Memories of Anamesa

Lily silently cried next to me. Her sobs were silent, but they racked her tiny frame.

"But you..." she glanced at me, through teary eyes. "You changed. You faced it, and now you're pushing forward like it didn't affect you at all."

I exhaled. "That's not true, Lily."

She frowned.

I sat up, leaning forward. "That thing scared me too. I just… I don't want to feel like that again. I want to be ready." And I'm also 34 years old, not 4. 

Lily studied me for a moment. Then, she sighed, shaking her head. "You're such an idiot."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

She grabbed my sleeve. "But you're my idiot."

She looked away quickly, flustered. "Anyway, I guess I'll be training with you from now on."

I snapped back to reality. "Wait, really?"

She crossed her arms. "Someone has to make sure you don't die again."

I grinned. "Bet you won't be able to keep up."

.....

I woke up earlier than usual, my body buzzing with energy. I was finally five years old!

I stretched, feeling the slight ache of sore muscles from the training Lily and I had been doing. My body was still small, but compared to when I first started? I was stronger. Faster. Tougher.

But I needed to know exactly how much stronger.

I sat up, glancing toward the door. Silent. No signs of Mom lurking to assign me last-minute chores.

Good.

I took a deep breath and whispered, "Status."

A familiar chime echoed in my mind, and a translucent blue screen appeared before me.

==============================

Name: Alex, Son of Gerald

Age: 5 years old (+1)

== Overall Stats ==

Strength: 9 (+5)

Agility: 8 (+5)

Stamina: 6 (+5)

Mana: 2 (+1)

Charisma: 5

== Traits ==

Determination (Level 2), Focus (Level 2), Survival (Level 2), Pain Tolerance (Level 1), [■■■■■]

== Skills ==

Sword Apprentice (Level 3), Thrust (Level 2), Acrobatics (Level 2)

==============================

My eyes widened. This was it? I was in the single digits? Also... what was mana? 

As far as I could tell, there wasn't magic in this world. No one in my village knew of it, but, on the other hand, we did live in a rural village.

And then…

[■■■■■]

I stared at the redacted trait. Still locked. Still unreadable. I sighed. Figures.

Whatever it was, I had no way of figuring it out. Yet.

Still, this was good. Better than good. This was proof that I was growing.

I sighed, letting the screen fade away.

Whatever. One step at a time.

I dressed quickly and slipped outside before Mom could find me.

The village was already buzzing with life, the sound of merchants setting up, livestock rustling, and the scent of freshly baked bread hanging in the air.

And, of course... "Hey, slowpoke!"

I turned just in time to see Lily sprinting toward me, arms pumping.

I braced myself for impact. This time, I was ready.

As she swung her deadly knee, I dodged just in time, twisting my body to the side.

Her foot whiffed through the air.

"Hah!" I grinned, victorious.

Lily stumbled forward, surprised.

She turned, blinking. "Wait. You actually dodged?"

I smirked. "That's right! I-"

BAM.

Her second kick caught me in the ribs.

I crashed into the dirt.

"Never let your guard down," she said, grinning down at me.

I groaned, wheezing. "You- you- are a menace."

"And you're predictable."

Lily offered me her hand.

I hesitated.

She sighed. "Look, I promise I won't punch you this time."

"...Fine."

I took her hand.

She did not punch me.

Progress.

.....

We made our way to our usual clearing; a quiet spot just outside the village, lined with logs and scattered rocks.

I rolled my shoulders, still feeling the slight ache from yesterday's training.

I picked up the thickest branch, testing its weight.

It wasn't a real weapon, but it was close enough for now.

I took a stance, gripping the branch with both hands. In the background, I could feel my skill subconsciously helping me, refining my grip.

Like a memory I didn't remember having.

Lily picked up a smaller branch, testing its weight.

"Alright," she said, grinning. "Let's see if you can actually hit me."

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you sure?"

"What, scared?"

I smirked. "For you? Yeah."

Without warning, she lunged.

I barely had time to react. She was fast. Really fast. My stick came up just in time, catching her strike mid-air. The impact rattled my arms, sending a dull ache up to my shoulders.

Lily grinned. "Not bad."

I pushed forward, creating momentum, aiming a quick thrust toward her stomach.

She dodged effortlessly, twisting to the side, moving like she had been fighting all her life.

Then, she scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it at my face.

"Hey!"

I barely turned my head in time, the dirt spraying past me instead of blinding me completely.

I heard the rush of movement and realized too late that she was already in motion.

Her foot hooked behind my ankle.

She tried to trip me.

Not this time.

I adjusted my stance, letting her pull me forward, but instead of falling, I twisted my entire body, using the momentum to whip my stick toward her side.

She gasped, too late to dodge.

The thud of impact echoed in the clearing.

Lily stumbled backward, eyes wide. She had never been hit before.

I finally got her.

For a split second, we both froze.

Then, she growled, eyes gleaming with challenge.

"Oh, you little-"

She lunged again, this time faster.

I met her strike for strike, our wooden branches crashing together, each impact sending vibrations through my arms. The world faded away—it was just me, her, and the fight.

She feinted left. I didn't fall for it.

She tried another sweep. I jumped back.

A flicker of frustration crossed her face.

I smirked. "Not so easy, huh?"

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Cocky much?"

She rushed me again.

But this time, I was ready.

I let her get close, ducking at the last second, swinging low toward her legs.

She tried to jump away, but she was too late.

My stick slammed into her shin.

She yelped, stumbling backward.

That was my chance.

I stepped in, bringing my branch up in a clean, decisive strike, stopping just before hitting her chest.

Victory.

Lily stared at the stick, panting.

Slowly, her eyes flicked up to meet mine.

I grinned. "I win."

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then, she huffed, crossing her arms.

"...I slipped."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"

She scowled. "Shut up."

I laughed, stepping back and offering her my hand. She begrudgingly took it.

"Alright," she muttered. "You got me this time."

I smirked. "Damn right I did."

"Next time," she said, her voice dangerous, "I'm bringing real dirt."

"Bring it on."

As we stood there, catching our breath, I realized something.

For the first time since we started sparring…

I felt strong.