Chapter 1: Rua’s Resolve

A month had passed, and life in Glade Village remained peaceful. Inside their modest home, Rua sat in her usual spot, watching her mother, Kayna, leap excitedly into Leo's arms.

"Careful, don't jump too much—you know you're pregnant, right?" Leo said, his voice laced with concern.

Kayna, amused by his reaction, chuckled softly. It was rare to see such a strong man look so nervous. Her affection for Leo had only deepened over time, and his possessiveness was oddly endearing. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes gleaming playfully.

"You know, Leo, I love you so much," she murmured, pressing closer. Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "But if I ever catch you cheating... I don't think I'd be able to control myself. I might just tear apart any bitch who dares approach you."

Leo paled. "W-What? I would never! I swear! Yes, I've had lovers in the past, but none of them could ever compare to you," he swore, his expression dead serious.

Kayna's face flushed, her heart fluttering at his sincerity.

Rua, sitting nearby, observed their interaction with a blank expression. Though her face remained emotionless, something deep inside her stirred—a feeling she had tried to suppress since the day she was reborn into this world.

Jealousy.

Her fingers curled slightly as a painful thought surfaced.

I... I miss my family.

A lump formed in her throat. Her mind drifted to the past—to the life she once had. She remembered the warmth of her wife's embrace, the laughter they had shared. But that life had been stolen from her. If only she hadn't been an assassin, if only she hadn't taken that final job, she wouldn't have been betrayed and killed by those bastards.

Her body trembled. The weight of her loss pressed down on her chest, and without warning, tears began to slip down her cheeks.

For the first time in this new life, Rua cried.

The sight shocked Kayna and Leo into silence. They had never seen Rua shed a single tear—not even as a baby.

Leo, instantly concerned, rushed to her side. "Rua? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" He hesitated, then attempted a guess. "Are you that happy to have a sibling?"

Kayna, hands covering her mouth, stared at her daughter in disbelief.

Tears welled in her own eyes. She had spent years trying to make Rua smile, only to be met with indifference. She had worried—wondered if she was failing as a mother. But now, seeing Rua's tears, she felt a flicker of hope.

"Rua..." Kayna whispered, then pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.

Rua, feeling their warmth surround her, didn't push them away. She didn't correct their misunderstanding. Let them think what they want, she thought. It doesn't matter.

Because, at that moment, she was too tired to resist. Too exhausted to suppress the loneliness any longer.

And so, she let them hold her.

---

Hours Later

Though the warmth of their embrace had soothed her, it wasn't enough to fill the void inside her.

I hope this peace lasts, Rua thought. I don't want to lose my family again.

But deep down, she knew better than to trust in peace.

Determined not to be helpless, Rua made a decision. I need to strengthen my body.

Without hesitation, she changed into suitable clothes and slipped outside.

Her destination: a secluded area near a small hut, where an old bamboo bench sat beneath the shade.

She started running.

But within seconds, her legs buckled, and she collapsed.

Huff... Huff... Rua gasped for breath, sweat trickling down her forehead.

"This body is so weak," she muttered, her voice laced with frustration.

She had trained her previous body to perfection, sharpening it into a weapon. But now, she was trapped in the fragile body of a six-year-old girl. It was unacceptable.

She clenched her fists. Move.

Ignoring her exhaustion, Rua pushed herself to her feet and ran again. Move. Move.

Something inside her stirred.

A strange energy pulsed through her body, surging beneath her skin.

Her stamina... recovered.

Rua's breath caught in her throat. "What... was that?"

To test it, she jumped.

Her energy had fully returned. It wasn't just adrenaline—this was something else. Something unnatural.

Curious but cautious, Rua continued training. She sprinted, did sit-ups, and pushed her limits, repeating the cycle. But after thirty minutes, the energy faded, and exhaustion hit her again.

Strange.

She frowned, frustrated.

"This won't do. I need a body I can fully control. One that's... perfect."

But she had forgotten one thing—she was still a child.

No matter how determined she was, she couldn't force her body beyond its limits.

Not yet.

Sighing, Rua sat on the bamboo bench, waiting for Kayna to arrive.

When her mother appeared moments later, her expression darkened.

"Rua! Why are you soaked in sweat? Did someone bully you?" Kayna's voice was sharp, protective.

Rua quickly shook her head. "No. I tried playing by myself, but... it was tiring." She forced her voice to sound uncertain. "Mother, can you carry me?"

Kayna's heart ached.

Had she pressured Rua too much into socializing?

Her daughter was clearly struggling, yet she had failed to notice it.

"It's okay, Rua," Kayna murmured, lifting her into her arms. "You don't have to force yourself to play. Just rest, alright?"

Rua buried her face into her mother's shoulder, hiding the small smirk on her lips. That should keep her from asking too many questions.

---

Later That Night

As Kayna prepared Rua's bath, Rua sat deep in thought.

That strange energy she had felt earlier... could it be mana?

She recalled the stories her mother had told her—tales of warriors and mages who wielded mana to perform incredible feats.

Her heart pounded with curiosity.

When Kayna returned to wash her, Rua seized the opportunity.

"Mother," she asked, her tone calm, "is mana real?"

Kayna blinked, then chuckled. "Mana? You rarely hear about it in a place like this, but yes, it exists."

Rua's eyes sharpened. "Can you use it?"

Kayna hesitated. "...Yes, but my way of using it is different."

Rua sensed the reluctance in her voice but didn't press. Instead, she asked, "Can mana restore stamina?"

Kayna frowned. "No, mana can't do that. In fact, storing it improperly is dangerous. Why do you ask? Can you sense mana?"

Rua shook her head smoothly. "No, I was just curious. The heroes in your stories made it sound fascinating."

Kayna smiled, relieved. "Ah, yes. The heroes are indeed fascinating."

But Rua wasn't thinking about heroes.

She was thinking about herself.

Then what did I feel earlier?

Whatever it was, Rua was determined to master it.

---

The Next Day

Rua woke early, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and headed out.

She had one goal—to train.

As she reached her usual spot, she noticed a familiar group of boys approaching.

Pretending to sleep, she listened to their whispers.

"She's asleep again."

"Should we wake her?"

Rua smirked. "Hey, can you do something for me?"

The boys froze.

"W-What do you need?" one of them stammered.

"Bring me a bucket of water and a rag. Leave them in the hut," Rua said, her tone smooth. "If you do, I'll play with you next time."

The boys scrambled to fulfill her request.

Rua leaned back, smirking. Now I can train without my mother noticing.

Her real training... had only just begun.