3 Growing Body and Building Bonds

Several months have passed since the boy's departure, and during that time, I have devoted myself to relearning every facet of my life that was stripped away from me upon my rebirth.

Aspects such as better vision and motor functions are starting to develop naturally, allowing me to explore my environment with increasing precision. These newfound abilities grant me the freedom to crawl across the floor of our home with clarity, discovering new views and wonders with each movement.

"Come on, Dante. Come to Mommy."

Currently, I am immersed in a bonding activity with the blonde woman, whom I have come to recognize as my mother, alongside my two siblings. Through this exercise, I have also come to understand that Dante is my new name—a great choice made by my parents. Moreover, I am slowly but surely learning the language of this world, albeit with some difficulty.

Anyway, we were instructed by our mother to come to her by crawling from the other side of the room. Given I have prior knowledge of how to use my limbs, I could easily get there with no difficulty. However, I refrained from rushing ahead, instead, I waited for my two siblings to catch up. 

"Oh my, Aisha, you're doing so well."

Aisha, my maroon-haired sibling, manages to understand how to use her limbs on her own, crawling on the floor with enthusiasm. I allow her to pass me, encouraging her to continue her progress confidently.

"Good job, dear. Now, come on, Norn. You can do it too."

Turning my attention to Norn, my other sibling, I notice her struggling with her movements, tears welling in her eyes as frustration sets in. Seeing that, I emphatically crawl over to her, wrapping my arms around her in a comforting embrace.

She soon calms down, and with temperate guidance from me, begins to imitate my actions, crawling alongside me. Though she still encounters some difficulties, I patiently wait for her, offering support and motivation every step of the way.

"Oh dear, what a sweet boy you are, Dante. You've waited for Norn."

Feeling a sense of accomplishment and warmth at the praise from our mother, I continue to guide my two siblings, knowing that together, we can overcome any obstacle.

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As a year passed and my body continued to grow, I transitioned from crawling on the floor to teetering on unsteady legs. Each step was a triumph of developing control and coordination.

With each assertive motion, I continued to investigate every nook and cranny of our home, my curiosity drove me forward. From what I could gather, our house, nestled amidst a lush plain, was a cozy two-story cabin. Its interior design reminded me of the medieval houses depicted in the video games I used to play in my previous life.

"Excuse me, may I come in."

A voice echoed from the front door, drawing my attention. A green-haired elf poked her head through the doorway, her presence both expected and intriguing. Ever since the departure of the boy, whom I had come to recognize as my big brother, the elf would come and ask about his whereabouts. However, our parents consistently dismissed her questions and distracted her with trivial tasks.

"Ah, welcome back, Sylphiette. Are you here for another etiquette training?"

Our maid, Lilia, greeted the elf warmly as she ushered her inside, offering another round of the usual distractions. Upon entering, Sylphiette noticed my presence.

"Um, hello there, Dante. How are you today?"

Although the elf's question seemed a bit out of place for someone my age, I responded with a thumbs-up, earning a light chuckle from her as she patted me on the head.

After our brief interaction, Sylphiette followed Lilia to the living room, where she was taught various etiquette exercises, which included greetings, honorifics, and table manners.

While they busied themselves with their activities, I silently watched them from a distance, trying to absorb the knowledge that could prove useful in the future.

Later that day, Lilia began teaching Aisha how to read, though it seemed premature for such lessons. However, I realized the importance of starting early and resolved to learn alongside them, wanting to improve my vocabulary.

"Oh dear, Master Dante, do you want to learn as well?"

Excited at the prospect, I nodded eagerly, prepared to embark on this educational journey with Aisha. However, I noticed someone missing from our activity. Glancing around the living room, I saw Norn peeking timidly from behind the doorway, seemingly hesitant to join us.

With a gentle gesture, I approached her and reached for her hand, hoping to encourage her to join our learning session. However, she resisted, hesitant to step out of her comfort zone.

Recognizing Norn's hesitation, I patiently waited for her to gather enough courage to come with us, understanding that everyone progresses at their own pace.

"What's going on here, Dante? Is Norn having trouble leaving her safe space?"

A male voice called out from behind. I turned to see the brown-haired man, who I recognized as our father, studying us intently, his interest piqued by the unfolding scene in front of him.

Sensing the need for explanation, Lilia stepped forward and elucidated the situation. "Master Paul, it appears Norn is hesitant to join our learning session and Master Dante was trying his best to encourage her."

"Is that so?" Our father acknowledged, reflecting on Norn's timid demeanor. He gently picked her up and said, "Norn, do you want me to watch you learn?"

Norn hesitated for a while, still processing the question, but fortunately, she nodded timidly, finally conceding to our persuasion.

With Norn now willing to participate, our father carried her toward the table where Aisha was waiting, and I followed them from behind. We then proceeded to our learning session, avidly diving into the language of this world together.

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After months of education, I not only grasped the semantics of the Human language but also delved into the stories and folktales of this world.

Apparently, the world I am now residing in was filled with magical creatures and other races of beings. Each story recounted epic adventures, history, and the intricate balance between magic and nature.

The idea of wielding magic and swords offered the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming a hero in my own right. I could protect a lot of people from malevolent creatures who intended to threaten their safety.

"I want to be a hero... one who will save everyone from harm."

While mumbling to myself, I forgot that I was at the dining table eating with the whole family. Their curious glances reminded me of the reality of my surroundings, but my determination remained unshaken.

"Oh dear, Dante is fantasizing again," my mother remarked with a fond smile, gently bringing me back to the present moment.

My father then chuckled, seemingly amused by my statement. "Looks like I got myself a new training buddy. Perhaps we should start-"

"Paul, our boy is still too young to wield a sword," my mother interjected, her concern evident in her voice as she directed a stern glare toward my father.

In response, my father recoiled to my mother's reprimands, acknowledging the weight of her words and the importance of our safety. However, I believed that the idea of training with a sword wasn't that bad. Perhaps it was something to consider when I was slightly older and more capable.

So, with a newfound determination, I decided to speak my mind. "Father, I want to train with the sword in the future."

Both of my parents were surprised by my conviction, but I could see a glimmer of pride in my father's eyes, eager to train me as soon as possible. My mother, on the other hand, seemed apprehensive, but she nodded slowly, her maternal instincts guiding her decision.

"Alright, Dante. When you're older and more capable, we'll consider it," my father agreed, his tone conveying a sense of understanding.

With their support, I felt reassured in my aspirations, knowing that I had their backing every step of the way. As I finished my meal, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement for the future, eager to embark on my journey to become a hero.