The Curse

< WHAT !!?? Then did i reincarnate into the child of Avalon who was dead even before the plot began? FUCK!! I AM ALREADY SENTENCED TO DEATH!!!!!!!!>

< So, 'him' must've been Avalon Everlight in this life... This is so messed up... > Auric's frustration and anger were palpable.

[ Yes, according to the novel, it was mentioned that Avalon killed his second child, ] the system confirmed, [ so 'him' referred to Avalon Everlight in this world. ]

Auric clenched his fists, feeling a surge of emotions. He was already sentenced to death even before he could begin his new life in this world, as per the events of the novel.

< This is... this is so unfair! > The main character's voice cracked with emotion. He couldn't wrap his head around the situation he found himself in.

[ I understand that it's overwhelming, but you have the power to change your fate. Your mother sacrificed herself to save you, and you have the potential to become strong and break free from the curse. You are not alone, and I am here to support you. ]

Auric took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He realized that he couldn't afford to wallow in despair. He had to find a way to survive in this cruel world.

< Alright, > he said with renewed determination, < I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my mother's last wish and overcome this curse. >

[ That's the spirit ] the system encouraged.

<So, what about the remaining answers?>

[ I don't know who I am, or rather I don't remember. Maybe I'm just an AI with some human-like emotions. Maybe or maybe not. And yes, you did die in your previous life. Don't ask me how I know. I had the info installed in me in my database, and also I don't know how you got reborn.]

[ My best guess is that you must become powerful first in order to uncover the truth. And for that, you must survive first.]

<How do I lift the curse?>

[You will have to find the conditions for uplifting the curse or take the shortcut and buy the spell from the system shop.]

<Okay, finding the conditions seems complicated. What about the spell? How do I buy that?>

[I think you know the basics, just the old tropes. Open system shop!]

<Tsk! So cliche!>

<Shop>

[

Shop listings:

CurseBane Elixir

Cost: 27000 SP

]

<27000...?>

<How much SP do I have?>

<Status>

[

Name: Auric Everlight

Age: 2 days

Level: 0 (EXP: 0/100)

SP: 0

Strength (STR): 0.05

Agility (AGI): 0.01

Dexterity (DEX): 0.05

Intelligence (INT): 8

Mana: 1 + 30 (Curseseal jewel)

Element: Dark, Thunder

Skills:

Language sense level 1

Appraisal level 1

Artifact: Curseseal jewel

]

<Hm? I have 0 SP? Hey System, how do I earn SP?>

[By leveling up and completing quests.]

<Okay... how much time would I need to accumulate 27000 SP?>

[Based on my calculations, it would take you almost 15 years on this path since you won't have enough strength to hunt monsters and accumulate EXP and 27000 SP. With this Basic quests you can somewhat gain SP and level up.]

[Basic quest - Be Healthy {daily quest}

Description: In order to become strong, you must be careful of your health.

Reward: 5 EXP]

<What the fuck!? Bro, I will be dead long before that! If I am a year younger than Luna, then it must be fifteen years before the plot began. And even if I did survive for 15 years, I will be dead for sure when the plot begins!>

[Don't worry, boy. It may not take 15 years. You will also gain EXP from other quests I will be assigning, so worry not. Just take it slow.]

[I understand your urgency, but sometimes things don't happen as quickly as we want them to. You need to focus on building your strength and accumulating enough SP to buy the CurseBane Elixir. It won't be easy, but it's the only way to lift the curse.]

<Alright, I get it...>

[ Remember, you can also earn SP by completing quests. So, besides the daily quest of staying healthy, keep an eye out for other quests that can earn you more EXP and SP.]

< Alright! Alright! I get it...!>

As Auric was talking to the system, Elysia entered the room with Luna in her arms.

"Olivia, is Auric alright?" Elysia asked the maid.

"Yes, madam, he is alright now and has stopped crying, and I was going to feed him," Olivia replied.

"Okay, good. Take care of Luna too. I have to take care of the funeral, and also my husband is returning today, so I will be busy with the arrangements. Take good care of both of them."

"Yes, madam, I will," Olivia assured her.

Olivia gently laid Auric down in the crib and took Luna from Elysia's arms. She placed Luna in the crib as well, and the two infants were side by side, looking at each other with curious eyes.

<Hey, system, scan the maid> Auric whispered to the system.

The system quickly responded with the maid's information.

[

Name - Olivia Brown

Age - 36

Level - 9

Strength (STR) - 7

Agility (AGI) - 8

Dexterity (DEX) - 6

Intelligence (INT) - 11

Mana - 8

Element - water

Artifact - Ring of Morganna { F grade }

]

Auric frowned as he looked at Olivia's stats. <System, is she strong?> he asked.

[No, she is average. Please note that an adult human male has an average of 10 attributes] the system replied.

Auric sighed. <Oh, okay. What about the artifact? Before, it was all question marks.>

[As you know from the Portal of Destiny, artifacts have grades. They are SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. And since you are so pitifully weak and your appraisal skill is only level 1, you can't scan artifacts of higher than F grade] the system explained.

Auric rolled his eyes. <Okay, but when you say it like that, it annoys me.>

[Well, then become strong] the system retorted.

<Ya, ya, whatever> Auric muttered in response.

***

The crib was big, and Olivia had placed Luna on the other side, but Luna kept crawling over to Auric and pinching and licking him. Since Auric couldn't move much, he tried to use his hands to push Luna away, but she would suck on his fingers, and he would cry to get Olivia's attention. Olivia would then take Luna and place her back on the other side of the crib, but the cycle would repeat itself. The maid would watch them with a blissful smile.

"FUCK! She's doing it intentionally!" Auric exclaimed.

<This is so annoying!> he complained to the system.

Auric eventually gave up, and Luna continued to play with his body...

Pulling and tugging at his tiny limbs. Despite the annoyance, Auric couldn't help but notice that Luna's laughter was contagious, and he found himself smiling at her antics.

Days passed, and Auric continued to complete quests and accumulate experience points (EXP) and skill points (SP). He grew closer to Luna, and their bond increased as they spent time together. Auric also overheard the maids gossiping about the happenings in the household, from knights and romances to wars and loyalty politics.

They were talking about everything. One moment about the cute cats in the estate and then about the wars going on.

Just how do they do it? Why not just talk about one topic?

WOMEN...

Even though Auric did not want to listen to their useless crap, he had to... Since he did not want to miss out the important information they would give him.

Sometimes they would also talk about their goodnight bed stories with their husbands... iykuk

**

On the 17th day of his reincarnation, Auric finally accumulated enough EXP to level up.

"Yes! At last! Finally!" Auric exclaimed with excitement. "With today's quest completion, I will be able to level up and gain strength!"

And he leveled up.

[ * LEVEL UP * ]

[ Gained - 5 SP

5 AP

+.01 strength

+.01 agility

]

Auric's excitement peaked as he saw the notifications from the system, indicating that he had successfully completed the quest and leveled up. He eagerly checked his attributes, only to be disappointed by the system's response.

< YES!!!>

< System, increase my strength and mana!>

[ Sorry, but the increase in attributes cannot be granted until the curse is lifted. ]

< WHAT!!? >

< Why are you saying that now? >

Auric's frustration was evident as he received the unexpected news that his attributes couldn't be increased due to the curse. He was also informed that he wouldn't be able to use magic until the curse was lifted, which added to his disappointment.

< Shit! So all my AP will go to waste? FUCK!! >

[ No, boy. I made some arrangements and converted all the AP into a potion that will be available in the system shop. So don't worry, your AP will not be wasted, but accumulated as a valuable resource. ]

Auric felt a bit relieved knowing that his hard-earned AP wouldn't go to waste, but he still couldn't help feeling frustrated about not being able to utilize his increased attributes and magic.

< So I have to buy what was already mine? >

< For Fuck's sake...huff...> Auric sighed.

Auric's anger subsided a bit, but he still felt a pang of disappointment.

Auric couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. He had been looking forward to the increase in strength and mana, and the news of the curse dampened his spirits. He found solace in the comforting words of the maids who were trying to console him.

[ It's still better than nothing though. ]

< Yes... > Auric replied, wiping away tears from his eyes.

**

Days passed, and Auric focused on building a bond with Luna, hoping to gain her favor and potentially receive help from her in the future. He found himself growing fond of Luna, who was now just a baby and not the crazed character from the novel. The thought of the future Luna sent shivers down his spine.

Then one day, the maids were rushing around, and Auric learned that his father, Avalon, was returning from battle he participated in after his wife's funeral. Auric dreaded the inevitable meeting with his future murderer, but he couldn't avoid it.

And...

Two days later, Avalon arrived.

"Hello, boy" .