Aelric felt a rush of adrenaline as the truck sped toward them, its horn blaring like a warning siren. In a split second, he knew what he had to do.
"Shiko! Akito!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he lunged forward. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he shoved his friends out of harm's way.
The impact was brutal.
The truck slammed into him like a wrecking ball, sending his body flying. Pain exploded in every nerve, as if his bones had caught fire. The world blurred screeching tires, screaming metal and then nothing but cold pavement beneath him.
He lay sprawled on the asphalt, blood pooling around him, sticky and warm. His breath came in ragged gasps. Distantly, he heard footsteps pounding toward him.
"Aelric, you idiot!" Akito's voice broke through the chaos, hoarse and panicked. His knees hit the ground beside him with a thud. "Why would you do that? Why push us away?!"
Shiko was already dialing, his hands trembling so hard he almost dropped his phone. "Aelric, hang on! Help is coming! Just don't close your eyes, okay?"
Aelric managed a cough, the taste of blood sharp in his mouth. He looked up at his friends, their faces twisted in panic and grief. With what little strength he had left, he forced a crooked smile.
"Dramatic as always, Akito..." he wheezed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "That truck... If I didn't push you both, we'd all be dead. One life... better than three."
Akito clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. "That's not for you to decide! We're friends we stick together!"
"Just stay awake, idiot!" Shiko's voice cracked as he tried to hold back tears.
Aelric's eyes fluttered. "Tell Mom... I'm sorry. And look after my sister. Don't let anyone mess with her."
Then, silence.
No pain. No sound. No feeling.
Just darkness.
His thoughts floated in the void, untethered and drifting. Was this what death felt like?
Then came a voice calm, commanding, and resonant with authority.
[Unknown Voice]: "Commencing soul analysis... Confirmed. Subject possesses high-tier spiritual density. Compatibility with transfer system: optimal. Reincarnation protocol authorized."
(Huh? Who... who's talking?)
[Unknown Voice]: "You have died in your original world. Due to your exceptional potential, your soul qualifies for reincarnation into a higher-order world."
(Reincarnation? Is this really happening?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Affirmative. Your new world mirrors aspects of your old one but is inhabited by various powerful races and bound by a structured magical hierarchy. The major races include Humans, Elves, Vampires, Fairies, and Dragons. Some beings transcend mortal limitations, ascending into Celestial or even Godly existences. Additionally, magic users form factions, operating in secrecy while maintaining the balance of power."
Visions flooded Aelric's mind ancient, towering cities, beings radiating overwhelming power, and hidden conflicts lurking beneath the surface. He took a mental breath.
(Alright… So there's a hierarchy of power?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Correct. The strongest wield Supreme Abilities, which defy the very laws of reality. Few beings ever attain them, but those who do are nearly unrivaled. Beyond this, there are Unique and Ultimate Abilities powerful but not absolute followed by advanced combat techniques and elemental magic. Your abilities will determine your place in this world."
Aelric pondered the implications.
(Then… What abilities will I have?)
[Unknown Voice]: "You may describe what you desire, and I shall grant what is compatible with your soul."
(Okay... then I want a faster brain. To think, react, and process everything quicker than before.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Confirmed. Granting Ability: Mind Acceleration. Additional Ability granted Universal Detection."
(Okay that cool, next... I want my body to be resistant. To pain, poison, heat... all of it.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Confirmed. Granting Ability: Resistance."
(I need to heal quickly. Fast healing would help in survival.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Confirmed. Granting Ability: Regeneration."
(Woah, okay for this one, I want to learn and adapt, like, if I see something once, I want to be able to understand and maybe even use it.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Attempting to grant Supreme Ability: Divine Mirror... Error. Incompatible with current soul state."
(Wait hold on Supreme Ability... And it didn't work?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Retrying. Attempting to grant Supreme Ability: Phantom Shifting... Error."
(So what does that mean? I don't get anything?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Alternative detected. Granting Ultimate Ability: Analysis Copy."
(Ah? What does that do?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Ultimate Ability: Analysis Copy, a passive and active hybrid-type ability. Grants the user the power to analyze targets and permanently copy their techniques, or abilities upon observation or direct interaction. Though currently it won't be able to copy Supreme Abilities unless it evolves. Since Supreme Abilities are rare and very few awaken them."
As the voice spoke, a sharp pulse echoed through Aelric's mind. His vision swirled, and then stabilized there it was: a faint, glowing panel overlaid on empty space, cosmic in pattern and design, like runes etched in starlight.
The panel displayed name, race, abilities, and latent traits of any target he focused on.
(Whoa... I can see stats? Like, actual stats and abilities of people?)
[Unknown Voice]: "Correct. You alone can see this panel. This Ability can evolve with further awakenings. It is influenced by your comprehension, experience, and soul growth."
(That's seriously awesome... I'm getting overpowered already.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Confirmed. Granting additional support, Ability: Ultimate Guide."
Another voice softer, warmer feminine spoke inside his mind.
[Ultimate Guide]: "Greetings, Aelric. I will assist with ability management, information analysis, and developmental guidance. Assign me a name to unlock deeper functions."
(Nice. I'll think of a name later. Last thing can I get a large mana pool? I don't want to be limited by energy.)
[Unknown Voice]: "Confirmed. Mana capacity: Unlimited. Growth rate tied to mastery and emotional maturity."
The void trembled. A pressure washed over him.
[Unknown Voice]: "Reincarnation sequence complete. Awaken, Aelric."
Light returned.
Aelric gasped a sharp, newborn cry. Cold air filled tiny lungs. Everything felt different. Wrong.
(Wait... what? Why are my hands so small?)
He looked down, confused. His arms were short, chubby. His skin soft. He could barely move them properly.
(I'm... a baby?)
Panic gripped him for a moment, but then he felt it calm warmth beside him.
He turned his head with effort.
A woman lay beside him, asleep. Her breathing was slow, peaceful. Her presence felt like sunlight on a winter morning. Safe. Steady.
No pressure. No expectations. Just comfort.
Aelric blinked. His chest tightened.
His past rushed in. His mom, always tired but smiling. His baby sister, giggling as he tucked her in. His friends, Shiko and Akito.
(Will they keep their promise? Will they watch over her?)
He hoped so.
He was gone from that world now.
But this one... this was a second chance.
And for now, that was enough.