The sun ascended higher in the sky.
Orien was in the yard, wiping sweat from his forehead. His breathing was slower. His shirt clung to the back of his shirt.
He had done enough for now.
He leaned forward once more and put his arms on his knees, sitting on the bench. His chest rose and fell with every deep breath.
And then. he heard the steps.
Soft. Slow. Not the steps of a servant.
He shifted his head.
A woman stood at the edge of the garden path. She wore a light blue dress and a soft shawl. Her hair was tied neatly, and her eyes were wide.
She looked at him with a strange mix of shock and joy.
Her hand covered her mouth.
"Orien…?" she whispered.
He stood up slowly.
She walked closer, still staring.
"You're walking…" she said, tears already forming. "You're outside. You're moving…"
Orien blinked.
He had no idea who she was.
"Sorry," he said quietly. "Do I… know you?"
She stopped in her tracks.
For a moment, nothing moved. Not the leaves. Not the wind.
Her face fell, just slightly. But then, she smiled again. A soft, sad smile.
"…I'm your mother," she said gently.
Orien's eyes widened.
He looked at her more carefully.
She had pretty eyes. Her voice was soft and comforting. There was something about her that seemed familiar—only a fuzzy, far-off kind of way.
"I. see," he said.
His own voice was sharp. He had no notion what to do. This wasn't his mother. Not the one from the old life.
But here in this world… she was.
She drew a little closer but didn't touch him.
It's okay," she told him. "You don't need to remember it all. I'm just happy to see you standing."
He looked down at his feet.
"I guess I haven't done this since.?"
She let out a gentle laugh.
"You've been in bed for months, sweetie. The doctors said you'd never walk again."
He looked back up.
That explained the 'Weak' status of the system.
"I woke up a couple of days ago," he said. "Thought I ought to get up. Felt… right."
His mother smiled once more.
"It's a miracle," she breathed. "We prayed night after night."
Orien was at a loss for words. This woman clearly cared for him. Her eyes were red-rimmed and small. The sort of eyes which had spent many nights fretting.
He did not wish to hurt her.
"I'm fine now," he said eventually.
She nodded, tears streaming down her face.
"Do you hurt?"
"Only a little bit. But it gets better every time I move."
She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve.
"That's good," she said. "So, so good."
They stood there in silence for a moment.
Birds sang in the trees. A breeze blew through the garden.
"You were so full of energy when you were younger," she said suddenly. "You used to chase butterflies until you fell into the fountain.
Orien released a small laugh.
"Sounds like I was a pain."
She smiled.
"You were. But you smiled more when you were younger."
He lowered his head.
A strange sensation lodged in his chest. Guilt? Regret? Or just the weight of her niceness.
"I'll try to smile more," he replied.
She nodded.
"Well, I won't delay you. I merely wished to look at you in person. I am so proud of you."
She turned to leave, then hesitated.
"Would you like a warm beverage? Tea, perhaps?"
Orien shook his head slowly.
"Perhaps later."
She nodded again and gave him a final look—soft, full of love—and turned back toward the house.
Orien watched her go.
".She's kind," he said to himself.
Then he sat back down and let the wind chill his skin.
A soft ding resonated in his mind.
[System: Reward earned – Consistent Progress]
[Skill Gained: Meditation]
[Meditation – Soothes the body and focuses the mind. Slowly regains health and mana over time while sitting.]
He raised an eyebrow.
"Guess that counts as training too."
He shut his eyes and tried to stay still.
He took a deep breath.
In… out…
His mind slowed down. His heart rate slowed down.
He sensed something light move through him. Not wind, not heat—something more tranquil. Like a wave in quiet water.
He smiled.
This skill might be simple, but it felt good. Natural.
He opened his eyes after a minute.
"I'm really living in this world now…"
He stood, rolled his shoulders, and looked up at the blue sky.
Then he waved toward the house, even though she probably couldn't see him.
"Thanks," he said.
He didn't know if she had heard him.
But he meant it.