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The weeks went by, and now I'm 2 weeks and 4 days old. I still don't have a name. Don't get me wrong—I just never heard of giving a name this late. Back in my previous life, I saw parents giving their kids names before they were even born. In some cases, noble children inherit ancestral names. Are my parents just lazy to think of one, or maybe they never thought I'd be around long enough to need one?
Creaak.
Speaking of which, here they are—my parents, along with the old woman who was there when I was born. My dad leans in toward me, making a funny face. Is he trying to make me laugh? I let out a small giggle at the thought.
My mother gently lifts me up. "Sorry to keep you waiting, today we're going to give you a name."
And your name shall be Amura.
"Yeah, the very name I had. What took you so long?" I want to say, but I can't. I just hear the words echoing in my head, a quiet, hollow response from the infant me.
"Amura," my mother continues, "a name that bears the meaning of love and ascension, meaning one day, you will overcome the challenges you face."
Did my name really take that long for them to come up with? I always thought it was something rather basic. The old woman takes me into her arms, her hand hovering over me. She channels mana toward me, but I don't feel anything. The mana just passes by as if nothing is there.
The old woman looks at my mom and dad, shaking her head.
"Why is that? Is something wrong with me?"
Nothing was wrong with me before. Maybe those strange words I saw put a curse on me. How else can you explain being sent back to this point?
---
A year passed.
The body of a baby isn't something easy to control. Just learning the basics leaves me exhausted. My mom is always there, encouraging me every step of the way.
By the time I was 2, I realized that a child's body needs a lot of rest. So, I gave up trying to overwork it.
Now, at 3, not much has changed. I'm just used to this body now. My mom still won't leave me alone for even a minute.
"Amura, where are you?"
I hide under the table.
"Honey, have you seen Amura?"
I poke my head out, looking at dad.
"I haven't... hahaha, I bet he's sleeping somewhere."
"Thanks for the save," Mom says.
[Proficiency has reached the required level. Stealth Arts Level 1 acquired.]
Huh?
Thud.
I hit my head under the table. Those strange words again. What does it mean, "Stealth Arts acquired"? What are these words?
"If my speech were perfect, I would ask them what they are."
[Stealth Arts Level 3]
We're here now. Present day—7 years old. I still can't figure out what this skill is. But I can tell that the more I hide, the more it grows, and the harder it is for Mom to find me.
Maybe if I try touching the word above my head, it'll work.
[Skill info failed to process.]
It seems I can't touch it... Hey, strange word, what are you? Yeah, as if these words can talk back.
---
I'm in the study room. Mom and Dad probably think I'm reading basic books, but I'm looking at these strange words above me, trying to figure out what they mean.
"Hey, can you at least tell me if you're the one who saved me or not?"
[Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill Appraisal Level 1 acquired.]
Another one. Huh? Wait.
[Stealth Arts Level 3] [The art to remain undetected.]
It's like it's now responding back. It must be the other skill I received.
---
Craaak, hahaha! "Champ, let's go and train with the sword. I finally got you a wooden one!"
Oh yeah, I can finally see how this body of mine will hold up.
"What are those words on Father's head?"
[Mamoru Botan ???]
Is there supposed to be more? No matter, I can't wait to spar with Dad.
"Now, now, I know you're happy and all, but if you get injured even a little, I'll prohibit you from sparring again."
"Reminds me of when I was leaving for another kingdom... has she always been like this?"
I take my wooden sword and get into a fighting stance.
"Hahaha! I see you've been learning how to fight..."
"Totally forgot, but my dad's the kind to believe that anyway."
"Alright, champ, let's begin."
I rush toward Dad. My left foot is steady, but my right lacks balance. He just stands there, not moving.
Just as I anticipated, when I get close, he swings his sword for a normal slash.
Using my left foot, I go for a thrust. My body's too small to keep up.
Dad quickly blocks me, pushing me back... or rather, I fly all the way.
"Hahaha! You've got some moves! I wanted to teach you a thing or two, but it looks like you've already learned the basics."
I rush at him again, but with good speed, he's already in front of me. He lands a light chop to my neck.
"Why don't we call it a day?"
[Proficiency reached the required level. Swordsmanship Level 1 acquired.]
Again, does the proficiency increase every time I do something new?
Well, I'm over my head now. I went ahead and started dancing.
"Did you hit him in the head too much?"
"Nope, I was just bonding with him."
As she points at me, "Son's dancing. It must be some celebratory dance or something."
Just like that, I didn't gain anything. I had to bear the embarrassment to gain nothing. But it wasn't in vain, knowing everything I do doesn't count. Still, what are those things?
---
I tried to get info again. I tapped above my head. There were no words to speak of this time. Was it just a coincidence?
[Appraisal Level 1] [Status Window] [Name: Amura | Level 1] [Age: 7 | Species: Human | INT: 15] [MP: 5 | STR: 10 | DEX: 12]
Skills:
Stealth Level 3
Swordsmanship Level 1
---
My name is up there now. This is definitely the words I saw before I kicked it. They're more detailed now.
Man, if this thing is working the way I think it is, that means I have a head start. The knight's selection will be easy now. I'm even more determined to get stronger before the selection takes place.
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