This is a compelling and dark chapter. To capture the atmosphere of a "LitRPG" or "reincarnation" fantasy, I have translated this with a focus on the protagonist's internal monologue and the tense social dynamics of an aristocratic household.
English Translation
After an indefinite amount of time, I woke up in my bed. Aruna, the maid, was watching over me. A cold, wet cloth rested on my forehead. I felt something damp and chilly rubbing against my leg; lowering my gaze slightly, I saw it was Aruna's hand.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice raspy.
"Your body became feverish," Aruna replied.
"And what are you doing?"
"Bringing your temperature down. I have wiped your body nineteen times; you have been asleep for nineteen hours."
"What?!"
"I wiped your body with co—"
"Yes, yes, I get it... it's just so many times."
"And why did you decide to learn magic?" she asked.
"My class is Sorcerer."
"And how did you find out?" Aruna asked, her tone heavy with suspicion.
God, I forgot. I'm not supposed to be able to see my class without True Sight.
"Well, I snuck into my father's study and checked my class," I said, sounding a bit guilty. I added, "Please, don't tell my parents."
"Very well," she said. She remained somber throughout the entire conversation.
After she left the room, she returned with my mother. They sat on the edge of the bed. Marie sat closer to me, a smile on her face.
"We heard you've gained a class," Marie said.
"Yes, that's right," I replied.
"And what class is it?"
"Sorcerer."
"Sorcerer..." Marie mused, rubbing her chin. "I know little about it; I'll have to look it up on the internet. Do you feel alright, though? You don't want to... eat me? Or kill me?"
"No."
I could understand her concern. The mind and body of a child often can't withstand such power; they either die or mutate. In the original game, only one child survived the process, though he went insane and started a killing spree.
"That's good. Well, get well soon. Your father and I have talked, and we've decided to move you to the PMC (Pre-Mage Course) class at the boarding school," Marie said, then left the room.
That was good news. All I knew about the boarding school was that it took place before the Academy. In a new class, hopefully, no one would recognize me, and I could start my social life fresh.
My skin was covered in red splotches. I was wearing short shorts and a tank top; my hair was a complete mess.
It was all so strange. In the game, Sven was a Paladin. Could this change be because I am in Sven's body? My mind influencing the outcome? Though, considering how handsome he was in the game, I wouldn't have minded either way. Damn, I really should read that book.
"Phantom hand, woven of spirit, I call upon thee: execute my will!"
A hand erupted from my chest, reached over, and pulled a book from my desk. Let's see... page 52: [The development of races resembles a tree. According to many anthropologists, all races from...]
You have clearly become more erudite. Intelligence +1. Transcendence Point gained.Statistics: Intelligence
Intelligence: 9
Analysis: 11
History: 10
Magic: 9
Nature: 7
Religion: 8
I need Magic. Although, Analysis gives a bonus to progress. It's a tough choice... but if I put two points into Analysis and one into Magic, then Magic will be at a decent level. In the game, the baseline for any talent is 10 or 11. If a talent score is 8 or 9, you get a -1 penalty to any related action. If it's 12 or 13, you get a +1 bonus.
I had it all figured out, but then my stomach growled. I stepped onto the floor with bare feet and snuck toward the kitchen. The dark corridors made it hard to see the whole room, but a light was burning in the main hall downstairs. I quickly slipped into the darkened kitchen.
I pulled a casserole out of the fridge. Why don't we eat this? Probably because those damn aristocrats are too spoiled. I didn't even get a chance to take a bite.
I heard a noise behind the wall in the main hallway. I stepped closer to the door to eavesdrop.
"So, it was you who gave Sven our Grimoire?" Marie's voice rang out.
"Yes, Mistress," Aruna replied.
I heard the faint sound of fabric being bunched up. Then, a suspicious silence followed. Before I could move—
Slam! The sound of skin striking skin. A slap.
"You knew he could have died," Marie said firmly.
"Yes, I knew," Aruna replied.
Someone walked away, the sharp click of heels echoing on the floor. After a few minutes, I decided to peek around the corner. I saw Aruna. She stood with her head slightly bowed, her left hand clutching her right. Her hair was disheveled, and a large red mark was blooming on her right cheek. I only stared for a few seconds, but the image burned into my mind.
A moment later, she raised her hand to her reddened cheek. And she smiled? I couldn't remember her ever smiling before.
My appetite vanished. I put the food back in the fridge. When I looked around the corner again, she was gone. I went back to my room.
I lay in bed but couldn't close my eyes. Her image wouldn't leave me. Why did she smile? Why did she obey a child's whim? She was hired by my mother; she should have reported everything to her employer. I needed to apologize to her.
I tried to get up, but my body refused to move. My eyes finally slid shut. When I opened them again, I felt filthy. As I stood up, pain shot through my spine, neck, and collarbone.
Exhausted, I washed my face and went downstairs to take my seat. The food was brought by Elkar, a page. Aruna was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't meet Elkar's eyes; I felt too ashamed. After he left, I asked my mother:
"Where is Aruna?"
"She wasn't keeping up with her duties," Marie said.
But I knew the truth. She had been fired.
"By the way!" my father, Arthur, interjected. "Let's start your training a bit earlier today."
I couldn't give any answer but a positive one.
"Yes, let's."