Ash lay quietly in his crib, the soft hum of the city outside fading into silence. At just three months old in this new world, no one knew that behind those calm eyes was the soul of a 21-year-old prince.
Kaelen.
He remembered it all.
He had lived as a proud warrior—strong, wise beyond his years, and deeply loved. At only twenty-one, he was already set to become king. His people adored him. His best friend had stood by him since boyhood. And his wife—his beautiful queen—had brought him joy that lit up even the darkest days.
But in the final battle, the dream shattered. Victory was close... and then, death.
A sword pierced his chest. The cheers turned into cries. And Kaelen's life ended in blood and regret.
Now he was here.
Reborn.
Small. Powerless. Surrounded by strangers who called themselves his family.
"I want my old life back."
He didn't hate this world—but it wasn't home.
Not yet.
Four years later…
Ash Kurogane was no ordinary child. At just four years old, he could speak fluently, think sharply, and observe quietly. His memories of his past life as Prince Kaelen hadn't faded—they had grown clearer.
One evening, he sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the television. The screen flashed with a breaking news headline:
"The Abyss Hero Era Begins!"
Three figures stood tall on the screen, cloaked in mystery and power. The world called them the Big 3 Heroes—symbols of hope and strength in a world where monsters had begun to rise again.
Ash leaned forward, eyes sharp. Their aura... their presence... it reminded him of the battlefield.
"They look strong," he whispered.
Akio Kurogane, his father, walked in and ruffled his hair. "They are. Heroes protect the world now. It's not like the old days of swords and kings."
Ash looked up at him. "Dad… can I have a sword?"
Akio blinked, then laughed. "A sword? Why?"
Ash's gaze didn't waver. "I think… I know how to use one."
His father paused, surprised by the serious tone.
"Magic power, too," Ash added quietly. "Does it exist?"
Akio scratched his head. "Not exactly magic. Some people have special abilities—gifts. But they're rare. Even those heroes on TV trained for years."
Ash turned back to the screen. His fingers tightened into a fist.
"Abyss Era… Big 3… the three strongest heroes on Earth."
He didn't know how yet—but deep inside, he felt it.
His sword skills… his instincts… they weren't gone.
They were waiting to awaken.
Awaken the Core
Ash's eyes sparkled as the heroes vanished from the TV screen. His small hands clenched with excitement, and a bright smile lit up his face.
"Dad! Please teach me sword skills and magic power!" he said eagerly.
Akio, surprised by the sudden outburst, chuckled. "Aah, alright, alright. I can teach you sword techniques. As for magic… I have some power, but I'm not sure if you inherited it."
Ash's eyes widened. "Let's try! Please!"
Seeing his son's determination, Akio nodded. "Okay. We'll visit someone who can help."
Later that day, they arrived at a quiet dojo on the edge of town. A tall man with calm eyes greeted them.
"Daiki," Akio said, "I need your help. Please teach magic to my son."
Daiki raised an eyebrow. "He's so young."
Akio smiled. "But he's special. Trust me."
Daiki looked at Ash and gestured. "Come here, boy. Sit. Now… close your eyes and focus on your center. Search for the warmth inside you—that's your magic core."
Ash sat cross-legged, closing his eyes. Calm. Silent.
Inside his mind, Kaelen stirred.
Magic core… this is like ki… I've felt this before…
He breathed slowly. Deeply. And then—like a distant fire in his chest—he felt it.
A faint spark.
Ash sat still, eyes closed, breathing steady.
Then—boom.
The air around him shifted.
A sudden pulse of energy burst from his tiny body. The floor trembled slightly. Papers fluttered. The lights flickered. A faint, glowing aura wrapped around Ash like a second skin—radiant, raw, and ancient.
Daiki's eyes widened. "This… this isn't normal magic."
Ash's eyes opened slowly. They shimmered with golden light, remnants of a power once feared and revered in another world.
Kaelen had awakened.
Daiki stepped back, stunned. "Akio… your son… he's not just gifted. He's unique."
Akio swallowed hard but smiled with pride. "I told you."
Daiki placed a firm hand on Ash's shoulder. "Give me three years. I will train him—both in magic and the sword. But know this…"
He turned to Akio.
"Your son isn't meant for a normal life."
Akio nodded. "I've realized that now."
Ash didn't speak. But in his heart, he knew.
This was only the beginning.
Three months passed.
Ash stood in the training yard behind Daiki's dojo, a wooden sword in his hand. His body, though small, moved with the focus and precision of a warrior twice his age. Every swing, every step—it wasn't a child learning for the first time.
It was a prince remembering.
Kaelen's instincts live in me, he thought.
Daiki watched with narrowed eyes. "You've improved too fast. Your stance… your balance… you're not normal, Ash."
Ash didn't answer. He simply raised the sword again.
"Let's see if your magic keeps up," Daiki said.
He placed a glowing crystal on the ground. "Focus on your core. Try to channel energy into it."
Ash closed his eyes. He could feel it again—that fire in his chest, warm and familiar.
He opened his palm.
A small light flickered to life, dancing above his fingers.
Daiki smiled. "Good. Your magic is reacting."
Sweat dripped from Ash's brow, but he grinned. "Again?"
Daiki laughed. "Fine. But don't blame me when your body gives up."
Ash lowered into a stance. "I've fought wars. This is nothing."
Daiki blinked. "What?"
"Nothing," Ash said quickly, hiding the smirk.
The sun was high, casting golden rays across the training yard. Ash stood still, eyes locked on the wooden sword in his hand.
Daiki crossed his arms, watching him closely. "Today, we try something new—imbuing your blade with magic power."
Ash nodded. "How?"
"Focus your core. Let the energy flow through your arm… into the sword. Not too fast. Let it breathe."
Ash closed his eyes. He imagined the warmth of fire, the swift flow of wind, the calm of water, and the strength of earth. Slowly, his sword began to glow, faint colors swirling around the blade—red, blue, green, and brown.
Daiki's eyes widened. "Wait… fire, wind, water… and earth? That's impossible."
Ash opened his eyes. "Did I do it wrong?"
"No," Daiki said, stunned. "Three elements are rare… but four? That's legendary. I've never seen a child like you."
Ash looked at the glowing sword, amazed. "It feels natural."
Daiki nodded slowly. "If you combine fire and wind properly… you can create lightning."
Ash grinned. "Lightning?"
"Yes. A fusion element. Difficult, but devastating. We'll try it next."
The blade in Ash's hand crackled faintly as sparks flickered along its edge.
A storm was coming.
And its name was Ash Kurogane.
Ash stood in the center of the field, breathing deeply. His sword was steady in his hand, the memory of Daiki's words echoing in his mind:
"Fuse fire and wind. Feel the spark. Let it dance."
He closed his eyes. Flames stirred in his chest—hot, wild. Wind followed—swift, sharp. When they met…
CRACK!
A sharp bolt of lightning danced down the blade. The air trembled with static.
"Lightning…" Ash whispered, amazed.
From a distance, someone clapped slowly.
Ash turned.
A boy, around his age, stood with crossed arms. Short black hair, sharp blue eyes. Confident.
"You're good," the boy said. "For someone new."
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Name's Rei Tsukihara. I'm Daiki-sensei's top student… until now."
Daiki stepped between them, hiding a grin. "Ash, meet Rei. He's strong, smart… and a bit competitive."
Rei smirked. "Don't get comfortable, lightning boy. I'm not losing my spot."
Ash smiled back. "Then you better keep up."
From that day, sparks didn't just fly from Ash's sword—but between two rising warriors.
The courtyard was silent, filled with tension. Ash stood on one side, sword in hand, his body calm but eyes sharp. Across from him, Rei Tsukihara rolled his neck and gripped his blade, confident as ever.
Daiki stood between them. "No magic attacks meant to kill. Use your strength, your skill—but control your power. Begin!"
The two dashed forward.
Clang! Their swords collided in a flash. Ash's raw strength pushed Rei back, but Rei twisted smoothly, sliding around and striking with precision.
Ash blocked, then jumped back. He's fast.
Rei smirked. "Not bad. But you rely too much on power."
Ash said nothing. He focused. Let the fire rise. Let the wind guide.
Suddenly—zap! Lightning crackled across his blade. He vanished in a blur.
Rei's eyes widened. "What—!"
Ash appeared beside him, striking fast. Rei barely deflected it, the air buzzing from the impact.
He grinned. "You're better than I thought."
They clashed again—blade to blade, skill versus instinct. Dust rose. Sparks danced. And Daiki watched, proud.
Two prodigies… born to surpass limits.
After ten minutes, both boys stood, breathing hard, swords down.
A draw.
Rei laughed. "Let's call that round one."
Ash smiled. "I'll win round two."
They shook hands—not as enemies, but as rivals.
Three years passed like a dream.
Ash, now 8 years old, stood at the gates of his home. His training was complete—his body stronger, his sword sharper, and his magic unmatched. Even Daiki had said it:
"You're not a student anymore. You're a warrior now."
The Kurogane house hadn't changed much, but something about it felt warmer.
"ASH!!"
A blur rushed toward him—his big sister, Rin. She tackled him in a tight hug.
"You're finally back!" she said, holding him like she'd never let go. "Mom made your favorite food. And Dad—he's been bragging to everyone!"
Ash smiled gently. "I missed you too, sis."
From the doorway, his mother, Nao, wiped tears from her eyes. "Welcome home, Ash."
Behind her, Akio stood tall, pride shining in his eyes. "You've grown."
Ash bowed slightly, heart full. "I'm home."
That night, laughter filled the house. They shared stories, memories, and food—together again under the same roof.
But later, as Ash stared up at the stars from his room, his smile faded.
That world… my old life… still haunts me.
He clenched his fist.
"But I'll protect this world now."