The days passed with Eman gradually adjusting to his new life. The woman, whose name he learned was Amanda, continued to care for him with the same warmth and affection. Her daily routine fascinated him. She would wake up early, let him bottles of milk, and then head out to the farm. Eman spent his days exploring the limited confines of his crib, listening to the sounds of farm life, and watching Amanda whenever she was around.
He observed that Amanda was not just beautiful but incredibly hardworking. Despite her modest attire and the visible wear and tear of her clothes, she always had a smile on her face. Eman admired her resilience and felt a growing desire to protect and support her in the future.
One day, while Amanda was outside, Eman managed to pull himself up to a standing position by holding onto the side of his crib. The effort was exhausting, but it gave him a better view of the room. It was simple yet cozy, with wooden furniture and handmade decorations. There was a fireplace in one corner, and shelves filled with various jars and trinkets lined the walls. The scent of herbs and freshly baked bread lingered in the air.
Eman's attention was drawn to a window gap through which he could see a portion of the outside world. Fields of green stretched out, dotted with patches of cultivated land and grazing animals. He saw other people working in the fields, their laughter and conversations carrying on in the breeze.
His curiosity grew stronger each day. He longed to be outside, to explore this new world and learn more about it. But for now, he is confined to his crib, his body too weak to venture out on its own.
That evening, as Amanda returned from the fields, she brought with her a small, glowing orb. He remembered the first time he saw it. It was magical. It's a magic tool that lights up whenever the area is getting dark. There were no batteries and no intricate mechanisms. It just lights up.
Magic was real in this world, and he could see it firsthand. His determination to learn and grow stronger intensified. If magic was possible, then there was a chance he could learn it too. He just needed to be patient.
That night, as he lay in his crib, Eman dreamed of the future. He imagined himself growing up, learning to use magic. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful. He was given a second chance, and he was determined to make it count.
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A year had passed since Eman had been reborn into this new world. His body, though still that of a child, had grown stronger. He could now easily pull himself up and stand inside his crib, a far cry from his initial helplessness. His curiosity had also grown, reaching a point where he could no longer contain it. He needed to see the world outside his small wooden prison.
One morning, driven by this insatiable curiosity, he decided to escape his confines. He managed to place his right leg on top of the crib and, with considerable effort, forced his body up and over the edge. However, in his excitement, he miscalculated the height and fell to the ground with a thud. The impact was jarring, and he winced in pain as bruises formed on his tender skin.
"Damn, that hurts," he mumbled softly to himself. But his determination outweighed the pain. He began to baby-crawl towards the door, his heart pounding as if he had drunk several cups of coffee. This was his first real adventure since his reincarnation, and he felt a mix of excitement and fear.
When he reached the door, he realized the handle was far out of his reach. He felt a wave of defeat wash over him. He tried to stand up and reach the handle, banging on the door in frustration. Just as he was about to give up, he felt the door move. His happiness surged back, but before he could react, the door slowly creaked open, and he fell forward, unable to catch himself.
As he lay on the floor, he pulled himself up into a sitting position and felt the fresh air hit his face and body. He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of the outdoors. When he opened his eyes, he saw a vast field stretching out before him, its end nowhere in sight. Workers dotted the landscape, their laughter and shouts carried by the wind.
His eyes widened as he noticed the workers using magical powers and enhanced physical abilities. Some plowed the soil with a wave of their hands, while others planted crops with incredible speed. Some even used their super strength to handle multiple tools simultaneously, plowing several lanes of soil at once. Eman's heart pounded with excitement as he wondered what abilities he might possess when he grew up.
Without realizing it, he had started to crawl forward again, now at the edge of the wooden stairs leading down from the house. He lost his balance and tumbled forward, a cry escaping his lips as he prepared for the painful impact. Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted, suspended in mid-air.
"Feeling adventurous now, little one?" came a familiar voice. It was Amanda. She had somehow appeared just in time to catch him. He felt her wet body pressed against him, the result of her hard work in the fields. Despite the sweat, she still smelled sweet, like morning flowers.
Amanda looked down at him, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. She wasn't mad, just relieved that he was safe. Her cheeks were flushed, and she breathed heavily from the exertion.
He noticed her dress, clinging to her skin from sweat, making her silhouette more defined. He also saw the gazes of the people working in the fields. The men looked at her with vulgar interest, while the women eyed her with jealousy and disdain. A sudden realization hit him: Amanda endured this every day, working tirelessly and caring for him despite their lack of blood relations.
Anger welled up inside him. He swore to himself that he would grow strong, learn to use magic, and protect Amanda from the harshness of the world. He owed her that much, and more. This was his new purpose, and he would dedicate his life to it.
As Amanda carried him back inside, she whispered gently, "You gave me quite a scare, little one. But I'm glad you're safe." She smiled warmly, a smile that reached her eyes, and Eman felt a deep sense of gratitude and determination.
But before they even approached the door an ominous shadow crept across the wide expanse of the field, darkening the bright day momentarily. The sudden silence was thick, laden with tension, before being shattered by a massive crash. The ground trembled under the force of the impact, sending vibrations through the soles of their feet. Dirt clouds mushroomed into the air, accompanied by a spray of tools and debris flying in every direction.
One such tool, a rusty old hoe, spun dangerously towards them. Eman's tiny heart raced, his babyish instincts screaming for him to cover his face, but his limbs wouldn't cooperate quickly enough. Just when the collision seemed inevitable, a faint clang rang out, and a spark flickered right in front of them. To Eman's astonishment, the hoe was halted mid-air, inches from them. He turned his wide eyes up to Amanda, who stood calm and unflinching, her hand subtly lowered from a deflective gesture.
Amanda's gaze was intense, her beautiful hair whipped around by the gusts that followed the mysterious disturbance. "So, she's not normal!" Eman thought with a mix of awe and pride. Her powers were as real as the stories whispered by the wind.
A deafening roar then tore through the air, pulling Eman's attention back to the field. What he saw chilled his blood despite the warmth of Amanda's proximity. There, amidst the torn earth and startled workers, stood a colossal beast, its presence overwhelming. It wasn't just any animal; this creature had fiery red eyes that burned with malice, black shiny fur that seemed to absorb the sunlight, and sharp, menacing claws. If not for its multiple swishing tails, it could have been mistaken for a grizzly bear of mythical proportions.
Above, the creature floated a bizarre apparition—a label of sorts that read: "Level ???: Black Os." Eman gurgled and pointed, his baby voice unable to contain his excitement or fear. "Ooohh!" he exclaimed, drawing a glance from Amanda.
Seeing the thrill in his eyes, Amanda realized this moment was as much a revelation for him as it was a threat. "I guess he is your son after all," she murmured under her breath, her voice a mixture of wonder and resolve. Without hesitation, she scooped Eman up and sat down on the wooden stair step, positioning him on her lap so he could see the field.
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VIP System
FantasyEman, an average Filipino man, lived a life marked by family tragedy and relentless determination. After losing his parents to illness and his sister to violence, he resolved to secure a stable future before starting his own family. Working tireless...