Lioran (in his thoughts):
What happened? Did I fall asleep? Waaah, is that woman still here?
Charlotte:
"My little one is awake? Did you sleep well, sweetheart?
You had a bad dream—you were even crying in your sleep, my dear. Don't be afraid, Mama is here.
If anyone dares to hurt my child, I'll deal with them myself."
Lioran (in his thoughts):
Then she started stroking and kissing me. She changed her voice and said sweet things to me.
Even though I'm older inside, I'm in a baby's body. I liked her words; I was truly happy from the bottom of my heart.
I don't think I've ever experienced such happiness before.
And that darkness and heaviness in my heart had started to fade.
I decided to listen to Paradox and make the most of this opportunity.
Aran:
"Mama, Mama! Is Lioran awake?"
Charlotte:
"Yes, dear, come see your little brother."
Charlotte:
"This is your big brother, Aran. Aran, say hello to him, sweetheart."
Aran:
"Hey crybaby. You're a man—why are you crying so much? You should be strong like your big brother!"
Charlotte:
"What are you saying? He's just a baby! You used to wet your pants all the time just a few years ago!"
Aran (annoyed):
"Mama! I told you to stop saying that!"
Aran: "I'm going to call Grandpa, Grandma, and the others."
Charlotte: "Alright, go ahead, sweetheart."
Lioran (in his thoughts):
So, this was my big brother—Aran.
He's around twelve years old. It's clear he takes after my father; his eyes are honey-colored and his
hair is bone-white.
In my previous life, the only one who had stayed by my side was my grandmother. But now it seems like there are many people who could be called family.
Aran:
"Mama! Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, and Aunt are here!"
All together:
"Hello, Charlotte."
Charlotte:
"Hello Grandpa, Grandma, Evander, Miriel! Welcome."
Thorin (Grandfather):
"How's Lioran? Is he doing, okay?"
Charlotte:
"Yes, Grandpa, his crying finally stopped."
Thorin:
"Can I hold him?"
Charlotte: "Of course."
Thorin:
"Hoo, little man! Why were you crying so much? And now not a single tear?
Are you not crying now because you know your grandpa and like him? Hmm? Do you like your
grandpa?"
Lioran (in his thoughts):
If I could talk, I'd answer you, old man!
Evander:
"Thank God Lioran is better, Charlotte."
Charlotte:
"Thank you, Evander, he really scared me.
He cried for two whole nights without stopping—even in his sleep."
Miriel:
"That's surprising, he doesn't seem like he cried that much. Look how quiet this little one is!"
Charlotte:
"I don't know what happened, but thank God he's better now.
How's your daughter?"
Miriel:
"She's asleep at the moment. The maids are with her, so I'm not worried.
By the way, where's your husband Rhys?"
Charlotte:
"He went to the training grounds, practicing with Valen."
Miriel:
"He became a father just three days ago, and instead of staying with his son, he goes off to train for war. Seriously, his brain is all muscle!"
Charlotte:
"Haha, yeah, that's exactly how he is."
Artemis (Grandmother):
"Thorin, that's enough. Stop making such weird faces—you'll scare the baby. Give him to me, I
want to see him too."
Thorin:
"This baby likes me, see? Not a single sound from him. Tell me you like your Grandpa."
Charlotte:
"Aran, tell the maids to bring drinks for everyone." Aran:
"Ok, Mama."
Lioran (in his thoughts):
Just as I guessed, my family has grown.
My grandfather Thorin, my grandmother Artemis, my uncle Evander, my aunt Miriel, my mother Charlotte, my father Rhys, my big brother Aran...
This family is bigger than I ever imagined.
And they're all giving me their love... without a single condition.
Maid: Madam, I've brought the drinks.
Charlotte: Distribute the drinks to everyone. Lioran (in his mind): Now that I'm paying attention, I was really born into a rich family. They've got servants, their clothes are fancy and expensive. And this room looks so elegant and aristocratic. I think some parts of it are even made of gold, like those candlesticks.
Artemis: Thorin, stop scaring the kid with that weird face and voice. Go do your work. Don't you have a meeting today?
Thorin: But this little guy is so cute, I forgot my meeting! Grandpa has to go to work now, but I'll come back really quick, okay?
Lioran (in his mind): Please, don't rush back too much…
(Then with that weird voice again, he showered Lioran with affection and kissed him, before getting up to
leave.)
Artemis: Give the baby to me.
(Thorin handed Lioran to Artemis. Artemis placed the baby on her lap, cupped her hands on her cheeks,
stretched her cheeks, stuck out her tongue, and made funny noises to make Lioran laugh.)
Lioran (in his mind): You were just giving him a lecture? You're a hundred times worse than him!
Oh well, guess I better get used to this kind of stuff.
Lioran: That much I figured myself. I want to know who hated me enough to cast a cursed life on me.
Perodox said he gave me powers. What powers do I have now?
Report: "You currently possess the Skill of Alteration, the Absorber Skill, the Skill Copier and the Skill Identification."
Lioran: "Can you explain a little more?"
Report:
"Alteration Skill: You can make the impossible possible, but since your skill level is low, for now you
can only do limited things.
Absorber Skill: You can absorb magical forces directed at you and release them whenever you want, but currently you can only absorb a small amount of energy.
Skill Copier: You can copy others' skills, but only if you either kill someone or stay near them for at least ten minutes."
With the Identification skill, you can see others' magical powers and abilities, and identify magical items. However, since your skill is at an intermediate level, you can't identify everything.
Lioran: "Those are some good skills. I think that's what Perodox meant by getting stronger. But when you say the skill level is low — what does that mean? How can I raise it?"
Report: "Skills have five levels: C, B, A, S, and SS. Right now, your skills are:
Alteration: Level B
Absorber: Level C
Copier: Level B
Identification: Level A
All four are rare skills, possessed by only one in a million people. Such a person is known among people as an S-Class Adventurer."
Lioran (in his mind): So, I'm already kind of a hero, even though I'm in a baby's body!
Charlotte: Sweetie, your brother came to say goodbye. He's going to a magic school in another realm.
Aran: Goodbye, little bro! Your big bro's going to become stronger. Just wait — next time I come back, I'll be even stronger than Dad!
Charlotte: Aran, sweetheart, don't forget to…
Aran: I know, Mom. I'll be kind to everyone. If someone treats me badly, I'll forgive them —because goodness brings more goodness.
Charlotte: Good boy. I'm proud of you.
Meanwhile, at the magic school:
Aran: Hey, don't you know who I am? No one's allowed to look at me for more than three seconds.
Don't you understand something that simple? Why are you staring at me so hard?
Innocent student: Sorry, I was deep in thought. I didn't even see you.
Aran: So, you're saying your thoughts are more important than me, you insect?
(Three of Aran's lackeys grab the innocent kid)
Lackeys: Boss, want us to beat him up? He insulted you too much.
Aran: No, let him go. He's not worth wasting our time on.
Back to the present:
Aran (with a quiet chuckle): I'm off, Mom! I'm gonna be late.
Charlotte: Wait! I'm coming with you. Girls, take care of Lioran.
Maid: Yes, my lady.
Lioran (in his mind): These maid girls are really… beautiful— I mean hardworking!
Lioran: Hey lady, you still there? Hello?
Report: I'm not going anywhere. I'm linked to your soul.
Lioran: Don't you have a name? What should I call you? If we're going to be together all the time, stop saying "Report" when you talk.
Report: I don't have a name. You may choose one for me. From now on, I will try no longer use the word "report" in my reports.
Lioran: Thank youuuu! Let's see… your voice sounds graceful, like a noblewoman, and you claim to
know everything—though I doubt it. So from now on, your name is "Anahita," the goddess of wisdom!
Anahita: Thank you for the beautiful name.
Lioran: You're welcome! So, my brother's gone to school… Where is that school anyway?
Anahita: He studies in a human realm, at a school called "Awakening of Magic."
Lioran: Awakening of Magic? Why such a name?
Anahita: Because all beings in this world gain their skills at age six, and at age ten, magic enters their
bodies. That moment is known as the Awakening of Magic.
Lioran: So, I'm an exception to have such powerful abilities as a baby… I see. So, what do I have to do to grow stronger?
Anahita: You must copy the skills of all your family members. Then I will either combine related skills or upgrade their levels.
Lioran: You're amazing, Anahita!
Anahita: Thank you.
Lioran: Now what I have to do is stay close to others so I can copy their skills.
Anahita: There are different times and methods. If you just want to be near someone and copy their technique, it's impossible. At the very least, part of your body must be in contact with theirs for the technique to be copied. For example, if you hold someone's hand for ten minutes, you can copy their techniques. And if you place your hand near their heart—where their soul and all their skills reside—for one minute, you can copy all their techniques. Or if you kill the person.
Lioran (in his mind): If that's the case, then this is the perfect moment for me to copy.
Charlotte: Hello, my little one. Haven't you missed mommy?
Lioran:
Anahita, analyze my mom.
Anahita: Order acknowledged. Analyzing Charlotte's skills and magical energy... Report:
Charlotte possesses two B-level skills and her magical energy is 136, which is equivalent to a level C adventurer.
Lioran: What are her skills? And what do you mean her magic level is 136?
Anahita: Her skills include Healer and Archer. With the Healer skill, she can heal moderately serious injuries, and with the Archer skill, she can hit a target up to one kilometer away. In this world, magical energy is measured by magical scrolls that are found in adventurer guilds or magic academies... and you can detect it through the Identification Skill.
Lioran: What a useful skill. Thanks, Perodox. So, what's my magic power right now?
Anahita: Your magic power is zero, because all beings gain magic power at the age of ten. But if you start meditating, you could gain much more magical power when you turn ten.
Charlotte: Sweetie, aren't you hungry? Don't you want mommy to feed you?
Lioran: Right, perfect time for testing... Save the rest for later. Start copying my mom's skills now.
Meanwhile, Lioran started crying and screaming, signaling that he was indeed hungry so that Charlotte would feed him.
Charlotte: Here you go, sweetheart... I think you were really hungry, mommy's baby.
Anahita: Copying Charlotte's skills... Copying successful. Lioran:Awesome!
Rhys: I'm home.
Hearing his father's voice, Lioran felt a devilish grin form inside. Lioran:
Hahaha... Welcome home, daddy!
He stopped drinking milk and began crying loudly.
Charlotte: What's wrong, sweetheart? Did something happen?
Rhys: Maybe he's hungry, give him some food.
Lioran: Are you blind, old man? I was eating just now!
Charlotte: Are you blind? He was just eating!
Rhys: Oh, really? Didn't notice, sorry. I trained a lot today. I'm exhausted. I'll go rest and sleep.
Lioran (in his mind): Where do you think you're going? Can't you see your kid's crying? Take care of your son for once, you idiot! Guess I'll have to use my power...
Then Lioran activated his ear-shattering cry and crocodile tears.
Rhys: I think I should go sleep in the other room; the noise here won't let me rest.
But when Charlotte heard Lioran's crying and Rhys's careless words, she suddenly burst into tears herself. Both Lioran and Rhys looked at her in confusion.
Rhys: What's wrong, honey? Don't tell me you're hungry too?
After hearing that, Charlotte kicked him hard where no one should be kicked! Rhys held himself in pain, only for Charlotte to land another kick and knock him into a chair.
You, crazy idiot!
And she handed Lioran to him:
Charlotte: Sweetheart, stay with daddy. Mommy's going to check if dinner's ready.
Lioran (in his mind): I don't think I should ever disobey mommy...
Rhys: I've never been able to understand women...
Lioran (in his mind): You deserved that, old man. Anahita, start copying his skills.
Anahita: I already started. Just a few more seconds left.
Lioran: You started copying without a command? Awesome!
Anahita: Rhys possesses three skills and magical energy of 397, equivalent to a powerful A-level adventurer. All three skills have been copied:
• A-level Predictive Skill
• A-level Swordsmanship
• B-level Regeneration
Lioran: My parents make a great team. One fights close up, the other from afar. And my dad's skills... they're definitely useful.