The village green was Riverford's heart. It sloped gently. Sheep kept the grass short. Villagers walked across it. The village well stood in the center. Stones covered it in moss. A wooden bucket hung ready. Essential buildings faced the green. The Hearthfire Inn was largest. Its sign showed a bright fire. It was Riverford’s social center. Travelers rested there. Villagers gathered in evenings. Nearby, the smithy stood sturdy. Hammer on metal rang daily. Isla and Kael’s uncle worked there. The village store was small and wooden. Maeve, a kind woman, ran it. It offered many goods. Local produce and tools were there. Imported spices and fabrics too. Merchants brought them sometimes. The Elder’s Hut stood apart. Willows whispered around it. It was larger, well-kept. Elder Rowan lived there. He was village leader. He held local wisdom.
Paths branched from the center. Some led to fields. Fields were cleared from the Greenwood. Villagers grew crops there. Wheat, barley, and roots. Other paths went to the Clear River. Canoes and boats rested on the banks. They were ready for fishing or river travel. The Greenwood Forest was always present. Tall trees formed a green wall. Leaves rustled. Birds sang. It was a soothing backdrop to life.
Rylan's childhood unfolded in Riverford. Life was peaceful. It was predictable. His siblings were always there. His days were simple. They were joyful. He shared them with Isla and Kael. They played for hours. Isla was seven now. She was responsible and capable. She often organized games. She took charge cheerfully. She set rules and made sure Rylan joined in. Kael was nine. He was energetic and boisterous. He was Rylan’s constant friend. They played adventurously. He dragged Rylan to the riverbank. He taught him to skip stones. He started wrestling matches. They played on the village green. Isla often stopped them because Kael played too rough for Rylan. They built forts together using Greenwood trees. Kael led construction and planned defenses. Isla organized supplies. Berries and stones were their supplies. Rylan found hidden nooks and sturdy branches. Even young, he was good at it. Their games mixed tag and hide-and-seek. They played at the forest edge and had adventures. Riverford became a fantasy realm. Knights and mages lived there, as well as fearsome monsters. Kael was always the hero. Isla was a wise sorceress. Rylan played along happily, as the loyal sidekick or a gifted apprentice. His Intuition helped sometimes, and he found clever strategies that surprised his siblings.
Rylan grew. His Rapid Learning skill became subtly noticeable. Isla and Kael learned at a more typical pace. His skill remained a family secret. Bron and Lienea observed it with quiet wonder. He still loved listening to stories. Isla and Kael joined story time now. They sought Lienea's attention and asked many questions. Rylan absorbed stories a bit faster. He remembered details slightly better. Siblings and even Lienea forgot details sometimes. He started reading early. He read somewhat well for his age. Isla and Kael were impressed, though a little envious. He read simple books around age three. Isla still worked on harder words. Rylan read with a bit more confidence. He often asked for new stories. He borrowed Isla’s practice books, sometimes learning lessons a little quicker. Isla felt a mix of pride and mild annoyance. He developed physically at a good pace too. He kept up with Kael in running sometimes, despite being younger. He climbed trees with reasonable ease. He learned to swim in the river somewhat quickly. Kael often took a bit longer to master new physical skills. They were friendly, with a touch of competition. Kael was proud of Rylan’s quickness in some things. He still wanted to be the stronger, older brother. Socially, he was also quite perceptive. Playing with siblings, he learned sibling dynamics. He understood their moods fairly well. He learned from each interaction and picked up social cues somewhat quickly.
His Intuition showed subtly. He played with Isla and Kael. It seemed like luck sometimes. They played in the woods. He steered them away from thorns because Kael fell there before. Kael dismissed his ideas, but Isla listened more. It helped them sometimes. They played hide-and-seek. Rylan found good spots. He chose spots by feeling, not by thinking. Siblings were frustrated but admired him sometimes. They squabbled over toys and argued in games. Rylan knew what to say sometimes. He knew what to do sometimes. He calmed tension occasionally and helped harmony sometimes. He calmed Isla's bossiness sometimes and soothed Kael’s pride sometimes.
Then, his fifth birthday neared. Rylan lay in bed. Sleep came gently. Images flooded his mind suddenly. Emotions surged powerfully. He saw a different world. Glass and steel towers rose high. Streets filled with noisy vehicles. Faces were pale and strange. He saw a bright ball roll into a busy road. A bus loomed large and fast. He felt impact, sickening and brutal. Then, images faded fast. Recognition came instead. Knowing settled in. Isla stirred next door. She sensed a shift in Rylan. Something changed subtly. She couldn't name it. Childish intuition felt it. Something important happened to Rylan.
He didn’t recall Mihir’s life in Kolkata or the goddess in the void. But then, in Riverford, in his bed, Rylan understood. Certainty filled him. Deep inside, he knew. He lived before. Reincarnation was real. It was him.
Birthday night arrived. Candles glowed warmly. Berry pie smelled sweet. Songs faded. Presents unwrapped. Parents sat Rylan down. The fireplace warmed them. They looked serious and loving.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
"Rylan," his father began, voice gentle. "Tonight, you are five. You'll understand something new. It's special. Everyone has it. Not everyone understands." Mother smiled, reassuringly. "It's your 'Status', Rylan. Like a secret page, about yourself. Only you see it." Rylan tilted his head, intrigued. "My status? Am I tall?" Father chuckled. "Not like that. Remember the 'Status Board' we talked about? It shows your inner strengths, your potential. Tonight, you'll see it more clearly. It's… changed a bit." Blue shimmer appeared. A faint window in front of Rylan. It looked different now, more than before. Words filled it, still almost understood, but sharper, somehow. He gasped, eyes widening in surprise. "Whoa! It's… different! What happened?!" "It's your Status Board, Rylan," mother said softly. "Showing you more details now. It was blurry before, just showing basics. Now it's clearer." Rylan nodded, and his father asked, "Can you share your Status with us too, so we can explain it?" Father pointed to the shimmering screen. "See there? 'Attributes'. Your basic strengths: Strength, Agility, Dexterity, Vitality, Magic Power, Intelligence, Willpower, and Luck. Now you see the numbers clearly. Everyone starts with values." "Numbers next to them?" Rylan asked, squinting. "Yes, those are your starting attribute values. Children begin at Level 1 around age five. As you work harder, your Level will increase," his father answered. "Every year on your birthday, from age five to ten, you'll receive 5 attribute points. From ten to fifteen, you’ll get 10 points each birthday. Use them wisely to improve your stats," his mother added. "And from ten to fifteen is when most children grow rapidly and learn things quickly," his father clarified. Father leaned closer. "Look here," he gestured to the Status Board. "More details. Now you are five." He described it to Rylan, painting a picture:
===================== STATUS =====================
Name: [Rylan]
Level: [1]
-------------------- ATTRIBUTES -------------------
Strength: [5]
Agility: [7]
Dexterity: [6]
Vitality: [6]
Magic Power: [3]
Intelligence: [8]
Luck: [Fixed] (10)
Willpower: [9]
----------------- ATTRIBUTE POINTS ----------------
Available Points: [0]
===================== SKILLS =====================
Innate Skills (Unique Rank):
- Intuition(beginner)
- Rapid Learning(begineer)
Combat Skills:
- None
Magic Skills:
- None
Social Skills:
- None
Utility Skills:
- None
==================================================
"See, Rylan?" father said. "You have values for each Attribute: Strength for power, Agility for speed, Dexterity for precision, Vitality for health, Magic Power for magic potential, Intelligence for mind, Luck for fortune, and Willpower for mental strength." Mother pointed to a new section. "'Innate Skills' are listed here now," she said. "You were born with them. Let's see… you have two Unique Rank skills!" his mother exclaimed, surprised and pleased.
Skill Rankings: Common ==> Rare ==> Legendary ==> Unique ==> Mythic
"Rapid Learning… that explains why you pick things up a bit faster than others. It should help you learn more quickly. We can look for books in the city library to understand it better," his father answered. "And Intuition… that’s a rare and powerful skill. It gives you a strong sense of what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s beneficial. I read about it in the capital's library. People with Intuition often make their mark on history," Rylan's father added. "We'll read more about these Unique Skills later. For now, let's look at the rest of your Status," his mother suggested. "Attribute Points: Currently zero," father mentioned. "But tonight, on your birthday, you'll receive 5 attribute points. You can add these to your stats. While it's tempting to use them right away, I recommend pushing your body first. Train hard, improve your stats naturally. Use attribute points later, when it gets harder to improve through normal training. That’s what your mother, Isla, Kael, and I all did."
Rylan's mother continued, "Consistent practice improves your skills. Blacksmithing with Uncle will improve your 'Blacksmithing' skill. Helping Maeve at the store will improve 'Negotiation'. You can learn many new skills by working hard." Rylan's eyes lit up. "I want to learn everything!"
Rylan's father calmly stated, "Without a Profession that supports a skill, you can only reach the Intermediate rank in it. To go beyond that, a Profession helps greatly."
Skill Mastery: Beginner ==> Intermediate ==> Advanced ==> Master ==> GrandMaster
Rylan drooped his shoulders slightly. "So, without a Swordsman Profession, I can't learn swordsmanship like you or Kael beyond Intermediate?" "You can learn swordsmanship, son," his mother corrected gently. "And with exceptional willpower, some individuals—though very few, maybe one in a million—can even surpass the Advanced rank without a supporting Profession. But it’s incredibly difficult." Father, turning serious again, said, "Remember, your Status Board is private. Keep it secret. Only share it with those you truly trust. Knowing your Status can reveal weaknesses that could be exploited." "Yes, keep it secret for your safety," mother reiterated. "Okay," Rylan nodded, now very serious. "Around age twelve," father continued, "you'll choose a 'Profession'. Knight, Mage, Craftsman, and many others are options. Professions guide your path, making related skills easier to improve and level up faster. A Swordsman Profession aids sword skills; a Mage Profession aids magic. When you get your Profession, you'll also gain some starting skills related to it. We'll discuss Professions more as you get older." Rylan looked at his Status, now clearer, more detailed, and understood. Excitement and responsibility filled him. He knew there was much to learn, about himself and the world. His fifth birthday marked a new beginning, a deeper understanding of his life's path. He was still Rylan of Riverford, loved son and playful brother, but also someone with hidden depths and unique potential, waiting to be unlocked through effort and dedication. The night in Riverford deepened, and Rylan’s journey truly began.
What would you like to rate this chapter