I slowly opened my eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the dim light. The first thing that came into view was the ceiling of my room. As I glanced around, my gaze settled on the window; it appeared to be evening already.
Evening?
A surge of surprise washed over me, and I tried to sit up.
It was only then that I noticed my two siblings sleeping on the couch beside me.
Just yesterday, as I was waking from a restless sleep, I encountered a woman who claimed to be a goddess.
She hadn't provided many details, but the most significant point she made was that this world was on the brink of destruction. The cause of this impending doom remained shrouded in mystery.
The only clue I had was the phrase "Blade Dance of the Seven Gods."
Was that some sort of fairy tale?
Well, I suppose I can uncover the truth slowly. There's no need to rush; doing so might only cloud my judgment.
It had been only two days since I had recalled my past life, and everything felt so disordered.
What's next? Kidnapping?
Hah...
I let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of my circumstances.
Yet, there was no point in complaining.
First and foremost, I needed to discover who had sent the poison my way.
My immediate priority was ensuring the safety of my life and my family, and then finding a way to save the world.
"Uhmm..."
My sister, who had been asleep, groaned softly and began to awaken.
"Oh?"
As she turned to look at me, I met her gaze with a warm smile. What should I say to her?
"Good evening! The weather is quite lovely, isn't it, sister?"
I greeted her cheerfully.
"Good eve—Huh? No!"
My sister, who had been poised to return my greeting, suddenly shot up from the couch, causing our brother, who had been leaning against her, to tumble off the sofa.
"Mom! I'm going to tell Mom!" she exclaimed, bolting out of the room.
"Wait—" I called after her, but she was already gone.
She could have simply asked a maid to inform our mother.
"You're awake! How are you feeling?" my brother inquired, a smile brightening his face.
"I'm fine," I replied.
His calm demeanor always filled me with admiration.
Soon after, my parents and sister Anastasia returned to my room, visibly relieved to see me conscious once more.
However, they didn't elaborate on what had actually transpired.
Perhaps it was better not to ask and instead uncover the truth on my own.
.
.
.
It had been a week since the poisoning incident.
I seldom left my room, as my parents insisted that I should rest. As a result, I spent the week rolling around in bed, and I was surprised to find that my body felt healthy and fit, with only a slight softness around my midsection.
No, it's not like I had merely been sleeping the entire week.
During this time, I had become more attuned to the flow of magic within my body. I had learned how to draw out and dispel the magic from my hands.
In the process, I discovered that magic also existed in nature.
Sometimes I could see it swirling in the air or shimmering within the plants around me. Each had a distinct color, vibrant and alive.
But enough of that for now.
Three days ago, I officially turned seven years old.
In the Willford family, formal education begins at the age of seven. Today, I would embark on my lessons and training.
And perhaps most importantly, I would start receiving a monthly allowance.
Hooray for my wealthy family!
Ehehe.
Knock, knock.
I heard a gentle rap at the door.
"Young Master Allen, this is Finn," came the familiar voice of the head butler.
"Come in. What is it?"
"It is time to begin your lessons."
I glanced at the clock and noticed the hands pointed to nine.
Oh, has it already gotten so late?
"Ah, it's about time. Alright, please take me there."
Finn escorted me to the study room, walking diligently behind me in silence.
"Hey, Finn," I said, breaking the quiet.
"Yes, young master. Is there something you'd like to ask?"
Should I inquire about the poisoning incident now?
"Um, about the person who poisoned me... what happened to them?"
As I continued walking, Finn halted in his tracks.
Noticing the absence of his footsteps, I paused and looked back at him.
It seemed my question had caught him off guard.
"Why did you stop walking?" I asked.
Instead of answering, he approached me and knelt down, gently holding both my hands in his.
"Please don't worry about it, young master. Your father has dealt with the individual responsible."
I simply gazed at him, remaining silent.
"However, may I ask how you came to know about this?"
Hmm...
How should I respond?
If I were to name any random names, that person would undoubtedly face severe consequences.
"It's a secret," I said, offering him a bright smile.
That response should suffice; as a child, he likely wouldn't press further and would assume I was merely playing around.
We continued on our way to the study room.
Upon arriving, I was greeted by a woman waiting for me.
She had striking green hair that matched her vibrant green eyes. Thin glasses perched on her nose lent her an air of maturity and seriousness. Her gaze was sharp, yet I found myself momentarily captivated; she had a well-proportioned figure that was neither overly prominent nor understated.
Not that I was one to judge a woman solely on her physical appearance.
I was certainly not a pervert.
"Nice to meet you, young Master Allen. I am Renne Ashfall, your personal tutor from today onward."
"Nice to meet you, Teacher. I am Allen Willford. I look forward to learning from you."
My siblings and I were to have a private tutor, covering subjects such as history, math, literature, languages, and etiquette.
For magic, dancing, and swordplay, we would share the same instructor.
This arrangement would allow us to focus on our individual studies.
"Shall we begin now, young Master Allen?" she asked.
"Ah, yes."
"Then I shall take my leave now, young Master Allen. Miss Renne, if you require anything, feel free to call a servant."
The teacher nodded in acknowledgment, and Finn stepped out of the room.
As he exited, he cast a warm smile my way, and I returned the gesture.
And now, we were left alone.