A New Day.

Chapter 8: A New Day

Sunlight filtered through the wooden slats of the window, casting a warm glow over Reinhart's small guest room. The sounds of the village waking up surrounded him—birds chirping outside, the distant clatter of dishes, and the gentle hum of conversation. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt a flicker of hope. He was safe, at least for now.

Reinhart rubbed his eyes and stretched, feeling the unfamiliar yet comforting weight of a quilt draped over him. Memories of yesterday came rushing back—meeting Gon, the warmth of Mito's hospitality, and the taste of the delicious stew. It felt surreal.

After a quick wash in the small basin Mito had provided, Reinhart dressed in the simple clothes she had left for him. They were slightly big but comfortable. He stepped out of his room and made his way down the hallway, where the enticing smell of breakfast wafted through the air.

Gon was already seated at the dining table, his dark hair tousled and a wide smile on his face. "Good morning, Reinhart! Are you hungry? Aunt Mito made pancakes!"

"Pancakes?" Reinhart echoed, feeling his stomach rumble at the mention. He had never had pancakes before.

"Yeah! They're the best!" Gon exclaimed, bouncing in his seat with excitement.

Reinhart settled into the chair across from Gon, and Mito soon entered the room, carrying a stack of golden pancakes drizzled with syrup. "Morning, boys! I hope you're ready for a hearty breakfast." She placed a plate in front of each of them, and Reinhart's mouth watered at the sight.

"Thank you, Aunt Mito," he said, his voice a bit shy as he glanced up at her. Mito caught his gaze and smiled, her eyes warm and inviting. Reinhart couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept in whenever he looked at her, a shadow of his past lingering in the back of his mind. He reminded himself that Mito was kind, but something in her maternal demeanor triggered memories he wished to forget.

"Eat up! You'll need your strength for a big day ahead," Mito encouraged, her tone cheerful.

Reinhart nodded, digging into the pancakes with enthusiasm. They were soft and sweet, melting in his mouth. Gon chattered away between bites, sharing stories about his adventures in the forest and the creatures he had encountered. Reinhart listened intently, feeling a growing bond with his new friend.

"After breakfast, let's go to the river! We can catch some fish," Gon suggested. "We can have a fishing contest!"

Reinhart grinned, the worry of the previous day easing away. "Sure, that sounds fun!"

Once they finished their meal, Mito insisted on washing the dishes while the boys rushed outside. The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead as they made their way to the riverbank. Reinhart felt lighter, the weight of his past slowly lifting.

As they reached the river, Gon picked up a stick and brandished it like a sword. "Let's pretend we're hunters, fighting off wild beasts! We have to protect the village!"

Reinhart laughed, quickly picking up a stick of his own. "Alright! I'll be the brave knight!"

The two boys engaged in an epic mock battle, swinging their sticks and dodging imaginary attacks, their laughter echoing through the trees. For a moment, Reinhart felt like a regular kid, free from the burdens of the past and the challenges that lay ahead.

"Okay, now we need to catch some fish," Gon said, grinning as they reached the water's edge.

Reinhart's heart raced with excitement as he picked up a stick to use as a spear. "I can do this!" he exclaimed, feeling a rush of confidence.

Gon demonstrated how to stand still and aim carefully. "Just wait for the fish to come close. Then you strike!"

After a few attempts filled with laughter and splashes, Reinhart finally speared a small fish, triumphantly lifting it out of the water. "I got one!" he shouted, beaming.

Gon clapped him on the back, eyes wide with admiration. "Nice job! You're a natural!"

After spending a joyful hour at the river, they decided to head back to Gon's house. Mito was waiting for them, hands on her hips, a playful smile on her face. "Did you boys catch anything?"

"Yeah!" Gon exclaimed, holding up the fish. "Reinhart got the biggest one!"

"Wow, impressive!" Mito praised, leading them inside. "I'll cook that for dinner, but first, you two need to wash up. You're muddy!"

Reinhart chuckled, glancing down at his clothes. They were splattered with dirt and water from their play. "Okay!" he replied, already looking forward to the warm bath.

Once they were cleaned up, Mito treated them to sandwiches and soup for lunch. The cozy atmosphere made Reinhart feel at ease. Mito told them stories of her younger days, and Reinhart listened with rapt attention, captivated by her words.

After lunch, Mito suggested they take a rest, and Gon flopped down onto the floor, yawning. "I'm tired from all that fishing," he mumbled, stretching out. "We should play again later!"

"Definitely," Reinhart agreed, though his mind was already drifting to his secret training. He had to find a way to build his strength without drawing attention.

In the afternoon, while Gon played with some of the neighborhood kids outside, Reinhart took the opportunity to explore the house. He discovered a small room filled with various tools and supplies Mito used for her cooking and gardening. It was there that an idea struck him.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and shadows danced across the walls, Reinhart excused himself from dinner. "I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go to bed early," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Mito looked concerned but nodded. "Alright, dear. Just rest up. Let me know if you need anything."

Reinhart felt a pang of guilt as he climbed into bed. Mito was kind, but he couldn't shake the remnants of fear lingering from his past. He just had to be careful.

Once the house was quiet and the sounds of laughter faded, he slipped out of bed and quietly moved to the center of his room. He had the perfect plan to train without being discovered.

"System, are you there?" he whispered, feeling the familiar presence return to his mind.

"System online," the voice replied. "Ready to assist with training."

Reinhart smiled, his heart racing with determination. "I want to begin training. Show me my stats again."

The familiar interface materialized in his mind:

---

Name: Reinhart

Age: 10

Level: 1

HP: 100/100

Strength: 14

Agility: 14

Intelligence: 10

Endurance: 12

Nen (Locked)

Skills:

Basic Survival (Passive)

Fishing (Basic)

Stealth (Basic)

---

"Alright," Reinhart said, feeling a surge of excitement. He had made progress even in just one day, but it wasn't enough. He needed to be stronger, faster, and more skilled.

"Start with push-ups," he decided. He got into position on the floor and began to push himself up and down, focusing on his breathing. One… two… three… To his surprise, he found the exercise surprisingly easy, the strength of his new body making the movements feel effortless.

After completing fifty push-ups, he moved on to sit-ups, counting quietly as he worked through another set of fifty. The burn in his muscles felt good, a reminder that he was doing something important.

As he continued training, he realized just how much stronger he was in this new body. The enhanced abilities made him feel invincible, a stark contrast to the fragility he had felt in his past life. He pushed himself further, completing more repetitions than he had thought possible.

With sweat glistening on his forehead, Reinhart finally dropped back onto his bed, heart racing. The room was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the window, and for a moment, he allowed himself to feel proud. He was taking control of his life, preparing himself for whatever challenges lay ahead.

But as he lay there, the shadow of fear crept back into his mind. What if Aunt Mito found out? What if she saw him training and thought he was hiding something? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He couldn't risk that. He had to be cautious.

Still, the thought of facing the world with Gon by his side brought him comfort. He had a friend now—someone who understood the joy of being a child, even if Reinhart still had lingering scars from his past.

With determination burning in his chest, Reinhart closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures that awaited him in this new world. Tomorrow would be another day of fun, friendship, and training. And with each passing moment, he was one step closer to becoming the person he needed to be.