Chapter 2

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Fifteen years later, I was certain. For some reason, I had returned to the time of my birth.

At first, I thought it was a dream I was having at the moment of my death, so I tried pulling my chubby cheeks, but it only hurt and I didn't wake up. The poor house, the father and mother with dead eyes, everything was just as I remembered. It was like a nightmare all over again. I tried my hardest to wake up, pulling my cheeks even more forcefully. It hurt.

...Well, it doesn't matter. Whether this is a dream or an illusion, if I get a chance to redo my life, I have only one goal.

Since I once had a terrible ending, this time I will make sure to have a happy life! I won't tolerate any more unhappy days!

So, I decided to thoroughly 'reform' myself.

First, I had to get rid of my introverted nature. From my previous life, I learned that quiet and reserved people generally lose out.

They get looked down upon by others, and when forming parties with other adventurers, they often get a smaller share of the rewards.

So, I decided to always be bright and speak loudly and clearly.

"Father! Good morning!"

"O-oh, good morning!"

I made a conscious effort to greet my family and the townspeople with a smile and enthusiasm.

Yes, I would become a girl like the sun! ...To be honest, I was putting in a lot of effort because of my inherently introverted nature, but I kept trying hard so that no one would realize it.

Next, I focused on my appearance. In my previous life, I had no time to care about fashion, so my red hair was always a mess. This time, I made sure to brush it every day to keep it shiny and smooth.

My facial features weren't bad, thanks to my father being a decent-looking man, so with a smile, I looked pretty enough.

In my previous life, the female adventurers who were popular always had a smile that attracted people. ...And I envied them, which made me even more gloomy. You guys look so happy, damn it!

...Anyway, next was my body.

In my previous life, I didn't get enough nutrition, so I was underdeveloped. This time, I decided to actively hunt animals in the mountains and fields.

"Alright, let's get some meat!"

"Chew!?"

Fortunately, I knew how to set traps because I was forced to be an adventurer. Thanks to eating deer, raccoons, and occasionally rats from a young age, I grew up quite healthy. My flat chest became soft and plump.

I even fed my family, and my father's belly became beautifully plump. You should exercise, though?

Finally, the skill I focused on the most was 'magic.'

Magic is a superpower that uses a special energy called mana, which only a few people possess, to artificially recreate natural phenomena... I was quite clumsy and could only make small fire or water balls. I had a decent amount of mana, but I lacked the talent to use it effectively.

However, if I lacked talent, I could make up for it with effort.

Fortunately, I could use magic from birth, just like in my previous life. So, for the next fifteen years, I dedicated a lot of time to improving the power and control of my magic.

As a result, I could now easily produce a flame that could burn a human, and I could manipulate the components of the water I created to mix with herbs and make my own healing potions.

If I sold them cheaply in the nearby town, they would be a big hit. They were essential for adventurers who often got injured. The quality wasn't as good as commercial products, but thanks to selling them at about half the market price, they sold out every day.

...However, after a while, other magic users who were making a living also lowered their prices, so sales dropped. Still, I was able to save money for the family, and everyone was very happy.

I gave the less effective failed potions to the townspeople for free, and they were very grateful. Doing good things feels so good! Everyone, work hard and feed me! (Very calculated)

So, there you have it, the perfect Sophia! A (forced) bright smile, a (healthy body from hunting despite being a noble lady), and (magic skills honed for money-making) all in one! A complete and flawless girl, ready for anything. Now, I will marry into a good noble family or a merchant household and have a happy life this time! Being an adventurer is a high-risk, high-reward job, but who would choose that? Hahaha!

On that fifteenth night, my father called me with a very apologetic look and told me this.

"Um, ahem! ...I'm sorry, Sophia. You see, I've been sick for a while now. I might not have much time left..."

"No, no, that can't be true!?"

I was shocked in two ways by my father's sudden confession!

In my previous life, even though we were poor, my father never had a terminal illness! This time, I've been feeding him until his belly is plump, so why... Oh, oh, oh! Could the cause be... that!?

So, does that mean... it's my fault!?

Shocked, I collapsed on the spot, and my father looked panicked.

"Hey, Sophia!? No, no, don't worry! Well, I mean, it is true...!

...Anyway, the doctor says it will cost a lot to cure this illness. So, to earn the money for my treatment—could you become an adventurer?"

"Wh-what!?"

Faaah! On the night of my fifteenth birthday, "become an adventurer"? This is no different from my previous life! What, is this an unavoidable fate!?

To be honest, I really don't want to... But if my father's illness is my fault, I can't just do nothing!

I would prefer to earn money in another way, but according to my father, he might not have much time left. In that case, the adventurer's profession, which can potentially make a lot of money with the right materials, is the best option.

...After much agonizing, I finally nodded.

"Alright, Father. I will definitely save your life!"

"Oh, oh, oh, Sophia! What a good girl you are! You've always brightened up my days and the townspeople with your cheerful smile! You even risked danger to provide us with delicious meat! Oh, you are truly a saint! Even though I'm sick, my heart is full of happiness!"

*Hem hem*! No, no, that's not true! The smile I've been spreading is just a cheap imitation! A mass-produced, super cheap one! And to begin with, (probably) my illness is my fault!

"Then, Sophia, please do your best as an adventurer!"

"Yes, Father! I will do my best!"

While saying this with a composed smile, I was on the verge of tears.

Uwaaaaa! To be honest, I don't want to be an adventurer! I'm tired of the days of fighting and killing!

Uu... Damn it! If this is how it's going to be, I'll use my memories and experiences from my previous life to earn a lot of money quickly and retire as soon as possible!

My dream is to become a normal wife!

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