When I opened my eyes, I saw the sun shining through my window. I took a few moments to adjust to the sudden change in my surroundings. I started searching my mind for the events of the past. I was in the garden, and now I'm in bed. Judging by the shining sun, it must be morning.
But that wasn't important at the moment—not after I became fully aware of what happened last night.
My mind fixated on a single fear—something had happened to my mother. Where is my mother? What happened to her? Why isn't she here?
Questions ran wild in my mind, along with endless possibilities began to haunt me.
I looked around and saw Elise sitting on a chair a short distance away, reading a book.
When she realized I was awake, she rushed over, picked me up, and began soothing me.
She was gentle and loving, as always—but right now, that wasn't what I needed. I was desperate to see my mother and ease the worry building inside me.
Then, I heard the sound of a door opening.
Clunk...
With that, the door finally opened, and the person I was so desperate to see came into view—my mother.
We looked at each other for a second before she rushed toward me and took me from Elise's arms.
The moment she hugged me, I felt relief.
She was safe—nothing had happened to her last night. I didn't know how, but that didn't matter anymore. I just wanted my mother to be safe and with be me. It didn't matter how or who saved her. I was so happy.
In return, I hugged her tightly with my tiny little hands. But as I clung to her, the events of last night came flooding back—one by one. The beast's roar. My mother standing in front of it, ready to sacrifice herself. The fear. The helplessness.
And then, the thought hit me—What if I had really lost her? That single possibility made my chest tighten.
Tears began to fall.
The last time I cried like this... it was when my mom died in my previous life. That pain had buried itself deep within me. Yet now, I was crying all over again—this time, not because I had lost her, but because I almost did.
Just imagining it was enough to break me.
She saw the tears streaming down my face and pulled me even closer, holding me tightly against her chest.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I know I made you worry about me. But don't worry—I'm here with you, and I'll stay with you. Always."
Hearing that eased my worries a little.
"Okay, you must be hungry. Let me feed you first, and then you should rest some more. The Healing Archmage will be here soon."
Wait...an Healing Archmage?
Ha...
As I began to drink, I found myself reflecting once more on the events of last night—this time more focused on the beast who clearly look unnatural, and the thing my mother used to protect me.
I realize that describing this world as something like the fifteenth century—with kingdoms, royalty, and nobility—isn't the full picture. This world is much more than that.
It had some monstrous-looking beast—and that wasn't even the most shocking part. Magic exists here. It is like a fantasy world filled with magic and beasts, with royalty and nobility.
And after the attack by that wolf—
the Fenrir—I couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that consumed me.
Watching my mother nearly die right before my eyes, the question tore through me:
Is this going to happen again? Am I going to live a life of regret all over again??
But No—she's safe now. She's here.
And I've made up my mind. So that I won't regret it in the future—if a situation like this ever happens again, I have to start preparing from now.
I will become strong—strong enough to protect my family, to protect my mother. I refuse to be weak. I refuse to stand frozen while everything I love slips away.
I'll live a life without regrets. A life where I don't ask what if.
A life lived to the fullest—where I don't cling to the past, but take my first step boldly into the future.
But the question is—how?
I know that learning magic would be the best option, but I'm still just a baby. I need materials to learn magic, and this body isn't ready yet for physical work. I can't even ask for help to get materials so I can start practicing magic—after all, I still can't speak.
So how… how am I supposed to become strong when I can't do anything but be carried around by my mother? I'm just an infant, after all.
Either I have to wait until I can at least walk and talk to begin studying magic, or I need to think of another way. After all, even if I have the body of a baby, I still have the mind of an adult man. I can think—and I can use that to my advantage.
And the idea is to start improving from now—even if it's just a small step, it will make a difference in the future.
"Elise cheak for the mage if it is arrived or not." My mother asked Elise and with that I cracked out of my thoughts.
I don't have to dwell on that now. I've made up my mind to start improving from this moment on. I just need to wait for the right moment—when I'm alone.
"Yes, My Lady. I will check on the mage." Elise bowed and left the room.
.....
I'm now in the Grand Hall of this big manor. I rarely come here—this place is usually reserved for important guests who need to speak with Father about serious matters. Because of that, Mother brings me here less often than other parts of the house.
But right now, I can clearly see a man who looks to be in his late forties. Based on what Mother mentioned earlier about the Healing Archmage, I think this must be him.
I'm in Mother's arms, and she looks serious as the mage examines me carefully.
After a while, he stopped inspecting me and began to cast a spell. A moment later, he finished his incantation with the words: Healing Magic, Level Five—Holy Aura.
As the spell took effect, I began to feel lighter and more energized. The fatigue and stress I'd been carrying—though only a small amount—started to fade away completely.
And then he spoke to my mother.
"My Lady, it appears he's simply tired and a bit stressed. There are no signs of any physical injuries. I've cast a high-level recovery spell—one that should eliminate even the smallest traces of fatigue or tension. He should be feeling much more energetic now." the mage said.
"You have my deepest thanks, Archmage. It eases my heart to see him well again." My mother said, holding me closely in her arms.
"No, my Lady. It was my pleasure to be of service—and an acquaintance of you and the esteemed Everhart lineage." the mage replied with modesty.
"Then allow me to thank you. And for your service, I will ensure a generous reward befitting your effort. The Everhart name does not forget its debts." My mother replied, her voice laced with noble grace.
Then, my mother turned her gaze to the butler standing quietly nearby.
"See to it that the Archmage receives a generous reward," she instructed.
The butler bowed respectfully. "At once, my Lady."
He then turned toward the mage. "Sir, if you may follow me."
The Archmage gave a small nod and followed the butler out of the hall, leaving behind a quiet stillness… and a sense of peace finally returning to the room.
Honestly, I think my mother may have gone a little too far. I was already starting to feel better—it was just fatigue and stress. Given time, I would've recovered on my own.
And giving him a reward too? Ha… I guess I still have the mindset from my previous world. I know just how hard it is to earn money, and here she is, entrusting the butler to give him a generous reward.
And something tells me it's not going to be cheap.