Four years had passed since my rebirth.
In that time, I learned that this world revolved around magic.
Magic users were divided into two categories:
Mages, who relied on incantations, and Sorcerers, who cast magic without them. Power was ranked from F to S*, and once someone awakened, they were required to obtain an adventurer license, which acted as both identification and proof of status.
Upon awakening, a mysterious system would appear—displaying one's stats, skills, and elemental attributes.
That was all I knew.
Everything else was kept from me. Whenever I asked, I was told the same thing:
"You'll understand when you awaken."
Come to think of it, this world felt strangely familiar—almost like a game I used to play back in my old life.
Neurous.
Thankfully, I didn't live the lonely, boring life most princes did.
I was allowed to explore the Voldaro forest within the castle's domain alongside my cousin Iris, who was three months younger than me. Mart and his mother Ashia served as my personal attendants, while his father, Allond, was assigned as my personal knight.
At first, I couldn't understand why someone my age was expected to treat another child as a servant.
So I didn't.
I ordered Mart to be my friend instead.
Not master and servant—but equals.
Surprisingly, my parents didn't object.
I avoided befriending outsiders, whether nobles or peasants. Too many of them chased wealth, status, and influence. Greed filled their hearts, and I wanted no part of it.
Today, however, was different.
Today, I planned to leave the castle.
A one-month journey—an adventure—alongside Eris, Mart, Ashia, and Allond. Ashia was a skilled mage, and Allond a powerful swordsman. With them, we would be protected.
Ashia: "Young Lord, breakfast is ready. Everyone is waiting for you."
"I'm coming!"
At the table, Iris glared at me.
Iris: "What took you so long? I'm starving. If it weren't for Arthur and Elilia, I would've eaten both your share and mine."
"Sorry. I was spacing out."
Iris: "You were thinking about our adventure, weren't you?"
"How did you know?"
She grinned.
Iris: "I know you better than anyone. You were thinking about the spirit beast you want to bond with, right?"
"…Yeah. You got me."
I hesitated before speaking again.
"Um—Arthur, Elilia… would you mind joining us? The more awakened people we have, the safer the others will be."
Arthur: "I don't mind traveling with my younger brother."
Elilia: "I had plans today, but they can wait. If it's for our young prodigy, I'll come along."
She paused.
Elilia: "But where exactly are we going?"
"The Divanous Mountains."
Arthur's eyes widened.
Arthur: "The mountain range filled with spirit beasts of all levels?"
I nodded.
"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, Mart. Iris and I decided yesterday. We're hoping to find a great spirit beast."
Mart sighed.
Mart: "Do as you wish. I'll follow you—as your friend and servant."
"…Though every time you two gather your thoughts together, something unsettling happens. It always brings disaster."
Iris: "The three of us going there alone would be suicide."
Elilia: "Why Divanous? There are other places."
Iris: "Raidan says that every time he enters the forest, he feels a spirit calling to him. A spirit asking to be born… and to see the world."
A quiet fell over the table.
"We'll take the longest and safest route."
Arthur & Elilia: "Fine. We'll escort you."
We packed our supplies into Storio—magical artifacts that
allowed the user to store items inside a dimensional rift.
Before we left, my father stopped me.
King Arlond: "I don't understand why you insist on this journey now. You could simply wait until you awaken and obtain a spirit beast from the royal beast store."
I met his gaze.
"I want a spirit beast I almost die to obtain. Only then will it truly be precious to me."
My mother sighed softly.
Queen Alica: "Take care. You better return in one piece."
"I will."
I turned toward the others.
"Ashia, is everything ready?"
Ashia: "Yes, Young Lord."
I smiled.
"Then let's go—Iris, Mart, Arthur, Elilia, Ashia, Allond."
"Our journey begins now."
"And we'll find that spirit beast."