It was a sunny at my home's training ground in the town of Brenwood.
Trees sways around as the northeast wind passed through them, carrying the sound of the birds across the sky.
"Here I come!"
He dashed forward and lunged with his sword.
I sidestepped the attack and swung my sword in response.
He dodged instantly and counterattacked, forcing me to the ground as our blades clashed.
He trapped my blade with his foot and kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying into the bushes.
I forced myself, enhancing my speed and strength despite the pain.
I dashed straight toward Jack and released two wind slashes.
"Too slow"
He dodges shiftly.
But at that very moment, I appeared behind him as this was a open spot for me slash him on the throat.
"I got you now!–"
But my eyes deceived me, He vanished instantly –then reappeared behind me.
What...
I tilted my head shakily, glancing at Jack enhancing his strength with his sword's blade glowing a brown colour.
"Be sure to endure this" said Jack and readied his stance pose.
"Shit.. He 's going to kill me."
Not even this wooden sword can block it.
Instinctively, a plan came my mind.
"Alright, Water Magic: Spheric Barri–"
Right on that very instinct, My barrier activated just in time.
His blade struck it head-on, and the impact sent me flying past nearby houses before I crashed into the center of the village.
As I crashed to the center, Jack stared to the dust that he and I created due to the Impact.
"He blocked my attack with magic barrier..." Jack smiled.
"A prodigy, just like I raised him to be."
With that, he dashed into the sky.
At the center of the village, My water barrier shattered. Villagers quickly gathered around to see what's happening yet none of them looked surprised.
"It has to be Diego" one of the muttered.
"That's me, alright" I replied as I forcefully stood up.
An old man came to me and handed me some water, clearly noticing how exhausted I was.
"Training with Jack again?" he asked.
"Yes. He's not holding back at all," I said, staring up at the sky while breathing heavily. "He doesn't even realize how tired I am."
Suddenly, someone shouted, "Here he comes!"
I looked up and saw a figure dashing down from the sky. The villagers immediately backed away, leaving a wide open space with me standing at the center.
"Oh no.." I muttered.
I quickly readied my stance and leapt into the air.
"Huh? Coming straight at me?" jack said with a grin. "You've some guts –I'll give you that."
A second later, our swords clashed.
""Aaah!" I scream as sparks flew from the impact.
Jack swiftly parried my attack and countered , kicking me in the stomach without hesitation. I was sent crashing back to the ground, landing in the same spot as before.
"Ooooh, that's gotta hurt," one villager said.
"Just hang in there" another shouted.
"Mom, Diego's going to die at this rate!" cried a child.
"No," his mother replied calmly. "He's training."
"...Training?" the child repeated in wonder.
While I was laying on the ground, breathing heavily. No matter how hard I thought, I couldn't come up with a strategy to defeat my father –especially since he wasn't even using magic.
"Egh... he's too strong." I muttered, forcing my mind to work.
jack landed calmly and sat on a nearby chair place along the street, completely relaxed.
"Get up," He said with smile. "Training isn't over yet, you know."
Think... Think!
I tilted my head to the side– and I saw it.
Something clicked in my mind.
I slowly pushed myself up and readied my stance. Jack stood up as well.
"Welcome back." he said, smiling.
I dashed toward and aimed for his neck. He blocked strike easily. I leapt backward, landing exactly where the object, then grabbed and smoothly hurled it toward him.
Jack raised his sword, thinking he could simply slice it–
Pffff!
The object burst open, releasing a thick cloud of smoke.
"A smokescreen?"Jack muttered, shielding his eye with his arm.
"Which direction will he come from?"
Footsteps echoed through the smoke.
Wind shifted from his right
"On the right." Jack said confidently, slashing forward.
His blade cut through–nothing.
Only mist.
I lunged from from behind, aiming for his neck, but he twisted his body and kicked me down before I could land the hit.
"YOu think you can fool me?" Jack said. "You've improved, I'll give–but you still lack–"
Thud!
A kick slammed into his face.
"Gah!"
Another strike hit his stomach.
"Hng!"
Then his lower back.
"Wah–!"
Finally, someone burst up from below and punched him cleanly under the chin.
"Take this!"
Jack was sent out of the smokescreen, crashing back into the chair he had been sitting on earlier.
As the smoke slowly faded, It became clear–
Around him stood several figures–me, and distorted water magic clones.
Their forms were unstable, imperfect, barely resembling my true appearance.
I coughed blood as I stood due to overuse of high level of magic.
My water clones lost its form and they evaporate to the sky
Making clones is not easy than I thought.
The smokescreen vanished completely.
No one saw how I land that hit.
Jack slowly stood up, rubbing his jaw.
"Ghh.. what was that?" he muttered. "For a moment, it felt like I was fighting opponents–each one shaped like you...even sounding like you."
"it's my new skill, I replied calmly.
Jack stares me for a second.
Then he smiled.
"Huh..." He let out a small laugh. "Alright. That's enough for today."
Relief washed over me. I relaxed and lay back on the ground, staring up at the sky.
"Finally..." I murmured.
Applause erupted around us. Villagers clapped, and several kids rushed over, surrounding with excitement.
"How did you land a hit?"
"Amazing"
"When did you learn that?"
I glanced at their eager faces. A grin slowly spread across my face as I closed my eyes.
"Well, " I said, "that's a secret."
Jack stretched and placed his hands on his stomach. "Speaking of secrets–mine's empty. How about we head home?"
"Yeah." I replied with a smile.
Night settled gently over Brenwood.
The sounds of the village softened as light post filled with a single light crystal flickered to life, their glow spilling from wooden windows and align across the quiets streets.
At home, scent of grilled fish and boiled shell meat filled with air, mixing with faint smell of burning woods crackling from the hearth.
I sat across from Jack at the low table, a wooden bowl resting between my hands. Steam rose from the seafood, fogging the air as I ate in silence, my muscles still aching from the fight earlier that day.
Jean leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me–not the kind of stare that pressured, but the kind that studied.
"So," he said at last, breaking the quietness, "those copies earlier... they weren't illusions."
I swallowed and nodded. "No" . "They were made of water. Mana-bound constructs."
Jack's eyebrows lifted lightly. Just slight–but that alone told me enough.
I placed the bowl down and traced a slow circle in the air with my finger."I compress water mana, give it temporary form, then anchor it with my own movement. They don't last long.. and they can't fully imitate my body yet."
The magic globe on the hummed faintly, its bright light reflecting Jack's eyes as he stared at it, deep in thought.
"...Incomplete," he muttered.
"Yes, "I admitted. "If my concentration slips, they collapse. And they consume too much mana for now.
For a moment, only the crackling fire answered us.
Jack exhaled, then chuckled under his breath. "You know, I've traveled for years. Fought mages, adventurers, even nobles trained in high circles." He looked back to me. "I've never seen water magic used like that."
My fingers tightened slightly on the table.
"I still want to learn more," I said quietly. "There's too much I don't understand yet."
Jack's gaze shifted upward, settling on the glowing magic globe above us.
He was silent for a long while, as if weighing something unseen.
Then–
"If that's the case, " he said, standing, "you should attend the Royal Academy."
I froze.
"...The academy?" The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Jack glanced over his shoulder. " Granane Capital. Best place in Aetherion to study magic properly." He waved a hand casually.
"And dont't worry about the cost. I'll handle it"
My chest tightened.
School.
The word echoed strangely in my mind.
Rows of desks. Voices. Laughter that once felt distant. A world I had left behind.
"Going back to school, " I murmured.
Jack turned, confusion crossing his face. "You've studied before?"
I blinked and shook my head. "Not really. I just... heard about it. From kids in the village I lived in before."
That wasn't a lie.
Just not the whole truth.
A faint smile touched my lips as a memory surfaced–shared laughter.
careless days, someone who once stood beside me when the world felt unbearable.
"I see, " Jack said softly.
He walked past me, resting a hand on my should as he spoke. "Graduate. Become an adventurer. With your talent..." His voice carried quiet certainty.
"You might just become the greatest one this world has seen."
I looked up at him. "You really think so?"
Jack smiled. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't.
A yawn escaped him moments later. He stretched, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's late. We'll talk more tomorrow."
He turned toward his room, waving lazily. "Get some rest."
I followed shortly after, the night air cool against my skin as I lay down.
The future felt closer than ever.
Half an hour later, I was in my room, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling.
Since I've reincarnated, I haven't made a single friend due to constant training.
And to be honest...
I tilted my head to the right.
I was never good at making friends to begin with.
A faint praying voice echoed through the wall. I followed the sound and realized it was Jack.
So he's praying.
A small smile flickered across my face as I turned on the bed.
"...And lord I thank you for the lives you gave u–" said Jack, and clapping his hands twice.
Jack's body tightens for a moment.
Suddenly, his body stiffened.
He turned his gaze toward the window.
An ominous magical pressure brushed against his senses.
It's coming from outside.
He walked straight to the window,his expression serious.
This pressure–
It vanished.
Jack frowned. There was no trace of it. Outside, only the vegetation swayed gently along on the ground.
If that's the case, I'll use Mana Detector.
He pressed his right Index finger against his forehead. The tip of his finger glowed brightly, illuminating the room. He scanned the area carefully, but sense no unfamiliar presence–only my mana.
"Not a single trace, what the hell is going on?"
Was my guess wrong?
Or–
Without hesitation, Jack opened the window and jumped out.
He landed in the training field, sparks of light scattering as his feet touched the ground.
This should be a good spot to scan.
Still nothing!
He deactivated the spell and muttered
"If you using that kind of artifacts..."
Raising both arms, he widened his stance and looked up at quiet night sky, where blue moons hung silently.
"Release!"
The air instantly tightened, as if gravity itself had increased.
The ground trembled under his overwhelming pressure as he forcefully expanded his senses. Trees swayed violently, far stronger then before. The wind howled, blowing fiercely toward the northeast.
As that moment. I felt it.
That overwhelming magic pressure jolted me awake.
"What's happening?"
"So strong!"
Wait–
"This is Father's magic pressure."
At the very same time, inside the library room, someone was searching through the bookshelves hurriedly.
Suddenly–
Pring!!
The artifact it was using shattered under Jack's crush magical pressure.
The figure reveal itself, dressed like an assassin.
"..W-What this is overwhelming pressure" It muttered, trembling down on its knees.
"At this rate, I'll be discovered." the Burglar whispered.
Far away, Jack grinned as he stared straight toward library is.
"There you are!"
Jack sensed unfamiliar presence coming from the house.
"..."
Oh no–
He dashed straight toward entrance with serious expression.
I should have burned those forbidden documents a long time ago.
Angered hardened Jack's face as he sprinted forward.
Swish–
The entrance door was brutally sliced apart with a single slash.
"I'll fix it later."
He continued dashing through the pathway inside the house.
Eventually, he leapt forward and slid till to a stop in front door of the library.
This pressure is stronger than before.
He reversed his grip on the blade, and while dashing, Jack raised his left hand forward.
"Water Magic: Multi-Cubic Barrier"
A blue magic circle glowed brightly.
Multiple barriers appeared and flashed into existence, spreading throughout
He reached the library door–
Swish-
The door was sliced apart.
"I'll fix it later... again."
Inside, the burglar readied his stance, gripping a dagger in his right hand.
Jack slowly walked toward him.
He scanned the library,
He hasn't found it yet.
He grinned.
Jack turned his gaze directly to the burglar as he felt an evil pressure radiating from him.
Such an ugly pressure.
He stopped and pointed a finger to forward.
"Burglar... your magic sense doesn't feel human––or– "
The burglar growled softly.
"You're a demon, aren't you?" Jack asked.
The growl grew louder.
"Take this.."
The burglar hastily cast a spell.
"Fire Magic : Fireball!"
A blazing fireball shot toward Jack.
Jack sighed and nullified the spell with a one single slash.
"What–?!"
The burglar immediately pulled out his dagger.
The burglar pressed a button on the handle.
Pfff–!
Toxic gas burst out, rapidly spreading throughout the room.
Jack covered his nose with left arm and swung his blade at blinding speed.
Each strike forced the gas out of the house, dispersing it violently into the open air.
The blade moved so fast it nearly destroyed the surrounding room.
The burglar couldn't do nothing but watch as a human swung his sword, violently expelling the toxic gas.
"..."
The burglar charged forward, swinging his dagger's toward Jack's left leg–
Jack lifted his leg, and he struck the burglar with powerful kick to the face sending him to the bookshelves.
The burglar grimaced and quickly recovered.
He charges head on with his blade glowing with darken red coloured and clashes with Jack,
He charged head-on again, his blade glowing dark red, clashing against Jack\s sword.
During the clash, Jack noticed something strange.
The dagger's glow shifted– from red to a light purple hue.
This dagger–
Jack glanced at the burglar with a shocked expression.
"And now," the burglar muttered, and slows grinning.
His teeth were black, and his canines were longer any human's.
"Release!"
He shouted with all his strength.
The dagger exploded.
"SSS––BOOOOOM!"
A massive explosion erupted skyward, forming a small purple mushroom cloud.
Just before the explosion, Jack had already cast numerous barriers around the yard.
The explosion thundered loudly, nearly waking the entire village.
Villagers rushed outside.
They saw a purple mushroom cloud rising into the sky from where Jack and I reside.
"Them again,"
One villager scowled.
"Can someone please tell them not to make noise while we're sleeping?"
Another villager stood atop a house, observing with magic.
"It doesn't seem like they're training" He said.
"What are you saying up there, Belfred?" someone shouted.
Betfred frowned and looked down.
"...It seems Jack is fighting someone"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Yes–He's fighting a demon."
Everyone froze.
"A demon?!"
"Yes. And it appears this demon is quite powerful"
Fear spread rapidly.
"No one here in this village can rival Jack."
"What if he loses?"
"Then the demon will come for us!"
"We'll all gonna die!"
"Calm down!"
"All we can do now is believe in Jack. If not, you can– run for your lives"
...
Everyone stood still, trembling.
"All man stay. Women and children evacuate to the nearby village." Stan ordered.
...
"Right!"
The villagers nodded. Women rushed home to pack their belongings and evacuated quickly.
"Now that our families safe, take up your weapons, " Stan said.
The men armed themselves and readied their stances.
"Belfred, what's the situation?"an old man asked.
"The battle is still ongoing."
"In that case, we wait. For now, we place our faith to Jack."
Meanwhile, as Jack and the burglar clashed, the explosion left behind a thick curtain of smoke.
The burglar leapt back and readied his stance.
"He's dead for–"
He narrowed his eyes. His vision betrayed him. There was nothing.
The smoke swallowed everything.
"...?"
He stood still, muscles tense, waiting for Jack's next move.
Then–
Jack appeared behind him. He lunged forward.
Squelch!
The blade pierced violently through the demon's heart
The burglar coughed out blood.
Jack yanked his sword free and leapt backward.
The burglar collapsed, blood spreading rapidly across the floor.The burglar stared down at the wound, eyes wide with disbelief.
I should finish him off quickly as possible.
Jack raised his sword with both hands. His blade glowed green. He swung–
An overwhelming evil pressure erupted from the burglar.
The air hardened, as if gravity itself had increased.
Jack froze mid-motion, crushed by the demonic pressure.
The burglar slowly rose his feet. The blood began to crawl back toward his chest. The wound closed. His heart regenerated in seconds.
Jack's eye widened.
He healed...?!
Jack's body still remains mid-motion.
The demon glared at him, fury burning in his eyes.
Jack growled.
"Aghhhh–!"
He released his own magical pressure.
The force clashed violently with the demon's, ripping through the room.
Jack's frozen body broke free. He landed firmly on his feet.
"Phew..."
The two stood facing each other– human and demon– their killing intent colliding.
Jack pointed his sword forward.
"A heart generates instantly... That means you're a high ranking demon."
The demon vanished from sight,
Jack's eye sharpened
He leapt back–
Just in time.
He appeared in front of Jack.
Too fast–!
A violent kick slammed into Jack's stomach, sending him flying through the barrier.
The burglar landed a violent kick from the stomach, sent Jack flying as he breaks through the barrier. The wall shattered.
Jack crashed into the dining room. He rolled once and forced himself himself back onto his feet.
The burglar dashed through the broken barrier in an instant.
And–
Their fists collided.
Bang!
They exchange blows at close range, each strike carrying killing intent.
They both leapt backward.
Two stood apart, eye locked, bloodlust thick in the air.
"I should've bought a holy sword from the Camelot Kingdom, "Jack murmured, tightened his grip.
" But rest assured–your death will be miserable"
The demon growled.
"I 've enough of you, human!" the demon shouted, with a furious roar, the burglar tore away his assassin's clothes. The disguise fell apart. The burglar sighed, as red demonic eyes glared at Jack.
The air hardened, twisted by evil.
As the demon reveal its true self dressed in .....white cloth clung to his flames, dark straps cutting across it like streak night. Sharp pauldrons crowned shoulders, gauntlets bristling with quiet menace. Horns curved from his head, framing hair that fell over one piercing red eye.
"What's this demonic pressure?"Jack murmured.
Who's this demon?
The demon raised his left hand as summon a blade.
"Come Forth–Magic Crimson Blade "He shouted. A long, blazing blade manifested in mid air.
Heat flooded the room. Flames licked the walls. Wood blackened.
Jack 's expression darkened as he watched his home burn. Veins bulged along his arm.
"...You'll pay for this, demon!" Jack growled, rage spilling into his voice.
A small one-eyed creature appeared behind the demon, whispering next to the demon's pointy right ear.
Sip!
It vanished.
The demon nodded slowly.
"It's time I wrap this up with this final attack." The demon said. His demonic pressure surged.
The house groaned.
The blade blazed brighter, flooding the room with crimson fire.
That weapon––bad news!
Jack clenched his teeth.
"I can't allow that"
At that very same moment, I coughed violently within the curtain of smoke.
"I need to get out of this room but, where–! the window!". I ran forward
Thud–
My body slammed into something invisible, and I collapsed onto the floor.
"Urgh–an invisible wall?"
I forced myself up and, pressed my palm against it.
Hard
Structured.
Like stacked bricks.
it was a barrier.
Dense mana radiated from it, pressing my skin.
"This Mana...Jack's."
I covered my nose as the smoke burned my lungs.
"Then I'll break through."
A blue magic circle formed before me.
"Alright, Water Magic–Hydro Pierce!"
A needle-shaped construct burst forward.
Crack!
The barrier shattered.
–!
Jack's expression shifted instantly.
Again... this kid broke a high level water barrier?
This attack–this is bad...
Pain crushed Jack's chest as if his heart were being ground apart.
He coughed blood,
Damn it... at the time like this–
I leapt through the shattered window and landed outside, turning back toward the dining room window.
My vision blurred.
Two immense magical pressures collided inside.
My body trembled.
"I have to help Dad."
I dashed toward the entrance.
Then two voices roared.
"DIE––HUMAN!"
"WATER MAGIC–AEGIS OF FLOWING WATER!"
Water surged like a raging tide.
And–
Clash!
Flames and water collided.
–SHHHHEEESH!!
.....BOOM!!
The impact over everything.
I was thrown backward, crashing through the bushes.
Barrier shattered.
The house collapsed.
Steam exploded outward, blanketing the area in thick mist.
The demon coughed, blood tickling from the nose.
The blade fades.
"...Why am I bleeding?"
He looked forward
Jack still stood.
He's still alive
Jack panted heavily, forcing himself upright.
A faint purple glow crept along his spine.
T-This cursed... it's worsening...
His knees buckled.
His vision blurred.
The demon approached, dagger in hand.
Boom!!
Jack collapsed to both knees.
The curse spread up his neck, devour his skin.
The demon loomed over him.
"So...you've been judged by the Curse of Judgement," the demon sneered.
"You exceed the power forcefully granted to you, and you have face divine retribution."
He raised his blade.
"Any last words, human."
The smoke thinned.
Morning light broke through from the northwest.
Jack laughed weakly.
"...Y–You already... burned... the document you wanted so"
Blood dripped from his lips.
"Suck on that , demmooon..."
The demon's eyes widened.
"...What!"
Rage twisted his face.
He yanked his magic dagger free.
"D–damn you, human"
He lunged–
but–
"No!!"
I dashing forward raised my blade.
CLANG!
Sparks burst into the air as our weapons collided. The shock rattled my arms, pain shooting through my grip. He was stronger–far stronger.
The demon's lips curled into cruel a grin. With a sharp twist of his wrist, he slipped past my guard thrusting straight toward my heart.
I reacted on instinct.
"Water Magic–Lone Barrier!"
A translucent wall of water formed just in time. His blade crash against it, the impact sending ripples through the barrier.
I countered, snapping a kick toward his leg–but he blocked effortlessly.
Then pain exploded in my abdomen.
I was sent skidding backward, coughing blood.
Before I could recover, a second me burst up from beneath him.
My water clone a droved a fist into his stomach.
"Guh–!"
The demon staggered, momentarily wide open.
–I thought.
"...Fireball"
A small flame ignited at his fingertip and detonated instantly.
"No–!"
My clone threw itself forward, taking the blast head-on. It scream as its body burned, collapsing into steaming water as it hit the ground.
Something inside me snapped.
My fist clenched.
My vision burned red.
I lunged.
My punch slammed into his chest with everything I had.
The demon dropped to one knee, growling as he endured the blow.
I didn't stop.
"Water Magic : Steam Burst!"
A violent cloud of scalding mist erupted, swallowing the whole.
The demon swung wildly, snarling as his vision failed him.
I moved.
A strike aimed at his head–
but he dodged at the last moment.
Then–
THUD!
A brutal punch slammed into his upper spine. He crash to the ground.
He stood again
"Just how many are you?!" he roared.
A blade lunged toward his face.
He sidestepped.
A kick smashed into the back of his head.
He reeled–but retaliated instantly.
His fist slammed into my jaw, Blood filled my mouth.
I spat it.
"Take this!"
Water clones surround him from all sides.
He tried to retreat–
Too slow.
A blade flashed.
Squelch!
"AAAAARGH!!"
Blood sprayed as his right eye was sliced cleanly. He screamed, clutching his face.
I appeared behind him and drove my heel into my chest.
The demon was launched into the woods, crashing through trees as he roared in agony.
I landed lightly and released my magic.
Silence fell.
From the wreckage, he rose slowly, one hand covering his ruined eye.
"Why isn't it healing" he snarled.
"What did you do to me, human?!"
"ANSWER ME!!!"
I didn't answer.
He summoned his blazing blazing crismson blade once more, its heat warping the air.
Then–
"That's enough."
A strange, floating one-eyed creature appeared between us.
"I believe I told you to return to the mansion,"it said clamly.
"Look at yourself–a wounded noble fighting against a little ratchet human."
The demon trembled, his rage slowly cooling.
He glared at me with his remaining eye.
"Remember this name, " he said
"Eamon. if we meet again– your death is certain for sure."
A massive purple magic circle formed behind him.
"Until the battlefield."
He vanished
The creature lingered for a moment... then disappeared as well.
My legs gave out.
I turn.
Jack lay collapsed in the ruins, dark markings crawling up his neck.
My heart clenched.
I ran.
Tears blurred my vision.
My legs wouldn't stop accelerating.
"NO––NO , DAD!!