"…How can I become one?"
Rhea let out an awkward laugh and gently ruffled his hair.
"You just woke up," she said, her voice lightly scolding but her eyes soft. "Get some rest for now."
Isaac, careful not to let anything slip, offered a small nod in return. His expression stayed neutral, though his mind was already turning.
'Still, I don't think it will be too hard to become strong in this world.'
He found himself wondering whether mana existed in this world. If it did, he might actually have an advantage. All those hours lost in web novels could finally amount to something.
After eating his fill, Isaac excused himself and climbed back upstairs.
He slept for almost two hours before he was woken by the sound of cheerful laughter.
'….Is it Maia?'
He stretched slowly, his joints popping as he dragged his hands across his tired face.
Looking up, he stared at the ceiling, its rough-hewn wooden beams half-lit by the afternoon light and let his mind drift back to the garden.
'What the hell is that place, anyway?'
He wasn't quite sure whether the garden had been real or just a fragment of his imagination.
'But I do remember reading that book….'
The fact that someone before him had known English was deeply unsettling.
If someone had already been transmigrated into this world and had tried to liberate it from whatever 'Demon King' lurked here, then why was he here now?
Either she had failed and died trying, or it was just an endless loop and each new transmigrator taking the last one's place.
The very thought of being just another pawn made Isaac fearful.
But he quickly drew in a deep breath and reined in his emotions.
'It is the perpetual dread of fear, the fear of fear itself, that shapes the face of a brave man.'
He turned the saying over in his mind as he pushed himself upright.
He had the urge to return to the garden and explore it further, yet he held himself back. It wasn't the time.
'I can't leave my lifeless body alone without any security, and I don't think my mind can handle another round.'
Isaac stood and walked to the window, where the light shone brightly.
He looked out and saw the sun clearly for the first time.
It was bright white and absolutely beautiful to look at.
'…Hmm, it's a lot different from my sun.'
He gave it a long look before shifting his focus.
Perhaps it was a coincidence, but a lot of things in this world matched what he knew from Earth. The way time was measured, the months, even the seven days of the week.
'Am I in a parallel world?'
He wondered, and his thoughts began to drift toward his parents.
'Did I really die in my real world…?'
Isaac wasn't sure whether he had lost his life or not.
It was common in novels for death to be the trigger for transmigration, but he hoped that hadn't been the case for him.
'….I hope my parents get the insurance money, if I really did die.'
At the very least, that would give them a comfortable old age and a better life for his sister.
Pah!!
He slapped both palms against his cheeks, the sting sharp enough to scatter his thoughts.
"There is no need to be sad," he said, drawing in a deep breath. "I will see them again."
Knock!
Knock, knock!
A series of knocks on the door made him look up.
The door to his room slowly opened, and a small head peeked inside.
Maia blinked at him with wide, cautious eyes.
"Mother is calling you downstairs," she said.
"Okay." Isaac nodded, gently pushing himself away from the window.
He ran a hand through his hair to make himself look presentable.
He followed behind Maia, who was still wary of him.
'I am not going to eat you, child.'
Isaac grumbled inwardly, keenly aware of how hard she was trying to keep her distance.
When he stepped down the stairs, he saw Rhea sitting on a sofa in the main hall with Lancel beside her.
But what caught his eye were the items laid out on the table.
Knives of varying lengths arranged in a row. A shortbow and a quiver of arrows. Coils of rope, small glass vials, a worn leather satchel.
'What's going on?'
All kinds of thoughts rushed through Isaac's mind as he approached with a confused look.
Rhea smiled when she saw him and gestured for him to come closer, then took his hand when he did, along with Maia's.
"Let us pray," she said. "Lancel is going on a hunt."
Lancel reached across and completed the circle, gripping Isaac's free hand and Maia's, the four of them forming a loose ring around the laden table.
"Oh, Sovereign Goddess of the High Realm," Rhea said softly. "Keep my son safe, for he risks his life for the well-being of your subjects."
"Amen."
The others murmured in unison -- all except Isaac, who kept his silence.
"Keep him from evil spirits, fairies, dangerous monsters, and humans."
"Amen."
"Bring him home, so he may serve you longer."
"Amen."
Rhea let go of their hands and pulled Lancel into a hug, which he promptly pushed his way out of.
"Mother," he grumbled. "Don't do that!"
Rhea could only smile. "Alright, fine."
Lancel packed everything up, got dressed, and headed out.
"Bye, Mother, Maia."
"Stay safe, my child!"
Isaac couldn't help himself. "Where is he going, Mother?"
"Lancel?" she asked. "He is going to hunt for ingredients."
"Ingredients?" he asked. "For what?"
"To become a Ascendant, you need more than willpower," she explained as Maia snuggled against her.
"To perform the ritual, you need ingredients, and those vary depending on which Ascendant path you choose."
"…Are you an Ascendant?" Isaac couldn't help but ask — she seemed to know quite a lot about it.
She let out a bitter smile and shook her head.
"I am not," she replied. "But my husband was."
"I see."
Isaac felt awkward continuing the conversation, knowing full well how her husband had died.
'….He died saving me from the fire, didn't he?'
He felt a small, quiet guilt settle over him, even though it hadn't been his fault.
He drew in a deep breath and began to make his way toward his room, but Rhea caught his arm before he could.
"Would you not sit with your mother a little longer?" she said softly.
Isaac let out a dry chuckle. "W-why not?"
He sat down on the sofa, with Maia and Rhea settling on the other side.
Maia was still nestled in her mother's arms, watching him quietly.
'What is with this child?'
Isaac smiled awkwardly and gave her a small wave, which she promptly ignored.
"Do you still like mangoes?" Rhea asked suddenly. "I remember you were fond of them."
"Y-yeah," Isaac said, a faint memory of it surfacing.
"I wish I could get you some," she said, with a trace of bitterness. "But after the incident, we cut all ties with the town of Rohan."
Rohan was the town closest to the elven settlement.
Before the attack, there had been a secret trade arrangement between the two races.
But it had all ended when the people of Rohan had passed their information to the Kingdom of Angmar.
The same kingdom whose soldiers had tried to burn down the World Tree and had killed Rhea's husband.
"It's fine," Isaac said with a light sigh. "We are better off without them."
Rhea gave a gentle nod. "But the town of Rohan got what they deserved."
"What do you mean?"
"Three years ago, their Ascendant Mayor failed in his ritual," she said. "It led to the destruction of half the town."
'So failing the ritual can have consequences,' Isaac noted inwardly.
Though what interested him more was how exactly a ritual could be failed.
Just as he was about to ask, the front door opened.
A man in red priest's robes stepped inside and hung his hat on the stand.
"Is Lancel already gone?" Logan asked with a smile.
"Grandpa!" Maia scrambled off the sofa and rushed toward him.
Rhea stood as well. "Yes," she answered. "He promised to be back before evening."
Logan nodded, patting Maia gently.
Isaac also rose when Logan's eyes found his.
Logan smiled and walked over. "Are you feeling well?"
"Yeah," Isaac replied. "Much better."
Logan nodded thoughtfully. "Then perhaps we can begin your training early."
"Pardon?"
Logan's smile widened as he clapped a hand on Isaac's shoulder.
"The entire village is counting on you, child," he said. "They all want to see their Messiah grow as quickly as possible."
'But I am no Messiah!'
Isaac exclaimed inwardly, though on the outside he could only manage a bitter smile.
"Be ready," Logan said, giving him a few firm pats. "You will learn everything from the basics before you start hunting."
'…Hunt for what, exactly?'