"Faster!!""Hiyaaahh!!""Too slow!!""Hiyahhhh!!""Still too slow… do it faster!!!"
Damn this old man! He becomes a completely different person during training. I'm literally doing my best out here! What the hell do you expect from a five-year-old!?
"Alright! Let's stop here for today. We'll be doing the same tomorrow, so be ready. Do you understand?"
"YES, SIR!"
"Good."
Saying this, the old man—my father—walked back inside, leaving me and the gentle breeze alone on the training grounds.
That man… he trains me like a madman.
He told me that now that I've turned five, I need to begin both physical and mental training if I want to become a worthy heir to the House of Aldehrt. But come on, I'm a child! This training is like military boot camp.
But still... I guess if I want to become OP, I need to work hard for it.
Today I trained with a sword.
Yeah, I know. Generic weapon. Classic choice.
But honestly? Holding a sword in my own two hands—feeling its weight, swinging it, learning the stances—it was a whole new experience. And kind of badass.
My father kept yelling at me to do it faster, but I swear he has split personalities. One moment, he's a ruthless trainer. The next? A loving dad with a warm smile. Total switch-up.
Anyway, as I lay on the ground, breathing in some fresh air and contemplating life, my mother called out for me to eat.
Usually the head maid handles that stuff, but my mom insists on doing it herself.
Honestly? I got lucky. I was born to amazing parents in this new world.
After finishing lunch, I decided to test out magic again. I closed my eyes and focused, like my mom had taught me.
And then I saw it—floating inside me.
A glowing ball of energy.
It was undeniably a mana core.
So damn cliched!
I swear, if there's a demon lord lurking somewhere and a destined hero waiting to spawn, I'll lose it. Just imagine the whole "light vs. darkness" spiel again, with some generic happy ending.
Ugh. Peak cringe.
After the meal, I went for a walk outside with our head butler.
Yes, we have one. He's an old man. Wise. Strong. Looks like he came straight out of a manga. Thank god his name isn't Sebastian though.
I enjoy these outings. The city is full of interesting things. But more than that, they're useful for gathering intel.
As a noble, I need to understand what's happening in my territory. And no matter how much you rely on reports, nothing beats the gossip you overhear on the streets.
That's right—I'm doing this for the city. Definitely not because I'm nosy or anything.
"Oi, have you seen that new adventurer?""Ahh, you mean that one?""Yes, yes!!"
See? Like this.
Useful information just floating around, waiting to be picked up.
"Yeah man, that new female adventurer is seriously hot!""You said it! She's like this—and like this! So hot!"
...WHAT!?
That's what this was about!?
Trash talk between two men drooling over a woman!?
Also, what's with those hand gestures, huh!? Don't do that in public! Ugh!
I guess... no matter the world, men will be men.
"Mr. Rofland.""Yes, young master?"
Ugh. I always feel like I'm in some Chinese manhua whenever he calls me that.
"Let's go to the adventurers' guild.""May I ask why?""I need to meet some potential adventurers who could be... assets to the city.""Hmm. Are we talking about the same kind of 'assets,' young master?"
"A-ahm... y-yes! We are! And stop calling me that!"
This sly old man... He's clearly teasing me. I'm not going just to see some curvy female adventurer who's super hot or whatever!
I'm going there for talent!
Purely professional reasons!
"As you wish, young master.""Sigh... You're going to call me that again, aren't you?""......"
sigh
My life now is way livelier than it ever was in my old world.
No system. No cheats. Just sword swings, weird butlers, angry dads, magic, and now gossiping about hot adventurers.
And you know what?
For once, I can say this with my whole chest:
"I'm really living this time."