This boy will be the pride and joy of the Duke Leonard Alphonse Serith family. Thus, when the child Jared is born, I will perform the 'acceleration' ceremony," said the priest.
Nonsense, you fool
My mother smiled, giggling excitedly under her breath as she took a few steps forward. As her body swerved gracefully as she approached the priest, my mind went wild as I began to think of ways I could escape my predicament.
"If he finds out I've already been accelerated, what will happen then?"
Most likely, I'll be labeled a genius or something, and the news will eventually get everywhere. As someone who was nearly assassinated not long ago, that kind of attention is not something I want at the moment.
Until I'm old enough to protect myself... I can't let anyone know my secrets!
The priest brought his hands close to mine, smiling happily. His intentions must have been good, but from my point of view, he seemed like.
The embodiment of evil.
No, stay away... stop," I cried inwardly.
Don't worry, little Jared, it won't hurt you at all." The priest spoke in a calm tone, reaching out his hands toward me.
He must have felt uneasy and thought about what to say to comfort me. This man was... a liar!
As the inventor of this technique, I know it hurts. Why would such a respected man of such stature lie? I don't trust him!
Of course, I knew this was just irrational mental drivel. It didn't sound convincing in any way. Besides, my parents wouldn't have hired someone with dubious intentions to perform such an important ceremony, especially after the attempt on my life.
Hmmmm... glebz... ttzzz... sniff... sniff... A sudden sound came from above me.
Impossible. Is this...?
I looked up and saw my mother's face. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she looked at me with pride. Her joy was overflowing, and it seemed boundless.
Why did she seem so excited and happy? Wasn't this just an ordinary ceremony among nobles? Was there something important about this?
"The priest doesn't seem to have noticed that I've already been accelerated, so there shouldn't be anything special about this...
My child, you have magic. And finally... we have an 11th Magic User in our house." My mother smiled at me, pulling me closer as she hugged me.
I felt a light tap on my face as her tears fell onto me. Her body trembled, and I heard more sobs coming from her.
"Oh boy... I didn't expect this!"
"Jared Leonard Alphonse Serith has been successfully 'accelerated,' and thus marks the birth of the first Magic User into the Duke's family in over two centuries. Truly, a star is born."
At this moment, the hall fell silent, and the priest stepped back from the platform, leaving the center area empty
My mother started walking to the center, carrying me gracefully. Since I wasn't used to these people's new customs, I went with the flow as a child should.
As soon as she reached the center of the stage, my mother grabbed me firmly and lifted my small body high, showing me to everyone present.
It was strange, looking down at everyone from such a high pedestal and being lifted up by my mother's slender arms. I was a little embarrassed.
"Hail to my beloved son, the pride and joy of the Leonard family. Hail to Jared Leonard!" she announced.
At once, the audience gave a thunderous response, almost bursting my eardrums.
"Hurrah! Jared Leonard!!!"
And so, with my mother lifted into the air, watched by the guests, the maids, and the vicar, I became overwhelmed with emotion.
Although I knew it was impossible, my body moved without preconceived notions in order to offer my gratitude to everyone present.
"Thank you, everyone. I'm glad you came."
"Thank you, vicar. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
Thank you, Mother, for always being with me.
Thank you, handmaids... for making life easy for me.
And thank you, Universe... for allowing me to be born again.
Surely things will be different this time!
With trembling lips, my mouth parted, and out came the words addressing everyone who had touched my heart.
"Jueng Ju Jijuan" (Thank you to everyone!)
My high-pitched, childlike voice echoed throughout the cathedral, and for a moment, everyone was stunned by my incomprehensible words, including myself.
"Oh... how did you expect it to sound?"
My face flushed red with embarrassment, and I wished the earth would swallow me up right then.
But everyone's reaction made me feel even more ashamed. Yes, that's right. They all said
"Oooooh!!!"