4 Chapter 4

Edmund tried to remain as calm as he could when his brain surged with knowledge, but he couldn't hold on for long. He set the Abriel and the cradle back down on the table.

The sudden headache left his vision foggy. When the shutter-stock images that demonstrated the cradling techniques appeared in his mind, the figure of the model was strangely familiar. Edmund couldn't quite put a finger onto it as his mind ingrained and read aloud all the information. When he finished, the figure turned around, and Edmund came to face... himself.

"The system's technology is... quite fascinating, but almost to the point to be scary..." Edmund mumbled through his teeth. He also quickly chastised himself for not recognizing Abreil (how could he?).

A slight pulsing in his muscles and upper body followed his rebuke, which told him which muscles to use, how to coordinate them, and what the proper cradling form felt like. Edmund found himself slack-jawed again at the system's intricacy. He definitely would not waste this cheat-like opportunity to raise Abreil into the perfect, neighbour's child for the world and his class monitor to see. So first off, he wanted to try this his first skill awarded by the system.

While the instructions to cradle a baby was fairly simple, the results it could achieve would be life-saving for his sanity. Edmund was relieved at that. He presumed he could just grind the skill to level up (somehow) and never let Abriel leave his arms and she'll never throw a tantrum again.

Edmund quickly snuck a glance at Abriel, but she was still drawn in a worshipping awe to the empty kitchen sink. He waved his hands in front of her to grab her attention, which it did. As if he an professional or at least an experienced father, Edmund slid one hand under Abriel's head and neck, with his other hand under her bottom in one smooth motion. Then he scooped her up, making sure her head was rested against his chest. Edmund was super proud when he saw her not throwing a fit like he'd expected. Again, he unconsciously beamed along with her.

The much-needed confidence boost sent Edmund to the next step. Double-checking that Abriel's head was well-rested against his chest, Edmund slid his hand up from her bottom to support her neck when he almost knocked off her diaper in the process.

'Oh, fuck—'

"Eairh," Abriel said, gently twisting her head.

Edmund knew for a fact that she felt it, so he hurried himself to complete the cradle hold—moving Abriel's head to the crook of that arm, still supporting her neck. Edmund then placed the other hand under her bottom. It was as if he was hugging a teddy bear but instead hugging vertically, he was hugging it horizontally. Edmund braced himself—his ears, especially, for the oncoming piercing cries she would let out. When it was silence that followed, Edmund opened and peeked through one of his eyes. The sight of Abriel dozing off blew his mind and expectations away. Abriel had buried her face his chest. Her back and stomach slowly rose and fell and Edmund, in the quietness, could even hear the gentleness of her heartbeat. Sensing her fragility, Edmund felt even more inclined to raise her well; to protect her against everything the world had to throw at them and to properly take responsibility of what had happened.

. . .

As Edmund gently rocked Abriel back and forth and played with her thin, wispy layer of hair, the system affirmed him of the many notifications with a ding.

[Hidden Tasks Complete]

[Cradle Abriel for the first time] (1/1)

[Cradle Abriel to sleep] (1/10)

[Beginner-level Cradling Skill - Proficiency +4] (4/100)

[Rewards: x2 Attribute Points (Assignable), +1xp]

Edmund took this time while Abriel was asleep to learn more about the system. Just from everything that had happened so far, he'd already got the gist of things. The system was pretty much like a game. With levels, his own stats as attributes, skill proficiency, and rewards for completing missions and tasks related to Abriel as the main basis of the system, Edmund was excited on exploring its other functions. First, Edmund needed to get a clear answer for a pressing question that hung on his mind.

"System, what happened to my rewards for the cleaning mission? Was there a delay? Or was it all premeditated, since you gave out the rewards and took back the cleaning supplies exactly when I needed you too..."

[Host did not complete the main mission. The cleaning receives a Grade A, however, Adriel's cradle was left on the table, where it does not belong.]

Edmund nodded in understanding. So that was why only when he hoisted Adriel and her cradle upwards did the mission register as completed. Otherwise, he would've gotten the cradling skills earlier, sparing his ears and earning some more proficiency. Edmund noted that the system was very meticulous with its missions and tasks and set a reminder to himself to be very, very careful. There were even functions like that. It only further spurred his excitement on what other missions and rewards he could be rewarded. The system truly could turn his life around, and help protect he and Abriel from the the class monitor's family!

Edmund shook his head. He needed to compose himself; he was getting too far of himself. There were far more important questions to ask than what other skills he could receive. Edmund was even more curious and apprehensive about the mystery of the dad pot and its usefulness after being interrupted by the learning of the cradling skills. If that experience was so intricate and out-of-this-world, what would the dad pot bring him?

"What exactly is this 'Father Archetype Potion?'" he asked.

The blank description of 'no information available' scared Edmund, and he wasn't afraid to admit that. Although the system claimed it would accompany and help him to become a perfect father and change his life and yada-yada, it was all just claims. He couldn't rule out the possibility that it was a mind control potion that would force him to the system's bidding or some sort of poison. If it was to help him become a better father, why couldn't he know?

The system remained silent. Edmund imagined the nerves of his brain or something waiting for Windows Vista to boot up as the system waited to access it's database. Or it would just ignore him completely. However, the system did answer, as cold and mechanical something could get. [Host's current level is too low, required permissions not met]

"Of course it's like that." Edmund sighed.

He stared at Abriel for a while, enjoying both her warmth and the blaring, afternoon sun when he gently placed her back to her cradle on the desk. Edmund made sure the bathroom doors were open and Abriel was always in his line of sight before he called out; "Inventory."

As he expected, a bunch of holographic boxes appeared in front of him. However, in the mirror's reflection, he couldn't see them. Only two of the boxes icons were filled in. Edmund didn't hesitate to tap the potion and sure enough, a dark blue vial appeared in his hands. Edmund uncorked the vial and gave it a whiff. It didn't smell like anything out of the ordinary, or rather, it didn't smell of anything.

Edmund didn't even feel the liquid pass down his throat when he drank it in one gulp, which was weird. For good measure, he filled up the empty vial with water and downed it again. Maybe the potion needed some diluting to work.

Edmund expected some big changes as he stared at his reflection in the mirror, but it was clear that he was wasting his time. His dishevelled self did not look anything like a father but more of homeless drunkard. The potion didn't clear his acne or make him taller. It didn't make his nasty stubble into a fuller beard or make him think anything different, at least he thought so. Edmund was really expecting some urge to poop or his pores to excrete black impurities or his muscles to blow up or something. The only thing that did seem to change was his stomach—even if it was only slightly, was it larger than before? Has the system taken the 'dad bod' too literally?

"How I carry myself will definitely affect people's perception of Abriel," Edmund told to his reflection after making fun of it a few more times. "And besides, I need a job, and there's no way I'm getting one or making it on the big screen looking like this."

[Main Mission Triggered - "The Somatic Perfect Father"]

[An unkempt man is not fit to call himself a perfect father. The host's realization at this moment is a new beginning to sever ties with his old self. Think for your daughter, be a man worthy of your daughter. Start developing the reborn identity: new body, new job, new passions.]

[Duration: ~10 Years]

[Punishment: Perfect Father System extradited from Host + Pending Consequences]