Destiny's Reshaping: A Danmachi Reincarnation Tale

(Author: relatively short chapter. Next chapter will be Saturday/Sunday.)

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Mark looked at her momentarily and reconsidered the offer, but he didn't seem very convinced.

"I don't know, I prefer to train alone."

"But isn't that limiting?" - Zoe asked him. - "Training with someone else speeds up growth. For example, wasn't yesterday the first time you saw magic?"

Listening to her, Mark couldn't deny that there was some truth to what she was saying, but he was so used to doing things alone and on his own that it felt strange to him.

"It doesn't seem like you gain much." - Mark said doubtfully.

"Then let's do this. I'll teach you what I know about magic, and you help me with combat. Doesn't that sound good?" - Zoe proposed on the spot.

Zoe's goal was to study Mark better and, as a bonus, she would also get some training.

At the mention of magic, Mark became more interested, and after a brief moment of reflection, he had no reason to hesitate any longer.

"I'm in."

"Great, we can train in the morning and do magic in the evening. Does that work for you?" - Zoe asked.

"Sounds perfect." - Mark nodded.

The two reached an agreement, but since it was already late, it was impossible to train. So, they finished preparing the last things before the merchant caravan departed.

The journey that day seemed quieter than usual, so they chatted cheerfully to pass the time when Astrea became curious about something.

"Do you already have a Familia in mind that you want to join once you're in Orario?" - Astrea asked.

Considering Mark's age and the fact that he was level 2, it wouldn't be difficult for him to join a Familia.

Hearing Astrea's question, Mark already had an answer ready, as he had asked the Guide the same question.

"The Loki or the Freya Familia."

According to what the Guide had explained to him, they were the strongest Familias in Orario, specializing in deep dungeon exploration.

"Freya Familia, huh…"

"Is there a problem?" - Mark asked.

The Guide didn't have too much information, so he only had a vague idea of the type of Familia they were, and if Astrea knew more, it would be beneficial.

"First of all, I want to say that Freya is not a bad person at all, but she has a drastic way of doing things. Being the goddess of love and beauty, almost everyone is captivated by her, regardless of gender or race, and this often leads to troubles. As for the members of her Familia, they are very strong but…" 

"They are obsessively obsessed with her." - Zoe completed with a tone that left no room for doubt.

"Hmm."

Mark's expression darkened as he reflected on what he was hearing. He wasn't the type to be influenced by others' opinions, but Astrea didn't seem like the type of person… goddess, who enjoyed gossiping about others.

'If I end up in that Familia and what they say is true, it will be a real pain in the ass.' - Mark thought.

"Anyway, being part of the Freya Familia is not easy since it's her who chooses the members." - Astrea explained.

"I understand. And what about the Loki Familia?" - Mark asked, shifting attention to the other option.

"It's a very reputable Familia and appreciated by many. They might not have a level 7 like Ottar, but they have three extremely competent people: Riveria, Gareth, and Finn, the captain of the Familia. All three are famous figures who have accomplished difficult feats."

"You seem to have a high opinion of them." - Mark said, surprised.

"They deserve it. As for Loki, she is impossible to read."

"In what sense?"

"The way she behaves and speaks, you'd think she's a foolish person, but don't be fooled, nothing escapes her eyes. There's a reason she's called the goddess of trickery." - Astrea warned seriously.

"And what about recruiting new members?"

"Loki is more flexible. She occasionally organizes a tournament to find valid members, so if you're unlucky, you'll have to wait a long time."

Mark nodded, grateful for the new information.

"You seem to know a lot about Orario." - Mark observed, visibly impressed.

"I've spent a long time there." - Astrea replied, with a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Seeing that Astrea's expression had become melancholic, Mark decided it was better not to delve further. He then decided to shift the conversation to Zoe.

"You're both a mage and an alchemist, but which discipline do you prefer?" - Mark asked curiously.

"You've asked me something very difficult, you know?" - Zoe said with a thoughtful laugh.

"I like magic for the power it gives me and the possibilities it offers. Alchemy, on the other hand, fascinates me because it allows me to discover new things and create something concrete that previously existed only in my mind. Asking me which I prefer is like asking which arm I'd be willing to give up; it's a choice I don't want to make."

Mark looked at her admiringly. It was rare to find someone with such passion and dedication, to the point of considering both of her talents as inseparable parts of herself. He cast a thoughtful glance at the void, reflecting on how different his approach to life was.

Since arriving in this new world, every day has been dedicated simply to survival. He had never had time to indulge in thoughts or doubts, but now, as he traveled the long road to Orario, he began to question what he would do in the future.

What would he do next? How should he live? What would he do with Selene? What did he want to do himself?

All these questions tormented him, but the answers seemed distant and elusive. The fear of the future began to creep into his mind.

'The road seems to stretch on endlessly.' - He thought with a sigh.

The three continued to converse or enjoy the tranquility of the journey. As the sun set, they prepared to set up camp for the night, so it was time for the magic lesson.

"How much do you know about it?" - Zoe asked him.

"I'd say just the basics."

"Then let's start from the beginning. The world is surrounded by mana, the energy required for any magical profession. Mana exists in nature as something stable, but when a mage, for example, casts a spell, they alter the nature of the external mana with what they have inside."

As a demonstration, Zoe used her spear, and after saying "fire," a small ball of fire formed at the tip, only to dissipate.

"I admit it's impressive, but can everyone become a mage?"

"No, you need to be predisposed." - Zoe said. - "There are two types of mages: those who haven't received a blessing and those who have."

"Is there a difference between the two?"

"The former have no limitations on the number of spells they can learn, but their magic often turns out to be inefficient and weaker. In the latter case, one can learn a maximum of three spells, though there are exceptions."

She, for example, was at the peak of that exception, able to cast any magic that came to mind, as long as she had enough mana to create it.

'Do you think I'll be able to use magic too?'

[It's something I would have had to tell you soon anyway, so might as well tell you now. When your core reaches the next stage, you'll have the chance to have an elemental affinity, which will also allow you to manipulate that element.]

'Seriously? So you're telling me I'll be able to cast spells?'

[Not exactly spells, but close.]

Mark was excited by the idea, and even though he was an adult, the idea of casting spells was something everyone had imagined doing at least once in their lives.

"Mark, are you listening?"

Hearing Zoe's voice, Mark snapped out of his fantasies.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought."

They spent the evening talking about magic, allowing Mark to learn a lot, but it got late, and it was time to rest for the next day.

Mark didn't know what the new day and the days ahead would hold, but only by continuing to do his best would he find out.