Second Chance: Reincarnated Into Another World (Chronicles Of Viktor)

Homecoming

Raphael sat at a private booth with his companions. They had just finished breakfast, a feast of hearty meats and lush fruits, and the discussions of the prior night's celebrations still lingered in the air.

"I want to know what your plans are," Raphael said, leaning back against the plush leather. His blue eyes scanned the faces of his friends, each marked by the exhaustion of their recent exploits. "We have time available now. What do you want to do?"

The enthusiastic swordsman Phillip leaned in, a confident grin playing on his lips. "Why not just tackle the remaining A-rank quests? The sooner we get those done, the better! How many were left for us to complete?"

Raphael frowned slightly. "Remember, Phillip, we're not fully recovered from the last two A-rank quests—subjugating monsters in Valfonia and escorting Mr. Schiller didn't exactly leave us unscathed." He paused, considering the implications. "Besides, becoming an S-rank party has no time limit. We could risk fatigue if we push ourselves too soon."

Sera, the keen archer, perked up at that. "It's been six months since our last break! We have time to explore. How about a journey around the continent?"

"Exploration?" Gaston, the seasoned mage with his white hair and elegant beard, leaned back in his chair. "I want to stay in Roesheuvel until I find that elusive elf. If it's the last thing I do, I'm getting back my mojo." He looked resolutely at each of them, a fire in his eyes like that of a man on a mission.

"Raphael," Phillip interjected, "with no A-rank quests available in Roesheuvel, what do you plan to do?"

Nina, the sage with her long golden blonde hair and blue eyes, smiled softly at her husband. "We were thinking about going back to our hometown," she said.

"Really?" Sera's voice was laced with surprise. "I wonder how long it's been since any of us visited our families."

"Twenty years," Raphael replied, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his tone.

Gaston smirked, leaning forward. "I didn't realize it had been that long! What are you most looking forward to when you get home? Whatever it is, your folks are definitely in for a shock," he pointed slyly toward Viktor, the infant that Nina held securely in her arms.

Viktor cooed softly, his large brown eyes gazing up at her face, innocent and unassuming. Unbeknownst to the adventurers, Viktor was no ordinary child—he bore the weight of memories and experiences from another world, a former life as Arjun, a billionaire and businessman. This new life was both a blessing and a curse, filled with new possibilities and lingering echoes of his past.

"I'm sure they'll be surprised to see how much we have grown," Nina responded warmly, oblivious to the layers of mystery surrounding her adopted son.

Raphael grinned, imagining the reunion. "They'll be shocked to see how strong we've become," he mused. "Especially after all those trials."

Gaston raised his tankard, the gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Well, I say we give them something wild to talk about."

Phillip chuckled. "What about you, Viktor?" he teased, pulling a silly face to make the baby laugh. "You up for an adventure?"

Viktor blinked, unaffected but oddly captivated by the lively banter surrounding him. It was during these moments that memories from his past life echoed faintly, truths about battles and conquests, the weight of leadership, and the love of a fiancée named Ashley.

As the companions continued to bounce ideas off each other, each motivated by their unique desires—be it battle, exploration, or personal ambitions—the essence of camaraderie enveloped them, binding their destinies as tightly as the intricately woven tapestries that decorated the inn.