Reincarnated into the strongest family

The early morning light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the training room. Nox stood in front of the mirror, his eyes tracing the reflection of his young body. Five years old—yet his mind carried the weight of many lifetimes. The thoughts that ran through his head were not those of a child. In fact, there was nothing about him that resembled a child at all.

His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, the smooth wood cool against his fingers. The upcoming duel wasn't something he had to be reminded of. He'd known about it for as long as he could remember, and he knew it was coming. There was no escaping it.

He wasn't naïve. The world was unforgiving. Strength was the only currency that mattered, and those without it were nothing. His mother had made that clear to him from an early age, and his past life's experiences had cemented the lesson in his mind. Nothing came easy. Not even his birthright.

"Are you ready?" his mother's voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and direct. He turned to see her standing in the doorway, her crimson eyes intense as ever.

Nox gave a small nod, his expression stoic. "I'm ready."

His mother stepped into the room, studying him carefully. She could tell that he understood. The weight of what lay ahead didn't escape him. "The duel is not a formality, Nox. It's a fight for your future. Your right to go to the academy, to learn the magic and control that will shape your destiny."

Nox's gaze remained steady, but his mind raced. The academy. It wasn't just a school—it was the place where the strongest trained, where those with potential could truly grow. He had already started to grasp his powers, but he knew they would be nothing compared to what he could learn there.

"You know what's at stake," his mother continued. "You'll be fighting against your cousins for the right to go. There's only one spot. The winner earns the privilege of attending the academy. The others… well, they remain here. Do you understand?"

Nox's eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't some naïve child who thought everything would fall into place because of his position. "I know. I'm prepared. No one will take my place."

His mother studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Good. You understand what's required. This won't be easy. Your cousins are strong. Some of them might even be stronger than you right now. But you have something they don't—focus. Control. And the desire to push beyond your limits."

Nox's grip on his sword tightened. "I'll win," he said, his voice steady. "I'll go to the academy."

His mother's gaze softened, though only slightly. "It's not just about winning, Nox. It's about how you win. You'll need to control your elements—each one. You have more than just raw power. You have discipline, and if you use that well, you'll have the edge."

The thought of the academy was intoxicating. Nox knew that once he stepped into its halls, he would learn more in a single year than he could here in a lifetime. His abilities—void, lightning, and gravity—had already begun to stabilize, but they still weren't perfected. The academy would push him beyond that. He could feel it.

He wasn't foolish enough to think it would be easy. This fight would be brutal, and no one would give him mercy. "I know. I'm not underestimating them."

His mother walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Good. But don't just focus on your strength. Your power will only get you so far. The duel will test everything—your mind, your strategy, and your ability to outthink your opponents. They'll be using their elements just as you will. You need to be prepared for everything."

Nox nodded, his mind already drifting to his training. Discipline. Control. Strategy. These were the things that mattered. He couldn't rely on raw power alone—he needed to be precise, to think ahead, to see the moves before they were even made. That was how he would win. He had already made up his mind.

"I've trained for this," Nox said, his voice quiet but firm. "I've trained for years. I'll win. I have to."

His mother studied him carefully, then nodded once. "You're not just training for the duel, Nox. You're training for the future. The academy will teach you how to master your elements and how to control your abilities—far more than we can offer here. But the duel? That's the first step. If you win, you'll show them that you deserve that chance."

"I won't fail," Nox replied. "I'll be the one to win."

His mother smiled faintly. "Good. Now, go train. You need to be ready. Every movement, every strike, every decision will count. Don't waste time."

Nox turned and walked toward the training area, his mind already set. This was it. The first challenge. Winning the duel wasn't just about his future—it was about proving to everyone that he was ready to take the next step. To survive. And survival meant becoming stronger, faster.