The Demented hero of Reincarnation -(Damn Reincarnation!)

Edward stared at the cathedral with an apathetic gaze, yet its impressive gleam caught his attention. It was a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, radiating a distinct brilliance.

At first glance, one could tell that the magic surrounding it far exceeded the norms of the present age; the difference was like night and day.

Taking in the landscape before him, Edward inhaled deeply and stepped through the force field.

In one of the cathedral's many spires, a distant entity observed the youth, contemplating. 

After a moment of reflection, the entity spoke.

{another it appears}

***

Finally passing through the barrier, Edward was greeted by a familiar sensation, mana.

It was plentiful and dense, saturating the air with vibrant energy. 

Just a single breath would replenish his mana reserves.

However, this mana felt different; its fundamental essence varied from what he was used to.

Mana is typically regarded as the energy of chaos, its unpredictable nature allowing mere mortals to exert control over the primordial world. 

But this mana was different—it was pure and abundant, freely flowing through the air.

***

Edward dashed through the grove at astonishing speeds. His temptation to stop and harness the abundant energy around him was growing stronger. He realized that not only would his physical condition recover faster, but that the time it would take for him to advance to the 6th star or master the Frost Flame Formula could be reduced by many years in this untamed woodland. However, this fantasy was set aside when he discovered the time dilation present in this realm; that critical piece of information halted any plans he had made.

The spirit realm, with all its glitter and trance-like beauty, may seem peaceful at first glance, but the reality is starkly different. This realm is not suitable for human settlement or any other organisms. Death is rampant, and constant territorial conflicts plague the already sparse population. 

Each elemental zone is tied to a dominant element, which governs all the other elements; there are very few exceptions to this rule. These harsh terrains only allow the strongest to survive. 

Only spirits, who do not require the basic needs that normal organisms need, could possibly thrive in such a grim landscape.

"My only purpose for being here is to retrieve that book, return it to Glacias, and then go home," Edward thought.

Though this task was undeniably foolish, he could have easily asked the Ice Spirit King to send him home. However, the settlement that came with such a deal was just too enticing to refuse.

Within the grounds of the cathedral, a dark and atmospheric environment surrounded Edward as he sprinted past the clustered trees in the shadowy landscape. Rays of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of leaves above.

Rare herbs were scattered across the ground like common weeds, and an assortment of fruits swayed gently in the breeze. Each was untended and available for picking.

Edward, of course, gathered a few of these precious herbs and fruits, but the limited space in his pack prevented him from carrying more.

Sprinting through the dimly lit forest, Edward had to slow down his pace and assess his surroundings.

After several minutes of running through the trees, he began to feel a strange sensation tugging at him. 

But that was what confused him; there was nothing in this forest that should have raised any alarms— that was the issue.

"It's too quiet," Edward thought.

Predators and prey. A relationship as old as life itself. The strongest take while the weak helplessly watch. One eats the other, and the other fends off its pursuer.

Most predators observe silently, biding their time until the moment when their target lets its guard down.

Right now, Edward was the prey, completely unaware of his predator.

This was a game of cat and mouse, a pastime he had long since grown accustomed to.

Even the most serene, joyful, and peaceful places often harbor the most revolting details beneath their calm exteriors.

This forest was one such place.

Initially, Edward had assumed the lingering feeling was merely a fleeting thought, but as he hurried through the woods, it became increasingly clear that something was wrong.

***

"That tree… I recall seeing it before."

The tree looked as ordinary as any other in the garden, yet each one had its own striking features.

Moving at breakneck speed, Edward left a shimmering trail of light in his wake. He raised his brows and continued to scan the forest floor.

At the speed he was moving, he registered thousands of details, and each of these details began to align.

This could no longer be considered a coincidence.

After some contemplation, Edward decided it would be best to stop rather than chase a shadow in vain.

Slowing his speed to a halt, Edward stood still.

The eerie silence enveloped him—one that held the weight of deep-rooted pains and profound loneliness.

He stood in the woods, savoring this fleeting sensation, what he called pain; it seemed almost comical.

Moments passed, yet nothing changed.

The silence lingered, and Edward reveled in it.

'Such nonsense,' Edward mused with a bitter grin.

His already troubled mood grew darker.

Something dared to present such trivial pain to a being who embodied suffering.

"They call this insanity?" Edward replied to himself, chuckling softly.

"Haha," he laughed, the satirical sound echoing for several seconds before being replaced by an expressionless facade.

This was not his insanity, but he found it amusing nonetheless.

Suddenly, Edward's senses heightened. Activating his mana Frost Flame formula, he weaved ice essences into his muscles, enhancing his connection to Azphel and sharpening his focus tremendously.

As he prepared for a diagonal strike, he surveyed his surroundings. His ice essence finally reached harmony, and his mind melded with his sword.

A pact of steel—forged through thousands of years of trials—had become engraved in his very being after enduring countless tribulations.

Azphel insatiably consumed his mana, significantly increasing its power. 

A chilling blue aura emanated from the sword, engulfing it entirely. 

Edward's eyes glowed a brilliant mix of green and red. 

SWOOSH! 

TING! 

Edward's sword collided with a towering stone sword. 

Boom! 

The ground cracked as Edward parried the blow.

The stone sword exploded, ricocheting shards of stone in all directions. The large stone figure, which reached a staggering height of one hundred feet, staggered backward, while the striking golden light emanating from the stone sentinel's helmet dimmed.

________________________

Dogs or cats.

:}

"I like fish"

"..."