Shadows of a second life

It's been Three years now,three years had passed since Liora and Selene left the Voss household. Elias was now ten years old — a quiet, dark-haired boy who had grown into his frame but still carried the thoughtful expression of someone older than his years.

Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Mornings were for magic practice or helping around the house. Afternoons often belonged to sword training under Maria’s strict but fair guidance. Elias had been drilled relentlessly in the basics of swordsmanship, though he still struggled to find his rhythm with a blade.

Maria explained the three major styles one crisp morning while they warmed up in the training clearing.

“There are three main paths,” she said, demonstrating a simple stance. “The Grand Sword Style relies on mana reinforcement to enhance the body itself — overwhelming speed and strength, they focus on not ordinary reinforcement but utilizing mana In certain ways to boost the body using specialized movement techniques. From the Rare rank upward, these swordsmen become monsters that mages especially fear. The Technique Sword Style focuses on effects created with the blade — things like Sharp Edge, Spiderweb, or Flowing Cut. They’re the finest blade workers in the world.”

She paused, adjusting Elias’s grip. “And finally, the Standard Sword Style. It was developed by Yourichi Nagumo, a great hero summoned from another world four hundred and fifty years ago to defeat the Demon Emperor. He transformed the capital into a paradise and turned his homeland’s arts into something formidable here. QuickDraw, other techniques… they say one of his QuickDraws split the ocean and sky, creating the Path to Victory — a massive scar that divided the grand continent into three, stretching from the North Pole to the equator and South Pole.”

Elias froze mid-swing. Yourichi Nagumo? A Japanese name? The realization hit him like a bullet. "Someone else from Earth was here. Summoned. That means… it’s happened before, however why was he answering a Japanese name after being reborn,could it be that he was summoned as an adult or what"

He shook the thought away quickly. There would be time to ponder it later. For now, I just want to enjoy the day with his family.

The sparring session began shortly after. Elara, now thirteen and brimming with energy, faced him with a wooden practice sword. She had reached the intermediate rank in the Technique Sword Style and was clearly enjoying her advantage.

Maria watched from the sidelines with a proud smile.

“Don’t drop your guard, Elias!” Elara shouted as she dashed forward. Her movements were quick, her unconscious mana reinforcement — thanks to her inward flowing mana — making her faster and stronger than her size suggested.

Elias barely managed to parry the first strike. The wooden blade whistled through the air and nearly clipped his shoulder.

Elias internal monologue:how could she be so fast and strong, she's a girl I'm supposed to be stronger right?.

Maria spoke up: "Elias focus on increasing striking frequency, it's much better than just trying to use all your strength in one hit."

“Eyes on me, not on Mom’s face!” Elara lectured mid-combo, stepping in close and elbowing him lightly in the ribs before swinging again. “Focus!”

He blocked two more strikes but stumbled on the third. Elara immediately stepped on his foot, causing him to lose balance, then tapped him squarely on the head with the flat of her blade.

“Got you again!” she laughed, planting her hands on her hips. “You’re thinking too much. Sword fighting isn’t like your fancy magic. Just hit me!”

Elias rubbed his head with a sheepish grin, breathing hard. “Yeah, yeah… I know.”

Maria chuckled from the side. “Well done, Elara. "You’re getting stronger every day, don't worry soon you'll reach my level." Elara spoke up,mom, what's your level then, Maria spoke up,Advanced rank in both Standard and Grand Styles, and though it’s not official yet, I'm Rare-level talent in Technique is clear. A single sharp edge from me— slicing through seven trees in one strike, that's what I am like,at your current pace you'll surpass me soon enough.

Elara beamed at the praise.

Then she continued "I'm so glad you agreed to train me mom,dad just says do this,then this never really explaining anything to me perfectly, he's more of a rock than a swordsman "

Maria immediately put her index finger on her daughter's lips telling her: "Don't underestimate your dad, he's not a naturally gifted swordsman yet he's pretty tough "

Elaric, watched from the sidelines and immediately laughed heartily. “Don’t get too cocky, daughter. Your old man might not be a proper swordsman, but I can still tank anything you throw at me.” Elias stared at his dad he knew he was right watching as Elaric patted his armor with pride. His style was pure durability — short spear, heavy shield, and expensive plate that turned him into a living fortress. His raw strength and durability rivaled Rare ranks, though his speed remained solidly intermediate.

The family training session continued with more laughter than serious competition. Elias took several more hits but gave as good as he got in a few exchanges, even managing to land a solid tap on Elara’s arm once.

As the sun climbed higher, they took a break. Elias sat on the grass, wiping sweat from his brow, watching his sister tease their father and Maria scold them both lightly. A simple, warm contentment settled over him.

This is nice, he thought, a small genuine smile forming. Just… family. Training together. Eating together. No grand destiny or crushing pressure today. I just want to enjoy this for a while.

No heavy ambition burned in his chest. No deep despair either. For once, he felt like a normal ten-year-old boy — sore from training, a little embarrassed from losing to his sister, and perfectly happy to be surrounded by the people who had become his real home.

The Voss family might not be perfect, but its mine,my lovely beautiful family,And for today, that was more than enough.

He immediately got up and drank some water,he wiped his mouth and walked back towards the house.

Meanwhile far away in a luxurious house a man and his son were having a standoff,his father asked him, what is wrong with you, you're absolutely good at nothing, your a waste of my resources and efforts,he cut back come on dad it's obvious your not as good as some other parents, his dad spoke up again, I'm giving you three months to make yourself useful,or else, you can forget about the deal,the boy stared at his father with disbelief.

He swore to himself,Elias voss,the whole voss family rather,I swear I'll get revenge on you, I'll he stopped himself from thinking walking back towards his room,as he was walking he passed by a servant who immediately bowed in respect and tried to move away but he caught her wrist and pulled her into his room, locking the door,she immediately began pleading young master please i beg you don't do this to me, haven't you done enough, but he was unmoved, shut up he said, unless you want all of them to die, just do what I say.

She knew argument was pointless,she just simply stayed still while he straddled her,she shut her eyes as he began unbuttoning her uniform. He then leaned down nibbling her ear, biting and sucking on it softly drawing a moan from the girl.She thought to herself:"Am I really this hopeless,if there was anything I hate more than any other thing In existence it was this boy, I hate him, really hate him for everything he's put me through but I have no choice for now, I can't say no with so much at stake."

"I just have to play his game for a little longer."

Meanwhile Elaric was talking to Maria about where to observe the coming of age ceremony of elara,she immediately suggested one place to him,the home of the lord.

Elaric thought about: "okay,I think that's a good option, what do you think lira,"she didn't answer with words,she just nodded, Elaric then got up and kissed each of them before walking out saying,"then I'll talk to the lord myself. "