The story begins with Ash, an eight-year-old boy who possesses memories of a past life, seeking to learn to read. He approaches the local temple church, where he finds the priest, Folke, withdrawn and unmotivated. Folke, a man in his early thirties, was exiled to this remote village from the capital and has lost his drive, earning him the nickname "the undead priest." Ash, driven by his past life's knowledge of the importance of books and his current life's harsh reality, passionately pleads with Folke to let him read. He argues that reading is not about utility but about enjoyment and solace, a concept Folke, initially dismissive, eventually concedes to.
Folke agrees to lend Ash a book, but only after Ash reveals he can read. Ash, though eight and having only seen a few written words in his current life, can read fluently due to his past life's memories. Folke, surprised and somewhat suspicious of Ash's advanced speech and reasoning, lends him a handwritten copy of his own sermons, deeming it worthless and unlikely to be damaged. Ash, using his past life's knowledge and persuasive skills, convinces Folke to lend him the book, emphasizing the inherent value of books and the joy of reading.
A month later, Ash has not only finished the sermon book but has also learned to read and write fluently, a feat Folke deemed impossible. Ash challenges Folke, proposing a bet: if he can prove he has learned to read, he demands the right to borrow all books under Folke's care. To prove his literacy, Ash writes a contract in his own hand, which Folke, astonished by Ash's rapid learning, is forced to accept. This event marks a turning point, granting Ash access to Folke's collection of books.
Folke, now revitalized by Ash's intellect and his own renewed purpose, reveals a special, ancient book. This book, a copy from the "Early Ancient Civilization" approximately two thousand years ago, is written in an unknown script. Folke, a former scholar from the capital, had dedicated himself to deciphering this script but failed, leading to his exile. He believes this ancient civilization possessed advanced knowledge, possibly even printing technology, and that understanding their language is key to unlocking their secrets. Ash, intrigued by the romantic notion of ancient civilizations and the potential for lost knowledge, agrees to help Folke decipher the book.
Their collaboration begins, with Ash suggesting they focus on frequently appearing words, particularly proper nouns, as a starting point for decipherment, a strategy he learned from his past life. Meanwhile, Ash's father, a pragmatic farmer, disapproves of Ash's reading, believing it to be a waste of time that doesn't contribute to their livelihood. However, Ash's mother is pleased when Ash uses his newfound knowledge to negotiate a better deal with a traveling merchant, Quido, securing fabric for her and subtly exposing Quido's dishonest pricing. This incident, combined with Ash's ability to read, gradually shifts his father's perspective.
Ash also discovers that the village's advanced agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, might be remnants of ancient civilizations. He begins to believe that these civilizations left behind more than just texts, but also practical knowledge that could improve their lives. This fuels his determination to decipher the ancient language.
During a mountain excursion for foraging, Ash is separated from his group and gets lost. He sustains a head injury, causing memory loss and disorientation. Despite the dire situation, Ash's past life knowledge and his current survival instincts kick in. He uses his limited resources, including a book, a knife, and fire-starting tools, to survive the night. He discovers the medicinal properties of a plant resembling aloe, which he uses to treat his wound and as a source of hydration and sustenance. He also devises a method to boil water using leaves, a technique inspired by his past life's knowledge of paper pots.
The next morning, Ash, still disoriented but determined to survive, focuses on finding food and water. He successfully catches fish and realizes the importance of reliable water sources. His survival skills, honed by his past life's knowledge and his current life's hardships, allow him to manage the immediate crisis.
Later, Ash is tasked by Folke to teach Maiya, the village chief's daughter, to read. This arrangement is somewhat awkward, as Ash is now a peer to Maiya, but Folke sees it as a convenient solution. Ash, using the same sermon book he started with, begins teaching Maiya, emphasizing the joy and utility of reading. He discovers that Maiya, like him, is motivated by the desire to learn and connect with the world through books. Their shared endeavor marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, hinting at future discoveries and challenges.
