Eight months passed, and before I knew it, I was old enough to walk down the path I had chosen. During this time, I focused on honing my mind and becoming familiar with meditation.
Being a child made it difficult, given how fascinating everything seemed or how chaotic my state of mind was. The funny part about the former was that there wasn't anything interesting—just that childlike sense of wonder.
Nevertheless, I had finally managed to achieve my goal in half a year. Not bad, considering I still had enough time to sharpen my—
"Good day."
"Good day to you too..." I responded to a random passerby who had just interrupted my thoughts.
Anyways, training wasn't my only priority. I also took the time to investigate, starting with figuring out where and when I had been reincarnated.
At some point, I noticed that some people were wearing uniforms. They consisted of a navy blue, long-sleeved jacket with golden linings around the edges, matching blue trousers, and white buttoned shirts.
It was all too familiar. I had definitely seen this uniform before. Maybe in multiple scenarios but it was still familiar.
For a month, I observed them, stuck in a dilemma I hadn't yet resolved. Should I just follow them to the school and pretend we're headed the same way, or should I just ask one of them?
Well, it wouldn't be weird if a kid who was was still three years old asked a student which school they attended.
In fact, you could blame it on childish curiosity.
'Y'know, sometimes being a child is a lot better than being an adult. You have excuses for everything. Not in anyway sketchy. Underestimated.'
...
'That last one is still an advantage, right?'
As I walked by a crowd of students, I scanned for the right person. I spotted a guy who wore his uniform elegantly; every step he took exuded grace. His confident smirk as he talked to the girls around him told me everything I needed to know.
If I asked him, he'd probably be annoyed or call me out for interrupting, so I shifted my gaze to the next person.
It was a girl. She wore a white skirt with black trims and had blonde hair styled in a bun. Her eyes radiated a sense of disdain, but it was held in check. I assumed this because, when I approached her, she gave me the stink eye.
'Yeah, I'd rather not. I don't have nearly enough brain cells to entertain her crap.'
I moved on without a word.
As I continued, I spotted a girl with grey hair. She seemed a bit timid, judging from her posture and the tight grip she had on her books. Unlike the rest, she didn't carry a sword but a few books. Her head was bowed.
'Perfect.'
I walked toward her, but she hadn't noticed me yet.
"Good day to you, miss," I said in a polite tone.
"Uh!" She glanced up, her blue eyes shifting just slightly toward the floor. "Good day to you too."
She was just about ready to leave, but I still had unanswered questions.
"If it's okay with you, I was wondering which school you're attending," I said with a sincere smile, hoping she wouldn't just run off.
Her pink lips parted slightly before hesitation settled in. "M-Midgar Academy."
I froze on the spot. Everything suddenly made sense, but I couldn't shake this lingering feeling of doubt. No—it was more like... I didn't want to blindly believe that one of my greatest dreams had actually come true.
"Really?" A huge grin slowly crept across my face, though I managed to suppress it into a smirk. 'Hold it for a little longer. Hold it in!'
"I would love to go there someday!" I couldn't contain the excitement in my voice.
The girl only nodded, saying nothing more. I was the first to leave, but I left her with a few parting words.
"You should tilt your head a little higher. That way, you'll be able to see the world in a new light..."
I turned toward her and watched her pause. She did as I had advised her.
"Beautiful. Nothing to be afraid of," I said with a bright smile as she turned to look at me. Her blue eyes met my black ones, mesmerized—probably curious about the golden ring around my irises.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
That's when I knew she had taken it to heart. Perhaps I had changed someone's life for the better.
As I turned around to head home, her voice called out with surprising clarity.
"May I ask for your name?"
I stood there for a moment, wondering if giving her my real name was a good idea. Since I'd meet her again at some point, I figured it wouldn't be a problem.
"My name is Shin. What about you?"
"..."
"I'll see you around."
Though honestly, I doubted I would. I didn't recall seeing her in the anime—or maybe I just forgot.
Well, I had things to do... I guess I have to start early.
...
As I lay on the floor, I saw the glow of the sun slowly fade. Its warmth lingered a bit longer as I watched the first star appear in the sky.
I panted heavily, trying as hard as I could to inhale all the oxygen I could get. My eyes were nearly shut. My limits were much more troublesome than I'd expected—but I had estimated it.
Given how young I was, performing like I used to would've been weird on its own. My muscles burned—so much that it was simply painful.
I hadn't seen any potential so far, but it was far too early in the game.
I had to become as strong as I could. After that girl kindly gave me the information I needed, I knew I had to do whatever I could to become stronger.
The Eminence in Shadow.
'Never thought I'd actually see this world. How much I love this world.'
I wanted to meet a lot of people right now. I wanted to become the strongest. I wanted to be the light within the shadows—the first star that appears amidst the dusk, the light that precedes the darkness.
Speaking of shadows...
Has Cid reincarnated yet?
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