Awakening to Power

The smell of burning flesh lingered in the air, and the charred corpse of the Var lay motionless at his feet. His pulse still pounded in his ears, the adrenaline slowly fading, but the shock of what had just happened refused to leave him.

He'd done it. He'd actually used magic. Not theory, not a concept from a book, but real, tangible magic.

The problem? He had no idea how.

He knelt down beside the creature, studying its lifeless body. In the Supreme Magus universe, beasts like this were often the first challenge to an aspiring magus, testing both skill and resourcefulness. But that light attack he had unleashed—where had it come from? It felt so familiar, yet entirely foreign. The surge of mana he had tapped into was faint and instinctual, more like a reflex than an act of control.

Standing up again, he looked down at his hands, his mind racing. He knew he had a core now. But what kind? How strong was it? The book had described various levels of power, from weak, pale mana cores to the legendary black cores that signified a complete mastery of magic. He doubted his was anywhere near that level—he wasn't Lith Verhen, after all. But if he had magic at all, that meant he could grow.

"I need to know more," he murmured. "I can't just guess at this."

For now, though, there was only one thing to do: he had to survive.

The Var wasn't an especially dangerous creature compared to the stronger magical beasts that roamed the land, but he couldn't rely on luck forever. He had barely escaped that encounter, and without proper training or tools, he was a sitting duck for any future threats.

He needed to find civilization. And fast.

He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, where the edge of the forest gave way to rolling hills. There had to be a village or settlement nearby. The knowledge from his past life told him that most small communities in Jiera were fortified against magical threats, meaning they would offer some protection. However, without money or status, he'd need a plan to fit in. He had to figure out who he was now, what kind of life this new world had dealt him.

Setting off across the field, he kept his senses alert, straining to detect the ambient magic that he'd felt just moments ago. The world around him pulsed with energy, a constant hum that was almost too faint to notice unless you were specifically attuned to it. He was still learning, but he was determined to tap into that power.

As he walked, he mulled over his situation. In his previous life, he had been nothing more than an avid reader, a scholar obsessed with learning the mechanics of this universe's intricate magic system. But now, he had a chance to live it, to rise through the ranks and become someone powerful.

But with that opportunity came risk. This world was brutal, filled with danger at every turn. One wrong step could lead to an early grave. Lith's journey had proven that much.

Hours passed as he trudged through the countryside. The sun had climbed high into the sky by the time he spotted smoke in the distance—a telltale sign of human habitation. Relief flooded him. A village.

His pace quickened as he approached. The village was small, nestled in the foothills of a mountain range. Wooden houses with thatched roofs clustered together behind a low stone wall, clearly a modest settlement but well-defended enough to deter weak beasts like the Var.

As he neared the gate, a pair of guards stood watch. Both men were armed with simple spears, their leather armor worn and patched in places. They eyed him warily as he approached, and he realized he must look a mess—dirt-streaked clothes, no weapon, and a slightly dazed expression.

"Halt," one of the guards said, holding up a hand. "Who are you? What's your business here?"

He paused, trying to think quickly. In this world, most people lived in small, tight-knit communities. Travelers were rare, and strangers were met with suspicion, especially in a place like this. He couldn't tell them the truth—there was no way they'd believe he had just been reborn into this world.

"I… I was attacked," he said, half-truthfully. "A Var, in the forest. It killed my companions. I barely escaped with my life."

The guards exchanged glances, their suspicion softening slightly. Stories of attacks by magical beasts were all too common.

"Var, you say?" the second guard asked, frowning. "You're lucky to be alive. They've been spotted more frequently in these parts recently."

"Lucky doesn't begin to cover it," he muttered, which wasn't entirely false. "I don't have any money, but I need a place to rest and maybe work for a meal."

The first guard considered him for a moment, then nodded toward the gate. "Fine. You'll find the inn at the center of the village. The innkeeper's name is Merrick. Tell him your story, and he might offer you a bed for a night or two. But don't cause any trouble, understand?"

"Understood," he said quickly, grateful they weren't turning him away.

With that, the gates opened, and he stepped inside.

The village was just as small as it had appeared from a distance. Simple houses lined narrow dirt roads, and villagers went about their daily tasks—tending to livestock, fetching water, or repairing tools. It was a far cry from the bustling, technology-driven world he had left behind, but it was exactly what he expected from this world.

He made his way to the inn, which was little more than a two-story building with a worn sign hanging above the door. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of stew and ale, and a few patrons sat scattered at tables, eating or chatting quietly.

Behind the bar stood a gruff-looking man with a thick beard—likely Merrick. He looked up as the door creaked open.

"You here for food or lodging?" Merrick asked, his voice rough but not unkind.

"Both, if possible," he replied. "I can work to pay for my stay. I don't have any coin."

Merrick raised an eyebrow. "No coin, huh? Where'd you come from?"

"A Var attack," he said again. "I'm all that's left."

The innkeeper's eyes darkened with sympathy. "Aye, nasty business, those creatures. If you're willing to do some chores, I can put you up for a few nights. After that, we'll see."

"Thank you," he said, relieved.

As Merrick gestured him toward a small table, he sat down and let out a long breath. He had made it to safety—for now. But this was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead: discovering more about his mana core, learning to control his magic, and navigating a world he knew far too well for comfort.

But one thing was clear. In this world, knowledge was power.

And he had both.

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End of Chapter 2

In the coming chapters, the protagonist can begin to explore the village, interact with the locals, and discover more about his mana core and abilities. He could also encounter other aspiring magi, monsters, and perhaps even start to uncover why he was reborn with knowledge of this world.