Chapter 6

Leona had big, clear eyes even as a baby, and I thought she would probably grow up to be a beautiful girl, but for me, the fact that she was a childhood friend made me think of my past life.

While the baby is fine now, once she starts talking, my social anxiety will be exposed... I also felt hesitant about using the charm skill on a childhood friend to become close.

More than anything, I thought I couldn't do anything at the baby stage, but learning that I could get skills was a big deal.

After Sarasa left, my father, Ricardo, and Sarasa's husband, Heinz, returned from their work in the forest.

The wood Ricardo had harvested and the materials from monsters and animals were worth 15 silver coins and a few copper coins. Since they only have one day off a week, they earn about 300 silver coins a month on average.

Among the town's woodcutters, Ricardo earns the most. Remilia, not having to worry about the household finances, served a stew with deer meat and bread baked in a stone oven to the tired Ricardo.

"Welcome back, Ricardo. Today, Sarasa from Heinz's place came by."

"Yeah, it's good that the neighbors get along. Hey, Hiroto, how have you been?"

Before eating, Ricardo picked me up from the cradle. Normally, a baby would giggle when lifted by a muscular father, but I remained silent. I was happy inside, but couldn't express it.

"Hmm, you don't seem to be very attached to me. Maybe it's because I'm a man?"

"Well, this little one seems to be a bit attached to Sarasa."

"Really? You're not just saying that, are you, Hiroto? She's my best friend's wife, you know."

"..."

Since I can't talk, I tried to express my dissatisfaction with a sound, but Ricardo was smiling with one eyebrow raised.

No matter how many times I see it, he looks like a Hollywood actor. I wonder if I inherited his looks and look different from my past life... I haven't seen myself in a mirror yet, so I'm not sure.

I think it was Antonio Banderas. Ricardo has that kind of wild, slightly bad-boy face and a robust physique that makes him look like a Roman gladiator.

Remilia has a ponytail, so I think of her as a sporty girl. Compared to Ricardo, she looks more innocent, which gives off a slightly criminal vibe... but in this world, women get married young. In Japan, late marriage was becoming more common, so it just seems surprising.

"Well, I can understand a little as a man. Your mother is beautiful, but Heinz's wife is quite something too."

"Hey, I can hear you. Don't teach Hiroto weird things."

"Haha, sorry, sorry. Don't worry, I'm faithful to Remilia."

"..."

It's a sweet exchange, but since they're newlyweds, I'll let it slide. A virgin has to be philosophical about these things.

It seems there's nothing going on at night yet, but they'll probably have a younger sibling eventually.

In my past life, I had a younger brother who was completely different from me and got along well with Kyouji. If I hadn't heard it from my brother, I wouldn't have known that Yuna and Kyouji were dating.

However, I gradually stopped feeling depressed when I thought about my past life. I'll never forget it, but my mind is now focused on learning about this world and thinking about the future.

In the world of Eternal Magia, I want to create a place where no one can shake me.

In my past life, I was just socially awkward, but in this world, I want to be needed by people.

Not just by my parents, but by others too. I want them to say it's good that I'm here.

It might seem like a luxury to think about now, but... someday, definitely.

"Oh, it looks like Hiroto is thinking about something. Even babies have their thoughts, don't they?"

"You might be getting too mushy. Alright, Hiroto, let's take a bath together later."

"..."

"You've been in the forest all day, so you're sweaty. I'll give Hiroto a bath, so you go by yourself."

"..."

Feeling a bit sorry for the sulking Ricardo, I was carried to the bathroom by Remilia. It hurts when he doesn't adjust his strength... but once I can stand on my own, I'll help him wash my back.

◇◆◇

The next afternoon, Sarasa came by with Leona. I thought the charm effect would have worn off by now...

◆Log◆

- Sarasa's charm effect is still active.

- Leona has noticed you.

- Sarasa murmured, "Hiroto, you seem to be doing well today... I'm glad..."

(Still not worn off... and the status effect hasn't been removed?)

A possible reason for the charm not wearing off after a day is that Sarasa's affection for me has increased too much.

If I could see her "detailed status," I could check her affection for me, but with just the "Charisma" skill, I can only judge from her behavior.

◆Log◆

- Sarasa is soothing Leona.

- Leona is happy.

- Sarasa is looking at you.

- Sarasa's cheeks are flushed.

In the game, when someone looks at you or blushes, it means their affection has reached the "really likes" level.

At that point, the charm effect won't wear off until their affection drops to "indifferent." So, it seems that no one around here recognizes Sarasa's condition as a status effect.

"Remilia, it seems you're busy with weaving."

Sarasa, speaking to herself, then comes over with Leona... This is...

"Hiroto, are you hungry? If you like, you can have some milk with Leona..."

◆Dialog◆

- Sarasa has allowed you to "milk." Do you want to proceed? YES / NO

(Really... ugh...)

Sarasa, offering her chest to a baby from another family... My sense of ethics is getting skewed. She's a half-elf, 123 years old, but she looks like she's in her early twenties. Seeing her chest so easily is making my moral compass wobble.

"Maybe it's better to have your own mother... I'm sorry for pushing it."

Leona is already latching onto Sarasa's nipple. A log shows that her magic aptitude skill has increased... I want to take advantage of this opportunity to increase my skills and satisfy my hunger, but I didn't choose the option, so the dialog has passed. Sarasa, however, isn't giving up... What determination...

◆Dialog◆

- Sarasa has allowed you to "milk." Do you want to command it? YES / NO

This strong push... She must be in a state where she really wants me to milk her because of the charm effect.

In a game, I would click the mouse to maximize efficiency and keep milking until her mana was depleted. It takes time to increase the magic aptitude skill, so it's very helpful to do it as much as possible at a low level.

However, I feel guilty about doing it multiple times. After all, she has such a large and full chest. Even if I just touch it, I feel I should show some respect and restraint.

"It's okay to be a bit more forward... Remilia is from a noble family, so it's normal to have a wet nurse. It's common for a wet nurse to feed the baby in place of the young mistress."

Sarasa, trying to seduce a 0-year-old baby. Because of the "Charisma" skill, she sees me as a full-fledged person, but it feels very criminal.

Even if I act aloof, her affection won't decrease because of the charm effect. If there's nothing I can do, maybe I should recall my top player spirit and greedily increase my skills.

(Remilia... I'm going to grow up a bit...!)

Thinking that my mother wouldn't be happy with this decision, I chose "YES" with trembling thoughts. I wanted to be strong and forceful, but also apologetic.

I placed my hand on the opposite breast from the one Leona was sucking. The white mound, contrary to her gentle personality, was aggressively protruding forward.

However, a different reaction occurred. As soon as my glowing hand touched Sarasa's breast, milk began to overflow.

"Sorry, it just came out... Ah!"

Instinctively, I brought the milk droplets on my hand to my mouth. Sarasa watched with a red face... and then.

◆Log◆

- You have "milked" from Sarasa. Your HP has been restored.

- You feel your "Magic Aptitude" skill has grown.

- Sarasa looks blissful.

(Oh... I ended up licking it... It's richer and smoother than Remilia's... What am I doing, tasting it?)

The milk droplets gave me skill experience. Licking them up, I felt Sarasa's eyes moisten with even more expectation.

◆Dialog◆

- Sarasa has allowed you to "milk." Do you want to command it? YES / NO

(To increase the skill, it's better to do it a few times... I can't resist...!)

The last time I used the "choice," I consumed all my mana and fell asleep shortly after Sarasa left. If your mana reaches zero, you might lose consciousness, and if it goes to -100, you might go insane, so you need to be careful with your mana as well as your HP.

For that reason, I feel bad about depleting Sarasa's mana... but the passion to dedicate my life to skill improvement has resurfaced, and I want to keep milking until my "Magic Aptitude" skill increases.

(Actually... I want to milk more. I feel guilty towards Remilia because I'll be full, but I want to milk a lot...!)

"Leona seems to be full and sleepy, so I'll borrow the bed to put her to sleep. We can continue after that."

Sarasa was even more enthusiastic than me. Watching her put Leona to bed, I felt like I was leading her down a bad path.

However, since I can gain skills just by touching her chest, it's better to get as much cooperation as possible—honestly, I was also excited.

◆Log◆

- You have "milked" from Sarasa. Your HP has been restored.

- You feel your "Magic Aptitude" skill has grown.

- You have "milked" from Sarasa. Your HP has been restored.

- Nothing happened.

- Sarasa looks blissful.

- You have "milked" from Sarasa.

- Your "Magic Aptitude" skill has increased by 1 point! Your mana has increased by 12. You feel you can use magic better.

- Sarasa hugged you affectionately.

- You have "milked" from Sarasa.

- You feel your "Magic Aptitude" skill has grown.

- You have "milked" from Sarasa.

- You have gained the "Alchemist" skill!

- You have "milked" from Sarasa.

- Sarasa has entered the "Alluring" state. Her seduction success rate has increased.

- Remilia opened the door.

- Remilia picked you up.

- Sarasa looked troubled.

- Remilia has entered the "Jealous" state.

Discovering that Sarasa had been letting me milk her for a long time, Remilia became jealous and ignored me for a while. For the sake of family harmony, I decided to limit my skill improvement through milk.

It seems that the skills gained from milking are limited to "job-specific skills" and "race-specific skills." I had hoped to get white magic, but it seems that's not possible.

However, getting the alchemist skill as a sage was fortunate, as it's usually only obtainable by joining the alchemist guild and completing quests.

"Well... I'll take my leave for today. Let's talk again when I have some free time, Sarasa."

"Yes, come by when my work is done, Sarasa."

"..."

Remilia tried to discourage Sarasa, but Leona in her arms was charming, and Remilia's resolve wavered. Cuteness is justice, indeed.

After Sarasa left, Remilia picked me up and spoke with a raised eyebrow.

"Really... you can't be so careless. Hiroto, you can't just suck on other women's breasts when you're hungry."

"..."

I tried to show my apology with as much charm as I could, but it wasn't very cute, and Remilia was smiling wryly. If I could get the "Charm" passive skill, it might help, but relying too much on skills isn't good either.