Chapter 1 of 100
Chapter 1
5 min read1,154 words
I couldn't immediately realize that I had been reborn into a new life.
The ceiling I looked up at was unfamiliar, but the status visible in the corner of my vision gave me a sense of comfort, like being at home, a familiar scene.
I was still a bit groggy and tried to turn over to go back to sleep, but for some reason, I couldn't move.
I couldn't turn over, and my limbs wouldn't move at all.
"Ah..."
I couldn't even speak properly.
What's going on? Why can't I move?
The only thing I could move seemed to be my eyes, so I looked around to the left and right.
Then I noticed.
----------------
Name: None
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP F Fire F
MP F Water E
Strength F Wind F
Stamina F Earth F
Intelligence F Light F
Spirit F Darkness F
Speed F
Dexterity F
Luck F
----------------
My level had somehow reset to 1, and my name was "None."
What's with the "∞"? That's the level cap, and while mine isn't particularly high, I know it's not "8" after seeing it every day.
Something's wrong, something's definitely wrong.
What's happening?
---
Suddenly, a face peered down at me from above.
It was a woman I had never seen before, incredibly beautiful.
She looked at me with gentle, caring eyes—eyes that seemed to watch over me.
The maternal warmth in her expression, as if she could forgive and nurture everything.
...Mom?
For some reason, I thought that.
No, my mom is broad-shouldered and always nagging and annoying.
It would be rude to think such a beautiful and kind person is my mom.
The woman narrowed her eyes even more and gently stroked my forehead.
Sure enough... Mom.
I don't understand, but I still think it's her.
Her gentle touch made me feel very safe.
I've never felt this way before.
Just as I thought I might let myself fall asleep, a door opened with a loud creak, and the sound of multiple footsteps approached.
"Your Majesty!"
Your Majesty?
The beautiful woman looked surprised and turned to the sound, but I was even more surprised by the title.
"Very well, leave it as it is."
A voice with authority followed, and the footsteps came closer.
This time, an old man with white hair, definitely over sixty, peered down at me.
"Hmm, a good face. I see a resemblance in your eyes."
"Thank you. To me, your mouth looks just like His Majesty's."
"Is that so? Hmm. If you say so, it must be true."
What? Resemblance and just like... Am I this old man and beautiful woman's child?
At this moment, I could move a little, bringing my arm to the side of my face.
What I saw was a chubby baby's arm.
This... is me?
I've become a baby?
Why?
"Your Majesty, what about a name for this child?"
"Hmm, I've already decided. This child will be Noah."
"Oh... what a beautiful name."
As the old man declared, the status in the corner of my vision changed.
----------------
Name: Noah Ararat
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP F Fire F
MP F Water E
Strength F Wind F
Stamina F Earth F
Intelligence F Light F
Spirit F Darkness F
Speed F
Dexterity F
Luck F
----------------
My name, which was "None" just a moment ago, had changed to "Noah Ararat."
Is this my name? Was I really nameless just a moment ago?
Because I was just born...?
"Your Majesty"
From beyond the old man, a young, calm male voice spoke.
"About Noah's status?"
"Don't be so dull. He is my son, a prince, of course."
"Thank you!"
The woman was so moved by the old man's words that her voice trembled.
There must be some complicated background... or something.
But more importantly!
----------------
Name: Noah Ararat
Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP F Fire F
MP F Water E
Strength F Wind F
Stamina F Earth F
Intelligence F Light F
Spirit F Darkness F
Speed F
Dexterity F
Luck F
----------------
My status changed again.
Under my name, the blank title had changed to "Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire."
Just a moment ago, I was a village youth, and now this huge change.
Is this really me?
A prince, the title given to the emperor's biological son, the royalty of the royals.
Is this... me?
"Cruise"
"Yes"
"What is Noah's aptitude?"
"Based on the diagnosis right after his birth, he has the highest aptitude for water, rated E."
"Water. Any candidates?"
"There is a place called Almeria where many of the water clan live. It would be a good place for Prince Noah's guardian."
"Hmm, then Noah's fief will be there. Proceed without delay."
"As you wish."
Usually, by the third time, the surprise would wear off, but that wasn't the case.
I was even more surprised than before.
----------------
Name: Noah Ararat
Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP F Fire F
MP F Water E+S
Strength F Wind F
Stamina F Earth F
Intelligence F Light F
Spirit F Darkness F
Speed F
Dexterity F
Luck F
----------------
The water attribute in my abilities had changed from "E" to "E+S."
I had never seen anything like this before.
What does the "+" mean? Does such a thing exist?
No, it doesn't.
I love watching plays.
Especially plays based on the deeds of heroes.
Watching plays while looking at the real heroes' statuses is the best.
I've never seen any hero with a status like this before.
Why? How?
While I was in a panic, the conversation continued.
"That's a good start, isn't it? Show me this child's abilities."
"As you wish."
The young man responded, and a hand reached out over my head, releasing a light that enveloped me.
Immediately, my status appeared above my body.
This is a magic that makes the status visible to others.
As soon as it appeared, I, the old man, the woman, and the young man—all the people in the room—held their breath.
----------------
Name: Noah Ararat
Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP F Fire F
MP F Water SS
Strength F Wind F
Stamina F Earth F
Intelligence F Light F
Spirit F Darkness F
Speed F
Dexterity F
Luck F
----------------
"Wow! So this is my son?"
"Unbelievable... even more impressive than at birth..."
"Prince Noah has already awakened at such a young age?"
While everyone was amazed by the "SS" indicating strength, I was surprised by something different.
There was no "+".
The water attribute in the status visible only to me was "E+S," but the status made visible to everyone by the magic was "SS."
The truth visible only to me.
Yes, only to me.
While the adults were surprised and delighted, I thought more about my own "S+."
----------------
----------------
----------------