Charlotte: Anna, go call Rhys and tell him dinner is ready. And tell him to bring Lioran with him.
Anna: Yes, ma'am.
Rhys: Hey little one, why were you screaming when you were with your mom? Now that you're with your dad, you're calm. Don't tell me you love your dad more than your mom? Come on, say
Daddy... Da... Da...
Anna: Prince Rhys, Lady Charlotte asked me to call you. Dinner is ready. She said to bring the young master with you. Rhys: Alright, we're coming.
Lioran (in his mind): What?! A prince? My dad is a prince? I knew they were nobles, but a prince?! No way! And she called me "young master"! So if my dad is a prince... then my grandfather must be the king!
Anahita: Correct. Thorin Orion is the king of all elves.
Lioran: What do you mean by "all elves"?
Anahita: You're currently in the capital of Thorin's realm, a city called Lunasylever, also known as the "Eternal City," with a population of over 250,000. Other elves live on islands or in forests,
but they all fall under this kingdom's rule.
Lioran: So my grandfather really is a big deal. But seeing how he acts, he doesn't seem like a king.
Thorin: Finally, you're here! Sit down, my boy, your food is getting cold.
Lioran: Grandpa and Grandma are here too. And wow, this dining table is huge! Wait—aren't there just four of you? This beautiful wooden table has room for like fifty people. It's definitely a royal table with that elegant design.
Thorin: Rhys, hand Lioran over to me.
How were the training sessions? How are the soldiers doing? Any progress?
Rhys handed Lioran to Thorin and began explaining the current state of the army:
Rhys: They're not doing badly, but they've still got a long way to go. Today, Will and I sparred
against Elvina. She wiped us both out in a fraction of a second.
Thorin: She's the elf champion, after all. I didn't know she was back from her journey. I thought she was still in Arundel.
Lioran: Anahita, start copying my grandfather's skills. Anahita:
Command received. Processing copy..
.
Rhys: She said she arrived last night.
Thorin: Even though she just got here, she started training this morning. Invite her to the palace tomorrow, I want to speak with her.
Rhys: Yes, Father.
Anahita: Report: Thorin's skills have been copied. He has three skills: Persuasive Speech (Rank
A), Swordsmanship (Rank S), and Enhanced Senses (Rank A).
He also has a magic power of 431, which is equivalent to an adventurer close to Rank S.
Lioran: I understand the other skills, but what does "Persuasive Speech" do?
Anahita: With this skill, when the user speaks, people are more likely to listen and take the words seriously. It increases the impact of their speech on others by 60%.
Lioran: A perfect skill for a king. No wonder he's been so successful.
Anna: Lady Miriel and her family have arrived. Artemis: Show them in.
Evander: Hello everyone! Oh, you're already eating? Great timing then. I'm starving! Artemis:
Welcome, my son. Come sit at the table. Anna, bring plates for everyone.
Anna: Yes, ma'am.
Miriel: Fingan returned from his mission today. Vina wanted to go out too, so we thought we'd come together.
Fingan is Miriel and Evander's eldest son—a kind hearted a young man whose appearance unfortunately doesn't reflect his gentle nature. Vina is their little daughter, one year older than Lioran.
Fingan: Hello, everyone.
Charlotte: Oh, how lovely of you to come! I missed you all. And Vina has grown so sweet, our little one! Fingan, you've become such a man!
Meanwhile, hearing Fingan's voice and seeing his face, Lioran gulped nervously and thought to himself:
Lioran (in his mind): So this is the fear people used to have of me? Is this what I look like to others now? Why is he glaring at me like that? Did he figure out I'm actually an adult in a child's body? Could he have seen my skills?
At the same time, in Fingan's mind:
Fingan (in his mind): This little kid is adorable! He just saw me—if I walk over now, I'll scare him. I'll just watch from here. Lioran: Anahita, scan him.
Anahita: Who?
Lioran: The one glaring at me like a villain.
Anahita: Understood. Scanning Fingan... He possesses a magic power of 693 and four skills:
Poison Resistance (Rank B), Clone Creation (Rank A), Presence Concealment (Rank A), and
Sharpshooter (Rank S).
Lioran: He'd make a great spy for Grandpa with that level of power and those skills. Poison resistance is great—if I had that, no one could poison me. Clone creation could also be useful.
Presence concealment is good, but the best one is "Sharpshooter" at S rank.
Anahita: Someone with Sharpshooter (S Rank) can hit a target up to 4 kilometers away, even a very small one.
Lioran: I'd love to copy all his skills, but the way he's looking at me... Thorin:
Fingan, how was your mission?
Fingan: I have some things to report, my lord.
Thorin: Then let's go to the front room. Rhys, come with me. Evander, are you joining us?
Evander: Nope, I'm eating. I'll ask Fingan for the details later.
Lioran (in his mind): All he does is eat. No wonder he's so fat!
Evander: Anna, tell the cook to bring me another plate.
Anna: Yes, sir.
Thorin: Artemis, take Lioran. We're going.
Artemis: Alright... Come here, little one, to Grandma.
Lioran: Anahita, scan Grandma.
Anahita: Scanning Artemis... Artemis possesses a magic power of 729, equivalent to an S-rank
adventurer, and has the skill Search (Rank S).
Lioran: So, my grandmother is a powerful mage. What does the Search skill do?
Anahita: With this skill, a person can search an area up to 5 kilometers in radius.
Lioran: That's a really useful skill. Copy it now. Anahita:
Command received.
Lioran (in his mind, smiling): I copied so many skills tonight... from Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, and Aunt. Aunt had cooking skills; Uncle had strategy... Maybe they're not super useful, but they're not useless either!
Lioran:
"Anahita, can you tell me what skills I currently have?"
Anahita:
"Right now, you possess the following skills:
• Healing Ability – SS Rank
• Archery – B Rank
• Prediction – A Rank
• Regeneration – A Rank
• Swordsmanship – A Rank (inherited from Rhys)
• Swordsmanship – S Rank (inherited from Thorin)
I've combined these two swordsmanship skills, and now you have the Master Swordsman – S
Rank ability.
In addition, you have:
• Seeker – S Rank
• Cooking Art – SS Rank
• Absorption – B Rank
• Transformation – B Rank
• Copying Skill – B Rank
• Identification – A Rank"
Lioran:
"What?! I have two SS-ranked skills? I'm getting really strong! Just one question... when my father's swordsmanship was A rank and my grandfather's was S rank, shouldn't combining them result in just another SS rank?"
Anahita:
The Master Swordsman – S Rank skill you now possess is even stronger than the
swordsmanship of someone who was an SS-rank swordsman themselves."
Lioran:
"You're the best, Anahita. What would I do without you? Thank you so much."
A year had passed since Lioran first heard Anahita's voice. Since then, he had started copying
others' skills and meditated for over four hours each day to accumulate as much magical
energy as possible—because his magic was expected to awaken at the age of ten.
Lioran (in his mind):
"In this one year, I've meditated over four hours every day and copied the skills of the maids, the
king's advisors, and even the palace guards. I have more than 50 skills now—even though I've
just turned one! I really have become a strong little monster! My big brother also returned from
school; when I checked his status, I saw he was really strong—though he's only thirteen, he has
493 units of magical power and skills like Black Fire – A Rank, Intimidation – S Rank, and
Swordsman – SS Rank!"
Charlotte: Hello, mommy's little cutie! Isn't your mommy pretty?
Aran: Mom, I'm heading out.
Charlotte: Don't forget we're all invited to House Evander tonight.
Aran:
Got it.
Lioran (in his mind):
"So that's why she dressed up so nicely—she's going to the party. That blue dress with red roses really suits her."
Lioran (with a smile): Uhm... y-yeah... mommy... pretty.
Charlotte: Aww, I could just eat you up, sweetheart! Lioran:
"Now that I've started talking—although I could speak from the beginning thanks to Anahita—I avoided doing so right away. A newborn baby talking would scare everyone, so I'm trying to talk gradually like a normal baby would."
Wanting to make his new family happy, Lioran often forgot he was a grown man in a child's body and did sweet childish things to make them smile.
Rhys: Darling, let's go. Charlotte:
Coming!
The city where Lioran lived was called Lunasylvor—the capital of the elven land and a symbol of tze harmony between nature and magic. This wondrous city wasn't built on mountains or beside rivers, but within the living trunk of a mythical tree named Tenur Mendy—a tree so massive its crown touched the clouds and its shadow spanned hundreds of meters across the ground.
Spiraling staircases, glowing bridges, and houses made from living wood were woven into th tree's layers, as if nature itself had crafted them.
Inside the tree's trunk, glowing algae and enchanted crystals illuminated the space, and a pleasant, vibrant atmosphere always flowed through its walkways. Its inhabitants—elves with sharp ears, gleaming eyes, and clothes in tune with nature—lived in this green paradise with magical serenity and grace.
Lioran, who had lived a much simpler life before this, was awestruck by the splendor of a city built within a living tree. It was hard for him to believe that such beauty, order, and living magic could be part of his new home.
Lioran (in his mind): We all left the palace together, heading toward Miriel's house. Two guards were accompanying us along the way. I had learned that my grandfather was the king and my father a prince. As we walked, I saw people nearby and farther away bowing to us, and my grandfather would wave to them in return.
In each level of the great tree's trunk, aside from the glowing bridges and natural paths, magical portals known as Andralis Gateways had been placed. By stepping into one of these luminous rings, anyone could choose their desired level and instantly be transported there — a swift and enchanted way to move around this living city.
They used one of these magical portals and, within a fraction of a second, arrived at the level where Miriel lived — a place known as the middle tier of the tree. They stood in front of Miriel's home, a simple two-story house filled with warmth and love.
Thorin: Rhys, do you want me to knock on the door?
Rhys: Sorry, Father, I spaced out.
After Rhys knocked, Fingan opened the door with a not-so-friendly face and said loudly, Fingan: Welcome.
Rhys: Thanks for the invitation.
Still standing in the doorway with his large frame, Fingan said,
Fingan: Oh, come on now, don't mention it.
And he just stood there, staring at them strangely.
Rhys scratched the back of his head, gave an awkward chuckle, and said, Rhys:
So… can we come in, or should we just head back?
Fingan didn't catch the sarcasm in Rhys's words and continued standing there.
Fingan: What are you talking about? Why would you turn back after coming all this way? Of course you should come in.
From inside the kitchen, Miriel noticed that Fingan had been blocking the doorway for a while, so she called out, Miriel (from the kitchen): Fingan, who's at the door?
Fingan: It's Grandpa and the others.
Miriel: Then tell them to come in!
Fingan (to Rhys): Mom says you should come in.
Rhys (grumbling): I heard that myself.
He walked up to Fingan, put his hands on his hips, and pushed him aside so everyone could enter.
Fingan, confused, asked himself,
Fingan (in his mind): Why didn't Rhys just say it directly instead of moving me like that?
Charlotte and the others: Hello, Miriel. We could smell your delicious cooking even from outside!
Upon hearing Charlotte's compliment, Miriel blushed, a big smile spreading across her face. She placed one hand on the back of her head while the other, holding a ladle, kept unknowingly whacking Evander on the head as she stirred.
Miriel: Oh, stop it. You know compliments don't make me happy.
Charlotte (smiling): Yeah, I know, darling — just maybe don't smack Evander so much with that ladle, I think I heard something crack.
Miriel glanced sideways and realized the ladle was indeed hitting Evander's head.
Miriel: Oops, sorry dear — thought it was a wall.
Evander looked at Charlotte with a pained expression.
Evander: Every time you compliment her, someone gets hurt. Please stop, for my sake.
Charlotte (laughing): Sorry, but her cooking really does smell amazing.
Miriel: Charlotte, leave Lioran with Vina so they can play together. You and Grandma, come to the kitchen.
Charlotte placed Lioran next to Vina and went to the kitchen with Artemis. The men sat together and started chatting.
Lioran (in his mind): When I look at this family… A father who just wants to eat, a mother who injures people when you compliment her, a brother who… ugh, forget it! I don't know what kind of future poor Vina will have with such a strange family.
Vina picked up one of her dolls and said sweetly: Vina:
Come on... play...
Lioran (in his mind): She's so sweet. Those purple eyes and hair she got from her mom, and that lovely voice... I can't handle this much cuteness. I just want to hug her.
Lioran: Okay... let's play...
And they began to play together. Meanwhile, Lioran noticed a strange gaze. He quietly swallowed and looked toward the front door. He saw Fingan watching him with a cold, piercing stare.
Lioran (in his mind, nervous): Damn! Why is he always looking at me like that—so suspicious and scary? Did he figure out who I am? Did he identify my skills?
At that moment, Anahita said:
Anahita: No one's ever tried to check your skills so far, and even if they did, I wouldn't reveal a single one of them.
Lioran (in his mind): Maybe he thinks I have a crush on his sister and I'm getting close by playing with her? Bro, I swear I don't mean any harm! Leave us alone!
Meanwhile,
Fingan, smiling in his thoughts:
Fingan (in his mind): These two are so sweet. They're adorable playing together. I don't want to ruin their fun. I'll just watch from here.
But Lioran, unable to bear Fingan's gaze any longer, dropped the doll Vina had given him and stopped playing.
Lioran (worried): I swear I won't play with your sister again. Just spare me!
At that moment, Vina picked the doll back up and tried to hand it to Lioran again, but he didn't take it. Both of them glared at each other in frustration.
Seeing that the two were upset, Fingan decided to approach them and make peace.
Fingan: I'll pick both of them up and play with them too.
But as he walked toward Lioran, that same gaze of his made Lioran freeze completely.
Lioran(terrified in his mind): I'm not even playing with her anymore! Why is he coming over? Is he going to kill me in front of everyone? Please just let me live—I swear I'll never come back to your house again!
Fingan reached Lioran and stopped.
Fingan (in his mind): If I look at him first, give him a smile, and say, "Wanna come to Uncle?"
Then gently stroke his head... maybe he'll come to me on his own.
When Lioran saw Fingan standing over him, sweat poured down his body from fear.
Lioran (in his mind): He stopped. He's here. I'm done for. I swear I won't play with your sister again. First and last time… forgive me!
Fingan started to smile, and when Lioran saw the smile, everything went quiet in his mind.
Lioran (in his mind): This is it. I'm done for. Why are his lips curling up like that? Are elf mouths supposed to be this wide? What kind of demonic grin is this? That's it for me. I just wish I'd used a few more of my skills before dying...
Fingan gently lowered his hand to place it on Lioran's head, still smiling.
Lioran (in his mind): This is it. I'm dead... I'm dead...
Anahita: Scream and cry now if you want to survive today.
Lioran: I knew I could count on you!
When Fingan placed his hand on Lioran's head and began to pet him, it felt like he was softly shaking a little ball. Instead of screaming out of fear, something else escaped Lioran, and then he began to wail and cry loudly.
Rhys, who was nearby, rushed over at the sound.
Rhys: What happened, little one? Why are you screaming like that?
But as soon as he caught a whiff of the air, he held his nose.
Rhys: Ugh, did you have an accident? Right when we're about to eat?
Rhys (shouting): Charlotte! Come quick, your son had an accident!
Lioran (in his mind): Stop yelling, old man...
Charlotte (from the kitchen): I'm helping Miriel. You change him!
Rhys (frustrated): Ugh! Why is it always me?
Fingan: Uncle, I'll handle it. Don't worry.
Rhys (relieved): You're the best, Fingan! I can always count on you!
Lioran felt like his soul shattered into glass after hearing that. No matter how much he asked Anahita for help, she remained silent.
Lioran (in his mind): I guess death is inevitable. I think the curse is still with me...
Fingan picked Lioran up and carried him to the upstairs bathroom, still smiling. Lioran, terrified, shut his eyes tight and kept repeating to himself:
Lioran (in his mind): This is the end… this is the end...
But then he realized Fingan was gently washing him and doing nothing else.
Lioran (in his mind): Weren't you going to kill me? Now would be a good time... No one's here... As he stared up at Fingan, who was still smiling and gently said, "You're really cute, little guy,"
Lioran was reminded of his own past—of the scar on his face that made everyone think he was a demon, even though he was completely different inside.
Lioran (in his mind): Maybe you're cursed like me too? With the way you act and speak, I'm sure you're not a bad person… But seriously, that smile of yours is too much. Still... I kind of like you... Just please forget everything that happened today!
The misunderstanding Lioran had was finally cleared up. Everyone enjoyed Miriel's delicious food together, while poor Evander got hit with spoons and playful pats on the back because everyone was praising Miriel and teasing the couple.
Lioran (in his mind): It wasn't the best dinner, but it had its good moments. I managed to copy all of Fingan's skills—it was totally worth it.
Just like you said, Perodox—I'll make the most of this life and do everything I want. When I die, I want to leave with no regrets.