In Orlax's room, a young man could be seen drenched in sweat, as if he had just run a full marathon. His breaths were rapid and erratic.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, sat up on the bed, and clutched his chest tightly as if trying to keep something from escaping.
After a few minutes, his breathing calmed, but he sensed a mysterious presence in the room. Reacting swiftly, he drew his sword and turned to his right—only to be slightly stunned by what he saw.
On the same bed lay a girl with blue hair, sleeping on her left side.
Her posture was carefree, as if the entire world held no significance to her.
"Who is she? When did she enter my room? System, do you know?"
[This girl is a spirit that was sealed within the sword. When the user bonded with the sword, the seal was automatically released, and she began forming a body using the user's vitality. Thus, she can be considered the user's child.]
"Since when do you talk?"
[If the system is asked a question it knows the answer to, it will respond automatically.]
"This is new."
Orlax glanced at the sleeping girl on the bed, observing her features—plump cheeks, delicate facial features, wearing a white shirt and a dark blue skirt.
'So you're saying she was a spirit sealed inside the sword, and her body was created through me? How ironic. I'm fourteen, and now I've become a father. Excellent achievement.'
He smirked sarcastically and looked at the girl, who was beginning to wake up.
Slowly, she lifted her head, her blue hair cascading to the sides, and opened her eyelids, revealing radiant golden eyes that were still half-asleep.
"Do you know who you are, girl?"
Upon hearing his voice, the girl looked at him with a confused expression.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Orlax asked to confirm if she could comprehend him. However, she remained bewildered, tilting her head as she stared at him in astonishment.
"Great, I need to teach her the language. System, can you display her stats?"
[To display the stats of another being, you must form a contract with them. Would you like to form a contract?]
"A contract? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Go ahead, form a contract with this girl."
[Contract successfully created. Would you like to display the stats?]
Upon completing the contract, Orlax felt a strange bond forming between him and the girl.
"Display the stats."
Immediately, a transparent blue screen appeared before him, displaying several words.
Name: (choose a name)
Age: one year and 8 months
Health: 80%
Mana: (locked)
Aura: (locked)
Attributes:
- Strength: 80 (Affects overall physical power)
- Speed: 83 (Affects movement speed and reaction speed)
- Wisdom: 81 (Affects mana control, aura management, and response speed)
- Intelligence: 86 (Affects mana capacity, aura levels, and overall intelligence)
- Endurance: 65 (Affects stamina and defense)
- Charm: 99 (Affects appearance and aura)
(The average person has a score of 5 in each attribute.)
Status: Healthy
Personality Traits:
[Pride] (locked)
[Patience] (locked)
[Genius]
Skills: --
Unique Abilities: --
"She has three of my traits. Is it because she was born from me?"
[Congratulations on your first contract! You can now add attribute points and skill points to the individuals you have contracted with.]
"Alright, now what am I supposed to do with this girl?"
Orlax remained deep in thought, watching the girl gaze at her surroundings in bewilderment and fascination, as if she were seeing the world for the first time.
"She's one year and eight months old. This is a headache—I need to teach her everything from scratch, and I have no experience in childcare."
He sighed, lifting the girl by her underarms and holding her in the air while looking into her luminous golden eyes.
The girl responded with a joyful smile that warmed his cold heart.
"You don't have a name. So I'll name you… hmm… how about 'Sera'? I think it's a beautiful name. Do you agree?"
The girl didn't answer his question but simply smiled at him, extending her arms as if asking to be embraced.
"Alright, alright. From now on, your name is Sera Tirshtain."
He cradled the small girl in his arms carefully, ensuring he didn't crush her fragile body between his hands.
"Now let's get some sleep. I'll deal with the headache of your identity in the morning."
Wrapping themselves in the blanket, he let the girl rest in his arms and instructed her to sleep.
'The tranquility I feel right now is a little unnerving. I accept things too quickly.'
Orlax thought as he observed the girl, who had closed her eyes and swiftly drifted into sleep. Soon, he closed his own and followed suit.
The sun began to rise, bringing warmth to the world, and the inhabitants started heading out for their work and daily tasks.
In Orlax's room, the morning sunlight gradually illuminated his sleeping face, causing his eyes to flutter open as the light streamed through the window.
He glanced downward slightly and saw the blue-haired girl still asleep in his arms, with a silly smile on her face.
Carefully, he shifted his body and got out of bed slowly, making sure not to wake her.
He retrieved some clothes from his closet and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
Half an hour later, after cleaning himself up, he emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair.
He neatly combed his hair back, adjusting it with precision, before turning to look at the girl sitting on the bed, who had woken up earlier.
Orlax picked up his phone and sent a message to Alex, asking him to come to his room. Before heading into the forest the previous day, he had taken Alex's number in case he ever needed anything.
A few minutes later, Alex entered the room and greeted Orlax.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Good morning."
After receiving the response, Alex lifted his head and looked at the boy sitting on the couch. He was slightly taken aback when he noticed a blue-haired girl sitting beside Orlax, curiously observing him.
Alex tried to resist the urge to ask about the girl's identity, but in the end, he couldn't hold back and spoke.
"Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness, but may I ask who this girl is? And how did she enter your room?"
"There's no rudeness in your question. The answer to your first question—this girl is Sera Tirshtain, and you can consider her my daughter. Don't ask how a fourteen-year-old boy can have a child. As for your second question, there's no need for you to know."
Orlax relaxed on the couch, watching Alex's face, which displayed traces of confusion and curiosity. It seemed he wanted to ask more questions, but in the end, he suppressed his curiosity.
"I understand, Your Majesty. May I ask what you need from me?"
"I need you to bring suitable clothes for this girl, find a maid to bathe her, and provide food appropriate for someone her age."
"I understand. I'll carry out your request immediately."
After Alex left, the blue-haired girl shifted her curious gaze away from him and turned to face the black-haired boy sitting beside her.
She moved slowly, climbed onto his lap, stood up, and stared directly into his eyes with her golden gaze.
"Hmm? What is it? Do you want something from me?"
The red-eyed boy looked into the golden eyes facing him and asked in confusion.
Instead of replying, the girl raised her arms toward him.
"You want me to carry you?"
The boy gently placed his hands beneath her and lifted her slowly, holding her carefully.
The girl rested her head against his shoulder happily and started giggling.
A while later, Alex entered the room carrying a set of clothes, followed by a maid carrying a tray with several dishes.
Upon entering, they quickly greeted Orlax and lifted their heads.
The maid, who had brown hair and honey-colored eyes, observed Sera sitting comfortably on the black-haired boy's lap.
She was an attractive young woman with a beautiful face, some freckles beneath her eyes, a slender yet well-proportioned physique, and a height of approximately 170 cm.
She wore a modest maid outfit consisting of black and white fabric with delicate engravings.
Around her slim neck was a beautiful, slightly glowing green pendant.
The girl who had entered was one of the supporting characters in the game. Her name was Lira, and she came from the common folk. In the game, she assisted the main character by providing information about the palace and Orlax's movements. However, the following day, she was found hanging at the palace gate, her body mutilated beyond recognition—a brutal death.
It was said in the game that the one who did this to her was Orlax himself, after discovering her betrayal.
While lost in thought, Lira silently placed the tray of food on the table and stepped back.
"Take Sera to the bathroom and give her a proper bath."
Orlax gestured for Lira to take Sera to bathe. After a brief moment of hesitation, the girl accepted being carried away by Lira.
Alex remained standing silently, his gaze fixed on the black-haired boy before him.
[Loyalty: 70]
[Loyalty: 30]
Orlax checked the loyalty levels of Alex and Lira, respectively, and was surprised to see Alex's loyalty reaching seventy.
A quiet atmosphere filled the room until Lira returned from the bathroom, carrying Sera, who seemed somewhat annoyed by the bath.
After placing her on the bed, Lira carefully dried her damp hair and guided her back to her previous seat.
As Lira approached him, Orlax noticed her body trembling slightly—her tension rising due to their proximity.
"You did well."
Hearing the words of praise, Lira froze momentarily before offering a small smile.
"This is my duty."
"Alex, is she trustworthy?"
Upon hearing his name, the blond-haired man stood upright and directed his gaze toward Orlax.
"I can guarantee it, Your Majesty. Lira is one of the most diligent and honest individuals in the palace."
"Alright, Lira, you will be responsible for taking care of Sera and fulfilling all her needs. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to care for her."
Lira spoke louder than she intended, then turned her gaze toward Sera, who was now dressed in a cute red dress, and offered her a warm smile.