Chapter Three
The sun's rays were gently caressing the window, and the atmosphere in the city was pleasant despite the summer heat that was gradually creeping in. In Giovanni's family's house, the smell of breakfast was pervasive.
In the kitchen, Mother Maria was preparing food, while Father Julius was quietly reading the morning newspaper. Suddenly, the little boy entered, looking tired, and he merely gave her a faint look.
Maria asked worriedly, "Are you okay, my son? You look like you didn't sleep well."
Iskander replied, trying to hide his concern, "It was just a nightmare, don't worry."
Iskander sat at the table, but his mind was preoccupied, thinking about what he had seen in his sleep. Little by little, strange memories began to creep into his mind: scenes from a past life that didn't fit his current childhood.
When he returned to his room later, he sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Then he began to speak in a low voice, as if debating with himself:
This world is different, not as I'm used to... but it's not entirely strange.
He took a deep breath. He opened his notebook to begin writing down what he had understood:
"I am now in the Kingdom of Neveria, in the city of Enstaria, located on the continent of Alethrim. It is a small continent, but it contains several human kingdoms, as well as kingdoms of humanoids with distinct animal characteristics. There are the Felines, the Lycans, and the Draani... each with its own kingdom."
He looked at the newspaper his father had been reading this morning, recalling what he had heard about it:
"Here, they don't rely on technology like on Earth, but on magic. This magic makes life easier; lighting, water, and even printing rely on magical spells. My father reads a newspaper published daily this way."
He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking:
"I must understand this world well... our location, our kingdoms, and the ways of life here. All of this will be useful when my training begins, and when I begin planning for my future."
He got out of bed and said firmly:
"I will become the greatest general in this world."
His lips smiled with a kind of silent determination, and he knew this was just the beginning. Only, the road ahead is long and difficult, but he is ready to face it.