[Chapter:3][The first skill]

{Old Jack.}

"W-who!?"

The short, white haired and hunch backed old man nearly jumped as he heard a voice in his head.

{I'm the baby in your hands right now.}

"Wh-what!? The b-baby!?"

He looked at the motionless, seemingly sleeping baby lying in his arms incredulously.

{Yes. Now don't ask any questions, remain calm, and just listen to me, understood?}

"Y-yes!"

Al felt rather surprised at the effect of Max Loyalty. Although the System had indeed reassured him, it was still surprising to see an old man who had just been ordered by the 0 years old baby in his arms telepathically actually following them.

Old Jack, although confused, startled, and even a little afraid, somehow felt like as long as it was from the baby in his arms, everything would be alright. It was a strange, even bizarre feeling which he couldn't know where it came from, but it somehow made him feel calm and at ease.

{First things first, you can't tell anyone about me, understood? To everyone but you, I am just a regular baby that absolutely can't talk to you through you mind.}

"Understood."

Old Jack nodded solemnly.

{Secondly, I want you to raise me as your grandson. Don't give me away to the orphanage or whatever.}

"I was originally going to send you away to the orphanage in Notting City, but if that's what you wish for, id be happy to be your grandpa, child."

The old man strangely accepted the order as he showed the baby a grandfatherly smile. For some reason, Al 'felt' the smile, even though he couldn't see it, and felt something warm and fuzzy appear in his heart.

'What the hell?'

((That's the effect of Max Relation. You didn't think it was only one way, did you? When you raise someone's affection or loyalty, you, too, will be affected. Of course, as the host of the System, the effect wouldn't be to the point where you'd die if you're asked to without a question.))

((Same as how your relation with others can increase easily and cannot decrease easily, those with high relation values can make you feel comfortable and at ease. It wouldn't be an instant process, but since Old Jack has a 100 Loyalty towards you, in the coming years, you will come to be a loyal and loving grandson towards him too.))

((This is done to make sure other hosts, whom you would never meet as none of the hosts are in the same Omniverse, wouldn't brainwash people to get Relation Points.))

'Ah, so that's how it is.'

It meant that Al couldn't treat those with Max relation with him as slaves to order around, but he wasn't planning to either.

Regardless, for now, he put the issue aside.

{My name is Ra'al, or just Al.}

"Then that's what I'll call you, little Al."

'Little Al…sounds weird, but whatever.'

{Next, how many people are there in the village?}

This was especially important as Al had no idea whether Tang Hao had arrived in the village or not. If he hadn't, he would have to make sure there were no differences than usual as not having a Titled Douluo to guarantee his safety would be quite dangerous.

Luckily, it seemed he thought too much.

"Including me, there are 17 adults in the village. Four old people and their son and daughter who have a just born baby, eight other young couples, a young widow, and another man who had come quite recently with his baby boy."

{What's his name?}

"He's called Tang Hao, and his son is Tang San."

'Perfect.'

Al sighed in relief.

{From now on, you'll be living life as you usually would, other than raising me as your grandson, of course.}

"Of course."

Old Jack nodded before Al gave him another order, the reason why he had talked to him to begin with.

{By the way, the village is called Holy Spirit village because of a Spirit Saint right? Did he leave anything behind?}

In a certain fanfic he had read before, Al recalled the MC got quite powerful techniques. Although it was only a fanfic and not the original, he still had hopes.

Who knows?

And surprisingly,

"Yes, that Spirit Saint, my great great grandfather, left a book that has been my family heirloom for generations. It's a Spirit Power Cultivation technique, but unfortunately, none of my ancestors or I could practice it. Alas, what a pity…"

Al didn't care about the old man's regrets as he quickly asked,

{Bring it to me and let me see it.}

At the same time, he was communicating with the System.

'Why am I able to understand the language he is talking in?'

((It's one of the p benefits from the System. Every world you go to, you will also get one special perk. Since this is your first world, I selected it for you.))

. . . . . .

[Perfect Literate : No matter which language you encounter, you can read, write, and speak it perfectly.]

. . . . . .

It was certainly a useful perk, and Al thanked the System for it.

((I exist to serve you best. Still appreciate the thanks, host.))"

'You can call me Al. Also, you're unnamed, right?'

With the old man putting him down and going away to fetch the book, Al had time to ponder.

'Let's see…a good name…how about Ella? El for short, it rhymes with my name.'

((Registering name…confirmed. My name is Ella, and I shall henceforth refer to you as Al. Once again, a pleasure to be with you, Al.))

'Hey, you changed you voice.', Al said as he heard the distinctly feminine voice of the System, now Ella.

((Yes, do you like it?))

'It's good.'

Just then, Al heard Old Jack's voice as he approached him.

"Here, here, I brought it. My, no, our family's treasured heirloom."

{Good, not let me touch it.}

Old Jack placed the old, yellowed book next to the baby gently as he held Al's baby arm and made it touch it.

[[Learn skill [Peach Blossom Art]?]]

'Err…what kind of name is that?'

Al suddenly had the strange feeling that he was about to commit a mistake, but thinking about it, this would be the only skill available to him before he manages to get the protagonist, Tang San, to max relation.

Thinking so, he didn't hesitate as he nodded mentally.

'Learn.'

[[Consuming 1 Relation Point…skill [Peach Blossom Art] learned.]]

Knowledge flowed into his mind, and his previous premonition turned true…

'Fuck! A woman exclusive skill!?'