I'm Still Alive
Chapter 1

I grew up in the arms of my new parents and my new sister—people who were once strangers to me.
Gradually, I got used to life in this world, a place where human civilization was developing very slowly, much slower than the modern world I came from.

My new family treated me very well. They helped me feel the warmth of something called “family love.”
Something I was never able to experience in the previous world.
Whenever I thought about my lonely death in that old world, my heart would tighten.
I could still clearly remember the intense pain of that fateful day—it felt as if it had only happened minutes ago.
The cause of my death was something I would never be able to forget.

But now, with a new and better life, I could truly feel how lucky I was to be given a second chance—to start over.
And I was sure I would make this life one worth cherishing.
So that when I close my eyes one day, there would be no regrets left.

“Lusssssss~”
“What are you doing?”
“Hurry up and come in here!” – Luri called me into the dining room.

Ah, today was my 6th birthday.
Everyone had been busy preparing for the party.

I stepped into the dining room.
My mother—Ris—had cooked many delicious dishes laid out on the table.

“Happy birthday, Lus,” – Ris said gently, smiling warmly.
“A new age, a new joy, Lus!” – Lupach added enthusiastically.
“Happy birthday, Lus!” – Luri said to me.

“Thank you so much, Dad, Mom, Sis,” – I gratefully accepted everyone’s wishes, feeling extremely happy.

My family wasn’t exactly wealthy, but we had enough to live comfortably.
My parents also had some savings, so I never had to worry about lacking food or clothing.
Despite that, the four of us were very close and affectionate.

At the very least, I genuinely loved these people.
This bond of blood and family made me feel lucky to be born into this home.

“Hmm... Lus will be 7 next year, so I was thinking... maybe it’s time to start teaching him that thing. What do you think, Ris?” – Lupach said while eating, glancing at Ris.

“It might be a little early, but I guess it’s time. Sooner or later, it has to happen anyway,” – Ris replied.

I sat there confused, not understanding what was going on.
Ris and Lupach saw my expression and chuckled.

“What’s this thing you’re talking about?” – I asked curiously.

“We won’t tell you just yet, but we promise you’ll like it!” – Lupach said, grinning.

“Exactly,” – Ris giggled.

That night, I was sitting in my room, gazing out at the night sky from the window, thinking about what my parents had said earlier.
Could it really be something special?
I paused my thoughts for a moment.

Well, it’s probably just something ordinary.
They’re probably just overhyping it.

I climbed into bed and fell asleep.
At that time, I had no idea that this so-called “ordinary” thing would be the source of emotions I had never felt before—rage, sorrow, and more.

The next morning, I was awakened by the voice of a young woman.
Groggily, I opened my eyes and turned my head toward the side of my bed.

There, standing beside me, was a petite girl with stunning blue eyes and long silver hair flowing down to the middle of her back.

She was incredibly beautiful.
I froze immediately, unable to say a word.

“Good morning, Lus,” – Ariel said softly, her voice carrying a gentle smile.

“G-Good... morning...” – I stammered, barely able to return the friendly greeting.

“Mm... I’m Ariel. Starting today, I’ll be your magic teacher, Lus!” – she tilted her head playfully, still smiling brightly.

Waking up in the morning to see such a beautiful woman standing beside me had my mind in complete chaos,
Scrambling to handle the situation.

Wait—
Did she just say “magic”??

I quickly jumped out of bed, got changed, and did my morning routine—brushing my hair a bit more carefully than usual.

Ariel had already gone downstairs to wait for me.
When I came down, I saw her sitting at the table with my parents.

“Ah, there you are,” – Ris said.

“Good morning, Mom, Dad,” – I greeted them.

I turned toward Ariel.

“G-Good morning, Miss,” – I said softly.

She smiled at me, then continued chatting with my parents.

I slowly made my way down and sat next to Ariel.

It’s not that I wanted to sit next to a beautiful woman like her or anything.
There was just one chair left... that’s all.

At that moment, all three of them suddenly looked at me.
I blinked in confusion, and then they all started smiling.

I must’ve looked pretty funny.

“I suppose Ariel already told you. Starting today, she’ll be your magic teacher,” – Ris said.

“So the thing you guys were talking about was...?” – I asked suspiciously.

“Yup, that’s right. Magic,” – Lupach confirmed.

I was visibly surprised—and excited.

Of course I was.
Magic—something I thought only existed in anime and manga—
Now I was going to learn it.
Not just learn about it, but actually use it myself.

After finishing the conversation, Ariel took me out for breakfast.
My parents said I should go get familiar with my new teacher.

Ariel held my hand and led me outside.
In front of the house was a carriage—
But it was pulled by a horse.

Ariel detached the passenger seat, mounted the horse, and motioned for me to sit in front of her.

I tried to jump on the horse, struggling for a while before finally managing to get on.
Then, just as I was adjusting my posture to sit comfortably, Ariel pulled me back toward her.

My back pressed against her.
I was startled by the sudden pull and nearly fell off—
But thankfully, Ariel caught me and helped me sit properly.

“Is this your first time on a horse?” – Ariel asked.

“Y-Yes...” – I replied quietly.

My heart was pounding like crazy.
This was the first time I had ever ridden something so bumpy and unbalanced.
Riding a horse was terrifying.