Summary:
After a tense conversation with Selene, Leo decides it's time to reveal the truth — not just to her, but to Elyna as well. With the help of Tessia and the old sage Grimwald, he begins to piece together the mystery behind his reincarnation.
But as they dig deeper into the forbidden archives of Saint Regulus Academy, they uncover something far more dangerous than expected: a secret experiment that could change the fate of all souls in this world.
And someone is watching them from the shadows…
I sat on the small cushion in the hidden study room, wrapped in my usual blanket like a royal infant.
Elyna was pacing back and forth, muttering under her breath.
"So you're telling me," she said, stopping suddenly, "that you used to be the Dark Lord? The one who nearly destroyed the continent? The guy everyone still fears in bedtime stories?"
I nodded slowly.
She blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Oh my god… I knew you were special, but this is insane!"
She dropped to her knees in front of me, eyes glowing with excitement.
"Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight. You died in battle, and somehow ended up being reborn… as your own son?"
I gave her a flat stare.
> Yes. That's exactly what happened.
Elyna clapped her hands together.
"This is amazing! No wonder you have that aura! I mean, I thought you were some kind of ancient artifact at first."
Tessia, standing silently by the door, narrowed her eyes.
"You're taking this surprisingly well," she muttered.
Elyna grinned. "I like things that go boom. And legends that come back to life? That's an explosion of a different kind."
I sighed internally.
> Of course she'd find this entertaining.
Grimwald, who had been quietly sipping tea in the corner, finally spoke.
"If we're going to continue this conversation," he said dryly, "perhaps we should close the window first. Some of us don't enjoy having eavesdroppers."
We all turned.
A shadow moved outside the window.
Selene.
She was listening.
Without hesitation, I waved my tiny hand toward the window.
A faint pulse of magic flickered through the air — enough to unlock the latch.
The window opened.
Selene stepped inside gracefully, her bow slung over her shoulder.
"I wasn't trying to hide," she said coolly. "I was just waiting for you to tell me the truth yourself."
I looked up at her.
Then I nodded.
Elyna clapped her hands again.
"Okay, so now we're all in the loop. Great! Now can we talk about how absolutely wild this situation is?"
Grimwald set down his cup.
"We can. But let's start with what we know."
He pulled out a worn leather-bound book from his satchel.
"The Project of Reincarnation. It wasn't just theory. Someone has been experimenting with soul transference… and you, Kaiser — or should I say, Leo — are their most successful subject."
I stared at the book.
And for the first time since I came back to this world…
> I felt fear.
Not for myself.
But for what might happen if others discovered the same truth.