In these five years Alex had gotten considerably closer to his family members, especially his mother Melissa.
This beautiful mature women spoiled Alex rotten.
Alex as well was now attached to his mother, and loved her dearly.
Today was the fifth birthday of Alex, this will be the end of his fifth year in this world.
Today he will get the choice to choose his path.
There were different professions in this world.
But as a noble, Alex had to choose a combat profession that will help him.
At the same time he also needed to learn politics and all, but in these warring periods knowing the way of combat was necessity.
Alex woke up in the morning inside his mother's embrace, he had actually made it a habit now to always sleep within his mother's arms.
Melissa who seemed to have already woken up a while before looked at her son with lovely gaze.
"Mom, good morning, " Said Alex as he just buried his face more into his mother's heavenly bosom.
"Hehe, Good morning son, " Said Melissa as she caressed her son's head.
Just then, there was a sound of the door opening. A cheerful little girl came through the door.
"Little brother, Happy Birthday! See what I brought for you! " Cheered Rachel.
But she was once again stunned like everytime looking at the scandalous scene in front of her.
"Melissa! At least wear some clothes when you're with brother! " Rachel yelled out in frustration and anger.
She was now 11 years old and looked cute along with the slightly mature charm that she was emanating due to her personality.
But when she yelled out like that she looked more cute than solemn, so Alex and Melissa couldn't do anything but laugh.
Even though Rachel was still young, her every movement excluded the charm of lady. Her chest as well was budding and Alex was sure that her little bunnies will no doubt grow up to become as big as his mother's.
Alex thought this as he touched his mother's breast from above her bra.
But he suddenly pulled away with a red face.
Rachel was fuming with anger, as Melissa was literally naked on the bed and was only wearing her bra and panty.
"This is not my fault Rachel, I can't sleep with all those clothes on, and Alex also likes to sleep this way, " Said Melissa defending herself.
Alex knew that this was going to be some serious war, so he quickly stood up and went near his sister.
"Thank you big sis Rachel, I love you, " Said Alex in a gentle tone and took the present from his sister's hand, which made a beautiful smile blossom on Rachel's face which was previously filled with a frown of frustration.
Alex didn't know why but Rachel sometimes had a habit to call mother by her name which he found very cute.
She as well replied to Alex, " I love y---" But she suddenly went stiff, as if remembering something.
Alex looked at his sister with a smile that suddenly died down, his sister was sometimes like this... And this made him always downcast.
But just then, Melissa chimed in with a merry voice, to remove the awkward atmosphere, " Why don't you open your present, son. And wait for my present until evening, " Winked Melissa.
Alex once again smiled and hugged Rachel gently, " Thank you sister, your present means a lot to me. I will always treasure it forever. "
Rachel just nodded and then left the room.
Alex sighed, he wondered if his sister's downcast mood was related to their spy work.
He wanted to help her...
He then opened the present and inside it was a sword, it was beautifully crafted with the best material, of a size that current Alex could swing.
Alex moved back and gave it a light swing and nodded.
He had once told Rachel, that he was also going to become a swordmaster.
He sighed remembering that time, he used to think that Rachel hated him due to him hoarding Melissa's attention.
But it seemed that reason was even deeper, he never tried to divulge into her privacy but he still felt worried.
He looked at his mother, with a pitiful gaze, " Mom, why does big sister hate me? "
Melissa who heard her son's grief filled voice, couldn't control herself.
She hugged Alex and said, " It's not true... She loves you, she is just confused. "
Melissa lied as she felt as if she herself was stabbed in heart.
These five years, she had thought about her situation day and night.
She had gradually become attached to Alex, she felt sad when he was sad. She felt happy when he was happy.
She could still remember the joy when Alex for the first time called her mother...
She could still remember how proud she felt when, Alex was found to have unprecedented talent magic.
She never had a child before, but she now felt that Alex was her child, he was her blood and flesh.
He would talk to her, whenever she was sad and thinking about past, it was as if he had some connection with her to be able to understand everything about her.
And one day she had come to a decision to not think about anything but her child.
She decided to complete her mission and then along with that she will end herself as well.
While caressing Alex's smooth black hair, she whispered, " Ain't I enough for you? I will be with you until the end, " She choked on her emotions.
Alex was worried, as he felt something wrong with his mother, " Mom, what happened? " He asked in worry.
"Nothing, my child. I was just thinking about something. Anyway I have something to do. You can try your sword until then, " Said Melissa as she kissed Alex on his cheek.
"Mom, but I want you to help me change for evening. Like you usually do, " Urged Alex.
Melissa gave a refreshing smile, she nodded, " Of course I will my prince. "
Melissa then wore a noble gown and left the room, but as soon as she went out of Alex's vision her complexion collapsed.
She felt tears streaming down her eyes, as she came to her room, where Rachel as well was silently sitting.
As soon as she stood up, she yelled, " Ayako! What have we become!? Is this all right? We are changing, aren't we!? I'm not myself anymore, I don't know what I'm already. "
By the end of her sentence she was already crying, mirroring Melissa's emotions.
Melissa looked at Rachel, previously Kanae. In reality she should have been going to school and play with girls her age.
But, due to that 'the Game', her life was destroyed.
Melissa still remembered the fate that this girl went through, it was beyond sorry.
At least Melissa had the experience of two lives, but Rachel was just a young girl. How could she handle this.
She also had come to accept Alex as her little brother, just like Melissa accepted him.
Melissa hugged Rachel while being emotional and said softly, " Rachel, you're Rachel. My daughter and Alex is your little brother. That's all that matters. "
Rachel as well cried in her mother's bosom, as she as well nodded between tears, " Yes, mom. "
After that both women told their grievances to each other, and decided to always be there for each other.
During these five years Rachel's bratty personality had changed by a large margin.
She was now understanding and more mature.
"Mom, we can't let those other women harm little brother, " Said Rachel once they had calmed down.
Melissa didn't say anything, but she nodded.
"Rose and that Witch of Disaster, they for sure are setting up traps everywhere, and that Daisy is even creating a secret army to harm Alex, how are we supposed to save him? " Asked Rachel.
Melissa replied, " We need power, only then can we handle the situation that will arise when Alex turns 18. "
Melissa then continued, " Alex isn't an evil person. Most likely he went through things which made him what he was. I'm sure that he won't become evil if we are with him. "
Rachel nodded, " I agree, Alex can't even hurt a fly. How can he become hateful person? He must have been manipulated, but this time such a thing won't happen. "
Melissa nodded, " So, that's why, we need to be able to navigate situation as we wish. "
Melissa and Rachel chatted for some more time, but they still had birthday party to arrange so they left for their work.
On the other hand Alex was completely unaware of how he had once again solved his own death issue somehow.
He played with his sword, but soon got bored.
But just then someone knocked on his door.
"Come in, " Said Alex.
It was actually a maid and a cute young girl.
"Alex, happy birthday, " The girl wished and then handed Alex a birthday present.
She was Elizabeth, the daughter of one of the Counts in the same Fiefdom.
Alex took the present, " Thanks Eliza, " He said with a smile.
For usual Alex this smile would have made him look unbelievably handsome, but now with his childish features he looked cute.
So cute that the girl couldn't help but take hold of his cheeks, " So cute! "
"Stop it Eliza, I'm just two years younger than you, " Said Alex in irritation and moved away.
Elizabeth giggled, "Doesn't matter. "
Eliza was actually Alex's childhood friend, who came into Alex's life almost 3 years ago.
They had become quite a nice friends since the start, as Eliza was really good at conversations.
Even though Alex thought of Eliza as a friend, he knew that she was actually sent here by her father.
Since the start he actually had inkling that Eliza didn't show clearly what she wanted, she always hid her emotions.
But still, Alex knew that it was hard to find friends in nobility so he thought of Eliza as a real friend, hoping that someday she will be a real friend to him in return.
Just then Rachel as well came there.
"Hey, what are you doing here? " She asked warily, while glaring at Eliza.
Eliza smiled and said, " Hello sister Rachel, I came here to give Alex my good wishes. "
Rachel snorted, " He doesn't need your 'goodwishes' and I'm not your sister, so get out. "
Eliza just giggled, " Don't be like that sister, I'll be going. See you in the evening Alex. "
Eliza then went away.
Alex sighed, " Thanks big sis. "
Rachel smiled with an affectionate look, " You don't need to," She then boasted, " As your big sis it's my work to keep these annoying flies away from you. "
Alex nodded happily.
Rachel then accompanied Alex in chatting about sword techniques, she was actually quite good with it now.
Rachel sighed inwardly, that Elizabeth was actually one of them...
But she was a total slut and bitch.
Without a doubt she was trying to make Alex fall for her and then get close to him to harm him.
Now that she had decided to protect Alex, then she needed to stop this bitch anyhow.
As even if Daisy, Rose and Rose's master were trying to harm Alex, they were doing so indirectly while this women was attacking directly. She was too dangerous!
Like that the day went away and it was now time for banquet.
Rose and her master had already arrived, as they had taken seat in their places.
Alex looked at Rose from far away sadly, this sister of his had not even told him that she had arrived.
She hadn't even wished him.
Actually Alex and Rose hardly had any talks, but now she would at least not fall unconscious whenever she saw or touched Alex.
So that was one plus for now.
Beside Rose was seating her master, she was wearing a green magician robe and a hat. Her body was voluptuous while her facial features were mesmerizing but not a single person dared to look at her blatantly.
Some men only stole some peeks at her and sighed. Her status was too high, while her strength was despair inducing.
These men were ready to even loose ten years of their lives just to touch the finger of this women's hand.
She was famous throughout the world as Witch of Disaster, one of the strongest magicians in the world.
Alex looked around and he also saw Daisy who waved her hand as soon as he looked at her, as if she was waiting for their gazes to meet.
Alex also waved back awkwardly, which made a smile blossom on this middle aged beauty's lips.
She was already a grandmaster physician, but still decided to stay here, leaving her chance to join even the Royal Palace or Royal Academy only because of Alex.
Alex then looked around and the silently stared at his mother who was standing beside him.
Melissa sighed and said, " Your father is not coming, he's busy... Again... "
"I see, " Alex just said that as he sat down on his seat comfortably.
His mother's and his father's relationship had somehow become strained after some months of his birth.
Alex didn't know exactly why...
But Melissa knew the reason, as she herself had distanced herself from her husband.
Previous Melissa and Roland fell in love with each other. But Melissa didn't even wish for him to touch her, so there was naturally some friction among them.
Soon when the Royal Emissary was here, Melissa announced the start of banquet.
Where Alex was now supposed to dance with one of the ladies in the hall.
Elizabeth was just about to ask for the first dance, but before that Alex stood up.
He then went near his sister Rachel and kneeled down on one knee with his hand towards her.
"Will you give me the honor of first dance with you, my lady? "
"Of course my dear little brother, " Rachel happily replied.
Alex was very good with dancing and Rachel as well.
Both of them looked like a match made in heaven as they moved around with Alex's one hand on Rachel's waist while other being clasped with hers.
Rachel as well looked into Alex's eyes as she kept he hand on his shoulder, as they danced in the rhythm of symphony.
Their feet made them move in a grace that struck the cord in everyone's heart, making them sigh in amazement.
The dance was soon over, Alex smiled and thanked his sister.
Rachel giggled and placed a soft kiss full of affection on Alex's cheek and left to her seat.
Their short exchange shocked Rose and her master, as they felt that this act was too overbearing.
But they kept silent.
After that Alex had to dance with other girls from noble families including Eliza, who also gave a kiss on his cheek.
Soon, the dance was over and now it was time for Alex to choose his profession.
It was actually normal for people in this world to choose their profession at the age of 5.
Alex had already decided on it.
So after giving some pleasantries he directly announced.
"I wish to become an Elemental Swordmaster, " His words made everyone whisper among each other.
As even if this profession wasn't unheard of, but it was still rare.
But they had heard that Alex had unprecedented talent and background, so anything works.
Elemental Swordmaster was a profession related to both sword and magic.
Alex then continued after taking a deep breath, " I... also ask for lady Witch of Disaster to take me as her disciple. "
Hearing this Rachel and Melissa suddenly became shocked, they were thinking so hard to keep him safe but Alex himself was going in the side of destruction.
But in front of everyone they now couldn't say anything.
But this would really make it a lot easier for Rose and her master to hurt Alex.
And as expected, " I'm ready to take you as my second disciple, but before that you need to pass my test. "
"As you say my lady, " Alex replied seriously.
Rose's master asked, " What do you think is sword for? "
Alex suddenly became silent, this question was profound as well as easy.
But to not mess it up, he decided to answer truthfully.
Alex looked at his mother and then at his sister, he smiled and answered, " To become a shield for my people behind. "
Rose's master was silent for a moment and then nodded, " Good answer, you can call me Master from now on. "
Melissa almost roared out in rage, ' Good answer my ass, you would have said the same thing even if he had cursed your seven generations, bitch. '
Melissa was actually moved to tears when she heard Alex's answer, but she didn't wish for him to go with that women who was after his life.
But now the deal was done, most she could do was to prolong the time of departure.