Reincarnated in a Light Novel

Eclair felt exhausted after hours of travelling. Having gone without rest since the previous day, he decided it was time to find a nearby town to recuperate.

After running for some distance, he slowed to a walk as he neared the town. Cookie, in her human form, still had noticeable features—fins on her head and tail. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, Eclair thought it best for her to revert to her shark form and follow from behind.

However, their arrival still drew wary glances. The townsfolk were cautious, their gazes filled with unease. Even the town guard, his voice tinged with fear, questioned Eclair's presence. It didn't help that this town didn't expect any sorcerer.

In the end, Eclair decided not to linger. He bought some take-out food and left the town promptly. He chose a secluded, wooded area far from any roads to set up camp. The isolation served a purpose—he wanted to avoid crossing paths with any sorcerers.

Yawning, Eclair finished setting up a tent. It was spacious enough to allow for quick movement in case of an emergency. Sitting down, he opened the take-out container, the rich aroma of the food wafting through the air. As the scent filled his senses, Eclair noticed Cookie, now back in her human form, drooling beside him.

Smiling, he handed her a portion of the meal, along with a wooden spoon and fork. Cookie examined the utensils with clear curiosity, and her inexperience was evident.

Eclair sighed lightly. Before starting his own meal, he taught Cookie how to use the utensils. She learned quickly, and Eclair couldn't help but feel a small swell of pride at her progress, no matter how minor it seemed.

After they finished eating, Eclair decided to take a nap. He set a cheap alarm clock he had picked up somewhere and asked Cookie to keep watch for any potential dangers. With that, he closed his eyes and drifted into a brief slumber.

His nap brought no peace. Instead, he dreamt—though it felt more like a nightmare.

He was six or seven years old again, reliving the day knights stormed his village in search of his mother.

Back then, he had been curious about his father. His mother had spoken of the man fondly, painting him as the love of her life. But that image shattered when they were taken to the Rosvault estate.

Life there was a living hell. Eclair and his mother constantly had to fend off the cruelty of his half-siblings and his father's mistresses.

And his father?

That face haunted him still. He could never forget the fear that gripped him whenever their eyes met. His father's expression was always the same—tired, cold, and emotionless. Eclair had never felt such malice from anyone.

It may have been an Aura at work. Even now, the memory sent shivers down his spine. Maybe thanks to that dream, Eclair woke up groggily, after hearing the chime of the cheap Alarm clock he had.

"Ugh…" Eclair groaned as he sat up. He noticed Cookie patrolling the tent in lazy circles, and a smile crept onto his face. He reached over to turn off the alarm. It had been a short, thirty-minute nap, but it was enough to remind him of the life he led in this world.

Sighing, Eclair stood up and began packing the tent. He thanked Cookie for her watchful eye before finishing his task. Though he hadn't gotten much rest, it was best to head to the academy first. Proper rest could wait.

"Let's go, Cookie," Eclair said, and without missing a beat, he sprinted forward at inhuman speed. The road toward the academy was blocked by a landslide, but it only delayed him for a couple of hours. Cookie had no such trouble—she easily swam through solid obstacles with ease.

Once they arrived at the academy gates, Eclair turned to Cookie. "Stay in your shark form," he instructed. "It's better they know you as a demon, not a demonized human."

As they entered, a guard eyed Eclair and Cookie, his gaze lingering on her unusual form.

"She's with me," Eclair said calmly.

"I can see that," the guard replied, his tone suspicious. "Are you one of those idiots claiming to have tamed a demon?"

Eclair raised an eyebrow, curious but unfazed. "Yeah?"

The guard smiled, though it lacked warmth. "Well, just don't let it kill you inside the academy."

Eclair understood the guard's warning. Demon tamers weren't well-liked. Though it was possible for a sorcerer to forge a pact with a demon, gaining their essence and powers, the practice often involved brutal subjugation. Many demons, born with an inherent hatred for humans, would never willingly submit. When forced into a pact, the demon's fury usually turned against the sorcerer.

Ignoring the remark, Eclair continued down the familiar hallway, his footsteps instinctively guiding him. He reached the clinic and saw Solas still in his office, out in the open.

"Welcome back, brat," Solas greeted with a huff, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I see you brought something with you."

"Yeah…" Eclair replied, a bit absentmindedly.

"I thought you'd be back sooner. Took longer than I expected," Solas said, glancing at Cookie. "Seems like there's a story behind it."

Eclair sighed. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

Solas raised an eyebrow but nodded, standing up. He led Eclair through a side door into a room stocked with medical herbs and tools.

Once inside, Eclair turned to Cookie. "Come, turn into a human. He can be trusted," he said reassuringly.

Cookie hovered slightly above the ground, her eyes shifting between Eclair and Solas before she jumped out of the water, her form changing into that of a human.

Solas froze, his mouth agape. "W-what?!" He turned to Eclair, wide-eyed. "Boy, you brought an incarnated demon?!"

"Incarnated?" Eclair asked, confused.

Solas nodded, still stunned. "Yes!, Incarnated, It's when a demon and a human die at the same time. The demon, desperate to survive, merges with the human—or rather, takes over. That's why they often retain demon traits."

Eclair nodded slowly, looking at Cookie. "Ohhh… so that's what you are." He turned to Solas. "She can remember her past, though, is that okay?" Eclair said, unsure

Solas sighed, glancing at Cookie again. "Of course, she can. The demon merges with the human's soul and body, often taking full control. It's a recent event, isn't it?" Solas scrutinized Cookie's thin arms. "Her arms look like sticks."

Solas scrutinized Cookie's frame, curious about her life, He had noticed she lacked the miasma most Demons have, so it's probably because she had no animosity against humans thankfully.