I don't think it's that hard to learn something new if you have some help or a sort of manual beforehand. Though maybe that's because, even if now I seem like a genius compared to other kids my age or even some adults, the truth is I was pretty lazy in my past life. But that doesn't mean I was bad at studying—my school grades were good, sometimes I was among the top students in the school.
Work wasn't much different. Even so, I chose one that didn't demand too much from me, neither physically nor mentally.
Maybe that's why I don't think it's so hard to do this. I think this is the first time in any of my lives that I've actually wanted to pick up a book—one that could teach me about life and how to live it.
I never did it unless it was for a task or homework. The only times I did it willingly were when it was a manga or a light/web novel. I remember a few that were pretty good. I wonder if something like that exists in this world? "That Time I Reincarnated With the Powers of a God"… something like that sounds super cliché.
—Wait, what am I doing? I shouldn't get distracted. Procrastination… I think that's what this was called.
Alright, let's get back to what's really important.
—This symbol here is a circle—or so I think—but it's an A. And this one here looks like a hook, like the ones pirates used in movies…
Hmm…
Could there be pirates here? Would they have bonds with sharks or something? Hehe…
No, idiot! CONCENTRATE!
I rubbed both my temples with my fingers.
—Why is it so hard for me to focus?
—Are you having trouble, Kael?
—Mom? Ah… yeah.
—Do you want me to help you?
—Are you sure? I thought you were busy.
—I just finished what I was doing. I've got time before I start making lunch.
—Alright, thanks Mom!
—Hehe. Come here, little one. What's the problem?
—I can't seem to learn much. I've already identified a few letters and words, but it's getting pretty complicated. And I keep getting distracted so easily.
—Don't worry, son. Don't think reading and writing is something you learn overnight. I, for example, took almost a year to learn. Your father, on the other hand, took more than a year—but he was a fool from the start.
—Hehe.
—Hahaha.
We both laughed while talking.
—Still, I think it's amazing that at your age you're interested in learning this. I did it when I was four. It's a difference of one year, I know, but it's still amazing.
—Now, let's see. I'll give you some tips and be here to help and correct you whenever it's needed, okay?
—Yes, okay, thanks.
———
It had been almost two hours since Mom started helping me. She's an incredible teacher… Maybe she used to be one before she met Dad?
Mom had peeled and cut up a couple of fruits so we could eat while taking a break from studying.
Honestly, studying this was harder than my whole university life. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but the level must be close.
—Mom, you're really good at teaching! I can understand the book a bit better now!
—Hehe, I'm glad, my little one. But remember you should study whenever you can.
—Of course!
—Now that you mention it, I think I told my mom the same thing—your grandma.
—Really?
That made me think of something. My parents never mentioned theirs…
Maybe they're… no, that'd be insensitive to say. But I have to know, my curiosity's killing me.
—Mom, where are my grandparents? Don't they live nearby or in the village?
Mom just shook her head. Then she looked at me with a warm gaze, full of love and affection.
—They passed away four years ago, Kael. From natural causes, both at 88 years old. It was something I found beautiful—they left together. That made their loss hurt a little less.
—My mother's name was Adara. She was a teacher and instructor, like Master Aleph if we need an example. My father's name was Jack; he was a seeker-bearer.
—Seeker-bearer?
—Of course, maybe you haven't heard of them yet. It's a profession that, as the name suggests, specializes in searching or discovering new things: materials, ingredients for food or potions, biomes, and anything unknown to everyone else.
That sounds fun.
—Your grandfather was one of them—quite a famous one, in fact. He helped discover the Giant's Mountain, a mountain so tall that, according to seekers, it would take more than a year to reach its peak. At its highest point, it's believed that creatures never seen before exist—dragons, unicorns, mermaids, among many others. Your grandfather claimed to have seen a centaur on one of his many climbs, but since no one has ever reached the top, people said it was just an altitude-induced hallucination. I believed him, of course. Hehe.
Mythical creatures, that's awesome!
—Some time later, these unknown animals began appearing in places lower down the mountain.
The Giant's Mountain… I wonder what it looks like in person. Imposing, I'd guess.
—My father met your grandmother when he was called to the academy where she worked. The directors wanted him to share information, stories, and his many adventures with the students. They believed that would inspire the kids to keep studying and become certified bearers.
So even here you need something like a diploma to work.
—In the end, everything went well. More than well, I'd say. My father not only won over the students, but also my mother's heart.
—From what she told me, she was strictly raised from a young age to be a teacher-bearer. Her whole family was, or had been. But she refused to follow their path. They all ended up being hated by others, though they didn't care. They believed it was just envy from people who weren't as talented as them.
Seems my grandmother had quite the past.
—To prove that being from that family meant nothing, she left. But before she did, she promised them one thing: she would surpass them all in the area they were most proud of—teaching and knowledge about bonds.
—She spent years studying and training her skills to become the best teacher this world had ever seen. She worked all kinds of jobs, from caves to becoming a seeker like Dad. She went through so much to become what she had promised.
—On the day she was to be evaluated to receive the titles of teacher-bearer and professor at Rozium Academy, her family was there—but not for her. For her cousin, a man named Demian. In my mother's words, he was a capable and strong man. Too strong.
—The evaluation had two parts: teaching skills and combat skills. They were going to train the next generation of bearers, so they didn't want someone mediocre.
Sounds like a tough school, though an interesting one.
—My mother had a snow eagle bond, while her cousin had a shadow tiger.
—The fight was tough. My mother used her ability to fly and create shields of solid snow. She threw snowballs shaped into spikes, as compact and sharp as possible to cause damage. But his strength went beyond her expectations. Her shields shattered one after another. A couple of hits were enough to destroy them. On top of that, the tiger's key ability wasn't just strength or speed—it was the power to plunge opponents into darkness. That made them lose their bearings, which led to confusion and fear.
That sounds terrible. I can't imagine myself fighting someone like that… an extreme strength plus the strongest weapon of all, at least to me: fear.
—Her family mocked her, called her a traitor and a shameless one. To them, she was just an obstacle in the way.
—But what I admired most about her came out: her courage and bravery. That led to the next level of a bond—something called… The Origin.
—The snow hawk's power rose to its maximum potential. Snow didn't just mean a few snowballs or chunks of ice—it came in the form of icy wind gusts and icicles.
—The speed and force of her freezing winds went beyond the power of darkness. The ice swallowed not only her opponent, but also her family's expectations of him and their desire to win.
An unmatched power, which even the deepest darkness couldn't contain. Grandma was amazing.
—Mother came out victorious and fulfilled the promise she made to her mediocre family.
—I would've loved to see it! Sounds like she was someone impressive and kindhearted.
—Yes, she was…
It seemed Mom was about to cry. Her forehead wrinkled slightly, and her eyes grew moist.
I went closer and held her hand, squeezing it so she could feel my warmth.
She seemed to hold back her tears. She wiped her eyes a bit and gave me a smile.
—When she became a teacher, she was recognized by everyone: the failed daughter of the family who surpassed them all.
—When I was old enough, I went to study at Rozium Academy. But there, as she'd told me, she wouldn't be my mother—she'd be my professor. But I already knew that. I was proud of the great mother she'd become. She was the most valuable thing to me.
—That's amazing, Mom. You know… she was to you what you are to me. Even now you're just like her, hehe, teaching me to read and stuff.
She only smiled, but that was enough.
—Thank you, my little one. But now we have things to do, don't you think?
—Oh… right. But Mom…
I'd been hoping to rest a bit longer. I would've liked to hear another story.
—Call me professor, not Mom. Got it?
—Yes ma'am!
—Hehehe. Alright, let's continue. Where were we?
—Here!
I pointed at the page where we had finished the first lesson.
—Alright. This symbol here means…