The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

I wake up with the sunrise for training.

After breakfast, I take a second nap and then seclude myself in the study until evening.

I go to sleep as soon as the sun sets.

I repeated this regular lifestyle for about a week. A 5-year-old body gets sleepy quickly, so I can't stay up at night. Not that it matters, since I can't use the lighting sorcery device, so my room is pitch dark after sunset and I can't do anything anyway.

Thanks to Verugana's boot camp, I've gained a decent amount of stamina. I can now run about 20 laps around the training ground, and all my stats have increased by about 10 each. The growth period is amazing.

The study is heaven. There are still plenty of books I want to read, so I'll probably spend my days coming here for the time being.

However, Lilith keeps peeking in when I'm reading books. At first it bothered me, but she runs away if I call out to her, so I decided to leave her be. Just as I was getting used to reading while being watched by my sister, there's a knock on the door.

I answer without moving my eyes from the book in my hands.

"It's open~"

"E-Excuse me!"

Oh, it's the clumsy maid girl.

I've gotten to know the faces of our maids pretty well, but she's the only one who can be called a girl.

Most of the others are mature maids, and she's the only one who's exceptionally young. When I say young, she still seems about 10 years older than me, like a middle school student.

Since this is a ducal family, there must be many high-ranking noble guests. It feels like they've gathered specialist maids of high rank. Except for this girl.

"Young Master Ruruk, I've brought your tea."

Come to think of it, I did ask for it when we passed in the hallway. I saw other family members casually asking for it, so I tried asking too and was surprisingly allowed. I guess even a cursed child is still a member of the ducal family.

The maid girl brings in a tray with a pot and cup, looking nervous. I've witnessed her being clumsy in various situations, so it makes me anxious. Please don't spill anything in the study. I'm really begging you. This isn't a joke, okay? Okay?

"*Phew*" "*Phew*"

The tea arrives safely, and the pot and cup are placed in front of me. The maid girl and I both sigh in relief.

Our eyes meet because we sighed in unison.

"I-I'm sorry!"

Embarrassed, the maid girl hides her blushing face behind the tray.

Yeah, thank you too. I'll do the rest myself, so you can go now. Your luck stat probably decreased just now, so don't push yourself.

As I thank her and start pouring the tea, the maid girl is about to hurriedly leave the room when she stops.

"Oh? Lady Lilith, what's the matter?"

Lilith, who had been peeking from the entrance, had taken a step into the room. She's in a posture like she's gently placed her foot on the floor of the room.

Even when called by the maid girl, Lilith doesn't move an inch. She's staring intently at me.

"......"

"...?"

"...?"

I don't know what this girl is thinking, but... observing carefully, it seems Lilith's gaze is fixed on the teapot I'm holding.

I try raising the pot.

*Shift*

*Rustle rustle*

Her gaze follows.

I lower it.

*Shift*

*Rustle rustle*

...Yep, she's definitely interested in the tea.

Maybe she's thirsty. Well, it's too much for one child to drink alone, so this is just right.

"Lilith, do you want to drink together?"

"...Yes."

"Then, it'll be a bit of extra work, but could you bring another cup?"

"Y-Yes!"

"Sorry about that."

The maid girl immediately left the room.

When I beckon, Lilith slowly approaches. She stares at the pot, tilting her head.

"...Flower?"

"Flower? Ah, you mean the design on the pot. Do you know the name of this flower, Lilith?"

"Don't know."

"It's called a gerbera. Its flower language means 'hope'."

"...Gerbera, pretty~"

Lilith climbs onto the sofa. She sits next to me, staring intently at the pale pink flower painted on the pot. I guess girls like flowers even in a different world. By the way, I have a question: when people say they like flowers but then pluck the petals for flower fortune-telling, what kind of feeling do they have when they say they like flowers? But I guess those are the ones who become big shots in the future.

The maid girl returns after a few minutes and places a new cup in front of Lilith. It must be Lilith's personal cup, with pictures of fruits painted on a small cup... wait a minute. Is that gold decorating the rim of the cup? Eh, is this not paint but the real thing? There's something like a brand logo painted on the handle too, could this be bourgeoisie?

On the other hand, my cup is plain ceramic. There's no sign of a brand anywhere. It wouldn't feel out of place if it were sold at a dollar store.

"Then, Young Master Ruruk, Lady Lilith, I'll take my leave. Please call if you need anything else."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"Thank you~"

Lilith also says thanks, imitating me. What a cute kid.

I pour tea into Lilith's cup as well, and she immediately takes a sip. The tea has been cooled to a temperature that's safe even for children to drink, so there's no worry about burns. With a feeling like a guardian, I watch Lilith return her cup to the table before taking a sip myself.

Mm, it's delicious.

"I'm going to continue reading my book, what are you going to do, Lilith?"

"...Lili read too."

"I see. What do you want to read?"

"Picture book."

"Picture book, huh. I wonder where they are~"

"There."

Lilith points to a corner of the bookshelf.

Picture books were gathered at Lilith's eye level. I pull out a few picture books as directed and place them on the table. Lilith ponders for a while before choosing one, and starts reading while sitting down.

Well then, I'll continue with my book too.

......

.........

................

"Hey, weakling!"

The one who burst in, roughly opening the door with a bang, was the chubby brat.

I was at a good part, and he ruined my concentration.

I didn't hide my annoyed expression.

"What is it this time?"

"Whoa! Lilith really is here too!"

He ignored me.

Gavin raises his voice angrily, seeing Lilith reading a picture book next to me.

"Hey, you weakling! You brainwashed Lilith, didn't you!"

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb! Lilith hates men, you know! She doesn't even warm up to Father! And yet she's reading a book together with you, it's envi-- no, how did you do it!"

"I see~"

Putting aside the truth of whether Lilith hates men or not, I clearly understand what Gavin wants to say.

Is this guy... a siscon? Is he jealous?

If that's the case, I know what to do.

First, maintain a poker face.

"Well, I was just going about my day normally. Right, Lilith?"

"...What is it? The book?"

"No, it's just that Gavin came and is saying strange things."

"Mmm..."

Lilith glares at Gavin, obviously puffing out her cheeks. She must have been at a good part. Of course she'd be angry if she was interrupted.

Gavin also lost his earlier momentum when glared at by Lilith. He seems troubled, having lost the target for his anger.

Then it's time for a combo attack.

"Come to think of it, Lilith, you can read by yourself, huh?"

"Yes. Mama taught me. Is Lili good?"

"You're very good."

"Ehehe."

She seemed to want praise, so I pat her head. Lilith looks shy.

Is this child an angel?

"Guh, nunu..."

I heard Gavin's frustrated voice.

Me? Of course I turned towards Gavin and smirked, making sure Lilith didn't notice. Hahaha, he's clenching his fist and looks like he wants to say something.

But well, I'm not a demon. I'll throw him a bone from my enjoyment of this angel.

"Look, Gavin seems to want to praise you too, Lilith. Why don't you let him praise you?"

"No! I hate Gavin onii-chan because he's mean!"

Lilith turns her face away with a huff.

Gavin is on the verge of fainting, his eyes rolling back.

I'm struggling to hold back my laughter.

This is probably due to his usual behavior. Listen, Gavin, if you want to be liked by your sister, you need to be a good kid. Become an innocent child that everyone acknowledges... start by believing in Santa Claus. So suppress that murderous intent and fist you're directing at me. Violence is wrong.

"I see~ So Gavin onii-chan is mean, huh~"

"Yes! He always takes Lili's dolls!"

"That's no good. No wonder he's disliked."

Gavin seems to be the type of boy who teases the girl he likes. How predictable.

But unfortunately, girls don't understand that pure heart. It's such common knowledge that it's even written in law books.

Lilith looks up at me with worried eyes, as if she's become anxious.

"...Will Ruru onii-chan take my dolls?"

"I won't. I won't do anything that Lilith dislikes. I'll be on Lilith's side until I die."

"Really? Promise?"

"Sure. Shall we pinky swear?"

"...Cut fingers?"

Lilith hides her hands behind her back, scared.

How cute.

"No, that's not it. It's a promise charm. If we connect our pinkies and make a promise, we absolutely have to keep it."

"A charm! Let's do it!"

Lilith and I intertwine our pinkies and do the pinky swear.

If you lie, I'll make you swallow a whole porcupine fish, little sister.

"We pinky swore!"

"Ya! Ehehe~"

Lilith hugs her pinky happily.

Hmm hmm. While things are a bit complicated with my brother, it's good that I can build a nice relationship with my sister. Besides, even though I'm used to being alone, it would be lonely to always be by myself in this mansion. First step, friend get!

"So, Gavin-kun... why are you biting your clothes?"

"Gugugugugugu"

He's rolled up his own clothes and is biting them. The scene is honestly scary.

He must be really upset about me and Lilith getting along. Biting things isn't a bad way to relieve stress, so let's leave him be. But if you bite too much, your clothes will get all wet with drool.

"Gavin onii-chan is still here! This is a place for reading books, so hurry up and leave!"

"Guhaa!"

It's super effective!

Gavin fainted.

...He really fell down and isn't moving at all. I guess he lost consciousness from exceeding his stress limit. Well, it's amusing so let's leave him be.

"Hmm~ He's not leaving..."

"Just think of that as a Gavin-shaped ornament. Come on, let's continue reading."

"Okay!"

Ignoring the fallen Gavin, we returned to our reading time.

After that, we spent a peaceful time without any more intrusions.

Gavin woke up when a maid came to call us for dinner. He got up from the floor with a blank expression and silently put away the books we had been reading. Has he awakened to a kind heart after being metaphorically beaten up by his beloved sister?

By the way, dinner was a hearty soup like pot-au-feu. Thank you for the meal.

"...Huh?"

The next day, when I visited the study, the book I was reading yesterday wasn't there.

I wonder if someone borrowed it. I remembered where it was, and there was a gap, so someone must have taken it.

Well, whatever.

Thinking that, I moved to get another book, but that wasn't there either. Or rather, all three books I had taken out yesterday had been taken away.

This is, without a doubt,

"Gavin's doing..."

He must have remembered the titles when he put away the books for me.

Another elaborate prank.

I could give up here and look for other books, but it feels like losing to Gavin, which irks me. If it were something I wasn't particularly interested in, I wouldn't care, but when it comes to stories, I don't want to compromise.

Alright, if that's how it is, it's hunting time. I'll exterminate every last creature named Gavin from this world!

"Exterminate~?"

"Oh, Lilith. You were here?"

"Yes! Is Ruru onii-chan going somewhere? What about the books?"

"Ah, the books I was reading were stolen. I was thinking of questioning the brat about it."

"Were you bullied?"

"Hmm, it's more like jealousy and taking it out on me."

"?"

Now then, what is Gavin doing at this time?

As I leave the room, Lilith follows behind me.

"Where are we going?"

"To Gavin's room. Do you know where it is?"

"Yes. This way."

She seems to be leading the way.

We proceed down the hallway and turn corners three times. This mansion is really big. Lilith stops and points at a door with a sign that says "My Awesome Room" stuck to it. Wow, that's so Gavin-like.

For now, I knock.

"Gavin~ Let's play baseball~"

*Click*

"What is it, weakling? What's 'baseball'?"

"More importantly, Gavin-kun, don't you have something to say to me?"

I say this with upturned eyes, like an annoying girlfriend. Gavin immediately seems to realize what I mean and grins.

"Ah, you've already noticed?"

"Of course I noticed. Especially when it comes to books."

"That was quicker than I thought. But too bad, I don't have them."

"...Where did you put Nina and Alexander?"

"Who are they?"

"This is where you're supposed to say 'I hate smart-aleck kids,' you know? Don't you know common sense?"

"I don't get what you're saying."

Jokes aside, if he doesn't have them, it means he put them somewhere.

I don't think he'll answer honestly, but let's try asking anyway.

"Well then, Gavin-kun, here's a question. 'Modern Sorcery History,' 'The Tragedy of the Golden Demon King,' 'Dragons and Knights (Volume 2).' When the sum of these three leads to happiness, what is the solution for each?"

"Stop with the weird phrasing. Just look for them yourself, you damn weakling."

"Final answer?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

"I'm asking if that's your final answer."

"Yeah, of course it is."

The brat grins mischievously.

I see... if that's the case, there's no helping it. It's not my intention to torment him further, but in the name of Santa and Maria, let the hammer of justice fall upon all wrongdoing!

I take one step back from the door. Of course, the one behind me is,

"Gavin onii-chan is mean! I hate you! I really hate you!"

"Abaa"

After confirming that Gavin had collapsed to his knees, I turned on my heel.

Ah~ That feels better.

Thus began an unexpected treasure hunt due to forces beyond our control, but surprisingly, Lilith was eager to help. Inside vases, under tables, behind sofas... Considering Gavin's range of movement, we searched and found them quite smoothly, so it didn't take much time. We didn't struggle much because Lilith was having fun, saying "It's like playing hide-and-seek!" So, in light of the cute angel's smile, I thought that level of payback for Gavin was enough.

On this day, Lilith's likeability towards Gavin plummeted.

By the way, when I tell this story to a grown-up Lilith later, she dismisses it with

"It was already at the lowest from the beginning," causing Gavin to foam at the mouth and me to burst into laughter.

This would eventually become a classic joke among us siblings.