A familiar brown-haired maid named Mia ran through the hallway corridor of the large mansion—opening and closing as many doors in the process to look for the young-white haired boy. But alas, she couldn't find him. Just when she closed the last door of the hallway, she suddenly remembered the very place that he runs off to.
She then sprinted across the halfway corridor, passing by the many servants who bowed and greeted her in the process. Out of breath, she now stands before the grand doors of the mansion library. Taking a deep breath, she flung the doors open, and hurriedly stepped inside the room.
But even after looking all around, she found nothing more but the endless amount of bookshelves in both floors of the room—all perfectly aligned and organized with their respective genres and knowledge.
She paced along the red carpet before reaching the center of the room consisting of tables with red tablecloths on top of them, with unlit candles on top of them, and comfortable chairs with paddings to help make the reading experience as relaxing as possible.
Mia looked around once more before finally seeing the two-year old white-haired boy. He sat on top of a pile of books just so he could barely reach the table in front of him, while reading a thick book titled Medical Theories and Practices.
She quickly walked towards him. "Young Master!"
The white-haired boy flinched at the voice before slowly looking at Mia. The delicate features of his white-hair and rose-skinned face emphasized his heterochromia.
Mia let out a sigh, and wiped off the sweat from her forehead before worriedly looking at the white-haired boy.
"Young Master, you should've told me where you were! I'm under obligation to always watch over you and keep you safe!"
The white-haired boy slightly looked away, feeling guilty before he awkwardly scratched his cheek. "I'm sorry... I just wanted to continue reading the books here."
Mia let out another exhausted sigh before she crossed her arms, and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she slightly opened her eyes to take a peek of him. Seeing how saddened he looked, she couldn't be mad anymore.
"... It's fine. But just make sure let me know, Young Master
The white-haired boy slowly nodded, still feeling guilty about the trouble he caused.
Mia then let out a small smirk before looking around the room one more time. "But I still can't believe how big this library is..." She then turned back to the white-haired boy, making him flinch. "I know just how much you like to read, but please refrain from going deep into the library. It's easy to get lost. Also..."
Mia glanced at the end of the room, and stared at the large library counter with all sorts of books lying on top, and around it. Behind the counter lies a throne-like chair with an unusually pale-skin woman just sitting down with her legs crossed, and reading a book.
Her long wavy blonde hair reached her thighs, and was tied up near the end. Her narrow, deep-red eyes that looked similarly to blood complemented the color of her red lipstick. She wore a dark-red cape, with a red long sleeve button down, black pants and heels. She also wore black gloves, with some metal parts protruding around the knuckle and fingers.
Feeling Mia's gaze, she slowly turned her attention to us. Seeing Mia flinched, she let out a small smirk before placing the book she was reading down, and picking up another one near the counter.
She then slowly walked towards us. Once she stood before us, she moved the book she was holding over her mouth to try and cover her playful smile.
"Mia, you don't have to worry. The Young Master is safe with me."
Mia glared at her for a long minute before letting out a defeated sigh. "I know that, but what if the Young Master gets lost?"
The woman let out a chuckle, and lowered the book down before patting her head. "Like I said, you don't have to worry about such things when I'm here." She then glanced at the white-haired boy from the corner of her eyes.
"Isn't that right, Young Master?"
The white-haired slowly nodded. "Don't worry, Mia. She's been taking good care of me."
Mia sighed before she shook the woman's hand away.
"I see..."
The woman pouted from Mia's cold attitude before handing me the book that she was carrying. "Here is the book that you requested earlier, Young Master. I apologize if I took a while. I got sidetracked."
The white-haired boy shook his head. "Don't apologize. Thank you for bringing me this book."
The woman smiled warmly before tucking in a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to be so formal, Young Master. You can just call me Veda."
The white-haired boy slowly nodded with a small blush. "Okay, Veda. Once again, thank you for bringing me this book."
Veda let out a small chuckle before patting his head. "It's my pleasure, Young Master. I'll head back to my post. If you ever need help, you can always ask me."
The boy nodded at her response as Veda began walking back to her counter.
He then looked at the book, and gazed at the peculiar title: The Theory of Mana.
Mia glanced at the title. After reading what it said, her eyes widened before she stammered. "Y-Young Master! Everyone knows how smart you are, but... aren't you too young to learn this?"
"Maybe... but it never hurts to learn the basic concept first, don't you agree?"
"True, but..." Mia scratched her cheek in dismay before a sudden thought crossed her mind. "That reminds me..." She took out her pocket watch and checked the time. "It's almost time for your meal with Her Grace. Do you want me to carry you there?"
The boy flinched before he shook his head intently. "N-No, that's not necessary! I'll walk there by myself."
The white-haired boy held the book tightly in his arm, and jumped down from the stack of books. As he landed on the floor, he quickly lost his balance from the heavy book he was carrying, and began stumbling all around.
Mia let out a small chuckle before she gently picked the boy into her arms.
The boy flinched, and he quickly began squirming in her arms. Mia let out another chuckle after seeing the embarrassed boy squirming.
"Awe... You don't have to feel shy, Young Master. Her grace is already waiting for us, so it'll be faster if I take you there myself."
"I-I see." The boy slowly stopped squirming and relaxed into her arms, but continued to wear a troubled expression.
Mia quickly left the library with the boy in her arms, and began walking down the corridor to where the Duchess was. The boy glanced out the window before seeing the bustling green trees lit up by the golden sun. As he continued to look at the scenery outside, he finally saw his own reflection staring back at him from the window.
"... It's been two years now."
The boy slowly looked away from the window, and stared at the book in front of him. He then closed his eyes, and began to recall the memory he had when he was still an infant laying down in his crib—staring at the ceiling filled with all the childish decorations, with a peculiar flame next to him.
"Now... What do you wish to ask about the world, oh lost one?"
Questions...
There are so many things that I want to ask about. But from the way they've been acting, it seems I won't be getting the answers to them.
As I continued to contemplate what questions to ask the flame, a sudden thought popped into my head.
If this is truly the same world as the book I read before I died, does that mean I have to follow the same path as the original Lysander?
Do I have to be miserable once again?
"... Do I have to follow the same path as the original Lysander?"
The green flame quickly turned blue, and shrunk immensely at the mention of that question. They floated in the silence for a long while before returning to their original red color.
"... I've been informed that you know this world in a story-based knowledge, where everything is in the setting of a book. How ironic... But to answer your question: No, you don't have to follow this path that you talk about."
"... I see. Then. is it possible for me to live a normal life?"
"If that is what you wish to do, then yes. This world... This body... all of this was given to you by the pity of a God."
"A God...?"
"... I said too much. But still, know that this life is yours to shape."
"I see... But why do I still have the same mindset and memories as before? If I did reincarnate into a new body, shouldn't I forget who I originally am...?
The flame lingered in the air once again—as if thinking on how to properly answer the question.
"... It is true that you're in a new body, but you're a special case. Your mental being is still the same, since we didn't want to forcefully meddle in someone's mind. So, though it's cruel, you still have the same mental state as before."
The flame then turned into a darker shade of blue.
"You will still be unable to feel any emotions you don't know, just like your previous life."
... What?
I still can't live normally, even in a new world?
Why…?
Why can't I just be normal just like my parents said?
Can this even be called a new life?
Why do I still have to suffer?
The infant's eyes narrowed with anger. He clenched his tiny hands into a fist as his mind jumbled with so many cruel thoughts.
The flame stayed afloat in the air—watching the spectacle without intervening.
After finally seeing the infant calm down, the flame began to talk once again. "Are you done? It seems there are some clarifications to be done."
The flame's color turned green once again. "I said 'any emotions you don't know,' not the ones you already know. I know this might be a... pain, but in this new body that you've been given... you can learn all the emotions that you were never able to experience, and make them yours—without the facade."
My eyes slowly widened as I heard those words.
"Are you telling the truth?!"
They let out a small chuckle. "For what other reason would I lie? Even if you can't believe it now, you'll soon realize that what I said is true."
The flame slowly began to dissolve into the air, leaving behind green fragments. "Just remember: This life is for you to decide. If you have any major questions, you can always call me."
The flame finally disappeared, and their green embers began gliding all over me. I slowly reached out for the falling flames—trying to see if what I just saw was real.
"This life is for me to decide..."
I slowly closed my eyes, and opened them once again to see my current mother sitting down in a chair—elegantly drinking tea, while a selection of dessert was laid out in front of her.
I looked around, and saw the familiar greenhouse that mother always tends to when she's free.
Mia seated me in the chair next to mother.
As I looked up, I could see mother's eyes glimmered with joy. She smiled so warmly before she gently patted my head, making me slightly blush from the sudden warmth.
The way she smiled at me... I couldn't help but feel this warm sensation called happiness coursing all over me.
I don't know why… but I like this feeling.
I like how I finally have a mother who treats me so nice... and only looks at me with nothing but a warm smile on her face.
Mother glanced at the book in my hand, and slowly removed her hand from my head. "Were you in the library again, Lysander?"
I put the book down on the table before nodding. "Yes. I wanted to finish reading the books in the library."
She glanced at the title of the book before letting out a bitter sigh. The same words that the mage told her about teaching magic to him echoed in her mind once again.
"I see... Just make sure to not overexert yourself. You're still a child after all."
She patted my shoulder, and continued to smile despite the hint of bitterness covering her eyes. Still... I couldn't help but smile and blush at the warmth of this person's hand once again.
The warmth of someone I can finally call my mother.
I slowly shook my head, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, mother. After this book... I'm probably going to stop reading for a while."
She tilted her head, confused as to what I meant by that. "But don't you like reading?"
I flinched, and slowly looked at the book with a saddened expression before shaking my head. "... I only read to understand the world around me. It's not something I do for fun."
I looked back up, and smiled—trying my best to get rid of this empty feeling that reading brings to me.
"I prefer to be with you and father. I want to do things that any family and children would normally do."
She warmly smiled before booping my nose. "I see. You sound quite mature despite saying you want to act like a child."
She slowly leaned forward, and smiled more beautifully than before. "I also want you to enjoy life, Lysander. I'll spoil you with anything you ask!"
She quickly began to tickle me, forcing me to laugh. Once I pleaded for her to stop, she let out a small chuckle before looking warmly at me once more. "No matter what anyone says, this is a life where you can make your own decisions."
Wiping the subtle tear from my eyes, I couldn't help but stare at her with awe.
After being born in this world, I thought to myself that trying to be someone else... will lead to the same situation I had with my sibling.
A relationship filled with nothing but guilt and regret.
So I decided to show my true self. A person who can't feel any sort of emotion. A person who only thinks about the logic behind every subject without taking any emotional approach.
That way... I don't have to worry about feeling guilty, even if they were to hate me like my previous parents.
But surprisingly... They didn't react negatively. They embraced me into their arms with nothing but pure warmth.
The flame told me that the only reason I could understand these people was because they translated the language into something I can understand, but advised me to learn it in case any situation where the magic won't be available occurred.
I started walking and spoke my first words way earlier than a normal child can do, around the nine-month period.
When I was a year and a half, I learned how to read and speak the language of this world.
Even when the things I did were peculiar or strange, they showed no hostility. Even when I learned how to speak natively, they still treated me like a normal child.
Even now, when I'm reading such an advanced book, this person only cares about my wellbeing.
I couldn't help but slowly hug her when she said those warm words. "... Thank you, mother."
Feeling my warmth, she smiled back, and gently patted my back before we continued on with our session. Talking about so many things and our everyday life with utter peace and joy.
After a while, mother slowly smiled and called out to me. "Lysander... I think it's finally time you know."
Carefully drinking the tea in front of me, I slowly placed it down when she called my name and looked at her with curiosity.
With the same warm expression, she placed both her hands over her heart. "I can't help but feel so joyous about this."
I felt a sudden thump in my heart.
It can't be...
Once again, she smiled ever so beautifully. "You will soon have a little sister. Your father and I wanted to keep this a secret until today. We came up with so many names, and we decided to call her..."
A moment of pause to create suspense for the name of the baby became a moment of crisis for me.
How did I not recall this important detail from the book?!
She let out a small chuckle before finally speaking out the name.
"Seraphina."
Why didn't I remember this? I forgot that this world has a different system of pregnancy.
I closed my eyes and tried to recall the exact texts of the book I once read in the library.
Page 78 in the book Human Anatomy and Physiology. Subtitle: Human Reproduction.
"Despite the old-fashioned way humans have reproduced in the past, a new method has arisen. A method that completely negates any fatalities during childbirth, decreases tensional pain, and shortens the time of pregnancy without any side-effects on both the caregiver's body and child. A method called Bond of Mana."
Bond of Mana decreases the overall pregnancy duration from nine months to two and allows any gender to bear the child not in their reproductive areas, but in the ring of mana surrounding the heart. Giving birth via a mana method, you can't tell if someone is pregnant due to their outer appearance like you can with regular pregnancy.
In this world, there is a ring of mana surrounding one's heart. It is used to indicate the strength of one's magic or aura, from one ring to ten—leveling from weakest to strongest. Bond of mana is used to help a person bear a child in their rings without any negative side effects, but in return drains a significant amount of mana during the pregnancy period.
What is today's date?
I tried to remember exactly.
Today is Imperial Year 764, the second month, the nineteenth day.
If I recall, Seraphina's birthday is the twenty-eight of the second month.
That means that in nine days, Seraphina will be born.
Mother gently cupped my face, and slowly lifted my face up—looking so worried before she carefully stroked the corner of my eyes. "Lysander, are you feeling unwell?"
Hearing her speak without knowing about what will happen... I couldn't help but look at her solemnly.
The day Seraphina is born is when the person in front of me dies.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
I laid down on my bed, and just stared at the little decorations stuck on the ceilings meant for children. I stretched my hand up—trying so hard to grab an answer for this dilemma.
But after not receiving any answer, I painfully breathed in and plopped my hand down on the bed.
"... Azar, are you there?"
The same flame that I once saw when I came to this world appeared once more—with the new name I gave them.
"Is there something that worries you?"
I continued to stare emptily at the ceiling before hesitantly responding back. "... Mother is going to die in nine days, isn't she?"
Azar floated there in utter silence for a long moment before finally answering. "... So you know. Maybe it's because of this novel that you always speak of. But... answering your question: Yes. Her death is in the foreseeable future."
I gritted my teeth, feeling so helpless at the confirmation.
"C-Can I somehow save her?"
Azar stayed silent for a bit before slowly turning blue.
"It's... possible to save her."
I immediately sat up, and looked at them with widened eyes. "Really?! Can I really save her?!"
Azar floated there without saying anything once again. After a while, they turned back to their usual red color.
"With your current power, you're unable to do something now. But if you can use magic, your chances of saving Isabella will increase. Of course, it depends on how far you master your understanding of magic that will reflect the increased chances of her survival."
I stroked my chin, carefully contemplating his words.
Magic is still a foreign knowledge that I barely started learning.
"Can I learn how to cast magic during these nine days?"
"... Who knows. With your reading and comprehension speed, it might be possible."
"I see..."
The warmth that my new parents gave to me... I don't want to lose it. If mother were to die, it would undoubtedly make the plotline continue just like in the novel—where nothing but misery is in store for me.
But I will make sure to change the storyline. I will make sure to save my mother.
"I guess I'm going to be busy for a while then."
Azar let out a chuckle before responding back. "Well, no need to push yourself. Your presence has already changed the way fate will move. But I do hope for your happiness."
Azar soon disappeared, leaving me alone in the empty silence of my room with so many doubts.
But... I will make sure to learn all these concepts of magic.
I will make sure to save my mother.