Awakening

Even after facing so many difficult opponents, so many terrifying foes and going through such horrifying events, the scenario I went through just now has to be the most terrifying one so far. 

"Aww… Look at our cute little Issei." 

The woman that was the source of such shock exclaimed in front of me. 

"Look at his wide eyes, he is so adorable."

The woman didn't seem to realise that the eyes in front of her were not supposed to look cute but terrified. However, considering the state I was in… 

It is understandable that I don't appear much expressive. 

Somehow, after the war… 

After going through such a painful trial, I was sent here. 

A second chance, I assume. 

For what? 

I don't know. 

But I have been given a second chance.

"Now now. We should let him sleep." This time it was a male that spoke, which I assume is the husband. "Our little Issei needs his sleep."

Not Aaron. 

But Issei.

That was my name. 

It hasn't been long since I popped out into this world… quite literally.

Maybe a day or two, since I regained my entire consciousness.

I shuddered once again remembering the feeling. 

But I immediately felt the lack of threat in this world. 

It didn't have the smell of burning corpses that were common in my place. The screams that resounded everywhere and the aura of death that loomed in the surrounding.

This…

Was peaceful. 

The woman leaned over and kissed me on the forehead, "Sleep well, my baby."

I don't think infants would just listen and fall asleep on command.

But I was tired, my body was weak because of being only a day or two old.

Firstly I needed to be able to walk and talk, which kind of surprised me as I was able to understand them despite them speaking a different language. 

And then I needed to figure out the technology of this world… it seemed far superior and far more… complex.

But above all…

I felt tears rolling down my cheeks.

I need to learn to control my bowel.

"Oya… Looks like our Issei needs a change of diapers."

Not the situation I expected to be in… 

At least as a former king…

…

…

As the days passed and my body grew, I learnt many things. 

This world never went through wars with beings other than their own kind.

Humans fought humans and named it the world wars. 

Hilarious honestly, given how in our world such wars were barely called civil wars. 

But I haven't yet found any supernatural beings, the books of history say that there are none. 

Which might also be entirely true, but still not enough of a reason to let myself relax all day. 

Exercising and improving my physique was an integral part of my life. 

From the moment I was born, I have been pushing myself. I pushed myself to walk, talk and learn faster than any other kid my age. 

And while it was still impossible to walk immediately, the moment my legs were developed enough to handle my weight without breaking, I started to walk.

Needless to say my parents were shocked. 

Parents heh…

Quite an interesting term.

In the past, I lost my parents when I was three years old… leaving my uncle to rule until I was twelve and had to plunge a sword through his chest to take the crown. 

Not that I was greedy for it, but because he was a king that was leading our kingdom to its downfall.

I paused.

"Not like I didn't lead it towards its downfall either."

Shaking my head, I focused on what mattered at the moment.

It took me a long time, more than I would have liked to get get a little comfortable in this world and this body.

I still prefer my old world, my old friends and my old life over this… lazy and unappreciative world.

But I do prefer the peace that this world has to offer. 

In this world, which is also called Earth. 

I am named Issei Hyoudou, a brown haired boy belonging to a middle class Japanese family. 

Not the worst as my parents have been quite supportive and loving.

I am five years old right now and that meant I couldn't force my body much. So, I just did enough to keep my joints strong and my body active.

But that didn't mean I wasted all my time.

I spent the time reading and researching.

"Issei it's time for dinner!"

I smiled hearing my mother's voice. She is a great cook and there hasn't been a day I felt disappointed eating her food.

"Coming mom!"

…

…

It was late, but I couldn't sleep properly. 

I felt my arm twitching from time to time and I woke up in the middle of the night multiple times.

It was weird. 

This had never happened to me before. 

I tried to close my eyes and relax my body, hoping that I could free my mind enough to not think of the discomfort.

"It isn't painful, it was just uncomfortable."

But what I didn't expect was for this little comment to reveal something terrifying.

[Quite bold of you to call my presence uncomfortable.]

I immediately jumped back and pressed against the wall, looking around the room –scouting.

"Who?"

I asked, aware that the voice came directly from me. 

Which didn't make much sense. 

[You wouldn't find me there.]

It spoke again, and this time I was certain that the voice came from inside me.

Was I hallucinating? 

Very unlikely.

But just as I was about to ask again, I felt my arm heating up.

[Now you know where I am.]

I felt my eyes widening as I saw a little green shine on my wrist.

"Who—" I paused. "No… What are you?"

It didn't answer immediately, instead it waited for a few seconds.

[You will not be able to understand what I am even if I told you.]

It spoke.

[But know that I am something that you have only heard of in books, something that humans don't believe exists.]

Its presence was familiar… so very familiar.

[You don't have enough strength to awaken me as of yet, I am not certain how my slumber was broken but you cannot keep me awake for much longer. Once you are stronger, I will appear again.]

"Tell me who or what you are?" I asked, confused about its existence. 

[Get stronger kid, by the next time we meet… Things will already be in motion.]

Things?

What things?

[Till then, farewell.]

"Hey!" I yelled, nearly waking my parents.

But no matter how many times I asked again, it didn't answer. 

Something insane had just happened and I didn't know what it was. 

After coming here, this was the first time I felt something supernatural. 

And something so familiar.

<<Host has detected the presence of the sacred gear. Hidden condition to awaken the Empyrean System has been met.>>

What…

<<Empyrean System Awakened>>

<<Viewing Current Stats>>

<Name: Issei Hyoudou>

<Level: F>

<Age: 5y 3m>

<Title: None>

<Race: Human (+)>

<Class: None>

<Strength: F->

<Constitution: F->

<Dexterity: F->

<Intelligence: B+>

<Wisdom: B->

<Charisma: C->

<Skill: None>

<Equipment: Boosted Gear (Mid-Tier Longinus){sealed}>

Huh?