Chapter 7

Six months ago, I noticed that my wife Sophie's belly had grown.

At first, I thoughtlessly wondered if she had gained weight, but then I remembered that she had been on a diet and restricting her food intake, and I immediately realized there could be another reason.

(Could it be a child?)

Once the thought crossed my mind, I couldn't stand it any longer and went to my wife, asking, "Hasn't your belly been getting bigger lately?"

Looking back, I regret not choosing my words more carefully.

Naturally, she was angry.

"Rude! I haven't neglected my diet at all!"

(She is on a diet, then.)

"No, that's not what I meant. I was just wondering if maybe... we might have a child."

"No, I wouldn't jump to conclusions. I'm sorry."

"Well, I have been feeling a bit tight around my stomach... It might be possible."

"O-Oh! That's right!

I know you haven't neglected your diet! There's no way you could gain weight!

It's a child! It must be a child!

We can't just stand here! Call Mariana!"

"Huh!"

"Our child... I'm looking forward to it. What kind of child will it be? A boy? A girl?"

"You're getting ahead of yourself."

"But this is our first child. I can't help but be curious."

"You're right. Which would you prefer, a boy or a girl?"

"Hmm, in terms of succession, it would be better if a boy were born soon.

But we're still young. I'll love whichever one it is."

"Yes, I'll raise a child that won't be a disgrace to anyone."

Then, she gave me a light kiss and returned to her duties.

Six months later, my wife suddenly complained of abdominal pain, and I thought, "Here it comes."

(Oh, so much blood... What should I do? What can I do...?)

I panicked at the sight of more blood than I had imagined and, in the end, could only hold her hand and speak to her, scolded by Mariana.

(Ah, I should have called a higher-level water and holy magic user...)

The mage present was a level 6 water attribute magic user, not a weak one by any means.

After an indeterminate amount of time, I heard the voice, "Sir! Congratulations! Your heir has been born!"

I was relieved. Honestly, at that moment, it didn't matter whether it was a boy or a girl.

I was just overjoyed that the child was born safely.

Then, during the traditional ritual known as the Magic Eye Ceremony, which is performed when a child is born to a Marquis or higher, the incident occurred.

"What... what is this...?"

(Impossible! Five skills! That's ridiculous! And two of them are rarity 7! There are even skills I've never heard of!

What is going on here?!)

Normally, having two skills is considered lucky, but this child has five.

Moreover, as a Duke, I should know the names and effects of a considerable number of skills, yet there are some I've never heard of.

Then I realized.

(To have this many skills and not a single one for magic talent...

Is this a dream? Is this a dream?)

I couldn't help but mutter,

Miscreate

"The mistake of the gods."

Miscreate refers to the rare occurrence where a person's skills and abilities do not align.

For example, someone might have a skill to increase magical power but lack magical talent, or have a skill to enhance earth attributes but lack talent in earth magic, making the skills useless.

"You!!"

I jumped and came back to my senses, regretting my actions.

After warning my subordinates, I fled the room and locked myself in my own, thinking,

"Phew...

This is a serious situation.

What should we do now?

We need to have a discussion."

And so, I was left to ponder.

Note: A mage is someone who possesses and can combine two or more magical talents.

A wizard is someone who can control a single type of magic.