ã€ŠEternal Chessã€‹


 Prologue

    Luck and Fate.

    Do they truly exist? Perhaps, or perhaps not. No, they do exist.

    Regardless, it seems they play a role in my life.

    From my earliest memories, I have experienced fluctuations in what I call my "luck" and "fate." At times, good fortune graced me; at other times, misfortune loomed over my head.

    It''s not as simple as just good or bad.

    Allow me to elaborate. The "good" that I speak of refers to monumental scientific discoveries, such as finding a cure for a chronic illness by sheer "accident" while researching something entirely unrelated. I can''t comprehend how such occurrences happen. Upon analyzing the medication, I realize that it is pure coincidence.

    Coincidence!

    The "bad," on the other hand, encompasses the untimely demise of those dear to me through "accidents" and "mistakes," or suddenly contracting a bizarre illness and finding treatment only after teetering on the brink of death. In one instance, I inadvertently created a virus while working on a vaccine for my pharmaceutical company.

    That very virus paralyzed the world for three long years! Miraculously, no one discovered that I was the one responsible.

    Some individuals circulated rumors of a conspiracy to reduce the global population. Who knows? They could be right. After all, I had nothing to do with it; the virus was a product of a "mistake.".

    Nevertheless, this string of "bad luck" contributed to my early maturity and the development of an introverted personality guided by unique principles.

    I matured early.

    Far too early.

    Simultaneously, this instilled a deep-seated disdain for the ''illogical'' and ''supernatural.''

    The concepts of luck and fate are no exception. I was reluctant to accept their existence, for to do so would be to acknowledge my life as a mere plaything in the hands of fate and chance.

    A careful examination of my life and personal journey reveals that I am the protagonist of a third-rate tale.

    I questioned it. Delving into my family lineage, I discovered that I hailed from an ancient, extraordinary bloodline.

    One day, when monsters emerge into the world, this lineage may prove significant! Naturally, such thoughts were mere flights of fancy. I never suffered from delusions of grandeur; rather, the extraordinary chain of coincidences in my life was peculiar enough to make me doubt.

    The absurdity of it all is somewhat comical, even depressing. If possible, I wished for a normal life as a scientist. To study diligently, pursue my desired field, attend a prestigious university, and continue as an ordinary researcher thereafter.

    Yet, the winds do not blow as the ships desire. It''s not that I detest my opulent lifestyle; instead, if given the choice, I yearn for the simplicity of the working class, albeit with financial security. I have grown weary of so many things.

    Hmm.

    Enough with these tedious introductions. Let us move on to the crux of the matter.

    In all seriousness, it''s often wise not to believe in rumors, lest you find yourself in a predicament similar to my current state.

    Rumors are mere nonsense and fabrications, concocted to attract attention or incite controversy.

    When boredom plagues the human spirit, people engage in all manner of frivolous behaviors, including spreading rumors. Some may even resort to taking a life, simply to alleviate their ennui.

    Not long ago, someone gained fame on social media, claiming to live on Mars. A human on Mars? Can you believe that? Ridiculous.

    I watched one of the clips he posted on his account, where he was leaning on something, capturing the sandy plains and the crimson mountains extending as far as the eye could see. I could feel the heat of that place just by looking at it on my phone.

    But would that make me believe he was on Mars? Of course not! This was something I could never believe, even if threatened with death, as our current level of science hadn''t reached that point yet. Even a six-year-old would know that.

    Upon further investigation, I discovered that the man lived in one of the deserts in the Middle East.

    See? Utter nonsense!

    But sometimes, these so-called rumors turn out to be unbelievably true.

    Recently, numerous rumors spread across the internet, claiming things like:

    "Wow! A fortified tower appeared in front of my house!"The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "A mysterious labyrinth has appeared in the mountains near our city...This...This is unbelievable!"

    "I saw a giant snake moving down there in the trench! It was 15 meters long!"

    Some even provided photos as proof of their claims. I could see that those images were so realistic that even film experts wouldn''t be able to fake them.

    One of my friends even tried to convince me of their authenticity.

    As someone who despises supernatural matters and a researcher, I didn''t believe it. I mean, come on, we''re in the 21st century!

    Are there still people who believe in such things? Has the entire world suddenly been afflicted with Chuunibyou?

    I could swear I had no interest in the subject.

    Childish rumors like these would quickly vanish like a passing breeze. Moreover, I was no longer a child to be intrigued by such ''phenomena.'' However, suddenly, one of my friends decided to explore one of these alleged places and invited me to join him to prove the existence of the supernatural.

    I owed him a favor, so I didn''t refuse.

    The trench we went to was located in the southern half of Africa, and according to the locals, it had appeared suddenly ¨C which matched the rumors.

    Having a considerable amount of money, I hired a team of seasoned excavators and equipped them with cutting-edge gear. My friend contributed to the expenses, and we hired three people in total.

    I thought it would merely be an exploration of a mysterious Dungeon, nothing more.

    However... the outcome was more terrifying than I had ever imagined.

    As soon as I entered the Dungeon, I felt a sensation urging me to delve deeper, and because of that, I couldn''t force myself to leave or even think of departing. It was a sort of obsession that made me feel as if I were on the verge of discovering a great treasure within this Dungeon.

    It was like the seductive voice of a demon whispering in my ear!

    After venturing further into the Dungeon for a while, all members of the exploration team perished.

    Yes, they all died! Moreover, each of their deaths was more gruesome than the last by several times.

    The first one lowered her head to retrieve something she had accidentally dropped on the ground. As soon as she did, she was poisoned by a toxic gas and collapsed dead.

    We quickly reacted and put on the gas masks we had prepared beforehand.

    The second one was melted by lava until he died. Abruptly and impossibly, the lava surged from the walls without warning. If not for the distance between us, I would have melted along with him.

    The third one, frightened by the sight of his molten friend, had his feet tremble in fear, preventing him from moving.

    How did he die? He was crushed by giant rocks that fell from above after the lava flow had ceased!

    I can still remember his faint scream of terror before he became a bloody pulp.

    The fourth and last one, my friend who initiated this exploration, fell into a deep abyss near the scattered rocks.

    After running aimlessly in the dark, he was screaming in denial like a madman: "This wasn''t supposed to happen!"

    Damn you!

    Seriously...what is going on?

    My mind couldn''t keep up with all these sudden events and deaths. By the time I grasped the situation, I was clinging to the edge of a cliff, nearly falling. I was like a bell hanging by a thread; if my slender fingers couldn''t hold onto these walls any longer, I would plummet and die.

    Even after all this, the cursed obsession didn''t stop. On the contrary, it increased several times, as if telling me to jump straight down the cliff.

    "Why did all this happen?"

    I could only ask myself.

    Yes, after thinking about it, it was all to satisfy my researcher''s pride.

    I didn''t want to believe anything unscientific, like the sudden appearance of these towers and dungeons. If I hadn''t agreed to go with him, I could have continued living normally.

    Well, I''ve always loved analyzing and taking things apart since I was a child. I would disassemble toys before putting them back together again; I did this with nearly everything I owned.

    The reason was that I was curious and wanted to know.

    It was the kind of curiosity that could never be satisfied. I took apart so many of my toys that my father grew tired of buying new ones.

    Despite being a child, he enrolled me in a course to learn mechanics. I remember it being somewhat amusing; my father was the first to notice my talent, but he couldn''t see my later achievements due to his early death.

    Mechanics wasn''t my main field of study. I later got bored with it and turned to something better after studying many other majors.

    Anyway, it''s too late to say anything now.

    I want to return to the lab and sip a cup of coffee.

    "Whoosh!"

    My fingers slipped, and I fell into the dark abyss below.

    Despite my despair, fear, and reluctance to die in this place, it doesn''t mean I can change what''s happening. I wanted to shed some tears, but after thinking about it, I realized that this was a wasted effort and my crying wouldn''t change anything. So, I decided to save my tears for myself, as they wouldn''t change the fact that I was falling.

    "Damn it, I have so many regrets!"

    At this point, a heartfelt scream couldn''t hurt, right? Aaahh

    I haven''t screamed like this in years¡­

    Curse you, Tamakama! I''ll make sure to personally incinerate you in hell!

    In the end, I still loathe the bugger who invited me here.

    I swear I want to kill him myself. I shouldn''t have come with him to this dungeon.

    I''ll kill him when I see him again. I''ll make sure of it! Of course, if the opportunity arises. Sigh, I really... don''t want to die yet.

    As I plummeted into the darkness, I couldn''t shake the feeling of impending doom, and yet, that insatiable curiosity still lingered within me.

    Would I discover something remarkable at the end of this fall, or would I simply perish like the others, a victim of my relentless pursuit of knowledge? Only time would tell, and it was running out fast.

 1 - Tea Session (1)

    I don''t know how much time had passed when I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange, unfamiliar expanse.

    "Am I dead?"

    It wasn''t a long life, which left me with many lingering regrets. Would I become a cursed spirit or a vengeful ghost? I laughed bitterly, filled with sadness and pity for myself. I was only 23 years old, with a long road still ahead. To die in this way... it felt pitifully tragic.

    I wanted to go back immediately and strangle that useless friend of mine to death.

    Oh, right, he was dead too, wasn''t he? I hope he gets what he deserves¡ªin hell!

    That bastard! How dare he waste my life like this? Not that I didn''t expect to die someday, but I didn''t want to die like this. If I had to die, I''d prefer it to be meaningful or at least after achieving my goals.

    But alas, life always flows contrary to one''s wishes, and so I died in the prime of my youth.

    Well, since I''m dead, so be it.

    After sighing and lamenting for a while, I began to observe my surroundings.

    The place was a vast, white expanse, like an endless sea. Floating in the air, I could see black, square geometric shapes, resembling flying saucers.

    ...It felt as though I were in the void.

    I never imagined in my life that I''d end up in a place like this, which led me to one question: Is this the afterlife? It seemed like death wasn''t as¡ª

    "You''re not dead¡­"

    Suddenly, a voice interrupted my thoughts.

    I quickly turned toward the source of the voice and saw the most suspicious and peculiar person I had ever encountered.

    He was a man with long silver hair cascading down his back and shoulders, resembling a wide, flowing river of silver. His hair alone was enough to make any woman in the world envious to death.

    He wore a white nagagi adorned with gray cloud patterns, topped with a light gray haori, and a dark scarf with smoky edges draped around his neck.

    What stood out most about him were his eyes.

    The iris of his right eye was filled with black and white squares, like a chessboard, with no visible pupil. His left eye was similar, except its pupil was shaped like a black chess king.

    What was with this glowing chessboard pattern? Contact lenses? No way¡ªsuch lenses didn''t exist in the world.

    Aside from his unnervingly clear eyes, the rest of his facial features were indistinct, shrouded as if in a layer of mist, making them hard to discern.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    He was seated on a floor cushion, leaning on his left hand, which rested on a wooden table in front of him.

    He looked relaxed, even holding a cup of tea.

    "You''re not dead¡­ and this isn''t the afterlife," the man in white said again.

    Who was this person, anyway? His presence made me feel like I was in the middle of some clich¨¦d twist.

    "What do you mean?" I asked.

    "What do I mean? What a foolish question! Isn''t my meaning clear? You''re not dead."

    "It''s just that you fell off a cliff. Right now, you''re down there."

    Liar.

    Falling from such a height¡ªso high I couldn''t even estimate it¡ªthere was no way I''d survive. Even though I didn''t want to admit it, surely I was now in some spiritual form or something similar.

    Just to be sure, I checked my body.

    "¡­"

    My body was intact. My clothes were still on, and there didn''t seem to be anything wrong with them.

    Well, aside from the dirt and dust clinging to my clothes and the few cuts and bloodstains on my hands from clinging desperately to the cliff wall earlier.

    I was only now starting to feel the pain from these wounds.

    Hmph.

    A strange mix of emotions swirled in my chest.

    How was I alive? It defied all logic.

    "Well, I don''t want to waste my time answering your questions; why don''t you figure it out yourself?" he said.

    What an arrogant attitude! Fine, I didn''t have the right to argue anyway. I wasn''t the spoiled CEO anymore.

    "Come, take a seat," he gestured to the cushion on the other side of the table.

    There was no harm in sitting, so I went to the cushion, sat down, and looked at the cup of tea in front of me.

    Should I drink it? Foolishness¡ªI wouldn''t! This guy was way too suspicious.

    "Where do you think we are?" he asked.

    "Isn''t this the afterlife?" I responded.

    I mean, I fell off a cliff. Dying was the most logical outcome. Even if my body was intact, maybe this was my soul. Are souls even real? Scientifically speaking, there''s no evidence to prove their existence. Yet, here I was, 100% sure that souls were real. Science can''t explain everything, after all.

    He shook his head and looked at me as though I were an idiot.

    I felt an urge to punch him, but I restrained myself.

    "Are you so eager to die? Anyway, the chosen one won''t die so easily."

    Hey! My reasoning was perfectly valid. No rational person would think they survived falling from such a height.

    "Then what is this place?"

    "Didn''t I tell you? We''re at the bottom of the cliff."

    Hmm, I started to think about all the strange phenomena happening in the world.

    "Is this a dungeon or something?" I asked foolishly. Still, maybe I wasn''t entirely off track.

    "Yes and no," he replied.

    His answer was like an earthquake in my mind. I wanted to scoff, but I had asked the question in the first place.

    Maybe... maybe the world was starting to break through the boundaries of science and lose its mind.

    Well, I was alive! Wasn''t that the most important thing? The answer was yes.

    "Welcome."

    "Oh? I thought you wouldn''t accept it so quickly."

    Let''s have a light conversation. Everything would be explained in due time, including why I wasn''t dead.

    "Did you save me?" I asked.

    "No, you just have incredible luck! Fate desired that you survived."

    Incredible luck? Where exactly? If you don''t want to explain, just say it!

 2 - Tea Session (2)

    "So, what did you mean by ''the chosen one''?" I asked.

    "Oh? Finally paying attention, are we?" The chess-patterned man chuckled softly and said, "The chosen one is simply that¡ªchosen. You could say it''s akin to being a favorite of fate."

    Huh? No, no, wait, forget this nonsense about fate. How did I not die?

    "Did I fall onto one of those flying squares?"

    "Yes, in a sense. These squares lessen the impact of your fall. You landed on three of them, which prevented you from becoming a bloody pulp and allowed you to survive mostly unharmed."

    "Where did they come from?"

    "I created them unconsciously to liven up this place. Who could have expected them to save someone''s life? The luck of the chosen one truly is extraordinary."

    Hearing his peculiar explanation sent a chill down my spine. I looked up at the geometric shapes, scattered all around. They floated in the void like flying saucers.

    "What exactly is the chosen one?"

    I understood now how I survived, but the concept of being "chosen" made me feel uneasy.

    "Oh, you still don''t get it? Fine, I suppose I''ll explain. Though it''s a bit tedious, isn''t it?"

    "Do you know that the world is a story?"

    "No."

    The world is a story? That''s a strange way to describe how the world works, but it does have a certain logic to it.

    From another perspective, isn''t history just a collection of stories?

    "There''s an old theory, told to me by someone who heard it from someone else. At their core, worlds are stories."

    "There are countless worlds in the vast cosmos and perhaps even other universes¡ªwho knows? In any case, each world is its own ''story.'' The flow of time and the unpredictable hand of fate drive these stories forward, fate is the fuel, the sustenance, and the engine for all stories."

    "Take your planet, for example. I believe it''s called ''Earth,'' right? There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions or billions, of planets just like it. And each of these planets is a ''story'' in its own right."

    "Sometimes, the inhabitants of a planet live peacefully, with no significant developments, until their ''story'' ends. But occasionally, there are anomalies, like now¡ªwhere a planet awakens strange and extraordinary abilities within itself, or its inhabitants even venture into outer space, connecting with alien civilizations and races."

    I found myself deeply intrigued. This was truly fascinating.

    "I call this phenomenon the ''Theory of Evolution.''"

    "The reason behind it is that the ''fate'' of a world accumulates over time, perhaps over millions or billions of years. After this prolonged accumulation, fate can evolve the world, elevating it to a new level! Of course, there are many other details in this process, but that''s not the main topic here."

    "Your world, or as you call it, your ''planet,'' is evolving right now."

    With a faint "zoom," several images appeared in the air, pictures of ancient towers, pagodas, and Egyptian pyramids.

    These were places I''d never seen before! Were they even real? I had my doubts.

    "I don''t know what path your world will take. It could become a world of magic, spiritual arts, or martial arts. However, I can make some predictions based on what I see." The chess-patterned man paused, then pointed a thin finger at me before continuing:

    "Starting with you, everyone in your world will begin to gain abilities¡ªsimple powers like controlling fire, flying, lightning, and so on."

    "See these images? They depict prehistoric sites from your world, or at least, that''s what the fate of this world''s scenario suggests! These locations are akin to treasure troves, filled with powers and magical relics. Whoever conquers one of these places will reap its grand rewards."

    "Based on your memories, this is similar to RPG games."

    Hmm, if what he said was true, then based on my knowledge, I could already anticipate the clich¨¦d storyline ahead.

    After all, I had more than a passing familiarity with this kind of setup!This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡­This has to work.

    "Mental Interface," I muttered quietly.

    A quick jolt ran through my veins, followed by the appearance of a blue screen in front of me.

    Name: Hakoa Sora

    Skills: ¡­

    Stats: Vitality: 7 Strength: 3 Intelligence: 10 Magic Energy: 50 Luck:?

    Class: ¡­

    I was at a loss for words, my expression shifting dramatically.

    ¡­This was real.

    What he said was true!

    The chess-patterned man didn''t seem to notice the change in my expression or the interface. He continued, "Of course, every story needs a protagonist or a main character, right? That''s where the chosen one comes in."

    "Why would you end up here despite the risks and your non-supernatural personality?"

    "Where does this ''instinct'' of yours come from? Why didn''t you die?"

    "The answer is simple." The mysterious man chuckled and said, "It''s all because you''re the chosen one."

    "Fate secretly guided you here ahead of everyone else because this world''s ''story cycle'' is about to begin, and you''ve been chosen to play the role of the ''main character'' in your world''s story."

    "The chosen one doesn''t always exist; they are born under two conditions. The first is when fate senses a ''threat'' or danger to the world, whether internal or external. The second is your case when a world begins its process of ''evolution.'' At that time, the world needs a safeguard to ensure its people don''t become arrogant and destroy it. After all, there are always those with grand ambitions."

    "Your role as the chosen one is simply to prevent the world from destruction by erasing such individuals and ensuring the story of your world doesn''t end under any circumstances. To fulfill this mission, fate will support you with everything it has!"

    "You may lose loved ones or even limbs, but you will never die! Fate won''t allow it¡ª"

    "Stop!" I couldn''t take it anymore and yelled unconsciously.

    I sighed.

    I fell silent for a few seconds, trying to process everything.

    The chosen one, huh¡­

    Doesn''t that mean I''ve only ever lived as a tool for "fate," just to be the main character? And that I''d eventually die for that purpose?

    I was angry and furious.

    Imagine someone knocking on your door one day, saying, "Hello, you''re fate''s favorite pawn!"

    Even though I felt disheartened and furious, it wasn''t helpful right now.

    Most people would probably feel elated to learn they''re the protagonist of a story.

    Fools.

    What''s so great about this? I don''t want to live the life of a hero. It''s disgusting.

    And look! Didn''t he just say it himself? I might lose precious things, but I won''t give up because fate won''t let me. Honestly, how could anyone live a life like this?

    I''m sorry, but I don''t want to be the "savior" of this world. Does this world even deserve saving in the first place? I was never someone who cared about such things. Life taught me to always prioritize myself, and my well-being, above all else.

    Having lost my parents early on, this way of thinking was deeply ingrained in me.

    Who, after them, deserved my devotion? No one. Maybe that''s why I''m still single.

    But that''s irrelevant. Women would flock to me if I extended my arm¡ªthat''s the power of status.

    Then again, maybe this chess-patterned man is just a random scammer with some talent for deception and advanced holographic tech.

    Honestly, I want to believe him because the evidence is compelling and¡­ because I want to.

    No, the interface in front of me proves it.

    What was that Sherlock Holmes quote again? Oh, right: "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

    "You think your life has been meaningless? That you were just a tool?"

    The chess-patterned man reached into the sleeve of his left garment, pulled out a silver-and-black fan, opened it, and covered half his face as he sneered.

    Fine, let''s ignore this and focus on what''s important.

    What matters now is how I escape this predetermined scenario.

    As things stand, I won''t live in peace because of this annoying "main character" duty assigned to me.

    "You have a way out of this, don''t you?"

    "Oh, of course! I mean, everything has a solution, don''t you think?" He took a sip from his tea and continued, "The way is simple: you just have to leave this world and go to another! If you do, the fate of your world will lose its hold on you, and your status as the ''chosen one'' will vanish automatically."

    "It''s like being born in one fiefdom but moving to another. Once you leave, your former lord has no authority over you anymore because you''re no longer one of their subjects but someone else''s."

    He''s joking, right? How in the world am I supposed to reach another world? This is absurd.

    "Stop talking nonsense and get to the point!" I snapped, feeling a surge of irritation.

    "Alright, no need to get angry." The chess-patterned man chuckled and said calmly, "Crossing between worlds is difficult! Even for me, it''s incredibly challenging because traversing the chaos and void between worlds requires an immense.

    level of power to survive. Under normal circumstances, some people''s souls naturally end up in other worlds for various reasons! I believe such individuals are called ''transmigrators''? But all of this falls under ''anomalies.''"

    "This occurs because worlds occasionally collide as they move through the void, and this collision pulls some souls out, allowing them to be reborn elsewhere. If I were to send your soul to another world, I''d have to place it into the body of someone who recently died. It''s the best and easiest method, and, of course, it''s my specialty."

    "So, I have to die?" I nodded, asking the critical question, "What''s the price?"

    It''s not like he''d do this for free, right? His tone didn''t strike me as charitable.

    "Of course, nothing comes free, as you know." He snapped his fingers, conjuring a small piece of paper with an image on it.

    First, the floating images, and now this paper, where does he keep pulling these things from?

 3 - Tea Session (3)

    "Your task is simple: you just need to catch or kill this cat."

    A cat? Hmm?

    The paper bore an image of a black cat. It was pitch black, darker than ravens and moonless nights. It had three golden eyes and three adorable tails. The cat wore a golden cloak reminiscent of ancient Egyptian styles.

    I wanted to be scared of its odd, three-eyed appearance, but I couldn''t. Because¡­ you know, in a way¡­ what''s the word I''m looking for?

    "Cute, isn''t it?"

    Yes, I had to admit¡ªit was cute.

    Look at those pearl-like golden eyes. Their shine alone was enough to make me reconsider the idea of owning a pet. It''s the kind of cat I''d forgive even if it knocked over my chemistry flasks. Yes, I''d probably buy it premium white tuna, too.

    Still, isn''t this task too easy? I thought he''d ask for something like ruling the world or something.

    "Thwack!"

    "Huh? What was that?"

    "Don''t stare at the picture too long, or you''ll drown." The chess-patterned man knocked my forehead lightly and warned me.

    Damn it, what were those dangerous thoughts just now? Premium tuna? Chemistry flasks? If I owned a pet and it dared to break something valuable or touch my private collection, I''d turn it into a rug!

    Just staring at the picture had this much control over me?

    ''This is dangerous!'' I thought, suddenly feeling cautious and frightened. It seemed the task wasn''t as simple as it appeared.

    That devilish cat had nearly ensnared me moments ago with just its image!

    Phew, this was terrifying.

    "What is this? Your lost pet?"

    "My pet? Not at all. This cat is called the ''Nine-Soul Cat.'' As its name suggests, it has nine souls, meaning it can live nine times."

    Nine souls? That''s absurdly overpowered.

    "I''ll send your soul to another world, on the condition that you either catch or kill this cat. I''m telling you upfront¡ªI have no control over where you''ll go! I don''t even know what kind of world it will be or its size. Everything will be up to you."

    "In other words, I''ll have no ties to you or the world you''re going to."

    Hmm, he doesn''t know anything about it? Great! Does this mean I can slack off and not kill the little cat?

    As if reading my thoughts, he laughed and said, "Don''t even think about shirking! You''ll have to kill the cat eventually."

    "Wait a moment¡­" A sudden thought struck me. "Do I have to kill the cat nine times?"

    "No!" He shook his head and replied, "This cat is quite unique. You don''t need to worry about its other lives."

    "Killing it once is enough; just make sure it''s completely dead."

    Good, that was reassuring.

    "Now, let''s move on to the next step." As he finished speaking, the chess-patterned man snapped his fingers again.

    From nowhere, a white cube with blue circles on all its faces appeared. It wasn''t large¡ªjust the size of a fist.

    "Do you see this cube? It''s supposed to be your reward for completing this dungeon here. But as a perk to help you survive longer in the other world, I''ve decided to give it to you."

    ''I''m so touched; how generous of him!'' Was that what he wanted me to think?

    "And? How am I supposed to use this ability?"

    "Simple." The chess-patterned man laughed cruelly.

    Without warning, his arm stretched out into the air, and he plunged the cube into my head directly. I had no chance to resist or even process what was happening. I only felt an immeasurable torrent of information flooding my brain at an astonishing speed.

    It was a surreal sensation, like downloading an app along with its files into my mind. Perhaps that''s the closest analogy.

    I wanted to scream, but I didn''t feel pain, just a drowning sensation in a sea of information.

    After several minutes, the deluge of information ceased, and I understood my newly acquired ability and its nature.

    "What do you think? A good ability, isn''t it?"

    The chess-patterned man asked, and despite his obscured features veiled by mist, I could sense he was smiling.

    "Indeed, it''s a classic cheat for the main character."

    I had to admit that much.

    "Do you feel any different than before?"

    "No." Aside from a subtle arrogance, like I could see through everything, no, I didn''t feel any different.

    No, wait. I described that wrong. I didn''t feel anything unusual at all.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Hmm, I wanted to try out this ability, but it didn''t seem feasible in my current state.

    If I opened the status interface now, I''d likely see this skill listed among my abilities, right? No need to double-check.

    "Anyway, since you''ve integrated with your ability, we can speed things along now."

    "When you arrive to the other world, the first thing you need to do is grow stronger! Until then, avoid looking for the ''Nine-Soul Cat''! Seeking the cat is akin to seeking death."

    The chess-patterned man warned me sternly.

    No, no, my friend. I''ll take my time finding it! Maybe I won''t even try.

    "Why don''t you catch it yourself? Didn''t you say you could open portals?"

    Upon reflection, why doesn''t he just do it himself? Isn''t it troublesome to go through all this? I mean, why come to the ''chosen one,'' who happens to be me? Considering his ability to open portals¡­ I''m suspicious.

    "I can''t."

    Before I could ask why, he said, "There are constraints I can''t overcome."

    "Explaining it would take too much time, and I''m not interested. In short, I simply can''t!"

    "But knowing your personality, I suppose I need to give you a reason, don''t I?"

    I detected a hint of exasperation in his tone.

    Hmm, fair enough.

    "To enter this other world, I''d have to completely abandon my body and pass through with my soul. It would be foolish to infiltrate a world with a body that doesn''t belong there! Not to mention, do you even know what abandoning my body would entail? It would mean giving up all my power."

    "And, of course, I''m not that desperate over an angry cat."

    "Even if I did that and abandoned my body, the world''s fate would reject me! From fate''s perspective, I''d be a parasite that must be eradicated at all costs. But you? You''re just a chosen one, a human with no abilities or power. If you see an ant, you ignore it, right? From fate''s perspective, it''s the same with you."

    Doesn''t this mean I''d provoke fate if I became powerful? I decided to ignore the insulting analogy.

    I nodded in understanding. His explanation had a certain logic consistent with what he''d said earlier. "Can I take some time to think? You know, hearing all this suddenly is a bit¡­"

    "Take your time." The chess-patterned man shrugged, showing no urgency.

    Alright, let''s analyze my unfortunate situation.

    First, I''m not dead. I''m alive and well. According to him, I could even return and continue living normally up there. But that''s something I don''t want.

    Knowing I''m a pawn for fate, or as he called it, the chosen one¡ªI have no desire to live like that. I don''t want to be the main character. I''ve suffered enough since childhood! My parents died, and my relatives coveted their wealth, so they didn''t hesitate to try and pull me to their side using every dirty method possible.

    And now what? If I return, I''ll become the protagonist as he says, suffer even more, and become some glorified hero, blah, blah, blah. This is nonsense! I don''t want to live knowing I''m an unwitting pawn for someone else, even if my luck is good.

    This wounds my pride! If I could, I''d prefer to quietly continue my research in the lab, conducting various experiments with a cup of coffee.

    I''m sure I won''t live a life like that if I return. Judging by my experience with clich¨¦d plot developments, as the first awakened in the world, I''ll probably be relentlessly pursued for experiments. Then some villain will emerge, craving my abilities, and most likely

    ¡ªit''ll be the government.

    I can even imagine worse scenarios than these, and knowing that, will I return? I''m not naive.

    Alright, my reasons for rejecting the role of the chosen one are many and irrational.

    Does it matter? I don''t want it! That''s reason enough for me to refuse.

    The chess-patterned man''s deal is suspicious, but it carries an inexplicable sense of credibility.

    If it were someone else in a random novel, they''d claim to be some god and try to trick me like a three-year-old, giving me a silly system that mocks me for the next several volumes. And if I asked it any trivial question, it''d always reply, "Host is weak and unqualified."

    But the chess-patterned man explained things calmly, answered my questions, and sought my opinion on the matter.

    Hmm, honestly, I want to live normally. But it seems that''s not an option, huh?

    Fine, I''ve thought a lot, but it seems I''m compelled to agree. At least in that ''other world,'' my destiny is something I can shape based on my actions. I''m also bored of living on Earth; finding a new research topic unrestricted by the boundaries of science is intriguing enough, isn''t it?

    What a stark contradiction, I was just hating the supernatural a few minutes ago!

    Hmm, perhaps this is what they call maturity? Or did I misuse the term? Hahaha.

    Anyway, let''s remember his task.

    He asked me to "find" or "kill" this devilish cat with nine lives. A cute black cat with three golden eyes, three adorable tails, and an ancient Egyptian-style cloak.

    He said he wouldn''t offer any help, and my only support was ''my ability.''

    This makes me trust him more since it''s a straightforward deal.

    He''ll help free me from the chains of fate and the automatic role of the ''chosen one.'' In return, I''ll help him kill the ''Nine-Soul Cat.''

    No additional rewards, no extra conditions¡ªa mutual agreement.

    I nodded to myself and said, "I agree."

    This is my decision. I may regret it later, but honestly, it''s better than living as a puppet for something to save a trivial planet like Earth.

    That''s what I think!

    "Are you certain? There''s no turning back, you know. Also, your departure means the world loses its safeguard, which likely leads to its ''destruction.'' Fate won''t choose another chosen one for a very long time."

    The Earth will be destroyed because the chosen one is gone? Bah! Not my problem.

    "Yes, I''m certain." A man must take risks to achieve greatness!

    Hmm, where did I hear that line before?

    The world''s destruction? What does that have to do with me? From the moment I leave this world, I have no ties to it; I mean, the concept of home doesn''t exist in my vocabulary. So be it¡ªif floods fill the sky after I leave, who cares?

    To be honest, I feel uneasy. I''m not the type to gamble recklessly on something like "life," but let''s do it just this once! Just this once!

    Everything happening now is enough to make me question the common sense I''ve known for the past 23 years of my life.

    "Very well." The chess-patterned man nodded.

    "Will my ability travel with me?"

    "If everything goes as it should, yes. Why do you even ask?"

    Oh, so accidents are possible? I silently wished for things to go smoothly.

    "Will the world''s features come with me?" How cool would it be if the status interface came along?

    Status interfaces are like a permanent tracker, I wouldn''t have to constantly test my power or ask myself questions.

    "No, that''s not possible."

    Hmm, unfortunate. It seems the status interface will disappear.

    "Any advice for me?" I decided to take the opportunity to ask.

    Who knows what kind of person this mysterious figure is? I''m even certain that if I asked about his identity, he''d give me an answer like, "You don''t have the right to know," or "You''re too weak to understand." Anyway, he hasn''t asked about my identity, so I won''t take the initiative either.

    "Advice?" The chess-patterned man paused for a moment.

    "Stay away from anything related to fate unless you have the power to protect yourself, at least."

    "I don''t understand."

    "Hmph, you know fortune tellers and priests? Just avoid them. The fate of the world you''re going to might discriminate against you, even if you''re as insignificant as an insect. In the end, no one likes intruders."

    "They can sense the anomaly within you and recognize you as a non-native of that world, and thus, they might act against you."

    A fortune teller and priest? Does he mean those frauds who claim to see the future? Hmm, it seems like a magical world.

    "I''ll keep that in mind."

    I think I''ll also look for a way to conceal my otherworldly identity.

    Or perhaps luck won''t be on my side? I''ll understand the matter more deeply after arriving in that world!

    The chess-patterned man nodded, then said, "One last thing: don''t forget to find the other half."

    "Hmm? The other half¡ª"

    Before I could ask what he meant, my mind was suddenly filled with a smoky, mysterious light, and I lost all sense of awareness.

    I could no longer feel anything.

 4 - Tea Session (4)

    Third-Person Perspective

    The chess-patterned man tapped Hakoa Sora''s forehead. A brilliant white light enveloped Sora''s body as a translucent figure began to emerge. The process took several minutes until the figure fully separated.

    Immediately afterward, the translucent figure shrank rapidly, condensing into a white king chess piece.

    "You want to know about the other half? It''s better if you discover that on your own."

    The chess-patterned man extended his hand, grasped the piece, and tapped the table with his finger, disappearing from sight.

    He reappeared in a different place.

    A void.

    A void filled with black smoke belonging to nothingness.

    Here, there was no concept of time or space. Apart from the black smoke, there were vibrant, moving shapes¡ªentire worlds. The chess-patterned man''s complexion began to pale rapidly, his snowy white skin losing color as signs of decay appeared on his body.

    No one could survive in the chaos! This zone was lethal to all forms of life.

    "Whoosh!"

    The man''s expression remained calm, as if unaffected. He clapped his hands, and a white portal materialized before him.

    Without hesitation, he leaped into the portal.

    Like a crimson arrow, a red shadow darted through the silent void, following swiftly into the portal.

    The portal gradually faded, vanishing without a trace.

    "Haah¡­"

    The chess-patterned man exhaled heavily, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.

    He relaxed slightly, looked around, and nodded to himself in satisfaction.

    The space he now occupied was a white-silver expanse stretching endlessly in all directions. There was no ''ground'' or ''sky''; only white existed here.

    With a snap of his fingers, a low white table appeared, accompanied by two cushions on opposite sides and two cups of tea.

    The chess-patterned man seated himself on one of the cushions and resumed sipping his tea.

    His expression was composed, and the earlier exhaustion disappeared. Within moments, the injuries on his body healed, and his attire was restored to its pristine state. He no longer appeared to have endured anything at all.

    Quietly sipping tea, the chess-patterned man seemed entirely at ease. In this vast, isolated space, few could endure such solitude.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    "Did you bring it?"

    At some point, a black shadow materialized on the opposite side of the table. It made no sound as it settled down and also began sipping tea, equally relaxed. Its body was indistinct, formed of smoke. Hovering above it was a floating glass orb, inside which was a red shadow with wings and a long neck.

    It was the same shadow that had slipped through the portal.

    The chess-patterned man showed no surprise at its appearance. He nodded and said, "A former-chosen one with a suitable personality? Don''t worry, I''ve found a good candidate."

    "Still, do you think this will solve the problem so easily? Well, I have to say: Things don''t work that way in reality."

    "Weren''t you the one who suggested this solution?" the black shadow retorted. "Even so, after the complete failure with the clown, we have no choice but to try this. But what if this ''former chosen one'' becomes another angry cat? You know, even that irritating clown you brought last time didn''t turn into an angry cat."

    "Didn''t I say ''suitable personality''? Your worry is unfounded. I''ve seen this boy''s memories and past."

    "Oh? That''s reassuring." The black shadow''s voice was bitter. "Let''s just hope the people of Cardinia stay quiet and don''t ruin things prematurely. It would be such a waste to have it all fall apart too soon."

    The chess-patterned man glanced at the crimson shadow confined within the orb.

    "What will you do about the little lizard?"

    "You don''t expect me to Z it in, do you?" the black shadow refused firmly. "Ah, our sad and pitiful world has been invaded by outsiders enough as it is! Still, I suppose I''ll let it in."

    The chess-patterned man placed a finger on his chin, tilting his head as he said, "If the problem is as severe as you claim, then why hasn''t another chosen one been born yet? That''s peculiar. And with this woman you mentioned, I don''t think the world can''t wield fate''s power and create multiple chosen ones."

    His tone was perplexed.

    A complicated expression appeared on the black shadow''s face. A brief memory flashed through its mind before it sighed and said, "There is a chosen one, unfortunately¡­ their condition is a little-"

    "Anyway, that''s not my concern," the chess-patterned man interrupted, shrugging. He tossed the chess piece in his hand to the opposite side and said, "Sirius, with this, I''ve fulfilled my part of the deal."

    The chess piece was none other than the soul of Hakua Sora, the young man he had met earlier.

    "I don''t care what happens in your world because I don''t belong to it. So why should I care at all? I''ve entrusted the ''former chosen one'' with the task you wanted, so just hope he doesn''t die too quickly and completes his mission."

    "I''ve given him a little assistance now; with that, you''ll recognize him later easily. You can even help him if you wish."

    Without waiting for Sirius''s reply, the chess-patterned man waved his hand and said, "I''ve reached my limit. I''ll take my leave now."

    Cracks appeared across his body. From these fissures, ethereal black smoke seeped out.

    The chess patterns in his eyes glowed with a deep silver radiance as he cast one final glance at the chess piece, chuckled softly, and disappeared like mist, never to return.

    He was never seen again.

    Sirius raised his hands in indifference.

    His features were still indistinct, but his voice was lazy.

    "The boy''s destiny depends on him and no one else. I''ll only lend him a bit of help. If he manages to kill the angry cat, that''s something to celebrate. If not, what else can we do? I''ll just wait for another outsider from you!"

    Sirius touched his chin thoughtfully, falling silent for a long time.

    "I suppose you still have some use in the end¡­"

    He shattered the glass orb and touched the crimson shadow with his palm. Black lines swiftly appeared on the shadow, wrapping around and binding it completely.

    He picked it up and placed it on the table.

    "With this, my wager is complete." Sirius smiled, pulling a black chess piece from his pocket and placing it on the table.

    "Whoosh!"

    A black hole replaced the table, swallowing all three objects within.

    Sirius''s body disintegrated into dust, vanishing quickly.

    Within moments, the white expanse returned to its usual calm and stillness.

 5 - Rebirth!

    Artemis Isles, Western Region, Kingdom of Loclover

    Within a grand palace on an expansive estate, a strikingly beautiful woman knelt in despair. Her raven-black hair framed her pale, tear-streaked face, and her stormy gray eyes overflowed with sorrow. Despite the pallor of her complexion and the cascade of tears, her ethereal beauty shone undiminished.

    In her trembling arms lay an infant, his golden-blond hair gleaming faintly. Unlike most babies, his skin was not the healthy pink of life but an unsettling ashen gray. The child displayed no signs of life.

    To her left stood a handsome young man with hair like ripened wheat and eyes as green as emeralds. His expression betrayed a profound sadness as he looked on silently.

    "Mama! Mama!" A small girl of about three years toddled closer to the grieving woman.

    Her long, jet-black hair and large gray eyes mirrored her mother''s features, making her a miniature replica of the mourning woman. Tugging insistently at the woman''s sleeve, the little girl pleaded, "What happened?!"

    Kuyomi, the grieving mother, couldn''t bring herself to answer. Clutching the lifeless child tightly, she sobbed quietly, unable to process her daughter''s questions.

    The physician standing near the bed coughed lightly, her voice laced with regret. "Lord Verdi¡­ I''m so sorry, but this child¡­"

    Her sentence trailed off, her words stifled by the cold, piercing glare from Verdi. The young lord''s demeanor darkened, and the air seemed to grow heavier under his gaze.

    "Could you leave us?" he asked curtly.

    "Yes!" The physician nodded hastily, trembling with fear.

    She was just an ordinary doctor. How could she withstand the wrath of such a prominent figure?

    As she turned to leave, she cast one last regretful glance at the lifeless infant, her face etched with guilt and sorrow. She had overseen the delivery, and while the child''s death wasn''t her fault, her sense of duty as a doctor weighed heavily on her conscience.

    At that moment, the supposedly dead child suddenly opened his eyes.

    "What¡ªwhat?!"

    The physician gasped in shock, pointing a trembling finger at the baby.

    Verdi raised an eyebrow, his frown deepening. Following the direction of her shaking hand, he turned to look at his son.

    All eyes in the room were now fixed on the infant.

    Somehow, the baby, with his wide, curious gray eyes, was gazing back at them, studying each face with innocent fascination.

    A stunned silence filled the room.

    "Mama¡­ he''s awake," the small girl''s soft voice broke through the collective disbelief.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Verdi moved to take the baby into his arms, but Kuyomi clutched him tightly, as if terrified he might slip away again.

    Suppressing his eagerness, Verdi motioned for the physician to examine the child. She nodded and hesitantly placed her hand on the baby''s wrist.

    "Lord Verdi, the child has a pulse!"

    As the doctor confirmed the impossible, the room seemed to thaw from its frozen disbelief.

    The infant, held and inspected with growing urgency, was overwhelmed by confusion and questions. In truth, he understood nothing at all.

    His mind reeled.

    This child¡­ no, the one in control of this body was Hakoa Sora.

    After his fateful conversation with the chess-patterned man, Sora had agreed to transfer his soul to another world, escaping the chains of fate. He had expected his soul to inhabit the body of someone recently deceased or to arrive in his own body. But to occupy the body of an infant?

    "Hmm¡­ It seems this child was already dead... I don''t sense any presence but my own," he mused inwardly.

    "Still, isn''t my luck terrible? To think I have to go through this phase of life all over again¡­"

    Sora sighed internally, feeling a wave of self-pity for his misfortune.

    ...

    Sora drifted off to sleep for a while. After several hours, he woke up. Looking around, he noticed his mother, Kuyomi, sleeping on a nearby bed while he lay in a separate, small crib.

    Kuyomi had just undergone childbirth. She was utterly exhausted, not only from the delivery but also from the immense grief and shock of being told her child was dead. Any normal mother would have fainted from such despair, yet her sheer willpower kept her conscious.

    Fortunately, she had remained awake long enough to witness the miracle¡ªher child was alive.

    After that, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

    "So this is the other world, huh?" Despite being a newborn, Sora could sense the subtle differences between this world and Earth. Merely breathing was enough to make him feel at ease; the purity of the air relaxed him profoundly.

    The air was so clean and refreshing that it made Sora feel as if he could fall asleep again just from the comfort of breathing it.

    Sora glanced around the room from the limited angles his infant eyes allowed, but he found nothing out of the ordinary.

    The room was styled in a blend of medieval and Victorian designs. The walls were ornately decorated, with beautiful paintings hanging at intervals. Gas lamps lit the room, and a fireplace stood at its center, spreading warmth throughout the space.

    Feeling the comforting heat emanating from the fireplace, Sora shifted his gaze to his tiny, pudgy arms, stretching them out in front of him.

    "These are a baby''s hands..."

    Like any newborn, his skin was smooth and soft, with a delicate pink hue. His fingers were tiny and plump.

    After Sora''s soul had revived the body, its heart began beating again, circulating blood to every cell and restoring the infant''s vitality rapidly. Still, his skin retained a faint ashen gray hue.

    Sora''s wide eyes were filled with curiosity and amazement. It was clear that part of him still struggled to believe everything that had happened. Yet, as he examined his tiny hands, that disbelief melted away.

    "Ah, what am I supposed to do for the next few years?"

    "Hmm, this world seems medieval. Maybe it''s a world of magic? That''s likely! After all, isn''t the West synonymous with magic? I just hope there aren''t any overly fanatical churches¡­"

    "Tsk, waiting to grow up is going to take forever."

    He closed his eyes, feeling a deep drowsiness accompanied by a hint of hunger. His mother had fallen asleep early, so he hadn''t had his milk yet. The little infant was starving.

    "Judging by how beautiful this house is, I must be a noble!"

    "I''d love to see myself in a mirror right now. Tsk, tsk, the father of this body looks like a prince, and the mother''s beauty is out of this world! While it''s not too important, being born into a handsome body like this means my luck isn''t entirely hopeless¡­"

    "Oh, right! I should try my ability and see if the status window works¡­"

    "Let''s give it a shot¡­" He silently wished for success and thought to himself, "Status!"

    ¡­

    "Still gone, huh? Looks like he wasn''t lying." Sora felt a twinge of regret. The status window would have been immensely useful, but it truly seemed to have vanished.

    Unbothered by it for long, he closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep.

 6 - After Rebirth

    Sora''s Perspective

    This is boring.

    Am I supposed to wait for years  to grow up?

    Ah, what was that saying? Something about how men must be patient to achieve great things. Or something like that.

    Spending time like this is dull.

    Most of my days are spent staring at the ceiling. Occasionally, that girl¡ªmy older sister¡ªcomes to play with me.

    What''s up with her? While she plays with me in a sweet and sisterly manner, to me, it feels like she''s just showing off her ability to move around freely in front of me.

    Life is tough.

    Of course, all I can do during these moments is crawl around and look at her with a dumb smile.

    How old am I now? Six months? Nine months? I''ve lost track. I stopped counting after a while¡ªit was too boring.

    At first, I was excited. I had broken free from the chains of fate! A new life, a new world, and a supernatural ability to boot.

    But over time, my enthusiasm began to wane.

    I mean, I''m a baby! No, I used the wrong word.

    I''m an infant!

    What can infants do? Nothing but drink their mother''s milk and wait for their diapers to be changed.

    In my past life, I was addicted to web novels for a time. During that phase, I used to laugh at the reincarnators and their struggles with diapers and breastfeeding.

    Now I''m drinking from the same bitter cup, and honestly, it''s embarrassing. It feels like I''m slapping my face.

    Let''s not talk about these humiliating topics any further.

    "Creak."

    The door opened, and one of the maids entered the room.

    This was the maid assigned to care for me. She was a middle-aged woman with brown hair and dark green eyes, dressed in the standard black-and-white maid uniform.

    All nobles seemed to have personal attendants.

    I still don''t fully understand this world, but from what I''ve observed, it seems to be medieval or something similar¡ªin short, it has a Western aesthetic.

    Also, I''m a noble.

    This maid is more like a nanny to me. From what I''ve seen, my mother has a weak constitution and sleeps most of the time, so she can''t care for me all the time.

    As usual, the maid moved gracefully, opened the window, and began tidying up the room.

    "Whoosh."

    A cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the warmth of sunlight. Ah, this breeze and the golden rays of the sun. Just imagining such a serene atmosphere with a hot cup of coffee and a good book makes me feel at ease.

    Does coffee exist in this world? I hope so.

    With all my heart, I hope so. It would be harsh if I couldn''t find any.

    The maid cleaned the room meticulously, making sure not to make any noise that might disturb me. She''s thoughtful and kind, though I wouldn''t have minded a little noise.

    Once she was satisfied with the state of the room, she approached me, lifted me by my armpits, and placed me on her shoulder. She gently patted my back a few times until I let out a small burp.

    This was part of our daily routine.

    Carrying me out of the room, she began walking down the corridor. Along the way, the other servants smiled warmly when they saw me. Some even pinched my cheeks affectionately, muttering words I couldn''t understand.

    Please stop. I''m not a child. This is embarrassing.

    I''ll remember the faces of everyone who embarrassed me by pinching my cheeks and bullying them with my young master authority in the future! Just kidding¡ªI have no interest in doing that.

    Even without trying, I seem to be quite popular in the palace.

    My father is a noble of high standing.

    Perhaps that''s why he''s always busy¡ªI don''t see him very often.

    The palace itself is massive, likely larger than the residences of presidents or merchants in my previous life. Servants are everywhere, attending to various tasks.

    So far, the people I know in the palace are my father, my mother, my older sister, my nanny, and the head butler.

    I don''t know their names, so I just refer to them this way. At least I know my new name.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    It''s Arai.

    The journey to my mother''s room wasn''t far, and we arrived quickly. The maid opened the door and placed me on the bed next to my mother.

    It''s strange, isn''t it? I''m just an infant, yet I was placed in a room separate from my mother.

    I don''t know the reason, nor do I care to know¡ªit''s more convenient for me this way.

    I glanced at my mother, who was staring out of the window, her face devoid of emotion.

    Her beautiful gray eyes looked empty and hollow, and her black hair swayed gently in the breeze.

    She wore a light white gown.

    She seemed lost in thought as she gazed at the blue sky through the window.

    If there''s one thing I''ve noticed about my mother during this time, it''s that she''s often absent-minded.

    It''s as if her body is here, but her mind is somewhere else.

    Is something wrong with her? I don''t know, but I suspect so.

    After a few minutes, my mother noticed me and smiled warmly.

    This smile was genuine¡ªnot forced or artificial.

    In reality, my mother is extremely caring toward me. Since the original owner of this body had died shortly after birth, she''s terrified of losing her child again.

    I stayed in the room for a while, my needs were attended to¡ªfeeding and diaper changes included.

    As a man who was once 23 years old, this was enough to embarrass me to death. But what can I say? I just have to endure it.

    At first, it was unbearable. I even fought my mother when she tried to nurse me for the first time.

    I lost that battle entirely, receiving a sharp slap on my bottom and being called a word I think meant "naughty child."

    That slap stung.

    Repeated occurrences of this routine gradually dulled my embarrassment.

    Still, there''s a tiny part of me that screams in shame every single time.

    "Creak!"

    The door opened, and my sister burst in, disrupting the peace.

    "Mama! Arai!" she shouted, leaping into my mother''s arms. Of course, she didn''t forget to scoop me up for a hug too.

    ...

    I still hadn''t fully grasped the language of this world, so I couldn''t understand most conversations.

    I could pick up a few repeated words, like my name and the words "Mama" and "Papa" that my older sister often said. But as for the conversations between my mother and sister, I was completely in the dark.

    "Th# wo#ds¡­ a#e so#ewh#t li#e th#s¡­"

    I could catch a few letters here and there, but mostly, it sounded like fragmented gibberish to me.

    No one spoke to me much (I am an infant, who would?), which was why I hadn''t learned the language yet.

    Heh, but with my incredible genius and unmatched talent, I could probably master this language in a month! Just kidding. But in reality, it probably wouldn''t take that long.

    "Ar#y¡­"

    I tried pronouncing my name but didn''t do a great job of it.

    It came out more like "Ary" instead of "Arai."

    This was going to take some practice.

    I had already come to terms with my new reality and identity a long time ago. I mean, there''s a thing called "integration and acceptance"! I''m not the kind of person who clings to their pride and refuses to change their name or identity under any circumstances.

    Well, that''s not entirely accurate¡ªI am quite prideful. But my pride applies to myself, and that doesn''t necessarily include my name or identity.

    What is a name? It''s just a way for others to address you and distinguish you from the rest¡ªnothing more.

    Of course, some people feel emotionally attached to their names for various reasons, whether because they were given by their parents or for other sentimental values.

    But I''m a rational person, and honestly, I don''t care much about these things.

    If I ever had to change the name "Arai" or assume another identity, I wouldn''t hesitate to do it.

    Self-preservation comes first; everything else follows.

    As for a name? I think it''s not that important.

    Honestly, I wouldn''t even mind telling this family that I''m a transmigrator.

    It''s not like I''m ashamed of my past life or that it''s left some shadow on my soul. I don''t care.

    That said, is there any point in telling them? Is there any reason or benefit? I can''t think of one, but perhaps in the future, I might. Oh, right, the chess-patterned man did warn me about this, didn''t he? Well, I guess that''s a reason not to tell them.

    Still, I wouldn''t mind.

    "####!"

    My mother said something in surprise, gently pinching my cheek after hearing my feeble attempt to speak.

    "#### ### ##!!"

    She picked me up from the bed, sat me on her lap, and said something I couldn''t understand.

    From her hand gestures and expressions, she seemed to be encouraging me to try speaking more.

    Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

    My older sister seemed delighted and surprised as well, both of them looking at me with bright, expectant eyes.

    I can''t disappoint them now, can I?

    "Ar#ia¡­"

    I''ll try a few more times¡ªI think I''ll get it eventually.

    "Aay#¡­"

    Yes! I''m getting closer¡­ I can do this!

    "Ar#yo¡­"

    "Arai¡­!"

    I  did it!

    My mother laughed joyfully, lifted me high, and showered me with praise.

    "Arai ####!!"

    I hadn''t cared much before, but being lifted and praised like this sparked a small sense of pride, even if I didn''t want to admit it.

    Wait, what''s with this Tsundere attitude? Just be honest with your feelings.

    Be natural.

    Be natural!!

    Hmm¡­ maybe starting over isn''t all that bad.

    But I still hate the boredom.

    ...

    Third-Person Perspective

    Arai lay peacefully asleep in his small crib.

    Like any other child, his tiny body showed signs of active movement during his slumber¡ªlittle twitches and stretches.

    Three people stood beside him:

    Verdi¡ªhis father, Kuyomi¡ªhis mother, and a man unknown to him.

    "What do you think? Is he okay? Is there anything wrong with his body?" Kuyomi asked anxiously.

    "Kanrom hasn''t said anything yet," Verdi reassured her. "He''s fine, isn''t he, Kanrom?"

    "His body is perfectly healthy, with no signs of any issues," Kanrom replied with a laugh. "Unless there''s something I''m unable to detect, I''d say he''s completely fine!"

    It seemed that Kuyomi was deeply concerned about Arai''s strange death right after birth. She had asked Verdi to bring someone to check on his condition¡ªfearing that a hidden injury might have caused his death.

    "Try again; you might find something!"

    "I understand your concern, my lady. I''ll try once more."

    Kanrom raised his right hand and recited a few strange words:

    "[Vine of Revelation!]"

    A glowing green vine sprouted from Kanrom''s palm. Vibrant and full of life, the vine pulsated with energy like a living serpent. It coiled around Arai''s small hand and sent a green light into his body.

    Arai, who had been peacefully asleep, suddenly felt something strange.

    He opened his eyes gently to see what was going on, but what he saw almost made him scream like a frightened woman.

    ''What the hell is that?!'' Arai''s heart jumped in terror.

    A thin green plant was attached to his right hand, and to make things worse, it was alive and moving!

    The vine''s texture was soft yet slightly dry; if not for its lack of warmth, Arai might have thought someone was harassing him in his sleep.

    "This...?" Arai calmed himself from his initial panic and noticed the green glow and the presence of three people before him.

    "What''s going on?"

    Moments later, the vine disappeared from his hand without leaving a trace.

    "As I said, my lady, the child is perfectly healthy and safe!"

    Kuyomi placed her hand over her chest and exhaled a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing. It was clear the matter had weighed heavily on her.

    Unfortunately, Arai couldn''t understand what they were saying. After everyone left, he had no choice but to reluctantly go back to sleep.

    Yet, the scene replayed in his mind over and over.

    "Was that magic? What was it?"

    His stunned mind buzzed with questions, keeping him awake for a long time.

 7 - Learning

    Arai''s Perspective

    1 year had passed.

    Since then, speaking has become much easier for me. My mother and older sister were constantly teaching me new words¡ªnames, objects, and so on.

    For example, I learned my older sister''s name: Mizuki.

    My mother''s name is Kuyomi.

    And my father''s name is Verdi.

    This was honestly surprising. When I first realized my mother and sister''s names, I couldn''t help but question it. Isn''t this supposed to be a Western magical world? How do my mother and sister have Eastern names?

    It was intriguing.

    Could my mother be from another country? I don''t know how this world is divided yet, but it seems plausible.

    My father is a noble, so maybe my mother is a war captive he secretly married.

    My mind began creating different romantic drama scenarios, so I forced myself to stop thinking about it.

    Initially, pronouncing words was difficult, but with some practice when I was alone, it became much easier. I could now understand most of what I heard, whether it was the servants'' conversations or my mother speaking to me¡ªthough I still struggled with some difficult words.

    Of course, outwardly, I displayed the abilities of a regular child. I only mumbled nonsense when someone spoke to me.

    Standing out isn''t a good thing. I just want to live a normal life and escape from this palace.

    Currently, I''m in my father Verdi''s study room.

    I looked at him as he busied himself with some documents.

    Specifically, I focused on the words written on the papers.

    "Oh? Arai, are you interested in the documents?"

    He stopped writing and scratched his head. I heard him mutter, "Do kids care about reading? Mizuki wasn''t like this¡­weird."

    Hey, what do you mean by "weird"? Calling someone weird is rude.

    After mumbling to himself for a moment, my father handed me a random sheet of paper.

    I took it, but I couldn''t hold it properly due to my tiny fingers.

    I placed the paper beside me and examined the words.

    Hmm¡­ the language of this world¡­ it''s strange.

    The letters resemble inverted Latin characters with random decorations and dots.

    I brought the paper closer to get a better look, but my father took it back.

    "Do you want to learn? It''s odd for a child to show such early interest in learning."

    Verdi muttered to himself again, then picked me up and placed me on the table.

    He cleared some papers off the desk, took a fresh sheet and pen, and began teaching me.

    Is this man serious?

    How does he expect a baby to learn to write this quickly? Hmm, maybe this world has a different sense, or...maybe he''s just an idiot.

    Still¡­ I like this. Hey, make sure you teach me properly!

    "Look, Arai, this is how your name is written."

    My father moved the pen and wrote my name.

    Hmm¡­ if I used the Latin reading method from my previous life, this would read as "Arelino Royalan" instead of "Arai Rolan."

    "This language is called Zadaka. It''s the most common language in the Artemis Isles. Of course, you can''t understand it now or what I''m saying, but in the future, I''ll hire a tutor to teach you properly."

    Oh, there are other languages too? That''s normal, I suppose.

    "I need patience!"

    I encouraged myself, reminding myself to wait just a little longer before I could fully act and free myself from the constraints of this infant body.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "Eh? Did you say something?"

    Ah, I must''ve spoken my thoughts out loud!

    "Ga?" I gave my father an innocent, silly smile, pretending I had no idea what he was talking about.

    Living as a baby for this long has taught me how to act like one.

    Being a transmigrator in a baby''s body means giving up your pride and thickening your skin.

    "But I''m sure I heard something¡­" My father tilted his head in confusion.

    "Knock, knock."

    My father immediately returned to his serious demeanor and said calmly, "Enter."

    The door opened, and a maid with light yellow hair stepped in. She bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, lunch is ready in the dining hall."

    "Alright." My father gave a slight nod.

    The maid bowed again before excusing herself and leaving.

    "Aray, are you hungry? Because your father is starving¡­" My father leaned back in his chair in a way that didn''t match his previously formal demeanor.

    "Hung..ry."

    Well, I am hungry too.

    After addressing a few more documents and signing them, he took me to the dining hall and placed me in my designated seat.

    They say the way a person eats reflects their personality and manners.

    Is that true? At the dining table, we were all having lunch together.

    My father ate with politeness and composure, but his expression hinted at a sense of injustice.

    He looked as if he was being forced to eat this way.

    If I were to analyze him, I''d say he''s a free-spirited man who seems weighed down by his work.

    My mother, on the other hand, ate with elegance. She didn''t make a mess or leave any crumbs, either on her plate or her lips.

    A true noblewoman!

    Meanwhile, she raised a spoon toward me and said, "Aray, say ''ah!''"

    She didn''t forget to feed me in the process. Although I could eat on my own¡­ mostly.

    As for my older sister¡ªMizuki¡ªshe ate like a wild animal as if someone were threatening to steal her food.

    Food scraps and sauce were scattered all over her face, yet not a single stain touched her dress.

    What a strange person! How does she avoid dirtying her clothes while eating so messily?

    "Mizuki, eat properly; you''re a noble!"

    "Papa, there are no guests now, so I don''t want to restrict myself¡ªeven in the way I eat! This is fine for now, right, Mama?"

    "Verdi, why don''t you just admit you''re jealous of her freedom to eat however she wants?"

    "Hmph!" My father snorted and continued eating, clearly annoyed.

    From what I''ve observed, Mizuki has inherited a significant part of my father''s personality.

    "Mizuki, you should still mind your manners! Eat properly."

    "Look at Arai! Even though he''s a baby, he hasn''t made a mess and is eating neatly."

    Hearing my mother''s praise, I lifted my head with pride and glanced at Mizuki smugly.

    "What does a baby like him know? I bet he''ll end up like me! No, I''ll make him like me! I''ll be a great role model!"

    With her gray eyes glinting mischievously, Mizuki stared at me with a strange intensity.

    What is this? I felt a slight fear.

    Third-Person Perspective

    Another year passed.

    Arai was now ready to visit the library¡ªeven though he hadn''t become in his third year yet.

    During the past five months, he had constantly asked the servants to read to him.

    As a result, his vocabulary had grown significantly, and he had even managed to write on his own without formal instruction. Of course, his writing relied on the grammatical structure of his previous world, producing a language that only he could understand.

    Arai knew where the library was thanks to his frequent visits in the past. Today, he intended to visit the library to deepen his understanding of this world.

    After walking and turning down several hallways, he began to feel tired.

    "Damn, this palace is enormous."

    Previously, the servants had always escorted him to the library, so he hadn''t realized how far it was from his private room. But now, walking there alone, he grasped just how distant the library was.

    "Should I say, ''As expected of a duke''s palace,'' now?"

    Arai had known about his family''s status in this world for a while. They were a duchy, the highest rank among nobles.

    "I have to admit, I''m pretty lucky. In an unknown world like this, if I''d been born in some random corner, I might''ve died like a dog without ever knowing what happened."

    After learning about his family''s rank, Arai became cautious and avoided drawing attention to himself, all part of his plan to escape the palace unnoticed someday. From a book read to him by the servants, he''d learned about his ancestors, who had been great and brave mages, sacrificing their lives to protect the kingdom since its founding.

    The honor of sacrificing oneself for the kingdom''s protection? Keep that honor to yourself.

    Such a level of indoctrination and patriotism did not affect him whatsoever. Arai felt no sense of belonging to this world, let alone to the kingdom where he was born. He was a researcher, a scientist, not a hot-blooded general ready to charge into battles.

    If things continued as they were, wouldn''t he be forced to stay in this kingdom "to protect it" forever? Wouldn''t that cage his freedom?

    Arai decided he would escape secretly in the future. It wasn''t as if he was shirking responsibility. Ironically, his father had made a similar decision in his youth, running away from home, but young Arai didn''t know this yet.

    "¡­If I had a younger sibling, wouldn''t that solve this problem?" Such thoughts crossed his mind, but he pushed them aside. These were matters for his parents, not him.

    "Anyway, let''s get going!"

    He resumed his walk. After a few more turns, he finally reached the library.

    Inside, there were rows upon rows of shelves filled with books. Near the entrance stood a small table with a chair, occupied by an elderly man.

    "Sark Korm greets the young master."

    As soon as Arai entered, the old librarian bowed.

    Sark was a man with many wrinkles on his face, white hair, and a two-layered outfit that gave him an air of formality. Arai nodded in response.

    "Can I assist you with anything, young master?" Sark asked politely.

    Arai paused to think. He wanted books about his current location, but if a two-and-a-half-year-old child asked for that, it would seem suspicious.

    Most children his age were simple-minded, focused only on breaking things and playing. The height of their intelligence was playing quietly without causing a mess.

    "Would you like me to read to you, young master? There are some books here that I think you''d enjoy," Sark offered, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

    Arai frequently visited the library, so his presence now wasn''t unusual. He always brought servants along to read to him during these visits.

    "I''ll browse the library first and decide later," Arai replied quietly.

    "Very well, young master. Call me when you make your choice."

    Sark nodded and returned to his seat, resuming his reading.

    ...

 8 - Magic!

    Arai wandered around the library for a while before settling on three books:

    [The Artemis Isles]

    [The Zadaka Language]

    [The Kingdom of Loclover]

    These three books were exactly what he needed at the moment.

    The first book detailed the isles where he currently resided. The second book covered the language spoken here. The third and final book discussed the kingdom where his family''s duchy was located, the same kingdom his ancestors had "protected" and "sacrificed themselves" for.

    Arai wasn''t a fool. He decided it was crucial to understand his surroundings and his place in this world before anything else. Everything else could come later.

    "I think there''s a table nearby¡­"

    Arai walked through the rows of shelves, searching for a place to sit and read. However, on his way, something caught his eye, a book on one of the shelves that surprised him. It was a deep purple book with ornate, mysterious patterns on its cover.

    The title read: Introduction to Magic.

    Startled, Arai accidentally dropped the books he had been carrying.

    "Introduction to Magic?"

    His curiosity was immediately piqued.

    Magic!

    For someone from Earth, the concept of magic was fantastical and utterly out of reach.

    Arai had known this was a magical world for the past six months, ever since Kanrom''s examination. Unfortunately, he hadn''t had the opportunity to ask for more information about magic.

    In truth, he hadn''t gotten his hopes up too much and therefore hadn''t sought out books on the subject.

    "Magic¡­"

    Without even glancing at the three books he had originally picked, Arai snatched the purple book and sneaked away with it.

    "Better play it safe, though¡­"

    He returned to grab the book The Artemis Isles as a cover and hid the magic book inside his clothes.

    Then, he headed toward the palace''s back garden.

    However, he quickly got lost. Not having memorized the layout of the palace, he had to ask a servant for directions.

    Arai sat under a large tree, engrossed in the book.

    The book''s introduction provided a foundational understanding of magic and its potential applications.

    Magic could achieve a myriad of things: summoning spirits, shooting lightning from one''s fingers, healing lost limbs, and more.

    Arai read the introduction in detail, taking his time to absorb the information.

    Magic wasn''t as complex as he thought.

    Previously, he had assumed it would involve drawing strange symbols on paper, chanting lengthy spells, and then launching tiny fireballs like in RPG games.

    In reality, magic was straightforward, though it required focus, talent, and intent. It wasn''t even monopolized by a specific group like nobles; it was quite common.

    Magicians were classified into three main categories:

    <ol>

    <li>Sorcerers</li>

    <li>Enhancers</li>

    <li>Warlocks</li>

    </ol>

    The first one didn''t need much explanation, did it? Sorcerers were those who manipulated mana - the magical energy - to produce magical phenomena. While they were called "sorcerers," the term encompassed various specializations, including summoners, healers, and seers.

    Warlocks were the opposite of sorcerers. They utilized mana in malevolent ways, employing methods like sacrifice, consumption, and killing to augment their power or spread fear and chaos.

    In short, while sorcerers were the "good magicians," warlocks were the "evil magicians."

    Enhancers were a completely different breed of magicians. They used mana to boost their physical strength and vitality.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Spearmen, swordsmen, defenders, and assassins fell into this category¡ªessentially, warriors who relied on their bodies and weapons more than spells. What set enhancers apart was their "magical mark."

    Each type was distinct in combat style and technique, and each had its advantages.

    Magic in this world was ranked across 9 ranks, numbered from 1 to 9. Within each rank, there were three sub-levels: [Early, Mid, and Peak]. A magician''s rank primarily determined their power, though other factors such as mana reserves, combat experience, and elemental affinities also played significant roles.

    When children reached the age of five, a ceremony called the "Awakening Rite" was held. During this rite, one of three things was awakened:

    <ol>

    <li>A Grimoire</li>

    <li>A Magical Mark</li>

    <li>A Mana Core</li>

    </ol>

    These three determined an individual''s magical future:

    Those with a grimoire or mana core were destined to become sorcerers unless they chose the warlock or enhancer path. Sorcerers were known for their vast mana reserves and their ability to unleash wide-ranging attacks. They rarely specialized in close combat.

    Those with a magical mark, however, became enhancers. Magical marks specialized in brute-force physical enhancements, granting the strength and vitality of beasts or plants. At their peak, they could manifest a phantom form of the creature their mark was tied to.

    After finishing the book, Arai let out a long sigh.

    "Simple yet complex." He rubbed his head, feeling a slight headache from all the information.

    He muttered, "At least I now have a general idea of what kind of world this is."

    ...

    After finishing the book, Arai tucked it under his shirt and returned to his room.

    His young mind was exhausted from processing all the information, and he felt the need to sleep.

    That night, while he was sound asleep, Mizuki burst into his room and carried him off somewhere else. Her grip was strong enough that Arai couldn''t resist, so he allowed himself to be taken.

    ¨C She did this often.

    "Mommy, I can''t sleep! I had a nightmare!"

    ''Really? Then why did you drag me here? What does this have to do with me?!'' Arai fumed internally, wishing he could smack his older sister in frustration.

    She had interrupted his wonderful dream! He had been dreaming of returning to Earth as a great magician, with a waterfall of coffee in his home.

    "You''re hopeless, aren''t you?" Kuyomi woke up and sighed gently.

    This wasn''t the first time Mizuki had done this. She often came to Kuyomi at night with the excuse that she couldn''t sleep, but her real goal was to hear stories.

    "Tehe~"

    Arai ended up sleeping on a small mat on the floor. Both Kuyomi and Mizuki tried to persuade him to join them in bed, but he stubbornly refused. After several failed attempts, they gave up and let him be.

    "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a small village¡­" Kuyomi began her story in a voice that felt like a dream.

    In a small village, a girl named Artemis lived peacefully with her parents.

    However, her idyllic life was shattered by a savage vampire who, in a moment of hunger, killed everyone in the village, including her parents. Thankfully, Artemis was saved just in time by a wandering magician named Merlin.

    Desperate for revenge, Artemis begged Merlin to teach her magic.

    Feeling sympathy for her, Merlin agreed and began teaching her.

    Artemis showed exceptional talent, and it didn''t take long for her to surpass Merlin and become a renowned sorceress. Over time, Artemis realized she was falling in love with her savior, but she kept those feelings locked away, determined not to let them distract her from her revenge.

    After a long search, Artemis found the vampire who had destroyed her village and exacted her vengeance.

    "So, Mommy, what happened to them afterward?" Mizuki asked eagerly, while Arai listened quietly.

    After achieving her revenge, Artemis could no longer suppress her growing feelings. Every time she looked at Merlin, she felt flowers blooming in her heart.

    After much internal struggle, Artemis confessed her feelings to Merlin.

    But he rejected her!

    Heartbroken and angry, she demanded to know why. Merlin replied that he was much older than her.

    Artemis felt her anger rise - such a reason was trivial to her!

    However, she soon discovered that Merlin wasn''t just "older" than her.

    He was far, far older than she had imagined.

    Merlin was cursed with immortality.

    He had lived so long that life itself had lost its meaning. To him, Artemis was just another young girl in need whom he had encountered during his endless existence. Her feelings didn''t matter to him because, before he knew it, she would grow old and die, leaving only her bones behind.

    In the end, Artemis remained alone.

    She couldn''t fathom the loneliness Merlin had endured in his long life.

    "Mommy¡­ that story is so sad." Mizuki began to cry tears of sympathy.

    "That''s true." Kuyomi nodded with a hint of sadness but then asked seriously, "What''s the moral of the story?"

    "Hmm¡­" Mizuki pondered for a moment but couldn''t come up with anything meaningful.

    ''That love is trivial and just a fleeting rush of hormones,'' Arai thought with amusement but wisely kept those words to himself.

    "Hmm¡­ isn''t it just a bedtime story? Why do we even need to extract a moral?" he mused before adding, "Maybe the lesson is to only love the right person."

    That seemed to sum it up.

    Artemis hadn''t succeeded in love because she loved the wrong person.

    Had she loved the right one, perhaps she could have found the happiness she sought.

    Merlin was the wrong person.

    "Mommy, have you found the right person? Is Daddy the right person for you?" Mizuki asked Kuyomi excitedly, ignoring the deeper moral of the story.

    "Absolutely!" Kuyomi replied with a radiant smile.

    "Mommy, Mommy! Do you think I''ll find the right person too?" Mizuki asked again, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

    "No!" Both Arai and Kuyomi said at the same time.

    "Eh?!" Mizuki looked disheartened, her beautiful eyes quickly filling with tears.

    "Because Mizuki is my little princess. You don''t need to find the right person; the right person needs to find you!" Kuyomi said in a soft, comforting voice.

    "Of course, if you ever think you''ve found the right person, make sure to try your hardest to win them over and claim them as yours!"

    ''Is this something you should be teaching a little girl?''

    Arai closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, and he did fall asleep.

 9 - Fireball!

    The next day, after processing all the information he had read, Aray decided to try magic.

    The book contained several beginner spells categorized as "Zero Spells."

    Zero Spells were unleveled, meaning anyone could use them, provided they met simple conditions. These included having an affinity for an element and a minimal amount of mana. Beyond these requirements, Zero Spells were easy to use.

    Though practically useless in combat, they were widely applied in other areas, such as symbolic locks.

    Arai''s Perspective

    After a healthy breakfast, I made sure I was in perfect condition and decided to try magic.

    Since this was my first real attempt, I didn''t want to make any mistakes! I snuck out to the back garden, damn, this palace is huge. It took me a while to get back here.

    Holding the book in my left hand, I flipped through its pages while reading and trying to understand. Quickly, a basic concept of magic formed in my mind.

    Magic spells had 9 levels, like magician ranks, though the spell levels weren''t the same as ranks. A magician could use spells above their rank if skilled enough and had a mana could handle it.

    Methods of Casting Spells:

    Chanting

    Chanting is the simplest method but also the least effective for close-range combat. It requires verbal recitation of the spell to form, taking at least 3 seconds and up to 10 seconds to cast. However, for long-range or wide-area attacks, chanting is the go-to method.

    Magic Circles

    Magic circles are straightforward yet more intricate than chanting. The caster must memorize the specific design of the spell''s magic circle, visualize it, and activate the spell. This method requires a strong memory and natural talent.

    It is noted in the book as the most commonly used method because it takes less than a second to activate, making it highly effective for close combat. Its range and power are moderate, striking a balance between utility and efficiency in fights.

    Scrolls

    The third method involves using pre-prepared scrolls. It doesn''t require any talent, mana, or skill to activate; even a fool can use scrolls.

    These scrolls are inscribed with numerous magic circles, making them preloaded spells. To use them, one only needs to unroll the scroll. However, scroll-based attacks are highly limited in range and unsuitable for close combat, there''s even a risk of injuring the user. Unsurprisingly, this method is most popular among wealthy nobles and young masters, as scrolls are expensive due to the intricate precision needed to inscribe their magic circles.

    Raw Manipulation

    The final method was Creation, the simplest form, requiring neither chants nor magic circles. It only demanded complete control over mana and the ability to transform raw mana into an element, conjuring fire and lightning from nothingness.

    The book stated that this method was most common among Enhancers.

    Creation was divided into two categories. The first involved basic element conjuring, while the second required understanding spells to the extent of casting them without chants or magic circles, akin to silent casting. This level required exceptional talent and brilliance.

    The book only included the first two methods: chanting and magic circles. Unfortunately, I found nothing on creation. I decided to try the first method as it was simpler and less effective. After all, I didn''t want to draw too much attention.

    "Hmm, let''s see."

    I had no idea what elements I had an affinity for, so I decided to try out various spells from the book. I would test one spell per element! While this might take some time, and I wasn''t even sure if my mana reserves could handle it¡ªit seemed the most efficient approach.

    I could already use a small amount of mana. This was due to mana accumulating in my body through continuous exposure. The book explained that this minimal mana reserve was highly limited, and I wouldn''t be able to store a significant amount until after the Awakening Ceremony. A proper vessel was necessary to contain it, and of course, a body made of flesh and blood wasn''t suitable.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    In this world, there were two primary vessels for storing mana: Mana Cores and Grimoires.

    Even those with a magic mark possessed a mana core; however, they didn''t need to awaken it themselves during the ceremony. Instead, it would form automatically upon activating the magic mark.

    Now, I would begin with the spell that every great magician starts with, the spell that initiates all heroes of reincarnated world novels. That legendary spell...!

    I stretched out my hand, then recited the words from the book aloud.

    "O scattered mana, heed my command. Manifest and take shape to burn my foes¡ª[Fireball!]"

    Even for someone as indifferent as me, saying this out loud felt incredibly embarrassing. It gave me the impression of a Chuunibyo episode, but I had to toughen up and get through this moment. I had no choice!

    Perhaps I would get used to it with time.

    I felt something drain from my body, a sensation distinct from the flow of blood. I immediately knew what it was.

    So, this is mana!

    "Bzzz..."

    Red particles gathered in the air, quickly forming a small, blazing sphere no larger than an egg.

    It had materialized! But wait, how was I supposed to attack with this?

    "Whoosh!"

    Due to a brief lapse in focus, the fireball vanished almost instantly.

    I read the rest of the page, where it explained that the magician must visualize the fireball while chanting to successfully cast and launch it.

    The same principle applied to magic circles.

    Visualization seemed more crucial than I had anticipated.

    The process was as follows: Recite the chant > Gather mana > Visualize the shape > Release!

    All of this had to be done in a short timeframe.

    I closed my eyes and tried imagining a small bullet of fire. After all, bullets are more precise than balls in both aim and shape.

    "It won''t fail just because I alter its shape a bit, right?"

    Imagine... imagine... imagine!

    Picture a firearm bullet; any caliber would do.

    I tried shrinking its size to conserve mana.

    "O scattered mana, heed my command. Manifest and take shape to burn my foes¡ª[Fireball!]"

    Sparks of flame began to ignite rapidly. Gradually, they curved and twisted until they formed a small bullet.

    The bullet wasn''t large, only about the size of a pinky finger.

    Wow, that was easier than I thought!

    The garden was vast, so I scanned my surroundings and quickly singled out a random tree in front of me. Without hesitation, I launched the spell!

    "Bang!"

    Like a firearm, the spell emitted a loud bang as it fired.

    I hoped no one heard the shot. Although, I doubted anyone would.

    The fire bullet struck the tree, leaving a small dent in it.

    The dent wasn''t particularly large.

    This feeling was incredible. I could probably do this all day without getting bored.

    I decided to try again with more imagination. I needed to make additional adjustments.

    "O scattered mana, heed my command. Manifest and take shape to burn my foes¡ª[Fireball!]"

    The fiery bullet formed quickly again, but it disappeared just as swiftly.

    My legs weakened, and I collapsed onto the grass.

    "Ugh..."

    The effort was exhausting.

    Three? No, two shots seemed to be my current limit before I would pass out from mana depletion.

    Ah... my vision was beginning to blur.

    Ah...

    ...

    When I opened my eyes, some time had passed.

    I had no idea how long I had been unconscious.

    Looking up, I recognized the familiar ceiling of my room.

    "Ugh, I got carried away back there."

    It didn''t take much to deduce what had happened. I must have drained my mana reserves completely, causing me to lose consciousness.

    I rubbed my temples, feeling a lingering headache from the overexertion.

    Now, let''s analyze things rationally.

    First, my mana capacity was minimal. Two fireballs were enough to deplete it entirely. So, I must figure out how to increase my mana reserves and learn more about this process. Does mana capacity grow with rank? I wasn''t even at the first rank yet, so I had no idea.

    Unfortunately, I couldn''t achieve the first rank of magic before the Awakening Ceremony. This was an impossible feat as I lacked the foundation to build upon. Until that time, I suppose increasing my reserves would have to wait.

    It was like asking a farmer to cultivate without a dantian[2].

    Impossible, right?

    Mana scarcity seemed normal to me; after all, mana wasn''t stored in the body. The mana I used earlier was merely the small amount accumulated in my body from living in this world.

    Second, when I recited the chant and altered the spell''s shape in my imagination, the spell didn''t fail. Instead, its accuracy and power improved based on the envisioned design.

    In the end, everything depended on imagination!

    Of course, the amount of mana consumed remained constant unless I increased the size or intensity of the flames. I would need to conduct more experiments to fully understand this aspect. Does the same principle apply to magic circles?

    Also, mana depletion caused me to faint, so I must be cautious in the future to avoid completely running out of it.

    Third, I had an affinity for the fire element.

    Wasn''t fire the most common element? And here I thought I might possess some legendary affinities like space.

    I hope I have affinities for other elements too! Fire is strong and useful but too common.

    I want something unique to set me apart! Oh, my ability is considered rare, right? Hmm, when will I be able to use it again? Maybe during the Awakening Ceremony.

    "Grumble..."

    My stomach growled, reminding me of hunger despite having eaten breakfast earlier.

    Did I sleep for too long? Or did mana depletion drain my energy? Speaking of which, practicing magic at such a young age shouldn''t harm my growth, should it? After all, my body is still developing.

    [1] A profession in Xianxia novels for enhancing weapons.

    [2] Dantian: An ethereal sphere located below the stomach in cultivators, allowing them to store spiritual energy.

 10 - Sword and Magic

    "Knock knock."

    "Come in."

    The door opened, revealing a man with blond hair and emerald-green eyes. His face was relaxed yet handsome.

    Oh? Hmm, it was my ever-so-busy father who had finally shown up.

    Looks like there''s trouble.

    Was using magic at my age considered auspicious? Or was it a bad omen? Damn, I should''ve done this somewhere else, I didn''t want to get scolded.

    Being treated like a child was annoying enough as it was!

    I wanted to get up from the bed to greet him, but an invisible force pushed me back down.

    "Stay put; you''re still tired."

    He grabbed a chair and sat by my bedside.

    "Arai, was that little hole in the tree your doing?"

    "Yes."

    I didn''t lie because there was no point in doing so! Plus, I wasn''t the type of person to lie in the first place. Passed out near a tree, holding a book on magic, with burn marks on the bark? Even someone with the brain of a scarecrow could piece it together.

    After hearing my reply, Verdi''s expression scrunched into a mix of annoyance and faint amusement.

    He looked at me thoughtfully, as if debating internally.

    The atmosphere grew tense, and I suddenly felt like a fresh graduate anxiously waiting for a job acceptance, even though I had never experienced that feeling before.

    After a moment of silence, he seemed to conclude. "You can learn magic if you want. I won''t stop you. But you''ll have to wait until you''re five."

    That''s it? That''s his decision? No punishment?

    Or was waiting 2.5 years my punishment? Wait, I''m confused. Is this a crime or a blessing? I don''t get it.

    He chuckled at my bewildered expression and patted my head as he explained.

    "Using magic early isn''t necessarily bad. The issue is that you''re still too young. Continuously depleting your mana could put excessive strain on your fragile body. Also, you don''t know what path you might take in the future. You could end up becoming an Enhancer, which would make practicing magic now a waste."

    Tsk, he had a point.

    His face softened with genuine admiration. "But Arai, you''re incredibly talented! To think you''d try to learn magic so early!"This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "When I was your age, I was¡­"

    He stopped mid-sentence.

    Why stop? What were you? He coughed lightly and changed the subject.

    "Anyway, at your Awakening rite in two years and a half, whether you awaken a Spellbook, a Mana Core, or even nothing at all, I''ll fully support you and personally teach you."

    "Promise me you won''t use magic again until the ceremony."

    He sighed, covering his face with his hand. "Boy, you''ve no idea how hard it was to calm Koyumi down after you passed out. Just getting her to settle took a toll on me!"

    Ah, this is bad. I was so engrossed in the moment that I completely forgot about the danger known as "Mom."

    "But you''ll teach me yourself? Dad, are you a magician?"

    My father was about to say something when¡ª

    Creak!

    My mother burst into the room.

    "Arai, are you okay?!"

    Without sparing my father a glance, she rushed to my side, frantically checking every inch of me as though I were on death''s doorstep.

    "Kuyomi! Relax. Arai is perfectly fine. He just passed out from mana exhaustion!"

    Dad tried to reassure her, but it was futile.

    "Mom, I''m fine! You don''t need to worry so much; I just fainted a little."

    "Arai, why did you do that?"

    "¡­I was curious and wanted to try magic."

    I answered honestly.

    "Arai, I don''t mind if you become a magician. But don''t make me worry about you. So, if you want to practice magic, you need to build up your physical strength first, since you were born with a frail body."

    This excessive worry was a bit annoying, but it gave me a strange warmth.

    Oh, I''ve accepted her as my mother, haven''t I? Well, it doesn''t matter¡ªthere''s no problem with that.

    "Alright, Mom," I nodded.

    "Verdi, do you have any suggestions?" she asked.

    "Of course! Why not train with Haist?"

    "Haist?" She paused. "Oh, you mean that friend of yours?"

    "Who''s Haist?" I asked.

    Verdi looked at me and said, "Haist is the estate''s guardian and an old friend of mine."

    "Alright, it''s settled then. Starting tomorrow, you''ll train with Haist and learn swordsmanship from him!"

    Ugh, that''s annoying. I don''t like moving my body.

    Thinking back, I once fell off a cliff because my fingers were so weak and slender that they couldn''t lift my body. I didn''t even have the strength to hold on to the walls.

    But I see¡­ hmm. Dad wants me to practice magic so I can become a magician like him. At the same time, he wants to stop me to give my young body time to grow. Mom doesn''t want me to practice magic because she fears it might harm my body. Instead, she wants me to train physically so she won''t worry about me all the time.

    From her perspective, I suppose she thinks I have a weak body because I died once before.

    ...And I do have one.

    Hmm, alright.

    While my parents discussed the details, I interrupted and returned to my main question.

    "Dad, you didn''t answer my question. Are you a magician?"

    I felt intrigued. If he was, what rank was he?

    Oh, I almost forgot. I started talking to my parents recently, but I tried to make my speech as clumsy as possible. Pretending to be a clueless toddler when I already knew the language was exhausting! It was such a hassle.

    Oh no, I''m already a year and a half old! Why should I keep pretending to be foolish? I can walk and talk now, no one would think anything of it.

    He scratched his nose, coughed, and said, "Arai, it''s not like your dad wants to brag, but I''m a 5 rank magician! Ahem, the strongest in the kingdom."

    Huh? Wait a second, did he just say 5 rank? Was I born into an amazing family?

    Isn''t that rank more than halfway to the pinnacle of magic? Hmm, having a strong dad is handy, I''ll make sure to use his power in the future.

    Ignoring Dad''s childlike expression of wanting praise, I turned to Mom and asked innocently, "Mom, what about you? Are you a magician too?"

    I wouldn''t be surprised if she was.

    I have an amazing mom.

    "No!" She shook her head. "I''m just an ordinary human, not a magician."

    "Eh?"

    I felt a bit disappointed, but yeah, no problem.

 11 - Eastern....?

    After having a nutritious meal and taking a short nap, I left my room and headed to the library to return the books The Zadaka Language and The Loclover Kingdom.

    Since I wouldn''t be able to practice magic for years, I decided to immerse myself in books until then.

    I stopped in the corridor and looked out the window at the blue celestial orb hanging in the dark sky.

    "No matter where you are, the moon is always beautiful, isn''t it?"

    The blue moonlight poured through the window. Tonight, the moon was full, making it even more magnificent.

    Hmm? As I focused on it, I suddenly noticed something odd about the moon.

    "Isn''t it... too clean?"

    The moon, which should have been covered with craters from meteors and asteroids, was strangely pristine and spotless. There were no traces of craters or signs of impact; it was entirely smooth and new.

    I had only noticed it now because I hadn''t paid attention to its appearance before.

    Interesting. This was genuinely intriguing. What could be the reason? Unfortunately, without a telescope, I couldn''t observe it up close. Why does the moon look so clean?

    Does it have some sort of magical barrier for protection? Or is it simply too resilient to be damaged by falling meteors? After all, this is a magical world! It''s reasonable to speculate wildly with evidence supporting such phenomena.

    "Let''s forget about it for now¡­ Thinking about it is like an ant trying to understand why it''s so small compared to the moon." I shook my head.

    Until I had a way to examine it properly, I decided to push the thought aside. Still, I wouldn''t forget that the first thing to spark my curiosity as a scientist here was the moon!

    I continued walking toward the library.

    But I stopped again because something strange happened along the way.

    My mother was leaning against the corridor wall, her left hand covering her face.

    From her current expression¡­ she seemed to be in great pain.

    "Mother, what''s wrong?"

    She had been fine and very energetic just two hours ago.

    She didn''t respond, so I approached her and shook her hand.

    But she remained unresponsive.

    This is bad.

    What''s wrong with her?

    "Mother! Mother!" I shouted several times, but there was no answer.

    I placed my hand on her forehead to check her temperature.

    "Too high." I frowned. Her temperature was high! If this continues, she''ll fall ill.

    ''I shall take her to¡ª''The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Before I could finish the thought, my mother suddenly grabbed my small arm with her hand.

    I felt a bit relieved that she was responsive and asked, "Mother, are you okay? What''s wrong?"

    She didn''t answer, her expression still clouded and pained.

    Something felt off about her. I wanted to speak, but at that moment, I felt a chilling cold coming from her.

    Slowly, I raised my eyes upward, above her head. At some point, a black ghostly face had appeared.

    Above my mother''s head was a phantom! No, would it be right to call it that?

    It was a shadow with long ears protruding from its head, like a rabbit''s. Its eye sockets were hollow, and its mouth was twisted into a grim smile. Its body was composed of black particles, like dust. A faint blue glow emanated from its empty eye sockets, sending a chill down my legs.

    Damn it! What is this thing?! It''s terrifying!

    It''s terrifying, but I don''t feel afraid. Even so, my body seems to disagree.

    My legs are shaking!

    The shadow hummed a strange sound, and I felt its gaze pierce through my body, sending a deep chill within. It stared at me for a moment before drifting upward toward the ceiling.

    Within moments, it completely disappeared, passing through the ceiling.

    What the hell was that sudden shift? What was that black shadow? Isn''t my mother supposed to be an ordinary human? She''s usually calm and cheerful, but now she''s completely different!

    Her eyes were vacant, her brows furrowed into a sharp frown, and her grip on my hand tightened.

    My mother began murmuring some strange words.

    "¡­Kazahara¡­ I will never forgive you¡­"

    "Wait! This language¡­!" It was a language I could never forget.

    Isn''t this¡­ Japanese? A Japanese name and now these words¡­ I knew something was off!

    But that doesn''t matter now as much as the fact that my hand is about to break! This hurts like hell¡ªMother, you''re crushing my hand with your grip!

    As soon as she uttered those words, my mother collapsed. I quickly threw myself to the ground, managing to catch her before she hit the floor.

    "Just in time." I sighed in relief, having caught her before she fell.

    Sitting on the ground, I rested her on my lap, as my size wasn''t enough to carry her fully.

    "But this hurts¡­" My arm throbbed as if it had a heartbeat. Damn it! This is excruciating!

    My wrist was turning a shade between purple and green. The bone wasn''t broken, but I ended up with a significant bruise.

    Kazahara, I won''t forgive you, huh? Hmm, my earlier theory wasn''t wrong. It seems Mother does have memory loss.

    I only suspected it as a possibility before, but now it seems I''ve confirmed it.

    I looked at my sleeping mother, feeling a bit uneasy. This woman told me she was an ordinary human, yet she just used that black energy in front of me! Don''t tell me this world has two energy systems, right? Because I can''t sense any mana coming from her, and I can confirm that this black energy isn''t mana (because it''s not familiar).

    How do I call someone now? I can''t leave Mother here alone after all.

    "Woosh!"

    Just as I was thinking of a solution, I saw a faint golden glow at the far end of the corridor. When I blinked and opened my eyes again, Verdi was standing in front of me.

    I was stunned.

    Did he just cross more than ten meters in less than a second? That''s not logical at all.

    "Arai, what happened just now?" he asked with concern.

    I gathered myself and truthfully told him everything that had happened, except for the part about her speaking Japanese and the black shadow.

    After all, I couldn''t explain why I understood the language, and this might turn out to be a bad thing.

    Hiding things was sometimes the smart move. I''d tell them in the future if necessary.

    After hearing what I said, Verdi fell silent for a while. He looked shocked, confused, and perplexed.

    Hmm, it seems he doesn''t understand what''s wrong with her either.

    Without giving me another glance, he picked my mother up onto his shoulder and disappeared in another flash of light.

    "Father! Wait¡­!"

    This man was so focused on the situation that he didn''t even notice the bruise on my hand!

    How could you leave a 2.5-year-old kid alone at such a time? Back, please.

    Everything that had just happened was strange. Does my mother have some sort of problem?

    I''ve noticed this for some time, her behavior has been odd. Always distracted, often asleep. Despite hearing she''s weak-bodied, I don''t believe it.

    First, my mother managed to give birth to two children, me and Mizuki.

    Second, the strength she used in her grip earlier nearly broke my arm.

    Could someone weak-bodied possibly do that? I don''t think so; it''s impossible.

    Something is wrong with Mother.

    What is it? Even Verdi himself doesn''t seem to know the reason. I have a bad feeling about the future. I just hope she''ll be safe.

    I pushed these thoughts aside and continued on my way to the library.

    But first, I needed to do something about my hand! It hurt so much that I felt like crying.

    No, I am crying.

 12 - Blessed

    Verdi''s Perspective

    Having a family is a challenging responsibility, much more exhausting than I had imagined. But as a man, it''s something I must bear and fulfill.

    I was born into the estate and lived the life of a pampered noble. If I wanted something, all I had to do was ask, and many would prepare it for me willingly. No one dared to disobey or reject me, and I lived in luxury.

    In return, I had to uphold the family''s responsibilities and ensure its name was never tarnished.

    Over time, I grew tired of that way of living. When I learned I was betrothed to a girl I didn''t even know, I decided to run away. To hell with nobility! I was fifteen at the time, and I thought I could live on my own.

    Or so I naively believed.

    I can''t even recall what I was thinking back then, but¡­tsk, I must have been full of myself.

    I was like a prince fallen from grace, dirtied in the mud.

    Luckily, I was a mid-second-tier mage at that time, or I don''t know what corner of the world I would''ve died in.

    I lived as an adventurer for a long time - ten years, maybe more.

    At first, life was extremely tough for a pampered noble-turned-vagabond. I had no servants to care for me, no proper meals, not even shelter; I was truly spoiled. There were times when I couldn''t even find food for days.

    But that rugged life as an adventurer and mercenary made me a man.

    I saw so much and broadened my horizons. I experienced a lot and was no longer that pampered noble.

    When the old man died, the news snapped me back to my senses and made me realize the importance of responsibility. Without anyone prompting me, I returned swiftly to take up the family''s duties after my long absence.

    Shortly after my return, I married Kuyomi, and we had Mizuki.

    It was my wife who suggested her name. I didn''t know its meaning or even what language it came from, but somehow, it felt fitting.

    Mizuki behaved childishly, much like any other child. She loved games and always acted her age.

    This didn''t worry me because she was perfectly normal. I didn''t know what normal children''s behavior was since I''d never seen or raised a child. Watching Mizuki laugh and smile happily was enough to bring a smile to my face.

    Unfortunately, I couldn''t spend much time with her, being preoccupied with the duchy''s affairs. So much work had piled up during my absence, and the old man hadn''t bothered to handle any of it¡ªhis way of punishing me, perhaps.

    Maybe she doesn''t see me as a good father because of that.

    The responsibilities are exhausting, you must be a good father and an ideal noble simultaneously.

    Most nobles I know have forsaken the "good father" part and kept only the "ideal noble" aspect.

    But I won''t do that.

    Nobility is nonsense! They''re just a bunch of spoiled brats relying on their ancestors'' achievements, having never seen blood or the world. Seeing them disgusts me, and it''s even more revolting that I have to humor them in their nonsense.

    Nobles care about only one thing: the continuity of their lineage.

    Their mindset is as follows:

    "Your lineage is good; you''re my family."Your lineage is garbage; get out of my sight!"

    Yes, being born a noble is a source of pride, but that doesn''t mean you shouldn''t have your character.

    Anyway, Arai was born later.

    He was our second child, but he died immediately after birth!

    At that moment, I panicked and didn''t know what to do.

    A whirlpool of grim emotions flooded my mind, and I had no idea what the right course of action was. Not even when I was in the dungeon of the Smiling Beast years ago had I felt such terror.

    Kuyomi was in a much worse state than me, but she didn''t faint. She cried but remained calm¡­as always.

    But then¡­a miracle happened.

    He came back to life! I didn''t understand how this miracle occurred, but oh, dear heavens, I didn''t care about the how or why. His survival was enough for me.

    Arai¡­this child¡­he''s so peculiar.

    Instead of playing, he loves reading books. Even when Mizuki plays with him, he just watches her. I once tried to make him laugh by pulling silly faces.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    The result? He gave me a look as if I were a fool.

    Or maybe I was imagining it, but it genuinely felt like he was judging me.

    Instead of behaving like a child and laughing, he''s strangely quiet.

    "Is he even a child?"

    That question crosses my mind sometimes. When I look into his eyes, all I see is raw curiosity and indifference, as if nothing truly matters to him. He watches us from a distance, interacts only minimally, and speaks only when someone prompts him to.

    Like an observer.

    The most shocking thing I''ve seen from him was his attempt to use magic.

    Good heavens! A child of two and a half years trying to cast magic!

    It''s something I''ve never heard of, even during my time in the Western Continent. I was speechless when I found out. It gave me a sense of unease.

    I stopped him immediately!

    Truth be told, using magic at a young age isn''t dangerous¡ªin fact, it''s beneficial. It helps one adapt to mana early, making it easier to use and understand after the awakening ceremony.

    But despite knowing that, I stopped and forbade him.

    When I told him he couldn''t use magic until the ceremony, he made an expression suitable for a child for the first time¡ªone of a wronged kid who just had his toys taken away.

    This child¡­I feel that if I allow him to do as he pleases, one day, he''ll fly away without looking back.

    I don''t know if this is just a parental instinct or something else, but I''m confident that Arai will do it.

    I''m certain! He seems like that kind of person.

    It''s not that I don''t want him to become a great mage, but balance is important. At his age, he should act like a child.

    ...

    Mizuki''s Perspective

    I''m not talented in magic.

    Damn it! I don''t need anyone to tell me that¡ªI know myself well enough.

    It''s not just about talent; I can''t use mana at all.

    I''ve tried to use mana countless times and memorized so many spells, but it''s all been useless.

    What''s frustrating is that I can''t even sense Mana''s existence. Forget using it, simple physical enhancement or the most basic zero-tier spells are impossible for me!

    A few months ago, I saw Arai secretly trying to use magic in the backyard.

    At that moment, I thought, "If he can do it, then I can too!" Unfortunately, the result was the same as always.

    I silently consoled myself, thinking that some talents only awaken during the ceremony.

    But¡­the ceremony shattered the last shard of hope I had. I awakened nothing.

    Even the examiner gave me a skeptical look and said, "I''m sorry, Miss, but your body rejects mana. Awakening is impossible."

    The mana within the magic circle refused to enter my body.

    What did he mean by "rejects mana"?! I felt like crying at that moment.

    I have no future! I can''t grow stronger!

    The nobles present at the ceremony all sneered and whispered among themselves. Their faces were painted with mockery and disdain.

    But I''m a strong girl¡ªI endured it silently, showing no reaction in front of them. When I returned to the estate, I wanted to cry, but no one was there to console me. Father had gone off on some business trip. Mother was sleeping in her strange coma. And my little brother, Arai? No way! I would never cry in front of him.

    Where would my dignity as the elder sister go if I did that? The only solution was to cry before my sleeping mother.

    I don''t know what happened to Mother, but she''s been sleeping excessively for months now. Sometimes, she sleeps for days.

    It hurts me deeply. What''s happening to her? Even Father doesn''t know.

    Her warm hand was enough to calm me after I cried for a while.

    When Arai found out about my results, he consoled me in his own way. He even put down his books and started playing with me more often.

    He, who was always immersed in books, who usually slept in the library, did that!

    "Don''t worry! Live as you want, and leave the rest to me and Father."

    That''s what he said, in his incredibly soft voice.

    The boy who always claimed indifference¡­had this gentle side? Tsk, Arai, you''ve surprised this noblewoman.

    Around that time, Father returned from his trip. He seemed to have already learned of my result, which was why he bought me a magical artifact.

    I overheard from one of the maids that nobles despise useless children¡ªthose who can''t use magic.

    I felt nervous, distressed, and very afraid. I was scared I''d be thrown out of the estate or used as a political marriage card.

    But Father didn''t do any of that! He gave me a grade-3 early artifact, something expensive, to protect myself in times of danger.

    I brushed it off, having somewhat expected that, and started thinking:

    "How do I grow stronger, too?"

    As I pondered this, I wandered around the estate.

    I wasn''t paying attention, so I ended up bumping into someone and falling.

    "Are you alright, little lady?"

    With a strange expression, he extended his hand toward me.

    "You¡­huh? Who are you again?"

    He looked familiar¡ªI swear I''d seen him before.

    "Haist Gorion, at your service."

    Haist? I remembered!

    "You''re the estate''s guardian?!"

    Haist Gorion, the four rank swordsman and the estate''s protector after Father. He''s always around when Father travels a lot, guarding the estate in his absence.

    "Yes," he replied, his tone devoid of any pride.

    I glanced at him from head to toe. After seeing the sword strapped to his waist, a spark ignited in my mind.

    Hadn''t I just been thinking about an alternative to magic earlier?

    Yes! I could just learn swordsmanship instead!

    "Sir Haist, right? Teach me swordsmanship, please!"

    His lips parted slightly, and his brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded and said, "Follow me."

    Perfect! He didn''t refuse me.

    We went to the training hall on the estate grounds.

    It was a large grassy field equipped with wooden dummies and practice swords.

    I held a sword in my hand, it was heavy and solid. My soft hands struggled to grip the hilt properly.

    I tried swinging it a bit, and suddenly, I felt as if I''d found the missing piece of myself.

    This is¡­comforting. It''s strange but familiar, like Mom.

    "The test is simple. Try to hit me, and I''ll judge you myself," Haist said, readying himself with a wooden sword.

    "Alright, attack whenever you''re ready."

    I leaped at him, and immediately, I felt my body become lighter.

    "Clang!!"

    Hahaha, this is amazing!

    I didn''t even feel the weight of the wooden sword anymore. I swung it in several strong, swift arcs! With just a slight swing, I could gather great momentum.

    I jumped back, crouched slightly, and positioned the sword horizontally behind my back. Then I dashed forward again!

    Haist raised his sword slightly, prepared to block my strike.

    But I wasn''t going to make it that easy. I''d attack multiple times! The sword suddenly felt weightless, so I was confident I could manage.

    "Clang!"

    "Clang!"

    "Clang!"

    Damn it! I tried hitting him from different angles quickly, but he blocked them all! His sword was unbelievably fast!

    "No, not yet."

    I jumped and tried striking from the front, but as my wooden sword clashed with Haist''s¡­

    ¡­It broke!

    "No!"

    I felt his sword coming toward me. No, I couldn''t see it, but I could feel it.

    It was fast! Way too fast!

    I got hit on the head by Haist''s sword and fell to the ground, nearly losing consciousness.

    Damn it! Swordsmen are powerful! One day, I''ll defeat him.

 13 - Sword Genius!

    Third-Person Perspective

    Haist Gorion stood silently, staring at the young girl lying on the ground before him.

    He was in shock.

    For a long while, he didn''t say a word.

    Finally, a single word escaped his lips: "Monster."

    It was the only word he could think of to describe Mizuki.

    This noble girl, who had never wielded a sword or touched a weapon in her life, had made him question the years he had spent mastering the blade. Her instincts were nothing short of extraordinary.

    In their brief exchange, she had already prepared counterattacks, anticipating his responses to her previous strikes.

    What astonished him even more was how, just moments ago, she could barely grip the sword properly. Yet now, her weapon lay shattered after unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks and parries.

    "What was that barrage of strikes?"

    The combination of sword strikes she had used would take years of disciplined training to master, requiring strong muscles and endurance.

    Haist was 38 years old and had seen much in his life. Though not the most experienced, he was considered talented in swordsmanship.

    He had left home at fifteen, trained rigorously under his master, and achieved mastery by age 25. He had Sword Aura at 25 and reached four rank at 30. Even in the Western Continent, he would be regarded as exceptional.

    And yet, seeing this young girl with her raven-black hair and monstrous talent made his entire journey feel like a joke.

    "Hahahaha." Haist burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the empty training hall.

    "Ah, Verdi¡­ Verdi, why are you so lucky?" he muttered, shaking his head helplessly with a smile.

    He made a firm decision then and there: he would teach this girl everything he knew.

    >Verdi''s Study

    "Come in."

    The stern voice resonated through the room.

    The door creaked open, and Haist stepped in. Verdi''s expression was firm and strict at first, but upon seeing Haist, he relaxed. "Oh, it''s you? Tsk, no need for formality; you can just walk in."

    Haist ignored Verdi''s casual tone. Sitting on the couch, he rubbed his temples and asked, "Do you think I''ve waited too long to have children?"

    Verdi nearly spat out his tea.

    He stared at Haist incredulously and, with a worried tone, said, "Haist, are you alright? Are you¡­dealing with a midlife crisis? You don''t look¡ª"

    Sensing danger, Verdi ducked his head quickly.

    "Whoosh!"

    "Crash!"

    A thick black book from the desk flew past Verdi, shattering the window behind him. The book grazed his hair, leaving a faint warmth on his scalp.

    "Man! You''re no fun these days; there''s no need to be so serious!" Verdi exclaimed, rubbing his head in pain. If he hadn''t lowered his head in time, the book would have at least broken his nose.

    A giant yellow hand materialized behind him, blocking the shards of glass from falling on him. The hand then started cleaning up the broken window.

    "Answer me. Do you think I''ve waited too long to have kids?"

    Verdi was puzzled but eventually answered.

    "Why would you even ask that? You''re still in your prime! Unless you''ve been swinging your sword so much it''s¡ª" Verdi stopped mid-sentence as he noticed another book twitching out of the corner of his eye.

    "Ah, if I got married now, do you think I''d have a daughter like yours?"

    Verdi: "???"

    Verdi went silent, feeling a sharp pang in his chest. He had no idea what was going on with Haist today. Looking at his friend, Verdi felt a strange sense of unease. Asking himself:''Has he trained so much that his sword replaced his brain?''

    "Did Mizuki do something?"

    "Did she do something? She didn''t just do something, this girl is a monster! Her talent in sword path is the greatest I''ve ever seen."

    "Mizuki?" Verdi mumbled, visibly shocked.

    "I''ve made up my mind." Haist looked Verdi in the eye and declared, "I''ll make her my successor."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Verdi thought for a moment. Mizuki must have done something extraordinary. He was curious.

    "What exactly did Mizuki do to leave you like this?"

    Haist sighed.

    "This afternoon, your daughter came to me and asked me to be her teacher and teach her swordsmanship. She was incredibly direct about it, with a look on her face that reminded me of Claude when he tried to recruit me to his team for the first time."

    Verdi chuckled at the memory from 12 years ago. Knowing Mizuki''s personality, it wasn''t surprising she would do such a thing.

    "I agreed and didn''t refuse. After all, I have to give you some face. Besides, she seemed promising because of her overconfidence, it wasn''t arrogance stemming from her noble status, but from within herself."

    "How did it go? It seems like she impressed you regardless."

    "¡­She was brilliant."

    Haist spoke with difficulty, his face a mix of complex emotions but steady determination.

    "Her initial stance was solid¡ªnot the clumsy randomness of someone picking up a sword for the first time. As we exchanged blows, she seemed awkward at first. Then, it was as if she got used to the ''sword.'' Her rhythm changed. Her swings became faster, and her muscles adapted. Within minutes, her swordsmanship was entirely different from when she started."

    "What happened in the end? I don''t see Mizuki here either, did she pass out from exhaustion?" Verdi guessed.

    A faint red blush of embarrassment appeared on Haist''s otherwise stoic face.

    "¡­I got a little carried away during the sparring and accidentally knocked her unconscious. My apologies for that. It''s been a while since I''ve had a proper sword duel."

    Hearing Haist''s apologetic tone, Verdi itched to tease him but knew his old friend wasn''t in the mood for jokes.

    Verdi fell silent, deep in thought.

    Hearing this story filled him with worry but also overwhelming joy.

    He was proud - immensely so.

    After careful thought and reflection, Verdi couldn''t shake his concerns for Mizuki. This world was harsh and unjust.

    Verdi understands it. While Mizuki''s noble status and his protection were shields for now, Verdi knew these safeguards were temporary. The world lacked no shortage of predators who would exploit any weakness. And one day, Mizuki might find herself beyond his reach.

    Mizuki was a proud person.

    Verdi recognized his daughter''s nature; she mirrored him in many ways.

    Someone like her would never accept a life of perpetual protection. She would demand independence, even if it came at a cost.

    That was why Verdi wanted his daughter to grow strong.

    Strong enough to protect her pride.

    Strong enough to live life on her own terms and find her purpose.

    Strong enough to no longer rely on his protection.

    If Mizuki could achieve that, Verdi would know no greater pride.

    The room was quiet. Haist, for reasons he couldn''t entirely explain, felt a subtle tension in the air.

    "...As the heir to the first division of the ''Raging River Sword School,'' you''re required to choose at least one successor, correct?" Verdi broke the silence.

    "That''s right," Haist confirmed with a firm nod.

    "And you believe Mizuki is talented and suitable enough to inherit your legacy?"

    Haist fell into deep thought, replaying the events of the day in his mind. When he recalled the fierce determination in Mizuki''s eyes, he knew he wouldn''t regret his decision.

    "Yes," Haist said with conviction. "I trust my judgment."

    "Good," Verdi smiled. "I understand your decision, and I believe Mizuki will become an exceptional swordswoman under your guidance. However..."

    "The answer is no!" Verdi abruptly declared.

    "Alright, I''ll start her training imm¡ªwait, what? Did you just refuse?" Haist''s tone shifted to incredulous disbelief.

    "That''s correct! Did you assume I''d simply agree?" Verdi chuckled, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

    The tea''s rich aroma filled the air, and Verdi exhaled in satisfaction. "Ah, the tea here is truly delightful. I think I''ll give the palace chef a bounce."

    "Why?" Haist''s brows furrowed.

    "Why what?" Verdi smirked, clearly enjoying the playful tension.

    "Why are you refusing?"

    Seeing Haist''s exasperation, Verdi raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No need to get worked up, Haist. I was just teasing."

    "Then I can take her on as my student?"

    "No!" Verdi refused once more, this time with a wide grin.

    "You!" Haist''s temples throbbed, the veins on his forehead becoming more pronounced. He was moments away from drawing his sword when Verdi hastily explained.

    "Calm down! Mizuki really can''t be your student. It''s just not possible."

    "Why not?" Haist demanded, his expression darkening.

    "Are you afraid of exposing her to the dangers of the second division? Those are minor risks. Or are you simply being an overprotective father?"

    "Yes, as her father, I naturally worry about her safety," Verdi admitted. "But that''s not my primary reason."

    Verdi sighed heavily, his gaze shifting to the ceiling. "Mizuki can''t use mana. She''s an ordinary human."

    "What?" Haist blinked, unable to process the revelation.

    "Did I mishear? Did you just say she''s an ordinary human?"

    "That''s correct," Verdi confirmed, his tone laced with resignation.

    A heavy silence enveloped the room.

    "Fate is fair, isn''t it?" Haist murmured, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Such immense talent... but no mana."

    To Haist, Mizuki was a rare prodigy, one in a million. But without the ability to wield mana, could she truly inherit his legacy?

    "You see?" Verdi said, his pain evident in his voice. "She can''t."

    Haist took a deep breath and shook his head. "I''m still determined. I want her as my successor. If that''s your only reason for refusal, then I reject it."

    Verdi wasn''t surprised by Haist''s persistence. He knew his old friend well, once Haist made a decision, he wouldn''t back down.

    "Are you certain about this?" Verdi asked.

    "I am."

    "Very well," Verdi conceded. "As her father, I officially appoint you, Haist Gorion, as her master. In doing so, I have one request for you."

    "Speak," Haist said firmly.

    Looking Haist directly in the eyes, Verdi''s expression turned serious, his usual playful demeanor fading.

    "Will you protect Mizuki? If something happens to me, can I entrust her to you?"

    Haist was taken aback by the weight of Verdi''s words.

    "Verdi, you''ve said plenty of dumb things before, but this... this is the dumbest yet," Haist replied, his voice steady.

    Verdi''s heart sank. "So you''re saying no?"

    "Of course not, you idiot," Haist shot back, exasperated. "Why are you even worried about this?"

    Haist leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window at the garden. "Mizuki or anyone else in this palace - I must protect them all. You don''t need to ask me to do what I''m already committed to. So stop worrying, Verdi. You''re not alone in this."

    Relief washed over Verdi, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I''m such a fool for not realizing that sooner," he admitted with a smile.

    At that moment, Haist appeared almost radiana steadfast ally and irreplaceable friend.

    "Since you''ve taken Mizuki under your wing," Verdi added with a sly grin, "why not take Arai as well? I doubt their talents are far apart."

    Haist''s interest was piqued. "Arai? Your younger son, right?"

    His lips twitched with excitement, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "Where is he? Let me test him. If he''s not as gifted as his sister, then he''s not worth my time."

    "Oh, come on. Drop the indifferent act. I''ve already tried sending him to you before, but the little rascal managed to avoid it. You''ll find Arai in the¡ª"

    Verdi stopped mid-sentence.

    He glanced at the seat across from him and laughed.

    Haist was already gone.

 14 - Birthday

    Arai''s Perspective

    Ah, Mizuki can''t use mana.

    She failed at the awakening rite.

    I don''t know why, but it worries me.

    She''ll be fine, right? She won''t suffer because of this, will she? I mean, does society treat people like her differently? What''s the right word for her? I think¡­ disabled, isn''t it?

    Hmm, being unable to sense mana is strange.

    Even I could feel mana in the air around me before my first attempt at using magic.

    I asked Verdi, and he said he didn''t know what was wrong with Mizuki.

    Oh, my mother''s condition is worse too.

    She''s been sleeping a lot since that strange incident about a year ago when I saw the black specter.

    Ah, let''s not dwell on these sad topics. They stir up strange emotional feelings inside me.

    I''ve read many of the books in the palace library. I didn''t even care about the content, I just read them.

    I tried focusing on books with knowledge about magic, but unfortunately, I couldn''t find any on the topic. Verdi had hidden them all from me after my previous attempt at using magic.

    Anyway, what''s important now is that I''ve learned a little about this world.

    There''s only one continent in the world: the Western Continent.

    Currently, I live on a group of islands called the Artemis Isles, located on the western edges of the Western Continent.

    It''s the year 9980 of the New Moon Calendar. Like Earth, the year consists of 12 months.

    There are other races besides humans.

    No, there''s nothing like a cute elf or a cat-eared girl. I didn''t find much information about these other races¡ªafter all, they''re forbidden from entering the isles! At least, that''s what I read in one of the books.

    This ban stems from an ancient treaty or something similar.

    The different races are simply: vampires, skyfolk, dwarves, spirits, and elves.

    Vampires, as I understand them, are those elegant, human-like creatures who enjoy drinking blood under the full moon. As for the skyfolk, they are exceedingly rare. They''re humans with wings on their backs¡ªin other words, bird-like humans without beaks or talons.

    I read in a fictional story that they are extraordinarily beautiful with a heightened sense of aesthetics and grace.

    Meanwhile, the dwarves are the legendary blacksmiths coveted by all for their unmatched crafting skills - typical trope. I didn''t find much about the spirits, only that they are proud beings residing in the ''Spirit Realm'' and can only be summoned through special magical tools, contracts, or even secret magical rituals.

    As for the elves, they''re closer to myth. I don''t even know why.

    After some deep thought, I made a firm decision within myself.

    I will run away! To hell with these isles and this kingdom.

    Verdi mentioned that the Western Continent is dangerous yet full of opportunities.

    But these isles? Three small islands were fought over by useless kingdoms with no purpose.

    I closed the book.

    "Hmm, Mizuki, what are you planning to do in the future?"

    Reclining against the trunk of a tree, I asked the black-haired girl who was swinging her sword like a pro in front of me.

    This girl, my older sister Mizuki, had started learning swordsmanship a few months ago.

    "Huh? Why are you asking that out of the blue?" Mizuki didn''t stop swinging her sword and replied, "I don''t know, but I don''t plan on leaving Mom and Dad. Besides, I can''t use mana, so I''d probably die if I ventured out."This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Her tone sounded accepting of the reality.

    Such strong acceptance of oneself, it would take a normal child years to achieve this level of peace.

    "Arai, what about you? I''m sure you''ll either run away from the palace or bury yourself in a sea of books," Mizuki teased with smugness.

    "Do you think so? That''s unfair to me. I''ll work hard and inherit Father''s position and responsibilities," I replied with innocence and sincerity.

    Run away from the palace, huh? Tsk, is it that obvious? Still, even I have the right to escape!

    "Oh, right! Your fifth birthday is coming up in two years and a few months. Get ready, Father says he''s prepared a ''wonderful'' gift for you."

    A wonderful gift? I don''t believe that for a second. Just look at that smirk on her face. I''d be a fool to trust it.

    Hmph, it seems something unpleasant awaits me at this ominous birthday party.

    Ugh, how annoying. This party will make me sick.

    I hate social gatherings.

    I hate them!!

    ...

    Third-Person Perspective

    N.M 9982/1/1

    The orange plasma orb rose in the sky, heralding the dawn of a new day.

    The breeze was warm, invigorating everyone it touched.

    "Hey, you! Arrange those ribbons neatly!"

    "You there! There''s dust here, clean it until it shines!"

    "And you! Your clothes are a mess. Do you intend to humiliate our mansion?!"

    The Rolan Duchy Palace buzzed with activity, the sound of bustling servants echoing through every corner.

    Today marked one of the most significant events in the palace.

    Why?

    Because it was Arai''s fifth birthday celebration!

    This day was monumental, not just because it marked the young master''s birthday, but also because, in the Loclover Kingdom, birthdays were only celebrated five times in one''s life: at the age of awakening; five; at fifteen; twenty-five; forty-five; and finally, on the day of their death!

    But why was this particular birthday considered so crucial?

    It was Arai''s first public debut!

    Nearly all the nobility of the kingdom was expected to attend. Some speculated that a prince or even the king himself might grace the event, owing to the contributions and prestige of the Roland family.

    At Mizuki''s fifth birthday, a few nobles had come to offer congratulations, but the number was nothing compared to the turnout expected for Arai''s celebration. To call those past visitors "suitors" rather than "guests" would have been more accurate.

    After all, the one who would inherit the duchy and the prestigious Roland title was Arai, as the male heir, not Mizuki. Being the Duke''s daughter, Mizuki would receive a moderate allowance, some lands owned by the duchy, and a noble status upon Verdi''s death.

    Naturally, some coveted such assets. Moreover, marrying Mizuki presented a golden opportunity to establish familial ties with the powerful Rolan Duchy.

    A union with her killed two birds with one stone!

    Gazing at the ceiling, Mizuki sighed wearily and muttered melancholicly, "The responsibilities of nobility are so exhausting¡­"

    Arai didn''t respond, but he silently agreed.

    He stood with his arms stretched out to the sides as a swarm of servants surrounded him, each with a specific task. Some styled his hair, others adjusted his clothing, and so on.

    Arai was dressed in a crisp white shirt with a black necktie, black trousers, and a pair of long gray socks. Contrasting him, Mizuki wore an entirely black dress adorned with silver floral patterns and black feathers at its edges. A small black hat perched atop her head.

    Her current attire accentuated her beauty magnificently.

    Both Arai and Mizuki were worn out from the repetitive nonsense involved in preparing for the event.

    Verdi didn''t join them but shared their distaste for the ordeal.

    Dance lessons¡­ etiquette training¡­ hunting skills¡­ No, not the metaphorical type of "hunting," but actual animal hunting!

    Arai had no desire to mingle with those aristocratic nobles.

    He''d had his fill of flattery and empty courtesies in his past life as the heir to a technology conglomerate and the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Participating in the banquet wasn''t something he wanted, but he had no choice. He needed to present himself as a proper "nobleman."

    After all, being born as a high-ranking noble wasn''t the worst fate one could have.

    ...

    "Arai, no matter what happens, do not align yourself with any faction in the struggle for the throne! The king may come with one of the princes. If that prince tries to lure you into his faction, refuse him without hesitation, but of course with diplomacy!"

    "Our family is neutral in these matters. Remember that!"

    Verdi warned in a stern tone.

    "You''re a smart child, so I trust you''ll understand."

    ''As if I want to become a political pawn¡­'' Arai shook his head internally but displayed a resolute expression and replied, "Yes!"

    "Good."

    Verdi gave a quick nod before turning to Mizuki. "Mizuki, if any of those spoiled brats try to force anything on you, you''re free to deal with them however you see fit."

    "After all, the honor of the Rolan name cannot be violated so easily! Let Arai or me know if you can''t handle it yourself."

    "Hmph! I''d like to see anyone dare to lay a hand on me." Mizuki scoffed disdainfully, as though she didn''t even consider the nobles worth her time.

    Over the past three years, Mizuki hadn''t remained idle. She had decided to learn swordsmanship under Haist, the guardian of Roland Duchy.

    "Even though I cannot use magic or mana, that doesn''t mean I''ll settle for being just another spoiled noble, right?"

    That was Mizuki''s way of thinking.

    After training with Haist for some time, Mizuki demonstrated immense talent in swordsmanship, especially with her fluid and unpredictable movements. Her attacks were swift and almost impossible to anticipate.

    "Such incredible talent, yet no mana? A pity, a true pity..." Even Haist couldn''t maintain his usual calm in the face of Mizuki''s skills.

    The strangest part was her uncanny ability to conceal herself and her extraordinary agility, qualities that went beyond normal human limits. Because of this, Arai became certain that their mother''s origins were far from ordinary.

    To Haist, Mizuki was a rare genius capable of reaching heights neither he nor Verdi could ever hope to achieve.

    One year ago, Arai failed miserably in Haist''s test. But out of respect for his long-standing friendship with Verdi, Haist decided to give him another chance after the Awakening rite.

 15 - Annoying Nobles

    Arai''s Perspective

    A birthday, huh? Everyone in the manor seems overly excited.

    I didn''t place much importance on it. I just saw it as a good opportunity to broaden my horizons.

    What I found most unfortunate was that my mother; Kuyomi, wouldn''t be present. She was still asleep.

    Asleep? That''s not entirely accurate. The proper term would be "comatose." Since that day, my mother had been sleeping excessively, and for the past year, she had been sleeping for months at a time.

    This made me suspicious. I tried asking the manor''s servants about her origins, but none of them knew.

    She wasn''t some captive from another country or anything of the sort.

    When I searched for information about the East in the library, I couldn''t find anything significant¡ªonly vague mentions of an unknown continent. Even when Verdi brought in mages for her treatment, none of them could perform a proper diagnosis, let alone cure her.

    ("Mana dissipates as soon as it enters her body, which is why we can''t identify the problem or find a solution.")

    They all said the same thing. Tsk. Isn''t that just their incompetence speaking?

    At any rate, with options running out, Verdi decided to return to the Western Continent, where the level of mages was supposedly far superior, or so I''d heard.

    Oh, I also heard that Verdi secretly snuck out of the manor years ago, hitching a ride on a trade ship to the Western Continent.

    He didn''t return to the manor for a very long time! Hmm, seems like I''m not the only one with an aversion to nobility.

    That''s amusing.

    Don''t worry, Verdi; you can keep the title of duke forever! You don''t want it, and neither do I, but you''re stuck with it.

    As for me? I''m running away! No matter what happens, I refuse to live in this tiny kingdom.

    "Young master, the guests will be arriving soon."

    "Alright, I''ll be down shortly."

    I closed the book I was reading and walked over to the mirror to double-check my appearance one last time.

    "Truly handsome..."

    I sighed while staring at my reflection. Unlike my slightly above-average looks in my previous life, my current genes are exceptional! Whether it was the golden hair I inherited from Verdi or the silver-gray eyes I got from my mother, the combination was perfectly harmonious.

    "Ah... being this striking is inevitable in this life..."

    I couldn''t help but chuckle while looking at my reflection.

    "What was that saying again? Oh, right¡ª''Mirror, mirror on the wall... who''s the fairest of them all?''"

    Alright, alright, I admit I''ve become a bit too vain, but confidence is a good thing, isn''t it?

    "What are you doing? The guests could arrive any minute!"

    Mizuki, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, smacked me on the head, interrupting my preening session in front of the mirror. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed me and dragged me downstairs to the main hall.

    "You didn''t have to do that... I can go down on my own!"

    Mizuki completely ignored my complaints and continued tugging on my short hair with force.

    It hurt.

    Hmm? Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a ripple in the mirror just now.

    "Pain must be getting to me..."

    Moments after Arai left the room, a faint white ripple appeared on the surface of the mirror.

    "Hm? No one''s here? I could have sworn I heard a summoning..."

    "Was it my imagination? What a pity... But strange! I swear I heard an invocation!"

    With those words, the ripple quickly vanished, as though it had never existed.

    ...

    Rolan Manor, Main Hall.

    The guests arrived gradually, ranging from lower-ranking nobles to higher ones as time went on.

    The main hall was lavishly decorated, and filled with various foods, desserts, and drinks. Gas lamps illuminated the room, casting a warm glow over the extravagant setting. More guests showed up than expected, but fortunately, the manor was large enough to accommodate them all.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    As the star of the day, I wasn''t required to do much until the main event began. My duties were limited to greeting a few guests personally and waving politely at the others.

    Mizuki, on the other hand, had to entertain all the female guests in attendance. Since Mother was unable to attend due to her condition, the role of "hostess" fell upon Mizuki''s shoulders.

    Honestly, Mizuki surpassed me in many ways, despite being just an eight-year-old child. She was a true prodigy. I held immense respect for her and trusted that she would manage things well enough.

    I glanced at the growing pile of gifts accumulating in my corner. Wow, it was enough to support an average person for an entire year.

    With nothing else to do, I decided to wander around the hall.

    "Happy birthday, young master! Wishing you a long life and¡ª"

    "Young lord, you shine as brightly as a star in the night sky¡ª"

    "My lord, your future is undoubtedly dazzling-"

    Ugh. These people were everywhere, weren''t they? If not for my prior life experience with this kind of nonsense, I might have thrown up by now.

    Honestly, it was disgusting. Why were these nobles so intent on flattering me? Did they think I''d form a favorable opinion of them, paving the way for easy benefits? Bah, what nonsense.

    I couldn''t grasp their mindset, having always been in a position of privilege, but one thing was certain:

    ''I will never grovel or fawn over someone to please them!'' Even if I fell from this noble standing to the slums, I wouldn''t do it.

    To me, it was a matter of pride and dignity.

    I know it''s a foolish principle, but so what? That''s my way of living, and it''s nobody''s business but mine.

    Family, friends, and banter, of course, were exceptions to this rule.

    Ignoring the sycophantic nobles, I turned my gaze toward the entrance.

    A nobleman of ducal rank entered with his daughter, a countess.

    "..."

    Who was this lady? She was breathtakingly beautiful.

    The countess who entered wore a pale blue, floor-length dress paired with a short matching hat. Her facial features were delicate, complemented by a small nose and striking silver-gray hair.

    Hmm. After my mother, this might be the most beautiful woman I''ve ever seen.

    Her beauty rivaled that of top models from my previous life¡ªno, surpassed them because her allure was entirely natural.

    "That''s Countess Eliana! Daughter of Duke Gustav!"

    "She was once engaged to Lord Verdi! What a fool he is to have let her go!"

    "Lord Verdi''s former fianc¨¦e? Are you saying he broke off the engagement?"

    "Don''t you know? After Verdi disappeared for ten years, the previous lord annulled the engagement, fearing he might never return! What a waste for Lord Verdi!"

    Tsk tsk, what a pity.

    I was left speechless.

    Even though these were whispers, they didn''t escape my sharp ears.

    Man, what kind of luck does Verdi have?

    To think he once had a fianc¨¦e like her¡ªwho was also a duke''s daughter!

    In this kingdom, there were three duchies: Masaik, Rolan, and Kaharat.

    Among the three, the Roland family specialized in military affairs, the Masaik family in trade, and the Kaharat family in royal court and palace security matters.

    In other words, Verdi was on the verge of marrying the daughter of a wealthy merchant!

    Oh, now that I''m the heir, they might announce my betrothal at this very event.

    I''m almost certain of it. As a noble, having one''s fianc¨¦e decided early was a common expectation.

    Could this be the "wonderful gift" Mizuki mentioned? Meh, I don''t care.

    ...

    Mizuki''s Perspective

    Alright, since Mother is asleep, I have to handle this.

    I have to play hostess to the ladies at the party.

    Damn it! I really don''t want to do this.

    Look at this sly fox and her cronies, chattering and gossiping with their fake smiles.

    But as Arai once said, when people talk nonsense, it usually means they have a goal.

    "Miss Mizuki, have you thought about marriage? I think my son would be an excellent candidate."

    "Yes, Lady Mizuki, what do you think about it?"

    The surrounding women chuckled, their fake laughter grating on my nerves. After all their beating around the bush, they''d finally come to the point.

    Normally, I would bluntly refuse without hesitation, but today I carried the responsibility of being the "hostess" in Mother''s absence. So, I had to consider the implications of everything I said.

    I couldn''t afford to be reckless.

    I laughed politely and said, "Lady Tris, what are you saying? I''m still a little girl, not even ten years old yet!"

    "I think marriage is still a distant matter for me. I haven''t thought about it much, but I''ll follow whatever my father decides."

    Marriage, huh?

    "But, Miss Mizuki, I heard you¡­ lack mana? Without it, you won''t be able to find a suitable husband!"

    Ah, so they''re using that tactic now.

    She must be thinking, "Marrying my son would be an honor for her."

    Arai''s lessons had their merits, after all.

    Normally, I''d have been flustered by such a jab, but since Arai predicted they''d say something along these lines, I wasn''t fazed.

    I wanted to retort, but before I could open my mouth, a beautiful, angry voice interrupted.

    "Crinvola Barton! Who do you think you are to bully a little girl?"

    Hmm? I turned around and saw a stunning woman in a sky-blue gown with silver-gray hair and golden eyes.

    Wow, she''s gorgeous.

    "Countess Eliana!" Barton staggered back, her tone suddenly submissive. "Miss Eliana, we were just joking a little! We were simply exchanging pleasantries with this young lady, isn''t that right?"

    "Bah, what nonsense." My anger flared. "Why lie, huh? Didn''t you just try to force me into marrying your son? Where did all that confidence of yours go?"

    Ah, I lost my composure for a moment.

    I think Arai once told me not to let conversations escalate and never to lose my cool. Something about giving them face as a way to command respect¡­? Tsk, this noblewoman doesn''t care anymore.

    Barton and her cronies wore ugly expressions, while Miss Eliana laughed lightly.

    "You¡ª!"

    Barton pointed at me in anger, but quickly realized her mistake and withdrew her hand.

    Good choice, lady. I was about to break that finger, but you saved yourself just in time.

    They all scurried away with flimsy excuses.

    Eliana looked at me and said, "Young lady, they might seek revenge later. Are you sure you shouldn''t restrain them?"

    "According to my little brother, people like that are like pests. No matter how much you insult or discipline them, they''ll just keep coming back." I shrugged, finally understanding what Arai meant.

    Anyway, I''m the daughter of a duke, and they''re just common nobles!

    "Oh?" Eliana smiled. "It seems you have a very wise brother."

    "At any rate, I''m sorry I couldn''t attend your birthday celebration a few years ago; I was quite busy at the time!"

    "Eh?" I was confused. I didn''t care much about my birthday, but who was this woman?

    "As compensation¡­" Eliana pulled out a beautiful silver bracelet and clasped it around my wrist.

    "This¡­?"

    "Well, our families are very close! No need for formalities."

    Huh¡­? I didn''t understand a thing that just happened.

 16 - Artifact and Magical Tools

    The Loclover Kingdom was established over a thousand years ago, with the ruling family being the Blue Clover Family ¨C the Loclover dynasty.

    The kingdom was exceptionally stable and powerful, having remained unshaken throughout the centuries. Despite its small size compared to neighboring kingdoms, even the surrounding islands couldn''t destabilize its rule.

    The current king, Lanoville Loclover, was known for his wisdom and shrewdness.

    While recalling these facts about the kingdom and its royal family, the royal delegation arrived at the celebration. To my surprise, three members attended:

    A middle-aged man wearing a silver crown. A boy who seemed around fifteen years old. A young girl, probably seven or eight, with braided hair.

    They all shared two striking features: dark pink hair and ocean-blue eyes.

    As soon as they entered, everyone in the hall bowed deeply.

    "We greet the royal family!"

    King Lanoville chuckled and waved his hand with a smile:

    "No need for formalities! Let''s enjoy the party."

    That was the expected response. "Displaying humility before the people" ¨C a classic way to leave a good impression without diminishing one''s royal aura.

    Both my father, Verdi, and I bowed as well, and then the king and my father started a quiet conversation.

    Judging by their ages, Lanoville seemed to be in his late forties, while Gustav ¨C Countess Eliana''s father ¨C appeared to be nearing his sixties. My father, Verdi, was the youngest duke in the kingdom.

    As Verdi and King Lanoville talked, I turned my attention to the royal family members.

    Lanoville Loclover:

    His dark pink hair was neatly styled, and his face bore the mature features of a middle-aged man. His thick beard enhanced his regal appearance, while he adorned several rings set with gemstones.

    Despite his elegance, he exuded a certain modesty, coupled with an unmistakable royal and commanding presence.

    Prince Greed:

    A fifteen-year-old wearing a fully chestnut-colored suit. His golden sword was an eye-catching accessory hanging from his belt, and he donned a small silver crown on his head.

    But what stood out most was his arrogant expression; his face radiated overconfidence.

    I don''t know why, but I disliked him at first glance. He looks like those young masters.

    And the last Princess Lilith, She hid behind Prince Greed. Her sky-blue dress was adorned with white embroidery, and her dark pink hair was intricately braided.

    "Shy, isn''t she?"

    Suddenly, I noticed her stealing glances at me every now and then. When I waved at her, her face immediately turned red, and she quickly hid further behind Prince Greed.

    "Huh?"

    Those days kids.

    Prince Greed noticed this interaction and shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He didn''t seem entirely pleased, but he wasn''t overly annoyed either.

    Anyway, the party will begin soon. It''s time for me to step onto the stage.

    Third-Person Perspective

    Holding a golden-rimmed glass, Verdi scanned the room, his sharp eyes sweeping across the elegantly dressed nobles who filled the hall. A confident yet welcoming smile played on his lips as he raised his voice, addressing the assembly:

    "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for taking the time to join us tonight. Your presence truly honors us, and it brings me great joy to welcome you all to this celebration."

    His voice carried both the authority of his rank and the warmth of a host eager to share this special occasion. The room fell silent, all ears tuned to the words of the youngest duke in the kingdom, a man as formidable in his duties as he was in his charm.

    "Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Roland family," Verdi continued, his tone growing more solemn. "For today, we gather to celebrate the fifth birthday of my beloved son, Arai."

    His words carried weight, for in this kingdom, the fifth birthday was no ordinary occasion. It signified not just another year of life but the formal introduction of a noble child to society, a rite of passage that carried implications for their future standing.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Verdi paused briefly, allowing the gravity of his words to settle over the crowd. Then, with a proud and booming voice, he declared:

    "My son and future heir, I wish you a long life filled with health, strength, and prosperity!"

    The room erupted in applause as Verdi lifted his glass high, his voice ringing out once more:

    "A toast to you all, and a toast to Arai!"

    The nobles raised their glasses in unison, echoing his toast with enthusiasm. The sound of crystal clinking together filled the air, a symphony of celebration that marked the beginning of an evening filled with feasts, laughter, and intrigue.

    Verdi''s gaze lingered on Arai, who stood beside him, dressed impeccably and carrying himself with a composed demeanor that belied his tender age. The pride in Verdi''s eyes was unmistakable. This was not just a celebration of a birthday but an acknowledgment of Arai''s position as the next in line to lead the Roland family, a responsibility that would one day rest heavily on his young shoulders.

    After the toast to Arai''s birthday, a line of nobles began forming to offer their congratulations and blessings.

    Some of them also handed over their gifts.

    After a while, it was Duke Gustav''s turn.

    Duke Gustav was a man in his mid-fifties, with a broad face, a prominent nose, and a graying beard. He wore a long blue coat and black trousers, exuding the aura of someone of noble rank.

    "Boy, my gift to you is this necklace," Duke Gustav said in a deep voice, holding out a silver pendant. "It''s called Loya''s Embrace, a magical artifact of low-tier rank three. Its effect is to provide an automatic defensive barrier in the event of an unexpected magical attack."

    "It can block four level 4 spells and even single level 5 spell before it shatters completely."

    It wasn''t surprising for Duke Gustav to offer such a remarkable treasure, given the close ties between the Roland and Masaic families.

    ''So expensive¡­ so powerful¡­'' Arai was left stunned just hearing about its effects.

    This necklace was a life-saving treasure!

    It was worth noting that the kingdom only had two fifth-tier mages and three fourth-tier mages. The necklace could shield him from one of the most potent attacks known in the kingdom!

    "What are you waiting for? Thank your Grandfather Gustav immediately," Verdi said, knocking gently on Arai''s head.

    Placing his hand over his chest, Arai bowed politely. "Arai thanks Grandfather Gustav for his generous gift."

    Hearing Arai''s gratitude, Duke Gustav laughed heartily. "If you''re truly grateful, make sure to handle your responsibilities well. Don''t be as negligent as someone else I know."

    Verdi smiled awkwardly.

    Countess Eliana was standing beside Gustav, observing Arai from head to toe before smiling.

    "Oh, seeing you up close, you do look as smart as your sister described." She tilted her head slightly and added, "As for my gift, call me your ''big sister'' first, and I''ll consider giving it to you."

    ''Tsk, are you one of those types, my lady?'' Arai glanced at Verdi for help.''You are almost an auntie!''

    Verdi merely shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say, "This is not my problem!"

    ''Seriously? How irresponsible can you be?''Arai sighed, deciding to set aside his pride.

    In a childish tone, he said, "Big sister Eliana, what''s your gift?"

    Countess Eliana, being much older than him, found his submission amusing. Even if Arai added the age from his past life, she would still be senior to him.

    She gently patted his head, a satisfied smile forming on her face. "Good boy! Since you''re so polite, your big sister Eliana will give you this."

    From the pocket of her gown, Eliana pulled out a golden ring adorned with a crimson gemstone. Inside the gemstone, a red liquid swirled like a serpent. The ring exuded an ancient, majestic vibe, radiating a faint, warm aura.

    "This¡­?"

    Before Arai could ask, Verdi''s voice rang out in surprise, "An artifact!"

    "An artifact?" Arai mumbled, perplexed. "What''s the difference between an artifact and a magical tool?"

    Despite reading many books in the library, this term was unfamiliar to him.

    "Of course, there''s a difference!" Verdi explained, looking at his son. "Magical tools don''t have significant offensive power and are primarily used for various support functions, such as sending messages across distances or assisting in magical training."

    "Artifacts, on the other hand, are crafted from the remains of mages or specialized for combat, defense, and similar purposes."

    "In term, while magical tools serve auxiliary roles, artifacts possess combat or defensive capabilities."

    "Artifacts also tend to have a variety of abilities, unlike magical tools that are limited to support. However, both follow the same ranking system from [4 to 0], based on their strength."

    "I see!" Arai nodded, finally understanding the distinction.

    Simply put, magical tools were "gadgets," while artifacts were "weapons."

    "So, what''s the ability of this artifact?"

    "Don''t cry from the shock!" Eliana said with a proud expression. "Its name is Lasca''s Ring, an upper-tier rank-4 artifact. Its ability is to raise the level of any spell by one level!"

    "Of course, this enhancement only applies to spells of level 3 or lower. Additionally, the ring has a five-minute cooldown after each use, which increases with higher-tier spells. However, zero-level spells have no cooldown at all."

    Verdi, upon hearing the artifact''s limitations, lost interest. He had initially planned to borrow the ring until Arai became skilled enough to use it. Naturally, he had no intention of returning it once he claimed it.

    Although Verdi was a fifth-tier mage, he only possessed one artifact, which wasn''t particularly useful in combat.

    Arai, on the other hand, was stunned.

    The artifact''s ability was¡­ incredible!

    An effect that could upgrade spell tiers? That essentially meant he could dominate any mage of the same rank with this ring. It was a doubling effect in practice!

    ''This aunt gives such amazing gifts¡­'' Arai thought to himself gratefully.

    Suddenly, Arai felt thankful for being born a noble. Nobility granted access to treasures like this without effort. Most reincarnated protagonists had to live in poverty and steal weapons or tools from entitled young masters. Here, Arai got his treasure handed to him for free.

    ''Perhaps I''m the young master those reincarnators target...if I got such a good thing before the awakening rite, how about the next birthday?'' Arai chuckled at the thought.

 17 - Rolans Sun!

    Verdi, Arai, and Elliana talked for a while until it was the royal family''s turn to extend their congratulations and present their gift.

    King Lanovel stepped forward, holding the hand of the third princess, Lilith.

    Arai suddenly felt uncomfortable, as though something unpleasant was about to happen.

    "I first want to congratulate you on your glorious birthday."

    "As we always say in our kingdom:"

    "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    ''Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land?" Why does that sound like some sort of religious mantra? Oh no... Aren''t we supposed to be the ones saying such lines to the royal family?''

    ''Tsk tsk, as expected of a kingdom that revolves around a single family for survival.'' Arai finished his thoughts and bowed politely, like a well-behaved child.

    "It was meant to be announced later, but..." Lanovel suddenly grabbed Arai''s hand and placed it over Princess Lilith''s.

    He clasped their hands together and smiled.

    "A happy engagement to you both."

    "Engagement...?" Arai looked at his hand and then at the princess.

    His mind froze, his thoughts scattered for a moment.

    "Engaged to the princess? This is natural."

    "Yes, it''s the Roland family, after all. Ah, but it''s unfortunate; my daughter lost her chance to be his wife."

    "Tsk, who would even consider your daughter?"

    "Hah? Are you looking for a fight?"

    The guests murmured among themselves. For some reason, they didn''t seem too surprised by the sudden announcement of the engagement. They only showed a bit of regret before extending their congratulations to the future couple.

    Standing near Verdi, Arai''s previously calm face turned dark, as though he''d just received the worst news imaginable.

    ''Engaged? The princess as my fianc¨¦e?'' Looking at the shy and delicate girl next to him, Arai almost wanted to jump out of the castle to escape.

    The princess, on the other hand, seemed completely submissive and accepting of the situation.

    To Arai, having a fianc¨¦e wasn''t the issue, he was a noble, after all. He had expected this for a long time. But the problem was that she was a princess!

    This realization alone led him to conclude several things:

    His dream of running away to start his adventure was now impossible. For some reason, the royal family wanted to bind him to them. Verdi knew about this and didn''t seem to mind. His responsibilities had just significantly increased. And again, he could no longer run away to begin his adventure!

    Arai glared at Verdi with deep resentment, his eyes nearly burning holes into him.

    Years ago, when Verdi escaped from the castle, he had been engaged to Countess Elliana. Because of his disappearance, the engagement had been indefinitely postponed. Eventually, Verdi''s father canceled the engagement, compensating the Masaik Duchy with some lands and other reparations since Verdi''s fate¡ªlife or death¡ªwas unknown.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    But now!

    Arai couldn''t do the same. This involved the royal family''s reputation! The consequences of his escape would be something even his family would pay a heavy price to rectify.

    ''Ah, why me?''Arai cursed his wretched luck.

    Why him, of all people?

    Ignoring Arai''s misery, Verdi raised his glass high and laughed: "A toast to my son''s birthday! And to his engagement!"

    Duke Gustav also raised his glass and declared, "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    King Lanovel didn''t remain silent either, echoing, "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    "Let the sun of Rolan illuminate the land!"

    The guests repeated the chant loudly, followed by the clinking of glasses.

    ''Glory? Future general? Sun? I wonder what they would think if they knew I was planning to run away...'' Arai left the area, unwilling to dwell on the subject. He quickly brushed the matter aside.

    Looking at the drinks on the table, he felt a pang of sadness.

    ''No coffee!'' Arai almost cried when he discovered this for the first time.

    Coffee? Such a drink didn''t exist in the Kingdom of Loculfer!

    "Hmm? What is our little star thinking about?"

    "What do you think? Did you like the wonderful gift? Hahaha."

    At some point, Mizuki approached Arai, holding the hand of a small girl.

    The small girl was none other than Princess Lilith!

    "Don''t call me by such an embarrassing title!" Arai frowned and turned to look at Mizuki. However, upon seeing the princess, his calm expression turned to anger.

    "Oh? Could it be you''re shy about having a fianc¨¦e? My goodness! To think you could feel such emotions!" Seeing Arai''s dark expression, Mizuki seized the chance to mock him.

    Arai, who always buried his nose in books and rarely showed any reaction over the past five years, was a perfect target for Mizuki''s teasing. She wanted to shatter her brother''s cold facade!

    Ignoring Mizuki''s taunts, Arai forced a wry smile.

    He placed his hand on his chest and said, "Arai Roland greets the Third Princess. How may I assist Your Highness?"

    If he could, Arai wouldn''t interact with her at all. Harsh as it might seem, it was for both their sakes.

    Arai still had no intention of being tied down within the kingdom for his reasons. Moreover, sooner or later, he would have to venture out to search for the fabled "Nine Lives Cat." Therefore, he needed to establish a clear boundary.

    And most importantly, he simply wasn''t interested in a seven-year-old girl. He was a respectable man! Unlike some reincarnators who would spend their lives chasing after elf girls with silver hair or crazy noblewomen with red hair.

    At most, he''d treat Lilith as a younger sister, if he even interacted with her at all.

    "I-I came to...greet you."

    ''Why is she so shy?'' Arai wondered, suppressing his urge to ask.

    ''Wait! If she were to die, wouldn''t this all be resolved?'' Arai glanced at the princess with a dark look but ultimately dismissed the thought. It would be too risky!

    Unable to contain herself, Mizuki pinched Lilith''s cheeks.

    "Kyaa! Lilith, you''re so cute!"

    "P-Please don''t pinch my cheeks!" Lilith tried to resist, but it was futile.

    Lilith was a year younger than Mizuki, yet she was completely helpless before her! The sight was somewhat amusing.

    "Oh, how did it go? Did those nobles bully you?"

    "Don''t even mention it!" Mizuki fumed every time she recalled her conversations with the ladies.

    "Huh? What happened?" Arai asked, confused.

    "They wanted me to get married!" Mizuki snapped. "Hmph! Can you believe it? They wanted to marry me off to a bunch of spoiled nobles!"

    ''Isn''t the girl next to you also a spoiled noble?'' Arai said, "Does it matter? Just hit them. If anyone dares to chase after you, just hit them."

    Arai wanted to say, "Kill them," but refrained since they were still kids.

    He had been of that mindset!

    Are you annoying? Die.

    Of course, Arai had never personally killed anyone. But in his previous life, he always had subordinates who were more than willing to get their hands dirty. He for sure, was a spoiled young master.

    "Hit them? You''re right!" Mizuki nodded with a smile. "I should just do that!"

    "Woosh!"

    The blue bracelet on Mizuki''s arm transformed into a beautifully adorned double-edged sword.

    "Ooh?" Both Arai and Lilith''s eyes lit up.

    "This is a gift from Big Sister Elliana!" Mizuki''s voice was full of pride. "This bracelet is a magical artifact of the upper 4 rank."

    "Big Sister El...Elliana? Do you mean Countess Masaik?" Lilith asked softly.

    "That''s right."

    "Mm, such a tool suits you." Arai nodded in approval.'' 2 Artifacts? Such a good family...''

    A small part of him had considered giving Mizuki his "Embrace of Luya" so she could protect herself since she couldn''t use mana, but his selfishness ultimately prevailed, and he didn''t - anyway, who dared to do anything to her?

 18 - Greeds Ambition

    Arai''s Perspective

    While I was talking with Mizuki and the little princess, Prince Greed suddenly approached and requested a private conversation.

    He began with trivial and unimportant topics, then surprised me with a question:

    "Should I treat you like a child? Or as an equal?"

    He seemed serious, dropping formalities to reveal his true intentions.

    I replied with a calm smile:

    "How could I possibly consider myself your equal, Your Highness? Please treat me as you deem appropriate."

    Greed smiled as he swirled his drink in the glass.

    "What are your thoughts on the current state of the kingdom?"

    Though I felt uneasy about his question, I decided to answer honestly:

    "The King is still young and in good health, so there''s no immediate fear of a struggle for the throne."

    "Our eastern adversaries, the Hatnam Empire, ceased their invasions fifteen years ago. With Verdi''s presence and the steadfast defense of the Green Flow Mountain, there''s little reason to worry about any future attacks."

    Verdi was a five-rank mage, and the "Rolan" name alone was enough to deter invaders!

    As for the Green Flow Mountain, it was a mountainous region on the eastern border, home to a significant number of magical beasts ranging from Class B to Class A. This prevented the Hatnam Empire from recklessly invading through that route.

    Magical beasts, or rather "animals," could absorb and use mana, evolving to form magical cores.

    Their classifications were as follows:

    D > C > B > A > S > SS > SSS.

    Of course, Verdi taught me this.

    I glanced toward Duke Gustav and continued:

    "The living conditions for the populace are excellent, and the Masayik family manages this aspect with great care."

    I was well-acquainted with the kingdom''s affairs; I hadn''t spent three years reading books in vain. Still, I summarized my answer as concisely as possible.

    "Very well said. You''re impressively knowledgeable," Greed praised with satisfaction, though it was a compliment I didn''t particularly welcome.

    "Now, be honest, who do you think has the greatest chance of inheriting the throne?"

    Another question.

    I sighed internally... Couldn''t he take the hint?

    I already mentioned, "The King is young and healthy," to avoid this topic. But his inability to read between the lines only revealed his lack of perception.

    Why did I want to avoid this question?

    King Lanovel had two sons and one daughter. The first prince, Yorker, had the highest chance of succeeding to the throne.

    I had heard that Prince Yorker was an exceptional genius in the kingdom''s history. During his awakening rite, he manifested the royal family''s emblem¡ªa Blue Clover with three leaves¡ªwhich hadn''t appeared for several generations.

    He was even on the verge of mastering sword aura! Despite being only twenty years old, I''d heard he was at the early stage of three rank.

    Sword aura was a unique power distinct from mana. It didn''t require the use of mana but demanded a deep understanding of weapons like swords, spears, or others, along with rigorous training. Most importantly, it required talent.

    This was why Prince Greed''s chances of claiming the throne weren''t particularly high. I didn''t know much about him, but based on what I''d seen so far, I''d rate him as "average" or slightly above.

    If he were a truly skilled strategist, he could''ve exploited various opportunities. For instance, he could have used his royal authority to arrange a marriage with Mizuki, putting us in a difficult position and forcing our support. Of course, we could refuse, as our contributions to the kingdom were significant. Had he pursued this route, I might have been more cautious around him, but it seemed unnecessary for now.

    "So you want an honest answer, huh?"

    I hesitated deliberately, feigning uncertainty.

    "I-I don''t know much about royal matters, but I''ve heard the first prince has the best chance of succeeding."

    Feigning hesitation and innocence was essential, I was still a five-year-old child on the outside, even if I looked knowledgeable!

    "Oh? And why is that?" Prince Greed asked, not appearing angry but rather intrigued.

    This guy completely ignored my second hint!

    I didn''t say "I think," but "I''ve heard," clearly signaling my indifference to knowing the victor!!

    "I''ve heard... he''s immensely talented."

    A glint of madness and greed lit up Prince Greed''s eyes. He abruptly dropped his glass, grabbed my shoulders, and said: "Arai Rolan, what do you think about cooperating with me? With your great talent and my intelligence, I doubt even my royal brother could stand in our way!"

    "My royal father hasn''t named a crown prince yet, which means he''s giving me a chance¡ªa chance to stand on equal footing with my royal brother!"

    "I already have the approval of the heir of the Masayk family, as well as the heir of the Kahart family. You''re the only one left."

    "You''re also engaged to my royal sister, which means we''re in the same boat! We''re practically brothers, and brothers should help one another, right?"Stolen novel; please report.

    By the time he finished, Prince Greed was panting heavily.

    Really... How desperate was this guy for the throne? And what did he mean by "your talent"? What talent?

    The mix of allure and veiled threats might''ve worked on a five-year-old, but unfortunately for him, I wasn''t five.

    I could now clearly see that he suffered from an inferiority complex toward his older brother, driving him to overcompensate by seeking the throne, not out of genuine desire but as a means to fill the void.

    He even used his sister as a bargaining chip, indicating how his character was deteriorating under this complex.

    ''The darkness of royal families runs as deep as an endless abyss.'' I thought, shaking my head internally.

    He claimed to have secured the support of the other heirs, which meant that while Prince Yorcker had unmatched personal strength and talent, Prince Greed compensated by consolidating the kingdom''s financial and political power, along with noble alliances.

    If I agreed, it would effectively grant him military strength, as I was the heir of the Rolan family.

    "So, you''re threatening me with your sister? Why not turn that against you instead?" Sorry, little princess, but I''ll have to use your name for this.

    I chuckled, shedding any pretense of childishness, and said:

    "Apologies, Your Highness, but if I were to support anyone for the throne, it would be Princess Lilith."

    By saying this, any pretense of innocence was now meaningless.

    "As you mentioned earlier, the Princess and I are in the same boat. This means our destinies are intertwined. There''s no law barring women from ascending the throne, and with my family''s support, I believe this is a viable option."

    "According to the records, if the Rolan family supports a princess, it equates to the backing of two dukes and military strength, correct?"

    "Preferably, we''d like to remain neutral. However, if we must choose, we''ll side with the princesses."

    "You... know that?"

    A look of shock appeared on Prince Greed''s face at my knowledge of such matters. Tch, did you think I was unaware of this level of secrecy?

    It was an unwritten rule: Rolan family support = the throne.

    This was why princes always desperately sought our backing, and it was precisely why Verdi warned me before the banquet began.

    "I''m sure even Your Highness wouldn''t want a third faction of equal power to emerge, would you?"

    From what I''d observed, someone like Princess Lilith might not possess the traits of a monarch, but that didn''t mean we couldn''t guide her from the shadows. Throughout our family''s long history, we have always maintained neutrality in succession conflicts. If forced to choose, we aligned with princesses due to ties of marriage or other connections.

    I didn''t fully understand the reason behind this yet. I would''ve nearly forgotten about it if not for my conversation with Prince Greed. I thought of asking Verdi for clarification after the banquet ended.

    Prince Greed took a deep breath to calm himself, then asked, in a quiet but chillingly cold voice, "Arai Rolan, does this mean you''re rejecting me?"

    "What are you saying, Your Highness? I haven''t rejected anything. I''ll simply do what I believe is appropriate as the family heir."

    "Good, very good." Prince Greed suddenly laughed coldly and said,

    "Ha-ha, you''ll do what''s ''appropriate,'' won''t you? I hope it''s as ''appropriate'' as you claim, heh."

    With one last cryptic chuckle, he left, radiating malice.

    And this was why I loathed politics.

    This person didn''t hesitate to use his sister as a pawn, and he wouldn''t hesitate to eliminate his older brother from the throne.

    How many rulers had risen to power by walking over the corpses of their siblings and followers?

    Life is short; why waste it on ruling instead of pursuing more importing desires?

    Ruling over others for the sake of pride and arrogance, what''s the point? I''d rather rot in a lab than do that.

    ''I''ll never understand these people.'' I thought, smirking cynically.

    I watched Prince Greed''s retreating with cold eyes.

    ...

    The rest of the birthday passed without incident. Thankfully, the most tiresome part¡ªdancing, ended smoothly. As the star of the event, I had no choice but to dance with numerous ladies, starting with the princess herself.

    Some of the younger ladies even tried to charm me! Seriously? Isn''t being engaged to the princess enough of a deterrent? Honestly, the lengths they''d go to for a shot at the title of the duchess, even being a 5 aged concubine seemed to satisfy them.

    After dinner, we finally kicked the guests out.

    Before leaving, Prince Greed gave me one last look a "young master''s glare" that seemed to say, "You''ll regret this." Not that I cared. I doubted he''d attempt anything bold anytime soon.

    Mizuki seemed genuinely fond of Princess Lilith, clinging to her until the very last moment before reluctantly saying goodbye. Of course, she made Lilith promise to visit us soon¡ªmultiple times, at that.

    What a nuisance! If I had my way, I''d steer clear of anything remotely related to politics. My dream? Quietly grow stronger, gain knowledge at a steady pace, and eventually vanish, never to return. That would be the life.

    As soon as the banquet ended, I collapsed into bed, completely exhausted.

    I despise formal gatherings forever, I thought with a weary sigh as sleep overtook me.

    It had been a truly draining day.

    Third-Person Perspective

    Inside the Royal Carriage

    As the royal carriage headed back to the palace, Princess Lilith rested her head on King Lanovel''s lap, fast asleep. Across from them sat Prince Greed, his face sullen and tense, while Lanovel''s expression remained impassive.

    The carriage moved swiftly and smoothly, like a fleeting beam of light.

    Inside, silence prevailed.

    "Did you manage to recruit him?" Lanovel asked, though Greed''s expression already provided the answer.

    "No, I failed," Greed replied, lowering his head.

    Lanovel had brought Greed to the banquet specifically to secure my allegiance for Greed''s faction in the ongoing struggle for the throne.

    And yet¡­ Greed had failed.

    ''Arai Rolan, you''re a dangerous variable in this battle for the throne! If you won''t join my side, I''ll have to erase you!'' No doubt Greed was already plotting, a twisted grin creeping onto his face without him even realizing it.

    Lanovel noticed that malicious smile and shook his head in pity. This son of his had become a profound disappointment.

    If Greed acted recklessly, Lanovelwouldn''t intervene further; in fact, he might even personally hand over Greed''s head to Verdi should anything go wrong.

    As king, Lanovel couldn''t afford to think about familial ties. His sole focus was the kingdom and its people. From the moment he ascended the throne and donned the royal crown, his shoulders had borne the heavy responsibilities of the realm. Everything he did was dictated by those responsibilities.

    He was a king, after all, and being king meant always looking at the bigger picture.

    If Greed tried something foolish¡ªlike provoking the Rolan family by harming or killing me¡ªLanovel wouldn''t hesitate to deal with him. Losing one son wouldn''t break him; he wasn''t an old man yet, and he could always have more children.

    Provoking the Rolan family would mean losing Verdi, the kingdom''s only fifth-ranked mage. Lanovel knew Verdi''s personality well, he wasn''t a rational individual but an emotional one.

    Lanovel was certain that if anything happened to Verdi''s children, Verdi would retaliate immediately, even against the royal family.

    The risk wasn''t worth it. Though he was a five-rank enhancer, being king meant he couldn''t afford to fight on the front lines.

    If Verdi decided to leave the kingdom, Lanovel would have no way to stop him. For this reason, the royal family had never dared to suppress the Rolan family. However, Lanovel also maintained the dignity of his crown, ensuring mutual respect between the two.

    To mitigate his unease about Verdi''s presence, Lanofil often sent him to the front lines. But now that the kingdom was at peace, he had no choice but to tolerate his presence.

    Frankly, Lanovel didn''t care much about Greed''s life. He had only brought him to the banquet to create some semblance of balance between his children.

    Of his three offspring, the eldest was prodigiously talented but showed little interest in staying in the kingdom or ruling it. The second, Greed, was an unremarkable young master with limited intelligence. The third, Lilith, had essentially been "sold" to the Rolan family as part of some secretive arrangement.

    ''Do I need to have more children?'' Lanovel wondered as he gently patted Lilith''s head, sighing as he cleared his mind. Within moments, he regained his usual composure.

    Being king¡­ was utterly exhausting.

 19 - Awakening Rite! (1)

    Two months had passed since Arai''s birthday, and the day he had eagerly awaited for years had finally arrived.

    It was the day of the Awakening Rite!

    Every year, the Awakening Rite takes place at the Truth Court. Children who have reached the age of five are gathered there to undergo the awakening process.

    What happens during the rite?

    A child must stand on a magical circle, inscribed with intricate runes, and through its activation, the child awakens their latent magical talent.

    The awakening results in one of three outcomes: a Grimoire, a magical mark, or a mana core.

    A Grimoire is a magical book filled with spells unique to its owner and powerful sorcery. Those who possess Grimoires are exceedingly rare.

    According to what Arai had read, the inheritance of Grimoires was unpredictable. A grandfather might possess a Grimoire, but his son might not, while his grandson might rediscover it. It was entirely random!

    The second possibility is the magical mark¡ªa totem-like or tattoo-like symbol that appears on a random part of the body during the rite. There are various types of marks.

    What abilities does it grant?

    A magical mark provides substantial enhancements to vitality and physical strength. Marks are often connected to the essence of magical beasts or extraordinary plants.

    Most individuals with marks become enhancers since the mana reserves in their bodies are comparatively less than natural sorcerers. This is due to their continuous focus on enhancing their physicality through the magical mark, making their mana pool smaller than usual.

    The third and final outcome is the mana core.

    What if a sorcerer doesn''t receive a Grimoire or a mark?

    The solution is simple¡ªthey must create a mana core!

    Also known as the Essence, a mana core is a spherical construct formed by continuously compressing mana within the body near the heart. This process begins during the rite through the magical circle. Once formed, the sorcerer becomes fully capable of storing mana and practicing magic with ease.

    The majority of the world''s sorcerers rely on this method, and even Verdi was no exception.

    The History of the Mana Core:

    Long ago, ancient humans sought to mimic the mana hearts of dragons. After countless experiments, they succeeded in creating a smaller version, what is now known as the mana core. Unlike the dragons'' nearly infinite mana hearts, mana cores are limited and can only expand their capacity by advancing in rank or using rare resources.

    Advancement:

    Once awakened, the mana core starts in an ethereal, gaseous state. Over time, by absorbing mana from magical crystals, the air, or the cores of magical beasts, the core gradually gains a solid physical form.

    This process of refining mana from an intangible to a tangible state is arduous and requires immense patience, akin to shaping raw ore into a precious metal.

    Above all, it demands substantial resources!

    For this reason, the life of a sorcerer is often filled with hardship, danger, and theft. Without support or resources, progress becomes incredibly difficult. Before acquiring one of the three outcomes¡ªGrimoire, mark, or core¡ªa sorcerer cannot cast anything beyond basic zero-level spells.

    Zero-level spells require no ranks and are universally accessible.

    However, more advanced spells have more requirements, such as Sufficient mana reserves. Elemental affinity. Memorization of the spell, high focus, etc...

    Memorizing spells is the most critical and challenging of these conditions.

    Grimoires are considered a natural gift, as they eliminate the need for memorization. The spells are pre-inscribed within the book! Similarly, enhancers bypass this hurdle by relying on their combat skills and innate abilities. If they do wish to use magic, they can craft spells from scratch with ease.

    In contrast, mana-core sorcerers face the harshest challenges. They must memorize spells word for word¡ªa reason why most of them opt to develop their combat style, utilizing mana in their unique way.

    Arai''s Perspective

    "Why are we in a carriage? We could use an easier way to get there! You have such, right?"

    Inside the carriage, I couldn''t help but complain.

    "No! That''s too wasteful, and I don''t want to imitate those nobles."

    Verdi leaned lazily against his seat and said, "If you ever try living as an adventurer someday, you''ll realize the value of money and learn how to manage it well instead of wasting it on worthless things like carriages!"Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I''m a noble; why would I experience such a life?" I replied proudly, like a young master.

    Verdi and I were heading to the Truth Court to perform the Awakening rite. Despite the tower''s distance from our mansion, he insisted on going by carriage! Man, the ride took several hours; imagine how bored I''d be during all that time!

    He didn''t even let me bring a book to pass the time.

    After arguing for a while, we did not conclude because he was adamant about traveling by carriage and remained as unmovable as a mountain.

    I changed the subject and asked what I was most curious about: "So, Father, what do you think will happen during the rite? I was able to use fire earlier, so at least I have that element."

    My engagement to the princess, the prince telling me I have exceptional talent, the nobles not being surprised by anything happening¡ªand most importantly, the royal family''s desire to tie our family to them every few generations; something strange is going on!

    Verdi fell silent for a moment, seeming to recall something.

    "Neither I nor your grandfather inherited a Grimoire, but your great-grandfather was different," he said.

    "Therefore, in this generation, your chances of inheriting a Grimoire are quite high."

    "!!!"

    The first question that came to my mind¡ªour family has a Grimoire? This is shockingly surprising.

    ''Is this the reason I was engaged to the princess?''

    ''Does the possibility of me having a Grimoire make the royal family wary, pushing them to tether me to their ship? But the probability isn''t even certain¡­''

    ''Is this Grimoire very powerful or what?'' Many thoughts raced through my mind.

    Well, I didn''t find it strange that our family possesses a Grimoire, given how remarkable and distinguished our family is.

    But there''s something odd about this! It''s not like this Grimoire is supremely powerful, is it? I mean, they''re sacrificing a princess every generation.

    Hmm, if I think about it from another angle, maybe they have a hidden motive to steal the Grimoire through my lineage? That''s possible!

    However, the royal family''s Blue Clover emblem is very strong, so why would they try to steal our family''s Grimoire? Do they want to deepen their control over the Rolan family? Or does this Grimoire hold a deeper meaning?

    If they wanted to steal it through shared lineage, they would''ve done so generations ago.

    I felt a headache from all this. I think pondering over it is meaningless.

    "What kind of Grimoire is it?" I asked.

    "Ugh, forget about it! I don''t have the energy to try to explain its type because it''ll take time. Ask another question."

    This man...!

    Looking into his lazy eyes and his relaxed posture, I felt suspicious.

    Is he the same strict duke in the palace? In reality, Verdi knows how to act well.

    "What about the magical mark?"

    "You should forget about it. Even if we''re related to the royal family, it doesn''t exist in our family''s lineage." He shook his head.

    I nodded and didn''t ask further, but suddenly remembered something.

    "Hey, wait a minute! Since you said it doesn''t exist in our family''s lineage, why did you say earlier that I might become an enhancer?"

    Years ago, when he forbade me from using magic until the age of five, he said something like, ''You don''t know your path yet; you might become an enhancer or a mage in the future.''

    Of course, I wasn''t an obedient child and practiced magic from time to time. It was for experimentation and to see how much my mana increased.

    Naturally, Verdi gave me some training a week ago in preparation for the rite.

    I saw Verdi''s lips twitch for a second. But he handled it well and said, "...What I said is true! There''s no enhancer in our family''s bloodline, but what about your mother? As you know, Mizuki has great talent in sword art! Yes... that''s why I said that!"

    ''Tsk, he managed to deflect...'' I clicked my tongue. I said that because I wanted some compensation, like increasing my allowance a bit, but Verdi handled it well.

    Mizuki hadn''t started learning sword art at that time, but I chose to overlook it.

    After hours, we arrived at the place.

    "Creakk!"

    The driver opened the carriage door, and Verdi and I stepped down ''like nobles.'' Then we stood before the Truth Court.

    The Truth Court was located in one of the secluded areas of the Loclover Kingdom and wasn''t within any land owned by nobles! Well, it was close to our territory. Standing here and seeing its building gave me a vague sense of fear.

    The Truth Court was a dark, black tower stretching beyond the clouds. Calling it a skyscraper wouldn''t be an exaggeration. It was massively huge. In front of it were large walls and a central fountain.

    The tower gave off a mysterious feeling, and I also sensed that the mana here was denser than at the palace.

    Many children with their parents gathered in front of the Truth Court; in fact, at least 10,000 people filled the outer walls.

    Hearing their clamor was very annoying.

    "Isn''t this number of people too much?"

    "No! This is a normal number relative to the population of the Artemis Islands and other surrounding islands. After all, besides the Truth Court, there aren''t many organizations that undertake the duty of overseeing the awakening rite." Verdi replied while looking at the crowd.

    "But what''s the benefit?"

    It''s not like they''re doing it as a charitable act, right? From my perspective as a former CEO, helping this massive number of people for free and without any significant benefit would be foolish. Only that kind of people would do that.

    Verdi turned his head and stared at the towering tower.

    "Well, I don''t know where you inherited this selfish side of you, but helping people for free isn''t wrong. Keep that in mind! Besides, it''s not like they don''t gain any returns from it. On the contrary, the benefits are immense. I don''t want to spoil your childhood by telling you some things, but hmm..." Verdi scratched his head.

    "Simply, they can identify and recruit talent early before anyone else. Especially commoners or children without connections. With minimal effort and some incentives, they can bring them in. It also bolsters their reputation significantly. Most importantly, it increases their overall strength by expanding their members."

    Oh, looking at it from an angle I forgot. Isn''t this marketing for themselves?

    "Also, this organization isn''t simple; I''ve seen two of their branches in the Western Continent, and they were much bigger than this branch!" Verdi''s voice carried a touch of respect.

    Bigger than this? Wow, this tower has at least 100 floors.

    Verdi ordered the carriage to wait afar, then we moved to enter through the main entrance.

    As a duke and a mage, Verdi didn''t have to wait long in line. We were quickly led inside the tower.

    "Kuban Morientes at your service."

    "I was informed of your arrival in advance, Lord Verdi. We''ve prepared a room for you; you can wait in the room during the rite as Mr. Clayton is waiting for you. Meantime I''ll take the young lord to the rite place.''

    Placing his palm on his chest, a man with slightly dark brown hair, ordinary features, and glasses on his face bowed.

    Kuban wore a long black coat with square patterns extending from the shoulders of his robe to the bottom of his sleeves. There was a white tower emblem with a strange codename on the shoulder area, which seemed to announce his affiliation with the Truth Court.

    He is polite and professional; their official attire is very stylish. This robe suits my taste perfectly.

    "Is that so? Very well."

    Verdi nodded indifferently, gave me an encouraging look, and walked away.

    Isn''t this what I said earlier? He''s back to his "strict duke" mode!

    "Follow me, young lord."

 20 - Awakening Rite! (2)

    I followed Kuban, and we walked to an elevator at the end of the ground floor.

    ''There''s an elevator?'' This world keeps surprising me.

    An elevator!!

    Inside the elevator was a small, meticulously furnished room. There was a blue crystal the size of a palm next to the door, which seemed to serve as the buttons.

    After we entered, the door closed automatically.

    Kuban walked toward the crystal, removed his glove, and placed his palm on it. In a low voice, while channeling his mana into it, he said: ¡º############ ####### #### .¡»

    Kuban recited the spell in a strange language I couldn''t understand. I was confused; I felt this was a new type of sound.

    ...I felt a slight pain in my ears.

    "Clank!"

    The elevator made a sound and began moving upward.

    "You can ask me whatever you want in the meantime, young Lord Arai, and I''ll answer to the best of my ability."

    Kuban put his glove back on, stepped back, and stood beside me.

    I was intrigued by the language he spoke, as well as the organization and the elevator itself.

    "Excuse me, but what was that language you just used? I mean, the one for the spell."

    "Oh? You don''t know?" Kuban looked slightly surprised. "It''s called the Old Marlin language. Haven''t you heard of it before?"

    "No." His reaction made it clear this was supposed to be common knowledge.

    Tsk, if it weren''t for Verdi keeping all the magic-related books away from me, I wouldn''t seem so embarrassingly clueless right now.

    Kuban nodded in understanding and explained: "The Old Marlin language is a special magical language, developed several eras ago by an unknown individual. As a magical language, it serves many purposes, especially in spell incantations and communication with magical entities that don''t speak human languages¡ªsuch as the Spirits."

    So, it''s both a method of communication and a magical tool? Interesting. I hadn''t realized something like this existed.

    "What''s the difference between a regular language and a magical language?"

    "It''s called a magical language because it''s exclusively used in magic and its applications. It plays a vital role in magical circles, chants, and even the creation of defensive and offensive arrays. It''s also integral to drawing complex magic matrices," Kuban explained.

    "In fact, ordinary humans can''t even comprehend the words of this language with their ears because using it requires the presence of mana! In special cases, some potions grant the ability to hear it."

    So that''s it! That''s why I felt pain in my ears, huh?

    "What is the Truth Court?" I asked another question.

    Before coming here, I searched for information about this organization in the library. However, I didn''t find anything related to it except its location on the Artemis Islands map. Most likely, Verdi classified it as ''magic.''

    Kuban was momentarily surprised by my question before he chuckled lightly.

    "Our Truth Court is an ancient organization with a long history that began even before the new moon Calendar."

    I was stunned.

    Before the new moon Calendar? That''s over ten thousand years, isn''t it?

    "We are like the security officers of the magical world. We don''t interfere in the affairs of kingdoms, empires, or wars between them, but if it involves warlocks, magical catastrophes, or even monster tides, we intervene. Sometimes, some secret realms appear inside dungeons or even outside them, and chaos always ensues. We also intervene in such cases to organize matters."

    "In the Truth Court, our primary principle is the existence of order."

    Secret realms? What''s that? I held my tongue and didn''t ask.

    "Our organization is divided into two sections: Law Enforcers, and Mystery Researchers."

    Oh, will he continue? What he said earlier is enough; his desire to continue and this tone... it seems he''s proud to belong to this organization.

    "Law Enforcers are tasked with killing and capturing warlocks. Mystery Researchers are our scientists and researchers, and also investigators."

    "There are many mages who want to conduct research, but unfortunately, they don''t have the necessary funding! Researching requires vast resources! That''s where our Truth Court comes in! We help them with their research and provide them with money, resources, and the necessary equipment to complete their studies, in exchange for sharing their research results with us."

    In other words, they''re a kind of self-interested government. I like their style¡ªgive and take.

    Hmm, I like it a lot. If what he''s saying isn''t just boastful claims, then they are logical men of justice.

    In black.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    "Anyway, what''s this? Are we ascending because of it?" I feigned ignorance and asked about the elevator.

    It''s rude to ask so many questions to someone I don''t know. Maybe acting like a curious child once or twice won''t hurt, right? I think I''ll adopt the cheeky "Arere" style of that bespectacled detective boy.

    No, forget it; I won''t do that.

    "Oh, this? It seems the young lord is quite curious; most people don''t care about this magical device." Kuban adjusted his glasses upward and smiled.

    "This is the result of one of our special experiments."

    "This crystal you see there is a special kind of magical crystal called ''Bamhanka.''"

    Oh? A magical crystal? Damn, this man speaks with many obscure terms.

    "The size of this crystal is several meters and contains tons of mana. Through a special programming method by a specialized magical circle engraver, we managed to use the mana inside it to raise and lower this room. It''s similar to a push and pull force but programmed and precise! Several commands were engraved on the ''Bamhanka'' by a specialized master, and thanks to that, it became easy to use."

    Kuban pointed to the crystal next to the door and continued: "This is a small part extracted from the ''Bamhanka'' located beneath the tower, which acts as a command transmitter to the real mother crystal to raise or lower the elevator."

    "There are several command keys, which are essentially zero-level spells, but you must recite them in the Old Marlin language for the commands to work and the elevator to function; otherwise, they would be useless."

    "..."

    My face went blank for a moment before I sighed in amazement.

    "Impressive! Mana can be used like this?"

    The idea of programming with mana? That was something I hadn''t anticipated. I''d underestimated this world''s level of development. Even if they hadn''t advanced electronically, their magical technology was astonishing. They''d built an elevator powered by a magical crystal!

    To be honest, I had assumed this world was akin to a medieval fantasy setting where magic was revered only for combat, with no thought of its technical applications. I mean, that''s the typical trope in most stories I''ve come across.

    But clearly, I was wrong! True, wasting mana just to operate an elevator when a pulley or some basic electricity could suffice was a bit inefficient, even foolish. But the ingenuity of creating such an enchanted lift was undeniable. At the very least, it beat climbing 50 flights of stairs, didn''t it?

    This world isn''t as backward as I initially thought. I hoped their technological ceiling wasn''t this low. My expectations, previously at rock bottom, were now cautiously raised.

    Kuban noticed the excitement on my face and commented enthusiastically, "Amazing, isn''t it? Even though you''re still just a child, you''re quite sharp, young lord."

    "There are countless ways to use mana, and this is just one of them! Our Truth Court possesses extensive knowledge in these areas. So, are you interested in joining us, young lord?" Kuban clasped my hands, stars practically sparkling in his eyes.

    "Young lord, we care not for innate talent, only a thirst for knowledge is needed to join our Department of Mystical Research!"

    I froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

    He wants to recruit me just because I was amazed by their elevator? Is this guy serious? I wasn''t sure how to respond. Thankfully, it seemed he wasn''t in charge of their admissions.

    Still, this organization appeared trustworthy. As researchers, they suited my interests, and they offered a potential escape card from being the heir to a dukedom.

    But joining an organization would also mean restrictions on my freedom¡­ and I didn''t know enough about them yet.

    Their vast pool of knowledge was tempting, though.

    Sitting among their scholars would undoubtedly be better than wasting away in the duke''s library. I''d already spent years reading trivial books on economics, geography, and the flora of the Artemis Islands, what a colossal waste of time!

    Would I join them, though? No, it''d be foolish to make such a commitment as a child.

    "I''ll think about it," I replied, giving a vague answer to avoid outright refusal, which would''ve been impolite.

    Kuban didn''t push further. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge shaped like a diamond, emblazoned with a white tower insignia.

    He tossed it to me and said, "If you ever decide to join us, we''ll welcome you with open arms! It doesn''t matter if you lack talent in magic; our research department values only results and knowledge!"

    I caught the badge, slipped it into my pocket, and silently commended him for his persistence.

    "Ring!"

    A bell chimed, signaling our arrival at the 50th floor.

    "Oh, we''ve arrived!"

    The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into a mid-sized floor. In the center was a circular platform with a large, glowing magical array inscribed on it. The room was filled with people, their whispers and hushed conversations blending into a low hum.

    On the platform stood a middle-aged man with a stern, sharp expression.

    "Well then, young lord Arai Rolan, it was an honor speaking with you."

    "Until we meet again."

    With a slight bow, Kuban bid me farewell and left.

    I returned the gesture politely.

    This floor seemed entirely open, devoid of individual rooms. The platform dominated the space, though I noticed three smaller chambers along the edges.

    Judging by their attire, most of them were nobles or individuals of significant status.

    I recalled Verdi''s earlier comment: the Truth Court typically conducted these rites, as few other organizations took on the responsibility.

    Perhaps the kingdom feared offending other nations by suppressing talent from surrounding territories. Were they reluctant to provoke the Truth Court? This organization was growing more intriguing by the minute.

    Should I join them? They seemed powerful. Even if I became a member, it would shield me from the pressures of dukedom.

    Before I could ponder further, a boy wearing a flamboyant pink robe approached me. A red rose dangled from his lips, and he wore a mischievous expression.

    "What an honor!"

    The boy knelt theatrically on one knee, placing a hand over his chest as he declared in a loud, dramatic voice, "Rudolph Strauss, son of Viscount Krios, greets the young lord Arai."

    I covered my face with both hands.

    Sigh. Just as I feared. Hearing "young lord" sent the crowd scattering like startled insects.

    "He''s the son of Duke Verdi!"

    "The future heir to House Rolan!"

    I had hoped to remain low-key and avoid drawing attention, uninterested in mingling with children. But this clown had ruined my plans entirely.

    I shook my head silently and asked coldly, "What do you want?"

    Rudolph seemed nervous for a moment but quickly regained his composure. Taking a deep breath, he shouted: "I want to become a knight under your command!"

    As expected. This was the same request I''d received from a few boys during my birthday party.

    I examined him closely. His body was muscular for a child, his clothes highlighting his training. Several calluses marked his hands, evidence of intense sword practice. Even Mizuki bore similar marks.

    Despite his playful demeanor, his physique demonstrated his dedication and sincerity.

    Why would he want to serve under me? Likely because working for a duke''s house was the fastest path to glory for a minor noble.

    House Rolan, known for its military strength and magical prowess, was the ideal choice.

    But I had no interest in knights or their chivalric nonsense. Even if he trained tirelessly before me, why should I care? His flashy presence alone was irritating.

    I opened my mouth to refuse, but another voice interrupted.

    "A knight for House Rollan? With your level? Know your place, Viscountling~."

    A boy with silver hair and soft features stepped forward, dressed in a white robe and wielding a fan, his gaze dripping with disdain.

    Oh, great. Stuck between a bunch of spoiled brats. I wanted to flee.

    "Who are you?"

    "Trik Masaik."

    Masaik?

    "Ah, the son of Countess Eliana?"

    "No!" His expression darkened. "Eliana is my elder sister. I am the son of Gustav!"

    Oh? The old man''s still got it in him, huh?

    Before the tension escalated further, the middle-aged man on the platform raised his staff and barked: "Silence!"

    His commanding tone froze everyone, including Trik.

    "Let the awakening rite begin!"

 21 - Magical Mark!

    The middle-aged man who had been silent until now finally spoke in a sharp tone.

    Everyone fell silent immediately, even Trik, who had been ready to stir up trouble, froze in his tracks.

    This person was a high-ranking official from the Truth Court.

    Even if he killed the heir of a duchy or a prince right here, no one would dare to question his actions. Unlike Kuban, this man held a level of authority and respect that perhaps even equaled King Lanovel''s own.

    At least, that''s what Verdi had told me.

    "I am Cardiff Arion," he announced, his voice resonating through the room, "and I will oversee this year''s Rite."

    Cardiff was a man with tanned skin and gray hair. His features were severe, as though he were perpetually scowling. He wore the same black robe with patterns that Kuban had, but his presence was far more imposing.

    In his hand, he held a wooden staff topped with a shimmering blue crystal.

    Scary... He reminded me of a strict military academy instructor.

    "I''ll say this now," Cardiff continued, his tone sharp and authoritative. "If you fail to follow my instructions during the rite or try something foolish like attempting an unapproved method of awakening, you''ll bear the consequences."

    He struck the ground with his staff, the sound echoing ominously through the hall.

    "Six years ago," he began, his tone colder than ever, "a child thought he was special. He tried to awaken using a self-devised method, disregarding the proper instructions. When he manipulated mana incorrectly through his veins¡­" Cardiff paused, letting the tension build.

    "...he exploded. His body was obliterated, his flesh scattering across the platform in front of the other children."

    Gasps rippled through the crowd, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down even harder.

    "So I''ll say this again: if you make a mistake, it''s on you."

    Cardiff''s words were devoid of sympathy. He wasn''t here to coddle children, that much was clear.

    After scanning the room and ensuring his message had been understood, he nodded and struck his staff against the ground once more.

    "Now, let us officially begin the rite for the year - 9982 of the New Moon Calendar!"

    The room seemed to grow heavier with anticipation.

    "I''ll first explain the probabilities of awakening in this region," Cardiff began, raising a single finger. "Out of every 10,000 individuals, approximately 3,000 are likely to form a mana core. Two thousand might awaken a magical mark."

    He paused, his gaze sweeping over the room.

    "And for the rarest form of awakening¡ªa grimoire¡ªonly one in 10,000 will succeed. In very rare cases, two might awaken grimoires. But don''t get your hopes up."

    His words struck the crowd like a hammer. Even the most confident children glanced nervously at their parents.

    As I listened, Verdi''s words echoed in my mind. Will I awaken a grimoire?

    I found myself hoping for it, even if it meant being drawn into the royal family''s schemes. A grimoire would make life easier, it was like taking the elevator instead of the stairs.

    And who wouldn''t choose the elevator? Well, aside from those overly enthusiastic, energy-filled fools.

    "As for the remaining 4,999," Cardiff said, his tone harsh, "their fate is to fail and continue living as ordinary humans."

    A wave of unease swept through the room. No one wanted to be among the failures.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "You," Cardiff pointed to a random boy in the crowd, "step forward to the platform."

    The chosen boy hesitated, his body trembling slightly. Gathering his courage, he stepped forward, his movements unsteady.

    All eyes were on him, the room holding its collective breath.

    The boy climbed onto the platform, stumbling slightly before managing to stand in the center of the magical circle.

    "Good. Now, if you value your life, listen to my instructions carefully."

    "Y-Yes!" The boy nodded vigorously, his nervousness evident.

    Cardiff tapped his staff on the ground once more, and the circle lit up with a brilliant blue glow.

    "Whoosh!"

    The entire platform pulsed with light, waves of mana visibly flowing around the boy. His body trembled as he stood in the middle.

    "Don''t be afraid," Cardiff instructed. "This circle channels mana into your body. Your task is to guide it from your feet upward through your mana veins. Do you at least know how to control mana flow within your body?"

    The boy nodded, his trembling slowing as he focused.

    "Hmm, it seems tiring," I noted silently, observing the process.

    Unfazed by the boy''s struggle, Cardiff continued his explanation, his voice directed at the entire room. "If you feel a response in any part of your body, focus all the mana there and ignore the rest. Concentrate and channel all the energy into that point."

    "If you don''t feel any response," he added, "guide the mana to your chest, near your heart. Compress it repeatedly until you form a mana core. The circle will handle the rest."

    He paused, his gaze turning steely.

    "Be warned: forming a mana core is excruciatingly painful. If you lack the willpower to endure it, then resign yourself to a life as an ordinary human."

    Cardiff''s relentless tone belied a strange care in his instructions. He didn''t want any mistakes. For someone who had seemed cold and distant, he was unexpectedly thorough.

    He''s like a tsundere, I thought wryly. Pretending to be tough, but actually caring.

    The boy''s brow furrowed in concentration. Minutes passed before a faint red glow appeared on his wrist, like embers beginning to spark.

    "Good! Focus your mana there and nowhere else!" Cardiff commanded.

    The glow intensified, the boy''s wrist pulsating with energy until¡ª

    "Boom!"

    A small explosion erupted from his wrist, dispersing quickly.

    Did he fail?

    "Congratulations," Cardiff said, stepping forward. "You''ve successfully awakened a magical mark."

    He examined the boy''s wrist and smiled faintly. "If I''m not mistaken, this mark represents the ''Blazing Earth Serpent.'' A fine result."

    The boy''s wrist, previously ordinary, now bore a coiling red pattern resembling a flaming serpent. His arm had transformed, the veins bulging as though his muscles had been infused with mana.

    So this is a magical mark? I thought, intrigued. The enhancement was impressive, though I couldn''t help but notice the imbalance. His arm seemed disproportionately powerful compared to the rest of his body.

    Balancing mana would be his next challenge, I realized.

    For now, all I could do was wait for my turn.

    ...

    It was finally my turn.

    I stepped forward onto the platform, my heart racing slightly. To say I wasn''t nervous would be a lie. As someone who had lived another life before this one, failing to awaken something extraordinary would be a blow to my pride.

    Still, I trusted myself. Even if I didn''t awaken a grimoire as Verdi hinted, I was confident in my ability to form a larger-than-average mana core, something that would still secure my future as a capable mage.

    After all, Verdi had trained me well. He had ensured I knew the process for forming a mana core. Though painful, it was something I could endure.

    "Stand in the circle," Cardiff Arion commanded.

    Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the center of the platform. This was the moment that would define my path in this world!

    Cardiff struck his staff against the platform with a sharp "tak"!

    "Whoosh!"

    The circle lit up, a powerful flow of mana surging into my body. It was overwhelming, like ice-cold water flooding my veins.

    I remembered Verdi''s words. The human body is composed of blood veins and mana veins. The latter formed naturally as a child inhaled mana-infused air from birth, but they were merely conduits, incapable of storing mana. The rite''s purpose was to expand these veins temporarily, allowing the awakening of one''s magical potential.

    "Don''t panic," Cardiff''s voice cut through the rushing sensation. "Focus and guide the mana. From your feet to your head. Keep it steady."

    Nodding, I began directing the mana flow from my feet upward. It was as if I were pulling an invisible thread through my body, carefully weaving it higher and higher.

    Nothing responded at first. No tingling in my limbs, no sparks of magic in my arms or legs. That much was expected, Verdi had said our bloodline had never awakened a magical mark.

    Still, I allowed myself a moment of hope. The royal family''s blue clover mark occasionally surfaced in descendants. Could I somehow inherit it? I focused harder, but the result was the same, nothing.

    I continued channeling the mana upward. It reached my chest, then my neck. As it climbed toward my head, an ominous feeling settled over me.

    The mana''s flow felt turbulent and unstable. It was as if my body was warning me that I was approaching something dangerous.

    What is this? I thought, frowning. My instincts screamed at me to stop, but I gritted my teeth and pressed on. Surely Cardiff would intervene if I were truly in danger, right?

    I continued, ignoring the rising tension. The mana surged into my head, and the feeling of instability grew worse. My head throbbed with a splitting ache as if something were about to break.

    And then, I felt it.

    Something foreign within me. A presence, almost tangible. Hidden deep within my being, it pulsed faintly, waiting.

 22 - Sun Magic?

    What is that?

    I focused all my mana on this unknown presence, determined to draw it out.

    And then¡ª

    BOOM!

    A sharp explosion resounded, a force erupting from within my body. Pain lanced through my head as if it had been split open. For a moment, I thought I might lose consciousness.

    Just kidding, Cardiff saved me, right in the time.

    The circle beneath me glowed brighter than ever, its blue light intensifying as symbols began to etch themselves into the air around me.

    Smoke dispersed rapidly around me, revealing the scene for all to see.

    Cardiff Arion was holding me by my sleeves as if he had saved me from some perilous situation. Before me, floated a golden-yellow grimoire, adorned with a brilliant sun emblem. The book wasn''t excessively large nor small¡ªit was an average size, resembling any ordinary tome.

    Gasps erupted from the crowd.

    "By the heavens, he got a grimoire!"

    "Rolan''s hier has awakened a grimoire!"

    "What fortune for the Loclover Kingdom¡­"

    "The 1 amuong the 10,000!!"

    The nobles from Loclover, however, seemed less surprised, as if this was within their expectations.

    "Considering the hereditary nature of grimoires, his awakening isn''t all that surprising," Trik remarked, fanning himself while masking his envy behind his elaborate manners.

    But the glint of jealousy in his eyes, mirrored by others around, was unmistakable.

    ''I''m lucky¡­!'' or at least that''s what I should say.

    Doesn''t matter. I scratched my cheek, keeping my expression neutral.

    Bah, losers! What can you do other than envy me now? Nothing but flatter me and try to curry favor.

    Now with this, this world become more interesting.

    A strange connection tied me to the grimoire, as though it was a part of my very being. I waved my hand, and the book moved in tandem, responding effortlessly to my thoughts.

    Golden hue and a sun emblem¡­ This must be related to the light element, right? Or maybe it''s sun magic? Thoughts of Verdi crossed my mind¡ªhow smug he would be upon learning about this.

    Wasn''t he also a mage aligned with the light element? He used to boast about it often.

    ?And yes, so it truly awakened during the rite after all¡­my ability from my original world! I felt something stir in my mind, like a small computer embedded within my consciousness.

    I decided not to delve into the grimoire or the mysterious sensation immediately. That would be for later, once I returned to the estate.

    How do I hide this? I glanced at the book, then at Cardiff. "Mr. Cardiff, how can I conceal it?"

    "It''s simple," he replied, glancing at the grimoire without emotion. "Though I don''t possess a grimoire myself, friends of mine have explained the process."

    "Channel your mana within, and then imagine it disappearing."Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Just imagine. I hesitated for a moment before directing my mana and focusing on the thought of hiding the grimoire.

    Woosh!

    Contrary to my expectations, the book didn''t vanish into my forehead. Instead, it merged with my right arm.

    A burning sensation spread through my arm, and when I examined it, I found a large sun emblem imprinted on my palm, big enough to cover it entirely.

    "Well done." Cardiff nodded approvingly. "Heir of Rolan, wait for the elemental affinity test."

    "Understood."

    Descending from the platform, I noticed how the crowd instinctively parted, giving me ample space.

    Ah, standing out like this is always a hassle¡­ Leaning against the wall, I waited for the next phase, indifferent to the gazes scrutinizing me.

    After some time, I was guided into another room.

    Inside, a large device took center stage. Its surface resembled a flat compass inscribed with magical runes and elemental symbols. At its top sat a hollowed-out glass sphere.

    Engraved beneath it, in   Zadaka language, were the words: [Elemental Affinity Compass].

    The official overseeing this test was different from Cardiff, who was busy handling the others.

    This test was conducted privately to ensure confidentiality regarding the number of affinities detected and to avoid drawing undue attention. Verdi had explained this to me beforehand.

    Even if it weren''t standard procedure, I would have requested it. After all, secrecy has its perks¡­

    "Place your hand here," the examiner instructed, pointing to a large hand-shaped imprint beneath the glass sphere.

    I feel like I only have light and fire affinities, but it doesn''t hurt to try¡­ Shaking my head, I placed my hand over the imprint.

    "Now, channel your mana into the device."

    Following his instruction, I directed my mana into the compass.

    Using mana stung slightly, a lingering effect of the earlier amplification during the rite.

    Clink!

    The compass trembled, and specks of light began gathering within the glass sphere. Simultaneously, the needle of the compass started moving.

    This is draining¡­ I frowned but continued pouring mana into the device.

    Over the years, my mana reserves had increased slowly yet steadily. This was something I had realized during my secretive use of fireball spells. Of course, the increase wasn''t substantial¡ªI could manage five fireballs now, compared to fewer before.

    Without this growth, I might have fainted while operating the compass.

    Whoosh!

    Within the glass sphere, a small blazing orb materialized, radiating a fiery orange glow. Its heat was palpable, even through the barrier of the glass.

    The needle pointed somewhere between the ''Fire'' and ''Light'' symbols.

    A sun element? Does such a thing exist? I was taken aback, though it aligned with my earlier assumptions about the sun emblem on my grimoire.

    The examiner seemed momentarily startled but quickly regained his composure.

    Peering closer into the sphere, I squinted. ''Wait¡­ Is that¡­?''

    Beyond the blazing sun orb, I spotted a faint, purple cloud.

    "Sun, correct? You may stop channeling mana now," the examiner stated.

    Stopping the flow, I glanced at him curiously. "Excuse me, but what is the sun element? Also, what''s that faint purple cloud I noticed?"

    Rather than answer directly, the examiner asked, "If I''m not mistaken, you''re from  Rolan family?"

    ''Is that even a question? Just answer already!'' I kept my impatience in check, waiting for him to continue.

    "I don''t know much, but I''ve read this phenomenon happened with your great-grandfather two generations ago. It''s why your family is renowned for sun magic, as it doesn''t belong to any primary element."

    "There are many non-primary elements, but the sun isn''t part of those categories either."

    "Of course, I''m restricted from sharing detailed information."

    "What you need to know now is that sun magic grants you affinities with two primary elements." He gestured toward the compass symbols. "Fire and Light."

    ''Sun magic, huh?'' Is this what the royal family is after? Still¡­ it doesn''t seem that overwhelming¡­'' I decided to leave further questions for Verdi.

    But deep down, I felt thrilled. My starting point was extraordinary!

    "As for the purple cloud¡­" The examiner glanced at the glass sphere again, his expression shifting.

    "Excuse me¡­?"

    "Oh, no need to worry." He leaned in, inspecting the cloud. "I just wanted to confirm something."

    Finally, he exhaled, turning back toward me with a faint trace of envy. "That purple cloud signifies an affinity with the space element."

    Space? Space!

    "Excuse me? Are you sure?"

    "Yes. However, it''s a faint affinity. I recommend not focusing on it much¡ªit''ll drain your efforts."

    "You likely won''t find any space-element mages in nearby regions."

    I was stunned.

    Did I hit the jackpot? Wait a second¡ªam I still the chosen one? A grimoire and a space affinity?

    Tsk, I shook my head, dismissing my thoughts.

    "Are you alright, boy?" the examiner asked, puzzled by my silence.

    I blinked, shaking off my shock. "I''m fine! Why do you ask?"

    Patting my shoulder, he offered a reassuring smile. "No need to worry. Your future is secure now."

    "Excuse me, but¡­ what''s the matter?"

    "Ah, seems you don''t know." Chuckling, he pulled out a small mirror and handed it to me.

    Peering into my reflection, I saw the same golden-haired, gray-eyed boy with a small, charming face.

    But there was something different.

    White strands¡­? Faint streaks of white hair now ran through my golden locks.

 23 - Warlocks killing!

    Third-Person Perspective

    After Arai concluded his awakening rite, he completed some official documentation. Afterward, he descended to the ground floor and, with the help of one of the staff members, reached Verdi¡¯s assigned chamber.

    ¡°How did it go?¡±

    The moment he returned, Verdi asked eagerly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

    Arai didn¡¯t speak; simply raised his hand, revealing the golden sun emblem.

    Verdi¡¯s expression turned peculiar, gradually shifting before he let out a sigh.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arai was slightly taken aback. This wasn¡¯t the reaction he had anticipated from Verdi.

    ''Hey, what¡¯s with that expression? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be astonished right now?'' Suppressing a growing sense of unease, Arai asked, ¡°¡­Is something wrong?¡±

    ¡°No, not at all!¡± Verdi quickly denied it, though his face betrayed him.

    Before Arai could probe further, Verdi grabbed his hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the estate first.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Arai didn¡¯t argue.

    Before they left the chamber, a member of the Truth Court approached Verdi, speaking with visible tension. ¡°Pardon me, Lord Verdi, but regarding the¡­ uh¡­¡±

    ¡°No worries,¡± Verdi interrupted with a dismissive wave. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. This is my jurisdiction, after all.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The man exhaled in relief and left hastily.

    ''Hmm? What¡¯s going on?'' Arai raised a brow curiously.

    As they exited the room and walked through the hallway, a hooded figure approached Verdi.

    This figure wore the signature black-and-white attire of the Truth Court but with a distinct black hood embroidered with golden patterns draped over his shoulders. A black mask concealed the upper half of his face, leaving only his mouth and a sliver of his nose visible.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Ha!"

    Arai staggered, overwhelmed by an oppressive aura that bore down on him. He stared at the man in terror as if a feral beast stood before him.

    Verdi frowned and tapped Arai lightly on the head, dispersing the pressure, allowing him to breathe freely again.

    The black-clad sorcerer didn¡¯t seem to notice Arai, as his gaze never wavered from Verdi. With a frosty tone, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to submit the reports on schedule.¡±

    ¡°And I hope you find him soon because many lives depend on it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Verdi replied earnestly.

    ¡°You¡¯d better.¡± The sorcerer¡¯s voice remained cold as he turned and left.

    The moment he was gone, Arai let out a relieved breath.

    ''What in the world was that?! I thought he was going to kill me¡­''Even recalling the suffocating atmosphere around the man sent chills down Arai¡¯s spine. The overwhelming malice and dark aura left an unsettling impression.

    Sensing Arai¡¯s fear, Verdi chuckled and patted his head. ¡°That man you just saw was Clayton, a member of the Law Enforcement Division of the Truth Court.¡±

    ¡°Are you familiar with the divisions of the Truth Court?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Arai nodded affirmatively, recalling what Kuban had mentioned earlier about the ¡®Law Enforcers¡¯ and the ¡®Mystery Researchers.¡¯

    ¡°Good. Then you must know what the Law Enforcers do, right?¡± Verdi continued, ¡°What you felt around him are the lingering malevolent emotions that come from slaying countless warlocks. Killing so many leaves them with an aura of perpetual dread.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s truly remarkable¡­¡± Verdi sighed in admiration. ¡°Normally, when children your age encounter a Law Enforcer, they either wet themselves or faint from fear because of that aura.¡±

    ¡°Your mental fortitude is commendable.¡±

    Verdi looked at Arai with genuine praise.

    ''Should I tell him I¡¯m actually a grown man?''Arai mocked silently but instead smiled and said, ¡°Maybe I inherited it from one of my ancestors? After all, they were wartime leaders, and this level of intimidation would¡¯ve been nothing to them.¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Or perhaps you¡¯re just an old monster in a child¡¯s body?¡±

    The father and son shared a laugh as they climbed into the carriage to return to the estate.

    Despite everything, Verdi couldn¡¯t hide his happiness.

    ¡°Arai, as a reward, take this book.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Arai glanced at the book with indifference before his expression brightened.

    [Beginner Spells]

    ¡°Spells?¡± Arai couldn¡¯t hide the smile that spread across his face.

    The spells from Introduction to Magic had been rubbish, unworthy of his time or effort. They were nothing more than basic, non-combative examples, akin to children¡¯s educational models.

    But this book? This was the real deal!

    ¡°I haven¡¯t given you a birthday present yet, have I?¡± Verdi handed the book to Arai, saying, ¡°Consider this a reward for your patience over the past three years.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you your actual birthday gift later.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Arai expressed his gratitude sincerely.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the formality?¡± Verdi laughed, ruffling Arai¡¯s hair. ¡°You¡¯re my son; no need for such decorum between us.¡±

    Son¡­ Arai didn¡¯t respond but pondered the word for a moment before nodding silently.

 24 - Golden Finger: <Analyze>

    Arai''s Perspective

    Upon returning to the estate, Verdi told me to rest, as we¡¯d begin some training starting tomorrow. I was advised to get a good night''s sleep.

    Mizuki was already asleep, as night had fallen.

    After eating my dinner, I returned to my room. I changed into more comfortable sleepwear, extinguished the candles, and collapsed onto the bed, drained of energy.

    I stared quietly at the ceiling. Despite the exhausting day, sleep eluded me.

    After a long stretch of silence, I muttered, "Analyze."

    A translucent blue ring appeared within my field of vision, emitting an imperceptible blue light that scanned the entire room. Though the candles were out, the darkness couldn¡¯t hinder my senses, I could clearly perceive everything in the room.

    ¡°As I thought¡­¡± I smiled with satisfaction.

    My ability had arrived! My greatest asset in this world was finally here!

    Previously, when speaking with the chessman, I hadn¡¯t dared to believe I¡¯d possess such a remarkable power, but now, there was no need for doubt.

    This ability was the reason I had confidence in surviving this world.

    It was called <Analysis>.

    As the name suggests, it¡¯s an ability that allows me to analyze nearly anything I want, from head to toe and beyond. I knew instinctively that it could analyze spells, living bodies upon touch, materials, and artifacts¡ªrevealing their origins and even the method of their creation.

    It could even break down attacks, and once the analysis was complete, I could replicate those attacks, provided I had an affinity with the relevant element.

    It was a cheat, a fitting tool for a protagonist in this kind of world.

    It came with four sub-functions:

    <ol>

    <li>Analyze: [Reveal - Dissect - Microscope]</li>

    <li>Simulate</li>

    <li>Complete Analysis</li>

    <li>Trace Origin</li>

    </ol>

    Aside from basic analysis and simulation, both Complete Analysis and Trace Origin required direct physical contact to activate. The physical connection had to be maintained until the analysis was complete; otherwise, the information might remain incomplete or be entirely canceled.

    I had gained all this knowledge instinctively as if it had been downloaded into my brain when the cube merged with me. I didn¡¯t even need to test it to understand its scope.

    ¡°This power is a golden finger, isn¡¯t it? Oh, why even ask? It absolutely is.¡± I grinned as I continued staring at the ceiling.

    This ability, resembling advanced nanotechnology, suited me perfectly.

    I guess there were no computers in this world, yet with this ability, I had access to a microscopic lens and an internal storage device.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    It would be an enormous aid for my future research! I suppose my luck wasn¡¯t bad after all, considering this ability hadn¡¯t been left behind with my old body. Or maybe the Chessman had ensured it remained with me?

    Whatever the case, it didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that it was still mine!

    <b>"But wi</b><b>th this, I must put in the effort now."</b>

    The days of peace were over for me since the awakening rite concluded. Now, I had to live seriously and strive to become a true magician.

    Although I said that, the road ahead was still long.

    Starting tomorrow, I would likely begin lessons on how things operate in the noble world. On top of that, preparations for me to become the heir of the dukedom would also start. Maybe even lessons on leading armies in battle¡ªnot to mention living as a magician.

    This was already giving me a headache.

    I stood up, climbed out of bed, and settled into the chair by the desk.

    A faint buzz echoed as I gently lit a candle on the desk and pulled out the book [Beginner Spells] from one of the drawers.

    It was the book Verdi had gifted me earlier.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see how effective this ability really is¡­¡± I opened the book and flipped through the pages, stopping at the fire spells section.

    The book contained zero to third-level spells for four elements: Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. Without a doubt, a book like this must have been incredibly expensive. I was genuinely moved that Verdi had given it to me.

    "Let¡¯s start with an easy one."

    Soon enough, I found a zero-level spell called [Fire Sword].

    ¡°Hmm¡­ first, form mana into a tangible shape in your hand, and then¡­¡± I read the steps to execute the spell and studied the corresponding magic circle. This type of spell could be executed in two ways: either by following the steps or by memorizing the associated magic circle.

    Executing the steps was out of my reach for now, as it required summoning flames from nothing, without magic circles, chants, or any external tools, relying solely on raw magical prowess. Seasoned enhancers could do that with ease.

    But I was just a newly awakened child. I¡¯d need more time to understand and practice.

    I focused on the magic circle for the spell and muttered quietly, <Analyze: Analyze>

    Instantly, a scanning beam emitted from my eyes, sweeping across the Fire Sword magic circle. The scan lasted for about three seconds before a miniature version of the circle appeared clearly before my eyes.

    "..."

    ¡°That easy?¡± I was momentarily speechless. Just by scanning the circle, I¡¯d memorized it.

    It should be noted that memorizing spells took a tremendous amount of time. Why was it so hard to memorize them? Because magic circles were composed of numerous algorithms and intricate runes¡ªlike committing an entire architectural blueprint to memory and recalling it flawlessly!

    Memorizing a circle was significantly harder than memorizing a lengthy chant, but the results were worth it.

    Did this mean I could memorize all the spells in this book in minutes?

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll do that¡­¡± I dismissed the idea.

    First, it felt childish and pointless; I didn¡¯t have any combat style yet, so memorizing all these spells would just clutter my mind. I wouldn¡¯t do something so frivolous.

    Most importantly, I wasn¡¯t even at the first rank yet!

    What good would memorizing these spells be if I couldn¡¯t use them? None at all.

    Just because I¡¯d completed the awakening rite didn¡¯t mean I had automatically become a one rank magician. The presence of the Laska ring didn¡¯t change that either.

    ¡°Phew¡­¡±

    I pushed the book away and decided to try something else.

    "Whoosh!"

    A golden book appeared on the table, adorned with ancient engravings and a large sun emblem at its center¡ªit was my Grimoire!

    The book was truly a masterpiece, as if crafted by an ancient artisan. The sun emblem at its center glowed faintly, resembling a star in the night.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­¡±

    Thinking about it, when they said ¡®Sun Element,¡¯ did it imply having an overwhelming burning power? Or was it akin to possessing the strength of a star?

    First, I decided to open the book and check its contents¡­

    To my surprise, it refused to open!

    ¡°Huh?¡± I tried again, but the book remained sealed shut, as tight as a metal safe.

    Hmm, I frowned, puzzled by the unexpected resistance.

    This is odd. Does it require fulfilling some sort of condition to unlock it? Why is it sealed in the first place?

    Since I couldn¡¯t figure it out, I decided to approach the problem differently.

    I¡¯ll ask Verdi tomorrow.

    It had been a long day, packed with events. I suppose I should get some sleep.

 25 - Arcana Specters?

    After a good night''s rest and a hearty breakfast, I went to the main hall for a lesson with Verdi.

    I assumed Mizuki was training diligently in the practice hall.

    "Alright," Verdi said lazily as we settled in the vast back garden. "If I were to explain everything about magic, we¡¯d be here all day. What do you want to know first?" His nonchalant demeanor was a stark contrast to the stern persona he displayed while working in his study.

    I pondered for a moment. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but one stood out above the rest.

    "Why did you react so strangely when you saw my grimoire?" I asked. His expression at the time hadn¡¯t been one of pride or celebration; it was complicated, almost reluctant as if the outcome was both expected and unwanted.

    "To put it simply, you''re in imminent danger," Verdi said, his tone unusually grave.

    "Huh?!"

    "There are different types of elements: primary, secondary, and so on. Your ¡®Sun¡¯ element doesn¡¯t belong to any of them," he continued. "Let¡¯s start with the basics. What are the primary elements? These are the most fundamental, present everywhere around us: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Every magician has at least one primary element."

    His explanation piqued my curiosity further. "What about secondary elements?" I asked.

    "Secondary elements are advanced forms of the primary ones. They retain some of their original characteristics but are often more potent. For example, Water can manifest as Ice, and Life can branch into Vitality. Air might evolve into Storms. However, for a magician with a primary element to wield a secondary one, they must train diligently. It¡¯s not impossible, but it requires effort, talent, and, frankly, genius."

    I nodded, processing the information before cutting to the heart of the matter. "So, what makes the Sun so special?"

    "The Sun isn¡¯t a primary or secondary element," Verdi explained. "It¡¯s what we call an ¡®Authority.¡¯ Authorities are incredibly rare. They¡¯re less like elements and more akin to unique magical powers. Only one in twenty thousand magicians might possess a Domain."

    "Authority?" I echoed, intrigued.

    "Yes," Verdi said, leaning forward. "Authority doesn¡¯t follow the typical rules of elemental magic. They¡¯re special abilities, sometimes inherited through bloodlines or created through exhaustive research. I¡¯ve encountered magicians with Authority before, one could manipulate volcanoes, and another controlled glass."

    His words sent a chill down my spine. I couldn¡¯t tell if I¡¯d hit the jackpot or signed up for trouble.

    "Your Sun Authority is our family¡¯s legacy. That¡¯s what makes it special," Verdi continued a hint of pride in his voice.

    I was still processing this revelation when a thought struck me. "Does this mean Light and Life are primary elements too?"

    "No," Verdi said, shaking his head. "Those two belong to another category altogether¡ªPrimal Elements."

    "Primal Elements?" I asked, intrigued.

    "Yes," Verdi confirmed. "They¡¯re tied to the fundamental laws of the world and are far more powerful than the primary elements. They¡¯re not limited to just attack or defense, they can affect reality itself. Examples include Light, Darkness, Lightning, Time, Space, and Life."

    Hearing that made me grin. Three distinct categories of elements: Primary, Secondary, and Primal. I possessed Fire, a Primary element; Space, a Primal one; and the rare Sun authority. Lucky didn¡¯t even begin to describe it.

    "With my Space affinity, does that mean I can use Space magic?" I asked, excitement bubbling up.

    "No," Verdi replied bluntly. "Arai, having an affinity means you have permission to use an element, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can wield it immediately. You need to learn, practice, and acquire the right techniques. Just like having money doesn¡¯t mean you can access its value without spending it wisely."

    His explanation felt like a bucket of cold water. So, my Space affinity was practically useless unless I invested significant effort into it.

    "Now," Verdi said, his tone shifting, "let¡¯s talk about ranks."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    I sighed internally. I still had so many unanswered questions, but I let him lead the lesson. There was no point in pushing further right now.

    "Not really." Honestly, I didn¡¯t fully understand what it meant to be a  rank four or rank five sorcerer. I knew they were remarkable and rare, but to what extent?

    "Alright." Verdi raised a finger, and with a flick, ignited a flame shaped like the number "1."

    Wow, magic is fascinating.

    "First,   rank one."

    Verdi began to explain, illuminating the shadows of my ignorance.

    "At rank one, a sorcerer gains strength beyond that of an ordinary human. As they progress through higher ranks, their body begins to merge with mana, making them fundamentally different from regular humans. Of course, their power is still limited to a small range at this level."

    Hmm, so they¡¯re essentially superhumans?

    The flame changed to display the number "2."

    "At rank two, sorcerers can wield mana with greater force! They can be considered a common combat force."

    "Rank three marks an elite level of power that cannot be ignored. It grants significant status to organizations and noble families. This rank is also the minimum requirement to consider traveling the world."

    "Rank four? Now that¡¯s rare. Many major organizations and distinguished families in the Western continent are led by rank four sorcerers. Even in our kingdom, there are only 4 of them."

    "As for rank five, that¡¯s the pinnacle of what humans can achieve."

    "Rank five sorcerers can alter the weather and set rivers ablaze! They are living examples of what magic is. Sorcerers of this rank are extremely rare! There are only two in the kingdom." Verdi lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Don¡¯t tell anyone, but King Lanovel is only a rank five in title! He doesn¡¯t truly possess the strength of a rank five. I¡¯m the only real  rank here."

    "He¡¯s nothing more than a paper tiger!" he said smugly.

    Eh? Ignoring his mockery of the king, "What about rank six and above? I¡¯ve read there are nine ranks!"

    This was strange. What did he mean by "the pinnacle of what humans can achieve"?

    Verdi shook his head. "Son, I don¡¯t mean to discourage you, but rank six is closer to legend."

    "Do you know how many rank five sorcerers exist in Artemis Isles?"

    I shook my head, clueless.

    "There are only four! Excluding the fakes, of course."

    I felt a pang of disappointment. Were rank six sorcerers that rare?

    Hmm, what¡¯s the reason? Is this world like a game map with locked zones? Do I need to unlock other areas to access this rank?

    Noticing my disappointment, Verdi said, "Well, rank six does exist! I met someone of that rank years ago. In fact, rumors claim the strongest magician in the Truth Court is a rank six."

    Hmm, so it¡¯s not completely hopeless after all.

    "Father, what are your chances of reaching   rank six?"

    "0%." Verdi responded without hesitation.

    Huh?

    "Shocked?" He chuckled. "I¡¯m merely a mid-five  rank. Even reaching this rank was pure luck. Without our family¡¯s resources, I couldn¡¯t have made it. I would¡¯ve been stuck at rank four, like Haist."

    "Do you know the two most critical factors for a magician? Talent and resources."

    "Without talent, resources are wasted. Without resources, talent becomes a curse."

    "And to reach rank six? I¡¯d need to empty the reserves of every nation in Artemis Isles. Actually, no, even that wouldn¡¯t be enough. Forget rank six, I relied on the accumulated resources of generations in our family to reach my current rank. Without them, I¡¯d still be stuck at rank four."

    Tsk, tsk. Am I destined to become a thief in the future?

    "There¡¯s a small problem." Verdi¡¯s expression turned unusually serious.

    "What is it?"

    His sudden change in demeanor made me uneasy; he had never looked this way before.

    "I didn¡¯t want to tell you this, but you¡¯re a smart kid. I think it¡¯s better you know." Verdi explained, "Our family is unique because of the ¡®Authority of the Sun.¡¯ And for that same reason, you¡¯re already in trouble."

    Trouble? What kind of trouble could make his expression this grim? Hmm.

    "Your great-grandfather was just like you. He possessed Sun authority and awakened a grimoire."

    "While traveling in the western continent, he crossed paths with an organization called the ¡®Arcana Specters.¡¯ They pursued and hunted him relentlessly for a long time, sending waves of rank four, and even rank five sorcerers after him."

    "But that¡¯s not the scariest part."

    "The terrifying thing is that they have a rank six sorcerer!"

    "Before his death, your great-grandfather wrote in his will, warning the next heir to avoid revealing his authority too openly, lest they come after him." From Verdi¡¯s tone, I knew he was deadly serious; this was no joke. He was warning me with absolute sincerity.

    I felt a mix of emotions¡ªconfusion, and trepidation. All this, for a Sun? Strange.

    Verdi continued explaining a few other things but didn¡¯t bring up the topic again.

    "Alright, what I can teach you is limited, I''m too busy for that; I¡¯ve hired a tutor for you. Just wait for them to arrive."

    Verdi didn¡¯t know why my grimoire was sealed.

    He told me that authorities are often like this at the start. The tutor, who was coming from the western continent, also had authority.

    Perhaps he¡¯ll be able to help? I hope so.

    ...

    After finishing my lessons with Verdi, it was time to head to the training hall.

    This was for a test with Haist, the palace¡¯s enhancer guardian.

    I got thoroughly beaten the last time¡ªtwo years ago. He even said something like, "You¡¯re not cut out to be an enhancer."

    Hmph! I don¡¯t care about reinforcement anyway, but I promised my mother I¡¯d try.

    ¨C I couldn¡¯t become a sorcerer while neglecting my physical strength.

    I¡¯m not that foolish. Neglecting my physical capabilities would leave me vulnerable to close-range enhancers and sorcerers.

    Of course, this problem could be solved by elevating my magic to a level where close encounters became irrelevant. Still, balance was important.

    Come to think of it, I wasn¡¯t the fighting type.

    So, I prefer to end it with a single, powerful strike.

    I¡¯ve never fought anyone in my life, which isn¡¯t surprising.

    Maybe that¡¯ll change in the future.

    Inside the hall, Mizuki was swinging her sword with relentless determination. She looked like a diligent student practicing kendo at a school dojo.

    I have a hardworking sister.

 26 - <Analyze: Simulate>

    Haist, as always, was dressed impeccably in sleek leather armor with shoulder and chest plates. His ash-blond hair, styled in a sharp 3:7 cut, stood in contrast to Verdi¡¯s and my golden-blonde hues. Despite his composed demeanor, he didn¡¯t seem older than thirty-five.

    Without greetings or preamble, he said indifferently, "You¡¯ll be sparring with Mizuki this time. Same rules as before¡ªfalling means you lose."

    Seriously? Where¡¯s the courtesy? A simple greeting wouldn¡¯t hurt. I¡¯m still the young lord of this estate, for crying out loud!

    Hmm, sparring with Mizuki? This should be easier than I thought.

    "Eh? I don¡¯t want to bully my little brother," Mizuki quipped, setting her training routine aside. She raised her wooden sword with a teasing grin and added, "But I won¡¯t go easy on you, Arai!"

    Mizuki looked as fierce as ever with her jet-black hair tied back in a high ponytail and wearing proper training attire.

    "Please, show mercy," I muttered, gripping my wooden sword tighter.

    "Take your positions," Haist commanded without missing a beat.

    After ensuring we were ready, he nodded. "Begin!"

    The moment his voice fell, Mizuki charged forward with an explosive burst of speed, her stance direct and aggressive.

    I instinctively stepped back, whispering:"<<b>Analyze</b>: Simulate>."

    Why was I so confident I could win against Mizuki? Simply, my unique ability.

    This ability came with various subskills, including the ability to simulate incoming attacks by analyzing an opponent¡¯s combat stance and body language. It was almost like glimpsing into the immediate future. However, it wasn¡¯t perfectly accurate, only around 55-60% reliable, and focused purely on physical movement.

    It was practically useless against sorcerers since I lacked the necessary data to predict their spells and techniques. This wasn¡¯t clairvoyance, after all! Still, if I observed their magic and gathered enough data during the fight, I might be able to simulate their combat patterns. In theory, I could even create a mental simulation of the battle.

    For now, it was enough against Mizuki, or so I thought.

    An invisible blue scanner emerged, running over Mizuki¡¯s form. Moments later, her upcoming moves were rendered as a 3D projection in my mind.

    Clenching the wooden sword in my hand, I intercepted Mizuki¡¯s initial attack with a swift counterstrike, pivoting my stance to launch an immediate thrust.

    "Clang!"

    Mizuki reacted quickly, shifting her stance to parry my strike, her blade raised defensively. The crash forced both of us to retreat momentarily.

    Without giving her a chance to recover, I leaped forward, launching an aggressive frontal assault.

    Mizuki was momentarily surprised but quickly adapted. She raised her sword horizontally, blocking my attack effectively.

    Both Haist and Mizuki seemed genuinely surprised by the exchange.

    "Arai, I¡¯ll have to take this seriously now..." Mizuki declared, adjusting her stance.

    Isn¡¯t that what villains say after getting cornered? I sighed internally. Her line felt oddly clich¨¦.

    Mizuki readied her sword, her grip tightening, before charging at me once again.

    A straightforward charge? Easy to predict.

    <Analyze: Simulate.>

    "Eh...?"

    Mizuki vanished from my view like a specter. When she reappeared, the simulation exploded into chaos¡ªmultiple projected attack paths appeared simultaneously. I couldn¡¯t discern which was real.

    Her movements were fluid, almost elusive. If I reacted to one trajectory, she¡¯d instantly shift to another, countering effortlessly.

    Damn it! I can¡¯t predict her strikes!

    Unlike before, where a 1 blue line depicted her sword¡¯s trajectory, now there were at least 13 overlapping paths.

    "Clang!"

    "Clang!"

    Her wooden sword struck me repeatedly. I couldn¡¯t even muster a proper defense.

    ¡®At this rate...¡¯ I retreated to create some space for a counterattack.

    However, a sudden shadow loomed over me, and the next thing I knew, I was sprawled on the ground in utter defeat.

    ...

    "How did you do that, Mizuki?" I asked in disbelief. I¡¯d heard Verdi mention that Haist once said Mizuki had exceptional talent in swordsmanship, something about ghostly movements and ambiguous attack patterns.

    "Isn¡¯t it obvious? If you react to one move, I¡¯ll switch to another. And if you try to predict my attacks, I¡¯ll make my movements ambiguous, leaving you open to counterattacks," Mizuki replied, wiping sweat from her brow with an air of calm confidence.

    "What?" Her explanation sounded like gibberish to me.

    Counter what I expect? She¡¯s just a little girl, why does she sound like a seasoned swordmaster?

    Haist stepped in, shaking his head. "That¡¯s the difference between sorcerers and enhancers. Sorcerers rely on logic and calculations, while enhancers depend more on instinct. That¡¯s why I said you¡¯re more suited to being a sorcerer. You think too much. Enhancers who aren¡¯t instinctive have a much harder time."

    Oh, so that¡¯s what he meant.

    In my previous life, I read something similar in a manga: "If you predict my attack, I¡¯ll switch to another, and I¡¯ll keep doing that until I land a hit."

    It was something like that.

    Wow... I must¡¯ve overestimated myself. Mizuki, who couldn¡¯t even enhance her body with mana yet, had utterly dominated me.

    If this had been a real sword fight, I¡¯d be dead by now.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    I might have this fancy ability, but it doesn¡¯t mean I can win against raw skill. I was too cocky.

    "But wow, if my big sister is this strong, I won¡¯t have to worry about being bullied!" I teased.

    Mizuki¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. "Don¡¯t mock me! If you train properly, you can be stronger than me."

    "Until then, I¡¯ll rely on you."

    Haist chimed in, "Alright. Your performance was better than before. I¡¯ll agree to train you, but what you gain depends on your effort."

    "And you fought with more seriousness this time. You even managed to land a hit on Mizuki."

    "Yes!" I exclaimed, delighted. Haist was a rank-four enhancer, after all. His teachings were incredibly valuable.

    What would I learn first? Aura? Battle qi? Or perhaps the legendary Sword Intent? Just imagining it got me excited.

    "Alright, start with 50 laps around the courtyard, followed by 100 push-ups, then..."

    "..."

    "Huh? You¡¯re not teaching me sword techniques?"

    "Hah?" Haist shot me a disdainful look. "You want to swing a sword with that frail body of yours? We¡¯ll start sword training after 6 months of basic exercises!"

    "Can I start tomorrow? My arms hurt..." I winced, recalling the beating Mizuki had given me earlier. She hadn¡¯t shown her little brother any mercy.

    "No!"

    I felt wronged.

    Did I set my expectations too high?

    "Ha ha ha..."

    I glanced at Mizuki. That girl was laughing!

    She must¡¯ve expected Haist to say that.

    ...

    Three days had passed.

    I found myself gazing at the raven-haired beauty before me, her pale face serene under the moonlight streaming through the window, giving her an ethereal, otherworldly allure.

    This was my mother in this life - Kuyomi.

    One of the maids had informed me that my mother had awakened, so without hesitation, I came rushing here. The same went for Father and Mizuki.

    "Arai, you¡¯ve grown so much since the last time I saw you," she said with a warm smile.

    An inexplicable sadness stirred within me. The last time Mother was awake was nearly seven months ago. It had been so long.

    "Mizuki, you too. You¡¯ve grown into a beautiful young lady."

    Mizuki stepped forward, quietly hugging Mother. Mother extended her arms toward me as well, pulling me into her warm and comforting embrace.

    "Mizuki¡­ Arai¡­ I¡¯m sorry," she murmured, her voice tender. "Mama can¡¯t stay to watch over you both."

    "Verdi, I¡¯m sorry too. Instead of being here for the children, I¡¯ve left everything to you."

    Then, turning her attention back to me, she stroked my hair gently and said, "Arai¡­ you¡¯re five years old now, aren¡¯t you? That means you¡¯ve completed your awakening ceremony¡­"

    "How did it go?"

    Without a word, I raised my hand and summoned my grimoire.

    "Mm¡­" Mother didn¡¯t show much reaction. Instead, she smiled brightly and said, "Arai, since you¡¯ve gained strength now, it¡¯s your duty to protect your big sister."

    "Mother! I¡¯m not weak! I can defend myself perfectly fine with my sword!" Mizuki protested vehemently, puffing herself up as if to appear stronger even in this moment.

    Still holding on to her pride, huh? This girl never changes.

    Mizuki then launched into an animated retelling of how she had "heroically" and "utterly" defeated me during Haist¡¯s test.

    "Oh? My little princess has grown strong, hasn¡¯t she?" Mother chuckled softly, patting Mizuki¡¯s head. "That reassures me."

    Taking both our hands, she pressed them to her forehead and said, "Now, promise me you¡¯ll protect each other no matter what happens."

    "I will!" Mizuki declared with determination.

    "I will," I echoed.

    "What obedient children," Mother whispered, pulling us both into another hug. This time, Mizuki let out a quiet sob. Even I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me. But I held it in, refusing to let it take over.

    What exactly was going on with her? What secrets lay hidden within my mother? Unfortunately, I wasn¡¯t in a position to uncover them.

    Though I hadn¡¯t spent much time with her, the year and a half we shared was enough for me to accept her as my mother. It went against my initial plans, but it didn¡¯t matter¡ªhuman emotions were fickle and unpredictable.

    "Verdi¡­"

    "It¡¯s fine," Father interjected, shrugging with a helpless smile.

    "Why are you all so gloomy? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m dying," Mother said, her gaze drifting to the window. "It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m dealing with a somewhat unique condition."

    From the look on her face, it was clear she understood her situation but had chosen not to disclose it.

    "Verdi, there¡¯s no need to bring anyone else for treatment anymore. It¡¯s pointless, and I think you realize that too, don¡¯t you?" Her voice softened as she cast a serious glance at Father. "I¡¯ll return to normal in a few years."

    Nodding, I took Mizuki by the arm and led her out of the room, giving them some space.

    As soon as we left, Mizuki clung to me tightly, bursting into tears.

    "Arai¡­"

    "Yes?"

    "Will Mother be okay? Will she wake up soon?" Mizuki asked between sobs, lifting her tear-streaked face to look at me.

    Her shimmering, tear-filled eyes filled me with a profound sense of pity.

    Not wanting to crush her hopes, I smiled confidently and said, "Of course!"

    I¡¯m an adult, I can live without parents. I can endure having Mother in a coma.

    Mizuki, however, is just a little girl, barely eight years old. The fact that she¡¯s held out this long is a testament to her strength. She¡¯s inherited the best traits from both our parents or rather, this girl is simply strong in her own right.

    She¡¯s managed to overcome the shock of being unable to use mana and has remained resilient despite Mother¡¯s prolonged absence.

    I turned my gaze to the crimson moon outside the window, silently wishing for things to get better.

    ...

    Three months had passed.

    I lay sprawled on the usual tree in the courtyard, gazing at the grand manor through one of its sturdy branches. The warm spring sun kissed my skin, and the cheerful chirping of birds filled the air. It was the season of renewal, yet I felt anything but revitalized.

    I hadn¡¯t managed to open my grimoire, and I still wasn¡¯t even a rank one sorcerer. That cursed book remained firmly sealed despite all my attempts to pry it open.

    The only consolation I had was that the so-called teacher Verdi promised still hadn¡¯t shown up.

    Between physical training and my mysterious grimoire, I was sinking deeper into a pit of frustration and despair.

    My daily routine was enough to drive anyone mad. Mornings were spent enduring grueling physical training under Haist¡¯s relentless supervision, running, push-ups, squats, jumps, and more. Even my meals were drastically reduced in portions, making the entire experience torturous.

    At night, I sat through private lessons on the management of the duchy, handling documents, courtly etiquette, and other tedious formalities.

    My dreary schedule for the next ten years had already been mapped out: in five years, I¡¯d enter the royal academy; three years later, I¡¯d join the military; and five years after that, I¡¯d be married, and ready to inherit the title of duke.

    The mere thought of this timeline ignited a smoldering anger within me, a black flame fueled by frustration and resentment.

    I didn¡¯t even have time to analyze the magical artifacts or that ancient relic in my possession!

    Haist¡¯s training left my body aching constantly. During the first month, there were days I could barely move due to the intense strain on my muscles.

    ¡°I feel sick today. Can I take a break?¡± I¡¯d try my luck.

    ¡°No,¡± Haist would reply coldly. ¡°If you¡¯re that ill, drink a healing potion. Your father¡¯s a duke, so I¡¯m sure he has plenty lying around.¡±

    What did this guy have against me?

    Sometimes, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he bore some personal grudge. The disparity between how he treated Mizuki and me was like night and day.

    On the brighter side, I managed to learn three level zero spells: Fireball, Light Bomb, and Fire Bullet¡ªincluding a modified version of Fireball.

    Truthfully, I could have learned more, possibly even the entire beginner¡¯s spellbook. But I held back. I wasn¡¯t even a rank one sorcerer yet, and learning these basic, practically useless spells was just a way to console myself.

    At least, with the Laska Ring, these spells had the strength of a level one sorcerer¡¯s magic.

    Now, I have confirmed a few peculiar details about this world.

    <b>The moon.</b>

    The moon in this world had three distinct phases; not in the sense of crescents and full moons, but in its very color.

    Every three years, its hue shifted. Initially, it was silver. Three years later, it turned blue. After six years, it became red.

    One moon, three colors.

    I first noticed the red moon when I turned three and found it fascinating. After reading about it and asking Verdi, I learned about its three phases.

    No, these weren¡¯t separate moons; it was the same celestial body transforming.

    Observing the sun revealed another anomaly.

    It seemed closer and smaller than Earth¡¯s sun¡ªyet summer temperatures here were still normal, peaking at an estimated 30 degrees Celsius.

    In my studies, I also came to understand the fundamental differences between enhancers and sorcerers.

    First, mana reserve<b></b><b></b><b>es.</b>

    Sorcerers had far larger mana reserves than enhancers, though it was more accurate to say that enhancers¡¯ reserves were significantly reduced.

    Sorcerers used mana from their core to unleash powerful spells with precision and efficiency. On the other hand, enhancers utilized roughly 50¨C60% of their available mana to continuously augment their physical bodies. This enhancement transformed their cells and veins, making their bodies tougher than metal and brimming with raw power.

    Although enhancers could use magic, their spellcasting was limited to straightforward, non-weapon-based attacks. They were fearsome in their own right, trading the versatility of sorcery for sheer brute strength.

    One more thing I learned: a sorcerer¡¯s power isn¡¯t always determined by their rank.

 27 - Sun Origin?

    Let¡¯s say there are two sorcerers: A and B.

    Sorcerer A is at early rank three, while Sorcerer B is at peak rank three.

    They fought. Who do you think won? Sorcerer B, right? After all, they were at the peak of the rank.

    But no. Sorcerer A emerged victorious.

    Why?

    Simple: sorcerer A had better mana control, which made their attacks more precise. In addition, they didn¡¯t waste any extra mana on the latent power of their spells. This superior control over mana was enough for them to defeat someone at a higher rank.

    Now, it¡¯s a different story for enhancers.

    Let¡¯s say there are two enhancers: A and B. Both are at rank three, one at early rank three and the other at peak rank three.

    Both use swords.

    They fought, and once again, A won!

    Why?

    Even though B was two stages higher, with a tougher, stronger body and better elemental affinity, they lost because A had far superior swordsmanship.

    Such nuances can play a significant role in battles.

    Take Mizuki, the prodigy with frightening talent. According to Haist, she could defeat a rank three enhancer swordsman in the early stage! That¡¯s without accounting for the mana and elemental powers of the enhancer¡ªjust pure skill.

    Alright, let¡¯s move on from this.

    I decided to try something new today. I would use <Analyze: Trace Origin> on my grimoire.

    What would tracing its origin show me? A vision of my ancestor?

    As the name suggests, "Trace Origin" allows me to trace the history of an object it¡¯s used on. For example, if I used it on a phone, I¡¯d learn about the manufacturer and perhaps even see the factory in a video-like memory.

    Previously, I tried it on a book in the mansion and saw how the words were written, letter by letter, by an old man.

    ¡®I hope this works¡­¡¯ I internally wished it would help me unlock the grimoire. I was getting tired of waiting.

    I raised my hand, summoning the golden book.

    It was the same as ever: golden, with the emblem of a radiant sun in the center, emanating faint heat. Nothing had changed about it.

    Taking a deep breath, I placed my palm on the book and whispered: <Analyze: Trace Origin>.

    ¡°!!!¡±

    Dizziness overcame me as the scene around me shifted. The vast blue skies and the grand manor vanished. In their place, I found myself staring at the back of a man clad in a priestly white robe with a pale yellow stole trailing behind him.

    At that moment, the man was bowing toward something¡ªor someone¡ªI couldn¡¯t discern clearly.

    We were inside a massive hall with towering white pillars and intricate decorations adorning the walls.

    If I had to describe the place, I¡¯d say it resembled the interior of a cathedral.

    Hmm, this wasn¡¯t what I had expected.

    Verdi had mentioned that authorities were created by ancient sorcerers or something similar. Was this scene related to that? It didn¡¯t seem like it.

    The scene before me felt more like a ritual.

    ¡°#### ### ### !!¡±

    Hmm? This language¡­ I didn¡¯t recognize it.

    I¡¯d heard of another language called ¡®<b>Arcana</b>¡¯ used in the western continent, but I hadn¡¯t started learning it yet. The book I¡¯d ordered to study it hadn¡¯t even arrived!You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Oh, there was also that ancient magical language called ¡®Old Merlin.¡¯

    I couldn¡¯t understand a single word of what was being said. However, after the man spoke, he clasped his hands tightly against his chest and exclaimed, ¡°### #### !¡±

    A glowing emblem of a blazing sun descended from above and merged into what seemed to be the man¡¯s forehead.

    ¡®This¡­¡¯ Strange. I felt an inexplicable connection to that emblem. It was a type of bond I couldn¡¯t put into words.

    Something about this was deeply unsettling, wasn¡¯t it?

    As the emblem fused with the bowing man, the space around us grew brighter and hotter, reminiscent of the peak of summer. The radiance spread, swallowing everything in its path.

    ¡®This is bad!¡¯ A sinking feeling lodged itself in my chest.

    I knew I had to act, but I didn¡¯t know how to escape.

    ¡°###### #### #### !!!¡±

    ¡°###### #### #### !!!¡±

    The bowing man and that ¡®thing¡¯ or ¡®person¡¯ spoke in perfect unison. The blinding light intensified, growing brighter by the second.

    ¡®Get out!¡¯ My mind screamed. I clung to this thought, refusing to let any distractions seep in.

    The light inched closer and closer, resembling the warm and beautiful rays of sunrise. Yet, my body felt no warmth from it¡ªonly coldness and death.

    ¡°Woosh!!¡±

    I nearly toppled off the branch but managed to regain my balance just in time.

    ¡°Pant¡­ Pant¡­¡± Somehow, I escaped before the light consumed me.

    Sweat drenched my body as if I¡¯d just run a marathon. My clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin.

    ¡°Drip¡­¡±

    ¡°Drip¡­¡±

    Blood trickled from my nose onto the grass below.

    ¡®Oh? My nose is bleeding?¡¯ I wiped at it with my sleeve, but the bleeding persisted.

    A sudden wave of fear gripped me.

    I escaped with just a nosebleed and a mild headache¡ªhow fortunate.

    What would have happened if that light swallowed me? I didn¡¯t even want to think about it.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I still couldn¡¯t unlock the grimoire.¡±

    A heavy sigh escaped me, laden with disappointment.

    So much mystery surrounded me¡ªmy mother¡¯s origins, the grimoire, the royal family¡¯s schemes¡ªand here I was, not even a rank one sorcerer yet, the weakest rank there was. It felt like peace would forever elude me until I unraveled these enigmas.

    No, more accurately, I knew I wouldn¡¯t find peace until I solved them.

    Alright, let¡¯s recap what I saw.

    A sun emblem, a robed priest, a vast cathedral-like hall, and someone¡ªor something.

    Let¡¯s connect the dots. My first thought was the grimoire and the sun emblem.

    Thanks to <Analyze>, the image of that emblem was etched deeply into my mind, easy to recall at will.

    ¡°Hmm, they don¡¯t look very similar¡­¡± I muttered.

    The sun emblem on the grimoire and the one from the vision didn¡¯t resemble each other at all.

    But if there was no resemblance, why did I feel a connection to the emblem?

    What I used was Trace Origin, a skill that reveals the history, purpose, or creation process of an object through its imprinted memories. From what I saw, the sun¡¯s light had some connection to either my grimoire or me. Otherwise, why would I feel that inexplicable familiarity?

    Overthinking wouldn¡¯t solve anything, so I stopped trying to figure it out.

    As the saying goes, ¡°Excess effort leads to waste, not results.¡±

    ¡°Arai, oh! Here you are.¡±

    ¡°Interested in coming to the market with me?¡±

    Mizuki appeared suddenly from behind the tree, inviting me to join her trip to the market.

    Her sudden appearance still scared me, as always. Even after attempting to analyze her from afar using detection, I couldn¡¯t figure out why.

    She was like a ghost, showing up and disappearing as she pleased. Even Father and Haist couldn¡¯t sense her presence.

    I refused without hesitation. ¡°No! I¡¯m not interested.¡±

    I had mysteries to solve here!

    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that!¡± Mizuki laughed. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, and she asked in a confused tone, ¡°Why are you so sweaty? And what¡¯s with your nose?¡±

    ¡°Your daily training session is already over!¡±

    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve been training secretly? Uncle Haist will be thrilled to hear that!¡±

    ¡°No! Stop it!¡±

    Secret training? Hell no! As if I¡¯d ever do such a thing!

    ¡°Ahem. It¡¯s just¡­ a little warm today¡­¡±

    Feeling warm during the gentle spring weather? What a pathetic lie I just came up with.

    Mizuki didn¡¯t seem interested in teasing me further. She returned to her initial topic. ¡°Anyway, are you coming to the market with me? I¡¯m going to buy some new dresses.¡±

    ¡°As I said before, I¡¯m not interested!¡±

    This girl, why does she always want to drag me along whenever she wants to do something? It was the same back when she insisted on listening to bedtime stories from Mother years ago.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Mizuki¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°I heard from Father that¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡­?¡± Hmm, I suddenly had a bad feeling about her smile.

    If I had to think of something Mizuki loved teasing me about, what would it be? No, don¡¯t tell me¡ª

    ¡°That Princess Lilith is visiting for a short tea session soon, so we need to look our best. Especially you, considering you¡¯re, ahem, her fianc¨¦¡­¡±

    My face darkened as Mizuki finished her sentence.

    At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to strangle that king.

    Fianc¨¦e? The fact that I had one was something I¡¯d forgotten¡ªdeliberately erased from my mind¡ªuntil Mizuki reminded me just now.

    ¡°Why the gloomy face? Lilith is really sweet! I¡¯ve decided: even if you don¡¯t want this, I¡¯ll personally make sure you marry her.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re too shy to meet your fianc¨¦e? Or should I say, your future wife~?¡±

    My face grew darker with every word she said.

    Lanovel, oh you¡­ If you wanted to tie my family to the royal court or steal my authority, you had so many ways to do it. But why did you have to restrict my freedom like this? Don¡¯t you know stealing someone¡¯s freedom is a crime? The spirit of liberty might come after you for this!

    I sighed in frustration. I couldn¡¯t change the situation unless I had something powerful enough to do so.

    I could only hope for some random young master from a prestigious family to set his eyes on this ¡°princess¡± and rescue me from this cage.

    Come on, mysterious young master, I believe in you! Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll make sure to kill you later.

    ¡°Come on, hurry and change into something nice! We¡¯re leaving soon!¡±

    ¡°And fix that messy hair of yours!¡±

    Mizuki took my silence as consent.

    As always, my opinions held no weight against this older sister of mine.

 28 - Danger!

    Ultimately, I had no choice but to go to the market with Mizuki to make myself presentable in front of my ¡°fianc¨¦e.¡±

    "Are you both ready?"

    "Yes!"

    "Yes."

    Mizuki and I nodded in unison, climbed into the carriage, and began our journey out of the estate.

    We were heading to a town within our domain. It was the nearest one, and since we were the lords of the region, it granted us significant discounts on almost all its goods.

    The town¡¯s name was Blazing Sun.

    What a terrible name. I didn¡¯t even know who had the poor taste to come up with it.

    Haist was accompanying us, apparently due to some sort of danger on the journey.

    I recalled Sir Clayton¡¯s - the Law Enforcer from the truth court - conversation with Verdi. Father had assured him he¡¯d handle things since this was his territory. Clayton had expressed hope that he would, mentioning something about the populace''s safety. I hadn¡¯t thought much of it then, but it seemed the situation was more complicated than I had assumed.

    "Excuse me, Mast¡ªuh, Uncle Haist, is there an issue in the town?" I corrected myself quickly.

    As the carriage moved, I asked Haist since he knew far more about such matters than I did.

    "An issue? It seems you¡¯re unaware," Haist replied.

    "There¡¯s no problem with the town itself, but there¡¯s a rogue warlock loose in the area."

    "This warlock has been a massive headache for the Tower sorcerers. They haven¡¯t been able to catch him yet! His concealment techniques are exceptional, and he tends to hide and abduct children."

    "A warlock? Are those the evil sorcerers?" Mizuki asked with a hint of curiosity.

    "Exactly. Remember this! Do not stray more than ten meters from me while we¡¯re shopping. This warlock has a penchant for kidnapping children. He¡¯s abducted more than fifteen so far," Haist warned sternly.

    "Understood," Mizuki and I both nodded. Neither of us was eager to risk our lives, after all.

    I was fully equipped, which gave me a bit of confidence, even though I wasn¡¯t at rank one yet.

    ¡ª Luya Embrace and Laska Ring!

    This kind of confidence, I call "meaningless self-reassurance."

    Fake Rank one? Heh... Not even cannon fodder.

    ...

    We arrived at the city after some time. With nothing to do and having come reluctantly, I simply followed Mizuki around.

    The city was medium-sized, bustling with activity. Smiling townsfolk moved about their day, and children ran cheerfully through the streets.

    Shops of all kinds lined the roads, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel tempted to visit some of them.

    As if she were a regular, Mizuki headed straight for one of the luxurious fashion boutiques.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Upon our entry, an attendant greeted us respectfully, bowing. ¡°Welcome, Miss Mizuki. The dress collection you ordered is ready and will be delivered shortly.¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s wonderful! I was just about to ask about it,¡± Mizuki replied brightly.

    ¡°In any case, I¡¯m here to pick out a new collection today!¡±

    The corner of the attendant¡¯s mouth twitched, though he maintained a professional smile. He seemed accustomed to Mizuki coming here and purchasing their high-end dresses.

    Does she clear out their stock every time? Tsk, tsk, Mizuki cares about her appearance more than I thought.

    ¡°That''s a good habit. A lady should always care about her presentation.¡±

    The attendant laid out a selection of exquisite designs, and Mizuki began carefully picking through them.

    ¡°What do you think about this dress? Does it look good?¡±

    ¡°No, no! I think this one¡¯s better!¡±

    ¡°Oh, and this hat is adorable!¡±

    Good grief. Outwardly, Mizuki might seem bold and tough, but her eye for fashion was meticulous.

    It¡¯s an odd contrast.

    Oh, and let¡¯s not forget, she¡¯s probably the type who wouldn¡¯t let a single stain touch her clothes. Truly, an elegant lady.

    Watching her casually purchase these expensive outfits without a second thought about the price, she came across as the quintessential ¡°noblewoman,¡± despite her apparent disdain for them.

    Once Mizuki had finished selecting her outfits, it was my turn. The attendant was visibly startled to notice me and hurriedly presented what he called the ¡°Golden Collection,¡± a set of premium garments he had kept in storage for some time.

    It seemed like he¡¯d been waiting for me to visit his shop, hoping to impress me with his collection.

    Unfortunately, I had to turn him down. The designs were simply too flashy.

    From his perspective, it probably went something like this:

    ¡°He¡¯s the young lord of the region and the future heir to the duchy! If he likes my designs, he¡¯ll become a regular customer. Over time, I might even become his tailor! And even if not, at least I could earn some tax exemptions and special privileges.¡±

    Sorry to disappoint, but I prefer simpler clothing made of excellent materials.

    I don¡¯t want colorful, ornate fabrics; I lean more toward high-quality materials in shades from black to white.

    Later, Mizuki insisted I buy and try on several outfits.

    This girl dared to turn me into a dress-up doll!

    After finishing our shopping, we decided to explore the city further. I didn¡¯t leave the estate often, so this was a good chance to learn more about the world.

    We passed many shops and ended up buying quite a few things.

    ¡°Aray, your big sister hasn¡¯t given you a birthday gift yet. Take this pocket watch as a present.¡±

    From a watch store, Mizuki purchased a silver pocket watch and handed it to me with a proud, slightly smug look.

    Her expression seemed to say, ¡°Be grateful for this noble¡¯s generosity.¡±

    Still, I caught a faint hint of shyness in her eyes.

    I decided to play along.

    ¡°Oh, really? This little lord is honored.¡±

    Honestly, it was a beautiful watch. Its round design was sleek, with sharp, black hands shaped like diamonds. Inside, there were two smaller watch faces displayed elegantly.

    ¡°Oh, since it¡¯s a gift from my big sister, I¡¯ll treasure it like my own life.¡±

    I suddenly thought about how protagonists in novels often have absurd luck.

    When they randomly purchase some hideous trinket from a store, it later turns out to be a heavenly treasure capable of defying the very heavens. Could this happen to me? After all, I was once chosen¡ªa semi-protagonist, if what the Chessman said was true.

    <Analyze: Complete Analysis>

    I decided to use my ability to analyze the pocket watch.

    [20 grams of silver, 15 grams of golden bronze, 6 grams of glass, length 5 inches.]

    [Operates via rotation of bronze cogs, which in turn¡ª]

    The analysis ended.

    Bah, it¡¯s just an ordinary watch!

    ¡°Arai, what are you doing?¡±

    I looked at her and said earnestly, ¡°Nothing. I was just admiring the beauty of the watch. For my sister to choose such a watch, her taste is exceptional.¡±

    ¡°Stop it! Your flattery is disgusting,¡± she said, though a smile lingered on her face.

    Tsk, this tsundere.

    I shook my head, only to catch sight of a hooded man in the distance.

    ¡°!!!¡±

    What the¡­?!

    I can¡¯t control my body!

    What¡¯s happening?!

    ¡°...¡± I opened my mouth to call out to Haist, but no sound came out.

    Damn it, something¡¯s wrong! My thoughts raced, but I couldn¡¯t find a solution.

    ¡°Arai, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t respond. Instead, my body moved on its own through the crowd and into a nearby alleyway.

    Mizuki! You¡¯re sharp, please notice this!

    In the alley, I quickly spotted the figure from earlier¡ªthe same person I¡¯d glimpsed for a moment. A man in a red skull mask, draped in a crimson hood.

    Every cell in my body screamed at me to run, but I couldn¡¯t move!

    This person¡ªor whatever it was¡ªcontrolled my body effortlessly. And to do so in front of Haist, a rank four enhancer, meant they had a considerable level of skill!

 29 - Mizuki VS Red-Skull Man!

    Mizuki followed Arai, who seemed dazed, and suddenly stopped. She saw a man holding Arai.

    It was a man dressed in a dark brown cloak, his face concealed behind a red skull mask.

    ''I need to get Arai and run¡­'' Mizuki wasn''t foolish; she knew she couldn''t win a fight against him, as soon as she saw him.

    Instead, she decided to focus on escaping.

    But within seconds, she noticed the man seemed unaware of her presence. Forget fighting, he hadn''t even noticed she was there.

    Despite her lack of experience, Mizuki had enough guts to transform the bracelet on her wrist into a sword and leap toward him immediately.

    "Swoosh!!"

    Mizuki aimed for his eye without hesitation, and at the last moment, he turned his gaze toward her!

    "Aghhh!!!"

    But by the time he reacted, the sword had already pierced his eye!

    "Ahhh...Aaghhh¡­"

    Mizuki withdrew her sword and jumped back, cautiously observing the mysterious Warlock. She couldn''t help but think he was a fool.

    He whined and screamed like a child, trembling as he licked the blood dripping from his ruined eye.

    His skull mask shattered, revealing his red, deformed eye and a face that looked like melted dough.

    The Warlock''s body suddenly stopped trembling. He raised his head and stared blankly at Mizuki.

    Mizuki felt a chill in her limbs. Ignoring the feeling, she turned her gaze to Arai with concern.

    Arai was unconscious, lying motionless on the ground like a lifeless cat.

    ''If I carry him, can I escape?'' Mizuki thought as she gritted her teeth and unsheathed her sword again.

    The Warlock raised his hand and shouted, "[Ravenous Skulls]!"

    From behind him, three flaming red skulls emerged, blazing with fiery intensity.

    "Whoosh!"

    Mizuki''s twin-edged sword slashed toward one of the skulls. A loud clang echoed, and her fingers felt numb from the impact.

    ¡­The skulls were tough and unyielding!

    ''No, I can''t break them!'' Mizuki grimaced and leaped backward, realizing the skulls were beyond her strength to destroy.

    "Whoosh!"

    The skulls shot toward her, attacking relentlessly.

    A chase began, Mizuki dodging and running while the flaming skulls pursued her without pause.

    The Warlock stood motionless like a statue, his expression pained and blank as if he weren''t truly present.

    Something surged up from beneath Mizuki''s chest.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    She spat out a red liquid.

    "Swoosh!"

    A skull came charging toward her. Mizuki wiped the blood from her mouth and positioned her sword horizontally.

    "Boom!"

    As her sword collided with the skull, Mizuki used the momentum to leap backward with force.

    In that instant, another skull came at her from above. With no time to evade, Mizuki tried to block it with her sword, but part of the skull grazed her head.

    Her body flew backward, hitting the ground hard.

    ''No, no, if I die here, Arai will follow me!'' Mizuki thought desperately. Her world spun, and blood began dripping from her head, obscuring her vision.

    She blinked and was startled. The space before her was vast and white, boundless in its emptiness.

    She blinked again, her vision replaced, shrouded in blood, as the skulls continued to charge at her.

    "Swoosh!"

    A skull aimed for her. Mizuki raised her sword and glared at it in frustration.

    ''What was that just now?'' she wondered, though there was no time to dwell on it.

    "Wait, this...?"

    Mizuki looked at her sword in shock.

    Her twin-edged blade remained sharp with minor scratches, but now it was enveloped in a white aura.

    It was a sharp aura!

    ''Isn''t this¡­?'' Mizuki''s heart raced with excitement, but she knew this wasn''t the time for celebration.

    "But this doesn''t change much. I still need to avoid these skulls," she muttered.

    Mizuki didn''t get reckless. The white aura around her blade was a significant aid, but it couldn''t shatter the skulls.

    She glanced at the Warlock, then at the skulls, and dashed toward the Warlock.

    "Clang!!"

    The skulls didn''t let her. Mizuki''s sword collided with the skulls, producing a deafening metallic clash.

    "Crackle, crackle¡­"

    The collision created sparks. Mizuki noticed another skull coming at her, so she ducked and rolled to evade it.

    Quickly, she sprinted, closing the distance between herself and the Warlock. The skulls continued their relentless pursuit.

    Mizuki was exhausted. Her stamina was nearly depleted, and the pain from her injuries coursed through her body.

    ''At this rate, I won''t be able to carry Arai and escape¡­'' Mizuki decided her only option was to try to kill the Warlock. Fleeing now was pointless, and she couldn''t bear to leave Arai behind, uncertain of his fate.

    Mizuki reached the Warlock, raising her enhanced blade high and slashing at him!

    "Hmm?"

    The Warlock stunned the entire time, seemed to regain his senses as Mizuki''s blade neared him.

    Quickly, he touched his forearm and shouted, "[Blood Blade]!"

    A sharp blade formed from his forearm, turning crimson and razor-sharp.

    The flaming skulls vanished.

    "Clang!"

    The two blades clashed violently. Mizuki''s enhanced sword proved superior. The blood blade cracked and shattered. Mizuki''s sword slashed through.

    "Swoosh!"

    Her blade sliced through the Warlock''s shoulder, embedding itself deep within him.

    Blood flowed freely, staining her pristine sword crimson.

    Mizuki realized she had lost the strength to pull her blade out due to her exhaustion.

    If she moved it slightly downward, she could destroy his heart.

    ''I can''t hold out any longer¡­ I think I''ll throw one last punch¡­''

    ''Sorry, Arai. I couldn''t save or protect you.''

    Leaving her sword embedded in his body¡ªit would return to her eventually¡ªMizuki formed a fist and punched the Warlock''s face with all her might.

    "Bam!"

    The punch left a vivid red mark on his deformed face.

    "Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!"

    Punch after punch, Mizuki landed five blows on the Warlock.

    At last, the small girl reached her limit and collapsed, unconscious.

    "Huh?"

    "What happened?"

    "Argh!"

    The Warlock screamed in agony, feeling sharp pains coursing through him. His face hurt, his left eye was destroyed, and worst of all, his heart was breaking! He had lost several veins.

    He spat out mouthfuls of blood, his skin paling.

    Looking around with hatred, his gaze landed on the unconscious little girl clinging to him.

    "Is she¡­?"

    "This damned brat¡­ did she do this? Damn it, I¡ª" The Warlock''s rage burned like an erupting volcano. His body trembled as he glared at Mizuki with his remaining red eye, raising his blade high.

    "Killing her isn''t enough. I''ll¡­" The Warlock suddenly froze, sensing an approaching presence.

    "Aghhhh¡­!"

    He grabbed his head, screaming and pulling at his hair.

    Glaring at Mizuki with spite, he kicked her stomach, then kicked her again with force.

    "Bam!"

    Mizuki''s body skidded away. The Warlock wasn''t done and kicked her once more.

    After seconds of brutal kicking, he was panting, sweat dripping from his brow.

    "This will do for now, damn it! Damn it! I''ll make sure to torture her to death! I''ll turn her into a blood slave!"

    He picked up both unconscious children, slung them over his shoulder, pulled out a black book from his back, and tore a page from it.

    "Boom!"

    The Warlock exploded into a bloody mist.

    The red mist spread, erasing all traces of his presence, just as Haist, who wasn''t far, sensed them.

    All three disappeared.