"Waaaah!" Reivan gave a short cry of happiness. 'We're so high up!'
It had already been a month since he was reborn. Perhaps due to the enhanced physical prowess he inherited from his Warbeast ancestry, he was already able to see and hear properly. Reivan wasn't quite sure how long a baby on earth would have needed to be able to focus their eyes and hear properly, but he was definitely sure that it wasn't possible in just a month.
By regaining use of his eyes and ears, he was able to confirm a lot of things. For example, he discovered that English was the language everyone around him was using. He was incredibly shocked by this at first, but then he just felt exasperated.
'The term "Universal Language" is really well-deserved...'
In any case, he was happy about this unexpected fact. It meant that he wouldn't have to trouble himself in learning a new language. Although Nihongo was his main language, he was also quite adept at speaking English.
Another thing he confirmed, was that the pleasant warmth and scent he sensed when he had just been born did belong to his mother. She hadn't really left his side since his birth, so he was able to verify this easily.
'She's so pretty.' Reivan thought as he admired his new mother's looks.
She had beautiful snow-white hair and golden eyes. Her looks were practically divine, and the kind smile she always seemed to wear as she looked at Reivan made him feel the love that she had for him.
On a side note, she had massive breasts. Just. Huge.
Reivan didn't really feel anything from looking at them though. Perhaps it was the lack of ability to get turned on? Or perhaps his body had been conditioned over the month to think of 'food' whenever he saw his mother's mammaries? In any case, Reivan didn't care. What mattered to him was that the milk he drank from her was one of the best things he'd ever drunk.
"Look, Rein! Isn't the city really beautiful? This is the Kingdom that your father rules over!" Reivan's mother — who he'd heard from the maids was named Vianna — shouted happily as she pointed at the cityscape below.
'Rein' was the nickname she had decided to start calling him by. She had just removed two letters in the middle and went with that. Reivan liked his new nickname though, so he didn't mind at all.
"We're so high up!"
"Waaah!" Reivan produced one of the only sounds he could at the moment, while inwardly thinking, 'Yeah, we sure are. I just hope we don't fall or something...'
Another thing that he discovered, was that his new mother may have had a couple of screws loose. He had heard from one of the maids that she was jumping around right after he was born. He had remembered thinking that it was strange how he was being raised up and down as a newborn, now he knew why. Owing to the Warbeast race's incredible physical abilities, he supposed it wasn't that strange that she could do things that humans couldn't, so he had just chosen to ignore it, thinking that it was nice that she was so happy about his birth.
However, her crazy antics hadn't stopped there. She had tried to get him to grip a knife, to get him used to weapons as early as possible. She had also tried to feed him meat paste, to provide him more nutrients to grow up faster. Surprisingly though, the latter incident actually worked(?), since he was able to somehow eat the meat paste. Reivan decided to just chalk it up to his Warbeast blood.
He was going to do that a lot since he wouldn't be able to explain some things otherwise. It was also for the sake of his mental health.
Even now, she was doing something a normal mother wouldn't do.
The two of them were currently sitting on the roof of the highest tower in the castle. She had climbed up here while firmly holding onto Reivan with one hand. Reivan hadn't even felt any shaking on their way here, which boggled his mind. Again, he just decided to think that it was because she was a Warbeast.
She had brought him to this high place to apparently show him his territory, or something. Reivan thought that he somehow understood what she meant, but in any case, the scenery here was great. Reivan decided not to worry about what exactly she meant for now, since he couldn't ask her even if he wanted to anyway.
Vianna started pointing at certain spots in the city below, then explaining things to Reivan. It was mostly subjective things, such as a baker that she liked, a restaurant that served really good steaks, a patisserie that made really good sweets, and another restaurant that served really good meat. Reivan understood that his mother really liked meat dishes.
Reivan continued to watch his mother jovially telling him about things that a normal newborn baby wouldn't really care about. She looked like a child happily showing off how much she knew to her parents.
'Oh, come to think of it, I don't know how old my mother is. I've been with her for so long, yet I haven't used [Supreme Insight] on her yet.' Reivan suddenly thought. He then looked at his mother and then used his ability.
Name: Lumona Kimiku (Alias: Vianna Aizenwald) Species: Warbeast(Wolf type) Realm: Mortal (Ascendance Restrained) Age: 83 Sex: Female Favor: (Maternal Affection / Protectiveness / Familial Love) 100 / 100 Threat Level: N / A (This unit has no desire to harm you. Ever.) Might: 1,890 Special Abilities: NONE Elemental Affinities: [Ice] Extra Skills: [Limit Break]
[Cryokinesis]
[Beast Form]
[Qi: Unleashed]
[Magic Resistance]
'Ah. This is really familiar. I don't think I should have seen some of this...' Reivan thought dryly. Unlike Zell though, his mother didn't notice him using his ability on her at all. She just kept on happily telling him things about the city. 'Well, her true identity doesn't really matter to me. She is my legitimate mother, and she also loves me a lot judging from her Favor. She could be the daughter of the Ruler of Hell for all I care.'
'But what is up with her age, though? Eighty-three!? She looks like she's in her early twenties!' Reivan wondered inwardly. He couldn't chalk it up to her being a Warbeast this time. There were only two skills he was unfamiliar with, and one of them was likely the culprit. He used [Supreme Insight] on the [Limit Break] extra skill.
Extra Skill:
[Limit Break] An Extra Skill granted to those who have perfected control over their Physical Form.
In exchange for a large amount of life force, temporarily exempts this unit from the effects of losing life force as well as multiplying the unit's Might by 10.
'Okay, that's amazing and alarming, but not the reason for my mother's youth.' Reivan inwardly remarked. He then used insight on [Qi: Unleashed].
Extra Skill:
[Qi: Unleashed] An Extra Skill granted to those who have gained enlightenment in the control of their Physical Form.
Nullifies the effects of the Physical Form's aging.
Once this unit activates their Qi, their Physical Abilities are increased depending on the quality of their Qi and their control over it.
Qi can be unified with Mana, and [Harmony] can be achieved, producing [Essence].
'Bingo. This is why.' Reivan inwardly whooped in triumph. The explanation had a few vague parts about it, but he didn't mind. It wouldn't be the first time his [Supreme Insight] did this. Since there was a special term on the screen, he decided to try to use insight on it too.
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State:
[Harmony]
A prerequisite to the increase of a being's [Realm].
The harmony of [Essence] and [Physical Form] results in a mortal achieving the [Ascendant] realm.
The harmony of [Self] and [Origin] is the key to achieving the [Transcendent] realm.
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'Yeesh... Was not expecting to suddenly find out how to increase my Realm from that...' Reivan looked at the screen in wonder, then inwardly smiled. 'This is good. Now I have an idea of how to move forward... For now, I have to somehow unleash my Qi and learn to control Mana, harmonize them, then harmonize the result with my Physical form. I have absolutely no idea how to do that... but at least I know it's even possible to increase my realm. I was scared that it might be something you were born with and never be able to change.'
The first step was to become whatever an [Ascendant] was, then reach [Transcendent] status afterward. He'd just keep going up from there... until he reached and surpassed the [Archon] realm. Once he was looking down on everything in existence... then he would decide whether he could never see his loved ones again or not.
'Well, I guess the real first step is growing up. As I am, I can't even raise my body, let alone my realm.' Reivan decided to put his ambitions on hold for now. There was a time for everything, and now was the time to fondly watch and listen to his mother tell him things.
"And that place over there, is where I first saw your father. He was sneaking out of the castle on his own." Vianna pointed to an open area in the city, which was most likely some sort of plaza or park. She shook her head in exasperation. "That guy, he was stupidly wearing a mask and a black cloak, attracting attention to himself. His disguise would have been better if he just wore a shirt and a hat."
"Wah!" Reivan made another noise to assure his mother that he was listening. 'Father... He's the King, isn't he? Are we gonna be okay if he's like that?'
"Oh! Oh! And that mountain there? Behind the castle? That's where the Sword Star lives!" Vianna said with a hint of reverence. "He's this really old person that has protected the Kingdom as its most loyal Vassal for thousands of years! He's also your mother's teacher you know? He's really great!"
'Thousands of years...' Reivan marveled. He had lived a puny twenty-three years on earth. He couldn't even fathom how it would feel to live for a thousand years. Although he had spent an unknown amount of time in the Corridor, he didn't really consider that time living. 'I wonder what type of person he is? How would a person who has lived for such a long time act?'
"Maybe when you grow up, he'll teach you some things? Only the most hard-working and talented have the chance to be instructed by the Master, but since you're a prince, maybe you'll get special treatment?" Vianna mused out loud, but then she shrugged. "Well, if he doesn't want to teach you, I'll just teach you myself, or beg him to. That guy's a sucker for his favorite apprentices, I'll manage somehow."
Vianna grinned evilly as she schemed. Reivan felt that he would have preferred to be taught by his mother instead, but if she thinks it was better to be taught by this person called the Sword Star, then he would follow her opinion on the matter. She knew a lot more than him after all.
As the mother and child stayed that way for a while, the mother thinking up plans for her child and the child exclaiming in joy from time to time, a voice suddenly interjected from behind them.
"Vianna. So this is where you were... Don't just take little Rein everywhere you want." A deep voice spoke up.
Vianna didn't even look to the source before replying casually, "Oh, it's you, brother. Why shouldn't I take him here? I'm just showing off the place that his father rules."
"Can he even appreciate those kinds of things at his age...?" The man, Reivan's uncle Viktor, said in exasperation.
'Ah, it's uncle...' Reivan thought inwardly. This uncle of his was one of his frequent visitors, so Reivan naturally knew who he was by now.
"Of course, he can. My baby is a genius. Look, Hey Rein, say hello to uncle." Vianna turned towards Viktor, making Reivan face him too.
'Woah, wait a minute. He's flying...?' Reivan gawked at his uncle Viktor floating in empty air in front of him. But after a bit of thought, he snapped out of it. He was in a fantasy world, after all, it wouldn't be too strange to have the ability to fly. He turned his attention back to his mother's request. 'Uh, what should I do here? Would I seem too smart if I do as she says...?'
After a second, Reivan just decided to go ahead and do it. What could possibly go wrong? "Waaah~!"
"O-OH!" Viktor exclaimed happily. A silly-looking grin showed on his face as he slowly floated closer to Reivan, who was holding out his tiny arms towards him. Viktor then let Reivan grab his outstretched finger. "You really are smart! Only a month old and already... and you're so cute!!"
"Told you." Vianna smugly thrust out her chest. "How could my baby not be smart?"
"Uh... yeah." Viktor awkwardly tried to not talk too much about the topic. He tried to shift it into something else. "By the way, Vianna, for how long are you going to restrain your Ascendance?"
"Until Rein doesn't need me anymore," Vianna said matter-of-factly.
"And when the hell is that!" Viktor retorted loudly, but then he remembered Reivan being there and calmed down. "Sorry lil' Rein. Uncle got a bit too loud there. Anyways, Vianna. You can't delay it any longer. It's not healthy. I can't believe I even have to say this. Who the hell even restrains their Ascendance...?"
"Ascendants can't have children anymore, so I didn't know what would happen to the baby if I didn't restrain it. Plus look at him!" Vianna thrust out Reivan's little body. For some reason, Reivan didn't feel any shaking as he was thrust out. "He's so cute! How could I have risked losing him over anything? And I can't just leave him right now, he needs me."
"W-well, he is adorable..." Viktor nodded slowly, appearing to be convinced, but then shook his head and snapped out of it. "No, don't play that card Vianna. You've restrained it for months now, what would happen if you spontaneously started your Ascendance in a sub-optimal location? If it failed, that would be a shame, but what if you died?"
"Urghh..." Vianna groaned.
"What would happen to your Rein then? Do you want him to grow up without a mother?" Viktor pointedly asked.
"URRRGHHHH!" Vianna groaned even louder. "B-but my baby... I don't want to part with him for so long!"
"It's just a few months of seclusion, Vianna." Viktor sighed in exasperation. His eyes then widened in realization. He had just thought of a way to convince his foolish sister. He smirked arrogantly as he said, "Besides, aren't you tired of being so far beneath me?"
"..." Vianna froze for a second before looking at her brother while tilting her head. She said, as if exhaling the word, "Hah?"
"Vianna, there's only a five-year gap between us in age, but I've been an Ascendant for ten years now." Viktor shook his head as and shrugged pompously. "Aren't you ashamed?"
Vianna widened her eyes and looked at Viktor as if he were an idiot. "You don't remember how I beat you to a pulp when you were fifteen and I was ten?"
"Psh. That was so long ago." Viktor mockingly scoffed. "I've been in this Realm for so long, and I've gained a lot of insights. I'm not called the Kingdom's strongest for nothing. Even if you were to become an Ascendant right now, you wouldn't be able to beat me."
"..." Vianna just stared at her brother with eyes full of fury. She felt her heart beating uncontrollably in anger as blood rushed to her head. "Hold my baby."
"Hm? What did my little sister, who is a lot weaker than me, just say?" Viktor said provocatively as he cupped his hands to his ears, as if saying he hadn't heard the first time.
"Hold. My. Baby." Vianna punctuated every word with the rage she felt. She pushed Reivan into Viktor's hands. Despite her fury, she still managed to retain enough calm to handle her son gently. "Six... no, five months."
"Hm?" Viktor grunted in confusion. "What five months?"
"In a maximum of five months. I'll have finished Ascending. Then I'll come back to find you." Vianna said, with eyes narrowed with a hint of murderous intent, which made Viktor's spine tingle. "I hope you're ready by then."
Vianna then casually jumped off the roof.
"Five months...? It took me a year to complete my Ascendance. Is she crazy...?" Viktor shook his head, not believing that his sister could do it. He then sighed in relief. "It worked. I managed to convince her to stop holding it off but... Am I going to be okay...?"
As Viktor hovered midair, pondering on his future self's well-being, Reivan was nodding inwardly, giving his uncle a mental thumbs up.
'That was a marvelous display of elder sibling dominance. It has my stamp of approval.' Reivan thought. 'Come to think of it, I haven't seen uncle's status screen either.'
Reivan used [Supreme Insight] on Viktor.
Name: Tamozumo Kimiku (Alias: Viktor Suprana) Species: Warbeast(Wolf type) Realm: Ascendant Age: 88 Sex: Male Favor: (Fondness / Protectiveness / Familial Love) 88 / 100 Threat Level: N / A (This unit has no desire to harm you. Ever.) Might: 14,690 Special Abilities: NONE Elemental Affinities: [Ice] Extra Skills: [Cryokinesis]
[Beast Form]
[Qi: Unleashed]
[Magic Resistance]
'Fourteen thousand...!?' Reivan was inwardly shocked when he looked at his uncle's Might stat. He didn't really have a point of comparison, but having about ten times the Might of his mother, who seemed to have incredibly high physical prowess was incredible. 'He's also hiding his identity, huh? Also, he doesn't have [Limit Break] like Mother.'
Reivan was snapped out of his thoughts by Viktor talking to him. "Well, can't have you getting a cold from staying up here, so let's get you back to your room, lil' Rein."
Viktor started slowly flying back down from the roof while carrying the young prince, making Reivan scream in delight. "Waaah~!"
'This feels great! One day... I'll be able to fly on my own, too!' Reivan thought, his ambition rearing its head.
"Oh! You like flying, lil' Rein? Well then, let's fly around a bit. In hindsight, since you probably have our bloodline, you have the [Ice] affinity, too. You can't catch a cold. I was worried for nothing, huh!" Viktor said heartily. "Let's take a lap around the capital shall we?"
The Warbeast, Viktor — hailed as Aizenwald's strongest Knight — zoomed off with a baby shrieking happily in his arms.