Life is funny sometimes. One day you're a guy from Earth who thinks his biggest problem is a dead phone battery or a late bus, and the next, you're in a world where "dying of exhaustion" is a literal, everyday possibility.
If you're wondering why I'm being so philosophical this early, it's because someone decided that 6:00 AM was the perfect time to stage a home invasion in my bedroom.
I heard a loud shout, someone calling me—
"LEO! WAKE UP!"
I groaned, the sound muffled by my pillow. My entire body felt like it had been put through a meat grinder, then stepped on by a mountain giant for good measure, then maybe chewed up and spat out just to be thorough.
Every muscle—from my calves to my neck, including a few I didn't even know existed—screamed in protest at the slightest twitch. Yesterday's training had officially declared war on my body, and my body was losing.
Poke.
Poke.
Poke.
"Five more minutes..." I mumbled into the mattress, swatting at the air blindly.
Poke.
I groaned and forced my eyes open. The ceiling. My room. And someone was still poking my cheek.
I turned my head toward the source of my suffering this early in the morning.
Mia.
Of course it was Mia.
My little sister was standing on a stool she'd apparently dragged across the room just to reach my face. Her black hair was a tangled mess, and her blue eyes were sparkling with way too much energy for this hour. She was wearing a frilly pink nightgown and was looking at me like I was a toy she'd just discovered.
"Mia..." I rasped, my voice sounding like I'd swallowed a handful of sandpaper. "What time is it?"
"Morning time!" she announced happily.
...Thanks. Very helpful.
I muttered again, "This is too early. Even the birds are still sleeping. Go away."
"The birds are awake! Sir Hops-a-Lot is awake!" Mia didn't care. She just kept smiling at me like I was the greatest thing she'd ever seen. "Leo, Leo, Leo! You promised! You said we would play!"
"I said we would play after I came back from the trial, you little monster," I muttered, rubbing my eyes.
"No! You said today!" She crossed her tiny arms, pouting so hard her cheeks puffed out. "Play time is all time!"
I stared at her. Where do kids get this logic? "Dinner is at night, Mia. Not at 6:00 AM."
She tilted her head, processing that for a second before shaking her head firmly. "Nuh-uh. Sir Hops-a-Lot missed you! I told him you were sleeping and he said it's okay, but now you're awake so we can go!"
"...The frog said that?"
"Mm-hmm!" She nodded seriously. "He talks to me. Only me though. You can't hear him because you're big and old."
"I'm only seventeen, Mia. Not some ancient guy."
I looked toward the door and saw Lyra standing there. She looked far more composed than I felt, though her lips were twitching like she was trying not to laugh at my misery. She gave me a slight, apologetic bow.
"I tried to stop her, Young Master, but she insisted that since you were 'better,' you had no excuse to sleep in. She was quite adamant about the frog's opinion as well."
"I'm not better, Lyra," I groaned, sitting up in bed. "I'm pretty sure my legs have actually turned into stone."
[Good morning, Host.]
Yeah. Morning.
[You slept for eleven hours. That is... unexpectedly efficient for someone in your condition.]
Not now, buddy, I thought back at the System. I'm busy being bullied by a six-year-old and a psychic frog.
[Your muscle repair is progressing adequately. You should still expect significant discomfort for another—]
I said don't speak. I will uninstall you.
[You cannot uninstall me. I am integrated into your soul.]
Shut up.
The presence in my head faded, but I could feel it smirking. Somehow. Systems shouldn't be able to smirk.
This damn bastard.
I ignored the damn system and looked back at my sister. "Mia, I need to wash up. And eat. And probably drink something that isn't my own suffering."
She pouted. "But the frog—"
"The frog can wait ten minutes. Frogs are patient. It's in their nature."
She put her finger on her chin and thought for a moment. Then nodded again. "Okay! But you promise we'll play after?"
"I promise."
"Pinkie promise?"
She held up her tiny pinkie. I stared at it for a second, then hooked mine around hers.
"Pinkie promise."
She beamed, then sprinted out of the room with Lyra following behind.
_
Once the room was quiet, I dragged myself to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. Looked at myself in the mirror. Dark circles. Messy hair. The tattoo on my neck.
The system spoke in my mind again: [You look like shit, Host.]
I ignored him and splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection.
I changed into a simple but elegant outfit: a dark navy tunic with silver embroidery and black trousers. I skipped the heavy coats. Today was treasury day. I needed to be able to move.
I left my quarters and headed toward the main dining hall. The manor was fully awake now. Servants moved through the halls with practiced efficiency, their heads bowing low as I passed. They were still terrified of me. I could still hear their whispers.
I sighed and looked around. The architecture still hit me sometimes—high vaulted ceilings and mana-crystals embedded in the walls to provide a steady, warm glow.
I reached the massive double doors of the dining hall. The guards pulled them open, and I walked into the grand room centered around that long mahogany table. My father, Noah, sat at the head, looking over a report. My mother, Isabella, was on his left, trying to keep Mia from stabbing her eggs too aggressively.
"Good morning," I said, my voice echoing slightly.
The table went quiet. It was weird. Usually, I'd be in bed until noon, or I'd be storming in to demand more allowance. Joining them for a normal breakfast was... new.
"Leo! You're joining us?" Mom's face lit up instantly.
"I figured I'd spent enough time hiding," I said.
"Did you sleep well last night?" she asked.
"Well enough." I glanced at Father. "Father."
He nodded back, a small smile on his face. "Leo."
Mia waved frantically. "Leo! Leo! Sit by me!"
I sat next to her. She immediately grabbed my arm. "You came!"
"I said I would," I said while ruffling her hair.
She grinned and turned to the servants. "He came! I told you! Leo keeps promises!"
One of the older maids hid a smile. I pretended I didn't notice.
Mother leaned forward, her eyes soft. "How are you feeling, Leo? Lyra mentioned you trained quite late last night."
I shrugged. "A little sore. But I'm mostly fine. Need to get used to it."
"Don't push yourself too hard," she said gently. "Your body needs time to adjust."
"Yes, don't worry. I know."
Father set down his cup. "The treasury will open for you today. Han will take you after breakfast."
I nodded. "Oh, that's good."
"You have one hour. Choose wisely."
"I will."
Mia tugged my sleeve. "What's a treasury, Leo?"
I looked at her. "Well, a treasury is a place which holds a lot of expensive and important things. Every noble family with a large legacy has one."
"A place which holds important things? Then does it have a lot of chocolate?" she asked, shooting up eagerly.
My lip twitched slightly. "Well, it doesn't hold chocolates."
"Then I don't need it."
Mia didn't seem satisfied with that answer. She went back to stabbing her eggs.
I sighed. This brat.
Mother passed me a plate. "Eat well. You'll need your strength."
I took it. "Thanks."
For a few minutes, we ate in comfortable silence. The clink of utensils. The soft footsteps of servants. Mia humming to herself.
Then Mother leaned forward, her eyes soft. "Leo... I meant what I said yesterday. If you need anything—anything at all—please tell us. We're here for you."
I swallowed my breakfast. "I know. Thanks, Mom."
Father cleared his throat, his expression shifting slightly. "By the way, Sylvia sent another message this morning."
I froze mid-bite. Sylvia...?!
"What did she say?" I asked carefully.
"She says she hopes you're ready," Noah replied. "She sounded... eager to see you."
Great. Just great. Sylvia being "eager" usually meant someone was getting frozen or beaten into the ground during a spar. Or someone pissed her off.
Mia looked up from her plate, her face covered in a bit of egg. "When is Sylvia coming back? I really miss her! We can all play together!"
I stared at my plate.
Sylvia. Playing. Those two words should never be in the same sentence.
Mia looked at me and said, "Leo, Leo, will you play with me when Sylvia comes back? We'll all play then."
I looked at Father, hoping maybe he would say something, but he averted his gaze. Then I looked toward Mother, but she also averted her gaze.
W-what? Didn't she just say she would help me?
Mia asked again innocently, "Leo, you aren't answering. Will you play with me and Sylvia, right?"
I looked at her bright eyes. Ugh, I can't say no to that look.
I sighed. "...Yes." Hope I'd stay alive till then.
[You will, Host. Don't worry.]
…Right.
_
Breakfast continued.
Mother asked about my training. I gave short answers. Father added comments here and there. Mia talked about Sir Hops-a-Lot and his adventures.
At some point, Lyra refilled my cup. I nodded at her. She dipped her head.
When we finished, I stood up. "I'll get ready. Han's waiting?"
Father nodded. "Yes, he's waiting outside the treasury hall."
I nodded at him. "Got it."
Mia tugged on my sleeve one last time. "Leo! After treasury, we play? Sir Hops-a-Lot said he'll wait!"
I looked down at her hopeful face.
"...Yeah. After treasury."
She beamed.
I turned and walked out, Lyra following silently behind me.