Limitless Reincarnator

The sun rose over Brishelm, its golden rays filtering through the curtains of Aiden's room. He woke up early, as was his habit, and after completing his morning training, he eagerly awaited his mother. Ayleen soon appeared, carrying a book titled Introduction to Alchemy. She handed it to him with a warm smile.

"This will give you a solid foundation," she said. "Take your time with it, and don't rush."

Aiden accepted the book with gleaming eyes, brimming with enthusiasm. "Thank you, mom! I'll do my best!"

As the morning turned to afternoon, Aiden immersed himself in the book. His ability to absorb knowledge was extraordinary—each word seemed to imprint itself into his mind as if he were born to understand alchemy. Concepts such as ingredient properties, potion preparation, and the importance of temperature control came to him as naturally as breathing. The more he read, the more he felt a sense of connection to the art of alchemy, as though it were awakening a part of him he hadn't known existed.

By the time the sun hung low in the sky, Aiden had finished reading the entire book. He closed it with a sense of accomplishment and approached his mother, who was sitting in the living room, knitting by the fireplace.

"Mom, can I try alchemy in your lab?" he asked eagerly.

Ayleen looked at him, surprised. "You already finished the book?"

"Yes," he replied confidently.

"Do you understand everything you read?" she asked, her tone skeptical but curious.

"I believe so," he said with a nod.

Amused, Ayleen decided to test him. She asked a series of questions, covering everything from basic principles to specific preparation techniques. To her astonishment, Aiden answered each question flawlessly, even providing insights that went beyond the book.

"Very well," she said, her skepticism replaced by pride. "Come with me to the lab."

She led him down the wooden stairs into the basement, where her alchemy lab was set up. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of ingredients and neatly labeled vials. A cauldron sat in the center of the room, alongside an assortment of instruments. The air was tinged with the faint aroma of herbs and minerals, a scent that felt both foreign and familiar to Aiden.

Ayleen began explaining the use of the various tools, but Aiden quickly interrupted her. "I already learned about these from the book."

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and gestured toward the workbench. "Then let's see what you can do. Make the healing potion I prepared yesterday."

Aiden's eyes sparkled with determination as he set to work. He measured the ingredients with precision, grinding herbs into a fine powder and adding them to the cauldron with practiced movements. He adjusted the flame carefully, his focus unwavering. Each step felt intuitive, as though he had done this a hundred times before. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he reached the final stage, maintaining the delicate balance of temperature and timing.

Meanwhile, Orin returned home from his smithy in the village, wiping sweat from his brow. Finding the house unusually quiet, he noticed the open basement door. Curious, he descended the stairs and saw Ayleen watching intently as Aiden worked.

"What's going on?" Orin whispered to his wife.

Ayleen turned to him and explained, "Aiden showed interest in alchemy, so I gave him a book to read. He finished it in a single day and wanted to try making a potion. Look at him—he's already at the final stage."

Orin's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he watched his son. "Is there anything he can't do?"

Ayleen smiled but added, "Let him focus on one thing at a time. Don't go dragging him off to the smithy just yet."

Orin chuckled, leaning closer to her. "Fair enough, but it's hard not to be proud."

Aiden, oblivious to their conversation, remained fully absorbed in his task. With a steady hand, he poured the finished potion into a glass vial. He turned around, beaming, only to startle at the sight of his father.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

"I've been watching for a while," Orin replied, amused.

Aiden realized just how focused he had been and felt a hint of embarrassment. "I didn't even notice."

He handed the vial to his mother, who examined it closely. After a moment, her eyes widened. "Aiden, this is remarkable. For your first attempt, this potion is over 70% pure. When I first started, mine were barely 50% pure."

Aiden's face lit up at the praise, and Orin gave him a firm pat on the back. "Well done, son. You continue to impress us."

As they gathered for dinner that evening, Orin brought up a question. "Aiden, have you ever thought about going to school in the village?"

Aiden paused, considering the idea. "Will I learn magic or physical combat there?"

Orin hesitated, scratching his head. "Not really. It's more of a general school."

Aiden shook his head. "Then what's the point? I'm already learning magic and physical training here. Besides, I've made friends in the village already."

Orin nodded, accepting his reasoning, but added a condition. "Fair enough, but when you're ready, you'll have to join the Royal Academy."

That piqued Aiden's curiosity. "What's the Royal Academy?"

Ayleen joined the conversation, explaining, "It's the most prestigious institution in the kingdom. To enter, you need to reach the Adept rank and pass both theoretical and practical exams. The entrance tests are held every spring."

"Is there an age limit?" Aiden asked.

"The maximum age is fourteen," Orin replied.

"What about the minimum age?"

Both parents exchanged a glance, stumped. Ayleen finally said, "There's no minimum age. As long as someone meets the requirements, they can join."

Orin laughed heartily. "You might be the first person to ever ask that!"

Aiden grinned, his mind now set on a new goal.

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.

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In the Shadows of Norelith

Far away, in the capital city Eryndal of Norelith, the night shrouded the streets in darkness. In a secluded alley, a hooded figure worked with a strange magical device. Runes etched into the ground glowed faintly as the figure murmured an incantation. After a series of intricate gestures and whispered words, the device activated, creating a swirling portal of energy.

Dozens of men in black robes emerged from the portal, their faces hidden by masks. The leader of the group stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding. "Report."

The hooded figure bowed slightly. "Our spies have successfully made contact with those unsatisfied noble households and secret talks are still going on to form an alliance. However, the mage order has grown suspicious of their movements so they are remaining lowkey."

The leader scoffed. "It doesn't matter. Once the war starts, they wont have time to pay any attention to them."

He turned to his men. "Increase surveillance on the mage order along with the king Atheron, he is a sly old fox so be careful and ensure no loose ends. The rise of the Shard will mark the beginning of a new era, and we must be ready."

The men nodded silently and dispersed into the shadows, their movements swift and calculated. The leader lingered for a moment, gazing at the portal before it dissipated. His lips curled into a sinister smile.

"The world has no idea what's coming," he murmured before vanishing into the night.

Back in Brishelm, Aiden lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced with thoughts of the Royal Academy, alchemy, and his parents' teachings. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination.

"I'll get stronger," he whispered to himself. "Stronger than anyone."

Unbeknownst to him, forces far beyond his comprehension were already stirring, setting the stage for events that would shape the fate of the world.