Days passed quickly. Now Kael was five years old.
He could already walk and talk fluently, and thanks to the knowledge from his previous life, he had even become skilled at reading. At the age of four, Kael secretly read every book in the house at night, sneaking out of bed once the house was quiet. He would sit silently in the living room, illuminated by the moonlight through the window, devouring page after page like a starving man finding food.
Now, he understood the basics of this world—magic, kingdoms, monsters, and the existence of races like elves and dwarves. He knew which were legends and which were facts. He even understood how the social class system in the kingdom worked—from nobles to commoners.
Kael was already able to produce magic energy—something considered extraordinary for someone his age. Normally, children started feeling the flow of mana in their bodies around the age of seven, and would only be able to control it once they entered the basic academy at ten. But Kael? At five years old, he could control magic like an advanced student.
Maybe it was because he was a reincarnator… or maybe there was another unknown factor. As for using magic, the books explained that magic typically began with a chant, like: "Fireball!" and then a glowing, hot ball of flame would appear. But Kael was different. He could use magic instantly—without chanting. All he had to do was imagine the desired effect, channel mana in that direction, and… boom. The spell would manifest.
That morning, the weather was clear across the village sky. White clouds like cotton drifted calmly across the blue expanse. A gentle breeze blew softly, carrying the scent of damp earth and morning dew. In front of a humble house made of wood and stone, Kael stood alone.
A sturdy wooden fence surrounded the house, enclosing a green yard freshly trimmed. To the right of the house stood a tall, lush tree that seemed to reach for the sky. A small bird perched on one of its branches, chirping cheerfully as if to welcome the morning.
Kael looked up at the bright blue sky, hands on his hips, his face serious—an expression far too mature for someone his age. He let out a sigh.
"Huh... time to train," he muttered.
He raised his hand. Instantly, a swirling sphere of clear water appeared, spinning rapidly until it thinned out. The water didn't just spin—it sliced through the air like a blade.
"Cutting Water!" he called.
He swung his hand toward the big tree beside the house—and…
BOOM!
The tree split in half with a loud crack. A sharp fracture ran from the top down to its roots, and with a dreadful creaking sound, the upper half began to fall, slamming into the ground with a puff of dust. The startled bird flew away in panic.
"W-wow… that's pretty amazing, and it's just water…" he muttered in awe. He looked at his hand, then at the magic he had just used. In his mind, there were still so many spells he wanted to try. But then—
"KAAEELL!!"
A woman's loud voice came from the house. Kael froze. His blood felt like it stopped flowing.
"Th-this is bad…" he mumbled in panic, glancing nervously toward the house.
From the doorway, a young woman rushed out. Her long hair, usually tied neatly, was now messy and loose. Her face—an intense mix of anger, shock, and worry—was plain to see.
"Kael! Why did you cut that tree?!"
Kael could only chuckle nervously, cold sweat trickling down his temple. He stood stiffly in front of the now-split tree trunk, lying on the damp morning grass. Sunlight streamed gently through the clouds, making the tense scene feel even more dramatic.
His mother hurried toward him—the sound of her footsteps firm against the ground. The house dress she wore fluttered lightly in the breeze, giving the impression that a storm was approaching—and that storm was called "a mother's wrath."
"Kael!" her voice was stern but full of concern. "Do you realize how dangerous that was?! That tree wasn't just huge—it could've crushed the house if it fell the wrong way!"
Kael lowered his head. His heart pounded—not because his magic failed, but because it worked too well.
"S-sorry, Mom… I just wanted to try the Cutting Water spell I read about yesterday…" he replied softly.
His mother took a deep breath, trying to calm down. She looked at the cleanly split trunk, as if it had been cut by a sharp sword. There was disbelief in her eyes. She knew her son was smart—too smart for his age. But this? This was beyond expectation.
"I'm not stopping you from training… but you have to tell me first! Don't just use magic near the house without warning!" Her tone softened, though still serious.
Kael nodded slowly. "Yes, Mom… I promise I won't do it again."
She paused, then gently patted his head. "You're only five, Kael. But you're like a little adult," she said quietly, a mix of worry and admiration in her voice.
Kael gave a small smile, a bit relieved that he wasn't scolded more harshly. Deep down, he knew his powers were continuing to grow. But he also understood—this world wasn't ready to see what he could truly do.
The wind blew again, carrying the fresh scent of fallen wood. Birds began chirping again in the distance, as if to ease the tension. Kael looked back up at the sky. Somehow, he felt this was only the beginning.
"Mom… can I move the tree pieces to the backyard? So they won't block the yard," Kael offered, trying to lighten the mood.
His mother looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, but be careful."
Kael raised his hand again. A faint blue magic aura wrapped around the large tree trunk, and slowly, the wood lifted into the air. Its movements were steady, as if guided by invisible hands. His mother stood there in silence, her mouth slightly open.
'This child… his magic control is already on par with upper-level academy students…'
With great care, Kael moved the trunk to the backyard and placed it gently near the firewood stack. He even made sure no branches crushed any of his mother's plants or damaged the fence.
When he returned to the front yard, his mother was still standing there, staring blankly at the spot where the tree once stood.
"Sorry, Mom," Kael said quietly. "I just want to learn more… so I can help you and Dad someday."
She turned to look at her little boy's face. Then she smiled—a warm smile only a mother could give. "If you really want to learn… I'll help. But from now on, you need to train in a safe place. Deal?"
Kael nodded firmly. "Deal!"
And so, a morning that began with a burst of magic and a fallen tree ended with a small agreement between mother and son. In Kael's heart, a growing resolve took root—the desire to keep learning, to keep improving, and one day… to protect the people he loved.