Chapter 32

May 25th is my birthday.

This year, I will turn five, so I should be celebrated quite grandly.

The infant mortality rate in this world is very high. It seems that turning five is a significant milestone, and once you reach this age, it is considered that you have passed the first major hurdle.

Of course, this is only for wealthy families or families like ours, which are knights. In ordinary households, birthdays are rarely celebrated. It seems that only the coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen is celebrated even in poor households, but that is because it signifies independence, so it has a different flavor from a birthday celebration.

On the morning of my birthday, I used "Reference" to check my current status.

Zakaias Rockhart, 5 years old, Mage Swordsman Level 5

Strength: 6/50

Reflexes: 10/90

Physical Control: 10/90

Endurance: 13/120 (80 x 1.5)

Magic Power: 11/100

Mental Power: 120 (80 x 1.5)

Intelligence: 100

Crafting Ability: 6/50

Appearance: 87

Charisma: 82

HP: 140

MP: 115

Skills: Swordsmanship 5, Martial Arts 8, Negotiation 32, Calculation 70

Magic: Wind 6, Light, Water, Wood 5, Fire, Earth 4, Darkness, Metal 2

Special Abilities: Toughness, Disease Resistance, Poison Resistance, Mental Resistance, Enhanced Vision, Death Force, Memory of Past Life, Reference, Magic Combat

My skill level and class level, which is the level of a swordsman, are still the same. According to Nicholas, they usually start to diverge around level 3, so it seems that my grandfather's teaching method is good.

Compared to a year ago, my HP and MP have increased significantly. I think it's because I'm in a growth period, but it's still nice to see the growth.

The morning of May 25th was bustling in the mansion.

It seems that representatives from various regions will come to offer their congratulations, but for me, who frequently visits the village, it feels a bit embarrassing.

After breakfast, I was called by my father and went to my grandfather's room.

There, in addition to my grandfather, my mother, my brother, and the retainers Walt and Nicholas were gathered.

My grandfather said, "It's a significant age, so I'll give you a gift," and took a knife from a drawer.

The knife looks like a very ordinary one, housed in a plain sheath.

"This was given to me by a certain person when I was knighted..."

According to my grandfather, it was one of the gifts he received from the former Lord Lazwell, and the blade is made of mithril.

"This was prepared by the Lord to use for suicide when he was prepared to die. The Lord entrusted his life to me by giving this to me... I carried it with me at all times while the Lord was in service."

Then, he handed the knife to me.

"I give this to you. Be your own master and live as you wish."

My grandfather gave me this knife as a symbol of my own life and death, and thus a symbol of my freedom.

(A tool to end one's own life, to give such a thing... Well, it's like my grandfather. If you want to live freely, you must be prepared to die for it... Still, it's the first time I've seen mithril.)

I said, "Thank you. I'll take good care of it," and bowed deeply.

Then, I received a fine quill pen and an ink pot from my father and mother, a wooden sword from my brother, and various items from the retainers. I tried hard to hold back my tears and smiled, thanking each of them.

(I've never received such heartfelt birthday gifts before. Just this alone makes it worth being born into this family. I can really feel that this is my home...)

Around 10:00 AM, representatives from various regions started to climb up to the mansion with gifts.

These were more for the Rockhart family than for me personally, and they mostly brought food, alcohol, and various daily necessities.

Among them, the blacksmith Bertram climbed up the hill, out of breath.

Perhaps he was worried about the eyes of the household, he said in a smaller voice than usual, "I hear you're five now. Here's a gift," and placed a copper cup with a handle and a copper shot glass, about 2 cm in diameter and 6-7 cm high.

I tried hard not to laugh and said, "Thank you. It's a bit early, but I'll take good care of it," and lightly lifted the shot glass.

He seemed to remember that I mentioned I liked to drink from a small, slender glass when we talked about scotch before.

"Get to an age where you can drink it. I have to make that drink even better."

He grinned and said that, then quickly returned to his workshop.

I wondered if I, who am not the heir, would be celebrated like this, so I asked my mother. My mother, who is of commoner origin, tilted her head slightly and said,

"I don't really understand it well, but in knight families, it seems that the heir is not decided until the eldest son turns ten. Rod is still nine, isn't he? So, you have the potential to inherit this family."

When the eldest son turns ten, he is introduced as the heir of the family, and until then, the second son and younger brothers also have the potential to become the heir. In particular, if the eldest son is sickly or lacks talent in martial arts, it is sometimes deliberately not introduced as the heir on his tenth birthday.

However, this is an old custom, and now it only remains as a formality.

(I have no intention of inheriting this family, and my brother is healthy and has sufficient swordsmanship skills compared to his peers. If I continue to be raised by my grandfather, I should have enough talent to protect this village. Well, my father and mother intend to have my brother inherit, so I feel relieved...)

After that, I received a kiss on both cheeks from Mel and Sharon.

At that moment, my mother, Mel's mother Polly, and Sharon's mother Claire burst out laughing all at once.

I was embarrassed and muttered in my mind, "If you all laugh too much, you might go into labor from the shock."

Dinner was more luxurious than usual, and a poached river fish similar to char was served. The fish was a gift from the villagers, and it seems that Molly remembered that I once said I liked poached char, especially the Ombrie Chevalier.

After dinner, when I returned to my room, Ridi came in.

She smiled and said, "You were lucky to receive a kiss from two beautiful girls," peering into my face.

"Yeah, it was indeed a rare blessing."

When I said this with a serious face, she pouted a little.

I couldn't help but laugh, and Ridi also burst out laughing.

After the laughter subsided, she made a gesture as if lowering her eyes and said, "It's a gift," and pushed something into my small hand.

When I opened my hand, there was a silver ring that was too big for my finger.

"I was thinking of giving it to you when you're a bit bigger, but I couldn't wait... This is a ring that has been passed down in my family, the Dupré family."

According to Ridi, when you wear this ring, you can sense the condition of the paired person—whether they are alive or dead, or if they have a serious injury or illness.

When I asked for more details, it turned out to be one of the magical artifacts that can no longer be made, and it was worth a fortune.

I was surprised, and she showed me the ring she was wearing on her finger, saying, "It's a matching set."

"Is it okay? It seems to be very important."

My voice trembled a little, as I was a bit shaken.

Ridi, who didn't seem to notice my unease, continued in the same tone.

"Stupid. I want you to have it. Since it's too big now, just hang it around your neck with this chain."

She threaded the silver chain through the ring and hung it around my neck.

I said, "I'll take good care of it," and gripped the ring tightly.

"Still, shouldn't it be the man who gives the ring?"

When I said this, trying to hide my embarrassment,

"Sure. Then, I'll look forward to it."

"Yeah. I don't know when it will be, but I'll look forward to it. I'll definitely give it to you."

While I was talking with Ridi, my brother Rod seemed to be quite troubled.

The day after my birthday, I was called by my father and went to his study.

There, my brother, with a serious face, and my father, with a face like he had bitten into a bitter bug, were waiting.

I waited for my father to start talking, but he didn't speak for a while.

Unable to wait, I asked, "What's the matter?"

"Rod has said he will give the family headship to you. He thinks you, who are more talented than him, are more suitable to be the head of the Rockhart family."

I was taken aback by these words. I tried to keep my true feelings from showing and said,

"But, brother, you have good swordsmanship skills... I think you can become a fine lord."

Brother said in a small voice, "That's not true... Your swordsmanship level is rising faster than mine, and you can use magic... And you can talk with Grandfather and Nicholas normally. You're definitely better than me..."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, perhaps from the frustration.

Indeed, having an excellent younger brother and not being able to beat him in anything, and gradually being caught up despite trying hard to keep up, would make anyone lose confidence. Especially at this sensitive age, it's not surprising that he would decide not to inherit the family.

(I didn't think he would think so deeply. Normally, he would bully or ignore me, but my brother never showed any such signs. I thought he was a straightforward good boy... At this age, they start to think quite a lot.)

I asked my father with my eyes, "What do you intend to do?" but he only made a troubled face and didn't answer.

The best thing would be to reveal my true identity, but I was unsure if a nine-year-old child could understand.

Father was probably also considering this and was troubled.

In the heavy silence, Father slowly spoke to my brother.

"Rod, you say you will give the family headship to Zack. What do you intend to do?"

Brother seemed to have an answer ready.

"I want to join the military, like Grandfather."

"Military? Ah, the Northern Governor's Army... Do you intend to live as a common soldier?"

Brother nodded vigorously in response to Father's question.

"I heard that I can join the knights as a squire when I turn twelve."

Father shook his head slightly and said, "You've thought this far..." then looked my brother in the eye and said,

"I see that you're not saying this lightly. You are the eldest son of the Rockhart family. I have something important to tell you now. I intended to tell you when you came of age, but if you have this much resolve, I will tell you now."

Father seemed to have decided to reveal my secret to my brother.

When Brother straightened up and nodded, Father began to speak.

"It's about Zack... You may have already suspected, but Zack is not an ordinary child... He is a child sent by the gods."

Brother's eyes widened, and he looked at me.

"Zack's soul was sent from another world. It's the soul of an adult the same age as Father. The reason he can talk with Father and Nicholas normally is because of this. However, there is something he must do."

Brother looked back at Father and said, "Something he must do?"

"Yes. He has a mission given by the gods. That's why he has talent in swordsmanship and magic. He is different from ordinary people like us. Father and I intend to help Zack with his mission. Teaching him swordsmanship is one of the ways we are helping."

Brother's gaze shifted between Father and me, and he looked confused, saying, "What should I do..."

(Telling such a difficult story to a nine-year-old child will only confuse him. He might not understand and might become resentful, thinking, 'Why not me?')

Despite my thoughts, Father looked my brother straight in the eye and asked, "As his older brother, what do you think you should do?"

Brother shook his head, saying, "I don't know," but his face showed confusion and bewilderment.

"Then, think about it carefully. As the eldest son of the Rockhart family and Zack's older brother, what can you do?"

Brother left the room.

I remained and asked my father, "Was it good? I think it's too early for my brother."

"Perhaps. But even though he is young, he is the heir of the Rockhart family. I believe he can handle this much."

Father didn't seem as confident as his words, and his troubled expression was visible.

I left Father's room and thought about what had happened.

Regardless of what decision my brother makes, my existence has placed a burden on the heart of a mere nine-year-old child. If I had thought more, this might not have happened.

I might have been thinking too much about myself.

I can't deny that I was anxious about my reincarnation, but I should have considered the people around me more when deciding how to live.

Even now.

It's not just my brother. Mel, Sharon, and Dan are also affected by me.

So far, it hasn't been a bad influence. I think it has been a positive one.

But if I were to ask whether this is normal for a child in this world and whether it is truly good, I wouldn't be confident.

Still, was there another way?

Would it have been better to hold back my abilities for the sake of those around me?

I don't have the answer to that question.

At the very least, I can say that I chose what I thought was the best way.

But now, what should I do?

While I was pondering, Ridi, who had finished preparing for her rounds, came to me.

"What's wrong? You seem to be troubled."

I hesitated about how to