Reawakening Memories

The tranquil village of Hobbiton basked in the gentle embrace of a setting sun. A warm breeze rustled the leaves of ancient trees and carried the aroma of freshly baked pies through the air. It was a day that the village's young inhabitants, the hobbit substitutes, had been eagerly awaiting. Today marked a special occasion, one that tugged at the heartstrings of a particularly young child—Rex.

Standing in the yard, his small form was silhouetted against the amber glow of the horizon. His bright, yellow-auburn eyes were fixed on the sky, which was slowly shifting from shades of gold and pink to the deep blue of twilight. The occasion? Rex's fourth birthday was a day that should have brought unadulterated joy to his young heart.

But in Rex's case, things were a bit different. Chronologically, he hadn't quite reached the age of four. He was standing on the threshold of a world of change, both for himself and the village he called home. The peculiar circumstances surrounding his existence involved an unusual pact he had made with an enigmatic observer known as Light. This pact had led to a unique set of self-imposed rules, all designed to give Rex a chance to experience a normal, carefree childhood.

One of these self-imposed rules was that he would remain unaware of his past life until he reached his fourth birthday. So, as Rex stood there, gazing up at the darkening sky, his full consciousness remained locked away, dormant, until the chiming of his fourth year.

He had no knowledge of the extraordinary pact that had brought him to this world, of the rules he had crafted, or of the entity that was the silent observer of his life. He was blissfully ignorant of the grand design underlying his existence.

Yet, as the minutes ticked away and the world around him grew darker, an unusual sensation overcame him. A sudden and intense headache gripped his young mind as if the knowledge he had suppressed for years was now demanding to be heard. In a rush, memories from his previous life began to flood back into his awareness.

Rex staggered back, clutching his head, as if trying to prevent it from bursting under the weight of the returning memories. The scenes from his former world cascaded before his eyes like a vivid tapestry. He saw battles fought, friendships forged, and the choices that had led him to this very moment. His true name reverberated in his mind. He remembered who he was.

The pain in his head was excruciating, but Rex couldn't help but feel a strange blend of excitement and confusion. Why had it taken so long for these memories to return? The answer was shrouded in the enigma of the self-imposed rules he had established.

He couldn't comprehend it fully, but one thing was clear: his consciousness had finally awakened. Four years had passed, and his self-imposed amnesia was lifting like a morning mist. Yet, he remained a child, standing on the precipice of this new and complex world.

It was in this vulnerable moment that the silent observer, the enigmatic presence that had overseen his life, reawakened. Once again, it introduced itself, but this time with an intriguing label, "Goldfinger" in this world. The term was attached to a system—the "Black Clover system."

Rex, still reeling from the onslaught of resurfacing memories, furrowed his brow in confusion. He couldn't help but question the system's role and the cryptic name. Why was it referred to as his golden finger?

The observer, or 'Light', as it now chose to be called, clarified that this title was intricately linked to the constellation Orion. It was this constellation that had offered Rex the chance to come to Earthland. But the role of the Black Clover system was clear: to ensure Rex lived a fulfilling life in this new world.

The explanation didn't fully satisfy Rex's curiosity. It was as if he had been handed a riddle to which the pieces did not quite fit. He raised an inquisitive eyebrow, demanding further clarification.

With a calm, soothing voice, the observer expanded upon its explanation. It detailed the balance between the Black Clover verse, to which Rex now belonged, and Earthland, the world where he resided. It painted a picture of two powerful realms, each with its unique properties and potential.

The observer emphasized a crucial point: Rex couldn't rely solely on the Black Clover system to become the most powerful. That title, the "most powerful," came with weighty responsibilities and relentless troubles. Rex was offered a path to wield immense power, but it came with the caveat that the journey required his unwavering effort and dedication.

But Rex's aspirations did not align with the traditional thirst for power. He looked at the past and knew that those who held the title of the most powerful often bore heavy burdens. They were magnets for trouble, even when they sought peace.

With a candid and thoughtful gaze, Rex shared his true intention. He had no desire to ascend to the very peak of power. Instead, he spoke of his willingness to be among the strongest, perhaps the third or fourth. To him, this level of power would be enough to deter trouble and protect those he cared about. He would be a guardian, not a ruler.

With this revelation, Rex set his own path, one that veered away from the archetypal hero's journey, with its temptations and ultimate sacrifices. It was a choice filled with wisdom beyond his years.

His questions continued, for the veil of his self-imposed rules was only just beginning to lift. Rex's curiosity blossomed. The awakening memories had left him with fragmented knowledge of Earthland, and he yearned to fill the gaps. Yet, one of his own self-rules, another piece of the puzzle he had crafted for himself, bound him to forget everything he knew about the realm of Fairy Tail.

The observer, bound by the contract of the self-rules, could not reveal this missing link. Instead, it suggests that Rex embarks on a personal quest for knowledge. Rex grumbled in frustration at this cryptic response. It felt like he was teetering on the edge of enlightenment but was denied the final push into clarity.

But as his frustration swelled, Rex realized that there was an unexpected blessing in his ignorance. With a lack of prior knowledge about this world, he could experience it through fresh and untainted eyes. He would not be bound by preconceived notions or the weight of expectations. This world was a blank canvas awaiting his exploration.

In this moment of awakening, Rex felt a profound sense of peace and contentment. He began to sift through the fragmented memories that had returned during the first four years of his life in this world, memories he had experienced without full consciousness.

Images flashed before his mind's eye—laughter shared with friends, adventures in the lush fields, and the warmth of the cozy homes that dotted the village of Hobbiton. The most vivid of all was the image of his adoptive grandfather, Gamgee, the wise and kind-hearted human who had raised him.

The thought of his adoptive grandfather filled Rex's heart with warmth. He mused about the striking similarities between Gamgee and his maternal grandfather from his past life on Earth. Despite the different worlds and realms they came from, both shared an unwavering love for their families, a dedication to a peaceful life, and the wisdom to appreciate the simple joys of each day.

It was in this musing that Rex found a sense of belonging. The idea of spending his entire life in this village, alongside Gamgee and the friends he had made, felt increasingly appealing. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to entertain the idea of a peaceful existence in Hobbiton, where the days were filled with laughter, pies, and endless adventures in the meadows.

The observer, sensing Rex's contemplation, decided to guide him further. It was time to introduce the basic function of the Black Clover system, a template system that would enable Rex to harness incredible abilities. This was merely the tip of the iceberg, with other functions awaiting discovery.

As Rex listened, a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes. The potential for growth, the prospect of mastering new abilities, was a tantalizing adventure that awaited him. The world was full of wonders yet to be explored.

Then came the pivotal question: Was Rex ready to awaken magic? It was a question that elicited an enthusiastic response, for Rex felt an undeniable sense of wonder and a tinge of amusement at the thought of the surprise he could give his adoptive grandfather.

The observer offered two distinct paths. One was the beginner's pack, a means to draw any template of varying difficulty—common, uncommon, rare, heroic, or legendary. The other was the option to receive a coverless grimoire, akin to the legendary Julius, and begin the journey of crafting his own unique path of magic.

Rex didn't hesitate. He chose the first option. The memory of his adoptive grandfather's words echoed in his mind. Gamgee had often spoken of Earthland as a vast and unpredictable place. Rex was not overly confident in his own talent for magic, so it seemed prudent to start with templates. This choice was a step on a path of gradual growth, a way to build a foundation of power that would serve him well in the unpredictable days ahead.

As Rex made his choice, the observer offered a gentle caution. It warned that this decision might lead to missing the opportunity to realize his full potential. But Rex's intentions were clear, and he reiterated them with unshakable determination.

He never aspired to be the most powerful. He was keenly aware of his own vulnerability and weakness. In his own words, he explained that this was a common trope in the tales of transmigrators. The peaceful village where they started their new lives was often attacked by bandits, and Rex had a duty to be strong enough to protect it.

And so, he drew a template, awaiting the surprise that would unfold before him. It was a moment of thrilling anticipation, an unknown adventure about to begin.

When the template was presented to Rex he couldn't help but marvel at the coincidence. The template was a rare one, bearing the name and image of the arcane mage black bull Grey. She herself was the wielder of Transmutation magic, something that surpassed transformations and actually holds quite some similarities to the Transformation magic Rex's grandfather was researching. 'Perhaps' Rex mused to himself that the actions he takes or experiences in the real world can influence what templates he draws. However, Rex quickly shook his head as it was far too early to tell and needed to be experimented with. 

In that fateful moment, the system presented Rex with a template. As he opened his virtual eyes to bond with the chosen template, his world momentarily spun, as if the universe itself had shifted its focus. He was not prepared for what came next.

In the stillness of Hobbiton, Rex's childlike scream pierced the air, an echo of both pain and wonder. The sound resonated with everyone in the village, drawing their bewildered gazes toward the source.

Among those who rushed to his aid was a gentle and caring hobbit woman, the village's babysitter. Her name was Marigold, the daughter of a close friend of Rex's adoptive grandfather, Gamgee. Her expression contorted with fear and concern as she took in the sight of Rex in agony, his small body wracked with pain.

But before her eyes could fully comprehend the unfolding scene, Rex was enveloped in a blinding, radiant light. His scream was abruptly silenced as his body transformed into a living beacon. It was a sight that filled Marigold's heart with both terror and wonder, leaving her frozen in place.

For what felt like an eternity, Rex was lost in a realm of dreams, his consciousness adrift in an ethereal sea of memories and sensations. He was detached from the world he had known, a mere spectator in the theater of his own existence.

In that timeless void, he experienced visions of his past life, his struggles, and the adventures that had shaped him. The pain that had once gripped him now transformed into a radiant fire of rebirth, an awakening unlike any other.

As time lost its meaning, Rex drifted in the vast ocean of his mind, connecting the dots of his existence, and embracing the self he had once left behind. And then, as if guided by an unseen hand, he awakened.

A melodious "ding" sounded in the depths of his consciousness, rousing him from his slumber. As the brilliant light faded, and he returned to his senses, he found himself standing in the yard once more, dazed but alive.

The system, his Goldfinger, congratulated him on his successful bonding with the template. It was an achievement, a moment of initiation into a world of mysteries and magic.

But Rex paid little heed to the system's words. His gaze, his thoughts, and his heart were focused on something else. Something far more significant had occurred since his memories had awakened.

Gamgee was back.

Emotions welled up in Rex as he beheld the sight before him, a sight that stirred a tidal wave of feelings. Gamgee had returned, and this was the first time Rex had seen him since the memories of his past life had returned.

His adoptive grandfather, a figure of wisdom and comfort, was the embodiment of the love and security Rex had come to cherish. Tears filled Rex's eyes as he jumped off the clinic table and sprinted toward Gamgee with youthful abandon, his small form moving with an agility that defied his age.

Gamgee's eyes, aged and wise, sparkled with warmth and relief as he watched Rex approach. He knelt down, his arms open wide, ready to receive his beloved grandson. There was no need for words. The hug they shared, filled with love, understanding, and an unspoken bond, transcended the barriers of language.

The emotions that had welled up in Rex, born of his awakened memories and the love he had for his grandfather, were beyond words. For a long while, they remained locked in that embrace, two souls brought together by a twist of fate and held together by a love that transcended worlds.

In this simple moment, within the confines of the yard in Hobbiton, the adventure of Rex's new life had just begun. His past and present were woven together, and the future stretched out before him, an open book ready to be written. Rex was eager to share this journey with his new family.