The crisp air carried the faint smell of damp earth as I tightened the wraps on my fists. Four months in this world, and every day still felt like a dream. But this moment? This felt real. My dad had finally cleared his schedule to train me, and I was going to make it count.

Arthur, my father—the village chief, strongest mage, and an absolute tank of a man—stood across the training yard. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable at first, but then he grinned.

“So, you want your old man to teach you a thing or two?”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “No, I actually wanted to teach you a thing or two.”

His laughter boomed through the clearing. “Is that so? Alright then, my boy. Don’t hold back, and I won’t either!”

The way he said it, casual and confident, sent a spark of determination through me. I’d spent two months working on my magic, honing water spells that would complement my melee fighting style. My techniques weren’t perfect—hell, they weren’t even efficient—but I had a plan.

I bolted toward him, kicking up dirt with every step. My fists clenched, and my mind focused.

He didn’t waste time. Extending two fingers, he fired thin jets of water at me, precise and rapid. The first two struck my shoulder and chest, the sting making me wince.

Not this time. I activated my Ki multiplication to 3x. A faint white aura glowed around me. The world seemed to slow, his attacks easy to read now. I ducked, twisted, and darted around every jet he launched, my movements fluid and deliberate.

Arthur whistled, impressed. “Wow, all that physical training is paying off! You’re flying around out there!”

I kept silent, dodging another stream of water. If only he knew about my Ki. I can’t tell him—not yet. Not until I figure out if this power even exists in this world.

Closing the distance, I forced him to react. A towering wall of water erupted between us, but I’d anticipated it. I jumped, sailing over the barrier with ease.

Mid-air, I channeled my mana into my right fist. “Jet Stream!”

The spell launched as I punched, a concentrated burst of water shooting toward him. It struck his shoulder, making him stumble back.

He coughed, more surprised than hurt. “What the—?!”

I landed lightly, grinning. “I may have a small mana pool, but if I make my spells count, I can win!”

Arthur’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with pride and challenge. “That’s my son! Now let’s see what else you’ve got!”

He didn’t hold back this time. With a sweeping gesture, he summoned a massive wave of water, crashing toward me like a tidal surge. There was no dodging this one. I braced myself, crossing my arms in front of me as the wave slammed into me.

It shoved me back, my feet skidding across the ground, but I managed to stay upright. As the water receded, I barely had time to catch my breath.

Bullets of water zipped toward me in quick succession. I ducked, sidestepped, and twisted, my Ki-enhanced reflexes saving me. Each movement burned through my energy, but I refused to let up.

I charged him again, launching another Jet Stream punch. As expected, he raised a water wall to block it.

“I see your mana pool burning up fast,” he taunted. “Better hurry up, Nikolai!”

Gritting my teeth, I smirked back. “You don’t think I planned for that?”

I planted my feet, taking a wide stance. My fists glowed faintly as I pulled them back, channeling everything I had left.

“Double Jet Stream!”

Both fists shot forward, unleashing twin jets of water. The force of the attack shattered his water wall and struck him square in the chest.

Arthur staggered, his balance faltering. This was my chance. I surged forward, fists clenched, and threw a clean, powerful punch straight into his chest—this time, no magic. Just pure Ki and strength.

The impact sent him flying back, dust rising as he hit the ground. He stayed there for a moment, staring up at the sky, before breaking into deep, hearty laughter.

“You actually got me,” he said, sitting up and brushing dirt off his tunic. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

My legs wobbled as I stepped closer, exhaustion finally catching up to me. I offered him a hand. “Told you I’d win.”

He clasped my hand, pulling himself up with a grunt. “You’re still rough around the edges, but that brain of yours... it’s dangerous.”

I grinned at him and he smiled back at me.

We headed back to our home, exhausted.

My Mom, whose name I found out was Eir, was in the kitchen preparing supper when she noticed both of us. What in The Five Gods happened to you two?!”

My dad and I laughed as we recounted our sparring session and my Mom would not believe I had defeated my Dad.

"Art, you don’t have to lie to try and bring your son up, just be honest," my mother said, a hint of concern in her voice.

My father paused, his usual confidence faltering for a moment. He glanced at me, then back at her. She got the hint I wasnt lying.

Dinner was prepared and it was a classic dish of the village, beef and potatoes. This was perfect for my growing body as I needed all the nutrients I could get.

I sat at the wooden table with my parents, listening to stories from their past, until Grandma joined us. She sighed, healing our minor injuries. Healing magic, a rare branch of light magic, could only be wielded by a few. It required the presence of every element, while darkness was the absence of them all. Healers were born with slight affinities to each element, but it wasn’t inherited—merely random.

I sat at the wooden dining table, my chair slightly too small for my growing frame. My dad, Arthur, was at the head of the table, a proud grin plastered on his face as he set down a platter piled high with perfectly seared steaks. Mom bustled around him, her hands deftly carrying a bowl of roasted potatoes and another filled with creamy gravy.

“Don’t just stare at it, Nikolai,” Dad teased, his voice hearty. “Dig in before your grandmother eats your share.”

“Watch your tongue, Arthur,” Grandma quipped from the opposite end of the table, her sharp blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’ve been cooking since before you could lift a skillet.”

Mom placed the last dish on the table and shot both of them a mock glare. “Enough bickering, you two. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

I chuckled, grabbing the nearest steak. The meat was tender, juices pooling on the plate as I cut into it. The first bite was heavenly—perfectly seasoned, smoky, and rich.

“Now, Nikolai,” Grandma began, pointing her fork at me. “Tell me, how’s your training coming along? Your dad hasn’t broken you yet, has he?”

I grinned, glancing at Dad. “Not yet, but he’s trying.”

Dad chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. “You should’ve seen him earlier today. The boy’s got some tricks up his sleeve. Took me down in a spar.”

Grandma’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You?” She turned to me, her expression shifting to one of approval. “Well, well. Looks like there’s hope for you yet, Nikolai.”

Mom reached over to ruffle my hair, a gesture that always made me feel like a kid again. “Don’t let it go to your head, dear. Your father’s not so easy to beat when he’s really trying.”

“I think he was trying,” I replied, smirking at Dad.

Arthur let out a loud laugh, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I like you, boy.”

The table erupted into laughter, the sound warm and infectious. Even Grandma chuckled, her stern facade breaking for just a moment.

As the meal went on, the conversation flowed naturally. Mom shared stories about her day—helping neighbors prepare for winter and organizing supplies. Grandma reminisced about the “good old days,” which usually involved a lot of teasing directed at Dad.

“Did I ever tell you about the time Arthur tried to impress the village girls by conjuring a water fountain? Ended up soaking himself and half the town square,” she said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

I nearly choked on my potato. “Wait, what?”

Arthur groaned, burying his face in his hands. “That was decades ago, Mother. Let it go.”

“Never,” Grandma declared with a grin.

Mom leaned over conspiratorially. “He still gets nervous around fountains to this day.”

The laughter that followed was uncontrollable, the kind that made your stomach hurt but felt too good to stop.

As the evening wore on, the fire crackled softly, and the plates slowly emptied. I leaned back in my chair, utterly content.

“Thank you for dinner, Mom. That was incredible,” I said sincerely.

She smiled, reaching over to pat my hand. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Family dinners are my favorite, especially with all of us together.”

Grandma raised her mug of cider. “To family—and to Nikolai giving his old man a run for his money.”

Dad rolled his eyes but lifted his mug, too. “To family.”

We clinked our cups together, the sound echoing softly in the warm, happy silence that followed. Moments like these were rare, and I promised myself I’d treasure them—no matter how crazy life got.

As I leaned back in my chair, savoring the last bites of steak and potatoes, the room’s cheerful hum shifted slightly. My mom and dad exchanged a quick, meaningful glance, and then both turned to face us. Their smiles were brighter than usual, almost nervous.

Dad cleared his throat, resting his hands on the table as if bracing himself. “Your mom and I have something to tell you two.”

Grandma raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-sip of her cider. I tilted my head curiously, sensing something big.

Before Dad could continue, Mom blurted out, unable to contain herself, “We’re having a baby!”

The room fell silent for a split second, the announcement hanging in the air like the quiet before a storm.

“A baby?” I repeated, my voice cracking slightly in surprise.

Grandma set her mug down with a loud thud, her expression quickly softening into one of joy. “Well, I’ll be! Another little one in the family? Oh, how wonderful!”

My mind reeled as the words sank in. “Wait—hold on. You’re serious?”

Mom nodded, her eyes brimming with happy tears. “Completely serious, Nikolai. You’re going to be a big brother.”

A mix of emotions surged through me—surprise, excitement, and a tinge of nervousness. “Wow, I… I didn’t see that coming.”

Dad chuckled, reaching over to ruffle my hair. “Neither did we, but here we are. It’s going to be a big change, but we know you’re ready for it.”

Grandma leaned forward, a sly grin on her face. “Oh, Nikolai, you’re in for it now. Babies are loud, messy, and unpredictable. But there’s nothing like the joy they bring.”

Mom rested a hand on my arm, her gaze warm and reassuring. “You’ll be a great big brother, Nikolai. I just know it.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and nodded. “I’ll try my best.”

Dad’s grin widened. “Try? Knowing you, you’ll overachieve like always.”

Grandma chuckled, raising her mug once more. “Well, this calls for a proper toast.” She looked at me with a wink. “To new beginnings and the chaos they bring!”

We all raised our glasses, clinking them together as laughter filled the room again. The warmth of the moment wrapped around me like a soft blanket, and I couldn’t help but smile.

This warmth. This feeling. This was love—a love I had never truly felt, even in my past life. I had parents once, but they were taken from me too soon, leaving me adrift in a world that never paused for my grief. The closest I ever came to this was the camaraderie of my coach and gym mates, but even that was a pale echo of what I had now. Sitting here, surrounded by my family’s laughter and the unspoken bond that tied us together, I finally understood the depth of what I had lost before—and what I had now. I couldn’t bear to lose this. No matter what happened, no matter how hard life became, I would fight with everything I had to protect it.

I wont be alone ever again.