"Wahhhhhh!!"
There is no meaning to his speech, he just wants to see if someone's around. The poor guy does not want to accept that he is abandoned. While he waits, he analyzes the surroundings again.
He is indeed in the middle of a forest, but it is a pretty one that makes Alden feel pretty excited. The ground is lush green, covered with a beautiful grassland that is just inviting Alden to lie on it. There are colorful mushrooms and flowers everywhere the eyes could see, it was as if looking at a green canvas with colorful dots appearing every here and there.
Most of the trees are normal, it is big and some shape weirdly, but it's normal nontheless. Except for the tree next to Alden, a gigantic oak-like tree that exudes a very mysterious energy. With some thick, extending roots visible in the ground, a big trunk, and countless healthy branches reaching out to create a lush green rooftop. Alden only has a word to describe it.
'...pretty.'
The tree, although grand in size, is not intimidatingly big enough to scare off other, it just proudly shows that it has a long history. Although the extending roots, the branches, and the mysterious power displayed it might, Alden only felt warm lying next to it. So much so that he unconsciously felt the huge tree is pretty, even he himself didn't know why and blushed a little.
Unlike (or alike) an abandoned child, Alden's body was carefully wrapped in a soft cloth, and he was placed on an assortment of wild mushrooms next to the big tree, creating something like a natural cradle almost. With him lying comfortably on the biggest red mushroom and the other long funny colorful-looking mushrooms surround it, preventing him from falling off.
Although he was out in the open, he somehow felt like he is still very protected.
'But still, germs and stuff…'
Babies are delicate, and despite his feeling, he was a bit annoyed to be left in the wild like this. It was at that point, a cautious voice was heard hovering above, answering his previous 'wah'.
"...Alden? sniff … Are you awake?... Alden?... Please at least 'wah' if you are, please!"
It was the green hair fairy from before. Contrary to the childish and cheerful look from when Alden last sees her, she now looks to be on the verge of tears, sniffling and all. Making him confused about what on earth had happened.
"...perrie?" (fairy?)
The air froze a bit because of his awkward speech, then, as if she has finally snapped back to reality, the fairy's eyes widen. She immediately shouts, startling Alden.
"Maiae! Tassa! Come here immediately, call Sylvia and Liam here right now! Alden regain consciousness!"
The two new fairies appear only to quickly took off after they flashed a look of joy and surprise to Alden. Their destination is the nearby mansion.
'...What is happening, am I not abandoned? Then why are they making a fuss about me napping?'
Certainly, Alden had not gained full control of his body until now, but that does not mean that Alden is dead! His infant body should still subconsciously fulfill its needs and function correctly, that is why he was breastfed and even able to understand his father's words previously. A baby's job is not much, anyway, only eating and sleeping so Alden was not really worried.
'Certainly, I might be a duller and less lively to other infants at the same age without a proper conscious, but I am still alive!'
There is of course a slight chance of death as mentioned prior, but if activated the system successfully in the estimated time, there will be no problem.
While in thought, before Alden could even notice, about 10 more fairies gather around Alden and his mushroom cradle. They all floated around and started to whisper lightly all while throwing him worried looks. The scene of sitting in a fantasy forest, in a mushroom cradle, surrounded by colorful fairies should be exciting, but their careful gaze drags Alden's mood down considerably.
The first green fairy, especially, kept pacing around in the air while mumbling, occasionally flew down and lightly touch Alden here and there, then return to mumbling. Her attitude reminded Alden of doctors that are unsure about their patient's health diagnosis, keep talking to themselves alone without letting Alden know anything.
As Alden sat still with a bemused face, an explosion occurs.
It was at the mansion. It came from the sudden enormous force on the large backdoor, flinging it open and tearing apart parts of the nearby wall along with it. No one seems to care about it though, and a couple quickly dashes through the newly created open hole as though action superheroes making their entrance.
It was Alden's presumably parent, but this time, they don't look so much like a painting anymore. The women's light grey darken considerably, tinted with red as she continuously cried. Visible dark eyes bag under it, unbefitting of her snow-white skin. The bear-like men run closely behind her. He, too, looks tired with shabby attire and sloppy, messed-up hair. The couple looks like they just return from a trip to hell.
'...Something's strange, is all this because of my fault?'
As Alden's pupil constricted, the couple took a mere second to close the gap and appear right next to him. The fairies part ways for them naturally.
"Thank god… thank god…. Thank you for saving Alden… Thank god Leo, our baby…Thank god."
The woman spoke in a trembling voice as she collapsed, hugging Alden. Her hug was warm, she was trembling all over as if she was on her last strength, but still held Alden tightly.
'...It is my fault indeed, how long did it take me to start the system?'
He hesitated a bit before also reaching out, hugging her.
"Am sori mahter…"
The air froze. Everyone present looks at Alden with a look of surprise. Alden tsk in his mind at his broken speech, ruining the moment, but the women's mysterious eyes widen, brighten for a bit before continuing to shed tears and tremble.
"No..no…I am okay Al… Thank you… Thank god…."
She cried while hugging Alden for an unknown amount of time, but he strangely enjoy it. Silly Alden just felt warm and grateful to be loved after a long while.
***
The whole commotion took a while before everyone settle down. Alden was brought back to the cozy mansion to take a bath and rest. There, he also meets Jenny and Charles, this household maids. Four people in total watches his every step closely as if he was glass and could break at any moment by falling.
'I literally got treated like a doll this time around…'
It was pretty awkward at first for Alden as although he is their child, this can be considered his first meeting with them. But it only took a while before his hesitation was melted away by their kind and welcoming look. He came to know their name, Liam and Sylvia, then, also came to know his own name, Alden Dane Drukas, he like it very much. Although his parent called him Al most of the time, this nickname from past-life clung to him even now.
In face of their warmness, even the 17 years old soul inside of Alden reverted back to being a child. He thought maybe it is ok to at least enjoy this overbearing parental love that he never got to enjoy in the past, in full swing for a couple of days.
Just like that, they took turns taking care of Alden's every need.
Another commotion happen at the end of the day, it was because Alden was too embarrassed to sleep with them and his mother make a huge fuss.
She has a huge breakdown when hearing Alden, an infant asked right after dinner where his room is. Toward this, Liam just laughs heartily and then casually picks him up like a bag, carrying him to their bedroom.
"No objections are allowed son, although you are surprisingly mature for some reason, your mother has cried herself to sleep for the past week while you are being brought to the- Ouch, okay Sylph, let's talk about this later Alden."
'Tsk, it happened again, so close too.'
Until now, the topic of what happened to Alden until now is almost considered a taboo to talk about. Both of them stiffen whenever he asked about it with his baby speech. Well, he understands it somewhat, but at least he wished to know how old he is now! No one even talked about it!
So, in the middle of the night, after hearing a weird bedtime story from his mother. While both of them are fast asleep, seemingly due to exhaustion. Alden stealthily opens his eyes and stares deeply at the ceiling. He was checking his status window.
'Well, I must know what happened, there is something suspicious here. Status Window.'
What popped ups made Alden widen his eyes in disbelief.
===Status===
Name: Alden Dane Drukas
Status: Recorvering from a curse
Age: 2.7
Race: Conqueror/Druid
Title: 1st Apostle of Adventure
Gift: Undetermined (Time remaining: 3.3 years)
Overall Rank: G
Strength: 0.2 / 100
Dexterity: 0.2 / 100
Stamina: 1.3 / 100
Intelligence: 0.5 / 100
Mana affinity (*New): - 10 / 100 [*Cursed]
Luck: 90 / 100
Charm: 76 / 100
Active skill:
None
Passive skill:
[Resistance - G] (*New):
Acquired by suffering under a horrible curse since birth and survived!
- Effect: You gain minor resistance to all hostile external forces.
- Evolvable.
[Divine Revelation - S]:
As an apostle of the Heaven, you will heed your God's instructions, following their will. Whenever and wherever.
- Effect: It is now possible to communicate with the Lord you serve.
- Trigger randomly based on the (Asta - God of Adventure) intention.
[Adventure Affinity - S]:
The universe wishes for you to go on exciting adventures! It will do its best to reward you.
- Effect: You are likely to encounter an adventure.
- Trigger randomly based on 'Luck' stat.
Remark: A miracle child of the old age's heroes. You survived the first curse of the world, but there are plenty more to come. Currently is unable to use mana due to a curse, it is recommended to acquire more strength as soon as possible. Tough luck huh?
==========
It only took him the first 3 lines of information to almost faint.
'WHAT!? I took almost 3 years to awaken the system? No wonder I am capable of talking, this is considered late already!'
Alden's eyes widen. If not for the fact he is sleeping with his parent. Alden would most definitely throw a heavenly fit. It is not surprising that his parents are so worried, he was at death's door!
'It doesn't make sense, why did I only regain consciousness 4 times in 2.7 years since birth? How did that happen, I'm sure I practice a lot…hmmm?'
Then, as he closely examined the rest of his statuses, Alden immediately found the reason. His fragile heart almost burst from all the oddities of his status window.
'I survived a curse? Of the world non the less? What nonsense is this!?'
'Liam and Sylvia are heroes? Aren't they humans? What ridiculous kind of race is a conqueror?'
'What kind of savage world is this? Is all the fairies so far just a facade for these savages?'
Alden was out of his mind, beads of sweat starting to form. He still remembers Asta's words, all that bulls*it about exciting adventure and promising next life. Although not a naive man at the slightest, all the sweet talks did make Alden raised his hope quite a bit. Now, all of his unfounded expectation was crumbling down one by one, aching Alden's heart as he take an oath of solitude.
Countless questions popped up in Alden's mind one after another, he silently shed a tear in frustration. In the mid of confusion, with no questions answered yet, a white sub-tab popped up.
It was nonother than the [Divine Revelation] skill manifestation, Alden breathe a sigh of relief.
'At least Asta is doing his job guiding this lost apostle, I hope he gives information about the curse, that's the most dangerous currently.'
- The God of Adventure grumbles that you took too long and it was a waste training you.
Alden's veins pop uncontrollably. He was speechless at the man cursing him with hardship feigning ignorance. It took him a while to calm down as he silently prays.
'My Lord, it was inevitable, I was under a vicious curse out of nowhere. I hope you can give me instructions to help me in this truly desperate time.'
- The God of Adventure tilts his head, saying he does not know anything.
'.....'
Alden's face froze, he was horrified. It was as if Asta just served him a bowl of children's blood.
'W..w..what kind of revelation is this!? How is this helpful at all! Is he here to mock me!?'
Alden bit his lips in frustration, hoping the pain would wake him up from this terrible fever dream. But all he got in return was even more frustration as he affirm this absurd situation to be reality.
'...Is this all because of the 'hardship' curse? Won't it be easier just to bit my tongue and die early on?'
- The God of Adventure is giggling while affirming that hardship is food for growth.