Spar

Larina and I stood on the grassy field behind the castle, facing each other. It was my first time sparring with someone else, and I could hardly contain my excitement. Larina looked ready, but she had no idea what she was up against.

She nodded.

The moment we began, I went for it. Using wind magic to boost my speed, I practically blinked out of sight. Everything around me blurred as I closed the gap between us in an instant. My right fist blazed with fire as I swung at her.

Larina's eyes widened. She was caught off guard, completely unprepared for my speed. She over underestimated me. My punch would have landed for sure—if not for a sudden, inexplicable gut feeling. It was like a sixth sense, a leftover instinct from my past life. Danger. My foresight agreed.

Without thinking, I jumped back. Larina stumbled forward, and I realized that my punch would have connected if I hadn't pulled back. My eyes darted around, searching for what had triggered my foresight.

Then I saw him—my father, Xedeth, standing a few steps behind me with his hands on his hips, grinning like he'd just pulled off the best prank ever. He had used some kind of wind magic to mess with me. Typical.

"What is happening?" he asked, his voice full of amusement.

I huffed and turned to face him. "Oh, Father," I said, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice. "Just a sparring match with the tutor."

"On the first day?" He raised an eyebrow, looking like a child who had just walked in on something exciting.

"Yes. I challenged her," I replied, standing tall. I wasn't going to back down now.

Instead of the scolding I half-expected, his grin only widened. "Why don't you show me what you've got?" he said, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Yes, Father." I couldn't suppress the small smirk that crept onto my face. This was my chance. "I've been doing a little training."

He threw his head back and laughed, like I'd just told the funniest joke in the world. "Ha! You haven't learned much about elemental magic," he teased, oblivious to what I could do. "Give me your best attack."

My heart pounded as I focused. This was it—my moment to show him what I'd been working on. Fire enveloped my arms, the wind swirled at my feet.

I launched forward, using wind magic to propel myself like a missile. The grass flattened under my feet as I shot toward my father, flames and earth magic coalescing into a single, devastating strike.

But just as I was about to hit him, he stepped forward. Not with force or any grand gesture, but with an easy, casual step. "Oh dear!" he said playfully, holding his hands up as if to surrender.

In that split second, my foresight kicked in again. I felt the same gut-wrenching sense of danger I used to feel in my old world—the instinct that kept me alive back then. It wasn't just the power in front of me; it was the sheer presence of my father. My whole body froze in mid-air. The flames around my arms fizzled out, and the wind dissipated like a light breeze.

I stumbled to the ground, landing awkwardly on the grass. I looked up at him, completely thrown off. How had he done that? He had just... deflected it.

"Nice try, Aiden," he said, chuckling. "You've got potential. Lots of it. But you're not there yet, are you?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already ruffling my hair, laughing like he hadn't just turned my best attack into a harmless puff of smoke.

"You really are strong," he said, his voice turning serious for a moment. "But strength isn't just about brute force. You need to learn control."

I stared up at him, still trying to process what had just happened.

*What is this monster?*

"Somewhere in the Heavens"

A boy blinked, disoriented, his mind tangled in the rush of lights and water. "Where am I?" he muttered, trying to steady his thoughts.

"Heaven," a voice answered, soft and melodic. He turned to see her: a woman, almost glowing, shrouded in mist.

"Heaven?" he repeated, his voice small. "So... I'm dead?"

"Tragically." Her words came with a gentle smile. "However, you've been chosen for a task."

"Chosen?" He glanced down at his round frame and pudgy hands. "Chosen for what? Why me?"

"Because," she said simply, stepping closer. "You have what this world needs—a spirit capable of facing the darkness, even if you don't know it yet."

He frowned. "But I'm just... me. I'm not brave or strong."

She laughed, light and clear. "Strength isn't measured by muscle or speed. The task ahead requires courage, kindness, and the will to step forward when others won't."

He swallowed hard, the word "hero" bouncing around in his head. "What do I have to do?"

The boy could finally be the hero he always wanted to be.

The goddess gestured, and the clouds parted beneath them. He looked down at a vast, vibrant world—forests, mountains, cities teeming with life. "This world is in danger. The Demon King's darkness is spreading, threatening everything." She met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "You will go there and stand against it."

He wanted to argue, to say they had the wrong person. But the way she looked at him, with a belief he had never seen before... it sparked something inside him.

"But... what if I fail?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"Heroes aren't flawless," she replied. "They are the ones who rise each time they fall. And you won't be alone. I will give you power for your journey."

He took a shaky breath, her faith in him filling the gaps of his doubt. "Alright," he said, nerves twisting in his stomach. "I'll do it."

Her smile brightened, the sky responding in kind. She waved her hand, revealing a portal of shimmering light. "Step through," she said softly.

"Your journey begins now."