Shadows of a second life

The morning after Elias’s thirteenth birthday celebration, a heavy knock echoed through the Voss household.

Elaric opened the door to find the village chief — an older man — standing there with a grave expression. Two exhausted messengers stood behind him, their cloaks dusty from hard riding.

“Elaric,” the chief said without preamble, “we have trouble. Big trouble.”

Elias stared at the man,he was none other than the village chief himself,the one in charge of the Treasury of Willowbrook,if anything the old man's face didn't exactly sit well with Elias.

And now he brought trouble..

Elaric who was standing at the door was also lost in thought.

Elaric internal monologue: Great, it's the old guy.

I can't believe he remembered to pay me a visit for once in his life and it's all because he needs my help.

I wonder what trouble it is.

The older man clearly not happy with Elaric's lack of response said to him that he was still standing.

Elaric immediately recovered and apologizes saying:where are my manners, please come on in dear sirs, come in.

As they entered Elaric was still thinking to himself,why can't we just have a little peace.

One day this,the other day that.

For fifteen years now everyday is the same.

Elaric monsters have been detected,clear them out, Elaric, goblins have been spotted in the outskirts,clear them, Elaric clear the slimes, Elaric I'm hearing a strange sound at night, can you come over and check it out.

He had reached his breaking point and had gone far beyond it.

They gathered quickly in the main hall, taking a seat on the table. Lira brought hot tea while Maria stood with her arms crossed, already sensing the gravity. Elara and Elias sat nearby, listening intently.

“Multiple villages to the east have been plundered,” Garrick continued. “Bandits — a large, organized group. They’re moving westward at an alarming rate. The way things are going… our village will likely be next.”

Elaric’s face hardened. “Have we contacted the lord?”

One of the messengers nodded grimly. “We sent word immediately. His response was… firm. He refuses to send backup or soldiers. He still holds a grudge over the incident three years ago — when your son humiliated his heir in front of half the nobility.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Elias’s expression remained calm, but his hands tightened slightly at his sides. So that bastard’s pettiness is going to cost lives.

The chief turned to Elaric directly. “What’s the plan, Knight Voss? Will you use your two children to help in defense? From what we’ve seen, you, Maria, and your kids are the only truly powerful combatants in the village. The rest of us… we can fight, but not like you.Or to be plainly honest with you,we have zero combat skills so don't count on us.”

Elaric’s jaw clenched. He looked at Elara and Elias, then shook his head firmly.

“No. I won’t put them in that position. Not yet. I’m not ready for that. Neither are they.”

Maria nodded in agreement, her hand resting protectively on Elara’s shoulder. Lira’s face was pale but resolute.

The chief sighed. “Then we have to do something. Estimating their movement and behavior from the other attacks… they’ll reach us in five to nine days.”

Elaric’s eyes darkened. “So we have about four days to prepare.”

The meeting ended with grim determination. The old man immediately sent the messengers were to rally what defenses the village could muster. He instructed them to set discreet traps would and establish Watch rotations. But everyone knew the truth: without proper reinforcements, they were in serious danger.

Later that evening, as the family sat together, the weight of the coming threat settled heavily.

Elias stared into the hearth, his mind racing.

Four days.

And then hell would awaken.

Elias thought to himself.

Ever since the rebirth I have been overly cautious,I refused to step outside and I built a wall around myself.

I'm strong, with enough space and time,my hurricane embrace spell can wipe out powerful enemies, however I need ten to fifteen seconds to cast it.

The stakes grows dramatically when more powerful swordsmen shows up.

While there are only about thirty six rare grade mages In the world, him inclusive, swordsmen reach that level much more often.

Any advanced rank to rare rank swordsman can effortlessly kill him before he can cast his strongest spells.

It was worrisome but he pushed it down thinking to himself that he has so much in this life,a loving family,close friends, actual expectations and great hopes for himself.

If anyone or anything tries to take that away, he'll have to step up

He stood up, his fists clenched tightly his expression turning absolutely serious.

I won't loose everything again.

He stood up and walked out of the house.

And why not.

The battle was about to begin and he wanted to help one way or the other