I sat cross-legged, using the aura technique from my previous life. Slowly, I synced my breathing with nature itself, drawing energy deep into my lower abdomen.
Then—
Boom.
A sudden burst of energy surged, and my first Aura Core in this life was formed.
---
RAWRRRR!
A roar echoed from the trees.
A massive bear—five times the size of any bear from Earth—stood before me.
Perfect test subject.
I poured aura into my legs for speed, and into my arms for grip and strength.
Woosh.
I darted toward it, the wind splitting behind me.
The bear swung, fast. I slid low, slashing at its leg—deep, fatal.
We clashed again and again.
Then—
---
"Ha? Who's this kid? And what's with that wild bear!?"
Chatter~ Chatter~
"He's awake. Report it."
"Huh… so you're finally conscious. Get up and follow me."
Damn. If I hadn't fainted…
---
"What's your name?"
"Issac."
"Where are your parents?"
"I don't know."
"Behave. We're here."
---
"There he is, Young Master."
The noble boy glanced at me, arms folded.
"So, kid… what do you want in life?"
"...Strength."
He laughed. "He took down a mountain bear alone?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"Swear loyalty to me, and I'll give you strength."
"No. I want to walk my own path."
He frowned. "Why?"
> "Even a god with chains on his neck is nothing more than a slave.
I'll be leaving now."
The boy stared in stunned silence. Then, he smirked.
"…Interesting kid."
---
"Wait. If you've got nowhere to go, join our mercenary corps.
You'll get food, a place to stay, and payment based on mission contributions."
Free food and monsters to train with?
"…Alright."
"Good."
---
After that, I joined the missions.
We hunted monsters.
I advanced to 3-Star rank.
---
Attention!
"Today, we'll be subjugating trolls. We have 300 knights.
Only those who can use aura—step forward!"
Tsk. Only 93? The rest are liabilities.
"…And Issac. You're with me."
95 aura users total. This'll be bloody.
---
"We're here. Stay alert. Leave the horses."
"Charge!"
BAM!
Focus… If I cut fast enough, he won't regenerate.
I condensed all my aura into my legs and blade—
then leapt and sliced through three trolls' necks in one motion.
Damn. I'm running out of aura. I can only dodge now…
Suddenly, someone landed beside me—killing two trolls in a flash.
"I didn't expect you to take down three trolls alone, Issac."
"Ah, hello, senior."
(That guy was the Young Master's personal guard.)
---
One year passed.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving.
I can sense both aura and mana now.
But I don't know how to use mana yet.
In my past life, I was a swordsman, not a mage.
---
"You're leaving? Why?" the Young Master asked.
"I have my reasons."
"…Alright. You can reconsider anytime. But before you go—take this."
He handed me a cloak that could deflect physical attacks,
and a space ring filled with gold.
"Already stocked it for you."
> "System, can you store items too?"
> [Sorry, Host. I cannot.]
> "…For a moment, I forgot how useless you are."
> [If the Host hates me, I will gladly leave. Requirement: Host must die.]
> "…Never mind. I was joking."
> [Understood. You can reconsider, Host.]
> "Be quiet."
500 gold coins. Enough to start moving.
---
While traveling, I heard rumors—
the Mage Tower is the best place to learn magic.
Even though I'm just 7 years old,
this body needs more training.
Fighting with a child's body is frustrating.
But for now—
I'll head into the Forbidden Forest.
---
> Info:
The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters.
Rumors say the forest's center holds the lair of an evil dragon slain by a hero long ago.
It's divided into three zones:
1. Outer Zone – goblins, orcs
2. Middle Zone – trolls, blood pythons
3. Central Zone – unknown; only heroes returned
---
Right now, I'm in the Outer Zone.
---
Day 1:
Slayed 60 goblins and 1 troll.
---
Goblins (in goblin tongue):
"Oh Goblin God, save us from this demon! He's wiping out our kind—"
Slash.
Last one down.
Trolls fell next.
Troll (in troll tongue):
"This… thing isn't even human! What kind of demon is he—"
---
Outer Zone: Cleared.
---
That night…
"What… is that?"
A massive presence approached—
drawn by the blood?
It looked like a lizardman, but…
It had dragon scales—and a single wing.
Someone had ripped
off the other one long ago.
I turned to run.
Crack.
He turned.
He heard that?
No way…
He sensed me from a tiny sound?
He's S-Rank at least.
I'm not ready.
BAM!