room," he commanded, his voice firm yet calm. "Not even you. Until I open the door myself, I am not to be disturbed."
The servants immediately nodded, offering no questions or hesitation. They were well aware of their place—asking beyond their authority was not their right.
With that settled, Ignis stepped inside and shut the door behind him. He moved swiftly, closing the windows to ensure complete privacy. The room darkened slightly, the only source of light now coming from the dim glow of a bedside lantern.
Once everything was secure, he placed the Knight's Mental Method book onto the bed. Though he was eager to study it, something else commanded his attention far more.
The Hōgyoku.
His pulse quickened. It had been absorbing energy ever since he arrived in this world, and now—it was fully charged.
Taking a deep breath, Ignis settled onto the floor in a meditative posture. Slowly, he reached deep within himself—not just his body, but his very soul.
A ripple of energy coursed through him as the Hōgyoku responded. It phased through his chest as if passing through water, emerging into his outstretched palm.
The moment it appeared, the room was bathed in an ethereal glow. The Hōgyoku shone brilliantly, its radiance even stronger than before.
Ignis stared at it, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
Now… what changes would it bring to him?
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