Reincarnated in a Light Novel

Eclair stared at the fleeting form of the child, a single fin cruising away in the solid ground as if it were water. Left in her wake was the headless corpse of Wilson.

"Haha… "

Eclair couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity on how close he was to death wasn't lost on him. He was one second away from death, yet here he was, alive─ barely. His body was screaming pain as he was teetering with injuries, all it wanted was rest. 

"No, not here." But not here, it was dangerous in the middle of the forest, the chance of encountering a demon here is low but never zero. 

Eclair could hear his breath rhythmically going in and out. He raised his hand studying the soft wrinkles on the soft light of the afternoon. His mind drifted to his Art, [Means of Violence] to him, is the perfected form of the first cast.

Using Magic Bolt as a foundation, it could release three different attacks, activated with conditions of gestures. [Sever], [Bludgeon], and [Pierce] are the three main forms of Means of Violence. A technique borne to efficiently kill.

Thanks to today's events, however, he learned that the technique could only harm lesser-class way easily unlike those of middle-class demons. It happened twice so he already learned his lesson.

Though, he wouldn't be able to dwell on this lesson if he couldn't recuperate, just resting for a few hours wouldn't recover all the Omi he spent.

'That fight was tough… ' Eclair recalled the fight: 'A second is an eternity for Sorcerers.' Maybe that's right. The water needle shot by Wilson with an incomprehensible amount of pressure will pierce through his body with ease. 

A second is all Wilson needed, thankfully, he was faster and that is all the difference here today. Thankfully, he could use conditions on the fly. Using the conditions in the lines, this attack will only last once, this attack will only work against the fisherman and his fused demon, and this technique will disappear after usage. 

Eclair only won thanks to the improvised conditions he made mid-battle. He clenched his fist, he couldn't activate the Art for now thanks to the conditions he made but soon, he'd be able to use it once again.

With a groan, Eclair forced himself up, standing up trembling under his own weight, he walked up to Wilson's corpse limping with each step. He stood still after a while and once he could he pointed at Wilson's chest, where his heart lay, and shot.

A hole lay open in Wilson's chest, dark ichor oozed out the wounds but Eclair was too tired to react at such a disgusting sight. He turned his gaze away, not eager to look at the sight, with his remaining strength, Eclair pulled on Wilson's foot.

Eclair marched forward, each step screaming pain by his body, begging for rest, but he continued using what minuscule amount of Omi he had to gather strength till he reached the village

There he gathered terrified looks and gasps of horror. Nobody was able to muster the courage to walk up to him. The village chief, despite everyone's horror, approached Eclair.

"S-Sorcerer…?"

"The fisherman… made a deal with a demon."

Before he could speak more, Eclair's knees buckled and he fell, confusion dawned on him but couldn't do more as he passed out on the ground. The village chief spared no moment, screaming at the villagers to help.

Wilson fused with a strong middle-class demon and could have killed Eclair if he hadn't been toyed with. Truth be told he was lucky, twice by what happened. Eclair wasn't sure if he could handle the demon without being fused.

Earlier too, he was lucky with the worm being a weak middle-class demon. Lesser-class demons could be killed by an ordinary human in ideal circumstances which is usually dealt with by Junior sorcerers, middle-class demons are when Senior sorcerers are needed, and higher-class demons are when Elite Sorcerers and above are needed.

Eclair wasn't even a Junior Sorcerer yet and his mission was supposed to be beyond his ability. This is the time where he starts to think of What ifs, what if I made a better Art, would he be able to get out of the situation?

Just as fast as the thoughts came is how quickly they also vanished. There is no perfect art, each has its flaws. The best art one could make is one that covers one's flaws complimenting oneself.

As Eclair stirred awake, a groan escaped his lips. Memories of the earlier fight with the fused demon resurfaced in fragmented flashes. He coughed lightly, the scent of herbs filling the air. Looking around, he realized he was back in his designated room.

His body was wrapped in bandages, and a splint braced his left arm. Every injury had been carefully tended to. The level of care surprised him, but he felt a deep sense of gratitude.

He resisted the urge to move much; there was no immediate threat here, and for once, he allowed himself to lower his guard. Even the alarms he'd set in the room before were gone, likely used when someone brought him inside.

Even then, theres one concern that filled his mind: the kid.

Eclair noted he wasn't particularly hungry, which suggested he hadn't been unconscious for long. His Omi reserves weren't fully replenished either, meaning only a few hours had passed—not an entire day.

Peering outside, he noticed the faint light of dawn. Initially mistaking it for the dim glow of nighttime, he soon realized it was growing brighter—morning had already arrived. 

"Oh…"

It meant that he only delivered the porridge yesterday, his mind was already filled with worry. Was she fine? Eclair couldn't help but think about his saviour, he hadn't known the kid yet but his mind was already speaking gratitude.

He had last seen her swimming away, Eclair only hoped she was safe since he was no longer where she was. The Art has been spent and the duration has passed. 

Eclair could only concern himself, if he went to the woods would he still be able to meet her again?