4 New World, New Body
It's been 5 months since I've been reincarnated as a baby, and the time spent as a baby was in one word, embarrassing. Imagine this, you have the mental age of a 19-year-old, the time where you start thinking of yourself and being independent more, then you get stuck inside a baby's body and lose control of all bodily functions.
Being unable to control your bladder and bowels was downright humiliating. What's more, having that beautiful post-teen maid clean up after my mess, and I was still 5 months old so I still had to endure this humiliation for more months to come!
Anyway, complaints aside, I spent my time increasing the level of [Identify] with my meager reserves of Mana. Why meager you ask? Well, it's because of this perk.
Newborn – You are a baby. You are weak, both physically and mentally. Reduce all stats except Luck to 5%. Exchanged to [Infant] upon reaching 1st birthday.
Yeah, it feels like this game is actively nerfing me so I don't get OP immediately. This isn't a novel damn it! I want to become OP ASAP so I can spend my time doing things I like! Not grind for years only to reach the middle-tier strength of my current world where enemies can still one shot me!
I mentally sighed and stared at the ceiling from the safety of my wooden crib. I can't do anything drastic since there is always a person guarding me 24/7. Be they maids, butlers, or even my own family. I forgot to mention this as well, I have 3 siblings, one twin sister, one older sister, and one older brother. My brother is the eldest, and if I really am born in a noble family in this kingdom, then he is the heir.
And you guessed it, Feudalism is the operating government in this kingdom. My family has the Earl title, not that high up on the pecking order. The history of my family I have no idea as of now since they won't give me the education seeing as I'm still a newborn.
I can't even practice the magic I gained after getting [Mana Manipulation]. Bah, looks like it'll have to wait. I'll max [Identify] for the moment until I get more leeway.
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Two more months passed and I finally maxed out [Identify] after grinding it like no tomorrow, using it on maids and butlers, as well as my family members. I no longer have to use MP to use [Identify], so I can now spam it at targets to know their info. And boy were there a lot of information. Here's a simple one from my father.
Name: Maximillos Colinus
Title: Sleeping Bear
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Level: ?
Str: ?
Vit: ?
End: ?
Agi: ?
Dex: ?
Int: ?
Wis: ?
Luc: ?
Bio: Maximillos is a renowned adventurer from the noble family of Colinus. Once the third son of the family, now reinstated heir and lord after the death of the previous heir. Maximillos was, and is still a frightening fighter, even if he is packing up on age currently. He was also known for his near ballistic rage whenever someone tried harming those he cares about, thus gaining him the title of 'Sleeping Bear' from the Guild Headmasters themselves. He still sucks at politics though.
Damn, if dad (I'm calling him dad) knew politics along with his skill with fighting, then he would be a tremendous badass.
"Seth!" a chipper voice came from beyond the door. I twisted my head a bit and glanced at the tiny (but huge figure for me) stare back at me with bright, green eyes, a blazing smile plastered on her face. Surprisingly, I could understand what everybody was saying, even if I knew it was in a different language. "Ahh!!! You're so cute! Give me a hug!"
She all but dove right to my side and carefully wrapped her hands around me, long blonde hair cascading around her body and stroking my face. She didn't carry me though since her body was still small, even if she was 5 years older than me. The maid beside her stood silently, observing the heartwarming scene with a stoic smile.
Ahh… Lynette! My second-favorite sibling. I tried to return the hug back, but with my tiny arms, I barely reached halfway her waist. This didn't stop her from grinning like an idiot though.
Name: Lynette Colinus
Title: N/A
Age: 2
Gender: Female
Level: 1
Str: 1
Vit: 2
End: 1
Agi: 1
Dex: 2
Int: 3
Wis: 4
Luc: 10
Bio: The first daughter of Maximillos and Susane Colinus. This bundle of energy will wear you down in minutes once she has her energetic arms around you.
Thoughts about you: Joy, elation, playfulness
Yes, classic Lynette. I cooed happily as she poked my face with her tiny finger. I didn't smile all that much though. I may be a teen, but this baby mind and body is hampering with my ability to think, not that it's a bad thing. In fact, I enjoy being pampered, unless it's about potty training.
She smiled and giggled happily as she played around me, skipping and trotting. Once she had fun with me, she then went to my sister who was sleeping beside me.
Name: Lyra Colinus
Title: N/A
Age: 0
Gender: Female
Level: 1
Str: 1
Vit: 1
End: 1
Agi: 1
Dex: 1
Int: 1
Wis: 1
Luc: 10
Bio: Second daughter of Maximillos and Susane Colinus, as well as the twin sister of Sethsamm Colinus, her elder twin brother.
Thoughts about you: Comfort
I smiled mentally at the cute face of my twin sister. I always wanted a twin, and it looks like I got my wish. Lynette poked the sleeping figure of my twin all the while cooing and giggling to herself.
What I would give to see that scene back at my previous life…
Ack, stop it. You're no longer there, you died protecting your family. Believe that they'll survive, some way or another…
I halted that train of thought once I saw my twin rustling at my side, awoken from the constant poking and prodding of my older sister. The maid just watched in silence as my twin's eyes open up, bright blue eyes staring at the ceiling, then back to Lynette's smiling face, then to my normally stoic face. She tossed and turn and began crawling to me to snuggle back to sleep.
… Fuck… This is too cute… I can't resist…
I wrapped my arms around her as Lyra snuggled deeper, Lynette and the maid watching in content with heartwarming smiles. I looked towards my twin, and my older sister, and I vowed.
I will not let anything happen to them.
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It's Lyra and my first birthday today. Both of us were dressed in formal wear (even though we were still babies) and brought to the grand hall of our estate. Apparently, there was a tradition for nobles in this kingdom, where you show off your children during their first birthday, fifth birthday, tenth birthday, and finally their fifteenth birthday when they come of age.
The two of us were carried by our parents and were taken to greet (one-sidedly I might add) towards the guests. Some were high-profile nobles while others were on the lower end on the spectrum. Since I was still 'young and clueless,' I abused [Identify] on all of the nobles and singled out those with intentions that may have threatening repercussions in the future, and stored them into memory. I'm lucky that [Identify] records the statuses I have been getting so I can recall them easily.
While I was scanning the area, my dad Maximillos stopped in his tracks causing my attention to shift. I stared at his neatly-shaven face and followed his eyes. He looked onto a man with brown hair that had some white growing here and there. Following him was a girl a year younger than Lynette with curly brown hair that reached her shoulders. She was dressed in a what people would call, Gothic Lolita style of formal wear.
"Ah, Lord Colinus, congratulations on your new children," the man said in a jovial tone. "A wonderful party may I add. And the two of them must be wonderful additions to the family!"
My dad returned a with a smile so fake, it could be used as plastic. "Yes, they are indeed, a wonderful addition to my family," he said calmly without any indication of annoyance or irritation, although I got the hint that my dad wanted him away from his sight.
I blinked, then used [Identify] on the newcomer.
Name: Nicholas Stanbrook
Title: N/A
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Level: 15
Str: 23
Vit: 27
End: 16
Agi: 19
Dex: 15
Int: 81
Wis: 74
Luc: 10
Bio: Nicholas Stanbrook, head of the Baron Family of Stanbrook. A man whose best field of expertise relies on the twisting of words, thoughts, and emotions. He is also a skilled practitioner in the arcane arts. A father of two, it is his goal to elevate his house ranking in the kingdom, and he would do anything to do it.
Thoughts about you: Necessary piece for his goal
… Welp, 1st year into the noble life and politics came knocking on my doorstep. I'll have to thank the game for giving me [Identify] so I can distinguish those that want me for profit and other negative reasons. I just hope dad knows a way out of this since going by his bio, he sucks at politics. I don't want to go into an arranged marriage, but why the hell in the first place would he approach us when he is of lower rank… Unless…
"Yes, of course. Allow me to introduce my daughter, Nicole Stanbrook," Nicholas gestured for Nicole to approach. For a four-year-old, she moves elegantly, must be taking education at an early age.
"Good evening, Lord Colinus," she curtsied cutely.
Name: Nicole Stanbrook
Title: N/A
Age: 4
Gender: Female
Level: 2
Str: 1
Vit: 2
End: 2
Agi: 4
Dex: 5
Int: 4
Wis: 4
Luc: 10
Bio: Fourth daughter of Nicholas and Ameli Stanbrook. Taught at a young age to be respectful to her superiors, she was raised as a political tool to raise her house standing by her father and mother. She's clueless towards their treatment though.
Thoughts about you: Childish curiosity
… I pity her…
"Good evening to you as well, Lady Stanbrook," dad returned the gesture with a slight bow.
"Well then, it has been a pleasurable experience speaking with you, Lord Colinus," Nicholas bowed, in which dad returned. "I bid you farewell, and this is such a wonderful party."
Nicholas left with Nicole in tow. My dad heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thought he'd never left…" he muttered under his breath. "But I think Susy is having a tougher time."
I mentally rolled my eyes. I don't think politics will ever suit my personality…
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Two more months passed and I found myself staring at my older brother. He had dirty blonde short hair and had heterochromia, a dull green color on his left, and a bright blue color on his right, a mix from dad and mom's eyes.
"…"
"…"
The two of us were engaged in a staring contest. Figures, he never was one for words, but I can still know what he's thinking, so not a big problem.
Name: Stefan Colinus
Title: N/A
Age: 7
Gender: Male
Level: 3
Str: 3
Vit: 4
End: 3
Agi: 5
Dex: 3
Int: 5
Wis: 5
Luc: 10
Bio: First son of Maximillos and Susane Colinus, and heir to the Colinus Earldom. Quiet, stoic, and mysterious, Stefan likes to be alone and has an introverted nature. He has a knack for magic, and is currently studying to learn how to control the elements. Loves his family more than he loves himself.
Thoughts about you: Love, compassion, playfulness
Yep, I have a kuudere brother. While both of us were staring into each other's eyes, my twin Lyra nudged me from the side, big eyes looking at me with curiosity. Because of that action, my gaze faltered a bit and blinked. Stefan smirked victoriously while I pouted.
My pride at staring contest shattered, I childishly glared at Lyra who was innocently poking her head around me. I blinked, then tilted my head down and snuggled closer to my twin who cooed happily and came closer.
Dang… I must be more childish than I thought. Then again, who didn't wish to be a child again? Free from the shackles of anxiety and worry about the future. Also, snuggling with my family felt good, an experience I wasn't able to fully enjoy back in my past life.
"Young Master Stefan?" a butler called out from outside the room. Stefan stood up headed his gaze towards the butler. "Your tutor has arrived."
Stefan nodded calmly but I could see the concealed excitement bubbling within. Tutor… is it about magic?
"Of course, thank you for reminding me, Finnley," Stefan said coolly as he walked outside the door, flashing one last smile towards me and my twin sitting on top of the mat inside our room.
"It is of no problem, Young Master. I aim to please," Finnley said with a grandfatherly smile as he followed Stefan while leaving a maid to care for us if we ever needed it.
So far, I feel content with my new life, and I hope this can continue for a long time.
