"Look, Poul, our boy opened his eyes!" said a woman.
"Wasn't he supposed to be crying?" Poul asked, unsure.
"Well, not all babies cry at birth, dear."
"Yeah… maybe you're right. By the way, dear, I'm going to buy some things now."
With that, he left the room to get the supplies.
What could he be buying? I hope it's food…Well, it doesn't matter. I'll just enjoy the best phase of life — the phase where I do nothing, thought Gabriel.
"Ah… I wish Poul and I could choose his name," she said, looking a little downcast."But since he's not here, let's call you… hmm… oh, I know! How about Hyou Jay?"
Hyou Jay?! Is that my name? Well, at least it sounds kind of nice.
Maria picked Jay up, holding him so he could see part of the world outside.
Am I in the interior of some continent? Jay wondered.
She lowered him and hugged her dear son. Time passed after his birth, and Jay felt content with his new life and family.
By the time he was one year old, he began noticing strange things that no one else seemed to care about. One day, children would get hurt — and the next day… the injuries were gone, as if the falls had never happened.
Could this be healing magic?! Jay thought as his mother pampered him.
If so… I must be in a magical world.
While resting on his mother's lap, Jay noticed a bookshelf filled with books.
Looks like history books… I need to make this woman read to me.
He babbled, stretching his tiny arm toward the bookshelf.
His mother noticed and asked,"What's wrong, Jay? Why are you babbling?"
He pointed his little finger at the books.
"You want books, Jay?" she asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise.
Jay nodded.
"Alright, I'll get your 'book'."
She picked up a children's book — but Jay looked disappointed.
What?! He doesn't want a children's book, he wants another one?!
Jay pointed insistently at a specific book. Maria was even more shocked, her mouth slightly open. She took it and sat by the window.
She began to read:
"Before the world existed, there was only darkness. One day, a god grew bored of seeing only darkness and decided to create many things. He created the earth, the sun, the moon, and several other planets."
As she read, she glanced at her son and saw his eyes shining like stars, filled with anticipation.
How can a baby be this excited about a book?! Maria thought.
"This god was named the God of Creation, but the earth was made only of rocks. Seeing this, the Goddess of Life decided to create life. She raised her hand and said, 'Let there be water.' Water appeared. She then spoke many other words, creating animals, humans, dwarves, and elves…"
When Jay heard dwarves and elves, his heart raced.
I reincarnated in a fantasy world.
She continued:
"However, the Goddess of Life realized that balance did not exist between the races. So, alongside the God of Creation and the God of Chaos, she created magic, giants, and dragons.Over time, races spread across the continents, and hybrids began to appear.Later, the God of Spirits created elemental and spiritual beings.Eventually, the elemental spirits rebelled against the gods and were sealed among humans and giants."
Jay listened without blinking.
"Among humans, the families Hyou, Hi, Kaze, Chikyū, and Mizu received these spirits. At birth, a spirit is automatically sealed.Among giants, spirits are sealed randomly. Every ten years, only four elemental giants are born. This curse binds both giants and spirits."
She closed the book and smiled at Jay.
"That's enough for today. It's time for your nap."
Jay pouted, but after a gentle lullaby, he fell asleep instantly.
Time passed. Maria continued reading the book over the years, and each new piece of information fascinated Jay even more.
What a rich world… so many cultures.
Humans worshipped the God of Creation and the Goddess of Life. Elves worshipped only the Goddess of Life.Giants were mostly irrational. Dragons were rational — and largely atheist. Many other religions existed as well.
Jay also learned that his elemental power could awaken no earlier than age three, and no later than eight or nine.
"The Hyou family shall be responsible for ice elemental spirits for all eternity," said the God of Spirits."It is an honor," replied the head of the Hyou family.
Poul closed the book.
"And that's how the Hyou clan received the elementals."
"That's really interesting, Father!"
"Isn't it?" Poul said, smiling.
"Father, can you create something with your power?" Jay asked eagerly.
"Uh… I'm not sure."
Jay looked disappointed.
"There's one thing you must do," Poul said seriously.
"What is it?!"
"You must never hurt another person. That is our family's rule. Do you understand?"
"Yes. I won't hurt anyone."
Why would I ever hurt or kill someone? Jay thought innocently.
"Good. Now let's eat."
After dinner, Jay and Poul sat beneath a tree, reading together. Jay's curiosity for the world only grew.
"These walls protect the city from giant attacks," Poul explained."That's why this place is called Wall City."
"Why were the giants sealed?"
"Only some were. The most dangerous ones. The wall was built to imprison them and monitor their movements."
"That's amazing!"
"That's why we'll leave soon," Poul said quietly. "This place is dangerous."
Jay nodded.
"That's my boy."
That night, Jay lay in bed and closed his eyes — until a woman's voice echoed in his mind.
"I love you, my beloved. Your melancholy is what made me fall for you. I hope we meet again soon."
Jay sat up, his heart racing.
Am I hearing things?!
He couldn't sleep properly that night. The voice never returned.
Months passed. One day, Jay read a book titled Differences Between Humans and Other Races.
"Elves are a beautiful and powerful race. They master wind magic and other elements. Rarely, an elf is born without wind magic and instead wields fire. Such elves are often abandoned… or sacrificed."
Arrogant bastards, Jay thought.Humans can use magic too.
Suddenly, Maria called out:
"JAY, COME EAT!"
Before he could answer, an announcement echoed through the city.
"CITIZENS, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY! GIANTS ARE APPROACHING!"
Panic erupted. People ran toward the boats.
Another announcement followed:
"OUR VICTORY HAS TURNED INTO… DEFEAT."
As they fled, the wall collapsed — destroyed by a single giant.
Poul froze.
More giants appeared.
They ran.
A thunderous step echoed behind them.
Suddenly, Jay felt his arm pulled back. His mother pushed him away, trembling.
"I… love you."
The giant struck.
Her body shattered against the wall. Blood stained the ground.
"Go… survive—"
She was struck again.
"Mom… MOM!"
Poul carried Jay to the boat.
A soft voice whispered:
"It's okay, love… she's safe now."
Jay cried in her embrace.
"The fault is mine…" Poul sobbed. "I was weak."
The ship sailed away.
From afar, the King of the Wall sensed an aura.
By a lake, a giant fished calmly.
The King attacked.
The giant blocked the strike and smiled.
"Look… a wild giant. Interesting."
— Cobel stared at the King of the Wall.