A beautiful village lay in the middle of dense forests and towering mountains. Aisha sat by the window in her small room, the fresh air brushing against her hair, making it sway gently. Her house was modest, but compared to her past life… it felt like a palace. She opened an old book on the history of the kingdom and flipped through its worn pages.
"It's been six years since I was born in this world," she whispered to herself. "I've learned so much… and now I can understand all the languages. Though I still don't fully understand how God gave me this power."
She smiled softly. "This house is small, but… it's so much better than the one I had before."
Turning another page, she murmured, "From what I've understood so far, this world is filled with power… like magic and other abilities. And our village… it's part of the Karki Empire."
She leaned back, thinking. "The Karki Empire has twelve kingdoms. Each kingdom has its own king and government. But our village isn't under any of them—it's in the border territory, a new side near the demons."
In the middle of the mountains surrounding the village, monsters rarely ventured. The mountains acted as natural protection. Originally, there were three separate villages here, but now they had merged into one. On the back side, the mountains stretched far, and forests surrounded the village. The village itself had walls for protection.
"If we go forward," she continued, her finger tracing the view from the window, "there's a big castle. That's where the 13th son of the Emperor lives. He is our lord… and I've heard rumors that unlike the other sons who live in the capital, he is the only one living on the border side."
She paused, remembering stories her mother and father told her. "The Emperor didn't give him a kingdom or a large territory like the others. Only this small land… because his mother wasn't of royal blood, just a servant. And after he was born, his mother died. The Emperor's mother also died, so people began to hate him."
Aisha closed the book gently, her eyes distant. "I know all this because of my parents. Mother works as a maid in the castle, and Father… he is part of the castle guard."
She leaned back in her chair, watching the village below. The mountains, the forests, the walls… this small world was her life now. And yet, in its quiet beauty, a story bigger than she could imagine was slowly unfolding.
Aisha stepped out of her house, the warm sunlight falling gently on her face.
Near the road, Auntie Hina was carrying a bundle of firewood on her back. When she noticed Aisha, she smiled.
"Where are you going, Aisha?" Hina asked.
Aisha smiled brightly. "I'm going to play."
Hina nodded but spoke carefully. "Alright, but remember—don't go near the forest side. Your mother and father are at work today. They asked me to keep an eye on you, so come back on time, okay?"
"I will!" Aisha replied cheerfully before running off.
She walked through the village, greeting everyone she passed.
"Good morning!"
"Hello!"
The villagers smiled back warmly. Aisha loved this village small, peaceful, and kind.
Soon, she reached her favorite place. It was a little far from the village, but still safe. No monsters ever came here. Tall trees surrounded the area, and the air felt calm and quiet.
Aisha looked around carefully.
"All clear…" she murmured.
She sat beneath a tree and lowered her voice, speaking only to herself.
"Magic is rare among humans. Only nobles or royalty can use magic or special powers. Commoners like us usually don't have mana."
She clenched her small hands.
"But other races are different. Elves, beastmen, and other races can naturally use magic."
In the Karki Empire, some kingdoms were even ruled by beastmen or elves. But Aisha had never seen any of them.
"We're not allowed to go there," she thought. "Village people like us are banned. To enter those kingdoms, you need a national ID card… but our village doesn't belong to any of the twelve kingdoms."
She sighed softly.
"Our lord said he would make ID cards for us someday… but he's only ten years old. That's why it's taking time."
Her eyes grew serious.
"I came here because I have mana."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"I don't know what kind of power I have. I didn't fully understand what God said back then… but I know this much—I have mana."
Her expression hardened with determination.
"If the villagers find out, it will cause trouble. I can't reveal this to anyone… not yet."
Aisha clenched her fists, her thoughts swirling. But… what power did God give me?
She had told Him she didn't need any powers, because… she still didn't trust Him. She didn't know why. Now… she regretted it. What power did she even have? She didn't know, and that uncertainty gnawed at her.
Yet, deep inside, she felt it—mana flowing through her veins. She had some kind of power.
She stood up and grabbed a small stone, throwing it at a nearby tree. It bounced harmlessly off the bark.
"Ugh… why can't I do anything?" she muttered, frustration rising.
Her hands trembled, and she clenched them tighter. "Calm down, Aisha," she whispered to herself. "I know I have some power… I feel it. I just… I just need to find it."
She paused, thinking. "If I could choose… I'd want water magic. I've always loved water. Calm, yet powerful… flowing everywhere."
Her eyes narrowed. "But… how? I don't know any incantations… any spells… anything! I won't give up, though."
She stepped into a small clearing, surrounded by trees, and raised her right hand in front of her. Closing her eyes, she focused. Water… ball… throw… she thought.
A faint sphere of water appeared, hovering awkwardly in front of her. It spun in the air for a moment… then shot forward, hitting a tree. The bark barely dented, but it was enough.
Aisha's eyes widened. Her lips curled into a triumphant smile.
"I… I did it!" she shouted, jumping with joy. "It's… water magic! I can… I can use magic!"
For the first time, a spark of excitement and hope ignited inside her. She laughed softly, the sound echoing among the trees.
"This… this is just the beginning," she whispered. "I'm really… a magic user now."