The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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Author Notes:

  [This story contains "harem" and "cheat" elements. Please be aware if you dislike these themes.]

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[TL notes: I plan to release two chapters per day, and I will upload a total of 10 chapters, starting with Chapter 1.]

One thing I often think about since being reincarnated into this world is this:

A 5-year-old body is truly uncontrollable.

"Hahaha! How's that, Ruruku? Have you realized my strength?"

"H-hmph. I let you win on purpose."

A 5-year-old boy lying face down on the ground, making excuses for losing.

That's me now - Ruruku.

"Shut up. There's no little brother better than his big brother!"

Looking down at me with a smug attitude was a chubby 7-year-old boy.

Spouting lines that sounded familiar from somewhere, the arrogant boy - Gavin - continued his loud laughter.

"You can't use magic, and you can't beat me in swordsmanship or martial arts! It means you can't win against me unless you use that cowardly technique. From now on, know your place and respect me! I'll say it again. There's not a single little brother better than his big brother! Nyah nyah!"

Just a 2-year difference. But still a 2-year difference.

At this age, 2 years makes a world of difference physically. There was no way I could win from the start, but... his taunting face was so annoying, I decided to trip him up.

"Hey Gavin. By that logic, you'll always be fifth in the Muuteru family, you know."

"Eh... Ah, that doesn't count! Little brothers are better than big brothers!"

The dimwitted boy realized he had four older brothers and retracted his statement. While Gavin had a well-built physique and power for a 7-year-old, his intellect was, well, let's just say it was charming.

Gavin pulled out the wooden sword he had stuck in the ground and turned to the other child who had been watching our match.

Sitting on a nearby chair was an angelically beautiful 4-year-old girl.

"How was that, Lilith? I'm much cooler than this weakling--"

"You were mean to Ruru onii-chan! I hate Gavin onii-chan!"

"Gufuu!"

The one puffing her cheeks in anger was our sister - Lilith.

The three of us were half-siblings. We all had brown hair since we shared the same father, but our eye colors were different.

The sister-complex boy crumpled to his knees after receiving Lilith's harsh words. Looks like that really hit him hard... What a powerful body blow. Nice one, little sis.

"Ruru onii-chan, are you okay?"

Lilith jumped down from her chair and toddled over, peering at my face.

It felt a bit pathetic to have a 4-year-old worry about me, so I got up, putting on a brave face. Actually, I was thrown cleanly, but I broke my fall and wasn't injured. My back just hurt a little.

"I'm fine. More importantly, Lilith, it's dirty over here. Go sit over there."

"Lili wants to play too."

"This is training. I'll play with you when we're done, okay?"

"Okay. I understand."

Lilith nodded and went back to her chair.

She's such a good, obedient child.

Next to me, Gavin watched her with a longing expression and glanced at me.

"Hey, Ruruku."

"What?"

"Want to bump heads with me for a bit?"

What is this idiot saying?

"Didn't you say yesterday that 'if you bump heads, personalities switch'? I want Lilith to be nice to me too! It's not fair that it's only you!"

"That was made up, and you should complain to yourself. You keep being mean, so that's why she dislikes you, you know?"

"B-but... that's because... Lilith is... too cute...!"

"Yeah, you brought this on yourself. Wait, Gavin, you were aware that she disliked you?"

"S-she doesn't dislike me... Lilith is just... being shy!"

"Well, sometimes humans want to turn away from the truth."

"Shut up, I'll kill y-- Hagwah!?"

As Gavin snapped and raised his wooden sword, a fist came down on the top of his head.

Standing behind Gavin, seemingly out of nowhere, was a muscular old woman.

She was Verugana. Although blind with scars on both eyelids, she had undeniable skill and was the demon instructor overseeing our special training.

"A sword is meant to protect, not to be swung in anger. How many times do I have to tell you this, you little brat?"

"You old hag! You hit me again! I'm Lord's son, you know!"

"So what? If you want to swing your sword so badly, I'll be your opponent. Come at me."

"Shut up! I'll beat you to a pulp today!"

With a battle cry, Gavin charged at the blind old woman with full spirit.

While his spirit was admirable, it was a foregone conclusion that he'd be lying on the ground in a few seconds.

As expected, Gavin soon looked like a ragged dishcloth.

I put my hands together in prayer. May you have a better life in your next incarnation, Gavin... Amen.

"What are you doing, acting uninvolved, young master Ruruku? You're next."

"No, I respectfully decline."

"You don't have the right to refuse. Come on, get ready."

Verugana threw me a small wooden sword.

Damn, is there no way to escape this? I really don't want to spar with Verugana. What I don't like about this blind old woman, more than her strength, is that--

"If you won't come, I'll go to you. Here I come."

"Wait! A sneak attack is unfair, Verugana!"

"Do you think there are signals in real battles?"

"Grr..."

She's the type to use violence while wielding righteous arguments. And she's even worse than Gavin because she's more sadistic.

"Your grip is weak. Put more strength into it."

"Ugh, ow, eek, ouch! A-aren't you hitting too hard!?"

"Oh? This is just like always, you know."

While speaking nonchalantly, Verugana was striking with speed and power just at the limit of what I could react to. Damn it, I'm barely keeping up with defense and can't go on the offensive. My hands are starting to go numb from the impacts. A 5-year-old doesn't have much stamina, you know.

"Is that so? I feel like I'm sensing some stress somewhere..."

"Well, that's because this morning's fried egg was soft-boiled."

"Huh? Just that?"

"I prefer them well-done. So, take this 'Triple Moon Slash'!"

"T-that's too unreasonable-- bububah!"

Sword training?

Yes, that's right. We do sword and martial arts training like this every day, but half of it is just the instructor venting her stress. Got a problem with that?

Lying on the ground again, I looked up at Verugana's refreshed expression and said one thing.

"...You old hag."

"Did you say something?"

"Thank you for your guidance!"

And so, Gavin and I became Verugana's prey every day... Wait, where did Gavin go? He was lying here just a moment ago.

No way, did he run away? -- Just as I thought that, I found him. He was hiding in the shade of a tree near the training ground, watching the situation here.

I didn't need to ask what he was planning. With his eyes gleaming and two fingers raised in that stance -- yes, that was the stance for the ultimate technique I taught him, the Back Gate Break!

If that's the case, I'll cooperate.

"Alright Verugana, one more round please!"

"...Oh? What's this change of heart from young master Ruruku, who hates training?"

Yeah, I hate training.

But I hate being on the receiving end even more. Sure, a 5-year-old body can't do much against an overwhelmingly strong Verugana, but don't underestimate me as just a 5-year-old -- this is my second life, you know.

"Come on, let's have a fair and square match, Verugana!"

"Hmm. Well, alright. Come at me."

I moved bit by bit, positioning myself so that Gavin would be directly behind Verugana.

Good, that's it Gavin. Approach slowly, erasing your footsteps... Verugana is sensitive to sound. Be extra careful, I'll buy you time!

"Hah! Hah! Hah!"

"What are you doing so far away?"

"I'm practicing... shooting slashes!"

"Humans can't do such a thing. Stop fooling around and come at me."

"If you give up, the match is over! Hah! Hah!"

"...What are you trying to do?"

Verugana tilted her head, observing my behavior.

Taking advantage of this opening, Gavin steadily approached and finally got behind her. He sharpened his fingertip like a single sword, raised it high, aiming for Verugana's behind.

Alright, it should work with this timing! Go! Gavin!

"Ultimate technique! Back Gate Bre--"

"I can see right through you, you little brats."

Verugana avoided the ultimate technique by just shifting half a step, without even glancing back.

"What the!?"

"No way! My personally taught assassination technique!?"

"I can figure out what you're thinking even in my sleep. Now it's my turn."

"Damn it, bring it on, you old ha-- blarbah"

"No, it was Gavin who said to do it-- abeshi"

And so, Gavin and I were defeated.

Why did it turn out like this, you ask?

I'm not really sure myself.

But it all started four months ago -- the day I was reincarnated into this world.