Reincarnation: A New World

Percy carefully evaluating the situation decided that he had to say something, "Nora, I have to tell you something about who I really am..." taking a few brief moments to compose himself,

"I originally didn't want to tell you about who I really am. For I am not from this world. I was born as Bradley Jones on a world called Earth. When I was born my mother died in childbirth. My father a hardworking blue-collar worker who loved the bottle a little too much. When my mom died in childbirth his hatred for my festered. His once earnest nature turned vile as he leaned further and further on the bottle. Before I knew it he started giving me all these nicknames, 'Killer', 'the Accident', 'Murderer', the namecalling turned to beatings when I turned five. Every time I came home from school he would beat me vigorously, to the point that I would often be left unable to move. Eventually, the many absences caused by the countless beatings brought the attention of my school admin. Somehow the admin figured out my situation and got the authorities involved. They rescued me and placed me into child services, although I managed to regain my footing I never truly recovered from the trauma. My only escape from reality became the many media platforms in my world. I secluded myself from reality and dove headfirst into fiction. Until one day in my a.d.u.l.thood, I was catching up on the most recently updated web novels when a truck flew into my 20th-floor apartment and instantly killed me!" Percy paused before a faint smile appeared on his face, "When I died, I finally felt free. I roamed in pure all-encompassing darkness for what felt like decades until I felt as if I was being dragged towards someplace distant. What was at first only a small tug, turned into an irresistible force. After travelling an inconceivable distance in the darkness I suddenly saw a single light appear in front of me. Something instinctual drove me towards the light and the second I made contact I felt my very soul merge with that of Perceval Stonebraid. Next thing I knew I was Perceval. A five-year-old kid who was born into lesser-nobility. Although my family was rather large and comparatively poor, I felt a familial bond with them. I felt as if the pain and suffering that I had undergone in my previous life turn to distant memories as I experienced the true, una.d.u.l.terated love. In the last year, I learned many things about this world. When I first learned about all the different kinds of Mages and Knights, I couldn't be more excited. Eventually, when the Academy tests rolled around I luckily managed to qualify for the Mage course, even if by a hair's length." the smile which had appeared on his face dimmed and turned remorseful, "Sadly, there are no free meals in any world. Although I managed to meet you, Nora, I also encountered Emilee. When she learned of who I was and who my family was, she immediately began harassing me. Whenever I was alone, they'd gang up on me and beat me down. As one of the Lightcrow, she threatened both me and my family if I ever told any of the teachers. Only in confidence do I now tell you three..." finally the diminished smile lost its form and tears began to well in his eyes, "Nora, I'm so sorry for what they did to you! I hope you can forgive me! I never wanted to get you involved in my troubles... Please forgive me!"

Nora didn't really know how to feel. She had felt that something had been slightly off about Percy since the first day they met. She couldn't really put her finger on it but something instinctually told her that Percy was beyond his age. Although slightly janky in his conversation something felt as if he was older than he portrayed.

"I have something to share as well..." Nora reluctantly spoke before being interrupted by Great Mage Sev, "What? That you're not entirely human?"

"Sev, I think you're mistaken, there's no way she isn't human!" Great Mage Mirlie replied

"Nora, you may be able to hide that demonic array from others but it's not the first time I've sensed a demonic array. The energy they give off is unmistakable"

"Great Mage Sev," Nora replied, "you're mistaken. I am still human." Nora reached into her uniform and deactivated the demonic array. Immediately Nora's skin paled and her hair turned a blood-soaked crimson. "I also have something to share..." although she didn't fully trust the three, she felt that it was a fair shot, she didn't want to keep her secret from everyone. Having her teacher, the man who's promised to protect her, and her only friend, know about her secret didn't seem like too much of a potential risk.

"I too am not from this world... I come from a world of cultivation. I was born into slavery, the first eighteen years of my life were absolute hell. I suffered through unimaginable torture until through some less than reputable means, managed to buy my freedom. I eventually managed to join a sect, something akin to what major families are in this world, my late start in cultivation caused people to ridicule and abuse me. Seen as the undesirable weakling, they picked on me and pushed me down. Through over a hundred years of suffering and pain, I finally managed to become an inner-disciple. With renewed vitality, I began to challenge the norms and undergo many types of cultivation at once, although I progressed slowly and people condemned me for my actions, it eventually caused me to become heralded as the 'First Paragon' as I surpassed all those who were once above me. Eventually, after eons, I reached the very brim of ascension, a hair length away from divinity. Only to be struck down by the Demon Beast Emperor during my last heavenly-tribulation before the gates of divinity. Unwilling to die, I used my near-almighty soul to fight against the samsara cycle and challenged one of the very principles of the universe rebirth. For contending with one of the major principles I was ousted from my universe and through the burning of my soul, I managed to survive the void which separated my universe from this world. After drifting in the void I forced my way through the innate barrier of this world and before I knew it, I was born. Since then, I've used some of the cultivation techniques from my old world to progress in this world."

Although she shared a large portion of her history, she left out some less than needed information, such as the forceful ousting of the being who would've become Nora Redblood, if not for Nora's replacement of the original being and that the first few years of her life were more of a blur than actual memories.

"I am no demon. One of the cultivation methods which I am currently practicing caused my appearance to slightly change. If anything, I know more about being human than all of you"