Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Alderheim Estate.
Unlike the grand marble castles of high nobles, the Alderheim residence was built from sturdy oak and pale stone, designed more for practicality than luxury. Ivy climbed the outer walls, and a wide courtyard stretched before the manor, where servants moved about their morning tasks.
Beyond the estate gates, endless farmland rolled across the valley like waves of gold beneath the rising sun.
The village of Alderheim rested peacefully in the heart of the valley.
Farmers were already tending their crops.
Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys.
The distant forest formed a dark green wall along the horizon — beautiful, but dangerous.
Because deep inside that forest lived monsters.
And in this world, monsters were not myths.
They were part of life.
Inside the manor dining room, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.
A young child sat at the long wooden table, his legs barely reaching the floor.
This child was Takemi.
Four years had passed since his reincarnation.
Though his body was that of a child, his mind remained sharp from his previous life.
Takemi stared curiously at the breakfast before him.
Soft bread.
Honey.
Scrambled eggs.
A bowl of thick vegetable stew.
Compared to modern food from his previous life, the meal was simple.
But strangely comforting.
Across from him sat his father.
Lord Harland Alderheim, the lowest rank of nobility in the kingdom.
His brown hair had begun to grey, and his shoulders carried the quiet weight of responsibility.
Beside him sat Takemi's mother.
Lady Elena Alderheim, whose gentle presence warmed the room.
Standing near the wall was the family's butler.
An elderly man with perfect posture and sharp eyes.
Butler Cedric.
"Takemi," his mother said softly, "you must eat properly if you want to grow strong."
Takemi nodded and took a bite of bread.
Then he asked a question he had been curious about for months.
"Father… how does the kingdom work?"
The question made the room pause slightly.
Lord Harland chuckled.
"You're quite curious for a four-year-old."
But he looked pleased.
"Very well."
He folded his hands on the table.
"Our kingdom is called Valtheria."
"It is ruled by King Aldric the Fourth, whose castle lies in the capital city of Solmire."
Takemi listened carefully.
His father continued.
"The kingdom has a hierarchy of nobles."
He raised one finger.
"At the bottom are families like ours."
"Barons."
Takemi blinked.
So his family really was at the lowest level.
Lord Harland continued.
"Above us are Viscounts, then Counts, then Marquises, and finally Dukes."
"The Dukes serve directly under the king."
Takemi nodded slowly.
"So nobles control land?"
"Yes."
His father smiled.
"But our kingdom also values merit."
Takemi leaned forward.
"What's merit?"
Before his father could answer, Butler Cedric spoke.
"It means achievement."
His voice carried quiet authority.
"In Valtheria, if a person accomplishes great service for the kingdom…"
"They may rise in status."
Takemi's eyes brightened.
Cedric continued.
"A commoner who slays powerful monsters may be knighted."
"A knight who leads great victories may become a noble."
"And even nobles may rise in rank if they prove themselves worthy."
Takemi chewed thoughtfully.
"So strength matters."
Lord Harland nodded.
"Strength, loyalty, and service."
"But power alone is not enough."
Cedric added quietly:
"Wisdom and restraint are what separate heroes from tyrants."
Takemi remembered the God of Life's words.
This was a world where effort could change destiny.
After breakfast, Takemi followed his father through the estate courtyard.
Workers were preparing wagons for the nearby town.
Takemi pointed toward the distant road.
"Where do those wagons go?"
"To the merchant guild."
Takemi tilted his head.
"Guild?"
Lord Harland smiled.
"Ah, another important part of this world."
They walked along the garden path while he explained.
"There are three great guild systems in Valtheria."
He raised his fingers one by one.
"The Merchant Guild — responsible for trade."
"The Mercenary Guild — soldiers for hire."
"And most famous of all…"
He pointed toward the distant mountains.
"The Adventurers Guild."
Takemi's eyes sparkled.
"What do they do?"
Cedric answered calmly.
"They hunt monsters."
Takemi looked toward the dark forest again.
Suddenly it felt much more alive.
Cedric continued.
"Adventurers protect towns, explore ruins, gather rare materials, and sometimes…"
"…slay dragons."
Takemi froze slightly.
Dragons.
The most powerful creatures in fantasy.
Cedric's voice lowered.
"Dragons are rare."
"But when they appear…"
"Kingdoms tremble."
Takemi felt a quiet excitement rising in his chest.
Somewhere in the sky of this world…
Real dragons existed.
Later that afternoon, Takemi wandered into the estate orchard.
Apple trees stretched across the hill.
Birds chirped peacefully.
Takemi picked up a small stone.
He weighed it in his hand.
Ever since his reincarnation…
He had felt something strange about his body.
Strength.
Speed.
Reflexes.
Everything felt sharper.
He remembered the God of Life.
Five times stronger.
Takemi wound his arm back instinctively.
Just like pitching a baseball.
Then he threw the stone.
WHOOSH
The stone shot across the orchard.
A loud CRACK echoed through the trees.
Takemi blinked.
The stone had shattered a thick tree branch.
"…Oops."
Cedric's voice appeared behind him.
"Remarkable."
Takemi froze.
The old butler observed the broken branch calmly.
"It seems young master possesses… extraordinary strength."
Takemi scratched his head.
"…Is that bad?"
Cedric smiled slightly.
"No."
"But we must teach you control."
Takemi looked at his hand.
His throwing power in this world…
Might be far more dangerous than he imagined.
That night, Takemi lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
Outside the window, the stars shone across the vast sky.
Somewhere beyond the forests…
Beyond the mountains…
Beyond the clouds…
Dragons were flying.
Adventurers were battling monsters.
And magic shaped the world.
Takemi clenched his small hand.
When he turned ten…
He would attend Magic Academy.
And somewhere there…
He would meet someone who would change his life.
A boy named Rauk.
His future rival.
His future best friend.
And together…
They would step into a world far larger than either of them imagined.