I lost track of time, waiting eagerly for the arrival of the high priestess. It seemed like it might have been spring or early summer when I was summoned to this new, magical world.
Here, the concept of months seemed non-existent, with time measured in seasons instead. This aligns with the less technologically advanced society I found myself in.
However, this was merely an assumption, as I lacked the ability to seek confirmation from others. The inability to communicate or take action was intensely frustrating. My mind often wandered, envisioning scenarios where I could converse freely, explore the world, and forge meaningful connections with others.
Because of that, my mental state had reached an all-time low, and the visits from Mona and the ducal couple were the only things keeping me going. I held onto the hope that, in time, I would regain more agency.
I dedicated myself to training, particularly in reaching for and accurately pressing the flower. My efforts paid off; while awaiting the high priestess, my charisma increased by 2 and my agility by 1.
The system appeared, moving up and down, and stated, "Thanks to your diligent training on the flower, your agility has increased by 1." It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. This was the first time I had seen such movement in the system window; typically, it remained static or moved away from people.
The reward felt somewhat token, considering that my "diligent training" was essentially just accurately touching a flower as a baby. However, it was encouraging to receive recognition for my efforts. Additionally, the influx of additional quests had dwindled significantly.
I also encountered several other servants during Mona's occasional days off after the initial whirlwind of my summoning.
The Duke and Duchess' household was rather extensive, likely consisting of over fifty individuals. Every member of the staff appeared to hold the ducal couple in high regard, evident from the lack of negative remarks I ever heard. This indicated their worthiness as masters.
This was reassuring because if they were evil, it would have significantly dampened my motivation to mature.
The universe, or this entity named "Shani" they mentioned, had transported me here from my previous life. It could have been far worse; had I been reborn into poverty, my existence would have been considerably more challenging. Enduring potential malnutrition or disease didn't sound like a pleasant way to spend my second life.
Having spent weeks awaiting the high priestess, I deliberated considerably over my class choices. Warrior and Magician were my options; Cleric was unavailable, presumably due to my lack of belief or worship in any gods at the moment.
While it was disappointing not to explore the Cleric path, I wasn't particularly drawn to it. In the RPGs I used to play, clerics were chained to their deities, and their powers could be restricted or taken away if they violated principles or disobeyed divine orders.
The lack of freedom inherent in that role didn't appeal to me, especially given my current predicament of being confined to a crib and dependent on others for interaction and care.
The Warrior path was alluring, but I pondered the limitations of a melee-focused role. Melee classes typically excelled early in the game but often faced challenges scaling up compared to magic users.
Unlike Warriors, Magicians faced early-game difficulties, struggling to survive long enough for their spells to be effective. Still, the prospect of wielding magic, a concept foreign to my previous world, was intriguing. I could potentially become a mage-knight, wielding a stick in one hand to fend off enemies and a staff in the other to cast magic.
Mona's abrupt entrance interrupted my contemplations. "We're going out for a bit!" she announced. Instantly, fear gripped me at the thought of being kidnapped, with no means to resist or stop it.
I trusted Mona; she had multiple opportunities to do so before and had not. However, my vulnerability got the better of me. Oh, if only I had the abilities of a six-year-old—running, climbing, talking... In this form, I feel as though I'm akin to a stone, easily tossed about with little to no strength of my own.
As we traversed the manor, I caught glimpses of the decor that entered my field of focus.
The walls were dark wood, intricately carved with golden and silver accents, exuding an air of opulence. Stained glass windows filtered sunlight, casting a colorful hue across the room. One particular window featured a ruby the size of an adult's fist, a testament to the estate's wealth.
Stepping outdoors, I was momentarily blinded by the bright light, my eyes adjusting to the sudden change. The sun's warmth enveloped me, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of plants and flowers. I hadn't realized how confined I had felt indoors until that moment.
As we strolled, I noticed the vibrant hues of flowers in nearby planters, their colors contrasting with the lush greenery of the garden beds. Mona led me towards a large, indistinct shape, which gradually resolved into a gazebo where the Duke sat at a stone table.
Mona presented me, announcing, "One baby, as requested, your lordship." Any fears of abduction dissipated as I realized I was simply being taken to enjoy a picnic in the garden.
I squealed with delight and reached out towards the Duchess, my biggest skeptic yet captivated by my charm.
"He's getting heavier!" she remarked as she cradled me, and I nestled contentedly against her, relishing the scent of the tea and food they were enjoying.
Having already spent time with Mona, I was content for the moment. I savored the breeze, noting a cool, salty quality that piqued my curiosity.
"Indeed, he's growing up so fast! Just earlier this season, he was a little undernourished goblin," Mona remarked with a smile.
"Ehh, who are you calling a goblin?" My mouth moved on its own, though to them, it likely sounded like mere squeals. The Duchess, however, noticed my unusual facial expression—a frown that seemed to amuse her, the corners of her lips curving into a slight smile.
A moment later her expression faltered slightly as she turned to the Duke and asked, "My Lord, will the temple be reclaiming him when they visit next season?"
The Duke hesitated, glancing at me with a paternal gaze. "Not sure what's in store, though we have been con–" The Duchess cut him off with a sharp look, halting his words.
He cleared his throat and continued, "Not sure what's going to happen."
Mona breathed a sigh of relief and expressed her hope, "I sure hope he stays. Summon me if your lordships need anything." Slowly, she faded from my view as she walked away.