Chapter 4 A new life

  My eyes open, from my mouth comes a small shrill cry, the world suddenly cold as I'm quickly swaddled in cloth.

  System initialization complete, memory lock started, lock at 98% integrity.

  “It's a girl!”

  Comes a voice to my right.

  “What's her name darling?”

  Asks a man, I presume to be my father.

  “Her name… is Xion.” A feminine voice, my mother says as im brought close to her.

  “She has such beautiful eyes… ive never seen one of our kin with eyes like that!”

  Another voice says, older. A relative?

  “Neither have I elder. She will surely be a strong child.” My mother says, holding me close. My eyes droop after she feeds me, my mind beginning to blur, as my memories become vague…

  4 months pass, and im already walking a bit, unsteadily, but managing. My parents are looking at me with eyes full of pride seeing me stand on my own and slowly walking towards them. I stumble and they catch me. A small grin forms on my small face where my mother then smothers me in a hug.

  “Xion, you're so adorable!” My mother says as my father looks with pride.

  “Not even 5 months old and already walking… dear, our child is special don't you agree?”

  A year passes like this, with me toddling around, occasionly being taught words and letters, my mind seems to catch on quickly. And by the time im 2, im able to speak fluidly. After surprising my mother with question after question she sits me down and begins to answer them.

  “Where did you hear about magic?”

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  “From Elder! He told me a story about how one of our ancestors beat a dragon up with a big spell!”

  She sighs before saying something about the elder not being responsible and tells me about magic in detail.

  “Magic is everywhere in the world, though sometimes ley lines pop up and dungeons will be created from them, there are six basic elements. Fire, wind, water, earth light and darkness. Each element has an advanced version, and each can fuse with each other. There are also more obscure elements that people tend to rarely have. Time, space, gravity and non affinity. The last one makes up barrier spells and a barrier mage is invaluable to a group. There are probably more we dont know about but if you ever want to find out you can ask a proper wizard.” She instructs.

  “Magic sounds so cool mom! Can you do it?”

  She has a big smile on her face as she prepares to show off.

  “Only a bit, but ill show you.”

  She says a short chant and a small flame appears in her hands.

  I make noises of wonder at the magic in her hand. With a small gesture the fire stops.

  “Now, one last thing Xion. Try thinking about the word ‘status’ or think about how strong you are.”

  Status, I think to myself. A bright blue screen appears in my vision with the following.

  [ Name Xion ]

  Age 2

  Race beastkin- foxkin

  Strength 1

  Agility 2

  Intelligence 4

  Endurance 1

  Mana 1

  Skills

  Appraise

  I tell my mom about my stats

  “4 intelligence at your age? You'll make an amazing spellcaster..”

  She trails off, lost in her own world for a second, not noticing me wandering out to the backyard where father is working on his swordsmanship.

  “Papa!”

  I say, steadily making my way towards him, he stops and lowers his wood sword.

  “Hey little miss, did mom let you out of her sight again?”

  He says with a raised eyebrow.

  “Maybeee…”

  He gives a chuckle at my antics and hands me a small wood sword.

  “Well, wanna practice with dad?”

  “Sure!”

  I take the wood sword and take a few steps away, swinging at the air without direction. Its perfectly sized to me, and as I swing around the small wood sword a memory comes to me. I should give this some direction shouldn't I?

  I take a few more swings, this time trying to put some technique in it, a clumsy downward slash, a stab and i stumble over my own feet, falling on my butt.

  Father stops laughing once I try out some actual moves, his roaring laughter giving way to a intense gaze as he watches me try to stab the air.

  “Xion, where did you learn that? Were you paying attention when I was training earlier?”

  I nod, my butt a bit sore from the fall, I had tried to replicate some of his moves. My tail swayed as I got back up, eager to try again.

  “Xion, you have some talent for a sword, want to keep training with me?”

  Father says with a small smile.

  “Only if mama teaches me magic! She made fire earlier!”

  “She did, huh. Well, ill talk to her later, maybe you could be a magic sword woman when you grow up.”

  He nods to himself a few times.

  While my parents talk about a bit of training, seeing as I'm eager to learn, the system panel blinks into my vision.

  [New skill learnt! Basic swordsmanship.

  Explanation- the path of a swordsman is steep, like standing before a mountain, take this journey and prove your prowess!- gives a small boost to sword skills.]

  I smile, progress, she would be proud… who am I thinking about? I shake my head.

  [Memory lock at 95% integrity]