Chapter 9: Awakening to Spirit Magic

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, driven by a lingering sense of purpose and the remnants of Itachi's disciplined mind.

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.

Samuel's journey of discovery had only just begun. With the support of his orphanage family and the hidden power of Spirit Magic, he felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead. Though he still grappled with the reality of his rebirth, each day brought new understanding and acceptance.

In this new world, Samuel, once Itachi, began to forge his own path, one guided by the wisdom of his past and the promise of his future.