My 5th Reincarnation: I Was Born in Another World as a Demon - TWOB 4

By the time Reagan arrived at the academy the next morning, Fin's tale had evolved into at least seventeen different versions. His system helpfully cataloged the variations:

[Story Versions Circulating]

The Epic Crystal Saga (Fin's Official Version)

The Scientific Anomaly (Ace's 47-page Theory)

The Royal Adventure (Aria's Diplomatic Version)

The Herb Gathering Trip (Luna's Deadpan Version)

Raegan's Version: "We just picked some really aggressive cave moss"

Professor Vale was waiting at the classroom door, crystallized wyrm scale in hand. "Interesting souvenir from your 'herb gathering' quest, Sir Raegan. The principal would like to meet you after school."

 "Would you believe it's very aggressive moss with enhancement effects?"

 Professor Vale rolled his eyes. "You should be honest with your teachers, SIR RAEGAN," he said, doing a head turn like a teenage girl with an attitude.

 "The moss excuse again?" Luna whispered from behind, walking towards the class. "Really?"

 The classroom erupted the moment they entered. Even the normally stoic Professor Vale couldn't maintain order as Fin jumped onto his desk to begin his morning performance.

 "Picture this!" he declared, somehow having acquired both a sparkly cape and a magical light effect. "Deep in the crystal caves, where ancient spirits whisper secrets…"

 "The harmonic resonance of the spiritual energy actually created fascinating patterns," Ace interrupted, unrolling a chart that reached the floor.

 "We gathered herbs," Luna stated firmly. "Some crystals happened. The end."

 During combat practice, everyone wanted to see Raegan's "crystal-shattering techniques." The training ground had become a theater in the round, with Fin providing dramatic commentary.

 "And then, facing certain doom, our hero—"

 In the afternoon at the library, Ace had established what he called his "Research Center" but what looked more like a conspiracy theorist's lair. The walls were covered with calculations, magical diagrams, and string connecting various theories about Raegan's abilities.

 "If we consider the statistical probability of someone possessing spatial storage, multi-elemental affinity, transformation capabilities, AND ancient power resonance," he muttered, adding another string, "there's only one logical conclusion…"

 "That I'm a reincarnated demon-werewolf warrior from another dimension?" Raegan joked nervously.

 "Don't be ridiculous," Ace scoffed. "You're obviously a mixed gene of wolf beast in human form that can somehow transform on command."

 "You have to admit," Luna said as they watched Fin perform his eighteenth version of the tale (now featuring time-bending crystal dragons), "life's never boring with you around."

 "I miss boring," Raegan muttered. "Boring was safe."

 "Safe is overrated," Aria smiled. "Besides, you still haven't explained how your arms transformed."

 Raegan got up and sprinted to the exit. "I forgot, the principal wanted to see me. Let's talk later."

 Luna and Aria looked at each other suspiciously, clearly annoyed with Raegan's excuses.

 Raegan had a detour before reaching the principal's office. He sat in Principal Hymen's office, still dusty from destroying half the training grounds during his "demonstration" fight with the twins. He hadn't meant to show off quite so much, but Fin and Ace had pushed him into using more power than planned.

 The principal looked more like a retired battle mage playing dress-up in academic robes. His desk featured a curious mix of scholarly achievements and what appeared to be preserved demon parts.

 "So," Principal Hymen began, adjusting his monocle, "not only did you demolish our training facility, but I'm now dealing with three different student fan clubs dedicated to our newest 'mysterious transfer student."

 Raegan winced internally. 'Great. Mom's going to hear about this, and I'll never hear the end of it.'

 "Show me your system window."

 The request caught Raegan off guard, but he carefully displayed a limited view:

[REAGAN CHEN]

Level: 7

Unique Ability: Hidden

Transformation: Hidden (10x Mana Multiplier)

Skills: Hidden (Consume Spirit Energy & Skills) Hidden (Skill Fusion System)

The principal's monocle actually cracked at what he saw. "This… this is…"

 'Here comes the expulsion,' Raegan thought.

 "FASCINATING!" The older man practically bounced in his seat, holographic screens materializing around him. "A natural skill-fusion system? And that Mana Multiplier! Do you have any idea how rare these abilities are?"

 "Young man," the principal leaned forward eagerly, "have you heard of the World Academy Battle Tournament?"

 "No, but I'm assuming it involves more than just fighting?"

 "Indeed! It's where the most promising students from academies worldwide compete for glory, recognition, and prizes!" He produced a glowing card that radiated power. "Like this S-Rank skill card from last year's tournament."

 Raegan's eyes narrowed at the card. The potential for power growth was significant, especially this early in his new life. "And you want me to compete?"

 "Compete? My boy, I want you to win! Show everyone what Barthopia Kingdom can produce!" The principal coughed, slightly embarrassed. "Also, we really need to win. The last two years, we have lost miserably to the Darkmire Kingdom."

 Raegan considered his options. Having an official reason to display power could be useful. "I want dungeon access."

 "You're seven."

 "I'm seven with skill absorption and Mana Multiplier abilities."

 The principal stroked his beard thoughtfully before conjuring a contract. "Win the tournament, and I'll make it happen. Though I should warn you - the competition will be fierce. Many contestants train their entire lives for this."

 Raegan almost laughed. 'If only he knew about my previous lives' worth of combat experience.'

 "I accept," he said simply, signing the contract.

 As he left the office, Vivaan chimed in his mind: "Well, this should be interesting. Just try not to accidentally reveal too much during what's essentially a school competition."

 "At least my friends have been very supportive of hiding my secrets."

 "Debatable. Very debatable."

 Raegan found his friends at their usual lunch spot in the academy courtyard. Fin was in the middle of a dramatic retelling of his morning practice, complete with exaggerated sword swings. Ace sat surrounded by his ever-present calculation boards, occasionally correcting his twin's "artistic embellishments." Luna watched them with her typical mix of amusement and exasperation, while Aria maintained her royal dignity despite clearly enjoying the theatrical performance.

 "So," Raegan began, fresh from his meeting with Principal Hymen, "how would everyone feel about competing in the World Academy Battle Tournament?"

 Fin dropped his practice sword mid-swing. "THE tournament? The legendary competition where heroes rise and—"

 "Registration deadline is next week," Raegan cut in before Fin could build momentum. "Our team of five would be perfect for—"

 "Actually," Aria interrupted, "there's something you should know." Her violet eyes showed rare disappointment as she pointed to a specific regulation. "Royal family members are explicitly forbidden from participating. Tournament Rules, Section 3.1 says, No active nobility above ducal rank, no royal family members, no diplomatic corps representatives to maintain international neutrality.

 "But that's ridiculous!" Fin protested. "You're one of our strongest fighters!"

 Ace adjusted his glasses, ever the voice of reason. "It makes political sense. Imagine the diplomatic nightmare if a princess were injured during competition, or if her team won and other nations claimed favoritism."

 Luna's tail swished thoughtfully. "Still, your combat skills would have been perfect for our team strategies."

 Raegan watched Aria carefully mask her disappointment with practiced royal poise. He understood all too well how position and duty could limit one's choices.

 "I can still help," Aria offered, straightening her shoulders. "I'll be your tactical advisor. Father always says, sometimes the most important battles are won from behind the scenes."

 "The princess becoming our team strategist?" Fin brightened. "That's even better! Think of how impressive we'll sound: 'The team with royal tactical backing—'"

 "We are not using that as our team name," Luna interrupted firmly.

 "What about 'The Crown's Chosen—'" "No." "'Royal Command Squad—'" "Definitely not." "'The Really Cool Students With A Princess—'" "Fin!"

 "I'll submit our registration today," Raegan said. "The four of us as competitors, with Aria as our unofficial tactical advisor."

 "And I'll start analyzing past tournament footage," Aria added, her natural leadership qualities emerging. "Every team's patterns, preferred strategies, notable techniques…"

 "While maintaining completely normal and unremarkable combat abilities ourselves," Luna added with a pointed look at Raegan, who pretended not to notice. As his friends began discussing training schedules and strategy sessions, Raegan felt Vivaan's amusement.

 "You know," the system commented, "for someone trying to maintain a low profile, entering a tournament with a princess as your advisor seems to counter your goal."

 "Sometimes," Raegan thought back, "the best cover is to let people focus on the obvious unusual things while missing the truly extraordinary ones."

 Looking at his assembled team - the dramatic swordsman, the calculating mage, the perceptive beast-girl, and their royal advisor - Raegan felt surprisingly optimistic. They might not be the most conventional tournament team, but they had potential.

 As long as they could agree on a team name that wasn't one of Fin's suggestions.

 The academy's private training ground echoed with the sound of combat as Raegan's team held their first coordinated practice. Aria sat cross-legged on an elevated platform, surrounded by tactical diagrams and tournament records, while the four combatants worked on their formation.

 "Fin, you're overextending again," Aria called out. "Remember, your aggressive style works best when Ace can support your flanks with calculated spells."

 "But it looks so much cooler when I—" Fin's protest was cut short as Luna's perfectly timed counter sent him sprawling.

 "Style points don't win tournaments," Luna remarked, her tail swishing with satisfaction.

 "The key," Ace adjusted his glasses while helping his twin up, "Is synchronized timing. When Fin creates openings, I can maximize spell effectiveness. Luna's mana reading lets her capitalize on any gaps, and Raegan…" he paused, "Raegan adapts to whatever the situation requires."

 "Very normally," Luna added with a knowing smirk.

 Raegan maintained a careful balance in his fighting style, showing enough skill to be useful without revealing too much. His centuries of combat experience made it challenging not to automatically counter every attack perfectly.

 "Let's try Formation Three," Aria suggested, consulting her notes. "Fin creates the initial disruption, Ace follows with area control spells, Luna reads the mana flows for optimal positioning, and Raegan…"

 "Improvises very normally," everyone finished, making Raegan wonder if his 'ordinary student' act was as convincing as he'd hoped.

 They moved through the practice sequence again. Fin's blade work created genuine chaos, more effective for its apparent recklessness. Ace's spells transformed the battlefield geometry, forcing opponents to move where Luna could read their mana signatures. Raegan filled whatever role was needed moment by moment, careful to maintain the appearance of talented but not extraordinary skill.

 "Better!" Aria called. "But watch your spacing when—"

 Her instruction was interrupted by a massive crash as Fin's enthusiasm sent him through one of Ace's spell barriers, creating a chain reaction that knocked over several training dummies.

 "Sorry!" Fin emerged from the wreckage, somehow managing to strike a heroic pose while covered in dust. "But you have to admit, that was pretty dramatic!"

 "Drama won't win the tournament," Luna sighed, though her tail betrayed her amusement.

 "Actually," Ace was already calculating, "incorporating unexpected variables into our strategy could provide tactical advantages. If we calibrate Fin's natural… flair for the dramatic…"

 "Into controlled chaos," Raegan finished, remembering similar strategies from past lives' battles.

 As they continued practicing, their movements began flowing more naturally together. Fin's aggressive style created opportunities for Ace's precise spellwork. Luna's mana reading helped them anticipate and counter potential responses. Raegan filled the gaps, carefully measuring his contributions.

 "You know," Vivaan commented in Raegan's mind, "for someone trying to hold back, you're actually helping them become quite formidable."

 "The best cover," Raegan thought back, "is helping others shine so brightly they don't notice what you're hiding."

 The practice session ended with everyone exhausted but satisfied. Even Aria looked pleased with their progress as she compiled her observations.

 "Next time," she announced, "we'll work on counter-formations and recovery patterns. The tournament will throw unexpected challenges at us."

 As they cleaned up the training ground (and apologized to the maintenance staff for Fin's "dramatic improvements" to several structures), Raegan felt genuinely optimistic about their chances.

 They might not be the most conventional team, but they were becoming something unique - a blend of Fin's chaos, Ace's precision, Luna's insight, and Raegan's carefully measured support, all guided by Aria's tactical wisdom.

 Now they just had to survive their own practice sessions long enough to reach the tournament.