《Shizukesa and Zetsubo: The Light Reincarnation! Vol. 1》


 Prologue

    Prologue


    My name is Ichitami Takigashi. I''m a Japanese man born and raised in New York, Brooklyn and I am thirty-two years old. I have blonde hair, blue eyes, and a big birth mark on my neck. I was currently wearing dirty white shirt, black sweater, and black pants.


    My mom and Dad died in a car crash a week ago. I also have heavy mental problems. I have been living in my car for the past few days, and I was going to ask my ex if I could live with her. Sure, she barely knew me after dating her for a couple of days, but I still needed a place to live, yet no one answered, and no one was at her place.


    I''ve just been a poor guy out here trying to survive. I¡¯ve been trying to find a job, but no matter how many jobs I see, I wasn¡¯t hired. I found a few jobs that were paid very poorly in my opinion, so I didn¡¯t take the offer to work those jobs. I only had a bit of beef jerky this morning, and I''m still starving. It was raining and thundering outside in the night.


    I was in a convenience store, seeing if I could buy a snack. I looked in my pocket to see only two dollars'' worth of coins. Damn, I said to myself as I clenched my hand that had the coins in it.


    I grabbed a bag of potato chips and went up to the checkout counter, where I placed it.


    "That will be four fifty," the cashier said. I placed down the two dollars. "Sir, that''s two. I said four fifty."


    "Oh, cry me a river and take it. You''re just missing an extra two and couple cents, so what?" I said as I was slowly getting frustrated. took the bag of chips and turned the other way.


    "Sir, if you take those, I¡¯ll have to call the cops."


    I turned around and looked back at him again. "You¡¯re going to call them for a bag of chips!?" I said as I got more frustrated. "You know what? Fine, take your stupid ass chips, you fatass." I threw them at his face, took my two dollars¡¯ and walked out the door.


    The rain did not slow down, and it continued thundering. "Can¡¯t just help someone that is dying of hunger over here." I scoffed. "Bastard."


    As I got to my car, I took out my keys, but before I could open it up, I looked at myself in the mirror, growing a small beard, and saw my dirty white shirt. "Hm, guess I do need a little cleanup." I opened up the car doors with the keys and got inside.


    The chair got a little wet, and the inside of the car was messy. Before I could start up the car, my head began to hurt. "Ah!" I said as I grabbed my head. I started hearing ringing. I opened my eyes, and I was starting to see things in blue.


    I was hearing a weird language that came from a woman and a man that was talking. "Ah, what the hell did I take..." I said as I had my eyes closed and I opened them again, and I saw the inside of a carriage. "Ah!" I blinked again, and my vision was back to normal, and the ringing was gone.


    I looked around, a little confused about what happened, but I calmed back down again. Guess I took some intense shit earlier. I shrugged it off and started up the car and backed up.


    ***


    A few minutes later, I was now driving on the road. Damn it... What can I do? Who would let me stay with them? I tried to think of someone who would let me live with them, but no one came to mind. I started to sigh. "I don''t know anymore. I really don¡¯t."


    I stopped at a red light and looked at a house window where I saw a happy family. I felt more anger and sadness.   The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    If only I had that. If only I kept that. While I''m out here lost. In the house, a boy looked out the window right at me, and I quickly looked away. It''s been three days since she kicked me out.


    My ex was just some random girl I met on a dating site a few days ago named Camila Flay. I was just a guy trying to finally see what it''s like to get a real girl for once, but that didn¡¯t go well for me. I tried to ask other people I knew if I could live with them like friends of mine. Still, mainly my ex, my brother, and ex-friends said stuff like ¡®I was a degenerate¡¯ or ¡®not welcome there.¡¯ I was mainly thought of as an immature brat or perverted freak by my brother and others before he moved out, and another reason was that I didn¡¯t respect our mom and Dad, but that was because they didn¡¯t treat me equally, and he lost his respect for me.


    And I was already too late to ask my now ex-friends of mine if I could live with them since I ignored them often and left them on read and stuff.


    My life first started to go downhill when I was a kid in elementary school and high school due to bullying over my clumsy mistakes and the birthmarks and being just a total fatass. It wasn¡¯t super bad bullying at elementary school, but high school was the worst.


    The younger brother I once had was three years old. He died by falling off the balcony of the house right on the cement ground.  I felt sad, of course, but I''m over it now.


    The rest of my life, I became a weeb and watched porn and became a drunk mess just staying in my room all day, only going outside fifteen or so times a year, and kept wasting my money on a bunch of light novels, snacks and more.


    I turned right into the highway once the light turned green. I''m not that bad; why didn¡¯t she just let me live there for a day? Sure, I was only a little mad and a little dirty, but it seriously had to have been when I heard my parents died. I mean, it''s not that hard to understand. I should¡¯ve known having a girlfriend was a bad idea, and donating to a sperm bank years ago for money isn¡¯t that bad. It''s not like I had sex with someone else; and it was before! I just needed money.


    I was robbed of my money when I left my door unlocked one night. Now, I barely eat. They didn''t steal my guitar and light novels despite that, so I see that as a small win. I enjoyed playing guitar then and there. I got it a year ago, and it was just lying outside the sidewalk. I thought of selling both of them because I was more than starving at this point.


    I took a deep breath to relax and looked at my empty wallet on the seat beside me for a split second.


    I yawned as I looked back at the front window. Then, an amber alert was heard on the car radio about a missing woman. "Does it look like I care for some lost chick? Jesus, turn that shit off. This is like the second or third amber alert this week," I said as I looked over at the volume to turned it down. I accidentally turned it up. "No, no! That isn¡¯t it!" Then I heard the name Camila Flay. "Wait, who!?" I shouted as my eyes widen.


    I looked over in front as I heard a car honking. I saw the car nearly drive right into me, and I quickly turned the wheel. ¡°Holy shit!" I looked back for a split second, and I felt adrenaline rush through me. I looked back at the radio as the alert stopped. "Wait, what, Camila? what even happened to her? And that was scary as shit, but not the time to think about what just happened."


    As I glanced ahead, the vehicles in front of me were driving backward as if they were in another lane. "The hell, why are they?" I suddenly realized something. "Wait hang on a minute... I''m on the wrong side! Was I really that unfocused? Shit, shit, shit, shit!"


    I heard the honking of a truck right in front of me, and I noticed at that moment that there was a truck right in front of me. "Wait, shit, shit, shit, slow the hell down! Can¡¯t he see me!?"


    I pressed on the brakes and looked down at the gearstick. I tried to put it in reverse, but because I wasn¡¯t calm, I kept putting the shift into the wrong gear. "Oh, come on, come on! dumbass, Put it in reverse!"


    I looked back in front of me, and the truck that continued to honk eventually crashed right on top of me.


    The cargo behind it fell behind a car, and about five other cars crashed into the truck and cargo. The crash didn¡¯t look so bad to the other vehicles, but my car, on the other hand, was basically crushed like a pancake.


    people were screaming, and I opened my eyes to see some debris and the puddles in front of me. My body was lying on the car window and in half as it was smashed to the ground. The rain was getting a little bit stronger, and the puddle on me was turning red and smelled like metal, and it was coming from me. "Camila... I saw her that night... I swear..." I coughed up blood. I feel weak... I... Please...


    A few seconds later, sirens were heard. My weak head looked behind me to see the other half of my body crushed with a pool of blood coming out. I felt very bad pain and felt very tired.


    I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes open. My vision was blurring as I heard people screaming and talking in front of me. I guess... No one can help me... No, come on, let me try a little longer... Camila...


    I heard people coming close to me. It was hard to tell how many there were when my vision was blurry. Hmph, who am I kidding? My whole life, I have just been a depressed nerd stuffed up in my room. I was probably gonna end it anyway, but this just feels painful. I probably don¡¯t even care about Camila for who she is. This is probably my horny side, just wanting to be with her for her body, so I guess if I go, I won¡¯t be causing more pain. Ha... I guess this is all right. "I''m sorry... " I closed my eyes as blood continued to flow out of me, and that''s when I died.

 Chapter 1: In Between

    Chapter 1: In Between


    I woke up in a dark void for what felt like a minute after I died. Ah!


    I looked around, feeling confused and still shocked after what happened. I... What just... I''m, okay?


    I had to make sure my body was still intact, and I realized something didn¡¯t make sense. I couldn¡¯t feel any part of my body, even my hands; it wasn¡¯t painful, but I couldn¡¯t feel any part of me. The place I was in was dark, and I saw no light source.


    Wait... Where is my body? Huh!? I was even more confused and shocked. It was like being a first-person video game character who couldn¡¯t see his own body. I looked around the area.


    What the hell even is this place?


    I was perplexed; I didn¡¯t know what was going on.


    All I knew was I was in a dark room, having no idea how big it was, and I couldn¡¯t see my body.


    It''s like I was only a pair of eyes. Am I in some dream, or is this some prank? Wait, but then what would explain what happened... Maybe a dream in a dream? I''m... So lost. I was thinking what it could¡¯ve been, but I completely forgot. Hello! Anyone here!? I shouted as my voice didn''t sound as clear.


    It sounded more like I was talking in my head, and nothing else was heard. Huh, that''s weird. Do I even have a mouth? I looked around again.


    This place is interesting. It''s just completely dark. Maybe I''m in a lucid dream? Hmm, I could test out trying to summon a harem. Cat girl harem...


    I started thinking of cat girls to appear right in front of me, but nothing popped up.


    Okay, damn it. Maybe this isn''t a lucid dream.


    I was questioning what was happening. Okay, think for a minute. You were driving your car and got distracted from an amber alert, and then you almost crashed into that car, and you saw that truck in front of you, and the last thing you saw was a pool of blood and feeling a lot of pain, and some colors... That''s it?


    I was still thinking what could''ve happened, and then I concluded something. Wait... I''m not dead... right? I let out a sigh. If that''s the case, then I guess heaven and hell weren''t a thing to begin with. At least silence and being alone is better than being in the real world. I wish I had a body right now. Wait a minute. If I''m dead and can''t see or feel my body, then I must be a soul. That explains it. I''m just a flying glowing orb, probably." I looked around the area again.


    I probably am dead; I guess this is just my life for eternity. I mean, what can I do? I couldn¡¯t do anything else but float in this void in this so-called soul form, but I still tried to admire the good side of things. Well, shit... It''s fine, though. This is the freedom I wanted, and I think I''m gonna get used to this...


    As five seconds passed, a glowing figure appeared right before me. "Huh?"


    The glow slowly faded to reveal the figure, a beautiful woman in a white and yellow-looking robe.


    She looked gorgeous. She had white hair, and yellow eyes. Definitely someone my type. The woman smiled softly and started talking, "Apologies for being late. I tried summoning you after you died, but I guess it was delayed for some odd reason. "


    I was feeling confused but also admiring her cute appearance.


    "Oh, I forgot, sorry!" She exclaimed. She quickly snapped her fingers, and my body returned from top to bottom.


    I felt in control of my body, but it was very light and felt good, or like I had no problems with my body in general. I was also able to see my hands. I kind of looked like a ghost.


    "Thank god," I said as I looked at the palm of my hand. I looked back at her "I guess I say thank you." I said while scratching my head.


    "You''re welcome. Now, let''s focus on our discussion." She summoned two chairs facing each other, took a seat, and gestured for me to do the same. "Well, are you going to sit?"


    "Uh... Sure?" I walked over to the chair and sat on it.


    "Now, let''s get into our discussion."


    "Uh, wait. I''m... dead, right?"


    "Well, I guess I didn''t have to explain that and watch you freak out, but yes, you''re deceased from your world."


    "...Thought so." I looked at her top to bottom. Huh, I can''t help but wonder why she''s here. She seems to have some strange abilities, such as summoning chairs and making my soul have a body again, except it looks see-through. Could she be more than just a random dead woman?


    "I am a goddess to answer your question."


    I was shocked not at the fact she was a real goddess, just the fact she read my damn mind. Holy shit. Did she hear what I said in my head? If she can see that, then... Here is what was going on in my head. I was thinking of her in a swimsuit or her as a cat girl, and in a swimsuit.


    I was embarrassed, but I was also worried that she could go deeper in my head and find all the stuff I have been doing my whole life If she''s a goddess, what could she do to me if she knew my every thought? Everything I have done. Could I go to hell? I pondered.


    Maria sighs. "Listen." She said. "I don''t care what things you have done, and can you stop thinking about me looking like that if you don''t mind?"


    "Oh right, okay, okay, sorry," I said as I stopped pondering


    "Right... So, my feelings about you are not determined by your actions. However, it does depend on what it is, and me with cat ears or a revealing outfit like that isn''t something I like, but it doesn''t change what I do to you, basically."


    I was still embarrassed since she knew everything in my head; I always kept a bunch of those things to myself, of course. I took a deep breath. I was hoping she wouldn¡¯t mention all my thoughts.


    "Sorry about that. Can we move past that, please?"


    "Yes, but there''s still a bunch of other things we¡¯ll have to discuss."


    "Oh... But hey, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, what is this place?" I scratched my head as I said my question, even though there was nothing to scratch.


    "I was just about to get to that. Let me introduce myself. I am Maria, the goddess of the in-between, which is the place we are in currently. This is where souls go once they die."


    I looked down at the ground and thought for a second and pondered, "Souls go when they die, huh?" I muttered. I then faced her again. "What is this place in-between, though, like the real world or what?"


    "Oh no, the real world is actually outside the in-between. This world is actually in between the gates of hell and heaven, which is where the name came from."


    I sighed as Maria said that, "Oh... So, that does exist... Let me guess. You''re here to tell me whether I go to hell or heaven. Are you?" I already knew I was going to hell.


    "I can tell you thought that, and yes, you have no spot in heaven, unfortunately, but¡ª"


    I stood up from the chair, my fist clenched beside me. "To shit with that! I mean, there is nothing I can do. I''m just wasting our time right now. There is no need for talking. I know what will happen." I didn¡¯t want to go to hell, but I was smart enough not to fight or argue with a deity, so I just accepted my faith. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "I can read you clearly, and obviously, you don¡¯t want to go to the deep dark of hell."


    I sat back down on the chair and had my head down. "I mean, who would? It¡¯s an endless pain and torture, right? I¡¯ve already been in my own hell that just ended. All I wanted was to live happily, and all of this was on me for giving up so easily. If I could go back in time to change everything, I really would, so this shit would never have happened in the first place."


    "I know you would. But you didn¡¯t let me finish talking."


    I took a deep breath. "I''m sorry," I said with my hands on my face,


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it happens, and I understand your pain. You and I both know you have no spot in heaven, but there is a third option.¡±


    I lifted my face back up to face her. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    "Well, there might just be a little, little something called reincarnation"


    "Like coming back to life and stuff? Wait, hang on, pause for a second!"


    Maria cleared up her throat. "Ichitami Takigashi. I''m offering to give you another chance at life. A second chance."


    I was trying to process this because reincarnation was a fantasy dreamed of ever since my trash life and getting into novels and anime "Can you actually do that? Reincarnation!?" I said as I stood up.


    Maria gestured for me to sit back down as she chuckled. "Relax, relax, sit back down."


    "Oh, uh, sorry," I quickly sat back down on the chair. "So. Is it possible?"


    "Mhm. When mortals are sinners, they have two options," Maria held two fingers up. "To be reincarnated to change for the better." Maria puts one finger down. "Or they can still pick the option to just go to hell, of course, but a minimal amount does that." Maria puts her finger down. "And from what I can tell so far, you''re definitely going to take the option of reincarnation, I bet." She chuckled.


    I thought of it for a second. "But... What if I still can¡¯t do it? I mean, even if I know I could go to hell, I¡ª"


    "Trust me, you¡¯ll be fine," Maria said as she interrupted me. "Many think it''s hard at first, but I promise it isn¡¯t. All that matters is you being more kind to others and actually making a happy, growing life for yourself. Of course, not everything will end up being good; you may have your bad times here and there, but you¡¯ll have to push through it and die a good and happy person in your last moments."


    "...So all I have to do is be a better person, that¡¯s it? what if I have a harem, or I continue jerking off to porn here and there. No problem?"


    "Is that really the first¡ª" Maria didn''t finish her sentence and just sighed, "Yes, you can do that if you can, of course."


    I raised my hands in a cheering manner and said, "Yes..." I whispered.


    Maria facepalms, "Yeesh, your one perverted man-child."


    brought my hands back down and looked back at her again. "Okay, so all I have to do is be a kinder person and not be a pain in the ass. Got it. But wait, what''s heaven all about anyways?"


    "Oh, just looking off into the sunset with your loved ones and having unlimited happiness so you won''t lose your sanity or wish to get out. It does sound boring, but trust me, the unlimited happiness is worth it." I stayed quiet and felt a little hesitant about it. "I promise you it''s worth all the time and effort. I would teleport you there just so you can get an example, but unfortunately, the higher-ups wouldn''t allow me the last time I tried."


    I tilted my head because I was confused about what she meant by that. "Wait, so you''re not, like, the main god?"


    Maria shook her head. "Nope. I''m simply here to just send souls to heaven or hell or reincarnation."


    "Huh, I wonder what they are like." Of course, I would be curious about who this main god was, but I didn''t bother to think too much about it.


    Maria stayed quiet and just looked at me for several seconds as her smile faded. Then she shook her head and snapped back to reality with a small smile. "Uh, so you still want to go to hell?"


    I looked back at her, "Maria. I think I''ll take the third option. I don''t wanna be in endless torture in hell, and I do wanna have my own happiness up there. It''s worth a shot, right?" I said with a small smile.


    "Great, let''s get started." Maria grabbed my hands into hers. For a second, I thought she had a thing for me, and I had a small, smug face. "Don¡¯t get the wrong idea."


    My smug face went away as she said that, "Well, what are you doing then anyways?"


    Maria took her hands off and sat straight on the chair again. "I was reading what world is most suitable for you to be reincarnated in." She summoned what looked like a book in her hands.


    I was confused. "Wait, Another world? I thought I would be summoned back to my world as a toddler as someone else."


    Maria looked back at me and said, "Well, yes, is that a problem?"


    "Nope! Just hoping I get isekai¡¯d to the world I always wanted to be in..."


    "Haha. Well, of course, there are. It''s basically infinite. After I had a feel for your energy when I had my hands out on yours, this book should now tell me what world is suitable for you."


    "Wait a minute, there are fantasy worlds, right? Like I''m talking sword and magic stuff like the anime and novels I''ve seen"


    Maria looked back up at me. "Hm? Well, I guess you could say there is magic, I guess. The laws work differently in other worlds even a little, so things that make sense in your world might not make sense in others. You understand what I''m saying?"


    Magic, exactly what I wanted to hear. I guess I get to live my dreams as an isekai protagonist. I really tried to hold my excitement in.


    Maria looked back at the book. "But I can¡¯t guarantee you''re going to be sent to the world of you so-called dream of. So, I suggest not getting too excited."


    "Right, right, don¡¯t get too excited, got it." I took a deep breath as Maria looked at the book.


    "Man child..." she muttered.


    "What was that?"


    She ignored me, and she stopped flipping through it. "There. Here is a world for you." Suddenly, the book flipped all the way back to the first page. "Not again." Maria tried flipping all the way back to the page she was on, but the book kept going back. "Come on, stop being a pain." Maria kept trying to fight it, but she gave up.


    "Is... everything all right?" I asked as I looked at the book.


    Maria ignored me and pondered as she looked at the book. "Why again? In all my eons of living, this never happened. Other than..."


    "Uh, hello?"


    Maria stopped pondering and faced me, "Huh? Oh, right, sorry, I guess there is a bit of a bug, you could say. Uh, don¡¯t worry. Your world is already selected, I guess,"


    I thought something was a little weird with her, but I shrugged my shoulders. "Okay, well, what world am I being sent to anyway?"


    "Don¡¯t really know anything about that world. there''s only so little I can tell you. Either way, I couldn¡¯t tell you if I knew anyway since you have to grow into that world and figure everything out yourself."


    "Can you at least give me a little something on how it''s so bad?" Maria was thinking of what she could say. I really wanted to know as much as possible before I go to a whole ass another world


    "Okay, I can¡¯t. Well... Yeah, I don¡¯t know what to tell you, but I¡¯ll keep an eye on you more than the others if that makes you feel better. Just curious myself on this." I didn¡¯t know what to do, so it was just silent, with both of us thinking.


    "Are there any other options?" I asked.


    Maria shook her head. "I could try to talk to my lord, but low chance he will care, so I just put my trust in the book, and so does he."


    All I did was sigh. "So, it''s still either hell or this, is it?"


    She nodded.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate to speak, "Then I''m going to that world even if you won''t give me enough information. I¡¯ll try to get back on my feet if something goes wrong. I know it won¡¯t be easy, but I wouldn¡¯t dream of spending an eternity in hell."


    "I know you won¡¯t, and according to the rules of this world, I have to offer you something along the way there."


    "Wait, you can do that?" I asked as I looked suprised.


    "Well, yes, I mean, I think that''s the book is telling me to give you this. Anyways, standup"


    I was a little confused about why I should stand up, but I did anyway. Maria also stood up and snapped her fingers, and the chairs were gone.


    I looked back to where the chair once was and back at Maria. "Uh?"


    Maria put her hands out, and one orb was floating above her hand. One looked like a glowing white orb floating on her right hand, and her left hand had nothing. "On my right hand is the power of light, and on my left hand is nothing. You can pick either one of these on your journey in your new life."


    Now, I was completely shocked but also excited and confused. I mean, how can you not be shocked after hearing someone offering you power?


    "Wait, hang on, timeout, timeout really quick, you''re giving me your godly power in the new life you''re reincarnating me in?" I asked with disbelief.


    "Oh no, this isn¡¯t my power."


    "Then who¡¯s is it!?"


    "I''m not too sure exactly, but apparently, it''s meant to come with you."


    "You stupid goddess, how do you not know!?" I said with a hint of frustration and confusion.


    "Rude." She said with a pouty expression.


    "Holy shit, this is going on fast. Okay, think for a minute, you are being offered some powers you have no knowledge of, or do you go on with nothing, hmm." I started muttering and thinking to myself as I shuffled in circles for ten minutes.


    Maria was watching me shuffle, and she took a deep breath. "Is it seriously that hard to pick?"


    I stopped and faced Maria. "Listen, I''m not some god or goddess like you; I''m just a, what do you call it? I''m a mortal, and I also have to worry about the fact I''m going to a whole other world with barely much info. Give me a break here."


    "Okay, okay, take all the time you need then."


    After five more minutes, I stopped and faced Maria with a positive look on my face. "All right, Maria, I''m ready."


    Maria sighed with relief. "Finally. What have you chosen?"


    "I pick the power of... Nothing... Nah, I''m just playing around."


    "So, light? Good choice. Okay, if you''re so sure, then here you go."  Maria aimed her right hand at me, and the orb of light flew right into my chest.


    my astral form had a small glow. "Holy shit..." The light would then go away. "What?" I was confused because I didn¡¯t look any different.


    "Oh, it doesn¡¯t affect your astral form, so you¡¯ll have to wait till you get reincarnated into the other world." I looked at my hands, and I was thinking what else to say. "So, is that it?"


    Maria nodded. "Mhm. whenever you''re ready, I''ll send you right over there."


    "Huh, so this is really it. This is where I start my adventure, my second chance. I know this won¡¯t be easy, but I have to try. I''m still sad and pissed and angry and still have this trauma, but I''m not going to somewhere worse than the life I had. I''m gonna try my best and have my happy ending, hopefully. Or I¡¯ll end up having a bad ending. Who knows?" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened them again. "Maria, I''m ready. To start my new life now and begin my journey."


    "Then I''ll send you there right now. Are you sure you don¡¯t have any more questions?"


    I shook my head. "Don¡¯t get me wrong, I do, but I know you can¡¯t answer them, so I¡¯ll search for those answers myself."


    Maria nodded. "Very well, I¡¯ll see you the next time you die. Good luck. And I hope you find those answers and have your ending."


    I closed my eyes. "I''m not sure what will happen, but I''m determined this time to find the life I want. All right, Maria. Send me there!" Maria snapped her fingers, and I was teleported away "Here goes... Till next time."


    I was teleported away, and it was just dark at first, and the last thing I heard was the same whisper: "Wake up¡­"

 Chapter 2: Genesis 1

    Chapter 2: Genesis 1


    I had my eyes closed. I felt moist and cloth around me; I was being what felt like I was in someone''s arms. It felt cozy. Ugh, that trip over here felt weird." The weird thing is that I couldn¡¯t feel my teeth, which was strange. Wait, hang on, where are my teeth? I questioned as I licked around my mouth. I looked to have been in a room that didn¡¯t have much of a modern aesthetic; there were some candles lit.


    I heard voices; it was a man and two women.


    The woman who was on the bed had yellow eyes, black hair that was a bit short, a necklace holding a yellow stone, and a white robe.


    The other woman standing had the same hair color, and her hair was in a ponytail, green eyes, a green bra under her leather jacket, thigh-high black socks, and brown shoes.


    The man had blonde hair, dark blue eyes, a cowlick, a lace-up red vest over his white shirt, black pants, and brown shoes.


    I opened my eyes just to see some big breast in front of me. Holy, titties! Those things shine and are rounder than a metal ball, but they are definitely softer than one. I might have to have a feel for myself later.


    The three people talking sounded like they were talking a whole different language I didn¡¯t know. What are these people even saying? Sounds like some gibberish. Maybe it is German? No, German sounds more different than this. It¡¯s like German mixed with Spanish and Japanese."


    The other woman in the bed picked me up as she smiled at me. Oh, and cutie over here looks just as good, too. Actually, she looks cuter.


    She looked slightly mad at the other woman, like the woman who first picked me up had done something wrong. But what is even happening?


    The second girl who picked me up mentioned the name ¡®Seris¡¯. Their short argument stopped, and the woman who had me in her arms smiled softly. She is definitely happy to see me, though. Maybe I was teleported to a world where I have a harem. Oh boy, just having two or more rules! But who is blondie over here? He kind of looks like me, only a little bit. The man wiggled his finger right at my face. What the hell is this guy''s problem? And why are they big? Was I reincarnated in a world of giants or a harem? I don¡¯t have a fetish for giant people! That also doesn¡¯t explain the dude, though. He¡¯s not some guy I''m supposed to know, is he?


    I was freaked out, especially because his finger looked big, or the three of these people just looked big in general, not in a fat way, but like they were giants.


    The woman carrying me currently and the man talked to each other. The woman mentioned the name ¡®Taren¡¯, and the man said the name ¡®Ria¡¯.


    This is one nice blanket, but why am I so small?


    The man carried me into his arms as he smiled and said some stuff I couldn¡¯t understand.


    Okay, that''s it. Maybe I should use that light stuff on this guy if I can figure it out. I tried to punch the man, but my hands were too small to reach. My hands looked small in a weird way, and I didn¡¯t have any clothes on other than this white cloth covering me.


    Then I came to a realization of something. No, I wasn''t reincarnated with my own body, was I? Am I... reborn!? "Awawah!" I shouted.


    ***


    hours passed, and it was now the evening, which was now my bedtime; even though it still felt quite early, the house looked quite nice.


    It felt very homey, the woman who I thought was my mother carried me to my crib and sang a lullaby till I fell asleep.


    Just leave me alone already. Maybe if I just... I closed my eyes, and I made it look like I fell asleep.


    I waited till the woman left the room. She did so I opened my eyes and sat up. So I''m reincarnated as someone. Guess I had that right. But I thought I would be sent to a world with my normal body or as some light god, or whatever, but I''m actually reborn as I''m not sure, but I''m definitely human, but I don¡¯t feel special in any way. right now, I''m just a baby. I guess those two earlier were my mom and Dad, and the other one was, I''m not sure, maybe a friend or some other family member of mine. It''s just...


    I looked out the window. I can¡¯t believe I''m starting my life back to zero. I''m not sure what kind of world this is, but from what I can tell, my father has a couple of swords, maybe for collection; what if this is an actual fantasy world?


    I gasped. Oh my god, I get to be an Isekai protagonist! Wait. Don¡¯t get your hopes up, Ichitami. Maybe this is just a world randomly obsessed with swords.


    I looked closer out the window as I stood in the crib, and I saw two moons in the cloudy and starry sky, which looked so cool to me while the snow was falling from the sky. Wow, I can see colors and stars up there. I never saw that stuff in my life other than seeing them online. Topping it off with the snow is a chef¡¯s kiss, the night skies I saw in the cities back in my world were mainly dark and nothing special because of how many city lights there were.


    I smiled and laid back on the bed. I was only imagining what new stuff could be out there waiting for me. This world probably has a lot in stock for me. I will probably lose my sanity without most of my valuables. Aw man, I forgot there was gonna be a new season of that one¡ª damn it. I sighed. Wait, didn¡¯t Maria say I would have the powers of a light god? Where is that crap? I feel normal as hell. Was I lied to? Hmm... Well, I really hope this is a fantasy world, so maybe I can go on awesome quests and do some cool stuff. Even if this is a fantasy world, it''s not like I can go as a baby. Damn it. Well, I hope I this will go as I want.


    All I felt was my heart feeling heavy. I didn¡¯t know if this would be a fun new life or just another world where I lose everything again. Second chance... This world was the first pick for a reason... I''ll try.


    ***


    One month has passed since and it stopped snowing. I was still not too sure if this was a world that has magic. I thought maybe this was some normal medieval times world around, and outside, it looked like just a regular grassland with some trees.


    There''s a forest a little out there from what I saw out the window, but it is mainly just grassland with a few trees over there, and the air here was so fresh.


    There wasn¡¯t much electricity, so lighting was more dependent on the sun with the windows opened, candles, oil lamps, or even the hearth. There are a lot of bows and swords here, too, but I still don¡¯t see anything magic-related. As I was looking out the window while I was on a chair.


    I saw Seris holding her bow as she was training her archery skills, and she¡¯s always been hitting perfectly in the middle. Wow, that¡¯s cool. I guess that explains the bows. If I were to guess, then Taren is the one who likes the swords. Now, I did figure out my name, and it was Tenshin, Tenshi for short as my mom calls me.


    I mean, the family here seems pretty nice and caring, but I do miss my phone, computer, and light novels. Not as much as before, though, so that might be a good sign.


    I made a small smile. Maybe it is easy to actually have a life for once. Maybe this world is my therapy, I said to myself as I picked my nose.


    I carefully got down the chair and I started to go downstairs and start crawling around there. I would find a shiny vase and I saw myself in the reflection of it and saw my eyes, hair, and skin color. Dark blue eyes, baby! With my other hand, I touched my hair.


    I stared at the top of my reflection. Is that triple cowlicks? I don¡¯t think Ria has any cowlicks. Taren has one, but not three. Did Ria cheat on Taren? well, if so, I have to get ready for that drama. My face would have a frustrated expression and went back to normal. But I still have some of his features, like my eyes looking like Taren''s. hmm, maybe it''s just some rare coincidence.


    I turned my face to the left and right and looked at myself further.


    I then looked directly at myself. I''m definitely gonna be a looker in the future. Hope I can keep in good shape then. I mean, imagine getting all the women and just building a harem. Even though I''m a one-month-old, I can already see it. I have a small good knowledge of the language here. I still didn¡¯t understand too much, maybe about five or ten words. The house here looked not so modern. It looked very old but not in a bad way.


    It had some stoney-looking floors, the house was mainly built with wood, and we lived in the middle of nowhere it seemed, but it was livable. There was no electricity at all. Ria walked in, and she set the plate back on the table and carried me in her arms.


    "Now, what were you doing crawling around, hm, Tenshi? we''re looking for some food. It¡¯s okay, baby; I¡¯ll start feeding you." She said with a smile. Ria was back in her normal outfit, which was a dark blue button vest, a white shirt underneath, a dark blue skirt, black thigh-high socks, and black heels.


    For the past month, I have had a lot of Ria¡¯s breast milk, and I loved it, but I was starting to slowly feel less turned on by it since she was my mom.


    Probably in a couple more weeks, I''m not gonna think of Ria as someone I have a crush on, but hey! Let me enjoy it now!


    ***


    Let''s jump ahead five more months. It was the morning, and Seris was currently trying to find me,


    "Tenshi! Come on, it''s just a little bit of something new!" Seris shouted. She had some food in a bowl, and it wasn¡¯t breast milk, and it''s not like I only wanted breast milk.


    I mean, I would basically kill for a burger or just something I would find tasty, so here¡¯s what she had for me: Some mushed-up vegetable of some kind that was heated up in a pot, so it was just a chunky stew of only vegetable, and it was purple. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    No thanks, lady. I think I would rather starve to death, I said to myself. My sneaking skills were really good. It was something I learned not to get caught stealing snacks back in my other world.


    I made it to Taren¡¯s and Ria¡¯s room. Ria was out in the village getting some groceries while Taren was out getting the water from the well in the yard. I looked around the room since I don¡¯t come here often. Seris was still looking around with a small worry.


    She sighed. "Sister is going to be mad at me. Come on, Tenshi, just come out," she said as she continued looking around.


    I slowly closed the door, and it was a little tough with my baby strength, but I managed to almost get it close, so as long as the door didn¡¯t show the room, I was fine with it.


    I crawled around the room, Huh, so this is their room. and there were a few candles that were not lit, but one was. I started to explore the house. I then got on top of the bed and I opened the top drawer "Huh, it seems pretty dusty in here. It seems like Taren and Ria barely used this drawer, but wait, what''s that?" I noticed something square. I tried to grab it, but the door swung open with a kick, and Seris came into the room.


    "There you are, Tenshi!" She exclaimed as she picked me up.


    "Ah, ah, ah!" I shouted.


    Seris then picked me up in her arms, and she saw the drawer open, and she closed it with her hip. She then looked at me. "Seems like someone was snooping around Mommy and Daddy''s room, huh? Now let''s get you seated on the table before this yummy food gets bad."


    Oh, come on, it feels like I was left on a cliffhanger. Now I need to see what that was. Let me go!                                                                                                                                                                                        ***


    One day went by, and I couldn¡¯t get that drawer off my head. I really wanted to see what was inside. So, I crawled upstairs. No matter what, I¡¯m going to see what¡¯s in there... Man, this really shows how bored I am. I then got to the room. Seris was just cleaning her bow downstairs and Ria and Taren we¡¯re in backyard, after Ria was done collecting some vegetables, and Taren was just swining his sword around as he was shirtless. she stood up and looked over at Taren.


    "Hey, Taren," Ria said.


    Taren stopped swinging his sword and wiped off some sweat on his head as he looked over at Ria. "Yeah, what is it?"


    "You think Tenshi is like. Okay?"


    Taren stabbed his sword into the ground and leaned on it. "It depends. I mean, what could be wrong with him? He seems pretty natural to me."


    Ria would have a hint of worry on her face. "Well, the way he acts, I mean, he never cries, and he''s not so energetic, and when I breastfeed him, he never bites even though his teeth are already growing. I don¡¯t know, maybe it''s normal. I mean, Tenshi is the first child I ever had, after all."


    Taren pondered "Okay, maybe that is a little odd for Tenshi." Taren would stop pondering. "But you don¡¯t think of him badly, right? Is he not the child you wanted?"


    "What, no, of course he is! Just thinking if he¡¯s okay up there."


    "Like I said, I am sure he is fine. Let''s just leave it at that. Even though he is a little strange, I''m sure he''s going to be a great boy in the future. In my opinion, I think he¡¯s pretty healthy. Just try not to think about it too much."


    "...Okay," Ria said with a small smile.


    ***


    Back to me, I was getting on top of the bed, which did take a little bit, but I got it. I reached over to grab the handle of the drawer, and I kept failing because I felt like I was about to fall off the bed,


    Come on, just work with me here, come on I then got it open, but I also fell off the bed at the same time as I heard something drop behind me, and with this fragile child body it did hurt, but I got up, ow... Oh shit, that was loud. I looked behind me.


    I saw the thing that was drop was a lit candle, and it lit the floor on fire, and I started to panic.


    Oh crap, oh crap, what do I do? Who even lights a candle in the daylight!?


    Seris downstairs heard the noise What was that? Seris questioned to herself. As she got up to go upstairs. I started to panic "Oh my god, Tenshi!" Seris quickly grabbed me.


    Ohhh, I messed up. Ohhh, I messed the hell up!


    Taren would barge in the room. "What''s going on!?" Ria shouted as she was beside him.


    "What has even happened here?" Taren questioned as he saw the fire.


    "I was downstairs," Seris said. "And I think Tenshi came in here and dropped a candle on mistake," Seris said.


    "Why were candles even lit in the morning in the first place!?" Ria exclaimed. She sighed and looked at the fire. "Okay, just give me a second." Ria then aimed her hand at the growing fire.


    ...Yeah, I¡¯m done with this stupid superstition bullcrap! I said to myself.


    "Ha!" Water then came out of Ria¡¯s hand, and it stopped the fire from spreading.


    Wait, w-what was that? I looked over at Ria with confusion.


    "Heh, I haven¡¯t done something like that in a while. Guess I have gotten a bit rusty as well. Tenshi is safe, and my." Ria then reached over to the drawer and grabbed what looked like a book that was in the drawer. "There it is. My old magic guidebook is still safe." Ria would look behind herself and looked at Seris as she was holding me. "And Seris, we really need to talk about having candles in the morning, especially with Tenshi around them."


    "Right, right," Seris said while looking down.


    "Tenshi hasn¡¯t even fully grown yet. He''s still just a baby, and he could¡¯ve gotten seriously injured."


    "Yeah, that was completely on me, I apologized." While they continued.


    I was still shocked. T-that was, I said. I was processing the water that came out of Ria¡¯s hand earlier, and that''s when I proved my theory. "That was... magic, right? I mean, If so... I smirked. I guess my point has been proven, and now it''s gonna be my time to learn it myself...


    ***


    Three years passed, and I¡¯ve been three years old for a bit now. I had a button light green vest and a white shirt underneath, with black shorts. I woke up, got out of bed, and yawned. "All right," I said as I fixed my hair and I opened the shutters and opened the window and took in a big breath of fresh air, and the window had a small hit on my face. I looked down there and saw Taren swinging his sword in the backyard. "Always early in the morning, huh? Dad can never catch a break." I started walking out my room to head downstairs.


    I started to get out of my room and made my way downstairs. I definitely looked more grown-up. I¡¯ve been living life regularly and healthily, and I haven¡¯t really told anyone about my whole reincarnation thing.


    I learned that Seris and Ria were victims of a kidnapping a long time ago, but I only heard it from some conversations they had together or when Ria talks with Taren.


    Speaking about him, Taren wanted me to be a swordsman, so I kept my wishes to be a mage on the down-low because I was not sure if I was going to be punished for something like that or not, and I didn¡¯t know how bad the punishments were in this world.


    Another thing is we live on the northwest side of the world in the West Hilima continent and in the country of Dalria, and it hasn¡¯t been as bad as I thought here, and the beautiful views out the window just make me feel more alive, and not even the old shut¡ªin version of me would believe that.


    My sneaking skills were getting better; not even Seris noticed me staring at her in the bath, and yeah, that did become a hobby.


    I noticed Ria cooking some breakfast in the kitchen on the cooking hearth, and she was just on her knees while cooking whatever is in the pot. Well, there is another familiar face. when I was going downstairs, I also noticed Seris was already training with Taren out the window. Wait, she was out there with him? I didn¡¯t even notice her out there. Taren was just swinging at the arrows shot by Seris. It looked pretty fun to watch, and I then looked over at Ria. "Good morning, Mother."


    Ria looked back at me with a smile. "Well, good morning, honey. How did you sleep?" Ria said,


    "I slept good, and I saw Father training with Aunt Seris out there." I said with a smile.


    "Yeah, just going at it as always."


    I wonder if Ria gets jealous of Seris training with Taren too much. "Well, Mother, I have a question."


    "Oh, really? Well, what is it?"


    "How come I don¡¯t see you use magic often?"


    "Well, I just don¡¯t have much of a use for it anymore." Ria then took out the pot of food in the hearth and closed the furnace door so the fire can lose oxygen, and then she set the food aside.


    "But why would it be bad? I mean, having magic sounds awesome."


    Ria chuckled. "It is, but there''s no need to get stronger. Your father trains because he never wants to lose that strong side of himself, and Your aunt just never wants to lose her skills as an archer, and me, well, it''s not like I am an adventurer, I stopped trying to get stronger ever since I had you. You know what? It''s not that important. Go call your father and aunt that the food is ready."


    "Oh... Okay." I walked to the outside door, and Taren and Seris were still going at it. "Uh, Aunt Seris, father! Breakfast is ready!" Taren and Seris stopped as they looked toward me, and Taren then replied,


    "Oh, already?" Taren said


    "Well, I''m not complaining," Seris said. "By the way," Seris looked back at Taren,


    "Hm, what is it?" "You are getting slower. It seems like someone has been slacking off a little." Seris grinned. Taren stayed silent as he didn¡¯t want to admit the truth, but he answered back.


    "Let''s just go eat." Taren walked past her, and Seris followed him through the door.


    ***


    a few minutes went by after the food, and I was heading to my room, but before I could get there, my name was called out,


    "Hey, Tenshi!" I looked back to see who it was, and it was Taren.


    "Yes, Father?"


    "Come outside with me. I wanna show you something."


    I was confused, but I just listened, "Uh, okay." I began to follow Taren. Am I in trouble for something? No, I haven¡¯t really done much wrong other than trying to see Seris change in her room, but why go outside then? Well, I guess I¡¯ll find out.


    we were now outside the house in the backyard.


    "Sit down there," Taren said as he pointed to a stone on the floor.


    "Oh, uh, okay." I went over to sit on the stone, and Taren pulled his sword out.


    "Now, I want you to watch closely."


    I stayed silent as I nodded.


    "Good," Taren then took a deep breath as he started swinging his sword in front of me, and I watched him.


    ...Huh?


    Taren took one last swing at a tree, and his blade did not touch it; it just snapped in half.


    I was shocked and at a loss for words. Did he just... lag? How did he do that!?


    Taren looked back at me, and he stabbed his sword into the ground. "And that, Tenshi, is called Wind Slash, one of the many swordsmanship techniques created by the Sword God. What do you think?"


    "That was so cool! but why did you want to show me that?"


    "Well, one day, you''re gonna be a swordsman yourself, and in a few years, you''re going to start training with me. So, about a few times a week for a few minutes to an hour, you''re gonna be watching me train on my own, so you get a little of what to do once I truly start trainng you. You get what I''m saying?"


    Wow, I mean, I just wanted to be a mage but I might just have to be a swordsman to. Tenshi, the mage swordsman. It''s not so catchy, but It would be so cool at the end of the day. I nodded "Yeah, I get it. I can¡¯t wait!"


    "All right, now, keep watching!"


    ***


    About four days went by, and nothing had changed other than watching Taren swing his sword then and there. That sword technique was still something that I couldn''t get out of my head because it felt like something straight out of an anime. I was currently sitting on top of a tree, and these branches smelled so good. I wasn¡¯t sure why, and I kept sniffing it.


    "Man, it smells so good." I got back inside my room through the window and did a quick stretch.


    As I walked downstairs, I noticed Seris cleaning a lot of things and doing much more than usual.


    "Uh, Aunt Seris, is everything all right?" I said.


    Seris  looked back and nodded. She had a smiled as she was cleaning the table. "Mhm," she said. "I am doing perfectly fine, I just wanted to clean around the house a little. I also cleaned up your room."


    I was still a little confused since Seris was usually the less organized one around the house, other than keeping her bows all clean and tidy, but I could tell everything was okay with her, so I didn¡¯t mind what she did. "Okay, Aunt Seris." I smiled. just went downstairs to the basement.


    I wanted to see if it was cleaned there also, and lo and behold, it was still dusty, but things definitely looked more organized.


    The chest I opened up even had some small amounts of gold and gems in them that I looked through. "Wow, Dad really did make a lot unless this came from something else, hmm." I closed the chest, roamed around, and just had a lot of fun. Sure, I''m about thirty-five years old now, but being in a child''s body really does something to me. I then looked over to a corner to see a book that had fallen off the shelf. A book? Why is this here and not on the shelf or drawer''s downstairs? Wait a minute.


    I picked up the book, and something about it looked familiar, but I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around it. I then picked up the book. Then I remembered something from three years ago.


    I remembered Ria saying this was her old magical guidebook. "This was the book that taught Mom magic!" But wait, what is this thing doing down here? The book was big and had a brown¡ªcolored cover on it. This thing was old, and this was my first time having it in my hands. "Maybe I should bring this to my room better." I took the book with me and went out of the basement.


    I made sure the coast was clear first, and Seris was still just cleaning. I then rushed upstairs to my room and slowly closed the door. All right, made it here without being caught.


    I placed the book on the bed. "Man, this thing is heavy." I knocked on the cover. This thing is hard, but it''s definitely a book and not some prop. I wonder how helpful this book was to Ria. I mean, if she learned magic from this, then I can, too. But hell, I¡¯m excited! I mean, I''ve waited so long just to make dirt out of my hands or make fire or water or other stuff. Things are about to get real. I grinned.


    I opened the book to the first page, and I skipped a few more. "Wait, what does half of this say?" I started to slowly freak out as I continued flipping through "I... I don¡¯t speak this language..." My eye twitched. I don¡¯t speak this language!!!

 Chapter 3: How to learn magic

    Chapter 3: How to learn magic


    One whole year an a half has passed, and it was spring and a cloudy afternoon. I was lying on my bed as I started to read the book. I think I''ve gotten to know the human language much better since Ria has been reading me a lot of storybooks. They weren¡¯t really much of my interest.


    Apparently, every human here speaks the same language, and that actually makes sense. A lazy guy like me would see not learning another language as an absolute win. I just had to learn this language, and bam, there is no need to worry about any language barriers.


    And Seris has even started to be much more organized, and she has even started to wear a maid outfit quite often. Here''s what I got from the book so far. I learned that not all the magical elements are connected; they are separate when learning them. For example, learning one element doesn¡¯t mean the other elements grow as you learn that single element, so if I want to get better at others, I would have to learn how to use those elements too.


    I guess I¡¯ll be doing multitasking if I''m gonna be equally as good with all of them. "How nice, more work." But this book was so properly made. I really started to wonder who made this.


    I mean, this had so much information. There was stuff like magic circles and magic incantations. "It feels weird that I''m this much of a reader now."


    There were also stories on a lot of things, and some stuff about these gods, though it didn¡¯t interest me. So, I didn¡¯t bother looking through that, and there was some stuff that worried me.


    See, I might not be able to do too much magic or no magic at all till I''m older.


    The reason why is because anyone can be born with different amounts of potential, so for all I know, I could be as strong as a god, or maybe I can¡¯t do magic at all.


    and sometimes this usually comes from the genes of a mother and father, but rarely, you could have more or less than what your parents have.


    I mean I¡¯d say I have a high potential. I''m getting excited already with the thought of having mana and some inner potential stuff, man. I still can¡¯t believe all this is real, but will this work out, though? "Well," I said as I got out of bed and stood up. "How am I going to know if I don¡¯t try?" I pulled the opened book and settled it on the edge of the bed as I was standing on the floor beside the bed.


    Okay, guess I should start with a novice class spell. I flipped through the pages until I found some novice class spells. I wanted to go with something easy.


    I definitely want to try the lightning magic stuff, but I''m afraid that would be too hard on my body. Hmm.


    I was thinking about it, but I shrugged my shoulders and stopped hesitating and went for some lightning spells. "Aha, here." I started to look through the page. My face had a hint of surprise. "Wow, it''s got a lot of instructions." Seems like using this weird thing should help me grow my lightning magic better. I saw a drawn image of something that looked like a lightbulb, but it wasn¡¯t.


    It was called a Mana Bulb. That sounds cool. Maybe Ria might have one of these. Eh, whatever. Anyways, I''m here to do some spells right now. I began to look through the pages, and I found a simple lightning spell. Here''s one, so all I have to do is focus all my energy on the target and just shoot out a burst of electricity out of my hand.


    My face had a hint of worry. Though, there''s another thing that worries me. if I use a larger amount than my body is used to, then I would either feel the shock or even be toasted to bits, but I should know how much it would take for that, right? "I think I¡¯ll be fine." I made sure to look back at it many times so I remembered the incantation. "All right..."


    I walked over to the opened window and stood up on the chair in front of it. I aimed my hand at the stone outside. "Just flicker the light inside; this kind of feels ridiculous, but I got this, I got this."


    "I call upon the power bestowed by Alucelia. The electrifying energy within me surged forward, striking the enemy before me with a painful thunderbolt." As nothing came out, I continued focusing as I grunted, Come on, just like the RPGs you played, just let it out and you unlock the next level... I felt the energy go from my feet to my hand, and I started to feel something. And shoot! "Ha!" A glow from my hand started to appear, and it just shot out a beam of lightning to the stone.


    As Taren swung his sword outside, and he grunted with each swing. He heard my shot and stopped to look behind him, seeing nothing. "What the hell was that?" Taren questioned as he looked around.


    I dropped to the ground, rubbing my head.


    "Jeez," I said. I got up and looked out the window to see the burnt stone. Wow, that was... Way more than I expected... Holy shit... "What if I add more mana into it?" I aimed my hand at the same stone, and all my hand could do was spark as I started to feel dizzy. "Oh god, am I really that tired?" Oh wait, I know why I''m like this. I''m already out of MP... And then I dropped off the chair, to the ground, and fainted.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ***


    A few hours went by after I launched a huge amount of lightning out of me, and I woke up to see myself in Ria¡¯s Thighs. The sensation did feel great and not in a perverted way. This time, I¡¯ve been a good boy now.


    "Aw, my poor boy, what happened, Tenshi?" Ria asked. I was quickly trying to remember what happened.


    "Huh...?" I said while my eyes were still opening. Wait, hang on, what happened again? Oh, right, that. "I was¡ª" Wait, I can¡¯t tell her I was using magic. I mean, what could Taren think if she told him? He wants me to be a swordsman. Do I tell her or not?


    "Is something wrong, sweetie?"


    "Oh, uh, I just... fell off the chair and hit my head, but I¡¯m fine."


    "Oh boy, you hit your head? Would you like some healing magic?" Ria asked with concern.


    I shook my head. "No, I think I am perfectly fine," I said as I got up from Ria¡¯s lap.


    "Hm, well, okay." Ria definitely felt off about this, but she believed me, and got up. "Well, if you need anything, your sweet mother is always here for you, honey."


    I nodded with a smile. "Okay, Mother."


    "Don¡¯t cause too much trouble like hurting yourself more, okay?" I nodded and Ria left and went downstairs.


    Seris then noticed her as She was cleaning some dishes in a small tub of water on the floor.


    "Hey, Ria?" Seris said.


    "Hm, yes?"


    "You didn¡¯t happen to hear any lightning or something loud by chance, right?"


    "Huh, no, why do you ask?"


    "...Never mind, maybe I just heard Taren swinging his sword outside," Seris said as she went back to what she was doing, and Ria just shrugged it off.


    ***


    while in my room. I was still processing what happened as I laid on my bed. That was a novice class spell. That''s not the craziest part. The craziest part is I did that low-class spell as a five-year-old. Is that seriously a normal amount? How much mana do I have in me? I mean, holy shit. I looked shocked as I quickly sat up "Wait, did mom see the book!?" I looked beside me and saw the book still on the bed under the blanket. It gave me such relief. If Taren was here, it would probably not end so well. I got up from the bed. "Heh." I learned magic, and I actually did it. Maybe my future as a mage is closer after all...


    ***


    A day had passed since I last used magic, and it was the evening. Seris, Ria, and Taren were busy doing their own things. Heh, now I have time to myself to look through some chest in the basement. I opened the door downstairs without being caught. The reason why I was sneaking down was because I planned to use the Mana bulb if It¡¯s here.


    I started to look around at a few crates and chests. But where is that stupid mana bulb? Come on, Ria had to have tried lightning magic at some point in her life, right? I looked through another chest, and it had barely anything in it, just some old accessories and small weapons. Holy crap, is that a machete or a short sword? I picked up the and I flipped the short sword and inspected it further.


    But why would he put something as cool as this in a chest? You could probably get a few from this. I mean, that''s one sick design. I thought the sword looked cool, but I remembered what I was doing. Oh wait, I''m getting distracted. And I would rather not drop this thing and see my flesh and bones with blood coming out. I carefully placed the short sword back in the chest and carefully looked through the chest so I didn¡¯t cut myself.


    Something then immediately caught my eye, and it was none other than the mana bulb. Holy shit, I actually found it! "Yes!" I shut my own mouth and looked at the upstairs door, hoping no one had heard that.


    "Phew..." I looked at the mana bulb on my hands. Looks like it, best get going to my room now. I took the mana bulb with me and slowly went upstairs.


    I opened the door just a little bit, so it didn¡¯t make much of a creek as I started to slowly walk off. I knew I had forgotten to close the door, but I didn¡¯t care. This house gets rats often anyways, so what is gonna stop them from thinking a big ass rat opened the door? Either way, it wasn¡¯t fully closed in the first place. I started to sneak off upstairs right when Ria and Taren got back inside. Shit, shit, go, go, go...


    I quickly ran to my room. Seris was still out getting groceries and whatnot, but as long as I made it to my room and slowly closed my door, the mission went smoothly. "Phew, glad mom and Dad didn¡¯t hear that." I looked at my hand to see the mana bulb, and excitement filled me. And this. is the next step to lightning magic. Hehe.


    ***


    While I was back in my room, in my bed, I was currently reading how to use the mana bulb, and it was quite simple.


    All I had to do was grab the bottom silver part of the mana bulb, and so I did. Okay, it should be like this, then what? I looked back at the book, and it said to make sure to not let go because if I did, the lightning magic would just fly everywhere unless I had a good amount of speed to stop myself. "Don¡¯t want to burn down the house. That wouldn¡¯t be nice." Okay, stop hesitating. I took a deep breath and


    pinched the bottom part as hard as possible and continued reading the book. Now all I have to do is release my mana into this. So just try not to blow up the house, got it. I took another deep breath. "Maybe to be safe, I should start small." I closed my eyes and focus harder. It''s like what I did when I shot that stone. Just bring out a spark of electricity out, just think about it sparking, and turn that spark into a branch of lightning. Focus... I kept trying and eventually felt a small spark come out of my hand, and the bulb started to flicker.


    As it flickered, I opened my eyes. "Working..." I mumbled I tried to put more into it.


    The bulb started to stay on, but it wasn¡¯t giving off perfect lighting. It was still a little hard to control, so it kept giving off some small dims here and there, but I was starting to get used to it. There, there, there, I think I''m getting the hang of this. Maybe I could put a little more. I put a bit more into it, and I started to sweat.


    Then, I heard a knock at my door. "Ah!" I shouted as I dropped the mana bulb and set my pillow on fire from the small branch of lightning, but I quickly patted it down.


    "Hello, Tenshi. Can I come in?" Seris said as she knocked behind the door.


    I turned the pillow around so it didn''t show the burn mark and hid the mana bulb under the bed. I quickly sat up on the bed. "Uh, yes, you can come in!"


    Seris opened the door and looked around and back over at me. "Huh, I swear I heard something. You didn¡¯t hear something weird, right?" I shook my head.


    "Nope, nothing at all, Aunt Seris. All I heard was mother and father making noise."


    Seris flushed as I said that. "Uh, well, not those noises."


    "Well, all I''m saying is that''s the only noise I hear. Maybe you got it mixed up with that."


    Seris thought about it for a moment and probably thought I was right. "I guess that''s all it could be. But if you hear them making those noises, try knocking before you enter."


    "Oh, yeah, sure, Aunt Seris. I will remember that."


    "Okay, Goodnight now."


    "Goodnight, Aunt Seris." Seris nodded and closed the door. She looked over to Ria and Taren''s door and sighed as the moaning was still going in there.


    "I''m never gonna stop being jealous, am I? And never gonna be with anyone like Taren." Seris sadly walked back to her room, and while I was back in my room, I took a deep breath of relief.


    Thank god she didn¡¯t notice anything. I guess making an excuse for my parent¡¯s sex noises did work. "Phew..." I was going to go under the bed, but I stopped for a moment. Hmm, should I still do more... Nah, I can do more and get it tomorrow. "And all of that made me super tired." I laid myself back on the bed and blew out the candle. But man, that was so cool, and it¡¯s only going to get better...

 Chapter 4: Light

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 Chapter 5: The red one

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 Chapter 6: Master!

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 Chapter 7: Thank you, Master.

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 Chapter 8: Feeling nice

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 Chapter 9: Meet again

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 Chapter 10: The offer

Larah¡¯s letter


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 Chapter 11: A good father

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