Reincarnation X Fantasy – Part 40
The Old Man's Truth (Revelation)
"W‑what do you mean I have to die? What does that even mean?"
The old man replied calmly:
"It's a figure of speech. It means you must be close to death."
"How?"
The old man sighed.
"Listen. Your survival instinct activates in two situations.First: when you're truly near death.In that state, you don't control your mind, your heart, or your emotions.You only do whatever keeps you alive.But the second state…"
"The second state?"
The old man pressed his foot into the dirt, crushing it slightly.
"In the second state, several things happen.The first is anger.When you're angry, you're closest to your survival instinct.You gain enormous power—uncontrollable, wild, born from rage.But you must not choose to be angry.Your body must feel it."
He pointed at Tom's chest.
"Your body must feel empty.No mana.No energy.Nothing.When your body realizes it has no energy left, it panics.And that panic…is survival."
"Because without energy, you're as good as dead.So your brain releases a massive surge of power—far beyond your limits.If you fail to control it, your body will literally tear itself apart.But if you can control it…no one can defeat you."
The old man stepped back.
"I won't force you.You can choose.But you can only attempt this once.If you fail… you die."
And he walked away.
Leaving Tom alone with a storm of emotions.
Tom hesitated.His mind was a battlefield.
If he didn't attempt the forbidden technique, his chance of death in the tournament was 99%.
But if he returned to the Academy without it…he would lose.Lose to Den Hyper, Henry Flor, Adriana Flor—all heirs of generations of refined techniques.
And Tom?He had nothing but raw talent and scraps of training.
He had stood before the entire Academy and declared he would be number one.If he failed, he would be branded a fraud—a boy who entered with the Church's support and proved unworthy.
He would be mocked.Humiliated.Thrown out.
The people who expected miracles from him would tear him apart the moment he stumbled.
And Lucas…Lucas would see him fall.
But if Tom died here?No one knew where he was.The Church would claim he died on a mission.He would die with dignity—having tried.
A dignified death was better than a humiliating life.
So Tom made his choice.
He walked toward the old man, who was cutting wood.
"Old man."
The old man turned, eyes expectant.
"I want to perform the forbidden technique."
"One condition," the old man said."Along with anger, your body must be completely drained of mana.Like now.This stone will help you."
A white, concrete‑like stone sat nearby.
"This stone looks normal."
The old man smirked.
"Because you lack experience.Just like humans differ, everything in the world differs.Some stones are ancient—millions of years old.Some hold the weight of civilizations—like river stones.Some are precious—like jade.And some… like this one… are impossibly hard.Perfect for your test."
Tom nodded.
"Now empty your body.Use the Invisible Sword technique.Again and again.Until you have nothing left."
Tom obeyed.
He struck the stone repeatedly.It didn't crack.Not even a scratch.
Who was this old man?
But learning mattered more.
He kept going.Until he felt no energy.Until he was gasping for breath.
The old man stepped forward.
"Now… feel it.Fear.Anger.Let your brain taste hatred and danger.Let it think you're dying.Give control to your mind—then seize it back once the surge begins.Now."
Tom obeyed.
He surrendered control.
He felt anger—pure, burning.He felt fear—cold, suffocating.He felt the need to win.The need to survive.
Then he felt it.
The spark.
The flame.
The explosion.
Mana surged through him like a raging inferno.So powerful it threatened to tear him apart.
He forced his mind to command his heart.Forced his heart to command the energy.Forced the wild power to obey.
Pain crushed him.Blood dripped from his nose and mouth.
He prepared for death.
But then—
Relief.
Control.
Freedom.
He opened his eyes.
The old man was smiling proudly.
"Now strike the stone."
Tom did.
The stone shattered completely.
"Now create a whirlwind."
Tom summoned wind.
But this wind was different—thousands of times stronger than before.A storm waiting to be unleashed.
He controlled it.
Barely.
The old man nodded.
"You did it.You controlled a power that should have killed you."
Tom felt pride—the same pride he felt during the Hiroshi and Ziar tests.
But then the old man's next words froze him.
"But listen carefully.This technique is forbidden.If you use it more than three times in a week:The first time—your ribs or limbs will break.The second time—you will lose your mana.The third time—you die.Use it only when you have no choice."
Tom felt a mix of pride and terror.Glory and despair.
…Narrator's Perspective…
Night had fallen.A cold, eerie night.Branches trembled under a gentle breeze.Only owls cried in the darkness.
Only two figures remained awake—master and student—sitting beside a warm fire that fought the night's chill.
They had eaten dinner long ago,yet neither wished to leave the cabin or the forest.
Not yet.Not on their last night together.
The old man broke the silence like a stone shattering glass.
"This is our last night together.And as your teacher…I want to give you advice you must never forget."
He stared into the fire.
"Humans chase many things.Food.Water.Wealth.All important.But two things have no substitute:Love… and power."
The flames reflected in his eyes.
"Power earns respect.But too much power creates fear.Fear creates enemies.Enemies plot against you.And love…Love harms no one else.Love harms you.Love turns you against yourself.Love makes you kill, die, or destroy for someone else."
He clenched his fist.
"Love and power are connected.You gain power for love.You chase love because of power.And both…both will hurt you."
He looked at Tom.
"I had both.I am Manuel Flor."
The narrator spoke:
He was Manuel Flor.The strongest man in the history of the Walls.The Church's Grand General.The people's hero.The man who became a heretic.The man whose power caused jealousy—and whose lover died because of it.
Manuel remembered the moment he lost everything.
Not even armies could defeat him.Only one person could:
Taylor Flor.
He remembered her blood.Her voice begging him to stop.Her warnings.Her love.
He remembered killing her—not by choice,but blinded by revenge.
He remembered going mad.Losing everything.Being exiled.His soul cursed to wander this cruel world,unable to join his beloved in the afterlife.
Unless he found redemption here.
Tom sat frozen.His mind locked.His thoughts shattered.
Only one sentence echoed:
"I am Manuel Flor."
The greatest general.The strongest wind mage.The man who could raise the dead.The man with the magic eyes.The man who fought thousands alone.
Wasn't he supposed to be dead?
Hadn't the Church declared him gone forever?
Then who was sitting in front of Tom?
The forbidden technique…the wind magic…everything pointed to one truth.
Tom felt dizzy.
Manuel placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Tomorrow is the most important day of your life.You must prove yourself.I know you doubt me.But I am Manuel Flor."
He stood.
"Never fall in love.But if you do…destroy anything that stands in your way.Because if you don't destroy for love…love will destroy you."
He walked into the forest, disappearing into the darkness.
Leaving Tom alone with his inner war.
End of Part 40