A Mischievous Start

Several hours later, Raiden awoke to the sensation of a slight pressure in his mind. His eyes fluttered open, and the blue screen reappeared before him.

Ding!

[Mission Complete! You have gained 1 Skill Point.]

A small, glowing crystal icon appeared next to the text, and a sense of satisfaction washed over him.

The Skill Draw System had rewarded him for completing the mission, even if it had been a trivial task. He didn't yet know the full extent of the system's capabilities, but this first reward hinted at possibilities that excited him.

As the screen shifted, a list of skills materialized in front of him, each one labeled with a point cost.

The simplest skills required only a single point, while others demanded more. His gaze landed on one particular entry at the top of the list: [Mana Sense - 1 Skill Point].

The description was brief.

[Mana Sense: Allows the user to perceive the flow of mana in the surrounding environment.]

Raiden considered the skill for a moment. Mana was the magical energy that powered this world, and understanding its flow would be essential to mastering magic.

Without hesitation, he focused on the skill. The crystal icon shattered into light, and a tingling sensation spread through his body as knowledge seemed to flow into him.

Suddenly, his senses expanded. Though he still lay in his crib, he could feel something new in the air—a faint, elusive presence that pulsed around him.

It was as if the world had come alive in a way he hadn't noticed before. He was sensing mana, the lifeblood of magic in this realm. It was weak and distant, but it was there.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. For the first time since his rebirth, he felt a glimmer of control. It was a tiny step, but it was the beginning of something greater.

Raiden closed his eyes again, this time not for sleep but to focus. He had no intention of remaining a helpless infant forever. The Skill Draw System had given him the first tool he needed, and he was determined to make the most of it.

•••••

A month after his birth, Raiden's consciousness began to stir more frequently, and his senses were sharpening by the day.

He was no longer limited to mere flashes of awareness. Instead, he experienced longer periods of wakefulness, where he could observe the world around him with increasing clarity.

The once-blurry images were now taking shape—he could make out the intricate designs on the canopy above his crib, the carved wooden furniture in the nursery, and the golden light streaming in through the high windows.

With each day, Raiden's frustration lessened. His body was still weak and clumsy, but his mind was as sharp as ever.

The Skill Draw System was quickly becoming his most reliable companion, with its translucent blue screens appearing regularly to offer new missions.

Most of the tasks were trivial, such as [Drink a full bottle of milk] or [Cry for two minutes straight.] These missions rewarded him with one skill point each, and occasionally, he would encounter a mission worth two skill points. He completed them diligently, viewing them as small stepping stones toward greater power.

As his skill points accumulated, Raiden continued to unlock basic abilities, opting for skills that would help accelerate his growth.

He acquired [Improved Reflexes] and [Enhanced Perception], which made his movements slightly less awkward and allowed him to better sense his surroundings. He could now distinguish voices with greater clarity, recognizing the subtle differences in tone and pitch that indicated who was speaking.

Most importantly, he could feel the faint pulses of mana more keenly, an ever-present reminder that magic flowed all around him.

•••••

It was during one such ordinary afternoon, while Raiden lay contentedly in his crib, that a sudden commotion echoed through the nursery.

The door swung open, and in strode a tall man with a commanding presence. He wore a dark blue doublet embroidered with gold thread, and his hair, the same golden shade as Lady Elise's, framed a face that bore a perpetual look of sternness. His eyes were a steely gray, and they softened slightly as they fell upon the infant in the crib.

"Good afternoon, my lord," the nursemaid said, bowing slightly as she stepped back to give him space. "Welcome back. Lady Elise will be pleased to know you've returned."

"Yes, I'm sure she will," Lord Cedric Goldheart replied, his voice deep and resonant. "But I thought I'd take a moment to see my son first. It has been too long since I last held him."

Raiden recognized the man immediately—his father, Lord Cedric. This was the first time they had been this close, and Raiden studied him intently, curious about the man who was his father in this life.

He could sense the authority and strength that emanated from him, traits befitting the head of the Goldheart family.

Lord Cedric approached the crib and reached down, his large hands gently lifting Raiden from the blankets.

He cradled the infant in his arms, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he observed the tiny bundle. "You're growing quickly," he murmured. "I can already see the strength in you. Perhaps one day you'll surpass even your brother."

Raiden's gaze met his father's, and he could sense the expectation behind those words. It was clear that even at this young age, there were already hopes and dreams being placed upon his small shoulders.

He wasn't surprised. Noble families like the Goldhearts were bound by tradition and legacy.

He knew that much from the goddess's description. 'But it's too early for that,' he thought. 'For now, I have my own small goals.'

At that moment, a new blue screen flickered into view before Raiden's eyes, presenting him with an unexpected mission.

[New Mission: Puke Up on Father's Face]

[Reward: 4 Skill Points]

Raiden almost laughed. If he had been capable of it, he would have burst out in amusement.

This was, by far, the most absurd mission the Skill Draw System had presented to him. And yet, he couldn't deny the appeal.

The reward was higher than any of the previous missions, offering four skill points—enough to unlock a mid-tier skill if he played his cards right.

'This one's for you, Skill Draw System,' Raiden thought, his infant mind already working on a plan. He didn't know the specifics of how an infant's digestive system worked, but he did have [Improved Reflexes] and [Enhanced Perception], which gave him a bit more control over his body than a typical newborn.

With subtle concentration, he focused on the sensation in his stomach, manipulating the faint unease that came whenever he drank too quickly.

His tiny fingers flexed as he prepared himself for the task. It was a peculiar feeling, deliberately trying to induce discomfort, but he was determined to succeed. The reward was worth a little embarrassment.

'Let's see how you like this, Father,' he thought.

The timing was perfect. Just as Lord Cedric leaned in closer, cooing softly to his son, Raiden's tiny body shuddered, and he let out a sudden burp. The next moment, a stream of milky vomit erupted from his mouth, splattering directly onto Lord Cedric's face.

The room fell into stunned silence. The nursemaid gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. Lord Cedric froze, his eyes wide as a trail of baby spit-up dripped down his cheek. For a moment, he seemed too shocked to react, his stern composure shattered by the unexpected assault.

Then, Raiden began to giggle—or at least, that's what it sounded like. The sound was more of a gurgling coo, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. He looked up at his father, pleased with his own handiwork.

Lord Cedric blinked, his shock gradually giving way to a resigned sigh. He shook his head, a reluctant smile forming on his lips as he handed Raiden back to the nursemaid. "It seems my son has quite the personality already," he said, wiping his face with a handkerchief the nursemaid offered. "A mischievous one, at that."

The nursemaid, her face still flushed with embarrassment, quickly took Raiden into her arms. "I-I'll make sure he's cleaned up, my lord," she stammered, hastily moving to the wash basin.

As she carried him away, Raiden's vision filled with the blue screen once more.

[Mission Complete! You have gained 4 Skill Points.]

The satisfaction he felt was immense. Not only had he managed to complete the mission with precision, but the reward was enough to make a real difference.

He now had several skill points saved up, enough to start considering some of the more advanced skills in the system.

'I suppose this is just the beginning,' he thought, his mind already drifting toward what his next goal would be. He was still an infant, but each day brought him closer to unlocking his true potential.

If earning skill points was this entertaining, then he was more than ready for whatever ridiculous tasks the Skill Draw System threw at him next.

As he was placed back into his crib, Raiden closed his eyes with a contented sigh, knowing that his mischievous start had set the tone for the kind of life he intended to lead.

And he couldn't wait for the next mission.