The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Waaah! Big brother Ruru!"

"There, there. You did well, Lilith. You were very brave."

When I untied the cloth covering her mouth and the ropes binding her limbs, Lilith clung to me while crying loudly. 

As I patted her back to comfort her, I turned to look at Gavin.

"By the way, what about the guards? Didn't you call them?"

"That was a lie. I just said it 'cause I thought you beansprout were in danger."

"I see. That was quick thinking, thanks."

"...Well, whatever. I'm just glad you're safe."

Gavin averted his gaze as he said this. 

Huh? Could it be he's showing his softer side?

"Aw, Gavin-kun does have a cute side after all."

"I-I'm not talking about you! I meant Lilith!"

"You know, tsundere guys aren't very popular."

As the tsundere Gavin glared at me with undisguised jealousy after confirming Lilith was safe, I started to regret my newfound appreciation for him. He was eyeing Lilith's arms wrapped around my back with an envious look.

Cut it out with that creepy stare - it makes me want to take back my words of praise.

"But we really should call the guards. We can't count on those guys staying unconscious forever."

"Right. I'll go call them real quick."

Gavin ran off towards the main street.

As I stroked Lilith who was still crying loudly against my chest, the sky suddenly seemed to darken.

I looked up reflexively and saw an old woman in the sky.

...An old woman in the sky?

"Here we go!"

"Whoa!?"

Boss! There's an old woman falling from the sky!

I know this sounds unbelievable, but I swear it's not a lie. It's definitely not a lie.

The one who landed right next to me was Verugana. I didn't recognize her at first because instead of her maid uniform or training clothes, she was wearing a cloak like an adventurer.

"Looks like you're safe, Ruruk-sama. And Lilith-sama is safe as well."

"Um... uh? Verugana, what was that just now? Were you flying? I mean, I knew you were beyond human in many ways, but are you actually part bird?"

"Don't be silly. I used high-speed movement magic to run across the rooftops."

"...So the duke's maids can even run through the air..."

"I'm the head maid and captain of the guard. Just so you know, I'm stronger than that Digray boy."

No way. An old woman stronger than the kingdom's top knight? Isn't that too many attributes stacked on one character??

Well, I'm not that surprised since I knew from the start she was a strong character... but high-speed movement magic, huh. I'm jealous.

Wait, that's not the point.

"More importantly, how did you know to come here?"

"One of the maids came back alone. When I heard the situation, I rushed out immediately. I figured there would be multiple kidnappers, so I thought it might be too much for Ruruk-sama and Gavin-sama to handle alone... but you did well."

"Well, it was pretty close."

"Saying it was close when you're unharmed isn't very convincing."

"About that... no, I'll tell you later. For now, please restrain those guys before they wake up. I'll look after Lilith."

"O steadfast cage - 'Ice Lock'!"

The magic Verugana chanted encased the kidnappers' hands and feet in blocks of ice.

That looks really cold... wait a minute.

"Huh? Is the magic chant supposed to be that short? You didn't say anything like 'I call upon thee' or whatever?"

"That's called chant abbreviation. Skilled mages can do it."

"Huh. So Verugana is talented in magic as well..."

"I had a good teacher."

As we were talking, Gavin returned with several guards.

When the guards saw the situation, they immediately tied up the men and carried them away.

They weren't decent guys, but the one called "big bro" - Number Three - was on a different level strength-wise. He probably wasn't just some common street thug.

"I hope they don't hold a grudge..."

"Even if they do, there's nothing they can do about it. They won't escape severe punishment for laying hands on the duke's family."

"Eh... for kidnapping?"

"That's right. And right in the duke's territory, no less."

Wow, this other world is scary. From the way she's talking, they probably won't even get a lawyer.

Well, it's their own fault. I feel a little sorry for them, but not enough to defend them.

"Anyway, let's take Lilith back to the guild. Rina-san is waiting. You want to see your mom, right Lilith?"

"Yeah... I want to see Mama."

"Alright then. I'll be your escort this time, so don't worry. Gavin-sama, I'm counting on you to watch our backs."

"Right! Oh, wait a sec, let me grab my wooden sword... Huh? It's bent!? Hey beansprout, what did you do to my sword!? This has been my trusty partner since I was little! You went and threw it and kicked it and stepped on it!"

Gavin was furious.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"The kidnappers were the ones who kicked it. I only threw it."

"That may be true, but! Anyway, you're too cheeky. At the end there, you might have been killed if I wasn't around. You should be more grateful and respectful to me. In the first place, you don't pay enough attention to the dignity of an older brother. For a noble, dignity is important--"

"Gavin big brother is noisy."

"Ah, yes ma'am."

Gavin quieted down when Lilith glared at him. So much for the dignity of an older brother... is that really okay for you?

And so, under Verugana's watchful eye, we returned to the Merchant's Guild.

"Lilith!"

"Mama~!"

It was a touching reunion.

Rina and the maids were waiting in a room at the Merchant's Guild. As soon as we entered, Rina embraced Lilith. Lilith seemed to have finally relaxed this time, so let's leave them be until she's done crying.

"Now then, young masters. Tell me what happened. We'll take statements from the kidnappers later, but I want to hear your side of the story too."

"Yes. First, Gavin and I were asking around the stalls when--"

I tried to recount what happened as objectively as possible.

How Gavin found Lilith. How we ended up fighting the kidnappers.

How we managed to defeat the three of them.

Of course, I also mentioned the healing skill.

"...Your injuries reversed? Is that really true?"

"I saw it too! The beansprout got kicked and his whole right side was covered in blood, bones broken all over - I thought he was gonna die for sure... but he healed in an instant. You may be weak, but you've got a pretty good skill there. I'm jealous."

"Hmm. It seems to be true..."

Verugana stared at the floor, looking deep in thought. She seemed more worried than pleased.

"Is there something concerning you?"

"...No, I just thought the healing performance was a bit too high. The best healing skill I know of is 'Breath of Healing'. It's a magic-type skill that maximizes healing power and can completely heal even severe injuries in about 10 minutes."

"10 minutes, huh..."

In my case, it only took a few tens of seconds.

But if that's the highest level for magic-type skills, maybe my healing skill isn't magic-type? I've heard I shouldn't have any magic-type skills since I don't have any mana to begin with.

"Oh right, I got an activation notification like with the common skills. I don't remember clearly since it was in the middle of battle, but..."

"I see. Do you remember what the skill was called?"

"I think it was something like 'Numerology 7'..."

"Are you sure!?"

Verugana stood up, knocking over her chair. She grabbed my shoulders with both hands and shook me.

"You didn't misread it?"

"Probably not."

"...Alright, we're going to the church."

"Huh?"

I didn't expect Verugana to say that.

I thought getting an appraisal at the church was something I'd have to do on my own, secretly. I was going against my father's orders after all. No matter how strong Verugana was, I thought she wouldn't help me since she's employed by the duke's family. Up until now, that had been her attitude.

"What's gotten into you?"

"Young master. There are times when something takes precedence over the duke's family's rules."

"...Like what?"

When I asked that, Verugana's face showed an expression like she had returned to her childhood.

"That's obvious. When curiosity gets the better of you."

□ □ □ □ □

Appraisal magic is holy magic.

Holy magic is said to be the attribute with the fewest users among the 9 types of magic currently confirmed: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice, holy, dark, and light.

For other magic types, aptitude is determined by affinity with naturally existing magical elements, but for holy magic, affinity doesn't matter.

So what does matter?

Apparently there are institutions in various countries researching this, but the conditions for holy magic aptitude are still unknown. The only thing that can be said is that it borrows a portion of the power of the gods who created this world.

Therefore, magic users who can use holy magic receive financial aid from the church - the Holy Kianus Church - in exchange for being asked to cooperate in the creation of various devices made by the church. Of course, not all citizens are members of the Kianus faith, so it seems to be voluntary.

By the way, the god Kianus is one of the creator gods of this world, and has the most followers on the continent.

"Now, please put your blood in this vessel."

"Ah, yes."

I pricked my finger with a small purified needle and let a few drops of blood fall into a small dish. Looking at the dish reminded me of the soy sauce dishes you'd find at a sushi restaurant. Come to think of it, we get meat at the duke's house but rarely fish... or rather, I've never seen fish served there.

I want to eat sushi again after so long.

"Now please pour your mana into this."

"Ah, I'll do that."

The one next to me is Rina.

She was sitting in on the appraisal room as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She's been sticking by my side ever since Verugana announced we were going for an appraisal. I have a feeling she might be waiting for a chance to scold me for all the cheeky things I said before we went to search for Lilith. Her gaze is kind of scary.

Anyway, appraisal is holy magic. There's no one in this town who can use holy magic, so they use a magic device as a substitute for the appraisal itself. With a magic device, anyone can use it regardless of their aptitude as long as they pour in mana.

Rina poured mana into the magic device in my place - it looked like a scale with a dish on one side. On the other side was a small needle, with its tip touching a piece of paper.

Then my blood was absorbed from the dish into the scale, and the needle began to move.

It traced letters on the paper. The vivid red letters... ah, I guess it's using my absorbed blood to write. Since it's status information, maybe it needs biological information?

After a while, the needle stopped moving and the Sister who had been assisting with the appraisal put down the paper. As I reached out to take it right away, Rina gently stopped me.

Oh right, the fee.

"Here is the offering."

"Faithful follower. Give thanks to God."

"La Vie."

"La Vie."

Rina and the Sister bowed their heads.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'll say "La Vie" too. Sounds like some soccer team.

As I fidgeted, wondering if I could take the paper now, Rina smiled sweetly. I'm aware I'm reacting like a dog being made to wait, but this is my first appraisal so I can't help it. Is the stay command over now? Woof woof!

"Ruruk-sama, here you go."

"Thank you very mu-oof!"

Oops, that almost slipped out.

I took the paper and was about to open it when--

"Let's look at it when we get back."

"Ah, yes."

Still on stay command!

Well, I suppose the Sister is here, and there are other people waiting for appraisals behind us. It would be bad to keep them waiting, and it's personal information so there would be various problems with opening it here. I get it, I understand. I lived in an information society so I have the literacy. But can't I just take a tiny peek?

"Here, take my hand so we don't get separated."

"Huh?"

Rina-san, the church isn't crowded at all? In fact, the hallway is so spacious we could roll around without bumping into anyone?

"There's no need to hold hands--"

"Your hand, please."

"Ah, yes."

Is she worried because I'm a child? Well, her daughter was almost kidnapped just now.

I grasp Rina's hand as instructed.

...Wait a minute.

That's when I finally realized.

Rina is only 21 years old. The age of adulthood in this world is 15, so it's not strange, but while my body is 5 years old, my mental age is 18. Isn't it kind of dangerous for me to be walking hand in hand with a 21-year-old woman (who happens to be my father's third wife)?

It might not be a problem based on my physical age, but mentally I'm borderline too old for this, right?

I'm not sure how to feel about this situation!

As I walked in anguish over this somewhat awkward situation, fortunately the hand-holding period ended quickly.

We had arrived at the waiting room prepared for the duke's family.

"Oh, the appraisal results are here."

"Hurry up and show us, beansprout!"

By the way, the only people here are me, Rina, Verugana, Gavin, Lilith who had fallen asleep from crying too much, and one maid looking after Lilith. The soldiers and other maids are waiting at the Merchant's Guild.

Even Verugana, who gave in to her curiosity, has to keep up appearances. We're officially here for worship, not appraisal. La Vie La Vie.

I spread the paper on the table, and everyone leaned in to look.

------------------------

[Name] Ruruk Muuteru

[Race] Human

[Level] 1

> Status (Base + Bonus)

[Health] 107 (+0)

[Mana] 0 (+0)

[Strength] 89 (+0)

[Endurance] 88 (+0)

[Agility] 140 (+0)

[Intelligence] 130 (+0)

[Luck] 101 (+0)

[Rational Arts Proficiency] 270

[Magical Arts Proficiency] 0

[Mystic Arts Proficiency] 1034

[Possessed Skills]

<Automatic Type>

"Numerology 7: Autonomous Regulation"

"Calm and Collected"

------------------------

"It really is Numerology as we thought. My, what a fateful thing this is..."

"1034 Mystic Arts Proficiency!? Hey beansprout, what's the meaning of this!?"

"As expected of Ruruk-sama."

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

It's natural that my level is at the initial value since I haven't done any leveling up. I can understand why the bonus status is all +0.

More importantly...

"Rational Arts, Magical Arts, and Mystic Arts... Don't tell me the Three Sages actually existed?"

I thought the story of the Sages was just fiction.

Rational Arts are science, Magical Arts are magic as we know it. So then Mystic Arts are...

"Mystic Arts. A rare technique that hardly anyone can use nowadays."

Verugana leaned back on the sofa, looking somewhat pleased as she spoke.

"Young master, you've read the Tale of the Three Sages, right?"

"Yes. I found it very interesting."

"Do you remember the story of the Mystic Sage's master?"

"Well, yes. The beautiful woman called the Mystic Queen, right?"

A long black-haired, eternally youthful woman always wrapped in robes, known as the immortal queen. 

She taught the mysterious art of Mystics to the Sage in the past, and now wanders aimlessly as the strongest character in the story. She occasionally appears in the latter half of the tale to help the Sages when they're in trouble.

...Wait, if Mystic Arts actually exist, then maybe...

"That's right. The Mystic Queen is immortal... she's still alive somewhere even now."

"No way, isn't the Tale of the Three Sages set 800 years ago?"

"That's right. That's why she's immortal."

"Well, I suppose that makes sense, but..."

Already immortal 800 years ago.

The Magic King - the "Demon King" - and the Rational King - the "Reason King" - also appeared in the story, but they aged and died normally, so the Mystic Queen seemed a bit too overpowered in comparison. Though she did appear less frequently because of that.

"Young Master Ruruk, keep that in mind as you listen. Your healing skill 'Numerology' is undoubtedly a Mystic Arts skill."

"Mystic Arts... so I can use them without realizing it."

"As long as you have the proficiency, you can use them unconsciously. But more importantly, it's about that 'Numerology' skill. I've seen many people in my time, but I've never seen anyone with a Mystic Arts skill outside of researchers. And 'Numerology' is even rarer. As far as I know, only one person possesses it."

Oh boy.

This conversation is heading in a dangerous direction. I'm not mentally prepared for this yet.

I don't want to hear it. But I do want to hear it.

I mean, an important character from the story actually exists?

How could anyone resist that?!

"Who is this person!?"

"The Mystic Queen. I heard that 'Numerology' is the skill that makes her immortal. It's the absolute pinnacle of Mystic skills... that's 'Numerology'. Of course, yours probably has different effects from hers, but from what I've heard, yours seems to have incredible performance too."

Woohoo!

Dad and Mom from my previous life, thank you for giving me a healthy body! Maybe I got this healing skill because I was healthy until I died. Even a weakling like me managed to get a little closer to a character from the story... Well, it feels like wasted potential on someone as weak as me. After all, everything else about me is trash.

As I was alternating between joy and self-deprecation, Verugana gazed into the distance and said:

"...I wonder where she is now and what she's doing."

[TL notes: If you like the story please rate it at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-mysterious-child-an-adventure-tale-beginning-with-numerology/]