Suddenly, a young girl and another young boy entered the room, followed by one more girl. Kazuki quickly realized they were all his siblings in this world. A moment later, Kazuki's father also came in and sat down beside him. Kazuki, still pretending to be an ordinary baby, kept up the act.
The scene shifted three years ahead.
Kazuki, now a toddler, sat at the royal dining table alongside his siblings, mother, and father. The grand dining hall shimmered with gold and crystal, the air filled with the warmth of family chatter. One of Kazuki's sisters gently fed him while his eldest brother patted his head.
"Oh, naughty boy," his brother chuckled. "You should eat properly."
Kazuki smiled, and in his mind, began narrating to himself:
"It's been three years since I was reborn into this world. I'm still a baby, but now at least I can walk. And the best part is — I don't have any of the mental illness I suffered from in my past life."
However, his freedom was limited.
"My family doesn't allow me to leave my room. The only times I go out are either to sit at this dining table or to visit the temple of a god named 'Julius.'"
Over time, Kazuki had picked up bits and pieces of information from the gossip of his mother, the maids, and his siblings.
"From what I've learned," Kazuki continued in his thoughts, "the mysterious power in this world is called 'Spiritual Force,' also known as 'Spirit Force.' It represents the amount of spiritual capability a living being possesses."
In this world, spirits existed — actual, sentient beings of power. To grow stronger, people formed contracts with these spirits, allowing them to reside within their bodies and lend them their power.
"I haven't been able to learn much else about the spirits or this Spirit Force, since I'm barely allowed outside my room," Kazuki thought bitterly. "But I'm sure that once I'm old enough, I'll uncover everything."
Even so, Kazuki couldn't deny that his current life was a world away from the one he had left behind.
"I was never treated like this before," he reflected. "In this life, I've been given everything — luxury, care, warmth. And deep down, I know this too is connected to the one who made me reincarnate here. I can't blame him though… not when I'm receiving so many things I never had before."
But Kazuki knew better than to grow complacent.
"I realize these royal comforts won't be enough forever. If I want to carve out my own future… if I want to be free, I'll need to grow strong. Stronger than anyone else."
The quiet determination in his heart grew stronger with each passing day.