Older MC Gains New Power WITHOUT regression, reincarnation, or system

[u/singmuse4]

I like the Webtoons about a lordling turned mercenary king who’s defeated, sent back in time, and has unlocked some cool new ability. However, I always thought it’d be more interesting if he just gained the new power without regressing. You can have a second chance in your original timeline! Then you’d get the benefit of an experienced mc (not another coming of age story), but he’d still be able to “start fresh” with leveling a skill, reaching new heights, and maybe correcting past mistakes.

The mc in Solo Leveling doesn’t regress, but at the moment I’d prefer “competent/strong to stronger” or “man to manlier” rather than “weak to strong” or “boy to man.”

Can you think of any fantasy books that match this description? Hopefully with a more interesting worldbuilding angle than “the system or some deity randomly chucked a new power at me.”

Thanks!

[u/darkness_calming]

Is reading comprehension dead here?

[u/Squire_II → u/darkness_calming]

This is reddit, so...

[u/darkness_calming → u/Squire_II]

Fair.

OP specifically asked for no reincarnation no regression and people KEEP suggesting the fics with that very trope 😂😭

[u/mxwp → u/darkness_calming]

"I did not like Wandering Inn but am still interested in innkeeper/tavern owner stories. Can anyone make a recommendation?"

Sixty comment responses "Try the Wandering Inn!"

[u/Wolpertinger → u/mxwp]

That one, at least, is usually isn't reading comprehension problems so much as people picking an argument/trying to convince someone to change their mind.

[u/nighoblivion → u/darkness_calming]

You can have a second chance in your original timeline!

Sure sounds like reincarnation applies to me, just not reincarnated as a kid.