A person's mindset can always become their greatest weapon; human beings are capable of doing anything to achieve their goals… and in some cases, even the most atrocious actions end up feeling justified.
Kael Lanpar's POV
A long time had passed since my birth. My life was… interesting. Despite being trapped in the body of a baby, I had found ways to entertain myself.
I tried to push away the memories of my past so I could at least focus on this new chance at life, even if I knew I didn't deserve it.
I crawled through the palace corridors as fast as I could while a maid chased me, desperately trying to catch up.
"Young prince, please slow down. You might hurt yourself," Lilia pleaded, her face full of worry.
Seeing her expression only encouraged me to move faster. Yes, being a baby was a nuisance… but some parts of it had their charm.
The palace halls were enormous, lined with white marble columns that reflected the golden light of dawn.
Before, I'd never really appreciated how magnificent this place was. But now that I could pay attention to every little detail… I sighed, thinking about how beautiful it all was.
For a moment, as I crawled through the royal corridors, I felt as if I were walking again. My legs stood up once more as I entered a landscape of fire and blood —one created by my own hand.
These memories always came back… and each time, they only made me question:
Why did I have to be reborn?
(Memory)
"You're nothing but filth. Your whole family are slaves. People like you don't deserve freedom, you son of a—"
Before he could finish, I kicked him hard in the stomach. He collapsed to the floor, coughing up blood.
I knew this was a memory—one I had relived countless times, a moment where I had been forced to do what I hated most: take a life to save others.
But this time, I couldn't intervene. I could only watch my own mistakes.
"Look around you, governor. Do you think any of the corpses here give a damn about what you're saying?" I shouted, feeling my nails dig into my palms.
Truth be told, nothing he said mattered anymore. These people had earned their fate—cruel individuals who abused the powerless simply because they held authority.
I shook my head in disgust. Why is it that, when people gain power, they change so suddenly?
It's as if the beast inside them finally breaks free.
I bent down and picked up a sword stained by the dust and blood of the battlefield—the same one the district governor had dropped.
"This must be the weapon you used to torture your slaves, right? Or am I wrong?" I asked, stepping closer.
I grabbed what little hair he had left and pulled him up so he was forced to face me. His eyes were filled with terror… and a desperate plea he didn't deserve.
"Are you going to beg, or would you rather I end this quickly?"
My words were final. There were no second chances. He had never offered any.
Before he could speak, I cut off his head. I felt the warm blood splash against my face. Guilt… yes. But also certainty. This had been the only choice.
(End of memory)
That day, I ended the lives of many. Corrupt men loyal to the Prophet and his ideology of power.
But even then… taking a life is something no one should decide, no matter how justified it may seem.
I shook my head, trying to push away the memory of that massacre.
My attention returned to the little chase. I had managed to outrun Lilia thanks to the twists of the hallway and the countless rooms.
Now calmer, I paused to admire the scenery once again.
"Hehehe… I think this is my second favorite thing in this world so far. Not having to see blood everywhere… it's comforting."
There they were—the grand windows letting in the morning breeze, and on the other side, the statues of ancient kings standing tall in every corner, watching me with their stone-carved gazes.
These were surely the ancestors of the Lanpar family… I had learned that the throne was inherited, something common in my past life. But back then… honestly, I never really understood how it all worked.
Perhaps one day my own statue would stand here... although I would prefer not to look so rigid and intimidating. To be honest, I prefer to lead a quiet life, I whispered to myself— perhaps somewhere in the countryside.
Still distracted, I turned down a different hallway without realizing it. After bumping lightly into a door, I realized I had entered a room different from the others.
It took me a moment to understand that I had entered my father's study. The door had been left slightly open, so I was going to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about this world.
My smile widened.
The only time I had been here before was when my father was looking for some papers. My mother wasn't home that day, so I spent the entire day with him.
This place was full of variety: documents, contracts with other kingdoms, finances… a bunch of things that honestly didn't interest me at all.
Wait… what's that? I muttered, slurring my baby-voice words. When I narrowed my eyes and looked closely, I saw something with my name on it:
"For my son Kael Lanpar, my pride."
It was a letter. I was about to head toward it—maybe even try to climb onto the chair to reach it—but something else caught my attention.
Lost in thought, I bumped into a book lying on the floor, conveniently within my reach.
This one says: Ranks.
Without wasting time, I dragged it toward me with what little strength this tiny body had and began to read.
Excerpt from the book:
"For a long time, after countless battles and wars fought by powerful men and women, ranks were established to classify fighters, whether they were mages or swordsmen."
My heart stopped for a moment.
Mages…? Magic?
I blinked several times, processing what I had just read.
I had assumed this was a medieval world—swords, bows, spears… something like the age of kings back in my old home.
But this… this was something entirely different.
No, no, no…
Surely this refers to those kinds of 'magic' like shamans or healers. I must be imagining things… magic doesn't exist.
A strange feeling settled in my chest. Until now, I had held onto the faint—maybe ridiculous—hope that I had simply been reborn in another era of my original world.
But if this was real… then everything changed.
Even the most drastic changes I could make wouldn't affect the future of my old world; I would only be altering another timeline that wasn't mine. I had even entertained the absurd idea of becoming a king to unify the world.
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away. There was no point trying to understand everything right now. All I could do was observe, learn, and understand this world as best as I could… to figure out where the hell I had ended up being reborn.
I turned my attention back to the book, devouring every word with renewed interest.
"In the vast continent of Mayora, there are three main ranks that determine a warrior's level.
First are the Rankeds, fighters in training who are still learning to control their abilities.
Then come the Roamers, warriors with basic skills who take part in minor missions.
And finally, the Destroyas, highly trained combatants capable of facing serious threats."
Each rank had a detailed description, but what caught my attention the most were the chapters that followed.
Interesting…
If I remember correctly, none of this was ever mentioned in the story of my past life. Little by little, I'm piecing the puzzle together, I thought as I scratched my head.
"Besides these, there are three other organizations that far surpass the conventional ranks, granting titles only to the strongest and most dangerous individuals on the continent."
Just as I was about to turn the page, I heard footsteps.
My ears sharpened instantly: they were light steps… but the strange part was the metallic clinking that accompanied them, as if pieces of iron were knocking together with each movement.
I went on high alert.
I didn't know who he was... and to make matters worse, the guards didn't usually patrol this part of the palace. I picked up one of the feathers lying on the ground, ready to use it as a makeshift weapon.
This is bad. Really bad.
What am I supposed to do if it's actually dangerous?
It's not like I can suddenly get my original body back to defend myself—I can't even walk yet.
When I lifted my gaze, I found my mother's amused eyes staring at me. Relief washed over me so intensely I let out a massive mental sigh. I was scared shitless… literally.
"Kal, what are you doing hiding here?" she asked with a smile, glancing around. "You should be with Lilia."
She paused, raising an eyebrow.
"Speaking of that… where is she?" she continued.
As if summoned, Lilia appeared at the door, panting, hair a complete mess.
"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry. The young prince escaped from me. He's too fast when he crawls."
My mother let out a soft, charming laugh and hugged me tenderly.
"Are you really that fast, Kal? You little troublemaker, aren't you?"
I couldn't answer her, of course, but I couldn't help feeling frustrated—she had interrupted me at the best part.
My mother handed me back to Lilia, who held me carefully.
"Take him to his room and put him in the crib so he can rest," she ordered playfully. "And next time, don't let him out of your sight. I don't want anything happening to my little one."
Lilia nodded, embarrassed, and started carrying me back to my room. As she settled me into the crib, she looked at me with gentle eyes and brushed her hand through my hair.
"Please, young prince, don't run off like that again. You scared me so much… and surely your mother too."
Hahahahaha…
Being scared that something could happen to me in a place this safe? A little ridiculous. This was a castle guarded by hundreds of soldiers. Just thinking about it made me sleepy…
I was about to close my eyes… when an image flashed through my mind.
Wait a minute… now that I think about it.
My mother was hurt.
She had cuts on her arms, and her dress was torn. That wasn't normal. What had happened…?
The answer came immediately.
Suddenly, lying in the crib, I felt the ground begin to shake. A second later came the sounds—explosions… screams of panic… chaos.
My eyes widened like saucers.
From where I lay, I could see through the window—cracking under the pressure—an enormous figure rising within the town. It was almost as tall as the castle itself.
I didn't know what was happening, but when I saw my mother running toward us with a horrified expression… everything slowed down. The windows burst, glass shattering and falling across the floor.
It reminded me of the moment I died—completely powerless to prevent my own death, forced to accept it.
My mind froze, arriving at a conclusion that devastated me… yet, for some strange reason, thrilled me.
This really was another world.
When I looked up, I saw a huge part of the ceiling collapsing.
Once again… I was going to die.
I squeezed my eyes shut, and the last thing I saw was my mother's face. She was running toward us with everything she had, terror carved into every line of her expression.
At the very least… I enjoyed a brief moment of peace. It felt like a vacation away from my torment and my sins.
I can't complain.
Tears began to spill from my eyes. I wished with all my heart for that not to be the end. And if the gods had ever known love… then let them forgive me this once, and let me live one more day.
And if that day came… I wouldn't waste it again.