"Uwa...! Uwaaa...!"
Ryuu-jin cried without knowing the reason, waking up with the feeling that there were people around him, but for some cause, his eyes couldn't see.
All he was hearing were people excited about a newborn baby.
"Congratulations, Hazel, you gave birth to a healthy boy."
That piqued Ryuu-jin's interest, so he asked, "Who gave birth to who?" But no one replied... or rather, no one heard him. He got confused.
"Ms. Anna, can I hold my baby?" A woman in an exhausted voice said, like someone who just went into hard labor.
"Of course, here you go. So adorable. As the baby's mother and father are both present, now is the perfect time to give him a name."
Ryuu-jin felt a person carrying him before being transferred to another person, sensing great comfort.
'Wait... Is someone carrying me? Aren't I heavy?'
While Ryuu-jin was drowned with thoughts, the woman named Hazel called, "Dear husband, stop crying on the wall and come here."
"...But."
"Come here! The baby and I are both fine."
"Yes! I-I mean, yes, dear."
"Let's name the baby together."
"Wow! Is this really our baby?"
"Huh?!" Her voice went up a pitch.
Ryuu-jin might not know about a married couple's life and interaction. But, this husband was an idiot for asking something like that.
"Guard Commander Graham Xanastre, do you think I would do adultery?"
"No!"
"Then what?!"
"...Sorry."
What shocked Ryuu-jin after was when the couple began to interact with him.
He learned that the baby people conversed about was none other than him, remembering what he talked about with the author.
Ryuu-jin's past life flashed back and became clear as fresh water.
'I was reincarnated as a newborn baby!'
"He looks cute, blue eyes, just like his mom."
"He is also well-behaved like his dad."
"Wait... why is the baby not moving?"
"Is, is he dead?!"
"Oh, his eyes moved!"
The couple sighed in relief.
Ryuu-jin was momentarily preoccupied thinking about some things that he forgot to move.
Dreaming of this place daily, Ryuu-jin cried every time he remembered what his beloved character, Yume, had to endure.
Every time he could only read how she suffered. Now, he was given a chance to save her.
He could never thank the author enough.
"Ryu."
Ryu was surprised when Hazel, his new mother, called his earth name. It was similar to the name they gave him in this life.
The only plausible reason might be the author visited her in a dream and suggested.
Though, he became Ryu Xanastre instead of Ryuu-jin Aoki. She might only have remembered a part of his name, but this might be better as he won't dwell on his past whenever he heard someone call his name.
Born in a family with the status of a commoner. His mother, Hazel Xanastre, a maid in a noble household, and his father, Graham Xanastre, the guard commander of the town.
The family was not wealthy but had a firm, stable, and happy relationship.
Living in Southbourne, a border town in the south that protects the kingdom from ferocious monsters.
'And yes, monsters exist in this world, and swords and magic—another reason I didn't hesitate to be summoned.'
***
Two years later.
"Ryu, please stay put!"
Sara, Ryu's 12-year-old aunt, was currently taking care of him. She was the youngest daughter in his mother's family. The three of them, including his mother, had blue eyes, but only Hazel and Sara had pink-colored hair.
'Auntie was asked to take care of me because my parents were busy working.'
But...
"How come it's so hard to care for a toddler!"
Sara's expression turned purplish red, gritting her teeth.
People who heard might think this young lady was abusing a two-year-old, but no one should blame her.
Who would have thought Ryu would be able to play with fireball magic by the age of two, tossing it back and forth like a ball between his hands?
"No! Ah!"
Sara lost consciousness, making her fall to the ground with a loud — bang! — sound.
Don't worry. Not Sara's head dropped but a bucket full of water.
She might've been terrified when the fireball slipped and almost brushed on her favorite dress.
Luckily, Ryu could catch it and, at the same time, even stopped her head from crashing into the ground with wind magic.
"Afiste tin na petaxei."
A chant to summon a mini cyclone that carried Sara to the bed.
Ryu sighed.
'Was it me or auntie that needed to be taken care of?'
On another note, he had kept this magic a secret from his parents. Sara tried to snitch on him, but they didn't believe her.
Remembering what his parents said.
"How can such a cute sweet baby do something like that?"
"But, but I saw his hands burning! He even helped me with laundry from time to time."
"How ridiculous, Sara. Tell me honestly if you don't want to take care of your nephew."
"It, It's not—"
"Then that's enough."
That was the last time Sara brought up conversations about magic. She gave up and just went with the flow.
If not for why Ryu needed to get stronger, he would have pitied her.
'I'm sorry for now, dear auntie.'
The reason how he was able to learn magic was because of the book his mother owned. She was once fascinated by magic, so she tried to learn.
But because of the harsh reality of having no affinity with magic, she gave up, keeping the book on the side until forgotten. It was the same reason she doubted that Ryu had learned magic.
Beginner Magic Book (1 Star).
A record that says 1 out of 100,000 people has a magic affinity. And only 1 out of 100 who had the opportunity to learn came out as a genius.
'It was what the book said anyway.'
Flip!
'I finally completed reading the whole book.'
A genius would need 10 years to learn and practice everything within this book. Surprisingly, Ryu completed it within a year.
The talents from his past life also manifested within him, which helped immensely.
Now, the only problem blocking his path was their current financial situation. So, Ryuu-jin briefly stopped learning magic and started picking up a piece of pen and paper from his father's office.
Ryu felt great inconvenience holding the pen with his tiny hands, but he had no choice except to compromise.
'To earn money...'
He lifted his head and pondered.
'Business is necessary.'
***
Clink.
The store clerk turned his head at the sound of the door opening, looking at Sara, who was behind Ryu. He assisted Sara with a smile.
"Welcome to Pseudo Trading Guild. How may I help you?"
"Ehem!"
"Who, who was that?"
He looked at Sara, who shooked her head.
"Sorry, Sir, not me, but it's my nephew who wants to talk business."
"Neph—who?"
Sara shyly pointed below.
"This one, my nephew."
The store clerk's eyebrows clashed, raising his voice.
"Are you kidding me?! I don't have time to play jokes with children!"
Hearing him make a commotion, Ryu asked straight away.
"Can I talk to the one in charge? I've got a great number of business proposals."
The store clerk wouldn't believe him.
Who would? And no less a word from a child shorter than a chair?
"Pffft!"
The clerk quickly covered his mouth, trying to resist bursting out his laughter.
"I am serious, though."
"Bwahahahahaha!"
Finally, he cracked up. He stomped at the desk with his hands that showed mockery.
"It seems we failed to talk business. We will be going then."
Of course, Ryu couldn't blame him. If he was in his shoes, he might even laugh louder.
A kid with a cute little undeveloped voice seriously asking to talk about business, a topic for adults.
'I guess I'm not yet convincing.'
"Let's go, auntie."
"...Okay."
Clink.
Ryu looked up at the sky and saw how beautiful it was.
'Even though my business plan rebounded, it doesn't mean I should give up.'
There would be an opportunity to come if one doesn't give up, and chances would increase with the proper qualification.
These were the things Ryu learned when he was a conglomerate president.
For now, Ryu was still a child. A retreat was better than a complete defeat.
This shouldn't hold him back. So on the way back, he started to think of another plan.
Sara and Ryu were walking on a street when a crest hanging on a wall caught his attention.
The emblem was a rook, a chess piece, with two swords crossed together.
It was an adventurers' guild.
Ryu looked at Sara while she looked back at him.
"Auntie, do you know how to use a sword?"
"No? The only thing I held in my life is a kitchen knife."
"I see. That's enough. Follow me."
"To where?"
"Here."
Ryu pointed at the building of the guild.
"Hm? Isn't this Rook Adventurer Guild that fights monsters?"
"Yes."
"But what are we doing..."
She tried to ask but paused when she finally understood.
"Are you insane?!"
"Is there a problem, dear auntie?"
"Is, is, is, is this why you asked me about using a sword?"
"Don't worry. I only need a meat shield."
Without further ado, Ryu took a step forward and entered the guild.
"No, no, no, no, no! My sister's gonna kill me!"
Sara screamed like there was no tomorrow.
Clink.