It was very fast. Isaac Rye barely had time to notice anything. The truck veered off the road, honking like a child's scream, then crashed into him.
Pain flared in his senses for a few seconds, then everything went still.
'Huh? Dead? Did I just die?'
...
A few hours ago…
"Isaac, don't think too much, you'll get another job somewhere." Someone comforted him as he walked out of the company where he worked.
"Used to work…" He hung his head low, very dejected. The company had just informed them of their retirement, as a result of the company being unable to fund their salary.
He crushed the letter in his palms, then went to a nearby bar to drink off his sorrow.
Isaac Rye was a relatively average man. He graduated from the university with good grades, and was opportuned to get a job immediately.
His parents were proud of him, and he had already made his girlfriend into his fiance. His marriage date hadn't been set yet, but his friends and families were already expecting.
While drinking, he received a call from his fiance, Isabella. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the mood to talk. Declining the call, he knocked his head against the table, rattling the utensils and bottles.
'What do I do? I can't support myself without a job anymore. And I don't think I can even make a family with no solid job.'
Depression struck him hard, and his emotions became like a rollercoaster.
'Suicide? No that's stupid. I can't leave my parents alone. But… how do I tell them I've been retrenched?'
Still stuck in depression, he drank until he began to feel tipsy. Satisfied, he took his leave after paying.
The night wind was cool, making him slightly drowsy. However, knowing that he hadn't reached his house, he continued moving forward.
As a good citizen, and one willing to still keep his life, he stuck to the walkway to avoid any unexpected accident involving a drunk man.
Unfortunately, the world had decided his life would be ending this very day.
A truck ran off its lane, then veered towards him like a target. Isaac only felt the impact and a flash of pain before everything went black.
...…
Isaac didn't know how much time had passed, or even whether time had passed at all.
His eyes slowly opened, blurry at first before it soon cleared. He wasn't sure why, but as he regained his other senses, he felt very small.
"Wahh! Look at him, he's so cute!"
A woman's fine voice came from his side, and a beautiful face soon appeared in his vision. Carrying a smile that seemed to warm the heart, the young woman gazed at him tenderly.
Immediately after, another face appeared. It was that of a young man, with a shaved beard and streamed mustache. Although looking old-fashioned, his face was still handsome.
"Isn't he quite handsome like me?"
The man smirked, making his wife roll her eyes.
'Is this… is this rebirth?'
A light shone in the depth of Isaac's eyes, and he shouted 'Yes!' in his mind.
"Waaaaahhhhhhh!"
What escaped his mouth was a baby's cry. His mother quickly embraced him, then prepared to breastfeed him. Although weirded out, Isaac pushed aside every other thoughts and hungrily drank from the organ.
...…
Coincidentally, another person was reincarnated on the same day. Unlike Isaac who was born to a normal family in the village, Kael was conceived as the only heir of a noble family in the city.
His birth had caused big waves to rise within the city after he released a man's pulse with his cry.
The family elders were astounded, and immediately recognized him as a prodigy.
Months flew by and Kael was given the ultimate training his family could give. He was theoretically taught how to use mana, process it, control it, and even expel it.
As the heir of a noble family, he was taught about politics, and his sharp mind had grasped enough to make others envy him.
"Kael Veyren."
His father called out, his face devoid of a smile.
"Yes, father."
Kael knelt before the man his face equally expressionless.
"You are strong. And I am proud of you. However, it is all within my expectations. After all, you're my son."
Kael listened calmly.
"The Chapel's assessment would come as soon as you clock the age of seven. I expect outstanding results from you."
Kael nodded, then left the study room quietly. His father was a man of few words, but was strong enough to be called the best in the entire city.
'It is only expected that his son is very strong…'
This was the sentiment of everyone in the city, and they all looked forward to the day of his awakening.
That day came by inevitably, and all kids at the age of seven were brought to the chapel.
Others started normal, their man's signatures either good or poor. However, when it was Kael's turn the whole thing changed.
The elders watched wide-eyed as his mana signature rose like a tide, ascending like an eagle.
Before it could destroy their equipments the Chapel elders immediately stopped the test. He was given the highest grade available, and words of a great destiny ahead.
When he returned home, his father nodded calmly as usual. It is as all within expectation, and it made him wonder if there was anything that could surprise that man.
Kael's parents did not smile, they did not need to, their son had been born complete, from the first test, he had proven he was untouchable.
His family spared no expense, tutors arrived daily, teaching strategy, history, law, and ancient magic theory. Servants carried his books, his practice weapons, and sometimes even his food, so he could focus entirely on mastery. Other children from Valmere Crest trained in squads, in strict routines, under overseers. Kael trained alone. Obedience was drilled into his peers; he was above it, rules were tools to be bent, not followed.