When I came to, I felt a lot less dizzy and was able to keep a clear head in my consciousness.
'System what was that?'
<
Mana exhaustion? Was that because I appraised my mother? But that doesn't make sense!
'If the average amount of MP of Das is 68, and i have about a quarter of it, doesn't that mean that this appraisal skill is very mana consuming?'
<
'Thanks.'
<
…
'What was that?'
No response. Thinking about it, it may be something I happened to remember because an event similar happened to it, and that fragment briefly resurfaced in my mind. I guess the long I live, the more likely I will be able to get those memories back. That is to say, I will definitely make new ones of this new, safe, and lonely life. Lonely, such a word seems too far away, yet it is most definitely what I wish for.
As for my mana exhaustion, in that case, I will have to control how much mana I use so that I don't get mana exhaustion again.
'How much mana do I have left?'
<
I may confirm? Does that mean I don't need to ask the system to? I looked inside my mana core with my mana sense. I could see it was about 2% filled. With my perceptive mind, I realized that there indeed were 16 strands worth of mana, or 16 MP. That sure is convenient.
<
Great! The colours felt more vivid and I could feel it more clearly, but overall, the level - up was disappointing.
I took out my mana again to appraise my mother to a lesser extent.
'Let me see how much 2 mana can give me.'
I constricted the mana flowing out of my mana core, so that it slowed to about 1 strand per every second, and stopped when I had 2 strands. Then, I got my strands to directly dig into my mother's body and analyze her. As usual, the system displayed it too.
< Titles: Spouse of Jonathan Williams, Commoner, Condition: Fatigued, Joyful, Healthy Strength Level: C Magic Level: A+ Relation to Host: A loving mother.>> … It must have been about another half hour until I came out of my stupor. That last line, stunned me. I looked at it again, and even appraised her again. But the results came the same. That last line, more than bringing me happiness, it perpetually frightened me. What kind of person must you be to love a baby who was just born? What kind of crazy woman would feel love for a child who has not even repaid her yet for the pains they caused for her? Is this familial love? So unconditional? Soon, this moment of fright turned into hope because the reality in my mind hit me. She could very well just be a loving mother of a child she holds high expectations of and won't accept anything but. Although I didn't for sure, it was possible. And oddly enough, this made me more content than reading the line of 'A loving mother.' I only came out of my stupor because someone was knocking on the door. If not for that, I may have still been out like that for hours. At the door, I could hear some discreet noises that were unrecognizable. Although, my mother, who awoke due to the knock, seemed to know who they were. "Kids, you can #$% in, I am %^& now, anyways." She said. For a good minute no one came in despite the sounds getting louder. Eventually I could pick up some words that they said. "Don't! #$%^is tired." "Is she? We don't ^&* that." "Of course she is, didn't you hear the !@#$%say she needs rest." "What? But that was so long ago." "We don't know that! I can't read the ^&*( so you'll have to do it." "My $%^&*(^%, I'll just open it" "No! Don't do it Donny." My mother spoke up again just a tad before the door creaked open. "Doniphan and Yua , I'm going to get mad if you don't get in here and greet your new brother!". Although my mother said so with an indignant expression, the gentleness in her voice was prominent. A little boy appeared in front of the wide open wooden door. He had an excited face and didn't stop moving at the door. He rushed over to the bedside, and looked right into my eyes. "Is it a boy or a girl," He asked, although his saliva splattered disgustingly everywhere. "It is a wonderful boy, and his name is Leonardo." My whole body began to repulse the stranger for no clear reason at all. As I thought, it seems I have an innate hatred and fear of strangers. But this is my brother, I don't think he will be anything too troubling. In any case, now he is only a kid, and I'm sure with such an odd mother he will grow up to be at least half as odd. Even still, the disgust I felt couldn't be rid of, and it seemed like my eyes and the boy didn't make it any better. My eyes viewed him as an ugly terror I had to get rid of, but this boy was something else… "If he's younger than me, he has to listen to what I say right?" he spoke. This boy didn't ask if "I am supposed to" or if "I should" but if I "have to". The flags in my mind were waving white and black. My mother sensed the odd way of asking the question, but didn't pay as much mind, probably because this is her son, who was bound to group up like her. "In a way, I guess you can think about it that way, Donny." Her face looked slightly confused, but the expression soon faded away as she turned to the next guest at the door. "Silica, are you just going to stand there? Don't you want to meet Leonardo too?" Silica, this older sister of mine, began trudging along to the bedside. Now that they were all together at my bedside, I realized their appearances all look so similar. Her brown hair wasn't as long as my mother's, but it was a lot more of a lighter brown. The hair fell down to her shoulders at most, but I had the impression I was looking at long hair oddly enough. Her eyes were a darker contrast of brown, but her face was pure and without blemish. Just from her, I knew we were somewhat privileged. In her hands was a white squirrel plush that was tightly embraced by her. The boy had long brown that he combed back, and his eyebrows were relatively sleek. His eyes were dark as well, but I could see he had greed in them. Quite odd for a child to have greed: he must be thinking about candy or something. As Silica came closer, I was able to see her smile shine like my mothers. Unexpectedly, I didn't feel disgusted or nauseous of her. Instead, she felt like my mother, so unbearably kind and generous, naive and friendly. When she saw me, her whole face lit up, and she started getting fidgety. Excitement? Motherly instinct? "Can I carry him? P-P-Please, C-Can I C-C-C-C-C-ary him? Pretty please?" She pleaded to my laughing mother. "You are too young, Silica. You might not be able to even carry him." Mother responded. That's true. At her age, she might not be able to do much. After all, what kind of girl does physical labour in the medieval era? I decided to check her status with a little mana anyway. < Titles: Commoner Condition: Excited, Overjoyed, Healthy Strength Level: F Magic Level: F Relation to Host: Excited and Overprotective Loving Sister.>> I was a bit worried about what she might be, but it turns out she is like my mom, too. Thankfully, I at least know what to expect now… "Wanna, like, play with WIlliam and me?" she asked. William seemed to be the white squirrel in her hands, though looking at it close made it seem more like a bear than a squirrel… The animals are probably different in this world. I tried to move my feeble arms, but they unnoticeably moved. I decided to make some noise to show my approval "Auussssshaaaa", I sounded. Kind of awkward, but I am still a baby after all. "AAAAAAH", my sister squealed. "He is sooooo cute." … An old man like me being called cute was straight up just uncomfortable. Wait… old man? "Here Leon!" My sister shoved the plush into my face. Not much to do about it, other than show my approval of how soft it was. "His name is Leonardo, dummy!" My brother shouted. I could see his eyes seemed angry, but that should be normal as a child so there was not much I could do. However, I prioritized in my mind to find a way to make them get along better. "His nickname is Leon, dumber dummy!" My sister responded. "Donnimerius! Silica! Stop this at once!" My mother scolded. It seems my mother is the only reasonable one here. Besides that, it turns out my brother's name is Donnimerius. What name is that !? Thinking about it, I still haven't appraised my brother Donnimerius… "GUAHAA" My laughter accidentally slipped out when I thought about that name, though the sound was mostly muffled by the animal in my face. I got scared for a second as I thought he understood why I was laughing, as he was staring, no, glaring at me with an angry face, but I quickly dismissed the possibility of him reading a baby's mind. I sent the same amount of mana into him as I did with my sister. < Titles: Commoner Condition: Angry, Jealous, Healthy Strength Level: F Magic Level: F Relation to Host: Jealous Brother.>> Well… at least I expected it. Jealous of me, those feelings will fade away with the setting sun, for sure. My mother removed the plush that was suffocating me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. "Ok you two, that's enough. Your father will get mad if he sees you here. You best be back to the mansion". Mansion? I want in… My siblings began to leave with Donny storming out first and slamming the door, and Silica prancing out the door elegantly while muttering "So cute", and, "My little brother… Haaaa". It was quite uncomfortable, and for once I was glad I couldn't move as a baby. As my sister shut the door, the outside world disappeared, and it became just me and my mother. "It's time for you to sleep, cutie." My mother whispered to me. Sleep? I thought. How am I supposed to fake that? "Excuse my rusty voice, I haven't sang in a while." She gently said, as she lightly cleared her throat. A lullaby, I would love to hear one of those, although I will fall asleep with something so simple… She began to sing. "Leon, My Precious~ Son. Now~, Now Is Your Time, to Slee~p". Her voice was heavenly. My mother just may be an angel. So relaxing, so soothing, so gentle. It felt as if her warmth gathered around me and protected me. I wasn't alone in this world? Am I? I have my mother, my sister, my brother, even my system: She's given me a start in this world. Such a wonderful mother… Oh, I see now… The power of lullabies huh… It really is so powerful… so gentle… It really is so easy… to fall asleep with… with my mother's… her heavenly… lullaby…