Aldrich awoke from a deep sleep, his tiny body stretching instinctively. A wave of bewilderment coursed through him as he let out a soft, involuntary sound, startling himself. He blinked rapidly, trying to piece together the reality of his situation. Then it hit him—he wasn't the adult he remembered being. He was now a baby, and his once imposing form had been reduced to a tiny, fragile frame. The realization brought a mix of wonder and frustration, but curiosity soon took over, as he noticed the faint glow of sunlight filtering through an ornate crib, signaling the start of a new chapter in his life. A soft, involuntary sound escaped his lips, surprising him.
For a moment, confusion swept over him, but then he remembered—he was no longer the man he once was. He was now a baby.
Blinking, he took in his surroundings. The ornate crib encased him in polished wood, and sunlight filtered through soft curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow. His vision, surprisingly sharp for an infant, must have improved due to the passive minor rune he had unlocked yesterday. A faint shimmer in the corner of his sight caught his attention: a new notification.
Hidden Quest: Obtain Mana (Completed)
Reward: 1000 experience points, 2 skill points, +0.05 attribute points
Aldrich's heart swelled with delight. "A surprise reward," he thought, trying to recall how he might have completed the quest. Concentrating, he felt a warm, soothing energy circulating in his chest. Mana. The sensation was calming, like holding a mug of warm tea on a chilly day.
Anticipation bubbling within him, Aldrich took a steadying breath and called out, "Show me my status panel!" For a fleeting moment, he wondered if the system would respond, a small thrill of excitement running through him at the prospect of delving deeper into this new reality.
The familiar monotone voice of the system responded instantly.
[Status Panel]
Age: 0.1 / 75 years
Class: N/A
Mana: 10.31/10.31
Strength: 0.21
Agility: 0.21
Intelligence: 1.31
Vitality: 0.21
Skills: N/A
Skill Points: 2
Unused Attribute Points: 0.05
Experience Points: 1000
Aldrich studied his stats, a grin spreading across his tiny face. "System, where can I use the experience points?" he asked aloud.
"Experience can be used to level up your class," the system replied, its voice devoid of emotion.
"How do I get a class?" Aldrich pressed, but the system fell silent. Undeterred, he turned his focus to the quest he had unlocked yesterday. Determination filled him. "Time to get to work!"
With a deep breath, Aldrich let out the loudest wail he could muster.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
The cry echoed through the manor, alarming the guards and maids stationed nearby. One maid peered into the nursery, concern etched on her face. "Fetch the Lord and Lady," she instructed another.
Moments later, a hurried knock resounded on the heavy oak doors of Arthas and Eleanor's sleeping chambers. Arthas, muscular and imposing even in disheveled sleep, swung the door open.
"What is it?" he barked, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Milord, your son is having quite a fit in the nursery. He might be hungry and requires the mother's... milk?" the maid replied hesitantly, staring at the floor.
Arthas sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Bring him here," he ordered.
The maid hurried away and soon returned, carrying the wailing infant. Despite having given birth just yesterday, Eleanor rose from the bed with surprising energy. "Give me my baby," she said, her voice soft but firm.
The maid handed Aldrich over carefully. Eleanor cradled him, her expression a mixture of tenderness and concern. "You may leave," Arthas said, waving the maid away.
As soon as Eleanor bared her chest, Aldrich latched on, his tiny mouth eagerly drinking. Both parents chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"What should we call him?" Arthas asked, watching the scene with a warm smile.
"Aldrich," Eleanor replied without hesitation. "Aldrich will be a good name, won't it?"
Arthas nodded, leaning in to kiss her forehead. Then, he turned to don modest attire befitting a Baron. "I'll be with the soldiers, warming up and calling the boys to train with me," he said before striding out purposefully.
Left alone with her son, Eleanor continued to nurse and cuddle Aldrich. She admired his features—his blue eyes and blonde hair, so much like hers and Arthas'. Aldrich giggled mid-feed, and Eleanor smiled, unaware of the reason for his mirth.
In his mind, a notification gleamed.
[Quest: Growing Up]
[Objective: Ingest Milk (0.5/250 liters, Time Limit: 12 months)]
[Reward: Chosen Attribute Point (+0.5)]
The milk tasted faintly of almonds, a flavor he found surprisingly pleasant. "Well," he thought, "I can't be picky. A quest is a quest."
Over time, Aldrich's new life unfolded. He absorbed the language spoken around him and began learning about the geography of this fantastical world. The realm of Tellus was vast, thrice the size of Earth, and teeming with diverse inhabitants.
Orcs roamed the harsh southern lands, dwelling in dark, desolate caves and forging their existence through sheer strength and tenacity. Each day brought relentless battles against monstrous beasts—giant wolves with fiery eyes, towering lizards that spewed flames, and shadowy creatures of nightmare. These trials not only shaped their physical prowess but also deeply influenced their culture, emphasizing honor in combat, the bond of the tribe, and a reverence for the natural forces that surrounded them. Their strength was legendary, forged through relentless survival and brutal tribal duels.
Elves, in contrast, lived harmoniously in the east, their ethereal beauty and long lives dedicated to magic, archery, and the protection of nature. They thrived in hidden forests and mountain cities, their wisdom tempered by the sorrow of watching time pass.
Dwarves, stout and resilient, carved their homes into the icy northern mountains. Renowned artisans, they forged weapons and artifacts of unparalleled quality. Their loyalty and tradition were matched only by their ferocity in battle.
Humans, adaptable and ambitious, inhabited the western lands. Though they lacked the innate power of other races, their ingenuity and unity made them a force to be reckoned with. Their potential lay in their drive to learn and evolve, bridging gaps in strength through skill and creativity.
Aldrich learned that his new home was in a rural southern town in the Kingdom of Almira. His father, Arthas Kane, was a Baron under Viscount Edward. The land was a reward for Arthas' bravery in repelling beast tides and orc invasions. The estate housed 150 townspeople, 10 soldiers, and two squires who tended to Arthas' horse.
A year passed, and Aldrich's efforts bore fruit. As he nursed for the final time, a familiar 'ding' resonated in his mind, bringing a grin to his chubby face.
[Quest: Growing Up] (Completed)
[Objective: Ingest Milk (250/250 liters, Time Limit: 12 months)]
[Reward: Chosen Attribute Point (+0.5), Health potion x1] (Claimable)
He stood on stubby legs, eyeing his plump form with a resigned sigh. "Forcing down milk all year made me a fat baby," he thought.
"Claim the reward. Status!"
[Status Panel]
Age: 1 / 75 years
Class: N/A
Health: 4.1 / 4.1
Mana: 13.9 / 13.9
Strength: 0.41
Agility: 0.41
Intelligence: 1.39
Vitality: 0.41
Skills: N/A
Skill Points: 2
Unused Attribute Points: 0.55
Experience Points: 1000