5 years have passed, 5 years since I've been reborn as Sora Malkuth, the son of the Emperor Erwin and the Empress Myllisidia of the Malkuth Empire. As someone who came from an average family in my previous life, such a huge change in lifestyle wasn't easy to adapt to but I think I got the hang of it now.

I spend most of my days learning how to act like a proper royal should with etiquettes and all that stuff, not that hard just boring filler stuff. I also have a teacher who comes 6 days a week to tutor me. I still ignore the reason why I am still homeschooled and hasn't been signed up into a proper establishment but I guess this is probably normal for royalties in this world. Whenever I have free time, I use it to read books, ocasionally chat with the castle's maids and butlers or to train myself.

I was overjoyed when I realized that I could learn magic. Naturally, I hurriedly learned everything I could to master it as soon as possible. I first had to sneak into the royal library. A massive library which contains records of everything you could think of, I "borrowed" a few dozen of books about magic controls, swordsmanship and all that stuffs. Something impossible to do for a kid became really easy to accomplish thanks to my previous life's memories. After I memorized the books enough that I could recite them even in my sleep, I snuck into the elite knights training grounds late at night when no one would bother me and I practiced until I could no longer feel my body.

A tiring but necessary process to get one step closer to accomplishing my dream. Everything was going smoothly so far. During the day I was the adorable son of the family and as soon as the sun set, I became the most hardworking person you've ever seen. It wasn't always easy managing between the two, there came many times when I was so close to getting caught but your boy became way too good at this.

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"That will be it for today. Good work you two. We will resume our training tomorrow, same hour." The commanding voice of our swordsmaster reasonated throughout the entire training ground as she signaled the end.

"Thank you instructor Lumière" Me and my sister Rumia said in unison, bowing to the older women who nodded.

"It was a pleasure. Young mistress Rumia, you're looking as good as ever, keep it up. Young lord Sora ! Your executions are lacking. You are far to slow at reacting to incoming strikes and your posture could use some work. But all is not lost, I can feel great potential in you. Keep up the good work." Her report finished, she bowed down and walked away preparing to leave. "By the way, your father, the Emperor, has summoned you to the throne room. It seems like he has something quite important to say to you. Please excuse me but I have pressing matters to attend."

Now that we were left alone, my big sister allowed herself to fall to her knee, the harsh session had gotten the better of her. I wasn't even tired at all but I had built a persona of being good but still weaker than her so I imitated her movements.

"Instructor Lumière is so mean...Her sessions keep getting longer and harder..I'm not sure I can keep up." I said looking at Rumia with a tired expression. I also made sure to munch on peppers I had hid in my pockets as I threw myself the ground, sweat started dripping down my face which to the untrained eye, was the product of an harsh training.

My sister got up and dusted herself. "I agree but it is not so bad. I know we are still children, but we are the future of this Empire, we have to be well versed in a myriad of things and swordsmanship is one of them. Plus, don't you think it's kinda fun, the feelings you have when you overcome difficulties." She hand out an hand at me which I gratefully took.

I got to say, it is really handy that my sister is such a nice and confident person. Her motivation and determination is second to none, she could be facing gods and she wouldn't back down, this is exactly why she's better fit as a ruler than I am...That and the fact that I could not care less about being Emperor. There has been numerous times, where I thought of being born as noble to be inconvenient. I can't escape the royal parties and all that formal stuffs but if I can show everyone how amazingly potent my sister's leadership is, then I can stay on the side and focus on grinding with no end in sight.

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Father's meeting had wrapped up rather quickly, he had summoned us to say that in 3 years we will start going to school. The one he had picked for the occasion was the royal academy of Hesed in the capital. It is a place where the best of the best send their children. Dukes, barons, baronets, royal children from other countries, marquis, counts you named it, everyone is here. I also heard that they even started welcoming commoners not too long ago. Not a lot have enrolled mind you but it's slowly growing. Both my parents graduated from there with exceptional grades and they expect the same from us.

Nothing too different from my past life just some extra pressure but I can deal with it.

When I learned of his decision, I could not contain my excitement. If there is anything that anime taught me, it's that schools in another worlds are often the epicenter of everything. Terrorists attacks, classes going wrong and ending up with students fighting opponents much stronger than them are two of my favorites tropes. Oh Man, I really can't wait ! Please let those 3 years fly quickly.

I was walking down the hallways when I spotted the most important person in my life : My personal maid, Aria. A tall and beautiful woman wearing a traditional fantastical maid outfit cleaning up the playroom.

Her most noticeable feature outside of her long green hair is her long pointy ears, a proof of her elfic lineage. She has been with me for most of my life, playing with me, acting at times both as a teacher and a second mother. She's in fact responsible for most of my knowledge of the outside world. I was on good terms and ocasionally chatted with the other workers, but she and I had a closer relationship.

Being around her revealed a side effect to being reborn, my mental state regressed a lot. While I still have memories of an older person, and I am basically smarter than your average 5 years old, I still have moments of childishness such as throwing tantrums, being easily distracted, crying for nothing and feeling all hot inside when I'm near a gorgeous woman. After years of mental training, I managed to get better at controling my urges but I still have a long way to go.

"Aria is so beautiful today. Hehehe"

"Hello young master. Please wait a moment, we are currently busy cleaning the room."

I came to my senses to see the elven beauty staring at me with a curious look. I A faint shade of rose tainted my cheeks, 2 years of nonstop training to fortify my focus all for it to be wasted. Anyway this might be good after all, I've been working on differents things and one of them happened to be confessing to a woman.

If I remember correctly, Aria should be around 17 ....I know how it sounds but hear me out ! Medieval based period, she is an elf which is the species that cares the least about age gap from what she told me, and we can keep our current relationship until I am 14, age at which any young nobles become eligible to

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get married.

I curled up my hands and looked at the young woman, still harboring a curious expression.

I tried my best to look as determinated as ever, remembering what Rumia taught me.

Elves admires someone who looks and sounds confident. Of course everyone is different, but it's a shared trait amongst many of them.

"Aria ! As you may know, in 9 years I will turn 14. Many suitors will come for me as I am eligible for the throne. But when that moment comes to be....The only one I want by my side is you."

"Eh....." Aria's squeals resonated throughout the entire room. From the corner of my eyes, I could see the other servants stopping what they were doing, they were eager to see where this would go.

Aria's eyes widened, she blinked twice as if taking time to process what I said. Her understanding indicated by her face becoming red and her eyes casting downwards.

"My...My lord, what are you saying all of the sudden."

"It is exactly as I said ! I want Aria to stay by my side even as I become an adult."

Now I knew that she could not deny my feelings anymore, whatever doubt she

still had must have evaporated by now.

"My prince...I don't know what to say, I am not worthy of such praises. Why would you rather have me, a lowly maid when you could easily marry a princess from a neighboring country." The maid was stammering, she had to force each words to come out of her mouth, her eyes started watering.

"Because I love everything about Aria. I love your smile which puts me in a good mood everytime I see it, I love your beautiful long hair and the way it compliments your features, I love your friendly and approachable attitude". I'm also attracted to her voluptuous figure but I can't say that. Now that everything is going well, it's time for the finishing touch.

I knelt on one knee, putting my left hand on my chest as I gave her the best serious look I could muster.

"Even if I become the Emperor, my life won't be complete without you at my side. I swear to protect you and I want you to become mine."

At that point, she couldn't link coherent words anymore, it was obvious that my confession had touched her.

Just as planned ! I am pretty good at this.

Aria like the talented maid that she was, still managed to partially get over her initial shock. She did a curtsy as she lowered her head. Small droplets of tears emanating from her eyes and disappearing as they touched the grey colored carpet.

"It would be an honor my prince to be at your side not as your maid but as your beloved. As promised, I shall wait until you are of age before we start entering a relationship. Until then please take care of me." The other persons present in the room started applauding and congratulating us. They encircled the still blushing Aria giving their best wishes or voicing their envy.

Aaaaand nailed it ! This is how you confess to someone. Since I never payed any attention to girls in my past life, I never thought I had the skills to pull this off. I guess training really payed off.

As I started getting up, something came crashing right in my back forcing me down on the ground.

"Soooooora" I looked back to see my sister, a big grin plastered on her face as she stood on top of me. She was not only good friends with all the staff but she was also a young girl so obviously she was interested in these romantic developements. "I didn't know my little brother was such a charmer. To think you are still so young, I suppose I should keep tabs on you during our school year ."

I ignored her as she rambled some more, nodding at times and letting out some "Of course" at appropriate intervals to give the illusion that I was listening to her. I loved and care about her but she could be really annoying at times.

Her brocon phase over, she leaned closer and whispered into my ears. "Aria is a wonderful woman and you better take good care of her. If I learn that you're not up to it."

I gulped. I knew too well where this was going.

"Then there will be terrible consequences" She laughed as she tickled my sides. Introducing another weakness of of my new body : I am now ticklish. Back in Japan, I wasn't, in fact I was the only one in my family to not be. But it seems that whoever was in charge of my afterlife chose to deliberately remove this from me, screwing me big time.

"What are you...Hahaha...Stop you idiot...Hahaha" Unable to form a coherent sentence anymore, I looked at the domestic servants in hope that they would catch my drift and deliver me from this tyrant.

"Look the young mistress is teasing the young master again, it looks like they are having fun."

"It is always pleasant to see children having fun and enjoying themselves, I am glad to be able to see such sight."

Followed by a few giggles, they really did not care at all. These traitors ! I trusted them.

My punishment continued and Rumia showed no sign of stopping, I had to take matters into my own hands.

"Haha....St....Stop....I can't.....MOTHER.....FATHER.....HELP ME.....

"

As if on cue, the door opened and a majestuous couple walked in, it was the Emperor and the Empress aka my parents. Seeing their employers, the servants immediately bowed at them. My mom cheerfully greeted them while my dad nodded, he looked at Rumia and I who were lying on the ground as we "played".

"Rumia ! Let your brother go."

"But Father, Sora and I were just playing, we were-"

"No buts young lady, can't you see you're taking this too far. He doesn't want to play anymore."

Rumia frowned and looked down, it looked like she had something to say but she kept it to herself as she unhanded me and got off me. I looked at her face to see small tears threatening to leave her eyes.

Oh yeah, that's right we are still little kids. I keep forgetting that fact. I feel kinda bad for her, I'll make it up to her later.....I think.

Rumia hurried to Mother and buried her face into her dress, the latter doing her best to comfort the former.

While Father scolded her, Mother seemed a bit more empathic. She lightly reprimanded him before kneeling down to Rumia's height and playfully pinched her cheeks. "It's okay sweetie, I know you were just teasing your brother but you did overstep your bounds. Do you understand me ?" Rumia nodded and bowed her head though she seemed a little upset.

As my parents were ready to take their leave, the sounds of heavy footsteps made themselves known outside the door.

Someone was definitely running down the corridor. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing, their eyes riveted on the intruder who opened the door with such force that it looked like it would break.

"Your Majesty !"

A man appeared, I immediately recognized him, his golden hair culminating in a long beard hanging from his chin, his outfit which revealed him to be of high position in the royal army, his long tattered cape hanging behind him. It was Lanz von Keuffer, he appeared quite panicked as he leaned on the doorway to catch his breath.

I love seeing this man, whenever he comes by, it is usually for one reason and one reason only. Judging by his attitude, it has to be a big one.

"Your Majesty ! This is terrible ! Mercenaries, they have started attacking us. We have sent some of our best men but they haven't come back yet.

Father stepped forward to the general. "Is that so General Lanz ? Is this a large force ?" Father was extremely worried, he probably feared that the mercenaries came from the neighboring kingdom as a way to declare war.

Finally some action, I've been bored of life becoming too peaceful. I've been prating every night for a bandit attack to no success. How nice of them to deliver themselves to me.

Father continued asking questions. "What's the situation, General Lanz ? Should we send reinforcements or should we wait ?

"Could these mercenaries be send by a neighboring kingdom ? What do they want with us ? " Mother chimed in.

The General shook his head. "We have no reason to believe it is an empire responsible for these mercenaries, but they are certainly strong. I believe we won't have enough men for a direct confrontation."

"I suggest we call the other kingdoms and the alliance of the empire, we will need all the help we can get for this battle." suggested Mother, trying her best keep her worry to a minimum.

The Emperor approved of her idea. "That's not a bad idea. General ! I want you to send letters to the surrounding provinces immediately, we will organize a defense."

Lanz nodded, as he was about to leave, a soldier came in rushing in the same panic that he graced us with, excused himself for his presence and took the general apart to relay informations.

I could easily use magic to enhance my hearing and listen to their conversation, but where's the fun in spoiling the surprise.

"That-That cannot be...."

"What's wrong General ? Pray tell us what seems to trouble you." asked the Empress.

"The mercenaries that are attacking, it appears that they are led by none other than her ! The Beast of the East !"