struggle...

A never-before-felt determination coursed through Raze's tiny body as Nyx gently placed him in his cradle.

He was no longer just a helpless infant. No, deep inside, the remnants of his past life burned like embers refusing to die out. He had been reborn into a world where power was not something given by society—it was something innate, something belonging solely to the individual.

Nyx called them "mages."

That word lingered in his mind, igniting a thirst he had never felt before. He needed to understand what it truly meant.

"I have to learn to walk. I have to learn to read. As fast as possible." His tiny fingers clenched into fists. "If I show intelligence early on, maybe I'll gain access to books—books that will explain what a mage is and how I can become one."

That day marked the start of his silent battle.

He changed his habits, eating more than before, forcing his frail body to adapt and grow stronger. Whenever he had the chance, he stretched his tiny limbs, pushing his limits, refusing to remain weak. Even sitting upright without support became a goal to conquer.

At first, the struggle was laughable.

Rolling over had been difficult enough, but crawling? That was an entirely different challenge. And when he tried to stand—it felt like fighting against nature itself.

Every attempt ended the same way.

The moment he lifted his body, gravity yanked him back down. His tiny legs trembled under his own weight, and more often than not, he fell flat on his face.

Pain should have made him cry.

But it never did.

Instead, each failure only sharpened his determination.

"This is nothing compared to what I will endure later."

Nyx watched with growing concern.

"This baby… he's been trying to stand for months."

Most infants would cry after repeated falls, wailing for comfort. But not Raze.

He refused to give up.

And then, after what felt like endless struggles—

He stood.

It was shaky, wobbly, and unstable, but he had done it. He had defied the natural limitations of his age.

Nyx's golden eyes widened in disbelief.

"Is this normal? No… this isn't normal at all."

She had seen many children in the village. None had forced themselves to develop this quickly. None had ever looked at the world with such raw determination, as if they had a purpose far beyond what anyone could understand.

A tender expression softened her face as she gazed upward.

"This must be your blessing, my love," she murmured to the sky. "I knew something good was bound to happen… since he is your son, after all."

But the surprises didn't stop there.

Now that he could stand, walking was the next step.

One step.

Another.

Slow. Cautious. Every movement was deliberate, his tiny fingers gripping the walls for support as he pushed himself forward.

Nyx held her breath, her heart caught between amazement and concern.

He was just eight months old. And yet—

Step.

Step.

Step.

He was walking.

Her hands flew to her mouth, her golden eyes glistening with emotion.

He didn't stop there. He was moving toward her.

His small arms stretched forward, his purple eyes shining with something new—something warm and unfamiliar.

Excitement.

Nyx dropped to her knees, arms wide open, unable to contain the joy swelling inside her chest.

"Come to Mommy, little one," she whispered, her voice tender and full of love. "You did a wonderful job today. Mommy is so proud of you."

Raze met her gaze, and for the first time in two lifetimes—

He smiled.

Then—

With all the strength his tiny body could muster, he hurled himself forward.

"Mommy!"

Nyx's breath hitched.

She had expected him to reach her.

She had not expected him to speak.

For a moment, she simply held him, stunned into silence. The warmth of his little body pressed against hers, the sound of his heartbeat close to her own.

Her arms instinctively tightened around him.

Was this what happiness felt like? A warmth so deep, so consuming, that it made the world feel small and safe?

Her heart ached.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

She had loved him from the moment he was born, but at that moment, she knew—

She would give him everything.

She would protect him with her life.

But Raze?

His mind was already elsewhere.

"This should be enough to get me an early education."