Progression

Approximately two years had passed since I found myself in this world. My body had finally stabilized enough for me to walk.

Also, I had managed to learn the language of this world, or at least one of them for now.

***

Having made the decision to establish myself, I began formulating a few plans. While my ultimate goal had already been set, I understood the importance of setting smaller sub-goals to pave the way towards achieving it.

First, let's address the areas where I lacked in my previous life. A proper education, a decent background. In addition to that, my physical fitness was subpar, as I had neglected it due to the nature of my work, which relied more on mental acuity than physical prowess.

But based on my understanding, I found myself in a time period reminiscent of the medieval era, where knights and similar entities were commonplace; regular exercise sessions would likely become a necessity rather than an inconvenience.

As an infant, there wasn't much I could do other than constantly observe and analyze my surroundings. Whenever my gaze fell upon my caretaker, Diane, I couldn't help but notice the subtle hints of displeasure on her face. It seemed that she wasn't particularly fond of maintaining eye contact.

Realizing that physical exercise could be postponed, I decided to explore what appeared to be a library within the mansion. The shelves were filled with numerous books, providing a convenient opportunity for me.

I, along with Chansey's companionship, immersed myself in reading, spending hours upon hours learning from the vast collection of books. It was undeniable that Chansey had grown fond of me, always faithfully following me wherever I went. Initially, I entertained the thought that Diane was using her as a means to keep an eye on me, but as time passed, I realized that Chansey simply had a natural affinity for caring for children.

I would often amuse myself with the irony of the situation, contemplating what Chansey would think if she knew the truth—that I was actually a forty-three-year-old man in an infant's body. The whimsical thought would occasionally bring a chuckle to my lips. Nevertheless, I cherished her company, as my interactions were limited mostly to the servants and Diane.

It was a peculiar sensation, reacquainting myself with the process of learning to read. However, the study of language held immense importance. While most individuals are proficient in their native tongue, many tended to overlook or hesitate to delve into the study of other languages.

This was so much so that the ability to speak foreign languages was a pretty valued skill.

In my previous life, a younger version of myself attempted to learn Spanish and French. However, like many others, I eventually gave up on the endeavor. My life was too unorganized for such things.

With that in mind, naturally I decided to make this world's writing system my first subject.

There were countless books in the library, but not all of them were within my reach. Standing at a height of 96 cm, I was noticeably taller than the average two-year-old, likely inheriting my parents' tall genes.

Still, my reach was limited to the books placed on the lower shelves. While I could have easily fetched a chair to stand on and reach the higher ones, I refrained from doing so out of respect for the noble deportment and etiquette I had been observing and meticulously emulating.

It was essential for me to maintain an appearance of grace and refinement, adhering to the standards of noble behavior expected of me.

While some might considered it unnecessary or a waste of time to devote myself to rehearsing and studying noble customs at such a young age, by embracing noble manners ahead of schedule, I could garner additional respect from both the servants and my parents.

Presenting myself as more advanced and sophisticated than other children would serve as a strategic advantage for me. Moreover, considering my current plans and ambitions, there was no need for me to conceal my intellect or downplay my abilities.

The language of this world bore a striking resemblance to English, so I was able to grasp its nuances relatively quickly. While the written characters were completely different, the grammar structure closely mirrored what I was familiar with, granting me a head start in my language acquisition. Thankfully, my prior exposure to a significant portion of the vocabulary facilitated my learning process.

Diane's regular reading sessions with me further aided in expanding my vocabulary. Perhaps my newfound aptitude for learning also played a role in this accelerated progress as well.

Once I could read, I found the contents of certain books pretty interesting. Occasionally, I would catch glimpses of Diane, the servants, or even my mother secretly observing me while I used my time in the library. They would attempt to be stealthy, but my senses were always sharp, even in infancy, and I never failed to notice their presence.

Did they suspect that I could understand the contents of the books? Probably not, but it worked in my favor nonetheless. It presented me in a favorable light and conveniently supported the image I was trying to cultivate.

To my surprise, the books within my reach mainly consisted of educational materials suitable for a child. There were books that taught pronunciation, spelling, and basic counting skills.

Additionally, there were a few books on the topic of nobility, providing even more insights into its structures and systems. Among the remaining few of other books, there were also cookbooks filled with recipes and collections of children's tales.

This arrangement of books was undoubtedly the work of someone, although I couldn't pinpoint exactly who. It was likely the result of either my mother's or Diane's efforts. Regardless of the responsible party, I felt grateful for their thoughtfulness, as their gesture greatly aided my learning process.

The pronunciation and spelling books contained a surprising wealth of knowledge beyond their intended purpose. Through them, I not only learned how to pronounce and spell words, but also gained insight into my location within this world. They provided explanations and descriptions of various things, expanding my understanding of the world around me.

To put it succinctly, my place of birth was on the continent of Luminae, a sprawling landmass encompassing three rival nations: the Holy Empire of Keplara, the Kingdom of Lapidaria, and the Verus Dynasty. I was born specifically within the Kingdom of Lapidaria.

Additionally, separating these countries was the Arcanum Mountains, a neutral territory that acted as a natural barrier and that partially informed into the borders of all three of the countries.

The book revealed that Luminae was the sole continent within this world, while the rest comprised of various countries and regions. Curiously, this world itself was referred to as the Eternal Sea, an unusual name for an entire planet, in my perspective.

However, it seemed that the term "Eternal Sea" did not denote a conventional planet but rather something more enigmatic and mysterious. Regrettably, the book did not delve further into the nature of the Eternal Sea, instead, leaving it open to speculation and interpretation.

Examining the map in the book, I couldn't help but notice the vast majority of water that took up the map. Not only that, the watery landscape was encircled and defined by a ring of clouds. It was as if the world itself was enveloped in a perpetual embrace of the sea and the sky. It became obvious as to why people referred to the world as the Eternal Sea.

Though I had to admit, this map presented a different perspective on the world compared to what I was accustomed to. It depicted a flat surface, in stark contrast to the spherical representation of the Earth I was familiar with.

'Interesting.'

"Hyahh~"

Feeling some movement behind me, I turned around to see Chansey's wide smile. Her affectionate gaze made me feel a bit uncomfortable, so I decided to stand up and change my position.

This whole time I had been leaning against her side. Even though I was a few inches taller, Chansey's larger size made her a comfortable support. Her soft and smooth skin made for a pleasant cushion. Usually, I would sit at the table to read, but Chansey always insisted that I join her on the carpet.

I guess she dozed off, as I hadn't heard a peep from her for the past three hours. It made me momentarily forget that she had been here with me all along.

"Chansey?" She questioned, tilting the upper part of her body slightly. She seemed a bit puzzled, likely wondering why I had stood up so abruptly. She then rolled over, trying to rise to her feet.

Of course, she failed miserably in her attempt. I watched for a moment, expecting her to eventually get up on her own, but it became clear that she needed my assistance.

Sighing, I gently placed the book I was holding on the table and walked over to give her a helping hand. Excuse my language, but she was fucking heavy. Like extremely heavy, especially for my small two-year-old body. But after a while, with my careful maneuvering of her body, and her own strength, we managed to get her back on her two feet, with her short, thick tail as assurance.

She then bowed elegantly. "Chansey~"

Oh right, I had forgotten that Chansey had also taken some classes of etiquette. I simply replied, "It was no problem, Chansey."

This was how our communication worked. Even though Chansey didn't speak a single word of Lapidarian, I could understand her intentions through her actions and expressions. I wasn't exactly sure if all Pokémon were the same, but as a child in my previous life, I had always wondered how trainers knew what their Pokémon were trying to convey.

Chansey, in particular, would make a high-pitched sound that resembled her species' name when she wanted to communicate. As for Pokémon in general, my assumption was that they had an inherent understanding of human language, allowing them to comprehend our words and intentions collectively.

Chansey walked toward the exit door. Apparently she figured since I got up that I was done with the library today. As she turned around and looked back at me, she gestured towards the door with her small, stubby hand and made a questioning sound, as if asking if I was ready to leave.

I quickly shook my head. "Oh, no. My apologies, I just needed a simple stretch.

"But don't worry about me. You should go and check on Diane. You've been gone from her side for over five hours now."

Hearing my words, the pink, round Pokémon almost dropped her smile, as her eyes widened in shock. Almost.

Then with a wave of her hand, she excused herself. She quickly departed from the room.

As for me, something caught my attention. While helping Chansey to her feet, I noticed a book tucked away behind where she had been lying, a book that should have been on one of the higher shelves. It piqued my curiosity.

I swiftly walked over and picked up the book. My lips gradually curved into a sharp smile as I read the title of the book.

A Textbook of Pokémon: Creatures of our World. By Edward Heath, Court Tamer, and Academy director of Amira Witfroley Academy.