"Allen, watch out!"
"Huh?"
As I turned my head, I saw a fire spell heading towards me.
"Ughh!"
The magic hit my stomach, and I was thrown backward.
"Allen!!!"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm really sorry... *sniff*."
Both of my siblings asked in turn.
Uhh, my head hurts so much.
My ears were ringing constantly, to the point that their voices seemed distant.
Is it raining?
No, it's not.
Then, what is this?
Heavy rain.
Traffic light.
A woman.
A truck.
"Ah."
My previous life flashed quickly in my mind.
"Haha."
"Why are you laughing like that?!"
As I let out a small laugh, feeling absurd, my older sister yelled at me.
"Allen, are you okay?"
As I turned around, a boy asked me how I was.
Yes, he was my older brother.
Adrian Willford. The first son of Duke Willford. He has silver hair and turquoise-colored eyes. He has a calm and gentle personality. This year, he turns nine.
"Oii! Allen! Why are you daydreaming like that?"
And this is my older sister.
Anastasia Willford. She is the first daughter and Adrian's twin sister. She has the same hair color and eye color as Adrian, although her personality is the complete opposite. She is quite careless and outspoken.
"I'm... fine, brother, sister."
"It seems like your stomach is injured. Let's have it checked, young master Allen."
Silver Ooze. He is the magic teacher for the three of us. One of the most famous magic teachers in the empire.
He looked worried.
"Yes, teacher."
The teacher took me to the infirmary for an examination.
I don't know if it's because my adrenaline has worn off or what, but the stomach that was hit earlier is starting to sting.
The doctor said that I wasn't badly injured, only a slight burn on my abdomen. He then treated me using a healing spell, and I was allowed to return to my room.
In this world, it's easy to get hurt, but it's also easy to heal.
After returning to my room, the servants helped me bathe and change my clothes.
What?
Am I not ashamed to be bathed by a woman?
It's not that I like it, but it's their job to take care of me. After all, I'm still a kid, you know?
I stood in front of the large mirror in my room.
When I looked in the mirror, I could see myself.
In this world, I am Allen Willford, the second son of Duke Aldrich Willford and Leticia Willford.
I have silver-colored hair and silver eyes.
This hair and eye color make me look a bit divine?
However, until now I never thought about my appearance, but am I too handsome? Since I was a child, my cheeks were quite round with wide eyes, making me look even cuter.
Well, now is not the time to think about appearances. Let's organize my thoughts.
While being blown away by the magic cast by my sister, I accidentally recalled my previous life.
Not only was my stomach injured, but it also affected my spirit.
This is what it feels like to have an older sister.
In my previous life, I was just an ordinary high school student who had just returned from my part-time job.
But on my way home, it rained heavily, and while I was waiting for the crosswalk light to turn green, a woman pushed me into the street, causing me to be hit by a truck.
Once you're dead, what more can you do?
After all, my previous life wasn't exactly happy either.
Hit by truck-kun and reincarnated into another world.
Hmm...
I didn't expect to reincarnate into another world in such a cliché way.
Embarrassing.
Come to think of it, I used to read a lot of novels about reincarnation into other worlds, but none of the names I knew sounded familiar.
Is it just a coincidence that I forgot, so they don't sound familiar?
Hmm, but I guess there really isn't a novel about this world.
For the record, my memory isn't that bad.
If I don't remember it, then it doesn't exist.
But...
Isn't this unfair?
Usually, people know what happens in the future so they can avoid their own downfall, right?!?
Then why didn't I get a cheat like that!!!
No, Allen.
Rather than transmigration, I reincarnated. That means I truly belong to this world.
You need to think positively.
So what if I don't know what will happen in the future?
I can still enjoy this life.
Right?
I am surrounded by wealth.
There is freedom.
And this is my own life, not someone else's.
Hahaha.
Hmm, yes.
Maybe I can build power behind the scenes like most protagonists do.
Just in case. You never know if this peace will last.
So I need to do something to be safer.
And since I'm the second son, I can do anything without worrying about the responsibility of ruling the territory.
Since this world has magic and other fantasy things, the first thing I need to do is strengthen myself.
Being weak isn't fun because you can't do anything.
Yes, let's do that.
Knock knock.
Hmm?
"Come in."
"Young Master, it's time for lunch."
"Ohh, alright."
I left and headed to the dining room accompanied by Anna, my personal maid.
I turned and observed her closely. Her appearance was ordinary. She looked as plain as the other maids. Long brown hair styled in a braid.
Feeling my intense gaze, Anna felt awkward and asked me.
"Is something wrong, Young Master?"
"Hmm? No. Nothing."
Well, it's not like Anna is actually an elite agent or some kind of assassin in disguise, right?
Yeah, she really seems like just an ordinary maid.
I continued my walk to the dining room.
When I reached the dining room door, the servant opened it for me, and I stepped inside.
Inside, my parents and siblings were already waiting.
Sister Anastasia looked sullen. It seemed that Father had lectured her because of what happened earlier.
Let it be.
I greeted my mother and father, then went to my seat.
My father kept watching me closely.
"Allen, how is your injury?"
My father, Duke Aldrich Willford. He has silver hair and turquoise-colored eyes. His personality is rather cold and strict. Although sometimes stern, he is soft when it comes to my mother. He deeply loves his children, though he's too shy to admit it.
"The doctor has healed it. So I'm fine now."
"Thank goodness. Mama was very worried when she heard."
My mother, Leticia Willford. She was formerly the second daughter of Marquis Osmond. She has pink hair with silver eyes. Her personality is very gentle, and she carries herself with grace.
"This can also be a lesson for the three of you so that this kind of incident doesn't happen again in the future. Especially you, Anastasia. Make sure to be more careful going forward. Remember, be more careful."
Father had to repeat it a second time, his voice firm but still carrying a father's concern.
"Yes, Father," Anastasia replied, bowing her head slightly.
"Yes," Adrian responded in a calmer tone.
And I just nodded quietly.
After that, we started eating together. In between bites, my mother and father talked about some family matters, while I got lost in my own thoughts.
After recalling my past life, which was so bleak and full of deprivation, I felt incredibly grateful for what I have now.
Especially being able to enjoy such tender steak like this every day. The meat was so soft and juicy, each bite melted perfectly in my mouth, while the sauce had just the right balance of flavor, not too salty, but rich enough.
I usually don't eat much. But today was different. Now, I no longer have to worry about food, shelter, or money. Everything is provided abundantly by my parents. No more days of hunger or sitting alone in the corner of a cramped room. No more eating leftover food reluctantly given by my stepmother.
Well, maybe there is a silver lining to being reincarnated. At least, in this world, I have a family that truly cares for me.