...
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
During this time, Alden made a conscious effort to build a connection with his wife, Jennifer.
Although their marriage was a typical noble political arrangement, Alden wanted the woman to be by his side wholeheartedly.
Through his consistent efforts, Jennifer gradually opened up to him, and her feelings for him grew stronger with each passing day. The two became nearly inseparable.
Evelyn, observing the growing affection between her son and daughter-in-law, was overjoyed. She didn't waste any time in urging them to start a family, insisting that the Ashleigh bloodline must continue as soon as possible.
Under his mother's constant encouragement, Alden found himself "contributing" several times a day.
If not for his rank as a 3rd-level knight and the enhanced stamina that came with it, he would have been utterly exhausted long ago.
...
A month later, Jennifer shared the news.
"Alden, I'm pregnant!"
"Haha! That's amazing! Jenny, you've worked so hard!"
Alden's expression froze for a moment before a broad smile spread across his face. He embraced Jennifer tightly and kissed her with deep affection.
Leaning into her husband's arms, Jennifer gently placed a hand on her stomach, her face glowing with happiness.
The couple was ecstatic, and Evelyn, who had been eagerly awaiting this moment, was nearly hopping with excitement.
"I will finally get to hold my grandchildren!" she exclaimed.
Evelyn immediately began preparing for the baby's arrival, organizing everything Jennifer would need during her pregnancy and after childbirth. She also cooked nourishing soups for her daughter-in-law daily, ensuring her health and the baby's well-being.
Alden, meanwhile, took on his own responsibilities. He tended to the daily matters of the fiefdom but devoted most of his time to Jennifer. Training was temporarily set aside as he focused on supporting his wife.
Touched by her husband's devotion, Jennifer's affection for him deepened further, strengthening their bond.
...
Ten months later, the day of delivery arrived.
To ensure a safe and smooth childbirth, Alden even hired a priest from the Church of Life, known for their miraculous abilities in childbirth.
While this world lacked scientific medical advancements like cesarean sections, it made up for it with divine magic. The priests of the Church of Life worshiped the goddess of life and were renowned for their flawless childbirth success rate.
Of course, such expertise came at a steep price. Hiring one of their priestess cost fifty gold coins—a significant sum, considering the annual income of the Ashleigh fiefdom was just over six hundred gold coins.
Still, Alden knew it was worth every coin.
With the priestess' help, Jennifer delivered the child in just over ten minutes. The room was soon filled with the first cries of their newborn.
A healthy baby boy.
"This is my son," Alden murmured, his eyes fixed on the tiny, wrinkled figure before him. A smile of pure joy spread across his face.
In that moment, Alden felt an indescribable sense of belonging. With a child of his own bloodline, he felt truly anchored in this world.
He finally had a sense of belonging.
...
But then, something strange happened.
Alden's joyful expression faltered, replaced by confusion and shock. He noticed an inexplicable surge in his Inner Qi. It had grown by almost one-tenth—something that should have taken him years of dedicated cultivation.
"What's going on?" he muttered, alarmed.
This wasn't just luck; it was far too strange. The sudden increase in his strength filled him with unease rather than joy.
As his mind raced, he prepared to activate his Inner Qi and examine his body, hoping to uncover the source of this mysterious enhancement.
Before he could act, a strange message appeared in his mind, as if it had always been there:
...
[Birth of Host's 1st Child Detected.]
[Divine Family Ascension System Activated.]
[Analyzing the child's aptitude...]
[Ding! Child has no magical aptitude & low-level physical aptitude. Overall evaluation: E-Level. You have gained one year's worth of Inner Qi cultivation.]
[Note: Child's aptitude is graded from E to S. Higher aptitude results in greater rewards.]
...
"My system is finally here!"
Alden's face lit up with exhilaration.
For six long months after arriving in this world, he had thought his transmigration didn't come with any perks. The absence of a cheat system had made him reluctantly accept the harsh reality of his situation.
But now, completely out of the blue, it had activated.
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"So, I was just missing the trigger all along."
The realization brought a wave of relief.
Thankfully he had listened to mother dearest and returned early.
Alden shook off his initial disbelief and quickly turned his attention to understanding this mysterious system.
A few minutes later, he grasped the basics of how it worked.
In one word, it was all about "family."
The system rewarded him for having children and expanding his bloodline. The greater the potential and aptitude of his offspring, the more significant the rewards.
"This is so straightforward… and ruthless," Alden muttered. A slow smile spread across his face.
"But I can't deny—I like it."
The possibilities began unfolding in his mind. With enough "effort" and resources, it wasn't unreasonable to have a dozen or more children within a year.
Each child born with even minimal aptitude could potentially save him years of painstaking cultivation.
Through this system, rising to prominence on the extraordinary path was no longer a distant dream.
Of course, things weren't that simple.
This system had its quirks, requiring Alden to meet specific conditions. Only children born to women with a "beauty score" of 85 or higher would be eligible for rewards.
With his current status as a low-ranked baron, finding numerous women of such exceptional beauty willing to bear his children was no small task.
"It seems Jennifer will have to work hard and bear the burden for now," Alden thought with a wry grin.
But his goals were already clear.
He already had the next few years planned out.
Going hand in hand, Expand the Family, Increase his strength!
...