A New Life Adventure

After escaping the Amida, I Shinsuke renamed myself Shinji, after my name and face were plastered across the kingdoms captured by Nomura. I had to change my appearance again and sailed to the south kingdom of Hirihama, where the Amida will not dare to tread because this kingdom is the greater threat in this fictional era of Japan.

After arriving here, I spent two years at the military base as a new recruit, but as a water boy for the soldiers due to my age. I had just turned 15 when I was assigned to the ranks after passing the test, but I was unable to join the barracks due to my height. I now realize that, despite my mysterious power, the outside of me is frail.

I had no idea how much I was once a champion in my previous life, and now I had to train hard because the military here is tougher than ever. I had no idea how long I had been there, but it was worth the risk of joining the higher ranks of the kingdom's army and exacting my revenge by killing King Nomura.

After training, I found myself living next to a shrine with a monk who gave me shelter and let me into the army base. Outside, I practiced martial arts near the second military base, which was located beneath the Shrine and where I could see army soldiers training. I never missed a training and even practiced during my shift at the shrine, no matter how good my eyesight was.

The current state of the world had been drilled into my head, but I had learned nothing useful. Perhaps it was all useful, but I couldn't recall any of the geography that was taught.

I, on the other hand, could gain a sense of distant lands when I raised with the Akuma's power flowing inside my body; only while gazing at the red, shining sun could I feel the immensity of creation. As a result, I developed a fondness for the sight of a cloudless sky. I understood the sun and the heights it rose to, and it became my primary means of communication with the outside world. Unlike my time in my fallen land, I always relished the warmth of the sun's rays.

With my love of the sun, it was only natural for me to dislike grey skies. The sound of rain made me feel as if my entire existence was being erased. The beloved rays that had previously warmed me were blocked by the darkness of rain clouds, and while any day of heavy rain would have been unpleasant, the worst part was the night that followed.

I was asked to join the base. Because there are five bases. Fifth, being the lower base, I was overjoyed when one of the soldiers passing by discovered me, but I had no idea the army had taken many kids my age who chose labor and were forced to join the ranks due to a lack of soldiers. We were trained as if the war was going to start tomorrow, and we were beaten up for making mistakes. We had to do daily stretches like push-ups for every mistake a candidate made. It was a great workout, but it felt like torture. Then the big day arrived.

"Ichiro, number 6, Shosuke, number 53."

"Shinji, Sir!" he exclaimed, "silence!"

" Take a step!"

"Yes."

"Yes."

We both stood at the teacher's signal, holding wooden swords in our hands.

"Begin." said the teacher.

We began practicing their combat forms simultaneously at the emotionless signal. The troops' children chose partners, and the teachers assigned them numbers. When the children reached the age of majority, the teachers were to name them in His Majesty's honor. They once inquired about the possibility of naming themselves and were met with an angry response, so the subject was never brought up again. Names were extremely important, and they quickly realized this thanks to the commander's teachings.

The outcome mirrored a dozen of my previous matches, a light faint followed by the I was swinging with all my might. I swung repeatedly, making contact with the competitor's head each time. My opponent kicked me with great force and knocked me down at the time. His sword was then thrust into my throat, followed by an order to stop.

"Number 6 Ichiro, well done," the teacher said. "Thank you," Ichiro replied.

"However, as for you, Number 53 Shino,"

"Once again, Shinji sir."

"I don't care what your name is, you're hopeless once more. Your memory is failing you, and your movements are monotonous. I tell you this for your own good. What a disaster "said the teacher as he turned to face ne

"Apologies." I said this while bowing my head.

"Do you ever forget that you are only alive because of my kindness? It wouldn't be surprising to say that it's too late for you to clean up your act." screamed the teacher, as the students laughed.

"I comprehend." I said

The teachers wore white robes while teaching the students, who would then study and train at the base. The children led a hard life, and an unfortunate number of students were involved in serious accidents. I was weak in this life, and I despised her teacher, but because he taught so many students, even recognising my face was difficult. They all appeared the same to him, which was exacerbated by the fact that he had no reason or intention of learning anything about his students.

There was a good man deep within him, but his students never discovered it. He needed to teach them with fists, kicks, and harsh words, so strong attachments were useless. The teacher's daily praise was the most boring part of all because they always repeated the same words at the end of lessons or training, which we were supposed to recite every morning before Training.

"We express our deepest respect and gratitude to His Majesty Togawa Hikoyasu the Great! We swear unwavering devotion to the motherland! , May the Sun's banner never be tainted! Death to all who oppose the Hirihama Empire! We are its sword and shield for that purpose!"

What exactly were they supposed to be thankful for? Why were they required to swear their allegiance? I couldn't think of anything that would compel them to devote their lives to such a cause. Most people had no reason or desire to transform into swords, and being sacrificed as shields was even more unthinkable. Because I couldn't think of any adequate explanations, I asked her teacher one day.

"His Majesty Togawa Hikoyasu, a descendant of our founding father Emperor, is the most revered man of our time. We can exist in peace and tranquillity because of His Majesty; therefore, we must swear our undying loyalty to His Majesty. We owe His Majesty a great debt, which we must strive to repay with all of our might."

I was certain that if I continued to live like this, I would never find happiness. I had no idea what he was talking about, after all.

"Pay attention, Number 53, Satomi."

"Shinji, sir," I correct myself, but he scoffs, "questioning His Majesty, and thus our great Empire, is never acceptable behavior." "His Majesty Togawa Hikoyasu must be treated as you would your own father, and Hirihama, your new home, must be treated as you would your stepmother. You must never forget this one thing; if necessary, engrave it in your empty head!"

Despite not knowing what it meant, I nodded in the face of his rage. Suddenly, I inquired whether it was appropriate to address His Majesty as "dad." A father must have a family, and if I was that family, calling him 'dad' was the natural thing to do. Having said that, the teacher's face turned bright red, and he flew into a rage, yelling as he struck me.

"Tsk, Nice talk teacher, Nice talk," I teased myself, mocking his bald head.