Time passed quickly. Jay’s first year had already gone by, and his world was starting to expand little by little.

He was learning to walk, learning to speak — and more importantly, learning about the world he had been reborn into.

Every day, his mother Maria would hold him near the fireplace and talk about ordinary things — how the crops were growing, how the winter would soon come, and how his father was working hard.

Poul wasn’t home very often, but when he was, he always brought laughter.

"Come on, Jay! Let’s see if you can stand today!" he said with a proud grin.

Jay struggled, wobbling on his small feet before falling back down.

"Ahaha! You almost had it!" Poul laughed.

Maria sighed softly but smiled. "Dear, don’t make him tired. He’s still a baby."

"Right, right," he said, scratching his beard. "But he’s strong. He’ll grow fast — I can feel it."

Jay couldn’t help but smile back at them. ‘So this is what warmth feels like... I never had this before in my previous life.’

As days turned into weeks, Jay began to speak his first words.

"Ma… Ma…" he murmured.

Maria froze, then gasped. "He spoke! He said Mama!"

Poul blinked. "Wait, what? He called you first?!"

Jay chuckled mischievously. "Pa… pa!"

Poul jumped from his chair. "That’s my boy!"

Their laughter filled the house.

Months passed, and Jay’s mind continued to develop rapidly. By the time he turned two, he could already form small sentences.

Maria and Poul often looked at each other, surprised.

"Isn’t it strange, Poul? He learns too fast…"

"Maybe he inherited your brains," he joked.

"Or maybe your stubbornness," she teased.

But deep down, Jay knew the truth. ‘My adult mind is still here. I have to be careful not to show too much.’

He decided to act like a normal child, even if that meant pretending.

One evening, a heavy rain poured outside. Thunder rolled across the sky, echoing through the valley.

Maria lit a candle while Poul stood by the window, watching the storm.

"Another long night, huh?" he said quietly.

Maria nodded. "It’s been raining for days now… The rivers might overflow again."

Jay sat beside the fire, staring into the dancing flames. The sound of rain was calming — until a flash of lightning illuminated the room.

For a brief second, Jay saw something — a shadow outside the window.

‘What was that?’

But when he blinked, it was gone.

The next morning, Poul prepared to leave early.

"You’re leaving again?" Maria asked, a trace of worry in her voice.

"Yeah. The governor called all soldiers back to the capital. Something’s happening in the east."

Jay froze when he heard that. ‘War? Already?’

Maria lowered her gaze. "I see... Be careful, Poul."

He smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Always. I’ll be back before you know it."

He looked at Jay, who was standing by the door, silent.

Poul knelt down and ruffled his hair. "Hey, little man. Take care of your mother for me, alright?"

Jay nodded, hiding his trembling hands.

"Good boy."

And just like that, Poul left.

Jay watched him disappear down the road, his figure fading into the fog.

‘Even if I’m just a child now… I’ll grow stronger. I’ll protect her. I won’t let this family break apart.’

That promise burned quietly inside him