Chapter 02 Okay, So I Might Be a Little Overpowered for a Toddler…

He pushed open a wooden door leading to one of the many castle balconies.

"Soon enough, I figured out the basics. I’m apparently the grandson of the King. As in, the king who runs the kingdom. Aura kingdom. The name came from the first wife of the king, or so I was told."

As Rein got back inside, he got lifted lovingly by a beautiful noblewoman—his mother—with warm eyes and golden hair. Next to her was a strong, kind-looking man—Rein's father—smiling as he tickled Rein’s belly.

"These two? They’re my parents. My real ones this time. Not the cold, shouting, constantly arguing mess I came from before. Nah… these two love me. Like, actually love me. They hold me. Play with me. Tell me I’m precious. At first, I thought it was some kind of noble obligation—but no. They meant it. I’ll be honest, that hit me harder than the train ever did. In my old life, affection was rare. Home was four walls, cold dinners, and silent glares. I had to learn early not to expect much from anyone. But here… for the first time, I felt safe."

His parents—well, this world’s version of them—were good people. Really good.

His mother, Lady Elenora, had the kind of gentle voice that made even punishment sound like a lullaby. She would hum songs from her village as she brushed his hair and always made time to play with him, no matter how many noble duties called.

His father, Lord Cael, was a tall knight with a soft heart. He’d carry Rein on his shoulders around the training yard, let him poke at his sword, and act amazed every time Rein tried to mimic a swing.

They laughed a lot. They held him close. Rein had never felt so… wanted.

"It’s not all warm fuzzies though. There’s still the whole 'this world has monsters and magic' thing. Which—by the way—is terrifying and awesome. The maids warn me not to misbehave or 'the beasts from the woods will get me.' Real comforting stuff, right? But hey, keeps me in line. I live in a castle, apparently the heir of a noble bloodline. The maids whisper that I'm the prince's son. That makes my father the son of the King himself. So yeah—royal blood. Technically. Fancy, but also... a little suffocating."

And then there was the King—Rein's grandfather.

King Arthur.

A man with long silver hair, blue eyes, and a smile that could disarm a snake. He looked like someone ripped out of a heroic painting. The man adored Rein with a ferocity that bordered on obsession.

"My grandpa. The man. The legend. The absolute emperor of 'presence.' Everyone bows when he walks by. Even my dad straightens up. The guy’s got this… weight. Like history follows him around. They say he’s lived for over three hundred years. That he defeated three Demon Lords and personally established the human kingdom’s golden era. People love him. Call him 'The Immortal Light.' Crazy, right?"

If Rein asked for a book, he got a library. If he wanted to walk the garden, he got a personally escorted tour with three knights and two mages. Once, he mentioned being curious about dragons, and two days later a tamed wyvern was brought in from the barracks for him to pet.

"So here I am. Living the royal baby dream. Magic is real. Monsters roam outside the city walls. What else could there be."

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One year later

Rein, now three years old, sits on the floor cross-legged, eyes narrowed at a pebble in front of him.

"So… funny thing about this new world. I might be a little broken. Turns out, I’m a walking toddler-sized tank. I broke three chairs, a marble birdbath, and a full suit of armor last month. And that was me just playing. I didn’t even mean to."

He closes his eyes, palms up, concentrating.

"But it’s not just muscle. There’s… this feeling. Like something’s under my skin. Buzzing in my bones. When I focus hard enough, it moves. Like I can touch it."

A faint flicker of blue light crackled between his fingers. He gasped—then clap his hands over his mouth before any passing servants hear.

"Holy cow! Mana! Is that mana?! It’s real. And I’ve got it. Jackpot baby, yeah!

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He was alone in the old library, climbing stools to reach a dusty beginner spellbook. Pages turn, glowing slightly. Diagrams of 'Basic Light,' 'Spark,' 'Gust.'

"They say only trained mages should even sense mana by age five. I’ve already cast three spells. Okay, okay, more like… one and a half. My Light spell is a flickering flashlight, and the Gust spell lifted maid’s skirt. No one suspects anything yet. They think I’m just curious. Which… yeah, I am. But something’s weird. Even the court magicians say the air around me feels off.”

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Rein stood by his room window, looking at the night sky. His hand flicker with a faint blue spark of mana.

"But here’s the thing—I’m not bragging. I don’t know if this is just the way people are born here… or if I’m not supposed to be like this. In my old world, I was nothing. Just a quiet guy who blended into the background. Here… Here I’m something else. There’s no doubt about it. I’m stronger than the other kids. Faster, too. Even the guards whisper when they think I can’t hear them. 'Gifted,' they call me. 'Touched by the heavens.'"

He flexed his small hand, watching faint blue mana spark between his fingers and fade.

"It’s not just the magic. It’s this feeling—like I’m not meant to be ordinary. But if I take one step too fast… I might leave everyone else behind."

A quiet knock came at the door. The heavy oak door creak open behind him. He didn’t turn—he already knew who it is by the sound of their footsteps. His mother stepped in, her voice warm and teasing.

“There you are my little star. Still up and thinking deep thoughts?”

“I wasn’t thinking too hard. Just… looking.”

His father followed behind, “Should’ve named you Philosopher Rein. Three years old and you’ve got more on your mind than half the council.”

His mother crossed the room and gathered him into her arms. Rein didn’t resist. He liked being held. Her arms were always warm. Safe. Something he hadn’t had in his previous life.

She sat on the edge of the bed with him nestled against her shoulder.

“You’re growing so fast. The maids can’t stop talking about you. They say you’re already better with words than the chancellor’s son. My little lion. You’re growing smarter every day.”

“And stronger. Strong enough to make even your old man nervous, eh? One of the guards told me he saw you move a bench twice your size.”

“Well, I mean, it wasn’t that heavy…”

“Still, my Little Lion. You need to slow down. You’ll be older than us at this rate.”

“Listen here, young man, you’re not allowed to get old before your parents. So, you better listen to your mother.” 

“Ummm... I don’t think that’s how aging works.”

 “Exactly what someone older than me would say.”

The three of them laughed together. His mother pulled the blanket over him as she laid him down.

“We’re proud of you, Rein. So, so proud. Just… promise us you won’t grow up all at once.”

Rein looked up at her, “Okay. I promise.”

“And no running off to fight monsters, leave that to adults,” his father added with a smile.