Six years. That's how long I've been living in this new world.
I mean, it's wild to even say that out loud. Six years ago, I was just some regular dude in 2025, dodging responsibilities and binge-watching anime like it was a full-time job. Now? I'm Kaledon Portugal, son of Lord and Lady Portugal, local nobles of some fancy territory called the Silverwood District.
My life now? Way different. Less ramen and Netflix, more servants, sword practice (which I definitely avoid), and magic. Freakin' magic.
From the outside, I'm just a noble brat with a pretty face and a rich background. But no one knows what's really going on behind those bedroom doors.
See, the thing is… I've been secretly learning magic since I was, like, two. No joke. I couldn't talk properly, but I could copy how people moved their hands when they cast spells. At first, it was just me waving my arms around like a deranged duck in my crib. But hey—baby steps.
By the time I turned four, things got real.
It started with the maid lighting a fire in the hearth. I noticed how her fingers moved in a swirl. She whispered something, too low for most to catch, but my ears were sharp. I mimicked it later in my room. No fire came out, of course, but I felt this weird tingle in my chest. Like something buzzing, waiting.
Then there was the butler, old dude named Bram. Always wore gloves, always super calm. But one day I caught him levitating a stack of scrolls with just a hand gesture and a flick of mana. I copied him that night. Every motion, every whisper. I didn't sleep—I just kept trying.
Eventually, the system chimed in. My first real win.
[Skill Acquired: Magic Manipulation]
[Opening Skill Window...]
[Skill Window – Kaledon Portugal]
[Magic Manipulation (Active)]
Level: 1
Description: Basic control over the flow of mana inside and around your body. Needed for casting spells.
Cost: 2 Mana/sec (constant drain while active)
Mastery Bonus: Increases mana sensitivity and efficiency.
I almost screamed. That floating blue screen was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I even tried touching it—hand went right through, of course—but still, the satisfaction was next level.
And that was just the beginning.
Every night, after the servants left and the candles were out, I'd sit cross-legged in my huge bed and focus. Breathing slowly, channeling the mana inside me like warm water flowing through pipes. I could feel it more and more each day. It became easier to pull, easier to guide.
At first, I couldn't do much besides wiggle my fingers and make them glow faintly. But by the time I hit five? I could float a pillow. That's right—telekinesis, baby. Okay, yeah, it was just a pillow, and only like three inches off the ground, and I nose-bled after five seconds, but still! Progress.
I didn't tell anyone. Not even my parents. Lord Portugal had this whole thing about "formal magical education" and how I'd be sent to the royal academy when I turned ten. But no way was I waiting that long. I had a cheat system. I had YouTube-level dedication. I was speedrunning this.
And honestly, magic was addicting. It felt like an extension of me. Like my fingers were made for casting, not sword-fighting. Not that I was bad with a sword, but magic? Magic called to me.
Sometimes, I'd sneak into the library and dig through grimoires. Most of them were locked behind annoying seals, but a few beginner-level ones were open for staff and guests. I'd sit in a corner, pretending to nap while my brain was going full scanner mode, absorbing every rune and symbol.
One time I copied a water spell just from watching the cook summon clean water out of thin air. It took a week of practice and a lot of wet socks, but I finally nailed it. The system updated again.
[Skill Upgraded: Magic Manipulation – Level 2]
[New Sub-Skill Unlocked: Elemental Guidance (Water)]
[Skill Window – Kaledon Portugal]
[Magic Manipulation (Active)]
Level: 2
Description: Improved control over mana flow. Basic external manipulation.
Cost: 1.5 Mana/sec
Mastery Bonus: Slight increase in spell success rate.
----------------------------
[Elemental Guidance (Water)]
Level: 1
Description: Minor ability to attract and shape nearby water.
Cost: 5 Mana/use
Mastery Bonus: Reduces mana cost over time.
By six, I had built a secret mini dojo in my room. Just me, my pillow test subjects, a jug of water, and the flickering candlelight. I had a small book where I doodled pretend spell diagrams—half of them probably made no sense, but they helped me focus. I even named some moves. Because why not?
Aqua Flick! (Basic water burst)
Floaty Time (Levitation practice)
Mana Squeeze (That one just gave me headaches, still don't know what it was supposed to do.)
The best part? The more I trained, the more responsive the system became. It felt like it was growing with me. Sometimes it gave hints, like RPG tooltips.
[Hint: Mana control increases with consistent flow exercises. Try holding a spell longer.]
[Hint: Practicing near natural elements boosts affinity.]
I once stood in the garden for two hours trying to connect with a puddle. Maid thought I was broken. Worth it.
But there was one thing that bugged me.
The store.
The magical store, the thing that was supposed to let me buy ANYTHING as long as I had gold coins… it was still locked. Or hidden. I didn't have gold. Not really. Sure, my parents were rich, but my allowance was more like "don't break the vase again" than "here's a pouch of coins, young master."
I tried yelling "Store!" once in the mirror. Nothing. Tried blinking three times and spinning. Nothing. Eventually, I figured it must unlock later—or maybe once I get my hands on actual coins. So I waited. Practiced. Got stronger.
Still, I couldn't help but feel like I was sitting on a time bomb of potential. Like the moment I touched that system's full power, things were going to explode.
Which honestly? Sounded awesome.
Now, here I am. Six years old. A noble's kid with a secret magic skill window, an ever-growing list of home-learned spells, and a store system waiting to blow the doors open once I get some gold.
And tomorrow's my birthday.
I heard a rumor. Something about a royal guest visiting. My dad's been acting stiff, my mom's in full "noble lady" mode, and the servants are whispering about showing off the heir of the Portugal family.
That's me.
I've got a feeling.
Something big is about to start.
To be continued...