I was lying in my crib, reflecting on the concept of time. I had stopped obsessing about measuring or understanding it, concluding that it was a futile exercise in my current situation.

What mattered was that I could feel how my body developed day by day, and how the initial tedium of being a baby was gradually dissipating.

That morning, I observed my mother as she prepared for her journey to the district in search of water. Although dawn brought some security, I couldn't help feeling a knot in my stomach every time I saw her leave. However, there were more urgent matters occupying my mind.

Nutrition was a constant concern. Despite my mother's tireless efforts to gather food, my body needed more to develop properly.

I was tormented by the idea that I needed to find additional sources of sustenance if I wanted to grow stronger, but resources in the sewers were scarce. Nights brought chaos and anarchy to our shelter, making the search for food even more challenging.

However, fate smiled upon me when I discovered something promising behind our house: surprisingly fertile ground. The most interesting thing wasn't the soil itself, but its inhabitants: thumb-sized worms that writhed beneath the surface.

My mind, which retained knowledge from my previous life, immediately recognized their nutritional value. These creatures were not only rich in proteins and carbohydrates but also contained a variety of trace elements and minerals essential for human development. They could be exactly what I needed to boost my growth.

While contemplating this discovery, I felt the frustration of not being able to walk yet. However, I couldn't help but smile imagining the day when I would finally have total control over my limbs.

As time passed, I adapted better and better to my new body. The day I managed to crawl for the first time, I experienced indescribable joy. Seeing my mother jumping with excitement at each small achievement in my development made all the effort worthwhile.

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But the real turning point came when I pronounced my first word. After practicing in secret for weeks, I finally gathered the courage to say:

—...Mama.

It was a word I had abandoned in my previous life, and for a moment I hesitated, wondering if I should feel uncomfortable using it again. However, seeing my mother's reaction, all doubt vanished.

Her radiant and sincere smile confirmed that I had made the right decision. For me, recognizing her as my mother was the first step in fully embracing this new existence.

Thanks to her constant conversation, I gradually assimilated the language. I watched with fascination how the barter system worked in the underground shelter, where people exchanged goods and services without using money. Each day brought new opportunities to perfect my control over this body and master basic motor functions.

I had been named Arceus, or Ars for short. At first, it seemed like a somewhat cute name, especially after seeing myself reflected in the metal sheet we used as a mirror.

My reddish-golden hair, inherited from my mother, shone even in the dim light, and my red eyes, apparently a trait from my father, stood out in my childish face. Although I couldn't predict how my features would be when I matured, I consoled myself thinking that as long as I maintained a healthy weight, everything would be fine.

The days continued their march, and my growth was constant. My small stomach seemed to be a bottomless pit, quickly digesting everything I consumed and demanding more almost immediately.

One particular morning, I woke up feeling a voracious hunger that made me stir in my crib. As always, my mother didn't take long to come to my side, looking at me with her characteristic tenderness.

—My little one, are you very hungry? —she asked sweetly while lifting me in her arms.

I watched her as she settled to feed me, a routine that after more than a year I knew perfectly.

I lay down on the white and fluffy blanket, beginning to suckle eagerly. The familiar and comforting taste made my tiny feet move instinctively with satisfaction.

My mother, who had learned to interpret each of my gestures, smiled seeing this sign of contentment. With gentleness, she tickled my feet, causing me to shake them in the air. It was impossible to maintain composure before her playful caresses.

In a matter of minutes, my tiny stomach was completely full. I felt how my body visibly relaxed while Adelaide hugged me lovingly and gave me soft pats on the back.

I rested my cheek on her shoulder, experiencing a sensation of security and warmth that I had never known in my previous life.

—My little one, aren't you eating too much? —she joked with a melodious laugh.