[Ten Years Later: The Present]
A decade has passed since my rebirth, and today I sit in my study, a book spread out in front of me, tracing the lines of this world's history with my finger.
My name is Luke Hunter, the youngest of Duke Devlin Hunter and Duchess Amelin Hunter's six children.
With five older sisters, I am the only son, and thus the heir.
Our family is one of the most respected in the Southern Ametheist Kingdom, one of the four major human nations in this world.
It's a place I have yet to fully explore, sheltered as I am by the life of a noble.
I live in a world unlike the one I left behind, a world of magic and swordplay. Picture the grandeur of the Middle Ages, but laced with enchantments and the sparkle of magical energy in the air.
It's a far cry from the rustic simplicity of my dairy farm, yet it holds a charm of its own.
I hail from the Southern Ametheist Kingdom, one of the four human nations. The lands beyond our borders are home to a diverse assortment of races, each with their own unique cultures and customs.
Despite being a noble, my world has been mostly confined to the grandeur of our estate, the expanses of our fields and the wealth of books in my father's library.
Father is a busy man, his duties taking him away from home most of the time.
It's from Mother that I hear stories of distant lands and strange customs, her voice weaving tales that ignite my imagination.
She's a well of wisdom, her stories a window to a world I've yet to explore.
I spend most of my days under the tutelage of my tutors, honing my knowledge in a broad range of subjects.
They drill me in etiquette, immerse me in history, and introduce me to the rudiments of magic.
This is my preliminary education, a stepping stone before I step into the grand halls of the Kingdoms Academy when I turn fifteen.
The Academy is not just a place of learning, but a crossroads where the paths of various nobles intersect.
The Southern Ametheist Kingdom has formed alliances with Elves, Beastfolks, and even Fairies. The prospect of meeting them, learning from them, thrills me.
This is my chance to broaden my horizon, to soak in the vast expanse of this world.
As I sit in my study, the ticking clock reminds me of the journey that awaits. I yearn to step out of my sheltered existence, to see the world for myself.
This is my second chance at life, and I am determined to make it count.
My goal in this new world looms in front of me, a beacon guiding my path.
I don't yet know how to go about achieving this goal of mine, but the pursuit of it... that is what truly excites me.
'For now... I'll simply play my part as the dutiful son, waiting for the right moment to strike!'
Ah, yes... and there's one other thing.
I have a System.
"Status Information."
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Luke Hunter
Age: 10 years
Race: Human
Title: Heir to Duke Devlin Hunter
Affiliation: Southern Ametheist Kingdom
Level: 1
Health: 100/100
Stamina: 100/100
Magic: 50/100
Attributes:
- Strength: 15
- Agility: 25
- Intelligence: 50
- Wisdom: 40
- Charisma: 20
- Perception: 15
- Endurance: 15
General Skills :
- Basic Swordsmanship: Level 1
- Reading and Writing: Level 5
- History and Etiquette: Level 4
- Basic Magic Comprehension: Level 2
- Horse Riding: Level 2
Magic Skills:
- Mana Manipulation: Level 1
Exclusive Skills:
- Status Window: Level 10
- Milk Harvesting: Level 1
Achievements:
- Goddess's Chosen
- Noble Birth
[END OF STATUS WINDOW]
I can even see the Status Information of people around me. So far, I haven't seen a limit to this power, so I think it's probably fine.
Looking at my Status Window, one might be tempted to call me weak. The numbers aren't particularly high, all things considered.
However, when you consider the fact that a person's average Attribute is usually equivalent to their age, my numbers are actually pretty good.
In essence, an average ten-year-old's Stats should usually fall within the value of 10. Attributes that the person shows a decent amount of talent or potential in should be higher than the value of their age, so people usually have a few Attributes higher than their age value.
However, for me, my average Attributes are already higher than my age, and my other Attributes are much higher than anyone my age should possess.
I suppose one could call me a genius in this world.
Is it because of my lineage? No!
My other siblings aren't particularly bad, but none of them display this level of talent.
I really am special in this world.
It must be due to the fact that I reincarnated into this world.
'I have more Skills than the average ten-year-old because I've been actively training and trying to get as many as I can...'
Skills are usually classified into two kinds; General Skills and Magic Skills. But, I actually have a third classification of Skills.
It's my Exclusive Skills.
I think this is another perk of reincarnation. I only have two Skills, and one of them is something that is pretty much maxed out already.
Maybe because I use it a lot.
The second Skill is still in its base Level. That's because I haven't had much of an opportunity to test it.
... Or any, to be frank.
I received the Skill rather recently, long after I stopped breastfeeding from my mother, so its sort of hard to try it out on anyone else.
Most of the people around me are also not particularly appealing; old men and women. The few young maids that I have access to are careful when dealing with me, and they would rather not engage in any funny business with the heir to the Hunter Family.
That has left me with no option but to leave this Skill unused.
'But all of that is soon going to change.'
After all... I have been studying and training all this time for this particular moment. And now, I'm finally ready!
As I close the book and look out of the window, the view of the sprawling castle grounds fill me with a sense of anticipation.
'I'll strike at night. No one will see it coming!'