The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"So this is the baptism of another world..."

Morning.

It was a fresh morning in another world, awakened by the growling of my stomach.

Opening the window reveals a pale blue sky. I can only see the western sky, so I can't greet the morning sun. A slightly chilly air flows into the room, but if it's like this in the early morning, it should be a bit warmer during the day. Come to think of it, does this country have four seasons?

"Ah~ I'm hungry."

It's certainly not because I'm in a growth phase.

The origin of this - or rather, the main topic - was last night's dinner time.

Ordered to wait in my room and not called with the others, I could hear the cheerful voices of the other family members' gathering, along with the fragrant smell of food, from outside the window. I see. I'm the cursed child... So I'm always made to eat alone in my room.

Well, thinking positively, it was easier because I didn't have to pretend to be Ruruk. Fortunately, even in my previous life, I was basically alone at home from elementary school, so I'm used to solitary gourmet experiences with self-cooking or delivery.

It's only the first day since my otherworld transfer, and even though they're family, they're not people I can trust, so it might even be lucky. Yeah, that's right. It must be. So, little bird perched on that tree, don't call me a loner as you watch me gazing at the sunset from this narrow room. Listen, I'm solo, not lonely.

While thinking such things and waiting, I heard the sound of something being carried, rattling.

Peeking into the hallway by slightly opening the door of my room, I saw a luxurious meal being carried on a cart... Oh, is today's dinner steak? Hurray for steak! Hurray for the other world! Hurray for the ducal family!

Oops, I shouldn't get carried away. There's such a thing as manners for meals. Keep the heart burning hot, but keep the expression as calm as still water. That's the refinement of nobility... Excited, fidgeting.

While suppressing my right knee that had started to develop a will of its own despite my meditation with "Ugh, settle down, my right knee...!", the presence of the approaching meal--

"Eek!"

*Crash!*

Oh? What an ominous sound.

Surely not, there couldn't have been an accident with my dinner, right? But just in case, you know? Just to confirm. Just in case.

What I saw when I opened the door was an overturned cart and steaks and bread scattered in the hallway.

...Poku, poku, poku, chiin.

"Nooooo! My steeeeak!?"

I immediately rushed to the steak.

It's still warm. But her body, lying helplessly on the ground, is getting colder and colder...

"Hey, breathe, steak! Is there a doctor... Is there a doctor here!? Or an AED!? Please, someone, anyone... help!"

"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

A girl in a maid uniform was desperately bowing her head while still on the ground, to me who was holding a piece of meat.

It's the girl who dumped water on me right after my reincarnation.

It's you again, clumsy maid!

What's the deal, do you hate me? Even my usually mild-mannered self is about to snap, you know? Because this is steak, you know? Steak is something you only get to eat on birthdays or Christmas, right? Surely today is a celebration of my revival, right? You said my complexion looked good, so today must be my revival anniversary.

Wait? If it's my revival anniversary where I'm the main character, why am I waiting for food alone in a place like this...?

"I'm really sorry! I-I'll make amends... I'll make amends...!"

"Wait, wait, wait! I understand you're reflecting, but don't put the steak knife to your throat while crying!?"

I hurriedly stop her self-harm attempt. Really, please don't do this over just a steak, I beg you.

While I went overboard with my reaction too, I'm not really blaming you, Miss Maid.

Because I actually saw the back of a mischievous brat running away down the hallway. So, Miss Maid, I understand that you're the victim here. And I'm a victim too. We're comrades, you know, comrades. I'll deliver divine punishment to that brat later, so please, stop crying.

Well, as we were making a fuss like that, other maids came running.

The moment they saw the tragic situation, a senior maid scolded the maid girl with a shrill voice. I defended her and explained the situation, but even so, as the senior maid forcibly made the girl bow her head, I said this to prevent her from resorting to self-harm again as she cried uncontrollably:

"It's okay! I'm not hungry today anyway!"

And that's how the matter was settled, leading to the current situation.

I'm quite admirable, aren't I? Right, my stomach?

*Grooowl...*

See, even my stomach agrees.

Anyway, if I stay like this, I might starve to death during Verugana's special training, so before that, I should go to the kitchen and get something to snack on.

I'll rummage through the wardrobe, change from pajamas into a loose shirt and pants, and set out.

Come to think of it, I stopped exploring the mansion halfway through yesterday, so I should continue today.

I'm searching for the study.

What I seek are the stories of this other world.

"--If that's the case, all the more reason--"

I explained the situation to an early-rising cook in the kitchen and had them make me a light meal of bread with prosciutto.

I guess this is my first otherworld meal... *munch munch*... Thinly sliced bread with salty prosciutto... *munch munch*... A simple yet profound flavor... *munch*... What an amazing dish... *gulp*. Alright, I'll name this otherworld dish "Pannihamu Hasamu Nida" (Bread with Ham Sandwiched).

Oh wait, it's just a sandwich. So much for otherworld cuisine...

"--then, this kind of--"

"Hm?"

It's early morning and there aren't many people in the mansion yet. As I was walking and eating, throwing manners to the dogs, I suddenly heard a voice and stopped.

The door to a reception room on the first floor was slightly open. Could there be visitors at this hour?

I peeked inside through the gap. My father was sitting on a sofa, with a butler standing behind him. The seat across from my father was empty, but there was an empty teacup on the table. There must have been a visitor. At dawn when even the servants aren't all up yet?

"Indeed, if we use that method, we won't have trouble dealing with Ruruk's situation externally."

Oh, they're talking about me.

I strain my ears to listen.

"Yes, sir. Although it's a somewhat low-ranking nobility to come from a ducal family, more importantly, the Schreine family..."

"Hmph, that eccentric is known as a weirdo who collects young beast-people. It might be unbalanced to have him take in Ruruk, but that viscount is also rumored to be into men... It could indeed serve as a good cover."

"Moreover, the Schreine viscount family has no male heirs among their relatives. It might be premature, but they seem to have a two-year-old niece. If we hand him over under the guise of an engagement, we can properly process it when Young Master Ruruk turns 10. They wouldn't refuse an adopted son-in-law from a ducal family."

"By making him the next head of the Schreine family that has no sons, Ruruk would no longer bear the Muuteru family name. It's a good idea."

"I'm honored. Then, Lord Digray, I shall make arrangements to meet with the Schreine family."

"And where was the Schreine family again? It's properly far away, right?"

"No worries. They're near the southwestern border of the kingdom, within Earl Ketaaru's territory. According to your patrol schedule, you'll be visiting there for inspection in about a month. We can have the meeting then."

"As expected of you. I'll leave it to you then."

My father stands up.

Oops, dangerous, I'll be found out.

I quickly sneak away from the reception room and hide behind a large vase in the hallway. Rich people really do have big vases in their homes, I never knew that.

I think while hiding.

They were talking about something quite important.

It seems they plan to get rid of troublesome me by marrying me off to a provincial viscount family. Once a child turns 10, they can be officially engaged... I see. Noble society is quite precocious. By the way, what's the age of majority in this country? [TL notes: refers to the age at which a person is legally considered an adult.]

Well, there's no use thinking about it now, so for the time being, let's verify whether escape is possible before I turn 10.

For that, I need to gain both knowledge and strength. As I am now, I can't even beat a 7-year-old brat.

"Well, shall we go exercise?"

After watching my father and the butler go up the stairs, I headed to the mansion's backyard as instructed by Verugana.

Let's do our best with this secret training!

□ □ □ □ □

"Well then, let's start today's training."

The backyard of the Muuteru family.

Surrounded by high outer walls and the mansion, there was a dirt training ground in that space. It was about the size of a basketball court, with a well and chairs near the building. The weather was clear, perfect for exercise.

I, standing in front of Verugana who had changed out of her maid uniform into casual clothes, pointed at the guy next to me.

"Why is he here too?" "Why is this guy here too?"

"Why? Because this is training for both of you."

Tch, so the brat is participating too.

Gavin, with his arms folded behind his head, says boredly:

"Eh~ I'm fine on my own. Won't a weakling like him just grow taller?"

"It hurts to admit, but that's pretty funny."

"Huh? Don't talk down to me, weakling."

"I deeply regret to say this, but that was quite an interesting joke."

"What are you saying?"

No, I spoke from below because you told me not to speak from above.

As we were having this meaningless exchange, Verugana suddenly threw two wooden swords at us.

"Whoa!"

"That was close!"

They didn't come in an arc, but rather quite straight, didn't they??

Gavin caught it with practiced ease, while I unhesitatingly dodged. The wooden sword rolling behind me... ah, it's a small one for children.

"Young Master Gavin, do your usual stretches and then start swinging practice."

"...Hmph."

"Young Master Ruruk, you do stretches too. After that, you'll run."

"Okay~"

For now, I'll keep the wooden sword close at hand.

I can't use sorcery, but maybe I actually have a talent for swordsmanship. Let's try taking an iaido stance and focus on a watery breathing technique.

[TL notes: Iaido is similar to Kendo but focuses on the precise movements of drawing, striking, and sheathing the sword, often practicing solo.]

Awaken, my sword talent!

"What are you playing at?"

"Ow!"

Verugana hit me with the wooden sword. I'm sorry.

Unfortunately, it seems I have no talent whatsoever, so I quietly did stretching exercises imitating Gavin.

You have to do this thoroughly or you'll get injured. That said, for someone who's just recovered from illness and lacks exercise, Ruruk's body was surprisingly flexible. Children's flexibility is amazing. If I were my high school self, I'm confident I'd get injured just from stretching exercises.

After stretching, next is running. Around the training ground, 10 laps for now, she says.

Come to think of it, there was a marathon event when I was in high school. I didn't have any friends to run with, so I was jogging leisurely when the leading group of girls who started late overtook me. Ichinomiya, Kujo, and Onitsuka were among them. Ichinomiya cheered me on saying "Don't push yourself too hard," Kujo looked at me like "This guy's slow," and Onitsuka coldly said "You're in the way." I wanted to complain that it wasn't that I was slow, but that they were fast. But when I reached the goal, most of the girls had already finished, so I realized that I really was slow after all. I'm glad I didn't complain.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

As I'm running while reminiscing about those distant high school days, Gavin started his sword swinging practice.

He must have been training for years, as Gavin's sword strokes were quite sharp. The wooden sword he swung down stopped at the same point each time, and he looked quite impressive. If there were a sword-swinging certification, he'd probably pass level 2. Not that I know anything about it.

"Ugh... my side hurts..."

This is bad, my breathing is getting irregular and I haven't even run half the laps. This body really lacks exercise.

At times like this, I've heard from someone that it's good to play music in your head while running. Let's search and play some music in my brain that matches the rhythm of my steps.

You~ are~ the~ morn~ing~

"I'm too slow!"

This is no good, it's way too slow. But it can't be helped, my stomach hurts.

"Why are you stopping! Keep moving those legs!"

"You see, my diaphragm is requesting a doctor's orders to stop."

"Don't be a wimp! Come on, run until you collapse!"

My butt was hit with the wooden sword. Ouch! My bottom is going to split into four!

No joke, this old lady is really Spartan. My internal organs are starting to scream. Well, let's put aside the fact that I've only been running for about three minutes.

As I was groaning and running, Gavin, seeing this:

"...Hah."

Hey, you just snorted at me, didn't you.

Alright, I'll show you. My true self!

Let's start a new internal music!

Fufufu~ That's~ the light~ you saw~ The hope~ I~ saw~↑↑

About to be called to heaven? Who cares about that! If I die, light a hundred incense sticks at once and make them into a torch!

Jokes aside, I forcibly raised my tension and continued running at a somewhat faster pace than before, beating to the rhythm of SEIUN.

Just as I completed 10 laps, I collapsed to my knees.

Verugana muttered, seemingly exasperated:

"Well, you're just recovering from illness, so I guess it can't be helped."

"I'm burned out... Completely white..."

"Next is strength training. 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, 50 back extensions."

"What... did you say..."

Since when did you think it was over?

The training had only just begun.

I didn't care before because I was a culture-oriented otaku, but yeah.

Basic physical strength is important, isn't it?