Did I make the right choice?
[System Message!]
[Endurance and Intelligence increased by 0.1 points.]
Staring at the system screen that appeared before him, Aenari was surprised.
So, I can increase my stats just by eating certain fruits? Although... there must be a limit.
Plucking a few more fruits, Aenari kept moving forward, examining the one in his hand.
I wonder, can they provide anything else? he thought before continuing down the path.
On the way back, he passed by guards, patrols, unfamiliar faces, and the chirping of birds, which strangely didn’t irritate him. This was unusual, as in his past life, he had despised the sounds of birds and insects.
Within moments, he was back at the doorstep of his home. Upon entering, he was warmly greeted by Alicia and the butler, Alfred.
— Welcome back, young master, — Alfred said, raising an eyebrow. Alicia’s eyes widened when she noticed what looked like blood on Aenari’s face.
— Were you hurt, young master? — Alicia exclaimed.
— Calm down, Alicia. It’s just the juice from the red apple fruits. It’s not blood.
— But aren’t those fruits forbidden until you’re eight years old?
— Is that true?
— Yes, indeed. However, since the young master seems unharmed, it must mean you possess a certain talent, — Alfred said approvingly with a nod.
— What’s wrong with these fruits?
— Well, young master, they have side effects like nausea, which is why they’re usually avoided at your age.
— Understood.
After thanking Alfred for the welcome, Aenari asked Alicia to prepare a bath. The fruit juice had left his face stained in a way that looked both amusing and gruesome.
Without realizing it, he was already in his room, relaxing slightly.
Not long after, he heard a light knock at the door.
— Young master, the bath is ready. Please, follow me.
— I’m coming.
Reaching the bathroom, Alicia hesitated.
— Y-young master, should I help bathe you? — she asked timidly, avoiding his gaze.
— Huh? — Aenari looked at her in surprise, which only made her blush more.
— Alicia, in a sense, I’m not exactly a child anymore. You do realize that, don’t you?
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
— Yes, but... it’s part of my duties.
They quickly found themselves in an awkward silence. Thankfully, Tina happened to pass by and noticed the slightly open door, breaking the tension.
— What are you two doing here? — Tina asked curiously, looking between them.
— I just wanted to take a bath, — Aenari said, shrugging.
— Then go ahead and undress. I’ll handle it from here. Alicia, thank you for your concern, but I’ll take over.
Bowing respectfully, Alicia left. After that, Aenari undressed and got into the bath. Ten minutes later, he emerged, steam gently rising from his skin. Returning to his room, he lay down, reflecting on the day’s events.
So, Risell pleasantly surprised me by not destroying our relationship. What if I had chosen Risell over Shizuku? The result would be the same, wouldn’t it?
— In any case, I’ll simply use them as I see fit. If anything goes wrong, I won’t hesitate, — Aenari muttered confidently.
After dinner and a conversation with his parents, he learned an important detail: the execution of spies from the Terran family was imminent. Until it was resolved, Aenari would remain under house arrest—not that he minded.
During this time, he played games with Alicia. Though mentally an adult, he occasionally forgot this fact, indulging in childlike activities. Recognizing the need to refocus, he buried himself in books with herbal tea, the aroma filling the room.
Throughout the week, Aenari continued eating blood apples, asking Alfred to fetch them for him. Thanks to this, he managed to improve his stats and unlock his primary attributes. This was undeniably a cause for celebration.
Open Interface:
Name: Aenari Remire
Age: 6 (Estimated: 20)
HP: 30
MP: 40
Strength: 2
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 8
Endurance: 6
The progress was slow. I managed to increase my endurance by 2 points and my intelligence by 3. It’s clear that I’m more inclined toward magic based on these results, but that’s about it.
*
After a week of confinement, I went for a walk early in the morning.
Breathing in the morning air, I felt energized. Enjoying the open sky, I walked along the road made of grey stone, slightly rough yet still elegant in appearance.
As I passed through the grey mass, a few minutes later, I heard noise.
— Execute him!
— Death to the rats of the Terran family!
The excited shouts echoed through the area, and by chance, I found myself near the criminal execution platform.
Wait, wasn’t the execution supposed to happen yesterday morning?
I suppose someone delayed it?
Well, since I’m here, I might as well find out what’s going on.
Smiling to myself, I blended into the crowd, waiting to see what would happen next.
Soon, the list of their various crimes was read aloud, further stirring the crowd's blood. Feeling the tension reaching its peak, the captain nodded to the executioner, a tall man standing at two meters. The executioner, in turn, set the guillotine into motion, ending their pitiful lives. Their severed heads rolled across the ground, splattering blood everywhere.
Many were excited by the sight, while others felt uncomfortable.
As the crowd’s cries filled the square, I was deeply struck by the scene.
They were killed just like that? In truth, Aenari understood that this was a clear provocation from both sides.
Could this be a sign of impending war? Or are such incidents commonplace here?
Aenari also found himself disturbed by the freshly spilled blood. He couldn’t quite understand — was he uneasy from fear, or was he curious to experience the sensations of murder himself?
— What does the Terran family think of themselves, sending us such weaklings? A man's voice broke through Aenari's thoughts.
— You’re right! I think they don’t take us seriously. Do they really think we’ll keep tolerating this!?
The townspeople were loudly discussing the incident. Some even suggested annexing the Terran family to increase the power of the Remire family.
But the blood spilled today could be the beginning of something bad.
Before leaving, Aenari noticed Kazen, who was clearly in a bad mood.
It seemed like a heavy blow to him, as he was still just a child. As for me, I have to get used to such sights for my own sake. Lost in thought, I made my way back to a hot breakfast.
The following months passed relatively calmly. However, Aenari didn’t remain idle. He asked Alfred to buy products that could increase his stats, and Alfred agreed.
And thus began my first steps on a path that was still undefined.