Lying under the tree, I stared at the dancing light above me, where leaves gently swayed and let the afternoon sun peek through. The breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and distant flowers, and for a moment, I felt like I could melt into the earth itself.
Then Aria's voice broke the peace.
["Alright, since you're clearly doing nothing useful, I'll throw you a bone. Let's start with the world you're living in."]
I blinked. "Oh? Free info drop? That's new."
["Don't get used to it."] She sniffed.
She paused dramatically before saying, ["The world is called Eldoria."]
I sat up slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Eldoria? Huh. That sounds… really typical, ain't it?"
["Well, I could have called it Xyxth'vhal-Ruul, but then you'd complain you couldn't spell it."] She huffed. ["Besides, it's your first life experience in this cycle. Everything's been kept simple. Clean. Digestible. Typical. You're welcome."]
"…So this world is catered for beginners?"
["Yup. Like one of those starter tutorial levels. Except it's the size of a small solar system and full of people who can vaporize mountains."]
"Comforting."
["Let me summarize before I lose motivation. Eldoria has five massive continents, each ruled by different dominant races. Humans, Demons, Elves, Dwarves, and Beastfolk. They're not connected by land—think huge island-continents. And no, you can't swim between them unless you want to be fish food."]
I imagined a pentagon made of giant landmasses floating in the middle of an endless ocean. "Each with different geography, culture, and climate, I suppose?"
["Blah blah blah, yes. Moving on. There's also a sixth continent in the center. Smaller but still huge. It connects to the others via controlled portals, and it's a strict no-fight zone. Neutral ground. Diplomacy central. Think of it like the world's awkward shared living room."]
"Let me guess—'Centralia' or something equally creative?"
["Sanctum."] she replied smugly.
"…Yup. Definitely typical."
["You're catching on."] She sounded proud.
I leaned back again. "You know, it's kinda nice to know there's a structure to all this. Five continents, one neutral zone… That's manageable."
["That's all you get. Figure the rest out yourself. My exposition quota for the day is full."]
"Not even one more fact? Come on, I don't even know what year it is."
["Ask someone with a calendar. I'm going on break."]
I chuckled to myself, still staring at the sky.
"…Hey, what time is it?"
["Four."]
"Four, huh." I stretched my arms and stood. "I think it's time I try something."
["Oh? Try what? A nap under another tree?"]
"Nope. I think it's time to test how weak I am."
—
Back at the mansion, I wandered through the hallways, following the soft sound of something brushing rhythmically against stone. I found May outside near the porch, sweeping leaves off the path like some gentle, well-dressed housekeeper. Her expression, as always, was unreadable, her movements smooth and almost silent.
"Hey, May," I called out.
She looked up without pause. "Yes?"
"Wanna spar a bit?"
She blinked once. "Spar?"
"Yeah. Just a light one. I want to test something. You know, see how I move in a fight. Maybe get a feel for my limits."
Her eyes held mine for a long moment. Then, in her usual calm tone, she said, "Sure."
—
The training ground sat just beyond the garden—an open circular field surrounded by trimmed hedges and wooden weapon racks. The ground was packed dirt, and the air was still except for the quiet chirping of insects.
We each grabbed wooden swords from the rack. Mine felt oddly light in my hands, like a toy. May held hers like it was part of her body—effortless and precise.
We stood across from each other, a few meters apart.
I smiled nervously. "Please go easy on me."
May nodded. "Of course."
I braced myself.
Then she vanished.
No sound. No movement. Just—gone.
I froze.
And a moment later, I felt the cool wood of her sword press gently against the side of my neck from behind.
"You lose," she said softly.
I didn't move.
Neither did she. But her presence, so close behind me, was like standing beside a still lake hiding a sea monster.
She stepped back with perfect grace, returned her sword to the rack, and walked away without another word—resuming her sweeping as if nothing had happened.
I remained on the training field, sword dangling limply in my hand.
"…Aria?"
["Yes, Alex?"] she replied sweetly.
"What the hell was that?"
["That was May. Your maid. Your ally. The one you decided to spar with because you thought you might learn something."]
"I didn't even see her move!"
["Of course you didn't."]
"…Okay, but I have infinite stats. How did I lose that fast?!"
["Let me spell it out."] Aria's voice took on a teasing tone. ["You are a monster with infinite potential. Infinite stats. Infinite power. But she's May. And right now, she's the second strongest being on this entire planet."]
I turned to stare at May's distant figure.
"…Second strongest?"
["Mhm. Right after you."] She giggled. ["Though she just kicked your sorry behind, so maybe we should revise the rankings."]
"That's not fair."
["Isn't it?"] she said innocently.
I dropped the sword into the dirt and sat down on the ground, legs crossed. "Why did I lose, then? What does she have that I don't?"
["Experience, Alex. Raw, refined, lived experience. While you've been napping in your coma, she's been alive for 149 years, training, surviving, mastering her craft. You might have infinite stats—but she has timing, instincts, combat flow, and discipline."]
"…So I'm a baby god."
["Pretty much. A baby god who just got smacked by his nanny."]
"Great."
["Don't pout. You have the potential to defeat anyone—even the gods, if they existed. But only once you start using your skills properly. Power without knowledge is just flash. You've got to learn."]
I nodded slowly.
May, still sweeping, glanced in my direction, then away.
I looked down at my hand, flexing my fingers around the empty air where the sword had been.
Infinite strength. Infinite speed. Infinite everything.
But she beat me in one move.
One.
["Don't let it discourage you,"] Aria said gently. ["This is a beginning, not an ending. Every story starts with someone who doesn't know what the hell they're doing. You've got time. You've got tools. And best of all—you've got me."]
"Wow, such a comforting thought."
["I try."]
I stood up, brushing the dirt off my pants. The sun was beginning to lower, casting long shadows across the training ground. The breeze picked up, ruffling my hair and clothes.
I turned to the mansion, but didn't go in.
I looked at the horizon.
The continents. The secrets. The skills. The future.
All waiting.
I closed my eyes.
I might have lost today, but that just meant I had somewhere to climb. Somewhere to grow.
A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth.
"Let's see what infinity can do."