After what felt like an eternity of walking, I finally spotted smoke rising above the treetops in the distance. My heart surged with excitement, and I hobbled toward the village, my body still sore from the journey.

As I got closer, a few quaint cottages came into view, nestled around a large field filled with crops. To the right, a stable housed animals that looked like cows, peacefully grazing nearby.

Finally, hopefully, this village has someone who can help with my battered body.

I stumbled into the main square and immediately tripped over a stone that jutted out from the ground. My makeshift crutch flew to the side, making a loud clatter as it rolled to a stop.

Great. Now I have to crawl...

“Could my eyes be deceiving me? N-Nikolai Nordhil, is that truly you?”

I looked up, and standing in front of me was an older woman, her face weathered by age but warm with recognition.

Confused, I managed to speak. “Yes, that is my name. Who would you be?”

I needed to stay polite, make sure this village would be willing to help me.

She gasped, her eyes widening. “You don’t even recognize your own grandmother? Oh my goodness, look at all these injuries! You must be concussed as well! What happened to you, my boy?” she said, her voice trembling with fear.

Poor old lady thinks I am her grandson, she must be going senile.

I must’ve had a bewildered look on my face because she immediately covered her mouth and started crying.

But then, she quickly snapped out of it. Moving with surprising speed, she placed her hand gently on my chest. A strange sensation swept over me, and thin, glowing yellow threads of light entered my body, leaving no trace of where they came from.

“Just relax, sweetie,” she whispered, her voice soothing. “Everything will be okay. Grandma’s here.”

In just a few minutes, my hand, shin, and foot felt as if they had been restored to perfect health—no trace of injury remained.

Humans can use healing magic? I thought. And could they use elemental magic like the bear did? This world definitely contains some form of magic.

I sat up, and she embraced me tightly, tears streaming down her face. “We were all so worried! Where have you been for the past two years?”

My heart sank. Am I inhabiting the body of Nikolai, her grandson? If so this is going to be difficult.

I hesitated for a moment. I could tell them the truth about what happened to me and break their hearts, or I could pretend I’d lost my memory.

Damn it. I know how it feels to lose a family member. I can’t do that to them.

I put on my best confused expression. “Grandma, where are we?”

She looked at me with a mix of sadness and relief. “The village of Argun, my boy! You’ve truly lost your memories... what a tragedy,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I’m so glad you’re alive!” She cupped my face, her hands shaking as tears filled her eyes.

“Your family will be overjoyed to see you again! We’ve all been waiting for this moment… I can hardly believe it’s real!”

She helped me to my feet, and we walked through the village. We came to a house much larger than the others—a stone building that stood out against the simpler cottages. Inside, the space was cozy, but a loud shriek caught my attention.

A woman around thirty years old stood staring at me. She had brown hair, ruby-red eyes, and a slender figure. She looked radiant, her skin clear and smooth.

In another life, I might have considered her attractive, but her next words put that thought to rest.

“I must be dreaming! Nikolai, my son! You’re finally home!”

She ran to me and pulled me into a tight hug. I had no choice but to return the gesture, my arms instinctively wrapping around her.

This family must have loved Nikolai so much. This feeling... it’s familiar. Like when my own mother used to hug me.

Suddenly, it struck me. Nikolai... What a coincidence we have the same name.

My new mother cried as she embraced me, but I didn’t mind. Her warmth felt almost like it was recharging a broken part of my soul.

I was Nikolai of this family now. I had to play the role, but the discomfort of having the mind of a 32-year-old in an 8-year-old’s body made me uneasy. But there was no choice.

She loosened her embrace and looked into my eyes, her expression filled with love and relief.

My grandmother explained that I had lost my memories, and I’d been injured, but she healed me.

My mother’s eyes lit up. “We must get Arthur! He’ll be ecstatic to see his son, safe and sound!”

We left the house and made our way through the village. In the center stood a large stone building, the biggest in town. Smoke rose from the chimney, and it looked like a place where important things happened.

We entered, and the interior was just as grand as the outside. At the far end of the room, a man sat behind a desk. He had blond hair, a muscular build, and a short, well-trimmed beard. His eyes were a deep, clear blue, and when he saw us, his mouth fell open.

“By the Five Gods, my son, is that really you?”

Everyone else started crying, but their smiles were bright. My new father rushed over, lifting me into a bear hug.

“Thank the Five Gods, you’re okay! What happened to you? Where did you go?”

I was about to answer, but I needed a story. A believable one.

We all sat down by the fire, and my father was the first to speak, his voice heavy with emotion. “Tell us what you remember, Nikolai.”

“I remember your face, Father, and yours too, Mother,” I said softly. “But... Grandma, I don’t remember you.”

Do I really want to play this card? Once I say it, there’s no going back. I can’t trick them that their son is still alive and then just take it back.

My grandmother’s expression turned sad, but my father’s smile softened. “Nikolai, do you remember anything else? The village, family gatherings, or those harsh winters we spent together?”

I looked down at the ground. “No, Father.”

“Please, call me Dad.”

I met his eyes, feeling the weight of my words. “I’m sorry, Dad.”

He was on the verge of tears, but his voice held firm. “It’s okay. No matter what memories you’ve lost, you’re still my son, and I’ll take care of you. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

My mother stood up, wiping her eyes. “Nikolai, let’s get you some rest. You must be exhausted from your journey.”

I nodded, and we left the hall.

At home, she guided me to my room. There was a stack of letters on the desk near the window, but I was too tired to care. I flopped onto the bed, and within moments, sleep overtook me.

The next morning, the scent of food filled the air, pulling me out of sleep. I opened the door to find a table full of food. My stomach growled, but something else caught my eye. My mother was using flames to heat a metal pot, boiling water.

A wave of excitement washed over me, and a smirk spread across my face.

Magic really does exist here!