Chapter 2

In the mystical continent of Astra, a land that lay hidden three hundred miles east of the Parth Kingdom, there existed a place so secluded and enshrouded by the towering Eastern mountains that it was said to be beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

In this far-off corner of the world, the landscape was dominated by grey stone structures that resembled castles, fortifications that seemed to grow organically from the very summits of the rugged terrain. These fortifications were like the capricious offspring of the mountains, as if the rocks themselves had yearned to take on the shape of mighty fortresses. Among them, the grandest and most imposing bore the name 'Ekalavya,' etched in ferocious and powerful letters on its main door.

This fortress, was the ancestral home of the most formidable and former influential family in all of Astra, the illustrious Ekalavya Clan. Their power was as legendary as the mysteries that shrouded their secluded abode. However for some unknown reasons, the clan doesn't allow or show themselves to the world outside this Ekalavyan domain.

And today, its a day of great significance for the clan, the sun cast a golden glow upon the land, and all the children who had just become eight year old had gathered in the heart of Ekalavyan fortress. The main hall, a vast and imposing chamber, with a striking resemblance to the throne room of a grand castle. Parents of the young initiates stood in the background, their expressions a mixture of pride and apprehension, while the highest echelons of the clan stood in front, their eyes filled with wisdom and authority.

Among these assembled individuals, I, stood with the crowd, my ears perked in rapt attention. The Head of the family, Liam Ekalavya, a figure of great gravitas, and the five elders of the clan took center stage, their speeches resounding with the weight of tradition and the promise of the future.

Among all these happenings, in a world that had all the makings of a classic fantasy novel, I found myself in an unimaginable situation. Reincarnation was no longer just a concept from the pages of a book; it was my reality.

My name in this new life was Ray Ekalavya, the son of Arthur Ekalavya, who held a prestigious position as the Vice Head of our family. The enigma surrounding my mother only added to the mystique of my origins. When I inquired about her, my father had a knack for dodging the question, leaving me with more questions than answers.

This reincarnation gig wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I might have retained the memories and senses of my past life, but adjusting to the confines of a baby's body was no walk in the park. For the first year, I was essentially a helpless observer, capable of little more than sensing the atmosphere around me. Clarity only came when I reached the one-year mark, which, for a baby, was like waiting a lifetime.

Taking my first wobbly steps, a whopping eighteen months after birth, I couldn't help but feel like I'd missed the memo on typical baby development. But hey, it wasn't every day you found yourself in a brand new world in a baby's body. There was bound to be a learning curve.

Finally finding my footing, both literally and figuratively, I knew it was time to prepare for my future and unravel the mysteries of this fantastical world I now inhabited. As I glanced in the mirror, I couldn't help but notice how ridiculously cute I looked with my short blue hair and black eyes. The future of my facial features was uncertain, but as long as I avoided getting chubby, I figured I'd be just fine.

Fortune smiled upon me in this unfamiliar world, for its language bore a striking resemblance to Earth's, save for one distinctive feature – the ornate and 'decorative' script.

In just a month, I had mastered the art of reading and writing in this world's language. I delved into the intricacies of its vocabulary and comprehended the very essence of this world.

However, my father's duties often took him away from home, leaving me in the care of one of his trusted subordinates. This meant that epic adventures were still a distant dream, as I couldn't exactly wander off on my own. Nevertheless, it gave me the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the library of our family's library because of my father's position. Well, I did get that the staff there would be laughing like "Aw! look at the cute kid seeing pictures from the library" and stuff but Little did I know that within those dusty tomes, a world of magical secrets and, undoubtedly, a fair share of comical mishaps awaited me.

The knowledge I gleaned revealed a stark contrast between this world and Earth. Magic and mythical creatures thrived here, making it a place of wonder and enchantment.

This world, however, seemed to lag in technological advancement. The primary means of transportation included carriages drawn by magical beasts of various sizes for overland journeys and sailing ships with majestic billowing sails for river voyages.

One astonishing aspect was the unbridled freedom granted in the matter of weapons, with the exception of certain sacred places like the royal domains. It boggled my mind to witness individuals strolling through the Clan with arms casually at their sides, a sight unthinkable back in my previous life where even a mere pistol could land you behind bars.

This continent bore the name Astra, home to four major races who had wisely formed their own kingdoms to avoid conflicts.

First, there were the Elves, humanoid beings graced with elegant, pointed ears. Their kingdom of Parth was nestled deep within the heart of the forest, a good three hundred miles away from the Ekalavyan Domain.

Then came the Dwarves, a distinctive race of sturdy and powerful humanoids who made their home in the underground Kingdom of Kuru, nestled beneath the Northern Mountains to the north.

Next, the Beastmen, a humanoid race possessing both beastly features and extraordinary physical prowess. They thrived in the western forest within the Vrikodara Kingdom.

Lastly, the most common race, Humans, called the Kingdom of Dharma their home in the southern part of the continent.

But amidst all these kingdoms, Astra boasted a Central Kingdom, Kingless Central, positioned at the heart of the continent. It served as a sanctuary where individuals from all races could convene, free from the fear of judgment or criticism, and just be themselves.

Chapter 3