Riko opens his eyes, muttering and confused.
W-what the hell? All of a sudden, I felt like shit, then I just passed out. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that if you run out of mana. You're going to feel like shit, or you're going to pass out like I did. Should I just keep on casting it until my mana level increases?
He sits down and raises his hand again.
He casts the magic again.
Veno aquatigaru…
Water appears, he shoots.
The water splashes onto the floor.
Wait… Why didn't I feel dizzy?
Confused, Riko decides to cast it one more time.
But this time, a different spell.
Ok, let's see, I guess I could do more of the Veno-based magic.
He raises both of his hands this time.
He closes his eyes.
Veno… fugario…
A huge fireball is formed.
Woah… That's huge. Guess I'll shoot it——
The fireball shoots towards the wall, exploding it into nothing as the fireball flies away.
WHAT THE HELL?! Ah crap, I need to fix these… ok what magic should—-
As he crawls towards the book, the book is destroyed by the explosion.
HYAAAA!!! THE BOOK! IT'S DESTROYED!!
Riko starts to panic, thinking that they might have the wrong idea of a few-month-old baby using magic.
Ok, calm down, I can fix this… WAIT …YES, I KNOW THE ASHTON BASED MAGIC!
As Riko excitedly crawls towards the destroyed wall.
Riko is confused and questions himself. Wait, that magic I cast. Why didn't I pass out? Did I miss something? Oh well, it doesn't matter anyway, I'm still standing, that's what matters right now.
Riko gets to work as he casts the Ashton-based magic. But a voice is heard.
"From the highest to the lowest… I shall help you overcome the burden you've carried."
Riko turns around with his eyes widening in complete surprise.
There was a shining light of white and a figure. Riko couldn't see clearly who it was due to the bright light blinding him.
The figure vanishes in thin air.
The hell? What was that? I couldn't see him clearly, but what was that for? From the highest to the lowest? What does that mean? Never mind, I need to get to work before they notice a huge hole through the wall.. ASHTON DIAGRO!
Riko casts the magic and gets to work.
7 years later…
Seven years since my reincarnation… I improved a lot in casting magic. Mostly the Ashton-based magic. As for the Veno, I came to realize that they have almost the same casting as the Ashton-based magic. My Mana level also increased significantly, as if I don't even know what is with this body. But mostly I don't quite understand why I was reincarnated… Plus that bright light seven years ago… it was talking to me. Maybe I'll just go get some air.
Riko walks to Rimara.
"Mom, can I go outside for a bit?" Riko asks as he pulls Rimara's sleeve.
"Well, sure, but you have to be careful not to go too far. You don't want to be caught with monsters." Says Rimara with a smile.
Riko heads out, skipping and enjoying the breeze.
Riko is humming and singing.
I always go outside for a nice breeze, or in other words, I go to this specific place. It has a beautiful view of the mountain. They call that the Mountain of Mitaguruki. Well, Ruther told me that's the name of the mountain.
Riko arrives and sits down.
The place is a huge field of grass and flowers, and in the distance, the mountain can be seen.
Riko inhales and exhales with a smile on his face.
"Maybe I should cast some magic." Says Riko as he stands up.
"Hmm, I should water the field." Riko raises his hand into the sky.
A huge water ball is formed as he shoots it up to the sky.
Ok, once it's up in the sky… break down the water into raindrops…
The water ball explodes into raindrops.
It falls to the ground.
Man, do I love my new life… It's so nice and relaxing… I never felt this way in years, especially in my past life.
As he enjoys the view, a crack is heard behind him.
"Huh?" Riko turns behind.
He sees a girl with red hair.
"EEK!" The girl gets into the ground and tries to hide in the grass.
"You know I can still see you." Says Riko with a blank face.
"No, you can't!" She says as her face turns red in embarrassment.
This girl… I have never seen her here at all. Is she new to the village, or was I not paying attention at all?
"What's your name?" Riko asks.
"Um… my name is Shizo… Shizo Kumara!" She replied
"My name is Riko Takamo, it's nice to meet you. What brings you here?" Riko asks with a smile.
"Oh uh, I usually come here often. I-I never saw you come here." Shizo says with a shy expression.
"Oh, was it? I didn't know that you came here often. Mostly, I didn't see you come here."
"Well, that's because I come here when I can. I always have to take care of grandpa," She responds shyly.
Oh, so that explains why I never see her come here very often.
"May I ask, but was that magic you cast?" She asks shyly.
"OH, so you saw me cast it? Well, yeah, it's magic, but I only used it to water the grass and flowers." Riko replies.
Shizo stands up and determinedly asks.
"CAN YOU TEACH ME?! I FIND MAGIC FUN AND COOL!" She shouts with determination.
Riko is shocked by what the girl is asking, but decides to do it anyway.
She's asking me to teach her? I never had anyone ask me to do something… Fine, then I'll do it.
"Ok then, I'll show you, but you'll have to pay a lot of attention." Says Riko with a smirk.
"I will," Shizo replies confidently.
Riko begins to teach Shizo the basics.
"Ok, first, when it comes to casting magic. You have to concentrate on your core, where mana is visible." Riko says as he closes his eyes.
"Ok, but how do you concentrate?" She asks.
"Well, uh, maybe try this. Close your eyes, and once you do that, you have to concentrate on your core. If you see a bright light, you go into it and transfer it into your arm." He says.
Shizo closes her eyes and concentrates.
"Ok, now what?" She asks.
Riko is in shock that she got it on her first try.
The hell? She got it instantly. That took me days to figure out!
"Ok, now cast a magic like water. Veno Aquatigaru." Riko forms water from his hand.
Shizo gazes at Riko with admiration in her eyes.
Shizo attempts to cast the magic.
"Veno Aquatigaru…" She says with her eyes closed.
Water formed, and she opened her eyes in surprise.
"You GOT IT!" Riko says excitedly.
"I did… I DID!" She shouts happily.
Riko stares at Shizo's face.
That smile… it feels familiar. The same warmth and comfort. No, I can't bring the past here right now… I already promised myself that I'll never remember those dam memories.
Shizo splashes water at Riko.
"ACK!" Riko shouts.
"Wakey Wakey!" Says Shizo
"Oh uh sorry I zoned out…" Riko replies.
"Do you want to play?" Shizo asks.
Riko was surprised after the question Shizo had asked him.
Play? I have never been asked to play. I never had any friends… well, I had… but just one.
"Okay!" Riko responds with a bright smile.
Riko and Shizo began to throw water at each other.
Both smiling.
Riko looks at Shizo's smile and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with sadness.
That smile… It reminds me of her. I loved her so much, way too much. I was blinded by such overwhelming love. She always gave me that same smile. But until one day… She dumped me for another man… ALL BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY?! THAT'S COMPLETE BULLSHIT! I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING... Just to get this in return?
Riko begins to tear up.
Oh, I'm crying… No, I can't right now, not in front of her.
Shizo begins to notice Riko's sudden change.
"Are you okay, Riko?" She asks gently
What I wanted was to be loved and cared for… I lost everything I had: hope, happiness, and love… What did I do to deserve such pain?-----
Before Riko could react, Shizo hugged him.
"It's okay to cry… Let it all out." Shizo whispers with a soft smile.
Riko's eyes widen in complete surprise.
"S-Shizo.." Riko Whispers.
As Riko hugs back, tears begin to pour out.
He cries out. Not because he was weak.
But because someone made him feel seen…
"Good… It's always okay to cry out." Shizo says with a soft smile as she pats him on the back.
Riko is still crying out, and he hugs Shizo tighter.
This warm feeling is comforting… I want to stay here longer. I can't bear the memories I carry… I wanted to end my life, but yet again I keep refusing because I always realize that... There is always a purpose of living.