Without realizing it, five years had passed since my reincarnation.
Learning to read and write took time due to my youth. For two years, I waited for my brain to develop enough to be able to study. However, my learning pace turned out to be extraordinarily fast for a child my age.
As a result, my parents and the family's servants were shocked by my progress. To them, I must have seemed like a prodigy. At first, I tried to slow my development to avoid suspicion, but acting mature appeared to delight those around me. Over time, I stopped holding back.
Even so, I made sure my speech and gestures matched those of a child my age.
I played the role of the perfect son for my parents in order to secure an ideal training environment for myself. Although my emotions were dulled, I wanted to know what lay beyond these walls. And to achieve that, I had to be strong. I couldn't allow anyone, or anything, to take my life again… like that thing that took it in my previous existence.
I don't see my new parents as my true progenitors. In this world, the real monsters are humans. And anyone who doesn't believe that will eventually understand it, sooner or later.
When I turned five, the number of things I could do increased significantly.
"Rapid Recovery" was an innate ability of this body. My training had not been in vain.
Although my childish body fatigued easily, thanks to my rapid recovery, I was able to remain active for long periods. As my muscles developed, my strength began to far surpass that of other children my age.
One particular day, I found myself in the library. It was an impressive study, even by noble standards.
Its shelves housed countless records compiled by the family, as well as volumes brought from all corners of the world. Everything I wanted to learn seemed to be hidden in some corner of that library.
"My new family has much more red in their ledger than I expected," I murmured.
The House of The Fénix belonged to the nobility of the Kingdom of Leonex, one of the four major kingdoms on the continent. Its leader held the rank of baron.
This was one of the lowest titles within the nobility, meaning they did not possess vast lands. However, despite their position, The Fénix family was extraordinarily wealthy.
At first glance, it was a respected house, famous for its vast knowledge of medicine. It was said that their advanced healing methods had secured them great rewards, the favor of the royal family, and the recognition of many other noble houses.
But what the public did not know was that The Fénix family ran an assassination group in service to the crown and a certain duchy. Assassination was their tool for eliminating those who had become a burden to the kingdom.
Life and death. By controlling both, the House of The Fénix had amassed a fortune and political influence, all while maintaining the image of a humble family.
... What an inheritance I have. Successfully operating as a family of assassins for seven generations was no small feat.
Moreover, they had achieved this while guarding a secret that, if revealed, would turn the country upside down.
If the kingdom had the chance to get rid of the House of The Fénix to hide their agreement with the royal family, they would do so without hesitation.
Even so, The Fénix lineage must hold secrets powerful enough to prevent that.
"Alright, that's enough for today," I murmured, closing the book.
Fine. I'm in a world straight out of a fantasy, but... I don't know what to do. And, to be honest, I don't really care either. I'm not even surprised by the fact that my family are assassins. As I said before, the real monsters are humans.
... Wait, what if what I have is such a deep depression that nothing matters to me anymore?
My knowledge is still intact, but, according to what I've heard from the maids, this world has magical powers, dungeons, and things like that. Since I was never a fan of manga, anime, or light novels, I have no idea about these things. In my previous life, I spent too much time working to waste it watching animated dolls.
And listen well: don't spend your life working. Those chains only make you miserable...
Someone knocked on the door.
"Master Seik, my lord wishes for you to meet the new maids of the house," announced a voice on the other side.
Maids? No, I don't want to. I just want to keep reading; at least that serves as an escape for me. Sometimes I train this body, although my skills are still those of a normal human. With the "Rapid Recovery" ability, I have more stamina than usual, but that's it.
"Yes, alright," I replied as I walked toward the door.
I guess they just want me to step out of my comfort zone.
When I opened the door, Sebastian was standing there, dressed in the house uniform. He was the head butler of The Fénix and, of course, also an assassin. He was around seventy-two years old, with silver hair and eyes of the same tone. His appearance was impeccable, and his physique made it clear that he still trained regularly.
This man has always intrigued me. He looks too much like my mother. The hair, the eyes, the skin… absolutely everything is the same.
... Wait. What if Sebastian is my mother's father, and they're hiding that secret from me? Damn… if that's true, I just spoiled it for myself.
"Master Seik, are you alright? You seem deep in thought. Are you worried about the maids?"
His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I took a step forward and began walking. He followed me in silence.
"No, I was just thinking… can you use magic?"
"Yes, I can use magic, but I don't use it. If you need my magic, I will obey the order."
... Wait, what? What do you mean you don't use it? What kind of isekai am I in? Isekai was what the Japanese called this, right?
"No, don't worry. Maybe another time…" I replied, still processing his answer. "Sebastian, Who are the new maids?"
As we walked, a gust of wind suddenly blew in through the open windows.
"The new maids are five women and two girls your age. My lord wishes for you to choose one of them."
Hmm… honestly, I don't even want to know who they are. I already have an idea.
"Sebastian, what if I don't want to choose anyone? What would happen?" I asked in a neutral voice as we descended the stairs.
"There would be no issue. However… lately, everyone admires you, but you never talk to anyone. You also don't seem to have fun. You're just… there, and yet not there."
Sebastian paused for a moment and looked me in the eyes before continuing:
"Don't you think doing that limits your potential? I mean, even if sometimes we don't want to talk or do certain things without an apparent reason, wouldn't it be better to do them to improve?"
I was right. Perhaps being like this only limits my potential. By doing nothing, I'm wasting time. I always say I want to break free from these walls, but in reality, I don't do anything to make it happen.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I looked him in the eyes and, for the first time in a long while, answered sincerely:
"You're right, Sebastian. You're a very wise man. From now on, you'll be by my side. I'll give you a point for your advice about potential."
Sebastian let out a soft sigh. He seemed proud.
"Of course, Master Seik. I'm at your service. You remind me so much of my lord Erick and my lady Eris. Plus, you've inherited your mother's silver hair and your father's crimson eyes. Together, they make a perfect combination."
"Thanks for the compliments…" I murmured.
Sebastian bowed, placing a hand over his chest as he leaned forward.
I seized the moment.
"By the way, Sebastian… are you my mother's father?"
I blurted out the question. This doubt hadn't let me sleep for the past five years.
"Of course not," he replied without hesitation.
Well, we tried.