In This Life I Will Be Strong

Chapter 2

From birth, Samuel never knew the woman who gave birth to him. His father just gave him the necklace his mother gave him, that's all. 

He said that Samuel would need the necklace.

There were many secrets about his mother, but his father's background was the same. Samuel didn't know what country his father came from, what family he belonged to, or what powers he had. He only knew that his father had always repaired machines without using magic.

Maybe it was because he continued to work hard for a small salary that his father died. He disappeared without a trace after delivering a television set to a customer.

Samuel thinks he died because before his father left, there were words that referred to being independent. The old man had even prepared everything. Money for school, for living and other things.

It was not much, but it was enough for Samuel, who had always been frugal.

At the time, Samuel was fourteen years old, one year away from starting school. 

"My son? Don't talk about strange things, I don't know anything about my mother. But surely my mother wouldn't do anything bad to her own son. Samuel denied seeing the necklace.

"Have I done anything wrong to you, my son? It was I who saved you from death. Don't you want to go back in time? Just before you died and take revenge.

How about that? Are you thinking clearly?"

"I'm really tired of this. If you can't talk nicely, then it should be ignored. After all, the dead have to get used to the pain of the living." Samuel washed his face.

"Your father's stupid nature seems to be inherited, it's a pity you didn't inherit your mother's smart nature. Why do you have all the bad traits of your father? Anyway, we don't have much time.

If Samuel still thinks the world is an illusion, you can prove it to yourself. Is it your opinion or Mom's?"

"How?" asked Samuel, cleaning his glasses.

"Illusion magic has one weakness, no matter how good it is, and that is repetition. Try to change one of the remembered futures, whether it works or not. Usually the user who enters the magic will be unable to do anything but accept."

That's also true. Samuel could prove for himself whether this woman's words were true or not. 

If she was wrong, it would be fatal, otherwise it would benefit Samuel if he was right to go back in time.

"Wait, after you come out of the toilet, Mommy won't be able to help and communicate anymore. But don't worry. Fire magic, your father's basic element, will be passed on to you. As for the other basic elements, it's possible that you can obtain them.

Keep trying, that's the key. If you want to communicate with Mother again, find the necklace fragment. Isn't the shape of the wing necklace a half? If Samuel is lucky, he might be able to meet your father. He's still in this world.

Make sure you stay alive and don't get hurt, okay? I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't take care of you. This is all I can give my only child.

For some reason, Samuel's heart hurt. Hearing her sad voice and the words of this strange woman made Samuel want to stay. His feet were reluctant to take a step.

Was she really the woman who had given birth to Samuel?

If that's the case, Samuel can ask a lot of questions. Why has she never visited her? Doesn't she want him around? And many more.

"Stop talking nonsense, you cheater." Samuel stepped out of the bathroom with his glasses cracked.

Again, it was all about Samuel's ego. He just didn't want to get hurt again. Hoping for something uncertain would always hurt him. 

Just the way Samuel lived his life.

"There are three bullies in the locker room, I don't want to go there."

"Right, it's like they're waiting for people to come in to be tortured. Ugh, I'd rather buy new clothes and change in the bathroom."

Whispers about the three students who killed Samuel rang in the ears. Almost all of the students avoided the three bullies, because aside from family power, the members of their families were very scary. One of them was the leader of the war group.

The brother and sister didn't seem to let anyone hurt the three students. 

It was so disgusting to not let anyone hurt a sibling, and then just let it go when their sibling hurt someone else. What a despicable person.

Ah, Samuel could prove whether he was in the illusionary magic or not. It seemed that the person who would be bullied in the locker room was Samuel. He hoped that he would not be tortured by the three bullies. As a result, it was obvious that his body would be hurt.

"Can I turn my footsteps around?" asked Samuel with a sense of trepidation.

Samuel's breathing was ragged, his heart was racing, and his legs were shaking slightly. He felt a tightening sensation, the second time he had felt that way.

After all this time. 

With a heavy breath, Samuel tried to step into the next room, the guidance office, where a young professor was sitting. He had no intention of going in, only to see if this fate could be changed.

"How dare a poor student like you come in, don't you hear what the people outside are saying? Hey, we have booty."

Samuel rounded his eyes, unable to believe the scene before him. It wasn't the three students shouting, but a man in a professor's uniform.

The professor sat in a chair reading a document.

"What's wrong, Samuel? Why are your clothes wet? Has something happened?" asked Prof. Magnus, looking at Samuel.

Professor Magnus was the second son of a simple family. He had the opportunity to become a guidance counselor and one of the youngest teachers at the Academy.

This professor did not use the insider path, but entered on his own due to his talent. He is very good at using hypnotic magic and the wind element. 

It's very rare for people to be able to use two types of magic. Therefore, anyone who can use two types of magic has many opportunities. One of them is to become a teacher at the academy.

Strangely enough, of all the options, Magnus chose to become a teacher here. Nothing better.

"It's okay, Prof. Magnus. Sorry for interrupting your time," Samuel said and bowed.

As quickly as possible, Samuel ran to the bathroom. One hand held the necklace. He regretted putting his ego first. 

If only time had kept asking, maybe Samuel wouldn't be so sorry?

Argh, it was all Samuel's fault. He was too stupid and naive to recognize his own mother.

"Mom, are you still there? I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry..." Samuel held the necklace that didn't glow.

"Can't we talk one more time? Please, at least let me hear your voice again... sorry ...." Samuel tucked the glasses into his uniform.

His mother's last words rang out, about the fire element, the necklace, and his mother's regret. It was all suffocating to Samuel.

"Hey!"