Time moved quietly through the valley of Alderheim.
Spring rains fed the wheat fields. Summer sunlight painted the hills gold. Autumn winds carried the scent of fallen leaves across the orchards. And winter blanketed the countryside in soft snow.
For the people of Alderheim Village, life followed the rhythm of these seasons.
Farmers sowed crops.
Merchants carried goods to nearby towns.
Hunters patrolled the edges of the Eldergreen Forest.
And within the manor of House Alderheim, a young boy continued to grow.
Takemi was now eight years old.
His body had grown stronger and taller, though he still carried the energetic restlessness of youth.
But those who watched him carefully began noticing something unusual.
His movements were… precise.
Not simply fast.
But controlled.
Measured.
The instincts of an athlete from another world had slowly merged with the physical gifts granted by the God of Life.
Every motion of Takemi's body felt natural—like a machine perfectly tuned for motion.
Yet Takemi himself remained unaware of just how extraordinary he had become.
The morning sun had just risen when Takemi stepped into the courtyard.
A faint mist still clung to the ground.
Cedric stood waiting near the training area.
"You are late by three minutes, young master."
Takemi groaned.
"I woke up early!"
"Early by a child's standards," Cedric replied calmly.
"Discipline is the foundation of strength."
Takemi stretched his arms.
"Alright, alright. What's today's training?"
Cedric gestured toward several wooden targets placed across the courtyard.
"Throwing practice."
Takemi grinned.
Now this was his favorite part.
He picked up a small iron training ball.
Unlike stones or apples, these balls were heavier—designed to build strength.
Takemi stepped back.
His body shifted naturally into the familiar stance of a pitcher.
Even after eight years in another world, his body still remembered the rhythm of baseball.
He inhaled.
Then—
WHOOSH
The ball shot forward.
A loud CRACK echoed across the courtyard.
The wooden target shattered.
Cedric slowly closed his eyes.
"…Perhaps we should reinforce the targets again."
Takemi rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry."
Cedric studied the broken wood.
"Your power continues to increase."
Takemi frowned slightly.
"Is that bad?"
Cedric shook his head.
"No."
"But strength must always be accompanied by control."
He handed Takemi another ball.
"Again."
Later that afternoon, Takemi sat in the manor's library again.
Cedric placed a thick book on the table.
"The Foundations of Mana Theory."
Takemi groaned.
"Sounds boring."
Cedric ignored him.
"Understanding mana is essential before you enter Magic Academy."
Takemi opened the book.
Inside were diagrams of glowing energy flowing through the human body.
Cedric pointed to one illustration.
"Mana flows through channels inside the body known as mana circuits."
Takemi leaned closer.
"So everyone has these?"
"Yes."
"But their strength varies."
Some people possessed weak circuits and could barely cast a spell.
Others possessed strong circuits capable of shaping powerful magic.
Cedric tapped the page again.
"However…"
He paused.
"Your case is unusual."
Takemi blinked.
"Why?"
Cedric placed a mana crystal in Takemi's hand.
Immediately the crystal began glowing brighter.
Takemi stared.
"Oh."
Cedric nodded.
"Your mana sensitivity is extremely high."
Takemi scratched his head.
"…Is that because of the god?"
Cedric didn't question the strange comment.
Instead he simply replied:
"Perhaps."
One evening, Lord Harland took Takemi beyond the village fields.
They rode on horseback toward the edge of Eldergreen Forest.
The trees stood tall and ancient.
Their branches intertwined like a massive green cathedral.
Takemi felt the air change.
The deeper they went, the heavier the atmosphere became.
Mana.
It filled the forest like invisible mist.
"Father… this place feels different."
Harland nodded.
"Forests like this are called mana-rich zones."
"Monsters thrive in these environments."
Takemi spotted movement between the trees.
A small creature emerged.
It resembled a wolf.
But its fur shimmered faintly blue.
"What is that?"
"Mana Wolf," Harland replied.
"They are stronger than ordinary wolves."
The creature watched them cautiously before disappearing into the brush.
Takemi felt excitement stir in his chest.
This world was truly alive with strange creatures.
As they continued riding, a loud noise suddenly echoed through the forest.
A tree branch snapped somewhere nearby.
Harland immediately reached for his sword.
"Stay behind me."
Takemi's heart began pounding.
From the bushes emerged a creature roughly the size of a large dog.
Its skin looked rough and stone-like.
Red eyes glowed beneath a jagged brow.
"Rock Boar," Harland muttered.
The creature snorted aggressively.
Rock Boars were territorial monsters known to attack travelers.
The beast charged.
Harland stepped forward to draw his blade—
But before he could strike—
THUD
Something hit the boar's head.
The creature collapsed instantly.
Harland blinked.
Then slowly turned.
Takemi stood behind him.
One hand still extended.
In his palm…
Was an empty throwing motion.
The stone he had thrown lay embedded deep in the monster's skull.
Silence filled the forest.
Harland stared.
"…Takemi."
Takemi blinked.
"…Sorry?"
Cedric, who had followed behind them, simply sighed.
"It seems young master has discovered another talent."
Harland sheathed his sword slowly.
"…Remind me never to anger my son."
That night Takemi lay awake in his bed.
The moonlight spilled through the window.
He thought about the Rock Boar.
Even he hadn't expected the throw to be that powerful.
His body was clearly far stronger than normal humans.
Cedric's words echoed in his mind.
Strength without control is dangerous.
Takemi clenched his hand.
In two years…
He would enter Royal Magic Academy.
There he would learn magic.
Combat.
Strategy.
And the deeper mysteries of this world.
But most importantly—
That was where he would meet the boy who would challenge him more than anyone else.
A boy whose swordsmanship would one day rival Takemi's monstrous throwing power.
His name…
Rauk.
And their story…
Had yet to begin.