章節 1: The light at the end of the tunnel

|Jude|

Darkness enveloped my senses, leaving me disoriented and uncertain of my surroundings. As I struggled to regain my bearings, fleeting memories of a fierce battle with Asmodeus and the echoes of Cordelia's desperate cries flashed through my mind. Panic surged within me as I frantically searched for Cordelia's presence. Is she safe? Where is she?

Attempting to calm my racing heartbeat, I surveyed my surroundings, but darkness persisted, shrouding my every move. Suddenly, a glimmer of light pierced the obscurity, beckoning me towards it. With a mix of trepidation and hope, I ventured forth, following the ethereal glow.

After what felt like an eternity, the light enveloped me, casting its warm embrace. The voice of an elderly man reached my ears, breaking the silence. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Leywin, you have been blessed with twin sons." The revelation struck me, and I could hardly fathom the notion of fatherhood.

Turning my gaze, I locked eyes with a young man whose sharp features and rugged charm exuded an air of sternness. His brown hair and eyes held a mixture of elation and tears. Yet, my initial impression wavered as he attempted to coax speech from an infant, urging them to say "Dada." An incredulous expression formed on my face, mirroring the doctor's subtle eye-roll. Could he truly expect a newborn to utter words?

In a moment of sweet retribution, a small, pale hand swatted the young man playfully on the head—a deserved response, in my opinion. "The babies aren't crying, doctor!" exclaimed a melodious voice, belonging to a beautiful young woman with lustrous brown hair cascading against her fair complexion. A distinct aura of motherly tenderness surrounded her. I glanced around, taking in the modest torch-lit room and straw mat, feeling a sense of quaint simplicity.

Turning my attention to the left, I was taken aback to discover another tiny bundle of joy. Could this be my twin brother? The realization hit me, aligning with my mother's earlier mention of the two babies. My gaze lingered upon him, noting his auburn hair and bright azure eyes. I wondered how I, too, looked like. Time would reveal that mystery. It was clear to me, however, that my brother possessed a charm that would undoubtedly captivate hearts in the years to come.

The infancy stage proved to be an arduous journey, characterized by a lack of control. Helplessness became the defining aspect of my existence, with mere flailing limbs as my primary means of expression. It dawned on me gradually why babies instinctively grip onto fingers when placed in their palms—a mere reflex, devoid of conscious intention. Life in this state was a profound experience of vulnerability.

In this new world I found myself in, the concept of currency appeared relatively straightforward, gleaned from the conversations my mother had with merchants. Copper constituted the lowest denomination, followed by silver, and ultimately, gold. While I had yet to witness any transactions involving gold coins, it seemed that ordinary families sustained themselves comfortably with just a few copper pieces each day.

The currency exchange functioned as follows:

100 Copper = 1 Silver

100 Silver = 1 Gold

Each passing day became an opportunity to refine and acquaint myself with my fledgling physical form, diligently honing my motor functions. However, this seemingly tranquil routine was destined to change.

As a mortal noble, I defied the limits of mortality, ascending to the ranks of divinity. In this newfound realm, I emerged as the paragon of strength, not only within my own world but even transcending the realms of Heaven and Hell. The mad Archangel and the Overlords of Hell fell before me, vanquished by my unwavering determination. After enduring countless trials and tribulations, I ultimately succeeded in rescuing Pleadias from the brink of annihilation.

The journey that unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary, as I metamorphosed from an insignificant mortal to a deity of unprecedented might. But now, I was began to the start, a god turned into a baby.

In the realm of tales and lullabies, Arthur and I found solace in the stories our mother shared, her soothing voice lulling us towards sleep. Our discontent would manifest in grumbles and protests whenever she concluded the narratives too soon. Occasionally, our father would pull me onto his lap, reminiscing about his adventurous past, granting me glimpses into the world and its wonders.

Reynolds Leywin, a seasoned adventurer, possessed a wealth of experiences in his arsenal. He had traversed uncharted territories as part of various exploration parties, embarking on treacherous quests and treasure hunts bestowed by the esteemed Adventurer Guild. His restless spirit found reprieve when fate led him to my mother at the Kingdom's border, in the vibrant city of Valden. With a twinkle in his eye, he proudly recounted how my mother had fallen irrevocably in love with him at first sight—an anecdote met with skepticism, evident in my mother's swift retaliation of a playful smack to his head, dismissing his tale as embellished falsehoods.

Jude Leywin, my name in this existence, echoed the name of my past life. The reflection I encountered in the makeshift mirror of the washroom left me astounded—I bore an uncanny resemblance to my former self. Emerald eyes, shining like precious gems, complemented my jet-black hair, creating a striking contrast against my fair skin. The very visage that once garnered admiration in my previous life now graced this new realm, rendering me an embodiment of handsomeness unparalleled.

Weeks of diligent attempts at crawling culminated in a victorious breakthrough for Arthur and me. With uncoordinated shuffles, we conquered the realm of mobility, even venturing into the family's sanctuary—the library and study—while our mother busied herself with hanging laundry. A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she observed our newfound freedom, accompanied by her playful remark, "I swear, you two are bound to be as mischievous as your father, giving me quite a challenge to manage."

Closing the weighty encyclopedia, I adjusted my position on the ground, seeking comfort by lying flat on my belly. Crawling and maintaining an upright posture had proven to be taxing endeavors, leaving me in dire need of respite.

Reflecting upon the knowledge I had just absorbed, it became apparent that this world had not witnessed significant technological progress. The signs pointed to a lack of advancements. Horse-drawn carriages of varying sizes served as the primary mode of transportation on land, while ships with billowing sails dominated river routes.

Remarkably, weapons enjoyed unrestricted freedom, devoid of stringent regulations unless in the presence of the royal family or individuals of authority. This mirrored my previous world, where strength held a near-absolute dominion.

Another shared trait between the two realms lay in the system of monarchy. The continent of Dicathen was divided into kingdoms, each governed by a king and their royal lineage.

Despite perusing the pages of the encyclopedia, information pertaining to other continents remained scarce, raising a sense of curiosity within me. It struck me as peculiar, considering the existence of river vessels facilitating the transportation of goods and passengers across the continent. Speculating on the matter, I postulated that perhaps seafaring technologies had not yet reached a level of development necessary for oceanic voyages. In truth, with Dicathen being a vast landmass bereft of expansive oceans, technological advancements related to maritime exploration might not have been a pressing concern.

The concept of magic posed a unique challenge for my acclimatization to this world. While magic had indeed existed in my previous realm, it was merely one of several energies employed. Knights drew upon the power of chivalry, while druids tapped into the energy of nature. Magic, in that context, stood as just one tool among many.

For a swordsman, training revolved around strengthening muscles and honing swordsmanship techniques. Swordsmanship held a similar stature to magic, known for its remarkable potency, and it happened to be a skill I possessed.

In Dicathen, mages harnessed the ambient mana permeating their surroundings, channeling it into their bodies and ultimately condensing it within their mana cores. While the presence of mana and other energies existed in the atmosphere of my previous life, the formation of a mana core had never been a part of it.

The rationale behind this absence became apparent—it would prove excessively confining. While a mana core could offer some assistance to novice mages, it ultimately restricted the abilities of those with profound mastery.

Within Pleiades, while diligent practice held utmost importance, innate talent reigned supreme. In my case, I had transcended from a severely ill young adult to become the most formidable individual in the world within a span of under two years. Talents typically flourished around the age of fifteen, triggering significant leaps in power.

However, my journey followed a distinct trajectory due to special circumstances. Having commenced my training at the age of seventeen, upon recovering from illness, I represented an exceptional case.

Contemplating these circumstances led me to question the decisions of our ancestors. Why would they create a mana core that inherently restricted the potential of stronger mages, impeding their path to growth? Surely, they must have recognized the issue and sought to rectify it. As of now, my queries remained unanswered, awaiting further revelations.