Prone to the new life.

Under the blazing sun, its fiery rays beating down relentlessly, a boy no older than thirteen toiled in the fields. His small frame was bent over the fertile soil, his hands gripping a worn shovel as he worked with a determination that belied his age. His shirt, torn and frayed, clung to his sweat-drenched body, and his loose trousers were caked with dirt. At a glance, he looked like any other commoner child, forced to labor in the fields far too young. But there was something about him—something that set him apart.

The boy's muscles, honed from four hours of daily training, flexed with each swing of the shovel. He drove the tool into the earth with practiced ease, the rhythmic motion almost meditative. His white hair, tied into a messy bun at the back of his head, glistened with sweat, and his amethyst eyes—adorned with a faint crescent shape—remained focused on his task. He moved methodically, finishing one section of the field before moving on to the next, his movements steady and deliberate.

After what felt like hours, the boy finally paused. He leaned heavily on the shovel, its blade buried deep in the soil and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. The gesture only smeared more dirt across his face, and he let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Stupid," he muttered under his breath.

That boy was me—Vanitas. Or at least, the person now inhabiting Vanitas's body.

"Six months have passed," I said aloud, my voice carrying over the quiet fields. "And I'm pretty much used to this kind of life now."

I turned to survey the land I had just finished plowing. The field stretched out before me, vast and fertile, big enough to fit eight football fields. In the distance, the towering World Tree loomed against the bright blue sky, its golden leaves shimmering in the sunlight. It was a sight that could intimidate anyone, but to me, it was a reminder of how far I'd come.

"No one's sown seeds yet," I mused, squinting at the horizon. "If I wanted to, I could help Grandpa Pano with his field."

It was true. The time for planting grains like wheat had arrived. Summer was winding down, and winter would soon follow. With most of the farm work done and only the sowing left, I decided to check my schedule. I pulled a small, well-worn book from my pocket and flipped it open.

The first page was filled with awfully written notes:

_______________________________________

Daily Schedule:

- 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Help Grandpa Pano with house repairs or assist other villagers. (Earns

25 bronze to 4 silver coins.)

- 5 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.: Lunch break at Ms. Wattson's house. (She's very kind and

doesn't ask for anything in return.)

- 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Farm work at Grandpa Pano's, Uncle Smith's, Brother Stephen's,

and Mr. Hawkings' farms. (Earns 10 silver coins per day. Prioritize all.)

- 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Nap and bath.

- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Learn Arcanery from Mother.

- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Exercises.

- 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Dinner and free time.

- 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.: Sleep.

_______________________________________

'My handwriting is so bad...'

I sighed, closing the book and tucking it back into my pocket. My body ached, but it was a familiar pain—one I had grown accustomed to over the past six months. Thanks to Mother's lessons in Arcanery, I had learned to strengthen my body with mana. It wasn't as effective as aura, which I still lacked, but it was enough to keep me going. Without it, I doubted I could have kept up this grueling routine.

I tilted my head back, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand. "Judging by the sun's position, it's past 3 p.m.," I muttered. "I'm done for the day. Time to collect my reward and head back."

With that, I pulled the shovel from the ground and slung it over my shoulder. The weight felt comforting now, a reminder of the progress I'd made. I began the walk to Grandpa Pano's temporary house, my steps steady despite the fatigue. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields as I made my way toward the small, weathered structure in the distance.

"Let's get today's share," I said to myself, a small smile tugging at my lips. The day wasn't over yet, but I had already accomplished more than most could in a week. And for now, that was enough.

**

A short, elderly man with warm brown eyes sat patiently in a chair by the window of his modest wooden house. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, waiting for someone. When he spotted a teenage boy approaching with a shovel slung over his shoulder, he sprang to his feet and hurried outside, his steps surprisingly quick for his age.

"Grandpa, you shouldn't be running like that at your age," the boy called out, his voice tinged with worry.

"Why wouldn't I?" the old man, Grandpa Pano, replied with a chuckle. "When I see my child working so hard day and night but asking for so little in return, I can't help but worry about you. Besides, you're the favorite kid in the village, Sohyun." He reached out, checking the boy for any signs of injury, his wrinkled hands gentle but firm.

The boy—me, Vanitas—had hidden my true identity from the villagers, introducing myself as "Park Sohyun." It was my real name from my past life on Earth, back when I was just an average gamer before I found myself trapped in this world, inhabiting Vanitas's body.

"Anyway, only sowing the seeds is left," I said, brushing off Grandpa Pano's concern. "I'll finish it tomorrow and get it all done."

Grandpa Pano's eyes softened. "Thank you, Sohyun. If it weren't for you, this old man might have starved by now…"

I awkwardly scratched the back of my head, avoiding his gaze. "You say some weird stuff, old man…"

He laughed, the sound warm and hearty. "Forget it! You must be hungry. Do you want to eat at my place? My wife has probably finished cooking by now, and let me tell you—she makes the best food in the world!"

I smiled but shook my head. "Not today, Grandpa. I need to get going. Time's up for now. But next time, I'll check if what you're saying is true or not!"

Grandpa Pano gave me a thumbs-up before handing me a leather bundle. It felt heavy in my hands. Curious, I peeked inside and nearly dropped it in shock.

Inside were 20 silver coins—an amount far beyond what a common farmer like Grandpa Pano should have been able to give. My eyes widened, and I looked at him skeptically. "Is this a joke, old man?"

He chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction. "Take it. It's yours. My two sons got jobs thanks to some strings you pulled behind the scenes. Besides, I've got plenty of money and property left in my name."

I hesitated, torn between my greed and my morals. "I'm giving you a chance to take this back. If you don't, don't come asking for it in the future."

Grandpa Pano waved me off. "Haha. Of course, I won't. Now get going, or you'll be late."

I nodded, clutching the leather bundle tightly. With a final wave, I turned and began walking toward my rented hut, a grin spreading across my face.

'People in the village are so good-hearted,' I thought, feeling a warmth in my chest.

Behind me, Grandpa Pano watched me go, a gentle smile on his face. His wife, Grandma Pano, joined him, her auburn hair streaked with white. She wiped her hands on her apron as she approached.

"Did Master Vanitas leave?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Grandpa Pano replied, his voice filled with admiration. "Master Vanitas thinks no one knows his true identity, and the villagers play along. But how could we not recognize him? That white hair from Lady Evandra and those jewel-like eyes of the Syche family are too famous to miss. Despite his status, he treats everyone equally and works harder than anyone."

Grandma Pano smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's true. Our sons became knights only because of him. The entire village owes him so much."

"There's even a rumor that he's engaged to the Western Princess," Grandpa Pano added, his tone teasing. "Though I think they'd make a good pair—they were friends, after all."

Before he could continue, Grandma Pano delivered a swift punch to the back of his head, nearly knocking him off balance. "It's better not to believe every rumor," she scolded. "Now, let's go eat before the food gets cold."

Rubbing the back of his head, Grandpa Pano obediently followed his wife into their wooden house, their laughter echoing softly in the quiet village.

I walked through the bustling heart of the village, the crowded market alive with the sounds of sellers hawking their goods, villagers chatting, and children laughing as they played. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, spices, and the earthy aroma of the wooden and mud houses that lined the streets. Though the noise was overwhelming, it was a testament to the vibrant life that thrived here—the lifeblood of the village.

A group of children darted past me, their laughter ringing out as they chased one another. Inevitably, one of them—a little girl with ginger hair tied into two pigtails—bumped into me and tumbled to the ground. Despite being a teenager myself, the girl was tiny, barely reaching my waist. Without hesitation, I stuck my shovel into the ground and knelt to help her up, brushing the dirt off her clothes.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.

The girl, Martha, puffed out her cheeks and folded her arms. "Sohyun Bro… Walk carefully, pwease!"

'I remember teaching these kids some slang…' I thought, cringing inwardly at my past decisions.

"My mistake," I said with a sheepish grin. "I'll try to watch out from now on, Ms. Martha."

She let out a dramatic "Hmph!" and stuck her nose in the air. "That's how it should be, bruh."

Another kid, a boy with ocean-blue hair and tan skin, chimed in. "Nah, bro, it was Martha's fault entirely. Let her mom know, and she'll be lowkey good."

'What on earth did I teach them?' I wondered, shaking my head.

"I should get going now, Ms. Martha and her gang. I need to sleep at home," I said, pulling my shovel from the ground.

The kids waved goodbye and scampered off, their laughter fading into the distance.

As I continued through the market, an average-looking man waved at me from a stall. "How's the day going, mate? Care for a drink?"

"It's going well. What about you? Wait five years, and I'll care," I replied with a grin, waving back. He was the guy I'd helped find his cat, earning my first silver coin in the process.

From the other side of the street, a carpet shop owner called out, "Sohyun! Thanks for the other day! You can pick any carpet you like—free of charge!"

I waved in acknowledgment. He was the man I'd helped rescue from a fire that had nearly consumed his shop. His gratitude was genuine, and he seemed determined to repay the favor.

Further down the road, Ms. Wattson leaned out of the window of her two-story mud-and-wood house. "How was today's lunch, honey?"

"Indomitably great, as always, Ms. Wattson. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's meal," I replied with a bright smile. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, and she gave me a thumbs-up before retreating inside.

After a minute or two of walking, I turned into a narrow alleyway between two houses. It was just wide enough to pass through, and after a short walk, I arrived at my hut.

The hut was modest, to say the least. Its foundation was made of stone, the walls of packed mud, and the roof of dried hay. It was a far cry from the grandeur of the Syche manor, but it was home for now. I hadn't been kicked out or anything—I'd chosen to live here to save time traveling between the village and the manor.

I stepped inside, the dim light filtering through the holes in the walls. Tossing my shovel into a corner, I took a moment to appreciate how far I'd come. I now had 134 silver coins and 62 bronze coins—more than enough to finally create the potions I'd been planning.

'I can finally make both of the potions,' I thought, a sense of accomplishment washing over me.

Alice was waiting inside, standing near the earthen bed she'd created using her magic. "Seems like you've built quite a connection with these villagers, Vanitas," she said, her tone solemn but tinged with pride.

I nodded, too tired to respond. I lay down on the earthen bed, the cool surface a welcome relief after a long day. As soon as my body relaxed, sleep claimed me, pulling me into a deep, dreamless slumber.

***

I sat in a relatively small but luxurious bathroom, its walls adorned with intricate marble carvings. The centerpiece was a jacuzzi-like tub, continuously filled with warm, clean water. Though it lacked the technological features of a modern jacuzzi, it was a marvel in its own right.

"It's amazing how much of this world wasn't even in the game…" I mused, rubbing my hands together. They weren't as skinny as they used to be—a small victory I owed to the original Vanitas. I chuckled softly at the thought.

As I soaked in the tub, I took a moment to admire the bathroom's opulence. For someone like me, Park Sohyun, who had been a broke commoner in my past life, even this small luxury felt surreal. Today had been eventful. I was nearing the completion of all the farm work, and my mana quality had improved significantly thanks to Mother's teachings. Plus, I'd finally learned to manifest my mana, ready to cast spells. Yes, I'd even picked up a spell or two.

Six months had passed since my first lesson with Mother—or since the day I'd been dragged into this world. Mother had been laser-focused on improving my mana quality rather than teaching me practical spells, which meant that until this morning, I'd been a mage in name only. It was surprising to learn about mana quality, a concept that hadn't existed in the game, let alone the practices to enhance it. Thankfully, the fundamentals remained the same as Ehan had described at the end of the game.

'To imagine is the first step of a mage. To gather is the pride of a mage. And to finally manifest is the meaning of a mage,' I recited Ehan's iconic words.

I stretched my shoulders and pointed a finger at the water in the tub. While Ehan's teachings differed slightly from Mother's, the results were the same. According to Mother, mana could be manifested through three mediums: incantations, sacrifices, or a third party. She didn't need any of these, and I believed that with enough practice, neither would I.

The first step was *Cognitio*—imagination. I focused on the water, imagining it flowing according to my will.

The second step was *Collige*—gathering. As I held the image in my mind, I channeled my mana into the tub, matching its quantity to the volume of water.

The third step was *Existo*—manifestation. But this step required a chant. "I beg the mother of all gods, let her child command the bringer of life," I recited, a line I somehow remembered from the game. It was the incantation for hydro manipulation.

To be honest, it sounded like something an edgy teenager would spout in their *chuunibyou* phase. But…

I pointed my finger toward the bathroom ceiling, and voilà—the water in the tub rose, following the direction of my finger. The tub was left empty.

When I thought, *Disperse*, the water came crashing down, drenching me completely.

"Ouch, that stings a bit…" I muttered, stepping out of the tub. I wrapped myself in the only towel available, dried off, and left the bathroom.

Opening the wardrobe near the door, I picked out today's outfit: a pair of black shorts, a white shirt, and formal black shoes with calf-high socks. Once dressed, I left my room.

'I'll grab dinner, take a stroll, and then head back to my room for some sleep,' I thought, outlining my plan for the evening.

***

I sat at the dining table, eating tonight's dinner with Vanitas' family—my family. The seating arrangement was the same as it had been on my first day here. At the head of the table sat Duke Aleric, with the ladies of the Syche family to his left and the men to his right. Behind the Duke stood Mr. Roosevelt, his blood-red eyes closed as he smiled elegantly.

The food was lavish, more extravagant and nutritious than anything I'd ever eaten in my past life. But I paid little attention to the dishes, focusing instead on the lively conversation around me. My family laughed and chatted like any other happy household.

"Do you know, dear, how much our Vanitas has grown?" Mother's voice cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention. She was beaming with pride.

All eyes turned to me, and I watched as Mother eagerly prepared to share her news with the Duke.

Duke Aleric's eyes narrowed as he looked at me with a mix of curiosity and pride. "Vanitas, did I hear that right? Are you starting to learn swordsmanship?"

Ace and Uncle Joan fell silent, their eyes fixed on me as they waited for my response. Even Aunt Erin seemed intrigued.

"I apologize for not informing you earlier, but that's incorrect…" I began, pausing for effect.

The room fell silent, and I could feel the disappointment in the air.

"…because I'm learning Arcanery from Mother. But I'm still lacking—"

"—He has the potential to be like me!" Mother interjected, her voice brimming with excitement. "His mana reservoir is as vast as our land, and he handles it exceptionally well. I only taught him the basics, but he's already able to cast spells. And with time, just like me, he won't even need incantations."

I think Mother might be overestimating me a bit. Sure, she's taught me more than just the basics over the past six months, but still…

I understood why she was doing this, though. The House of Syche was known for producing well-trained knights far more than mages. From what I remembered in the game, the ratio of knights to mages was something like 100:1. Swordsmanship was prioritized over Arcanery here.

But then, why was Duke Aleric revered as the *Arcane Swordsman*? That was a question many would have. From what I'd pieced together—since the game provided no clear data—the Duke had used aura in his sword rather than mana throughout his life. This likely meant he either couldn't use mana or chose not to, with the latter seeming improbable. His aura could manifest in elemental forms, mimicking magic, which led people to believe it was Arcanery—hence the title.

"That's wonderful," the Duke said, his voice filled with pride but also a hint of solemnity. "I also heard you've been working in the farmers' fields to earn money. You keep surprising me, Vanitas."

"I'm impressed," he continued. "So, I'm wondering… what should I gift you for your hard work?"

My eyes lit up. "Money! Fifteen gold coins would suffice, and unrestricted access to my pocket bank," I said with a wide grin.

The Duke chuckled. "I must add, you can ask for anything except money."

I thought for a moment before replying, "Then, a lab for alchemy and magic practice," I said innocently, meeting his amethyst eyes.

"Condition accepted," he said, a smile breaking across his face.

The dinner resumed, and the atmosphere felt warm and familial once again.

As the meal wound down, Uncle Joan leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Ace is asking for you to come to his room."

***