4 - Memories

The question brought him pause. Alister's lips parted and his brow furrowed. What was the last thing he remembered? Dying… but… also meditation? He gripped his head as pain spiked throughout in a monstrous headache, "I… I'm not sure… I remember fighting but I also recall doing meditation in a class. My thoughts feel overlapping. I need time to process. There is too much information."

The doctor looked grim, nodding to his words, "Your past life. Even your speech is different. You don't sound like an eight-year-old. Confusion is understandable. These people, they're your parents. Alliana Severin and Blas Severin. You remember them, yes?"

The two parents held such concern and hope in their eyes. Alister looked at them and was silent. His parents… yes. He remembered them. Tears formed in his eyes. He hadn't had parents in over a century. Alister Severin. That was his name this life. So, he had indeed died. He recalled he had taken out over half of his enemies before they killed him. This body, this life, he was only eight, but hadn't remembered who he was before. The effect of the mana explosion…

He looked down at himself, at his hands, "Yes… I remember them. I… have a lot of work ahead of me… heh." Alister looked to the doctor, "Sir. Does the name Raalin mean anything to you? Raalin Wynnryte."

No one responded in the positive. The doctor sighed, "It sounds like you learned the name of your past-life self. I feel as though the name is mildly familiar, but I am no magical scholar. How much do you remember?"

Alister rested his head back and looked at the ceiling, "Everything. Eight years in this life… decades… decades in my last… gods, how old was I? At last count, I was 122. I remember everything. It… it hurts… hah… I think I'm in a bit of shock. It hurts to think… to breathe… everything hurts."

The doctor muttered something under his breath, then focused his attention on the parents, "Ma'am. Sir. I'm going to have to let the Magister Organization know about this. A full recall is not unheard of but… it is so rare… only a handful in an entire generation. The Kingdom has had the order for a long time that all full recalls must be reported." His voice was serious, "Between this and his core… Once he recovers, he will be a valuable source of knowledge for the kingdom."

"Reporting it or not, he is our child. I will not have anyone taking him away to pick his brain!" his father stood, balling fists like he was ready for a fight. Alister felt honored to be defended so vehemently.

"No, no," the physician responded, aged hand up in defense, "No. They would not take him away from what I know. It simply must be reported. In fact, you will likely have access to more funds and tutors for him and whatnot. Despite it being reported, the focus is still on Alister. Before we worry about anything else, he needs to recover."

Alister watched as the doctor excused himself, silently wallowing in his pain. With his mana like this, core in fragments from the force, he couldn't cast any healing or pain-dulling spells. His parents fretted over him incessantly after that. They were determined to get him food and water, not to leave his side. Such caring people, he thought sweetly.

He waited until they fell asleep to start focusing on collecting his fragments. He needed to reform the core, collect the mana that was running wild, and settle the rivers that flowed throughout his body.

It took a week before he was allowed out of bed and back to his classes. Despite being sure he wasn't going to need the courses, Alister made no arguments against going. He did not know how much time had passed in his absence. He did not know enough about the history and politics of the region, or what forms of magic they practiced now. After all, a child his age would likely not have learned such things yet.

By that time as well, he had repaired his core to somewhat workable order. It still caused radiating pain, but it was no longer at threat of killing him. Alister would repair it further as he had more time. There was no rush now.

The doctor gave him a passing mark for health, much to his surprise, and despite further prodding, Alister refused to give any more information about his past life. He felt conflicted about letting his name be known in the first place. If the gods were still around and in power, then his name reaching their ears would cause problems. He asked the doctor to let his old name be something private, and he admitted he had already forgotten it. He was a busy man, after all.

"Alister!" the cheery voice of the teacher rang out.

"Miss Koll?" he responded in kind, walking up. He gave her a polite bow - it was how he was taught to regard all educators.

She gave him a peculiar look, but smiled sweetly all the same, "Are you feeling okay enough for class today? We've missed you! You gave us quite the scare. I'm happy you healed up!"

He chuckled, folding his arms behind him. Right… that wasn't the custom here. "Sorting my head out has been the most troublesome, Miss. I assure you I'll take things easy. I don't want to bring you any worry."

Ms. Koll struggled to not show her expressions on her face, then defaulted back to her kind smile, "It's gonna take a bit to get used to how you are now, Alister." She chuckled, lighthearted about it, "You might be smarter than me now! I'm gonna be so sad when you graduate from our little class!"

Alister gave a nod, a sad, but polite smile forming on his lips. That this form was a child, that she was using a childish tone still, it had been giving him such a blow to his pride this whole week. Beyond the pain, that was one of the hardest things to get accustomed to. Everyone saw him as a child because he was in all ways but one, a child. He could not command respect. His parents doted on him. He could remember all sorts of embarrassing things he had done in the months prior to his memory returning to him that were simple and childish. Arguments he had that were nonsensical. Things he cried about that didn't matter at all. He sighed inwardly and took a seat beside the other students.