Chapter 3: The Mysteries of Magic and Chakra

Samuel had settled into a comfortable routine at the orphanage. Under the care of nuns Samantha and Alberta, and with Lyla, the de facto leader of the children, the orphanage had become a happy family for him—a family he had sorely missed.

Samuel felt a sense of belonging here, though his mind often wandered to the mysteries of this new world, particularly the difference between chakra and magic.

Samuel's sharp observational skills led him to notice the distinct ways in which magic was practiced. Unlike the hand signs required for chakra techniques in his previous life, magic in this world necessitated both verbal incantations and specific hand movements. He watched as the nuns and other adults performed various forms of incantations like air magic to dry clothes, water magic to wash and fire magic to cook. 

Samuel was already showing signs of intelligence far beyond his years. Although he couldn't speak or move around much, his sharp eyes observed everything around him with a keen intensity. The orphanage, under the care of nuns Samantha and Alberta, and with Lyla as the de facto leader of the children, had become a new family for him—a family he had sorely missed in his previous life.

Lyla, despite her young age, was adept at magic. She had sleek black and silver hair that framed her face, complementing her piercing blue eyes. She took on the responsibility of caring for the younger children with a gentle touch. Among the children, she was the most proficient in magic, often helping the nuns with various tasks.

One other child, Ron, showed some promise in magic. With his fiery red hair and matching red eyes, Ron was full of energy and curiosity. His face was dotted with freckles that seemed to dance across his cheeks whenever he smiled. While he wasn't as skilled as Lyla, he had a natural affinity for fire magic, though his control was still lacking.

Samuel, though unable to practice or speak, absorbed these observations like a sponge. He realized that the issue of chakra natures did not arise here; instead, the children and adults around him seemed to have a natural affinity for certain types of magic. This realization was both comforting and disconcerting. Comforting, because it meant he might have a chance to harness these new powers; disconcerting, because it was a constant reminder of how different this world was from the one he had known.

Despite his inability to communicate, Samuel found solace in the routines of the orphanage. Alberta often picked him up, her piercing blue eyes radiating kindness as she whispered words of comfort he couldn't yet understand. Samantha, with her fair skin and tousled red hair, would often sit by his side, humming soft tunes that lulled him to sleep.

As he lay in his crib, Samuel's thoughts drifted to the life he once had. He still struggled to cope with the fact that he had been reborn. The memories of his past life were vivid, yet they felt like fragments of a distant dream. He remembered his brother, the weight of his actions, and the burden of his decisions. But here, in this new world, those memories seemed almost surreal.

The children at the orphanage, under Lyla's gentle leadership, had created a happy family—a stark contrast to the loneliness and guilt that had plagued Samuel in his previous life. Although he was only six months old, Samuel felt a strange sense of hope. Perhaps this new world, with its unfamiliar magic and new bonds, would offer him a chance at redemption.

For now, Samuel could only watch and learn. He couldn't practice magic or speak his thoughts, but he could observe and understand.

While growing up, Samuel attempted to practice magic in any way he could. His small body limited him, making gestures difficult, and his young age rendered speaking incantations nearly impossible. Despite these challenges, he remained determined.

One day, while Lyla was taking care of Samuel, an unexpected event changed everything. As she moved around the room, a heavy pot began to teeter on the edge of a high shelf, directly above her head. Samuel, though only six months old, instinctively sensed the danger. His old instincts from his previous life as Itachi kicked in. He knew that if the pot fell, it could cause serious harm to Lyla.

In that critical moment, Samuel focused his entire being on preventing the pot from falling. He willed it to stop, to move away from Lyla, even though he could not use words or gestures. To his astonishment, the pot shifted mid-air, moving aside and clattering harmlessly to the floor. Lyla, unaware of the near disaster, believed it was just luck that the pot had fallen aside. Her anger rose, imagining what could have happened if the pot had fallen on Samuel.

As Samuel observed the incident, he realized something profound. He had cast magic, but it wasn't any elemental magic he had seen the nuns use. This was different, unique. It was later that Samuel would understand he had tapped into Spirit Magic, a rare and powerful form of magic that could only be practiced by the awakened.

In the days following the incident, Samuel delved deeper into understanding this new ability. He discovered that casting an elemental spell typically involved a three-step process: first, emitting mana; second, mixing it with the world's elemental energy; and third, controlling the spell and its effects. Spirit Magic, however, skipped the second step. It relied solely on his own power, without borrowing elemental energy, making it more difficult and mana-consuming.

Moreover, Spirit Magic required an immense amount of focus. Unlike elemental magic, which had a physical form he could see and manipulate, Spirit Magic was intangible. Its effectiveness depended entirely on his willpower and imagination. The clearer his mental image of the action he wanted the mana to perform, the better the result.

He also learned that the range of Spirit Magic was very limited, barely reaching a meter (3.28 feet) radius. Despite these limitations, Samuel was fascinated by the potential of Spirit Magic and began practicing it whenever he could, in secret.

The incident with the pot had shaken Lyla. She decided to gather all the children and give them a lesson on responsibility. Standing in the orphanage's modest classroom, she addressed them with a stern yet caring demeanor.

"Everyone, listen up," Lyla began, her voice firm. "We all have to be more careful and responsible. Accidents can happen anytime, and we need to look out for each other. Today, we were lucky, but we might not be so fortunate next time. We have to ensure that our home is safe for everyone, especially for Samuel, who is still so small."

The children listened attentively, some nodding in agreement while others fidgeted nervously. They all understood the importance of what Lyla was saying. Her words resonated deeply with Samuel, who, despite his young age, felt a sense of duty to protect his newfound family.

As the days turned into weeks, Samuel continued to practice Spirit Magic in secret. He experimented with moving small objects, manipulating their positions with his will alone. Each success, no matter how small, filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He knew that mastering this magic would not only help him protect those he cared about but also give him a sense of control over his new life.