"My name is Rizky... or rather, it used to be. Now, I'm Alden, the name I use in this fantasy world."
"Why do I have to reincarnate again in this world?" Alden's expression showed a mix of surprise and resignation. He'd been through this far too many times.
With his body still feeling weak after a long sleep, Alden forced himself to stand.
His face showed displeasure as he opened the window and saw the villages surrounding his house. The same old scenery, yet it always made him feel restless.
Alden stepped outside. The soft creak of the wooden floorboards made him feel a little calmer. At least there was something familiar in this alien world.
"I've never felt this kind of peace... but I'm also too lazy to have to start all over again. Hah."
As Alden touched the doorknob, suddenly the sound of birds entered through the window. The birds chirped cheerfully, as if welcoming the return of a hero.
"What's with this? Why are these birds approaching me as if I'm an old friend? But... their chirping is indeed soothing."
Slowly, Alden opened the door. The sight that greeted him was the villagers bustling about with noisy voices, interspersed with the clatter of horses' hooves. The fresh scent of plants and flowers filled the air, but it couldn't overcome the smell of sweat and dust.
"This village is always crowded. What's its name again? Oh yeah, Crystal Peak. The village famous for having the largest crystal source in the world."
The commotion didn't bother Alden. His eyes were fixed on one place: Crystal Peak Mountain, the highest mountain in the region, which seemed to be calling him with an unsolved mystery.
Alden's eyes showed impatience. His past, his greatest strength, and all the answers he sought were on that mountain.
Alden felt disgusted with the crowds and narrowness of the village. He wanted to use his powers immediately, but he realized that he couldn't do it in the middle of a crowd of villagers.
"Damn, why are there so many people today? Oh yeah, no wonder it's crowded, Crystal Peak is holding a massive crystal harvest today."
With an increasingly annoyed feeling, Alden decided to use his teleportation magic, even though he knew that his power was not fully controlled. He didn't care. He had to get out of this place immediately.
Alden's body was enveloped in a very beautiful blue light, but there was something strange in that beauty. The light swirled around him, creating a powerful vortex of energy. Under his feet, a mysterious formation slowly formed, ready to take him wherever he wanted... or perhaps, to a place he never imagined before.
SWOOSH!
---
Arriving at Crystal Peak Mountain
As soon as he arrived at the mountain, Alden immediately looked at the sky that stretched out above him. A gentle breeze blew through his hair, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.
"How long has it been since I was last here? Mom, Dad, forgive Alden for only visiting you now. Are Mom and Dad doing well there?"
Instantly, memories of happy times with his mother and father, looking at the beautiful sky, flooded Alden's mind. Tears dripped slowly, wetting his pale cheeks.
"Mom, Dad, as long as you're happy there... Even though I'm strong, even though my era is over, I still feel alone," Alden muttered in a faint voice. He tried to smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. In his heart, old wounds reopened.
"Mom, Dad, I promise I won't make you worry. I will live casually, no need to raise my sword again... so you can rest peacefully there." With tears continuing to flow, Alden turned and left the graves of his parents.
Dust billowed around Alden's feet as he descended the mountainside, but his gaze was empty, filled with unspeakable sadness. "I mustn't give in to sadness. I must keep my promise to Mom and Dad," he whispered to himself, trying to encourage himself.
As Alden descended the mountain, a scream pierced the air. The voice sounded desperate, coming from the left... Alden stopped, then turned, his eyes narrowed searching for the source of the sound. "Who would be reckless enough to climb this cursed mountain?" he asked himself. Curiosity and pity mixed together, prompting him to find out who was in danger.
Without hesitation, Alden shot off like a meteor, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. Trees fell, the ground split, all succumbed to his terrifying speed. "Damn it! Because I just woke up, my control hasn't fully recovered," he hissed in annoyance, his eyebrows furrowed.
However, before Alden had a chance to help, a lightning dragon emerged from behind the trees, blocking his path. Alden sighed in resignation... An unavoidable battle was about to begin.
"Human, how dare you set foot in my territory! Are you seeking death?" The dragon spewed words with an arrogant and condescending tone.
Alden looked at the dragon calmly, his eyes as calm as a lake in the morning. There was not the slightest hint of fear radiating, even though in his heart he cursed this situation.
"Why did I have to meet such a troublesome dragon? Tsk... I'm forced to finish it off," Alden thought as he shook his head, trying to calm himself.
The dragon growled, then launched a powerful lightning magic attack. The ground around them cracked and lifted, as if an earthquake had just occurred. Calmly, Alden channeled lightning magic into his sword, creating an aura that was both soothing and deadly.
A strangeness radiated from the dragon's face. "Why is this human so calm? Is he not afraid at all?" His instincts screamed for him to retreat immediately, but his pride as a dragon was too great to compromise.
As Alden sighed, lightning began to strike around his feet, breaking the ground beneath him. An expression of panic was clearly visible on Alden's face, not because he was afraid of the dragon, but because his own power was difficult to control.
"Damn, why can't I fully control this power yet?" Alden thought, trying to calm himself amidst the panic that gripped him.
"Foolish human! Are you afraid?" The dragon laughed heartily, feeling on top of the world. "It is in human nature to be afraid of dragons! Now, prepare to die!"
The dragon created a large lightning energy ball in its mouth, then launched it towards Alden at full speed. The energy wave generated destroyed everything in its path, but Alden's eyes remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
"Your attack is not bad, Lightning Dragon. I'm also not afraid of your aura... but I'm more afraid of my own power, because I can't control it yet," Alden said with a cold gaze that pierced the dragon's soul.
With a quick movement, Alden channeled lightning into his sword and swung it down, creating a slash that split the sky.
SWOOSH!
Instantly, all sound disappeared. The wind stopped blowing, the trees stopped swaying. The dragon was stunned, not understanding what was happening.
"Why has everything suddenly become so silent? Is this the effect of that human's slash? Or is this the work of nature?" the dragon thought confusedly. However, his instincts screamed that something very dangerous was about to happen.
"Now, you can die peacefully, Dragon. Goodbye," Alden said with a warm smile that hid his murderous intent.
BOOM!
The lightning ball launched by the dragon was shattered into pieces by Alden's slash. The dragon was extremely shocked, then looked up and saw Alden standing above the sky, above everything.
"Why is everything upside down? Am I dreaming?" the dragon thought confusedly. Suddenly, he felt an extraordinary pain in his chest.
"That technique is called the Dimension Splitting Sword Technique! Remember, Dragon, don't just look at the outside... but also look at what's inside," Alden whispered in a mysterious tone.
"So, this is what death feels like... That human is right, we must look within ourselves... Hah," the dragon took his last breath, regretting all his mistakes.
"Well, that's done. But, those dimensional cracks in the sky... how do I get rid of them?" Alden scratched his head in confusion.
Throughout the world, people witnessed a strange sight in the sky. Dimensional cracks suddenly appeared, making everyone panic and fear.
"What is that? Why are there cracks in the sky? Are the gods angry with us?" a priest shouted hysterically.
However, Alden was even more panicked. He knew that his power had been revealed, and his enemies from the past would soon rise.
"Oh dear, what should I do? Well, I'll think of a way to deal with it later. But, before that, I have to go back first... Tch, damn you, Dragon! So, you were the one making that cry for help," Alden grumbled as he shook his head.
Alden walked away, raising his head to the sky filled with dimensional cracks.
"Hah... so nostalgic. But, I prefer modern life. If all my goals have been achieved... I will return to the modern world and live casually," Alden said with a faint smile on his face.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching him from a distance.
---
Epilogue
Behind the thick foliage, an old man in a robe covering his face completely, watched Alden from a distance with a look full of interest and... longing?
"It's been a long time since we last met, Alden," the old man whispered in a hoarse voice. "I will appear when your enemies have fully risen... Be prepared, Alden, the Strongest Mage, the Greatest Swordsman, whom even the gods fear."
The old man disappeared into the darkness, leaving a mysterious smile on his face. A smile that held dark secrets and unfulfilled promises.
Who exactly is that old man? Why does he have to wait for Alden's enemies to rise? Is he Alden's friend or enemy? And what does he really want from Alden?
---
Chapter 1 Completed.