##
**Day 28 - One Month Old**
Kael stared at his hand.
His tiny, useless, infant hand.
*Move. Come on. Move the way I want.*
His fingers twitched. Spasmed. Not the controlled movement he was going for.
*Fuck.*
Being trapped in a baby body was its own special kind of torture. He had an adult mind—tactical training, combat experience, decades of life—crammed into a brain that was still developing. The disconnect was maddening.
The room was cold. Always cold. Gray morning light filtered through the slit window. Outside, he could hear the keep waking up. Voices. Footsteps. The clang of pots from the kitchens below.
Lena was still asleep beside him on the narrow cot. Her breathing was shallow. Uneven. Dark circles shadowed her eyes even in sleep.
*She's getting worse.*
Kael had been observing her obsessively. Using the Observe feature every day. Watching her stats decline.
**Vitality: 6 → 5**
**Exhausted status getting worse**
**Malnourished advancing from mild to moderate**
She was giving him everything. Food. Warmth. Time. Energy. And she had nothing left for herself.
*I need to do something. But what can a fucking baby do?*
**[DAILY QUEST AVAILABLE]**
The notification pinged in his mind. He'd gotten used to these.
**[DAILY QUEST: INFANT SURVIVAL]**
**Objectives:**
- Consume adequate nutrition: 0/6 feedings
- Sleep 14+ hours: 0/14
- Avoid illness: Maintain body temperature
- Reduce mother's stress: Cry less than 2 hours total
**Rewards:** 5 SP, +1 to Endurance
**Failure Penalty:** -10 SP, increased illness risk**
*Simple enough. I've been doing these for two weeks.*
The daily quests were easy. Barely worth the SP. But they added up. He was at 120 SP now. Not much, but it was something.
Lena stirred. Her eyes opened. Focused on him immediately.
"Good morning, little star," she whispered. Her voice was hoarse. She reached over, touched his cheek. Her hand was cold. Too cold. "Did you sleep well?"
Kael made a soft cooing sound. Not quite intentional, but close enough.
Lena smiled. Tired but genuine. "You're so good. Hardly cried at all last night." She sat up slowly. Winced. One hand pressed to her lower back. "Let me feed you, then I need to get ready for work."
*Work. Always work.*
Lena picked him up. Settled him against her chest. He nursed, and she hummed that lullaby again. The one about the little star.
Through the thin walls, voices filtered in.
"—heard the head cook is looking for someone to work the morning shift."
"Yeah? Good luck with that. It's brutal. Three hours before dawn."
"Better than laundry duty. My hands are raw."
"At least you don't have a bastard to feed."
Silence. Then quieter: "That's cruel."
"It's true. Lena's killing herself for that baby. Everyone knows it."
"Still. Not the kid's fault."
"Fault or not, it's dragging her down. She used to be pretty. Now she looks like a corpse."
Lena's humming stopped. Her arms tightened around Kael slightly.
*Fuck them. Fuck all of them.*
But she didn't say anything. Just resumed humming. Softer now. Sadder.
When Kael finished nursing, Lena changed his diaper—still humiliating—and wrapped him in the thin blanket.
"I'll be back soon," she promised. She kissed his forehead. Her lips were dry. Cracked. "Be good."
She set him in the crate-crib. Stood. Swayed slightly.
*Dizzy. Low blood pressure from malnutrition.*
But Lena steadied herself. Straightened her dress. Tied her hair back. Forced a smile at him.
Then left. The door closed with a soft *click.*
Kael was alone.
He stared at the ceiling. Counted cobwebs. Listened to the keep's sounds.
*Okay. System. Show me what I can actually do with this SP.*
**[SYSTEM SHOP AVAILABLE]**
**Current SP: 120**
**Available Purchases:**
**CULTIVATION AIDS:**
- [Minor Health Potion] - 50 SP - Heals minor injuries, improves vitality temporarily
- [Nutrient Pill] - 30 SP - Concentrated nutrition, equivalent to full meal
- [Basic Mana Circulation Method] - 100 SP - Beginner cultivation technique
**SKILLS:**
- [Enhanced Motor Control] - 200 SP - Improve infant body coordination
- [Basic Observation] - 150 SP - Upgrade Observe ability
- [Mental Fortitude] - 100 SP - Reduce mental strain from reincarnation
**INFORMATION:**
- [Ashford Clan Structure] - 50 SP - Detailed information on clan hierarchy
- [Soul Forge Awakening Guide] - 75 SP - Information on awakening process
**SPECIAL:**
- [Mystery Box - Infant Tier] - 100 SP - Random item appropriate for current level
*The Nutrient Pill. That could help Lena.*
But how would he give it to her? He couldn't exactly hand her a pill. He was a baby.
*Think. There has to be a way.*
Before he could figure it out, the door opened.
Not Lena. Someone else.
A woman stepped in. Older. Maybe forty. Servant's clothes but cleaner than Lena's. Her hair was graying at the temples. Sharp eyes swept the room.
She looked at Kael in the crib.
"So you're the bastard everyone's talking about." Her voice was neutral. Not cruel. Just... assessing. "Scrawny thing. But you're still alive. That's something."
She walked closer. Leaned over the crib.
Kael stared back. Wary.
"I'm Marta," the woman said. "I work in the kitchens with your mother. Been watching her struggle." She tilted her head. "You don't cry much, do you? She says you're a good baby. Easy."
*Because I'm not actually a baby. But I can't tell you that.*
Marta reached down. Touched his forehead with the back of her hand. Checking temperature.
"Not feverish. Good." She straightened. "Look, kid. I don't know if you understand anything. Probably not. But your mother's dying."
*I know.*
"She won't eat. Gives you everything. Won't accept help from anyone." Marta sighed. "Stubborn girl. Always has been. But this..." She shook her head. "She's got maybe three months at this rate. Then you're both dead."
*Three months. System said six. It's accelerating.*
"I tried giving her extra food," Marta continued. "She refused. Said she was fine. She's not fine." Her eyes fixed on Kael. "I don't know what I'm doing here. Talking to a baby. But someone needs to do something."
She turned to leave. Paused at the door.
"For what it's worth, kid, I hope you make it. Both of you." Then she left. *Click.*
Silence again.
Kael's mind raced.
*She knows. She can see it. And she's willing to help. Maybe.*
**[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]**
**[QUEST: SAVE YOUR MOTHER]**
**Objective:** Improve Lena's health before critical failure
**Time Limit:** 90 days
**Difficulty:** HARD
**Success Rewards:**
- 500 SP
- Lena's survival guaranteed
- [Bond of Protection] - Special relationship perk
**Failure Penalty:**
- Lena dies
- Your survival rate drops to 5%
- Severe psychological trauma debuff
**Note: You cannot do this alone. You are an infant. Find allies. Use your resources. Think creatively.**
*Fuck.*
Kael stared at the notification.
*Okay. Okay. Think. I have 120 SP. I can buy Nutrient Pills. But I need to get them to Lena somehow. And I need someone to help.*
*Marta. She's already aware. She's willing. She's the key.*
But how did a one-month-old baby communicate with an adult?
*The system. Maybe it has something.*
He pulled up the shop again. Scrolled through options his infant eyes couldn't actually see but his mind could perceive.
There. Hidden in a subcategory.
**[Minor Communication Talisman] - 150 SP - Allows limited telepathic communication with one target for 24 hours. Single use.**
*Too expensive. But if I save up...*
No. He didn't have time. Lena didn't have time.
*Daily quests. 5 SP each. That's... thirty days to afford it. Too slow.*
**[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]**
**[QUEST: FIRST WORDS]**
**Objective:** Speak your first word before age 3 months
**Difficulty:** VERY HARD (infants typically speak at 12 months)
**Rewards:** 100 SP, [Advanced Motor Control], [Genius Child] title
**Failure Penalty:** None
**Note: If you can pull this off early, people will notice. Choose your first word carefully.**
*First word. At two months? That's... insane. But I have an adult mind.*
His infant body couldn't do it yet. The vocal cords weren't developed enough. The tongue control wasn't there.
*But maybe with practice...*
"Ah... ah..." He tried. Useless baby sounds came out. "Gah... muh..."
*Closer. The 'muh' sound. That's promising.*
**[SKILL PROGRESS: SPEECH]**
**Current: 0%**
**Practice Required: Extensive**
**Estimated Time to First Word: 45 days with current rate**
*Not fast enough.*
Kael kept practicing. "Muh... muh... ma..."
The door opened again. Lena rushed in.
"Oh!" She looked surprised. Pleased. "Were you trying to talk? I heard you from the hallway!"
She picked him up. Held him close. "What were you trying to say, little star? Hmm?"
"Muh... ma..." Kael tried again. Deliberately. *Come on. Vocal cords. Work with me.*
"Ma?" Lena's eyes went wide. "Are you... are you trying to say 'mama'?"
*Yes! Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say!*
"Mah..." He pushed. Hard. "Mah... mah..."
Lena laughed. Actual joy in her voice. "Oh, you are! You're so smart!" She kissed his cheek. "Mama. Can you say mama?"
Over the next hour, she worked with him. Repeating the word. Encouraging him.
And slowly—*painfully* slowly—Kael's infant mouth started to cooperate.
"Mah... ma."
"Yes! Almost!"
"Ma... ma."
"So close!"
And finally: "Mama."
Clear. Distinct. Deliberate.
Lena gasped. Tears sprang to her eyes. "You said it! You said mama!" She hugged him tight. "Oh, my clever boy! My clever, clever boy!"
**[QUEST COMPLETE: FIRST WORDS]**
**Rewards:**
- 100 SP
- [Advanced Motor Control] - Infant body coordination significantly improved
- [Genius Child] title - People will notice your unusual intelligence
**Current SP: 220**
**Achievement Unlocked: [Prodigy] - First word at 1 month old**
*Yes. YES.*
Lena was crying. Happy tears. "Wait until I tell Marta! She won't believe it! One month old and already talking!" She kissed his forehead. "You're going to be special. I know it. You're going to be strong and smart and—"
Her voice broke. More tears. But still happy.
*Okay. Okay, I have 220 SP now. That's enough for the Communication Talisman with 70 left over. I can do this.*
But Lena had to leave for her afternoon shift. She set him down reluctantly.
"I'll be back soon," she promised. "And we'll practice more words, okay?"
She left. Smiling for the first time in days.
Kael immediately purchased the talisman.
**[MINOR COMMUNICATION TALISMAN PURCHASED]**
**Remaining SP: 70**
**Item: Minor Communication Talisman**
**Description:** Allows telepathic communication with one designated target for 24 hours. Single use. Target must be within 100 meters.
**Usage:** Focus on target, activate mentally.
**Warning:** Target will be startled. Choose your first message carefully.**
*Marta. When she comes back.*
He waited. Practiced his motor control. The [Advanced Motor Control] skill was already working. He could move his fingers deliberately now. Could turn his head with intention. Could—
The door opened.
Marta stepped in. Alone. She was carrying a small bowl.
"Brought you some mashed vegetables," she said. "Lena said you're old enough to start trying solid food. Let's see if you—"
Kael activated the talisman. Focused on her.
*[Marta. Don't scream. I can communicate mentally. I need your help.]*
Marta froze. The bowl slipped from her hands. *CRASH.* Shattered on the floor. Mashed vegetables everywhere.
"What the—" She stared at Kael. Eyes huge. "Did you just—"
*[Yes. I'm not a normal baby. Long story. But Lena is dying. You said so yourself. I need your help to save her.]*
Marta's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "I'm losing my mind. I'm hearing a baby in my head."
*[You're not crazy. I swear. Check my eyes. I'm looking right at you. Deliberately.]*
He held her gaze. Unblinking. Adults didn't realize how creepy infant stares could be when there was actual intelligence behind them.
Marta took a step back. Then another. Her hand went to her chest. "Gods. GODS. You're—you're actually—"
*[Please. Sit down. Breathe. I only have 24 hours with this talisman and I need your help.]*
She sat. Hard. On the floor. Right in the mashed vegetables. Didn't notice.
"How?" she whispered. "How is this possible?"
*[I don't know. I just am. But that's not important. What's important is Lena. You know she's dying.]*
"Yes." Marta's voice was faint. "Everyone knows. No one can stop her."
*[I can. But I need your help. I have... resources. Special items that can restore her health. But I can't use them myself. I'm a baby.]*
"Special items." Marta's laugh was slightly hysterical. "Of course. The telepathic baby has magic items. Why not."
*[Please. I know this is insane. But will you help me?]*
Marta looked at him for a long moment. Her expression cycled through shock, disbelief, fear, and finally... resignation.
"You know what? Fine. I've seen weirder shit in this keep. Last year, the duke brought back a talking sword from a dungeon. A baby with magic powers? Sure. Why not." She stood. Brushed vegetables off her skirt. "What do you need?"
*[Nutrient Pills. I can... materialize them. But you need to give them to Lena. Make her take them. One per day.]*
"Materialize." Marta rubbed her temples. "Right. Okay. Show me."
Kael focused. *Purchase Nutrient Pill.*
**[NUTRIENT PILL PURCHASED]**
**Cost: 30 SP**
**Remaining SP: 40**
A small, white pill appeared in the crate beside him. *Pop.* Just materialized out of thin air.
Marta stared. "Fuck me."
*[That's one pill. It's worth a full day's nutrition. But she needs one every day for at least two weeks to stabilize.]*
"That's..." Marta did the math. "Fourteen pills. Can you make fourteen pills?"
*[Not right now. I need to earn more... points. But I can get one every few days. Will you help? Will you make sure she takes them?]*
Marta picked up the pill. Examined it. Sniffed it. "And this will actually help?"
*[Yes. It's concentrated nutrition. Her body is starving. This will fix it.]*
"Okay." Marta pocketed the pill. "Okay. I'll give it to her. Tell her it's a gift from the head cook or something. She won't take it if she knows it's from me."
*[Thank you. Thank you so much.]*
"Don't thank me yet." Marta looked at him seriously. "If this doesn't work, I'm going to think I've lost my mind. And if it does work, I'm going to have questions. A lot of questions."
*[Fair enough.]*
She left. Taking the pill with her.
Kael slumped in his crib. Exhausted. Mental communication took more out of him than he'd expected.
But it was worth it.
*Day one. Lena gets her first pill tonight. Let's see if this works.*
---
**Day 35 - Five Weeks Old**
Lena looked better.
Not good. But better.
Some color had returned to her cheeks. Her movements were less sluggish. She'd stopped swaying when she stood up.
Marta had been true to her word. Every day, she'd found some excuse to give Lena a pill. "Head cook's order. Special vitamins for nursing mothers." "Someone donated medicine to the servants. You're supposed to take this." "I found these in the storeroom. Take them before they expire."
Lena had been skeptical at first. But after three days of feeling noticeably better, she'd stopped questioning it.
Kael had used every SP from his daily quests to buy more pills. He was down to 10 SP now, but Lena had taken seven pills total.
**[OBSERVE: LENA]**
**Status Effects:**
- [Exhausted] - Still present but reduced, -20% stats (was -30%)
- [Malnourished] - Improving from Moderate to Mild
- [Sleep Deprived] - Reduced severity
- [Determined] - Still maxed
**Vitality: 5 → 7**
**Current Health Status:** Poor (Improving)
**Prognosis:** If current intervention continues, full recovery possible in 60 days
*It's working. Thank god, it's working.*
Lena was humming as she fed him. Actually humming. Not just going through the motions.
"You know what, little star?" she said. "I feel better. I don't know why. Maybe I'm just getting used to the schedule. But I feel... hopeful."
*Good. Stay hopeful. Keep taking those pills.*
Someone knocked on the door. Three sharp raps. *RAP RAP RAP.*
Lena stiffened. "Who is it?"
"Delivery." A male voice. Unfamiliar.
Lena set Kael down carefully. Opened the door a crack. "Delivery of what?"
A hand shoved through the gap. Dropped a small pouch on the floor. *Thud.*
"Orders from the head steward. Additional rations for servants with dependents. You qualify."
"I... what? I've never received—"
"New policy. Take it or don't. I have ten more deliveries." The man left. *STOMP STOMP STOMP.*
Lena picked up the pouch. Opened it. Her eyes widened.
Bread. Cheese. Dried meat. A small jar of honey.
"This is... this is a week's worth of food," she whispered. "Why would they—"
She looked at Kael. "Is this because of you? Because you're so smart?"
*Actually, it's because Marta is pulling strings. But sure, let's go with that.*
Lena laughed. Disbelieving but happy. "Maybe. Maybe they're finally recognizing you as the duke's son. Even a bastard should get some support."
She broke off a piece of bread. Ate it right there. Then another piece.
Kael watched her eat. Really eat. For the first time in weeks.
*Thank you, Marta. I owe you.*
---
**Day 42 - Six Weeks Old**
Kael was practicing walking.
Well. "Walking" was generous. More like "flailing while upright."
His [Advanced Motor Control] had improved things dramatically. He could sit up now—rare for a six-week-old. Could grab things deliberately. Could even roll over with purpose.
But walking? Not yet.
Still. He was trying.
He'd pulled himself to standing against the crate. His legs were shaking. Weak. But holding.
*Come on. One step. Just one.*
He shifted his weight. Lifted one foot—
*CRASH.*
He fell. Hard. Smacked his face against the floor.
Pain exploded. His nose was bleeding. He started crying. Not fake infant crying. Real crying. It *hurt.*
The door burst open. Lena rushed in.
"Kael! What—" She saw him on the floor. Blood on his face. "Oh gods!"
She scooped him up. Grabbed a cloth. Pressed it to his nose. "What were you doing? How did you—" She looked at the crate. The way it was positioned. "Were you trying to stand?"
*Yes. And it went badly.*
"You can't do that yet!" Her voice was panicked. "You're too young! You'll hurt yourself!"
*I know that NOW.*
But even through the pain and bleeding and crying, Kael felt... proud? He'd tried. Failed. But tried.
And Lena, despite her panic, looked proud too.
"My brave, stupid boy," she murmured. Cleaning his face gently. "You're going to give me a heart attack. But you're so strong. So determined."
She held him close. Rocked him. The pain faded to a dull ache.
**[SKILL PROGRESS: WALKING]**
**Current: 5%**
**Note: Attempted too early. Injury sustained. But progress made. Keep trying (carefully).**
*Yeah. More carefully next time.*
That evening, Marta visited. She saw the bruise on Kael's face and raised an eyebrow.
"What happened to you?"
*[Tried to walk. Failed spectacularly.]*
She could still hear him. The talisman had worn off days ago, but Kael had bought another one. And then another. Marta was his lifeline to getting things done.
"Walking at six weeks." Marta shook her head. "You're not just smart. You're reckless."
*[Runs in the family, apparently.]*
"Lena's doing better," Marta said quietly. "The pills are working. I don't know where you're getting them, but keep it up. She's almost back to normal vitality."
*[I know. I've been checking. Thank you for everything.]*
"Don't mention it." Marta glanced at the door. "Literally. Don't mention it. If anyone finds out I'm talking to a telepathic baby who makes magic pills appear, I'll be thrown in the asylum."
*[Fair.]*
"But listen." Her tone turned serious. "There's talk in the keep. About you. The genius baby who spoke at one month. Who tries to walk at six weeks. Some of the wives are noticing."
*[Is that bad?]*
"Could be." Marta crossed her arms. "Could be they see potential. Could be they see threat. You're a bastard. But a bastard with talent? That changes things."
*[What should I do?]*
"Lay low when others are around. Only show your smarts to Lena. Let the wives think the rumors are exaggerated." Marta's eyes were sharp. "At least until you're strong enough to protect yourself."
*[How long until that?]*
"Years, kid. You're six weeks old. Even a genius baby is still just a baby."
*Fair point.*
---
**Day 56 - Eight Weeks Old**
**[QUEST UPDATE: SAVE YOUR MOTHER]**
**Progress:** Lena's vitality improved from 5 to 9
**Status:** ON TRACK
**Time Remaining:** 34 days
**Current Status: Lena will survive if current intervention continues**
**Rewards becoming available early due to excellent progress**
*Yes. Yes yes yes.*
Kael had been grinding daily quests religiously. Every 5 SP went toward Nutrient Pills. Marta kept delivering them. Lena kept taking them. And slowly, steadily, she was recovering.
She'd actually gained weight. Her face wasn't so hollow. Her hair was shinier. She smiled more.
And today, something amazing happened.
She got a day off.
"Can you believe it?" Lena was practically glowing. "The head cook gave me a rest day! Said I've been working hard and deserve it."
*Marta's doing. Definitely Marta's doing.*
"So it's just you and me today, little star. All day." Lena picked him up. Spun him around. "What should we do?"
*How about rest? Sleep? Take care of yourself?*
But Lena had other ideas.
"Let's go outside," she said. "You've never been outside. Let's show you the world."
She bundled him up. Wrapped him in the thin blanket plus an extra one she'd gotten from somewhere. Then carried him out of their tiny room.
The servant quarters were a maze of narrow hallways. Stone walls. Low ceilings. Doors every few feet—other servants' rooms, supply closets, laundry areas.
They passed other servants. Some nodded at Lena. Some ignored her. A few stared at Kael with curiosity.
"Is that the one who talks?" someone whispered.
"I heard he said 'mama' at one month."
"Impossible."
"That's what I heard."
Lena ignored them. Kept walking.
They climbed stairs. Up and up. The air grew less stale. Less cold.
And then—
Sunlight.
Actual, real, warm sunlight.
They emerged into a courtyard. Small. Probably for servants to hang laundry. But it had *sun* and *fresh air* and *blue sky.*
Kael gasped. His infant lungs filling with clean air for the first time.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lena sat on a stone bench. Adjusted him so he could see everything. "This is the world, Kael. It's hard and it's cruel, but it's also beautiful."
The sky was so blue. Clouds drifted past. Birds—actual birds—flew overhead. *Caw caw caw.* Crows, maybe. The sun was warm on his face. Not hot. Just... perfect.
*I forgot how good this feels.*
In his past life, he'd taken the outdoors for granted. Missions in the field. Training exercises. Running. Fresh air whenever he wanted it.
Now, as a baby trapped in a stone room, this was paradise.
"One day," Lena said softly, "you'll be strong. You'll walk through these courtyards on your own. You'll train in the grounds with the other children. You'll prove you're just as good as any of them."
*Better. I'll prove I'm better.*
"And I'll be there," she continued. "Watching you grow. Cheering you on. I'll see you become everything I know you can be."
She kissed the top of his head. "I love you, little star. Never forget that."
*I love you too, Mom. And I'm going to make sure you're there to see it all.*
They sat there for an hour. Soaking in the sun. Breathing fresh air. Just being together.
And for the first time since his reincarnation, Kael felt... peaceful.
---
**Day 70 - Ten Weeks Old**
**[QUEST COMPLETE: SAVE YOUR MOTHER]**
**Lena's vitality restored to: 12 (healthy adult range)**
**All negative status effects removed**
**Prognosis: Full recovery achieved**
**Rewards:**
- 500 SP
- Lena's survival guaranteed for next 5 years (barring extreme circumstances)
- [Bond of Protection] unlocked
**[BOND OF PROTECTION]**
**Effect: You and Lena share a connection. If either of you is in mortal danger, the other will know. Additionally, defensive abilities cast on one another have 50% increased effectiveness.**
**Total SP: 540**
**Achievement Unlocked: [Life Saver] - Saved a life before age 1**
Kael wanted to cry. Happy tears. Relief.
*She's okay. She's going to be okay.*
Lena was humming in the kitchen. She'd been assigned lighter duties—the head cook's orders again, thanks to Marta. She was gaining strength every day.
And Kael? He was thriving too.
**[STATUS WINDOW]**
**Name:** Kael Ashford
**Age:** 10 weeks (2.5 months)
**Rank:** Unranked (Soul Forge Awakens at age 5)
**Physical Attributes:**
- Strength: 3 (improving)
- Agility: 3 (improving)
- Endurance: 8 (greatly improved)
- Vitality: 7 (healthy infant)
**Magical Attributes:**
- Mana: 10 (growing)
- Soul Power: 15 (increasing mysteriously)
- Willpower: 48 (slightly improved)
**Skills:**
- [Advanced Motor Control] - Can sit, roll, limited standing
- [Speech] - Can say 3 words: "Mama," "Yes," "More"
- [Observe] - Can analyze targets
**Titles:**
- [Bastard Son]
- [Genius Child]
- [Prodigy]
- [Life Saver]
**SP:** 540
*Things are looking up.*
The door opened. Marta stepped in.
"Hey, magic baby." She'd gotten comfortable with the whole situation. "I brought—oh."
She stopped. Stared.
Kael was standing. Holding onto the crate. But standing. On his own. No help.
"You're standing," Marta said flatly.
*[Yes. I've been practicing.]*
"At ten weeks."
*[Is that impressive?]*
"Kids usually stand at nine *months.* So yeah. Slightly impressive." She set down a small package. "This is from the head cook. For Lena. More rations."
*[Thank you. For everything.]*
"You already saved Lena's life. I'd say we're even." Marta paused. "But I'm curious. What's your endgame here? You're obviously not normal. You have plans."
*[Survive. Get strong. Protect her. Make sure she never has to struggle again.]*
"And then?"
*[Then... I don't know. Become someone. Prove I'm not just a bastard. Show this clan what I'm worth.]*
Marta nodded slowly. "Ambitious. I like it. And you know what? I think you can do it."
*[You do?]*
"Kid, you saved your mother's life at ten weeks old. If you can pull that off, you can do anything."
She turned to leave. Paused.
"But be careful. The wives are watching. The children are watching. Word's spreading about the genius bastard. Some will see opportunity. Others will see threat."
*[I'll be careful.]*
"Good." She left.
Kael stood there. Holding the crate. Thinking.
*Okay. I've survived the first major crisis. Lena's safe. I'm growing stronger. The system's working.*
*Next goal: Make it to five years old. Awaken my Soul Forge. Start real cultivation.*
*And then...*
*Then I'll show them what a bastard can really do.*
Outside the window, the sun was setting. Orange and red painting the sky.
Inside the small room, a ten-week-old baby stood on his own and planned his future.
The game wasn't just beginning anymore.
The game was *on.*
---
**[END CHAPTER 2]**