CHAPTER 1 – The Reborn
Leo had once been just a normal high schooler named Marek. His life had been painfully boring… until the day it ended, and he was reincarnated into another world.
It happened on what seemed like an ordinary morning. On his way to school, he noticed three girls walking ahead of him. Suddenly, a man appeared, knives glinting in his hands. He was tall, strong, and clearly dangerous. Without thinking, Bobr ran forward and shouted:
"Hey! Leave them alone!"
The girls froze in terror. The man ignored him and advanced on them with a cruel grin. But Bobr didn't hesitate. Thanks to his training in martial arts, he had confidence in his own strength.
He grabbed the man's wrist, twisted it sharply, and the knife clattered to the ground. Before his opponent could react, Bobr's fist drove into his stomach, sending him sprawling. The man groaned, unable to move.
Bobr turned to the girls. "Are you okay?"
They nodded quickly, one of them whispering, "We're okay… thank you for your help."
Bobr smiled faintly. "Be careful. There are a lot of dangerous people out here."
But before relief could set in, he felt a chilling presence behind him. The man had pulled out a gun. Bobr reacted instinctively—kicking him in the stomach—but in the struggle, the gun discharged.
The shot tore through his body.
Blood spread across his shirt as his legs gave out. The man, terrified, ran away. The girls screamed, rushing to his side. One called for an ambulance, while the others tried desperately to keep him awake.
But their efforts were in vain. His vision darkened.
---
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer lying on a street. Instead, he stood before a stunning goddess. Golden hair shimmered like sunlight, and her bright blue eyes seemed to pierce his soul. She radiated warmth and serenity.
"Welcome, Bobr," she said gently. "I am Aria, the Goddess of Reincarnation."
Stunned, he asked if he had really died. She nodded softly.
"You couldn't survive… but you saved those girls. Because of that, I will grant you another life in a different world."
His heart pounded. "Will my new life… be exciting? I don't want to live another boring life."
The goddess smiled kindly. "I understand. You have always longed for challenge and adventure. So I will send you to a world of magic and swordsmanship."
Excitement surged through him. "Is there… a catch?"
"No," she replied. "The only blessing I will give you is one ability: Fast Learning. You will be able to learn anything quickly. However, you must earn all other powers on your own. Your memories will remain intact as well."
With a wave of her hand, a shimmering portal appeared. Without hesitation, Bobr stepped forward—leaving his old world behind.
---
Darkness surrounded him, warm and heavy. His body felt strange, small, fragile. He couldn't move at first, but then he heard a soft voice urging, "Push… push…"
Something stirred within him. Slowly, he moved forward. The darkness faded, replaced by a blinding golden light. The world stretched open for the first time.
When his vision cleared, two figures were leaning over him. A beautiful woman, exhausted yet radiant, and a kind-looking man by her side.
His new parents.
The woman was breathtakingly pretty—long black hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a warm smile. The man looked strong and dependable, with short brown hair, sharp eyes, and a sturdy frame. Both gazed at their newborn child with overwhelming joy.
"Oh, look at him," the woman whispered. "Our little boy. What should we name him?"
As they discussed, the infant's eyes darted around the room. A book on the table immediately caught his attention. By pure luck, the language of this world matched the one from his past life. But even if it hadn't, his Fast Learning ability would have helped him master it.
Eventually, his parents decided on a name. He was now Leo Mizuno.
---
Time passed. Though only a baby, Leo's mind worked much faster than it should have. His father, a skilled swordsman, trained every day in the yard, while his mother was a talented mage.
Leo watched closely, trying to memorize their movements. His father's blade danced with precision, while his mother's spells sparked with mystery. He couldn't yet reproduce the magic, but his heart raced with curiosity.
By the time he turned five, his unusual growth was undeniable.
"You're only five, but already so clever!" his mother exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
"Not just clever," his father interrupted proudly. "He has talent for the sword as well."
Leo blinked and pointed to the bookshelf. "Mom, Dad… could you give me that book?"
They exchanged a look, then smiled warmly. His mother fetched the book and handed it over.
"Thank you," Leo said, excitement shining in his eyes.
The title read: Chronicles of Aetheria.
It contained knowledge about mana, magic, and the history of this world. From that day onward, Leo devoured every page, reading from morning till night.
One evening, his mother walked in and snatched the book from his hands.
"No more reading. Time to sleep."
"Just one more chapter, please!" he begged.
Her eyes narrowed. "Leo. No."
He froze, then reluctantly climbed into bed. His mother softened her tone and smiled.
"You have plenty of time tomorrow. For now, rest, my little one."
Leo sighed, apologizing quietly before closing his eyes.
And so began his new life, full of promise.
END OF CHAPTER 1