It's my final day doing the therapy.
I just took a week to recover enough that I can walk by myself again. But I'm not to the point where I'm agile enough to run and all that. Also not without a cane.
The therapist was actually surprised that I recovered so quickly. I learned that they estimated that it will take me a minimum of a month to be able to walk again.
This, I suspect has something to do with my Vitality Stat.
Health: 105/105
Strength: 43/100
Agility: 28/100
Dexterity: 21/100
Magic: 100/100
Vitality: 69/100
Charm: 23/100
Intelligence: 75/100
Points to distribute: 19
Market points: 100
Abilities: None
I have have 69 points on it now. I was able to increase it through the diet over the weak, I guess.
As I thought, real food is very much better than those liquid food they fed me while I was in coma.
I also recovered in strength and agility through the constant exercises. Though I am still very weak for my age. And I would also need to regain more muscle control to get rid of the cane.
As I thought, I can't rush full recovery.
I'll just need to do some final checks and I'm cleared to go home. That's what mom said.
Mom.
I still can't get my mind off that conversation five days ago.
My brows would always crease when I recall that...
"I'm sorry honey, I know this means a lot to you. It's mom and dad's faults."
I was so shocked at what she said I don't know how to reply.
She came and hugged me like that. Putting my head into her womanly bossoms, she cried for me.
"... Sob!... I-I'm so sorry, Aziel... I'm... sorry... "
Why?
Its not that I don't understand what she is sorry for. Given the standards of the society in this world, although I've only read some from the internet, they, what this society calls the lessers, must've been discriminated severely more than what the internet says.
And that fate, will be transferred to me. Their son.
And as a parent, there nothing more heart breaking than passing that fate onto their children.
But, my mentality and values are not of this world. I may be underestimating the importance of this issue in exchange but, if I need to change values to better fit into this world and in exchange, is to condemn my parents for this, I'd rather not. I'd rather be an outcast to the society than to hate on my parents.
I realize I must just be remembering my previous life's parents through them, and not really understanding what this meant for them as well, but just seeing and being in their care for this two days is enough for me to put them above all else than some nonsensical sociatal values.
Besides, I am after all, aiming to finally bring this world its much much much outdatedly needed change. And I'll make sure I change this aspect for sure!
And it's not just because I want to consol a beautiful woman... It's not!
Besides, so what if she's a beauty if she's my mother...
"... It's not that we're not pious enough, okay?... Me and your dad have always been devout, it's just, we hadn't been able to inherit it from our parents, okay?... Don't hate on us, okay?..." She cry desperately.
"It's okay mom." I say soothingly.
I draw gentle circle on her arm, I hope it helps to calm her down.
"I understand." I add.
"... Sniff!... Aziel..."
She cried for a few more minutes after that. I guess she been worried about this for years now. I don't know about the other kids but this must've at least been a relief for her somehow.
After that, night after night, I would try and invoke magic. I don't really have any idea what I'm doing. And as expected, I wasn't able to manifest magic.
This is so wierd because obviously, I have magic. At least that's what my stats says, it's even full.
I researched about it of course, and apparently, I would need to memorize and visualize some kind of rune to use a certain magic.
I tried that of course. I searched for various runes. But apparently, I would also need to understand every symbol on that rune in order for it to invoke. So I selected some simple elementary level rune, studied every symbol in it and tried... But of course I ultimately fail. I did that and repeat for every element there is but nothing happened.
I just don't know what I'm doing wrong!
Could it be, I really can't use magic?
But if so, why would my system display the magic stat?
Previously, it didn't display the dexterity stat because I obviously don't have any, being veggy and all.
So why?
Is it that people of this world naturally have magic in them but some would not have the ability to manifest it?
I did not let go of that possibility. That could simply be the case.
"Haaah... Oh Goddess, must you make it hard for me like this?" Dejected, I unknowingly said audibly.
A chill!
"W-what?"
I thought I heard someone scoff.
There's only me in this room. Is this hospital hunted?
"Thank Goddess I'm leaving this place soon..."
"Excited to get discharged, are we?"
"Mom!" Mom just entered she mustve overheard me.
"It about time now honey. Come on."
"Alright!" Finally!
Reaching for my cane by the counter, I stand with a little bit of help from mom.
We are going to a radiologist to get the results of my CT scan, I underwent yesterday.
Now, if the radiologist says I'm clear then I can go home. But from what mom said, there should be nothing wrong. She seemed sure enough of it that she got dad to pack up the things from the hospital room.
Well she is a surgeon. A neurosurgeon to be exact. In fact, she's the one that operated the surgery on Aziel the Orginal.
"When you get back home, later tonight, we're going to have a small party at home." Mom suddenly says snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Cool! Is it gonna be just us?"
"Your grandpa and grandma will be there too. They're excited to see you!"
"... Oh..." I looked down on myself.
"What's wrong?" Concerned mom asks.
"... I look like garbage..."
Same as I first woke up, I'm still a walking stick.
What? You thought I was one of those novel protags that looked like prince charming after waking up from a coma?
I did gain considerably more weight this week. But nothing significant. I am tall for my age at 70.3 inches or 5.85 feet. But that just made me look more lanky.
My height is a given, I think. I mean, Richard is a six foot plus man.
And thank goodness my height growth wasn't affected when practically almost all my braincells wasn't working properly all those 11 years.
Anyways, I'm thin, lanky, my hair is a bird's nest and I finally I need a proper shower!
That's 11 years of only sponge baths you know!
Haaah... Oh yeah, my hair is of course, long. They hadn't thought to cut it all those years ago.
"Hahahaha! I'm sure we can work something out." Aaaand of course she's just gonna laugh at me.
Guh! At least say I'm still handsome, no matter if it's a lie! I'm your son! Isn't that what mothers suppose to say?
So she also thinks I look like garbage...
"Hey here! Hurry!" That's dad. He's also here to listen to the results.
"Alright, yes! I don't see any wrong here. Everything's normal. He's good to go. Just make sure to not get too much stress. And of course, no more head injuries." The radiologist stated as such.
Dad is beaming like it's the best new he's heard for years. It probably is. Mom have that confident, smug smile.
"Alright Doctor Heinz, thank you for that." Professionally, mom said that while shaking the radiologist's hand, dad also said his thanks and we left.
"Okay boys, don't start the party without me. I'll see you later at home." Seems mom still have a shift so she's not coming home with us.
With a final wave at her direction, I got in the car's front passenger seat.
"After 11 years, your finally coming back home, champ! This feels like a dream."
Shocked!
Dad flung an arm around my shoulder and gave me a side hug.
"... Yes, dad. I also can't believe I slept for 11 years. But I'm happy you didn't lie. I really did grow up fast when I sleep!" I joked.
In the Aziel the Original's memories, dad would always tell me that I would grow faster when I sleep early at night. I twisted it a bit.
"Hehehe... Why would your old man lie? Cheeky. Alright, enough drama. Let's go home, son."
I could only smile at that. When I glanced at him, I saw his eyes red with unshed tears.
"..."
Not gonna lie. I love this family. I could get used to this.
The house is average, to say the least. Two story, a garage, front yard and all. We do have a pool at the back. And that's where the foods are being placed. I guess for the party later.
The one cooking is Lily, my grandmother from dad's side. While grandpa, Robert, is watching cartoons with the kids.
They're one jolly couple. Very lovely.
Like the grandma she is, Lily, after seeing me, gave me a tender hug. But then after, she started slightly nagging me with how thin I am and all that. She also didn't stop pinching my cheeks despite that. And ever since inviting me to the kitchen with her, she's been stuffing stuffs to me like cookies, lollies, snacks, the lot, even though we're having a party later. She said it's so that I can fatter faster.
I could only wryly laugh at that.
Robert, was homey. When he saw me, like Lily, gave me a warm hug. He's like Richard when he said stuffs like, he never thought I would be home again, or, he's so glad that I finally woke up. Now I know where dad get his personality from.
I also greeted the kids. And although meekly, they also came to give their big brother a hug. So cute!
After that I went straight to my room. I remember where it is, thanks to Aziel the Original's memories. And nothing was changed in the room except for the bed. Everything is as it is in the memories I have.
Aziel was a huge fan of paladins, the knight equivalent in this world, they are knights that can use magic, and of course, serves the church. He had the posters of the most famous ones, according to the memory.
Hmm. Now I realize why mom cried so much for me when she told me the truth that day.
It must've felt like she was destroying her child's dreams.
After putting down the bag in my hand and assembling them to where they belong, I immediately went for the bath.
Mom very strictly reminded me to maintain the temperature at a body heat level. This is because she thought my immune system isn't that strong yet so she made me promise to be very careful.
But according to my stats I am perfectly fine. And I'm pretty sure that, that 69 in Vitality could pretty much fix that problem with my immunity. If not, I could always put some points to it.
I'm used to hot baths. In my previous world, my baths would always be steaming. The guys assigned to keep an eye on me, would always say it's like I went to the sauna every time they see me coming out of the bath.
There shouldn't be any problem.
I took a nice long bath. Gave my body good scrub. For my hair, I don't think simple shampoo would work. So even though it's for females, I borrowed... I guess this is mom's... Hair treatment products.
Hey, don't think that I'm being a sissy or anything. In my previous life, it's a must for me to take care of myself, be all neat and dandy so I could seduce all those women.
And since I am aiming to become an influencer in this world, I need to be presentable enough.
Still, I would need to convince mom or dad to buy me my own products later.
I also want to start making my own money.
Urgh! So many things to do! Small steps. Let's take small steps at a time...
After half an hour of scrubbing, I went out of the shower and dried myself.
Though, not really that good, I was able to tame my bird's nest of a hair. It's much better than before at least, it did regain some luster after that bath. After drying it, I took a rubber and tied half of it up and the rest a let flow.
Score for style! Now if it wasn't for my lanky body, I would look like an ancient warrior or something on the same line.
Hmph! Just you wait, I will achieve that ideal body in no time!
Health: 105/105
Strength: 43/100
Agility: 28/100
Dexterity: 21/100
Magic: 100/100
Vitality: 69/100
Charm: 26/100
Intelligence: 75/100
Points to distribute: 19
Market points: 100
Abilities: None
Would you look at that! That bath instantly gave me 3 additional points on Charm!
Actually...
You know what? I'm just gonna...
Health: 105/105
Strength: 43/100
Agility: 28/100
Dexterity: 21/100
Magic: 100/100
Vitality: 69/100
Charm: 45/100
Intelligence: 75/100
Points to distribute: 0
Market points: 100
Abilities: None
I then proceeded to put all my remaining points at Charm.
Since I'm aiming to be an influencer, this is an investment. I can exchange some of my Market points for Stat points for later so I can cope.
Immediately, I start to see some changes.
If earlier I said my hair regained a little luster, now it's shinny. And the dead hairs and split ends vanished, it looks like I went to the salon or something.
My jaw and other facial features, especially my eyes, became sharper and more defined. I can even feel my bones becoming stronger. And my skin that looked pale and sickly before, now gained a more healthy look and tone.
"... O-Kay?... Um... I wonder if they're gonna notice anything."
Since I'm still the same lanky boy, and even though I gained a more healthier look and complexion, it's not much noticeable yet, I think. I guess I need to really fully recover for it to become much more evident.
So then, proceeding, I went to my cabinet. I think mom or dad bought a few pieces of clothes for me. And I mean it's literally just 3-4 pieces... They must not be sure about my size so they didn't but many, that or they are concerned if I would like them or not.
Yeah, they still think I have the temperament and mentality of a 5 year-old. I need to work on that...
Picking a pair of trousers and plain white shirt, I wore my clothes. Which, mind you, looks very much bigger than me even though they should just fit right if I am have a little more muscle.
Haaah... I'll work on that...
Finished, I went down stairs to help with the preparations for the party.
Around six mom came home. We made the finishing touches with her help and by around eight in the evening the feast began.
Its nice and fun. Grandma keeps putting food on my plate. Mom took care of the kids, and keeps telling them, and me, to finish all our foods. Unfortunately for me, I can't seem to see the end of mine's. At least until mom told grandma to keep it easy on me since I'm still recovering. She then gave in with a final thrust of salad on me and told me to finish it all.
I don't really normally eat this much. But for the old lady, I'll see what I can do.
Dad brought out a camera and kept taking pictures since. Especially, of me. I don't even remember how many picture he took of my face already. He said, it's a very important day so he'll make sure to capture lots of it or something and laughed loudly.
"Aziel, we're gonna need to go shopping for what you need tomorrow, okay? Especially, your clothes."
"Yes mom!" Oh just what I need!
"Haha! See? I told you, it'll work out. You just took a shower and now you look brand new!" Mom said with a beam at my direction.
I stiffened.
Maybe, it was noticeable after all...
"Yeah mom! I did used some of your hair threatement though. Sorry, I didn't ask first." I just said to divert the topic.
Let's throw that off with the reasoning 'I looked like trash and when I showered they also got washed away, and I actually look good.' - sounds like a plot from a certain movie I watched but, please work!
"Oh that okay. Then let's buy some for your own tomorrow too. Remember that." She nonchantly replied, not caring about it at all.
Earlier, I thought no one noticed. But I guess, they must've just automatically put it that way.
Works for me.
Somehow, I was able to finish my food but I feel completely stuffed!
I need to lay down.
I sat at the sofa with grandpa and watched some film with him.
It's a fantasy-... Ah-... No. They might very well not be special effects after all...
So in this world, this might just be your ordinary action movie.
I need to adjust my genres.
Oh that reminds me!
"Say grandpa? What type of magic do you have?" I ask.
Mom said she and dad didn't inherit any of their parents' ability to control magic at all. So that means grandpa and grandma can do magic.
And maybe, I can ask him how to invoke magic.
Mom and dad may not be able to use magic, but that doesn't naturally mean I can't either. Though, currently I actually can't, but I can't give up this early just yet. It's still in my genes after all, although the chance is small, I won't give up!
"Hohoho! I am a fire mage lad. I once served in the church too! At that time, me and my squad arrested quite a few criminals. There was even a time where I saved an Arch Bishop and got a medal of honor! Ah thats the peak of my life, memorable times."
Reminiscing, the old man went on and on with his stories.
They were interesting.
He was in some kind of police force, in this world's version.
He did a lot. And I can deduce, his life was quite exciting.
"... Wow! Grandpa is awesome!" That's my honest thoughts. He sounds amazing in his time. Though, some of the story might be exaggerated at some place, but it's still amazing that he did so much.
"Hoho! But the most memorable time is when I first got to connect with my magic! It felt like I was finally connecting to a piece of myself that I didn't even know existed. I felt like I can perceive the world much better..."
"What do you mean grandpa?" This is my chance! So I latch onto it immediately.
"It's when I did my baptism lad. It's when you underwent the babtism ritual that you can finally opens your meridians that connect to the magic in you. The first time your meridian opens feels like a cage in you has finally been unlocked. And that's the only time when you can finally use your magic... " With a nostalgic look the old man kept talking but I blanked out and didn't hear what he said after that.
"... "
My hand flew and with a considerably noticeable smack, connects to my face, palm first.
Haaah...
75 point in Intelligence but still...
"I feel like an idiot..."