First Impressions

Days passed quietly, filled only with warmth, soft voices, and the gentle hum of magic.

Kaelan lay comfortably in his crib, his eyes calmly studying the soft lights dancing gently across the ceiling. The patterns were beautiful, elegant, and clearly magical—though their exact nature still eluded him. Despite his infantile body, Kaelan's mind remained clear, alert, and hungry for knowledge.

He was steadily beginning to comprehend the basic workings of this world's magic. Each time he awoke, his parents' conversations became valuable sources of information, their casual words revealing fascinating fragments of daily life.

His mother, Elena, frequently performed small acts of healing magic, using runic devices that emanated gentle pulses of energy to ease minor pains or discomforts. Kaelan found this especially intriguing; such precise control over mana was far more structured than the intuitive, raw methods he had once known.

His father, Lorian, seemed to work closely with these magical runes as well. From the brief glimpses Kaelan got when his father tinkered near his crib, Lorian appeared skilled in creating and maintaining intricate rune-engraved devices that served many purposes—from softly glowing lamps to small humming instruments whose functions he didn't yet understand.

"Rune magic," Kaelan thought curiously, "it's so delicate yet powerful, far beyond anything from my previous world."

Though he longed to directly experiment, Kaelan quickly realized his limitations. His infant body lacked the strength and precision to actively manipulate mana. Still, he found that even simply observing and quietly sensing the flow around him helped sharpen his understanding remarkably fast.

One evening, while Elena gently rocked him, Kaelan's father entered carrying a small object. It was a softly glowing crystal orb, etched carefully with complex runes. He placed it beside Kaelan's crib, whispering softly to his wife:

"A minor protection charm. With those rumors about increased rift activity recently, it's better to be cautious."

Elena nodded slowly, her expression slightly anxious. "The kingdom's safe, isn't it?"

Lorian reassured her gently, "Of course. Aurelia is stable. But there's talk that the neighboring Velarian Empire is pushing its limits again—more beasts appearing near the borders. It's wise to be careful."

Kaelan absorbed this conversation deeply. Though he couldn't yet fully understand this world's geopolitical landscape, he had gathered enough to grasp that dimensional rifts were an ongoing threat, similar to the breach he failed to close in his previous life.

"Dimensional rifts exist here as well…?" Kaelan pondered silently. "Could this be why I was reincarnated into this world specifically? Perhaps my mission isn't truly finished."

A subtle warmth rose within him at this thought—a sense of purpose, though faint and undefined. Regardless of the reason behind his rebirth, Kaelan felt a gentle but growing determination. This time, he would become strong enough. This time, he would not fail.

Suddenly, he felt a soft, natural impulse to reach out with his consciousness toward the small orb beside him. Without fully understanding how, his mana gently extended outward, brushing against the delicate runes. To his quiet astonishment, the orb flickered slightly brighter, pulsing gently in response.

"I did that?" Kaelan thought, amazed and cautious at once. It was faint, but he'd undeniably influenced the runes directly, despite his weak infant body.

He quickly pulled back his mana, uncertain whether his parents had noticed. To his relief, they seemed oblivious, still engrossed in quiet conversation.

"What do you think Kaelan's talent will be when he awakens?" Elena asked softly, her voice hopeful yet uncertain.

Lorian smiled warmly, reassuringly. "He has your kindness and my intelligence—I'm confident he'll awaken a strong talent, perhaps even an A-grade. At the very least, he'll attend Astraeus Academy and have a bright future."

Kaelan stored these words carefully, committing the name "Astraeus Academy" to memory. It seemed to be an important institution, likely a place where he could gain structured knowledge and skills in this world's magic. A sense of excitement stirred quietly within him.

"An academy that teaches magic and runes systematically," he mused thoughtfully. "Exactly what I need to fully explore the limits of this new magic."

Before leaving, Lorian adjusted the small rune device beside Kaelan, causing it to glow steadily. As the soothing light washed over him, Kaelan felt sleepy once more, his mind already beginning to drift into quiet contemplation.

Just before sleep claimed him fully, he heard Elena whisper gently:

"Whatever talent you awaken, my little Kaelan, your father and I will always love and support you."

Warmth blossomed in his heart, washing away all lingering anxiety. Kaelan realized, perhaps for the first time in two lifetimes, what genuine, unconditional love felt like.

"I promise," he silently vowed, "this time I'll protect everything precious to me."

Outside the window, stars twinkled gently in the night sky, oblivious to the subtle changes quietly taking root within the small nursery—changes that, though faint, carried whispers of extraordinary potential yet to awaken.