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Chapter 3: Sibling

My hands gripped the bark of the Sycora tree and I gritted my teeth as the prickly wood pierced my skin slightly as I pulled myself up the branches. My shoes scraped against the bark, chipping pieces of it off as I scrambled to gain a footing.

"You're too slow!" Varis laughed from atop the tree.

"Sh-shut up!" I retorted as I finally caught footing and once again resumed my scramble to the top. As the branches became more numerous and thinner as I neared the top, I found my ascent to become easier and more fluid as I scurried up the branches like a ladder. My small, light body was no strain on the thinning branches as I went up. Eventually, I poked my head through the cherry-pink leaves beside my brother and we were immediately greeted by the cold breeze blowing over us from the nearby mountains that surrounded our valley in a bowl.

Immediately, before I could take in the wonderful view around us, my brother’s fist playfully slugged me in the shoulder, causing me to wince as it stung a little. "Hey, what did Dad say about hitting girls?" I yelped and grumbled as I rubbed the pain away from my shoulder.

"Father is not present,” My brother smirked and swayed from side to side. “And you act more like a boy than a girl. So, I get a pass!" That doesn't make any sense. I thought as Varis stuck his tongue out at me and smirked as I rolled my eyes. "Now you have to do the dishes tonight with Mother."

I gawked. "Si-since when?!"

"Since now. I won the climb." He smugly puffed his chest.

God, I'm starting to despise him again. "We never agreed to that!" I protested.

"Losers are losers, so you have to do it." He laughed as I began to pout, and the moment he saw my expression his smile faltered and he sighed, "Luna, I'm just joking."

Like always, this trick got him every time. Instantly I brightened up as I beamed at him. "So am I!” I slapped his shoulder lightly. “So, we both do the dishes tonight." Varis blinked his green and blue eyes, flicking from side to side as he realized he had fallen for my trap before scowling and huffing.

"Fine." He harrumphed, puffed his chest, and looked towards the town of Oren, our hometown. It was a beautiful little place, home to only a few hundred citizens. The town itself was really only one main street with a couple of off-chutes for houses lived in by those who owned the few shops on the main road. Many of the actual residents lived in farms just outside of the town, like the Hautchkins whose Mill was close by, and further on we could see our house on the nearby hill. Our parents weren’t farmers like the Hautckins, instead, our mother was a baker and our father was a constable. For those who don’t know, a constable is a lot like a police officer.

You probably noticed as well that I said “my” or “our” parents, and that I’m not calling mother “Boss” or father “Bonehead”. While they’re both totally those things, over the years the family has grown on me. Things have gotten a lot better ever since I stopped freaking out over whether or not I was in a coma or perhaps having some crazy dream right before my death or some shit like that. At some point, around the time I started learning to speak, I just accepted this new life. Part of me feels off about leaving everything I had left behind, even though much of it wasn’t great. But thinking about that stuff isn’t good for my mental health, so I just take all those bad thoughts, and logically I shove all of that deep down inside of me to a point so I don’t have to think about it. I then cork that bottle and pray that it never bursts open. I never said it was a good idea, but it worked so far.

My brother, Varis, turned to me with a mischievous grin after recovering from my trap. "But don't think you're getting away with it next time! Soon, you’ll be doing all the dishes!" I chuckled and playfully nudged him.

“Nuh uh, I know your weakness.” I flashed him a devious smile.

My brother scoffed. “I doubt it.” He stuck his nose in the air as he shifted on the branch he straddled. “I have no weaknesses. You heard, Momma, I’m perfect.”

“She says that to both of us,” I added.

“Uh, well, Papa says so too!” He said his eyes flicking left to right.

“Papa is a bonehead,” I said and Varis gasped.

“I’m gonna tell you said that!” He smirked thinking he had me.

While I said I don’t refer to my parents by their nicknames anymore, that wasn’t entirely true. When I started to learn how to speak, I occasionally caught myself calling them by their names. At first, my father was angry when I called him a bonehead, however, my mother found it hysterical. Now, it was sort of an inside joke in the family that came up. So much so, that even my mother started calling him that.

“You know Papa secretly likes it.” I stuck my tongue back at him. “Face it, Varis, if you’re perfect, and I’m perfect, then that means we cancel each other out. If I go down.” My eyes narrowed. “I’m bringing you with me.”

My brother had to think for a few seconds as his mind processed my threat. His gaze turned away from me and he looked forward and gulped. “Well. Then… We both do the dishes together?” I smiled and leaned over to pat his shoulder.

“I’d like that.”

Far off in the direction of our home. A sharp whistle could be heard and Varis. “That’s Momma! We gotta go!” He announced and quickly the two of us began to scamper down the tree. “First one home gets the last of Momma’s cookies!” Varis shouted and I groaned.

“Why does everything have to be a competition?” I grumbled to myself. Knowing this would continue all the way home.

It's been six years since I've awoken in this new world. Even though I had accepted my place in this new life, adapting to this world has been immensely difficult. Much has changed since I was reborn. The biggest being is that I’ve learned a lot about the language of this world or really the country; my parents had hired a home tutor for Varis and me. When my parents noticed how intelligent I was, which oh boy they’re going to be disappointed when I’m older. Sure I’m smart for a kid, but man, back then I was a dumbass. It’s good to know and admit to my faults. But, they don’t have to know that. My parents think I’m some sort of little genius. To fool them I try to act my age, my new age I mean, I’m six years old. So I try to act like a little kid, but I tend to forget sometimes, especially when I’m alone.

Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. My parents hired a tutor for my brother and I. Since my Mother is always busy in the bakery, and my father is off doing small-town police work. No one was around to teach us. So, in came our new teacher.

Ma and Pa pooled as much money together as they could and hired Madam Isa Soza, a gorgeous Serelli woman. What the hell is a serelli you may ask? Well, heh. From what my mother told me, a serelli is a different species of people. Specifically in a group known as the Beast-kin or beast-folk, though such terms can be considered taboo or derogatory so mother told me to never say such a thing around them. A serelli specifically looks like a human-feline hybrid. The typical sort of fantasy creature you’d see in an anime or game. I think folk on the internet had a slang term for it. Catfolk, or nekos. Something like that. I swear, I never got into it… Okay, I lie. I was super into that stuff but mainly for the character designs okay? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Madam Soza is a brilliant teacher, she’s kind, patient, and, well, very good-looking, if I'm being honest. Like, super pretty. For a home school teacher, she had the build of an Olympic track runner and assets of a night club dancer if you know what I mean. Before anyone can say anything, during class I was always looking respectfully. That I can be one-hundred percent honest about and any rumors you hear coming from some kid whose name rhymes with Baris is not to be trusted and should be reported, to me.

Anyways, Madam Soza was the one who taught us the common tongue and, more importantly, the Maurich language. The common tongue is the language used primarily in this world, the world of Enora. Specifically for diplomatic talks and business, as well as for those simply traveling abroad. Maurich, however, is the language of the Father Land, Heinmarr. More specifically, the Heinmarr Republic. Which is where my family and I live now.

Since my parents are Maurich speakers (though my mother is also fluent in the common tongue), Soza began by teaching my brother and me that language. Since the two languages are so similar, it was helpful to have multiple people guide my studies. Thinking about it, the closest comparison I can make to this is Latin. It is the linguistic ancestor of many European languages, although in this case, the linguistic ancestor is universal. Soza informed me that Common had previously gone by a different name but that it had eventually changed. She told me that the downfall of Common came about at a time when all humanoids spoke the same language and all the known races colluded to overthrow the gods. Disapproving of this, the gods forced everyone to forget, thus leading to the creation of many different languages. Or something along those lines.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Naturally, I'm greatly paraphrasing this. Perhaps I should sit down and read more of the narrative later because it's extremely interesting as a whole. Also because I don’t really have much to do around the house. Nevertheless, Soza taught Varis and me for many days and sleepless nights in the interim. For obvious reasons, I picked up most things more quickly than Varis did. Take mathematics, for example, which is the same as it was in my previous life, save for the characters that represented the numbers. To be honest, I think I went overboard. I was awful at math in my previous life, at least algebraically. However, basic algebra, geometry, and below is a cakewalk. If I had a pencil, paper, and if I had a calculator oh man I would be unstoppable!

Though, for the sake of secrecy, I attempted to pretend to be incompetent, but Soza quickly realized that I wasn't as clueless as I seemed. This, together with my parents, pleasantly surprised her. It seemed to annoy Varis a little, but hopefully, I didn't injure his pride too much.

Ah, what the hell.

Me: 2

Small child: 0

It was also around the time at the start of my education that I learned how to properly pronounce my name as well as that of my family. Roona, when converted to Common and Maurich, actually means "Luna," which at first, I thought was named after one of the two moons above Enora. Though no, my mother explained that I was named after the constellation of a famous adventurer back in the day, Luna Mayfly. An Elven Sorceress who had once fought alongside a legendary group known simply as "The Seven" during the "Twilight War", which to me sounded metal as hell! Now that made me feel special. A sorceress? I wonder what she was like, or what she looked like. If she was part of some heroic group she had to have been super powerful. Also, Twilight War, that’s a cool name for a conflict. Eh, okay, hold on, I mean the name of it is cool. I doubt the actual event was anything but… anyway.

I'm getting sidetracked.

The languages of Maurich and Common handle Ls weirdly, as they're pronounced similarly to Rs when compared to English. To be frank, this is what I struggled with the most. Madam Soza always ridiculed me about my accent and how I had a "speech impediment". Which I simply started calling the "American Debuff". I should clarify that it wasn't harsh teasing; it was more playful. Soza told me that, as a lady, I speak too boyishly and should spend more time with my mother or make friends with some girls. Like, come on! That’s not fair.

Eh, I didn't get to choose to be a man for the majority of my other life. Also, it’s not like Madam Soza or the others knew that, nor will they ever. Not that they’d believe me anyway if I told them. I guess she is right to a degree. I noticed a lot during these past few years and during Soza's teachings that this world is a lot more open-minded compared to my past life. I've noticed that while there still appears to be some form of inequality between genders, it is nowhere near as harsh. Men and women share the same jobs and outfits, they can join the army, and apparently, this country has a voting system, which they partake in too. Yet even then, there still seems to be a looming expectation over women, you know the whole start a family and raise kids sort of thing. Most of this I picked up from reading and eavesdropping on the adults.

Hopefully, as I grow up much of that will change for the better.

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"Is something bothering you, Luna?" Gentle purring came from Madam Soza as she set the portable chalkboards on the dining room table. "You look like you're thinking really hard about something."

The Serelli woman's red feline ears whirled like radar dishes as she followed the sound of Mother clacking dishes together in the sink as she cleaned up, and I blinked and looked up at her before lowering my head back down to my toast and coocha eggs I was having for breakfast. Such a weird name for a creature. At first, my man brain immediately slapped the nickname “Coochie eggs” because I’m immature like that.

A coocha is a weird creature. It’s like a chicken, but not. Instead of feathers, they have fur, and they're small and fat. They have no arms or even a beak, what they have is a small snout that protrudes out which is full of small sharp teeth, and around their head, they have these freaky frills that shoot out like that dinosaur from Jurassic Park that spit venom. They’re freaky-looking things, but, they do lay some good ass eggs.

I sighed as I lazily twirled my fork around on the table. "I'm just wondering what life will be like as I get older."

Soza blinked for a second and I noticed she was gazing at me in astonishment, her green eyes wide, as she brushed her red hair out of her face. "Well, that is quite a big thing to be thinking about for someone your age." She laughed as she sat down on the chair opposite me. "What exactly are you thinking about?"

As I picked at my eggs with a fork, I could hear a sleepy Varis stumbling down the stairs to join us. "Nothing major, really. " I said, "I guess I'm simply wondering what the experience would be like overall. I often fantasize of joining the military as my father did and going on adventures like the wayfarers that pass through town." I let out a deep sigh.

Oren, the place we called home, is a tiny village located sixty or so miles from the Rusimian border. Agriculture and the neighboring magrite vein mining (I'm assuming a magical crystal) are the town's two main industries. I don't know a lot about it yet. Although a lot of travelers and explorers pass through here because of our proximity to the border of a huge country, many of those groups resemble those I used to oversee in my Dungeons & Dragons games.

With her long, scarlet, fluffy tail flicking softly behind her back and forth, Soza tapped her chin. "Well, I'm not surprised. Many children fantasize about traveling the world. Being a soldier or an adventurer would grant you such wishes. Do you yearn for adventure, Luna?" She asked me.

Varis drew his chair out and sat next to me, just as Mother came over and placed his food in front of him before ruffling his hair. "Maybe..." I mumbled; honestly, I had no idea. I hadn't left my room respectfully in over six years of my previous existence. I've spent a quarter of my life online, only leaving when I needed to accomplish something that I couldn't do from a computer. Even back then, I wanted to do something outside, but I couldn't bring myself to go.

Seeing my conflicted expression, Soza purred and smiled as her tail flicked back and forth more rapidly. She gestured out to my breakfast with her calloused, clawed hand. "Think about it. Though do not think too much, Luna, or else you may forget what it's like to be a child. Pondering the future too much will leave you blind to what is here in the present. Enjoy life for what it is now and take things as they come. Now, finish your breakfast. Today we'll be working on grammatical writing and math. Varis, you'll be working on addition, and Luna, I noticed you seem to already be aware of multiplication."

"Aaaah, I hate math!" Varis grumbled tiredly as he slurped up his eggs.

I blushed and rubbed my neck. "I, uh, found a book upstairs that talked about it." I lied, and Soza smiled and shrugged.

"I will not discourage outside study. It does make my life easier." She chuckled as we finished up our breakfast and began our morning lessons.

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"How're you so good at math?" Varis asked me as we walked past the front gate to our property. He tightened the backpack on his shoulder full of the baked goods we were taking to the Hautchkins that they had ordered along with some other baked goods Mother had made in thanks for letting us use their mill. I turned and waved my hand goodbye to Mother, who stood on the front porch beside Madam Soza.

"Be back soon!" I shouted and turned back to Varis. Part of me wanted to be honest and tell him that playing years of D&D and calculating stats and difficulty modifiers had done more work for me than school, but instead, I chose to say, "Because I study unlike you." I teased and poked out my tongue, only to yell when I felt his fist strike my shoulder. "Hey!" I slugged him back, though he didn't flinch, and I huffed.

Varis rolled his eyes and said, "I haven't even seen you study once. Aside from all those books you take from our father's study, all you do is read."

"And that's called studying, Varis. Duh!" I swear this kid is a doorknob sometimes, though I get him. Back in my old life, I despised studying. I could never understand those kids who just seemed to know everything and got to do whatever they wanted. I guess to him, I seem like one of those kids. Little does he know I already have a high school education and a background in IT, not that IT will help me in this world, and of course those years of D&D.

I shrugged. "I dunno how to say it; it just comes to me easily," I said as I tried to give him a cute smile, hoping it would ease him. "If you ever need help, I can help you study... Varis?" I noticed my smile didn't work. He seemed to be looking straight ahead as we walked towards the Hautchkins mill, which can be seen in the distance.

Varis sighed and shook his head. "I don't get it... I want to be as smart as you. Every day since Soza came, you've shown mother and father how smart you are. Now all they ever do is talk about you!"

I blinked and shook my head. "That's not true. Mother and father love us equally, Varis, and like I said, I can help--"

Varis raised his hands in the air and turned to face me. "I don't want help!" He interrupted. "I just want to be as cool as you!" Part of me wanted to snap at him though I bit my lip and counted inwardly to three. It's painful trying to talk to a child. Yet, once again, as irritated as I was I could identify with him; fears and inferiority complexes were issues I used to suffer from and, in some ways, still do. So, I took a deep breath after counting to three and smiled at him once more.

"Brother, you are cool." I pointed at him and began my next operation. Operation glaze. "Already, you have our father's strong looks, and you have those super cool eyes. Speaking of which, I don't have super cool eyes like you, and you can climb trees really fast. You're special in your own way. You know?"

"Well, you're pretty like Mom!" I smacked his shoulder as I felt my cheeks burn a bright cherry red.

"No! I'm saying nice things right now; shut up! You're special in your own way, just as I'm special in mine. We're hum--elves! All elves are different." I almost messed that up there and said humans. "I may be good at learning things, but you're strong and look super cool, like a superhero!"

"Superhero?" He blinked.

I guess superheroes like Spider-Man and such aren't a thing here, yet. "Uh yeah! Like adventurers, like the Wizard Merlin or the Sorcerer Luna! You have the capability of being those guys. Leave the books and such to me, and I can leave all the swords and athletic stuff to you. We'll be like a team!" I pounded my fist into my palm as I listed off the only two heroes I knew.

This seemed to lighten the mood a little, as Varis blushed deeply before nodding with a smile. "Thank you, Sister."

I returned his smile and gave him a pat on the shoulder, which I had to stretch up on my tiptoes to do. "No problem! You and I, we're siblings; we should work together, not compete." I wish this was something I'd done in my prior life. Working together with my brothers instead of pushing them away

"Y-yeah." Varis nodded as silence fell over us as we walked, though it was broken shortly after with, "But I can beat you to the Hautchkins, though."

Oh no, he didn't. "Doubt that! Y'know, I can run fast!" I said as I bolted forward down the dirt road with Varis running by my side.