Chapter 34

Happy New Year!

I am deeply moved by all the greetings I have received.

I hope you will continue to support me this year.

"Hmm..."

I wake up to the cool winter air and the blinding morning sun.

It's probably still too early for me to get up. Of course, the maids, Sara and Baltro, have already risen to prepare breakfast and are working diligently from early in the morning.

In this world, there is no electricity like in Japan, so when it gets dark, people immediately go to bed, leading to a rather healthy lifestyle.

I can stay up all night with the non-elemental magic 'Light'.

However, sadly, I am only six years old. My body doesn't allow me to stay up late, and I fall into a deep sleep. Besides, I end up using up my magic power through my daily magic training and get tired, so it's the same either way.

Anyway, I'm still sleepy. It's also cold, and I don't want to get out of bed. Why does winter make the bed so irresistibly cozy? No matter how much I train my magic, I don't think I can ever overcome the magic of a winter bed.

"Ah, bed. I won't leave you. I promise."

I whisper my love to the bed and enjoy the warm feeling as I hug it tightly, as if I'm basking in the sun.

Oh... It feels like my body is floating. It's pure happiness.

Once you fall into a deep sleep, you can't feel the comfort of lying in bed.

However, in this drowsy state, you can still feel the pleasant sensation of the bed and pillow while lying down.

"...Oh no, I need to go to the bathroom."

If I get out of bed now, the cold, dry air will instantly attack me.

Do I abandon this comfortable place for a refreshing feeling, or do I endure the urge to urinate and stay in this cozy place?

I have to choose one. Is this the kind of dilemma that protagonists, heroes, and champions in stories experience?

"...I can't hold it. I need to go to the bathroom."

If I have to urinate, I can't even enjoy a second sleep. So, I need to go to the bathroom quickly to have a comfortable second sleep. Even if there's a risk of waking up, I have to do it.

However, I just made a promise of love to the bed. Is it okay to break it so soon?

"Ugh..."

The conflicting thoughts in my heart clash and struggle.

"...I've decided. I'm going to move forward."

I lift my heavy eyelids, which I was reluctant to open.

"Ugh!"

The morning sun, like a burning light, mercilessly shines into my eyes.

Just opening my eyes is this difficult. The path to the bathroom is quite challenging.

Still, I have to move forward.

I slowly put my feet out of the bed.

"Ah! It's so cold!"

The cold air, like needles, pierces my feet.

I want to put my feet back into the bed immediately. It's still not too late. If I put my feet back, the bed will warm me up both physically and mentally.

But is that okay?

The urge to urinate is steadily growing. Eventually, it will reach its limit and burst.

I have my pride to protect.

If I lose my pride, people will point at me and laugh.

As a man, I can't allow that.

I quickly move and jump out of the bed.

The bed, which I love so much, seems to try to hold me back.

"Sorry."

As my whole body is exposed, the harsh winter air attacks me.

I immediately tidy up the bed to prevent the warmth from escaping.

Then, I vividly imagine the location of the toilet and teleport there.

I pull down my pants—

"Ah! ...Was it just a dream? It felt so real."

It's autumn now. There's no way the air is so cold, and nature isn't so harsh. Besides, I'm in a bed, not a futon.

The morning air might feel a bit cold when you wake up, but it's a comfortable temperature once you start moving.

"Ah! I didn't wet the bed, did I!?"

I quickly check my crotch.

After having such a vivid dream, it's a real possibility.

"...Safe. Nothing happened."

My pride remains intact.

"Alright, I'll go back to sleep now."

In the dream, I couldn't go back to sleep.

I savor the comfort of the bed sinking around me and the smooth feel of the blanket as I gradually drift back into darkness.

Knock knock

"Al, are you awake?"

Silvio's voice calls out from the hallway.

"I'm sleeping."

"...Al?"

"No."

"But I haven't said anything yet?"

"Still no!"

"No, I'm Elly—"

"No! I don't want to hear it. Go away."

"...Sigh. Alright."

I don't know if Silvio gave up on my stubbornness or was just exasperated, but he leaves the door.

To think he would disturb my second sleep. It's unusual for Silvio to come to my room so early in the morning.

However, my desire to go back to sleep outweighs my curiosity about Silvio.

"Al"

"..."

How can there be such a difference in words between a brother and a sister? When Elly calls, it feels like a definitive statement. There's a clear aura that says, "I have no choice but to say this." Can I be the only one who feels various meanings in just two syllables?

"You're awake, right? You were talking to Silvio just now, weren't you?"

Silvio has been saying a lot of unnecessary things lately.

If you only listen to the last part, it sounds like a cute woman's jealousy. If that's the case, as a man, I should accept it silently.

"...I'm coming in."

That was quick. She made a quick decision.

The door opens with a creak. Why didn't I lock it properly yesterday? I can't help but regret it.

"Al, wake up."

Elly calls out, but I pretend to be asleep, making innocent snores.

I look like a cute little brother, no matter how you look at it.

Elly strokes my chestnut bangs.

Then, she stops and tightens her grip.

"Ow! Ow! My skull!"

It's the Iron Claw.

"Did you think you could fool me with that fake face?"

"I was foolish to think so."

Elly loosens her grip but doesn't remove her hand from my head.

"Can you let go of my head?"

"Not yet."

Good. I thought she might say something like, "Don't pets need collars?"

"Besides, it's just the second day of the harvest festival. There's no need to get up so early. The Count Merna and Viscount Rolina said they would relax at the manor today."

"Viscount Yulina. Al, you always end up in trouble because of your sharp tongue."

Sharp tongue and flat chest. Which is more of a sin?

"Ow!? I didn't say anything just now, did I?"

"The woman's intuition in me said to hit you."

Is it that divine message again? If divine messages keep coming so easily, they lose their significance. I wish she would be a bit more restrained.

"Anyway, we're doing morning practice today."

"Father Nord didn't say anything about that."

"It was decided this morning. Count Merna and Rumba suggested we do some sword practice."

Damn, they just decided to come back. I've been doing heavy labor in the village recently, so why did they come to play today?

I remember they said they would return to the capital before winter and come back to Coirat Village in the spring.

He's a fun and reliable B-rank adventurer, so I'm happy to see him.

But that's not the issue right now.

"Then I'll be in the way. Good night."

"But Count Merna and Rumba specifically asked for you?"

"Can I offer Silvio as a shield instead?"

"...Shield"

Hmm? I thought I heard something in the hallway.

"Silvio won't work. He'll break too easily."

"...Break"

"Yeah, Silvio's defense is low."

I've already confirmed that with Silvio Barrier in the past.

"...Low defense"

"Alright, let's go."

If Count Merna calls, I have no choice. I'll enjoy my second sleep another time.

Finally, Elly's hand leaves my head. I hope there's no handprint. I rub my forehead and leave the room with Elly.

"Silvio, what are you doing on the floor? We're going to practice."

When we step into the hallway, Silvio is lying on the floor.

"...Al, be prepared for today's practice."

Silvio says with a serious expression.

Hmm? Does that mean the practice will be tough because Count Merna and Rumba are here?

"Okay. Let's do our best."

I respond with a full smile.

Let's both try to survive!

Thank you for reading "The Gem World's Enhanced Human."