Back at the Hanging Cloud Village, Alex and the others returned as the birds glided overhead, tying the sky to gold and crimson. Each student eventually made their way back to their homes.
Alex walked back to his house quietly. When he entered his room, he didn't sit immediately—instead, he went to the small shrine by the window, where two framed photos stood side by side: his mother and father.
He placed his hand gently on the table, lowering his head. "Mother… Father… I've made it this far. I'll keep growing stronger—you'll see. Just… keep watching me from above," he murmured softly.
Then he stepped back, closing his eyes for a moment. The silence in the room was not empty—it was filled with warmth, memories, and the quiet pulse of promise.
Though Alex no longer had his parents beside him, their presence lingered in every corner of his home. It wasn't just the shrine—it was the life they had given him, the resilience they had left behind.
It was Alex who have yet to awaken his previous life memories routine and Alex after awakening his previous life memories intend to keep doing that, after all he have reborned not just a guy who have switched soul with previous Alex, he is Alex and always was.
After telling his mother and father about his day, Alex made himself a simple meal and ate quietly. Once done, he went to his desk and took out the five steel swords he had received.
"Okay… let's see if fusion works properly," he muttered, placing four of the steel swords in front of him. Then he spoke the command aloud, "System, fuse them."
[Fusing...]
The four swords began to emit a faint light as they slowly melted into one another. A few moments later, only a single sword remained on the table—its surface still steel, but now streaked with faint golden markings that shimmered under the light.
[You have fused four Common-rank Steel Swords.]
[Fusion Result: Gold Spirit Steel Sword – Pseudo-Rare Rank]
Type: Straight Sword
Description: A finely forged steel sword infused with trace amounts of gold essence. Though not a true rare-grade weapon, it holds potential close to one.
Attached Skill: Golden Flash – Releases a flying golden slash that deals 200% of magic damage to multuple targets utop 10 meters.
"Haha, good," Alex laughed, satisfied as he swung the blade lightly through the air. "Great," he muttered, watching the faint golden streak the sword left behind.
"Maybe it'll turn into a true Rare rank if I fuse the fifth one too… but that would surely paint a target on my back," Alex muttered thoughtfully.
Tomorrow's guild trials would attract countless skilled fighters—he didn't know what kind of people he'd face. Bringing out a rare-rank sword right from the start would definitely draw unwanted attention, especially when he got only common rank swords from the Academy. So, for now, he decided to rely on a steel sword he got instead.
He placed the Gold Spirit Steel Sword safely into his system inventory and turned toward the wooden chest under his bed. Inside rested two uncommon-ranked swords—one aligned with Wind, the other with Water.
Both had once belonged to his parents. They weren't their primary weapons; those had broken in battle against the monsters and had been buried alongside them. These were only their backup blades, preserved as keepsakes. Initailly, he was hoping to get a mystic bond of one of these two elements but now with his cheat and memory awakened, he doesn't have to worry about it.
"Hmm… let's see what happens when I fuse these," Alex murmured quietly.
He took a deep breath, holding both swords in front of him as their faint elemental glow filled the room. "System, fuse the two uncommon-rank swords."
[Fusion in progress...]
The air shimmered faintly as streaks of blue and silver light intertwined before him, swirling like a miniature storm.
[Fusion complete.]
[Host has obtained: Rare-rank Sword – Icicle Sword.]
Type: Elemental Blade (Water/Wind)
Description: A sword born from the harmony of frost and gale. Each swing releases a cutting wind wrapped in freezing mist, leaving trails of ice wherever it passes.
Attached Skills:
Frost Slash: Sends a crescent-shaped blade of wind and ice toward the enemy, dealing 300% magic damage and slowing the target's movement by 30% for 5 seconds.
Gale Barrier: Generates a protective whirlwind around the wielder, deflecting projectiles and reducing incoming damage by 20% for 8 seconds. ]
Alex gazed at the new sword in his hand. Its blade shimmered silver-white, as if carved from pure snow, and tiny snowflake-like patterns danced along the surface. Even by touch alone, he could feel the biting chill emanating from it.
"Rare-rank weapons really are on an entirely different level," he murmured, glancing from the icy blade to the Gold Spirit Steel Sword.
He held both swords before him, letting their contrasting energies flow through his senses. The warmth and golden hum of the Spirit Steel Sword mingled faintly with the cold, cutting precision of the Icicle Sword. After a moment, he nodded, feeling the potential synergy of wielding both in tandem.
"You can tell immediately… each has its own rhythm, its own kind of force," he thought, testing subtle swings. The icy mist of the Icicle Sword danced in the air, while the golden flare of the Spirit Steel Sword lingered in contrast.
"But…the Gold Spirit Sword will definitely lose to the Icicle Sword," he mumbled, amazed at how powerful the Icicle Sword was. Carefully, he placed both swords back into his inventory.
Next, he turned his attention to preparing a new bed. He took out a large, round bed—about the size of a dog—and felt its warmth, arranging it just right. Then he summoned Lyra from his Mystic Space, the small sanctuary above his heart where his Mystic Beats could reside when not with their partner in outside world.
As Lyra emerged, she perched serenely on the edge of the bed. Alex smiled softly. "Lyra… it's my home." He gently held her in his hands, letting her feathers brush against him. She chirped softly, nuzzling his palms.
"Let me show you my father and mother" He said rubbing her tiny head.
Alex carefully lifted Lyra, cradling her close as he stepped toward the small family shrine tucked in the corner of his room. The soft glow of the candlelight flickered across the carved wood and the photographs of his parents, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch like gentle arms around them.