Mushoku Tensei: I am the older brother of Rudeus Greyrat

The scent of dew and damp grass filled the air as the morning sun climbed higher. Aedric found himself back in the woods, his heart thrumming with excitement. His practice had paid off; the crackle of energy that had once been uncontrollable now danced along his fingers in obedient arcs. The sound was alive—a symphony of potential.

"Focus," Aedric whispered, steadying his breathing. He extended his palm, electricity pooling at his fingertips. The charge intensified, creating a faint hum that reverberated through the clearing. A nearby rock, blackened from earlier attempts, bore the scars of his experiments. With a sharp exhale, Aedric released the energy. The bolt struck true, splitting the stone into uneven shards that scattered across the forest floor.

A rustling in the bushes broke his concentration. Spinning around, Aedric relaxed only when he saw a familiar figure. Roxy stepped into the clearing, her staff in hand, her expression unreadable.

"Impressive," she said, her voice even. "Though you could work on precision. The force is there, but control is lacking."

Aedric scratched the back of his neck, sheepish. "Still figuring it out," he admitted.

Roxy studied him, her gaze as sharp as her words. "For someone your age, your grasp of magic is extraordinary. Who's been teaching you?"

Aedric's smile was easy, but his tone carried a note of finality. "Just self-taught."

Her brow furrowed but she didn't press. Instead, she tapped her staff against the ground, creating a ripple of mana that spread outward. "Show me again. Let's see what you can do under guidance."

The day stretched on as Roxy and Aedric practiced together. Her methods were precise, her corrections minimal but impactful. She demonstrated how to weave mana more efficiently, and Aedric's natural talent responded in kind. Each bolt of lightning became sharper, each spell faster to cast.

"You have a gift for this," Roxy remarked as the sun began to dip below the horizon. "With proper training, you could rival even seasoned mages."

Aedric's lips twitched into a small grin. "Thanks. You're not bad yourself."

Roxy chuckled softly, a rare warmth in her tone. "Not bad, he says."

Back at the Greyrat estate, the warm glow of evening filled the house. Dinner was a lively affair, the table brimming with food and conversation. Rudeus babbled happily in Zenith's lap while Paul regaled everyone with exaggerated tales of his youth. Aedric joined in, his laughter genuine as Paul's antics grew more absurd.

"…And then, of course, I had to fend off three bandits with nothing but a fishing rod!" Paul declared, brandishing a fork like a weapon. Lilia rolled her eyes, but her faint smile betrayed her amusement.

Roxy's gaze flickered between Aedric and Paul. She leaned toward Zenith and whispered, "They're quite alike, aren't they?"

Zenith's eyes sparkled with pride. "Aedric's always been ahead of his time. But he's humble about it, unlike some." Her pointed glance at Paul drew another round of laughter.

As night fell, Aedric sat by the window in his room, the stars sprawling across the sky. His thoughts wandered to Rudeus, who was fast asleep in the adjacent room. Despite his infant form, there was a presence about him—a quiet strength that reminded Aedric of Sabo's steadfast determination and Thorfinn's unwavering resolve.

A soft knock at the door drew him from his thoughts. Roxy stepped inside, her expression thoughtful. "Mind if I join you?"

Aedric gestured to the chair beside him. "Be my guest."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the faint chirping of crickets filling the room. Roxy finally broke the quiet. "You have the makings of a great mage, Aedric. But there's more to magic than power."

He glanced at her, curious. "What do you mean?"

"Discipline. Wisdom. Empathy. Magic is a tool, but it's also a responsibility," she said, her voice carrying a note of warning. "I've seen talent squandered because it wasn't tempered by understanding."

Aedric nodded slowly, her words settling over him like a mantle. "I'll keep that in mind."

Roxy's lips quirked into a small smile. "Good. You're already ahead of most."

As she left the room, Aedric leaned back, his eyes drifting to the stars once more. The path before him was uncertain, but with every step, he felt the bonds of his past lives strengthening, guiding him forward. He wasn't just Aedric Greyrat. He was Yuri, Sabo, and Thorfinn—and together, they would carve a destiny unlike any other.