"I want to die."
The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I had been through some embarrassing situations in my life: tripping over my own feet during a presentation, accidentally setting off the fire alarm during a school assembly, getting caught with my pants down by my roommate. But nothing, absolutely nothing, could compare to the humiliation I was currently enduring.
"Young lord, I will dry you up now," the elderly maid, her face a mask of concern, gently patted me dry with a soft towel.
I closed my eyes, the memory of the past few minutes replaying in my mind with agonizing clarity. A twenty-five-year-old man who had once navigated the complexities of the corporate world was now reduced to being bathed like a helpless infant. I, a man who had delved into the world's darkest secrets, was now being pampered like a spoiled child.
The humiliation was almost unbearable.
I had been washed, truly washed, like a newborn baby. The maids, their faces full of amusement, had scrubbed me clean, their gentle hands navigating every corner of my body. I had squirmed and protested, trying to regain some semblance of dignity, but their gentle, insistent hands prevailed.
I sighed, the sound muffled by the thick towel wrapped around me. This was my life now: a life lived in the body of a child.
"Young lord is really cute, right?" a maid said, her voice barely a whisper, yet it still seemed to echo in the confined space of the bathroom.
"It's the first time I have seen him react so much," another maid chuckled, her voice a low murmur.
I can hear you, I thought, my cheeks burning.
The elderly maid, with a smile, brought over a small stack of clothes. "Young lord, let's get you dressed up."
I trembled as I felt their eyes, two pairs of hungry eyes, lingering on my exposed skin. "Just… kill me again," I thought, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.
They sure took their sweet time in dressing me up. I noticed with a growing sense of unease that there wasn't a mirror in the bathroom, nor above the basin, and there hadn't been one anywhere on the way here. I had been desperate to catch a glimpse of myself, to see what I looked like now, but I had been denied that small comfort.
"There you go, young lord," the elderly maid said, stepping back to admire her work.
I looked down at myself. I was dressed in a long, deep crimson coat over a crisp white shirt and a black vest. A red bow tie adorned my neck, and I wore a pair of polished black trousers and sturdy leather shoes.
I looked up at the elderly maid and asked, "How do I look?"
She beamed at me. "You look wonderful, young lord. Quite dashing, if I do say so myself."
I couldn't help but smile. I hoped she was being truthful.
Then, I remembered something else. "What color is my hair?" I had noticed a few strands in the front, a silvery white that seemed almost ethereal. Was it silver? Or white?
The elderly maid hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the other two maids before answering. "I… I think it's a silver shade, young lord."
"Lady Valka said it's platinum blonde," one of the younger maids piped up, her voice hesitant.
I frowned. Platinum blonde? It sounded… unusual.
"What about… my eye?" I asked. "The one… the one under the eyepatch."
The two maids behind me exchanged a quick glance, their eyes suddenly wary. The elderly maid hesitated, her smile fading. "Your… eye is fine, young lord. A little… unique, that's all."
"Unique? How?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued.
But before either of the maids could respond, the door to the bathroom swung open and Granny stepped in.
Granny looked around the room, her gaze sweeping over the maids, who immediately bowed their heads. "Good morning, Lady Elara," they murmured in unison.
"Good morning," Granny replied, her tone firm yet gentle.
"Sieg, are you done?" she asked with a smile.
"Ah, yes," I replied, my voice a little subdued.
Granny held out her hand. Even though I had already taken it multiple times, it still felt a little embarrassing, but I knew it would be a nightmare trying to navigate this unfamiliar world with an eyepatch and no guidance. So, I took her hand.
"Come along, dear," she said, guiding me through the house.
The mansion was large and spacious, with high ceilings and wide hallways. The interior was tastefully decorated, with a warm, welcoming feel. The furniture was simple, but well-made, and the walls were adorned with paintings of landscapes and nature scenes.
Granny led me through the hallway and into the back area. We passed by the kitchen; it was spacious and airy, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were a pristine white, the floors were polished wood, and an array of pots and pans hung on the wall.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasting meat filled the air, making my stomach rumble.
As if reading my mind, Granny spoke up. "Let's eat after fetching your mother."
I felt a little embarrassed to be read like this, so I just nodded in response.
She then guided me through a back door, and we stepped out into the bright sunlight.
We were greeted by a sight that took my breath away. A large training field stretched out before us, filled with soldiers practicing their combat skills. Clad in armor and wielding swords, spears, and bows, their movements fluid and graceful.
As we walked through the field, we were greeted by soldiers, their faces breaking into smiles as they acknowledged my grandmother. "Good morning, Lady Elara," they greeted, their voices booming in unison. "Young Lord Siegfried," they added, their eyes widening slightly as they looked at me.
Granny acknowledged their greetings with a nod. "Good morning, everyone." Her voice was firm yet friendly.
One of the soldiers approached us, his face etched with concern. Silas, the knight captain of the barony, hesitated before speaking. "Is the young lord alright, Lady Elara? I heard…"
"He is fine, thank you, Silas," Granny assured him. "Just a little shaken up, that's all."
"Good to hear, my lady," Silas replied, his gaze lingering on me for a moment. He was noticeably different from the other soldiers. He wore finely crafted armor, polished to a mirror shine, and his bearing was that of a seasoned warrior.
"Have you seen my stupid daughter?" Granny asked, her voice softening slightly.
Silas hesitated, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "About that, Lady Elara… she's at the arena with the Mages, my lady."
Fascination was an understatement. Mage! The word sent a jolt of excitement through me. In this world, magic was real. I had only ever encountered magic in fantasy novels and movies in my previous life. To think that I would be living in a world where magic was real… it was exhilarating.
Granny, however, seemed less enthusiastic. She sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "That girl…"
Silas offered to lead the way. "Allow me, Lady Elara," he said, his voice respectful.
We moved across the courtyard, passing through the back gate of the mansion. After walking for a few seconds, we came across a large stone wall. There was a square opening in the wall, and as we passed through, the sounds of cheering and excited shouts washed over us. The way opened into a large, square arena, its seating areas carved directly into the surrounding stone.
As we arrived, the soldiers on guard saluted respectfully. I ignored their greetings, my eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before me.
On the ground, in the middle of the arena, stood a beautiful woman with a smirk playing on her lips. Her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail, framing a face that was both delicate and strong. She was dressed in practical attire: a white shirt, a brown waistcoat, and black pants tucked into high black boots. But what truly caught my attention was the weapon leaning against her shoulder. It was a long polearm, a formidable weapon with two giant axe heads at the top. In the center of each axe head, a beautiful white gem shimmered, catching the sunlight. The intricate carvings on the axe were a testament to the skill of its creator.
In front of her, at the other side of the arena, there stood three figures – two men and a woman. All three held wooden staffs aloft, their lips moving in a silent whisper. I looked at them and slightly tilted my head.
Granny's voice came from behind me. "They are chanting to conjure up spells," she explained.
Silas nodded. "She's letting them go all out, Lady Elara."
My attention snapped back to the arena. The male mage on the left raised his staff, and a ball of fire erupted from the tip, growing larger and larger until it hovered menacingly above his head. The male mage on the right slammed his staff against the ground, and a jagged boulder erupted from beneath the earth. The female mage, with a graceful flick of her wrist, summoned a barrage of arrows that whizzed through the air.
The three spells launched simultaneously, a dazzling display of magic. It was hard to follow them with a single eye, the spells a blur of motion.
With a speed that defied belief, the axe was swung. A gust of wind, powerful enough to make me stumble, erupted from the impact. The axe sliced through the air, effortlessly destroying all three spells in a single, devastating blow. The fireball fizzled and died, the boulder shattered into dust, and the arrows were deflected harmlessly aside.
With a speed that defied belief, she vanished from her spot, reappearing in front of the three stunned mages. The axe head slammed down onto the ground, creating a small tremor that shook the arena. The three mages, their faces pale, were sent flying backwards, crashing into the wall with a thud.
I almost fell from the step we were standing on. The sheer power and grace of her attack was breathtaking.
Yes, this is my mother — Valka Fors.
I stared at my mother, awe and disbelief battling for dominance within me. She was truly a sight to behold.
"Showing off as usual," Granny remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice, but I could detect a note of pride beneath the surface.
I turned towards Granny, my eyes wide. "What kind of magic was that?" I asked, eager to learn more.
Granny shook her head, a playful smile on her lips. "No magic involved, dear. Just pure brute strength, as always."
I was surprised. Pure brute strength? The way she had moved, the speed, the power… it was almost supernatural.
"Valka!" Granny called out, her voice cutting through the excited murmurs of the crowd.
Valka looked up, her eyes scanning the crowd. When her gaze finally landed on me, her eyes widened in surprise. With a graceful leap, she jumped from the spot she was standing on, a distance of at least twenty feet, landing lightly in front of me.
I was taken aback by the sheer athleticism of her movement. I noticed that, unlike Granny who had black eyes, Valka had sapphire blue eyes.
"Sieg!" Valka exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "How are you feeling?"
Before I could respond, Granny cut in. "He's still recovering, don't go hugging him, you silly girl."
Valka ignored Granny, reaching out and giving me a tight hug.
A strange warmth spread through my chest, a feeling I hadn't experienced in years: genuine affection. It was a strange sensation, this unexpected affection, this raw, unfiltered love emanating from this woman who, according to my fragmented memories, had nearly sent me flying with an axe.
"How are you feeling, Sieg?" Valka repeated, her voice thick with concern.
"I am feeling better," I replied, forcing a smile on my lips.
Valka ruffled my hair affectionately. "That's my boy."
I looked up at her, my eyes wide with a mixture of awe and apprehension. This was my mother, the woman who had nearly killed me. And yet, there was an undeniable warmth in her gaze, a fierce protectiveness that made my heart feel strangely light.
"Playing around, Valka? You could have seriously injured someone," Granny scolded, her voice sharp.
Valka bristled. "I wasn't playing. I was training the soldiers, preparing them for any threat. Silas here can attest to that."
Silas winced. "Training with Lady Valka," he began cautiously, "is… well, let's just say it's… traumatic. I speak from personal experience."
Valka's jaw dropped. "Silas! You…" she sputtered, feigning outrage.
Normally, I would have been tongue-tied in this situation, but being in the body of a six-year-old gave me an unexpected freedom to say what I felt. Seeing my mother in action, I couldn't help but be impressed, and I felt bad for her current predicament. "Mother," I decided to speak up, "I think you were really cool out there."
Valka's face softened, and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders from behind. "You think so, little man?" she asked, a foolish smile on her face.
Then, a look of realization dawned on her face. "Wait. 'Mother'? Not 'Ma'?"
I stumbled, my cheeks flushing. Is that what Sieg called her?
Luckily Granny intervened. "Anyways, go and wash up. Your father will be back soon, and he needs your help with the state affairs."
Valka groaned. "Do I have to?" she whined, her face a picture of exaggerated suffering.
Granny glared at her. "Yes, you do."
"Alright, alright," Valka conceded, though her eyes were already twinkling with mischief. "But first…" she looked down at me with a playful grin, "Ah, Sieg, let's take a bath together."
My heart leaped into my throat. Instinctively, I slipped through Valka's grasp and scrambled backwards, nearly tripping over my own feet. I was a twenty-five-year-old man trapped in the body of a six-year-old, and the thought of being subjected to a bath with my mother was enough to make me want to disappear into the floorboards. The thought alone was utterly mortifying.
"Oh, is my little Sieg embarrassed?" Valka leaned in to bring her face closer to mine. "From when did you start thinking about such things?" She teased, her laughter ringing through the air.
Granny's fist shot out and landed squarely on Valka's head with a resounding thwack. "Enough teasing him," Granny said, her voice sharp.
Valka rubbed her head, feigning offense. "Do you have to hit me every time?" she grumbled.
"As if that will hurt you," Granny retorted, a mischievous glint in her own eyes. "Let's go, Sieg."
"Where are you going?" Valka asked, her eyes narrowing at Granny.
Granny smiled. "To the greenhouse," she replied. "And I suggest you hurry along and get washed up, young lady. You wouldn't want to keep your father waiting, would you?"
Valka rolled her eyes. "Fine." Her voice was full of exasperation. "See you later, Sieg." She gave me a quick wink and disappeared down the hallway.
I watched her go, a strange feeling settling over me. This world… it was unlike anything I had ever known. Two moons had hung in the sky last night, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. And magic… actual, real magic. It was a world beyond my wildest imagination, a world filled with wonder and danger.
But one thing had been bothering me ever since we came outside. On the far horizon, very far away, it was barely perceptible. Something large and wide was ascending into the endless sky, seemingly without end. It was an imposing sight, a constant reminder of the scale of this world and the mysteries it held.
"Granny," I called out, pointing towards the far horizon, "What is that?"
She raised an eyebrow and followed my gaze. She squinted at the distant horizon, then turned back to me. "Do you forget what that is, Sieg?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
I scratched my head, pretending to ponder. "I… I forgot the name," I admitted, trying to appear convincingly childish.
Granny chuckled. "It's alright, dear." She looked back towards the imposing pillar reaching towards the sky. "That's The Aethelhum," she said, her voice filled with a sense of awe. "Also known as Yggdrasil, The Cosmic Tree."