You know what they don't tell you about reincarnation?
It hurts.
Not the rebirth part—that was easy. Woke up in a forest, gorgeous body, long silver hair, pointy ears, magic affinity. Basically a fantasy model with mana.
But surviving as a hot elf in a murder-forest?
Nightmare fuel.
Case in point: the giant, very angry, lightning-charged wolf now stalking me like I was a walking chew toy.
"Easy there, Pikachu," I said, backing up slowly. "Let's talk this out like reasonable—"
CRACK—!
A bolt of lightning scorched the ground next to me.
"Okay! Words are dead! Cool!"
The beast lunged. I dove to the side, barely avoiding becoming crispy elf bacon. My body moved on instinct—thank the gods (and probably Wish #3: 'Perfect combat instincts and reflexes').
[Combat State: Active]
[Analyzing Host: Race – Dark Elf (Primordial Variant)]
[Affinities: Shadow, Spirit]
[Loading Beginner Magic—Shadow Bind]
Wait—how do I cast it?
[Visualize the shadow. Feed it your will.]
That's it? No chant? No magic circles? No wizard hat?
I focused. The wolf's shadow stretched under its paws. I imagined it alive—slithering, coiling, ready to grab.
"Shadow Bind!" I shouted—mostly for dramatic effect.
Dark tendrils lashed up from the wolf's own shadow and wrapped around its legs. It howled and thrashed, bound by black ropes of mana.
[Effectiveness: 46%]
[Duration: 2.4 seconds]
"Not long, huh? Guess I'm still on the demo version."
The wolf snapped free and dashed forward. I scrambled back, heart pounding.
[New Spell Unlocked: Shadow Spear (Tier I)]
[Use: Condense shadow into a piercing projectile.]
"Sure, let's spear it!"
I conjured a jagged lance of shadow and hurled it with all my might.
It hit. The wolf staggered back, blood spraying.
And then it looked at me like I'd just insulted its mother.
[Minor Damage Inflicted: 8% HP Reduction]
[Target: Mildly Annoyed]
"Mildly?! That's mild?!"
The wolf roared and launched a bolt of lightning. I rolled behind a tree, barely avoiding electrified death.
[Spell Fusion Available: Shadow + Spirit]
[Advanced Construct: Wraith Lance (Tier II) – High Mana Cost. Proceed?]
"Do I have a choice?! Hit me with the magic stick!"
I poured mana into my hands. Light and darkness fused—black with silver veins—forming a spear that sang with power.
The wolf charged.
I threw the lance.
BOOOOOOM!
The clearing exploded. Trees cracked. Smoke filled the air. I was thrown backward by the shockwave and landed face-first in a bush.
Again.
When the smoke cleared, the Storm Wolf lay slumped near a ruined tree, twitching. Its side was bleeding. Burned. But still breathing.
It tried to rise—then stopped.
And looked at me.
We locked eyes.
No more hatred. No more rage.
Just… understanding.
It lowered its head.
I could feel it—an instinctual link. My magic, my soul, calling to it.
[Target can be named. Would you like to form a Pact?]
I raised my hand...
Paused…
And slowly lowered it.
"No. You're not a pet. I won't name you."
The wolf blinked. Then, with a soft huff, turned and limped into the trees, lightning flickering behind it.
Not defeated.
Not claimed.
But maybe… respecting me.
[Battle Concluded.]
[Skills Learned:]
– Shadow Bind (I)
– Shadow Spear (I)
– Wraith Lance (II)
[Mana Control Proficiency +22%]
[Combat Rating: "You Didn't Die. Good Job."]
I collapsed onto the grass, breathing hard.
"Okay. First day in fantasy world: fought an electric murder-dog, blew up a forest, and didn't die."
My stomach growled.
"Also haven't eaten."
[New Status: "Starving Idiot" – mana regen slowed.]
"Wow. Even the system's roasting me now."
Still, as I lay under the stars, battered and bruised, I smiled.
Because for the first time since waking in this world…
I felt alive.