Rebirth in an Unknown World

Leonar blinked slowly as his mind processed the overwhelming amount of memories flooding his consciousness. It felt as if two distinct lives had merged into one, leaving behind a mixture of pain, rage, and determination. The cool breeze stirred the leaves overhead, creating a murmur that seemed to mock his misery.

The air was dense and slightly humid, filled with the scent of earth and fresh sap. From where he leaned, he could see the expanse of sturdy trees reaching toward the sky, forming a natural canopy that barely allowed light to pass through. The sounds of unknown creatures echoed in the distance, but nothing seemed close enough to pose an immediate threat.

His body was aching and covered in wounds, some still bleeding slowly. His dark skin showed deep bruises and cuts crossing his arms and torso. The clothes he wore, made of rough, worn fabric, were stained with dried blood and mud. Despite the piercing pain running through every fiber of his being, he couldn't stop thinking about everything he had just remembered.

"So... this is who I am now," he murmured in a hoarse voice, feeling the bitterness of injustice burning in his throat. The physical pain was insignificant compared to the emotional weight pressing down on his soul. He clenched his fists, feeling his nails digging into the flesh of his palms.

Leonard Arkwright, illegitimate son of a noble family that had despised him since the day he awakened his Mortal-rank armor. A mark of disgrace to his family. A burden to the Arkwright house. For five years, he had endured contempt, insults, and beatings from his own brothers just because his fate was less brilliant than theirs.

A deep resentment stirred in his chest, like a storm held back for too long. He swallowed the rage with effort, knowing that letting it consume him would lead nowhere.

"If this is the life they left me with... then I'll take it," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the sky barely visible between the leaves.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts. He knew his body needed to recover if he even wanted to think about facing anyone in the future. A detail mixed in with his memories caught his attention: the power of universal energy.

"So this body has the ability to accumulate energy and heal... But I need to concentrate," he thought as his mind went over what he knew about power accumulation.

Leaning against the thick trunk of a tree, he sat cross-legged, closing his eyes while breathing slowly and deeply. The wind blew softly, and the rustling of leaves seemed to accompany his concentration. Even though his muscles ached and his bones seemed on the verge of breaking, he found a strange peace when connecting with the natural flow of energy around him.

His breathing grew deeper and more controlled, allowing the universal power to start filtering into his body. He could feel a slight vibration running through his limbs, as if his flesh were being purified. Warmth sprang from his core, spreading like a river of fire along his veins.

A faint golden glow appeared around his body as his skin slowly began to heal. The wounds started to close, and the pain gradually receded until it became a tolerable discomfort. The broken bones creaked and adjusted into place, causing a grimace of pain to cross his face.

For what felt like hours, he remained in that healing trance, letting his body absorb all the available power. After some time, he slowly opened his eyes, noticing that his muscles no longer hurt as much and that the color of his skin had regained some vitality.

Even so, his physical state was far from that of a worthy warrior. Touching his abdomen, he could still feel the traces of blows and the scars that remained as proof of his torment. However, his spirit felt renewed, strengthened by the desire to reclaim what had once been taken from him.

Standing up, he stumbled a bit before regaining his balance. He looked at his hands, noticing how the energy still faintly vibrated in his palms. A strange sensation of power throbbed beneath his skin, as if he were about to break an invisible chain binding him to failure.

"I can't stay here..." he whispered to himself, aware that the safety of that clearing wouldn't last forever. The beasts around could smell the blood. He needed to find water, clean himself up, and plan his next move.

Walking through the undergrowth, he analyzed what he had inherited from Leonard. He knew that the power of celestial armors was the key to survival in that world, and even though his was considered weak, he hadn't yet tried to summon it. He remembered that on his fifteenth birthday, Leonard hadn't managed to invoke his armor, deepening the scorn toward him.

"If I can find a way to awaken that armor... at least I'll have a chance to defend myself," he thought, clenching his jaw. But for now, he needed to focus on the basics: surviving.

The sound of a nearby stream made him change his direction. If he managed to find the river, he could wash up and get a better sense of direction. Every step was a reminder of how fragile his body still was, but his determination to move forward burned with a renewed strength.

However, despite his resolve, a shadow of doubt still haunted his mind. Would he be capable of facing those who humiliated him? Could he even imagine confronting his family and reclaiming his dignity?

"No matter how long it takes... I'll make them all pay. One by one," he promised himself, gritting his teeth with restrained fury.

And so, under the fading light filtering through the branches, Leonard moved forward with determined steps, leaving behind the clearing that had been both his grave and his rebirth.

Leonar moved cautiously through the forest, the crunch of dry leaves beneath his feet echoing in the eerie silence. Sunlight barely filtered through the dense branches, casting elongated, shifting shadows that gave the surroundings an air of mysticism and danger. Each tree stood like a wooden titan, with twisted roots clawing into the earth.

Despite the apparent calm, his senses were on high alert. From the fragmented memories of Leonar, he recalled that the region was notorious for its hostile wildlife. Predatory creatures lurked deep within the undergrowth, and smaller beasts kept their distance out of survival instinct. Disgraced noble or not, anyone venturing out without a celestial armor was doomed.

"First, find the river. Then, I'll think about awakening the armor," he told himself, though his mind was already consumed by the thought.

The notion of celestial armors intrigued him. In his memories, Leonar vividly recalled the arrogant tales his half-brothers would boast—of warriors capable of toppling mountains and tearing apart beasts with their bare hands, draped in the glory of armors that shone like stars. In comparison, the Mortal Armor he had tried to awaken was a mockery—a mark of disgrace upon the Arkwright bloodline.

He clenched his fists. "What does the rank matter? If I can make it work, it'll be more than enough."

As he moved forward, he felt his body still bore the marks of abuse. His muscles were tense, and though meditation had healed his wounds, the weakness remained. The flow of universal power still pulsed faintly within him, like a barely perceptible stream.

His attention was drawn by the sound of flowing water. The gentle murmur of the river reached his ears, a welcome relief. He quickened his pace, pushing through branches and underbrush until he reached the bank of a crystal-clear river. The water flowed calmly, reflecting the clear sky and the lush greenery of the surrounding trees.

He knelt down and submerged his hands in the cold water. A shiver ran through his body as the cool liquid washed away the dirt and blood from his palms. Slowly, he washed his face and torso, letting the freshness clear his mind. He saw his reflection on the surface: a young man with dark, disheveled hair, deep and shadowed eyes, and a face marked by a blend of suffering and determination. Despite the scars and grime, a spark burned in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Leonar Arkwright... or rather, now it's me," he whispered, staring at the reflection staring back at him.

Memories of his past life crossed his mind. The endless hours of martial arts training, the loneliness after his grandparents' death, and the injustice of his own death. That life had ended abruptly, but the instincts and skills remained. A new opportunity lay before him, and he had no intention of wasting it.

He sat by the river, gaze fixed on the horizon as he organized his thoughts. He needed a plan. This world wasn't a training ground; the rules were different. Without true power, any dream of vengeance or glory would be a mere illusion.

"Celestial armors... that's the path," he said to himself, recalling Leonar's failed awakening when he turned fifteen. A humiliating event that had condemned him to a life of abuse and disdain.

The Mortal Armor was seen as the weakest—a burden compared to the legendary armors of higher ranks that his half-brothers had awakened. But if what he knew was true, even the weakest armor had the potential to protect him and give him an advantage. He just had to find a way to summon it.

He closed his eyes, adopting a meditative stance. He visualized the flow of energy within his body, trying to connect it to the concept of the armor. His breathing became slow and steady as he focused. A familiar warmth began to course through him, but this time he concentrated on channeling it towards his spirit.

"Awaken, Celestial Armor..." he murmured.

The heat increased, a subtle vibration enveloping him, but it faded before achieving anything concrete.

A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. He had failed. But he wouldn't give up so easily.

He prepared to try again when an unexpected sound echoed in his mind. A faint chime, like a wind chime. Before he could react, a mechanical and neutral voice resounded in his head.

"Thank you for awakening the Celestial Armor System. As a gift for your awakening, you are granted the opportunity to choose one of three Iron-ranked armors. Select your choice."

Leonar's eyes widened in astonishment. A translucent panel of blue light appeared before him, displaying three options with an ethereal glow.

Armor of the Iron Bear:

Passive Ability: Unstoppable Fury - Increases resistance to physical damage when health is below 50%.

Active Ability: Iron Strike - A powerful attack that stuns the enemy for 2 seconds.

Armor of the Iron Serpent:

Passive Ability: Reflective Scales - Reduces physical damage and reflects a small percentage of the damage received.

Active Ability: Serpent Wall - Creates an energy barrier that blocks a single powerful attack.

Armor of the Iron Hawk:

Passive Ability: Hunter's Vision - Enhances perception of fast movements and conceals the user's presence in combat.

Active Ability: Hawk's Rush - A swift attack that deals critical damage and disarms the opponent.

Leonar couldn't help but smile at the surprise. The Celestial Armor System had given him a chance the old Leonar never had. He looked over the options, pondering carefully. Each offered a unique advantage, but the key question was which suited his needs best.

He studied the three options once more, considering the abilities and what he had learned in his past life.

"With a good preemptive strike, I can ensure the enemy never gets a chance to react. Speed and precision over brute force," he thought, his lips curving into a confident smile.

With determination, he raised his hand and touched the chosen option.—"I choose the Armor of the Iron Hawk."

A warm energy enveloped him, coursing through his body like an unbridled river. He felt the essence of the armor merge with him, and a mechanical voice confirmed his decision.

"Iron Hawk Armor acquired. Adaptation initiated."

Strength filled his limbs, and his perception sharpened instantly. A surge of power enveloped him as he readied himself for whatever was to come. The path of his revenge had just begun.