The fires still burned in parts of the village when my mother carried me away from the crowd.
I saw panic in people's faces. I heard children crying. And most importantly, I felt something familiar...
> A dark magical aura.
This wasn't a random explosion. Not an accident. This was a planned attack. And judging by the residual energy… it had been carried out by someone highly skilled.
The old mage seemed to sense it too. She whispered quietly, "I thought they'd come sooner."
I wanted to ask who she meant—but of course, all I could do was let out a loud "wuaaaa!" which my mother mistook for fear, pulling me closer in comfort.
"Don't be scared, Leo. Mama's here," she said.
> It should be *me* protecting *you*.
I've lived in this world before. I know how fragile ordinary humans are. And I know how ruthless the enemies coming after us truly are.
A while later, the village militia managed to contain the fire. But the damage was done. Homes were destroyed. People were injured.
And worse yet...
They arrived.
A group clad in white cloaks bearing the emblem of a shining sword. At their head stood a young man with a blade of light resting on his back.
> A member of the Hero's Order.
"We received reports of a powerful dark aura in this area," the young man said coldly. "Is there a newborn child in this village?"
My mother's face tensed immediately.
So did mine.
> They're looking for me.
The old mage stepped between us and them, pretending to be nothing more than a kind old woman.
"Just a regular baby," she replied calmly. "He couldn't possibly be connected to this."
The young man glanced at me briefly. His eyes narrowed. He must have sensed *something*.
Then suddenly—
**SWISH.**
A black shadow streaked through the air.
Someone descended from the roof of an empty house.
Long flowing black hair. Eyes sharp as blades. A massive sword strapped to her back.
She landed lightly—silent, precise.
And then knelt before me.
"I have returned, Your Majesty," she whispered.
> Tessia.
An elite assassin who once served me loyally. One of the ten greatest killers in the fantasy world.
I stared at her.
And for the first time since my reincarnation…
> I didn't feel alone anymore.