The Reincarnated Archmage

Two years peacefully pass and I am now a five year old little lady. Thanks to that, I can now stand and walk without wobbling my legs. I can also now speak properly. These past years are the hardest time of my life as a baby. I wonder if I also struggle like this when I was a real baby in my past life. I should never underestimate and give respect to every babies out there. You all really have it hard.

Today, I have a mission I need to accomplish. I need to make my parents teach me how to read. The words and letters used nowadays are unfamiliar to me. It's not just the whole kingdom changed, but also the literature and study patterns used in academies. I also noticed that the magic procedures the people used here are also different. Before, I used to chant a mouthful of spell just to summon magic. But now, just a simple word can now summon different type of spell and magic. A lot of things really changed over a lot of years, huh? The world is really advancing and make things comfortable for the future generations.

Hah. I sound like an old lady being amazed by these things.

Shaking my head, I started walking towards my parent's room. I should not let these things distract me. I still need to get my parent's approval to teach me how to read. As a noble, you can start learning how to read after reaching the age of seven. But I'm getting impatient. I wanted to learn how to read now.

Also, It would be really a problem if I'll always rely on my brother whenever I wanted to read a book. Besides, I don't want to be a cause of his delay in schedule. Since my brother is seven years older than me, he has now a lot of lectures and trainings needed to attend. There's swordsmanship, different etiquette lectures, and studying. And since he's already in the right age, he will need to attend the academy next month. Being a noble is really a hard thing.

Knocking on the door, I reach for the doorknob and peek inside. My father was inside and taking a break from his paperworks. When he saw me, he shows me a happy smile. My father opens his arm, urging me to go to him. As his cute daughter, I run towards father and give him a hug.

"My pretty and adorable daughter!" Father said in a happy voice while rubbing his cheeks on my own. It's really a blessing that he is meticulous on his face and doesn't have any beard or moustache, or else, I would never let his face touch mine.

"Why are you here, Aly?"

"Because Aly have a favor to ask!" I said cheerfully.

"Oh, what is it? Do want me to buy you a new doll? Dresses? Desserts?" My father asked as he lift my small body to sit me on his l.a.p.

Dear father, you are spoiling me too much. If I was a real little girl, those things you mentioned are the most tempting offer a child can ever have. But I am not a real baby. I'm sorry that your own daughter is deceiving you, dear father.

"Not that, papa."

"Then what is it?"

"Aly want you to teach me how to read books!" I said.

"But..."

I saw a hint of hesitation in my father's eyes. I know that a child should learn these things at the age of seven, but I won't back out of this. That's why I prepared a lot of trump cards to achieve my goals. I move slightly on my father's l.a.p so I can look at his face properly.

"Aly want to learn how to read books because I wanted to be an amazing person just like papa!"

Father's first weakness. Being flattered by his children. I already know that he really loves his daughter so much to the point that he's willing to raise me into a spoiled lady.

"I-Is that t-true?"

"Yes! Aly heard that papa is a really great and amazing person. Aly also knows that papa is really, really smart!" I said as I placed my hands on my cheeks to look more adorable in front of him.

I really practice this yesterday, you know. I tried a lot of cute poses and expressions yesterday in front of a mirror and Lyle laugh at me for that. Not only that, nanny Bella also caught me doing it. She let out a soft laugh and told me that I'm adorable enough without doing those poses. Hoo, the sacrifices I need to do in order to get what I want.

"But, Aly... You're still young—"

"Are you saying that Aly is not enough? Aly can't be an amazing person like papa?" I said as I lower my face and make a sad expression. I feel that papa panics seeing me like this and trying to look for someone to ask for help.

Father's second weakness. He can't really take it seeing his daughter sad or troubled.

"No! That's not what I mean! You are my cute and adorable daughter that... A-Aly...!"

I didn't listen to him as I lower my gaze as if trying to stop my tears. It's a good thing that a child's body is easy to turn its waterworks. I know it was a cunning move, but I need to do this. I'm saying sorry in advance for my father who is now panicking on my side.

"I-It's not like that. I-I just want to enjoy your childhood." Father said in a panicking voice yet still tries to soothe me.

"But Aly wants to learn how to read because I want to be smart and amazing just like papa as soon as possible. Is it not good?" I tearily asked.

"...Ugh..."

"Aly just want to make papa proud of me because I really, really love papa!" I said as I look at father then scoot closer to him so I can hug him.

Father's third weakness. Whenever his daughter says that she really loves her father the most.

"I'm already proud of you, Aly." Father said as he pats my hair. I lift face so I can see him properly. He's still reluctant to my request, but I can see that his will to stop me is already crumbling down.

"Aly promise that I'll learn to read as fast as possible so I can't be a hindrance in papa's work!"

"You're never a hindrance, Aly—"

"And Aly promise to give papa a kiss on his cheeks after our lessons! Aly will also give papa a lot of hugs!"

Father stared at me silently. Just give up, my dear father. I know that my offer is a very tempting one that you can't easily resist. After a minute or two, he let out a sigh.

"Fine. I'll teach you how to read."

"Really? Thank you papa!" I said as I jump slightly and shows him a smile. I also give papa a tight hug and kiss on both of his cheeks. "Papa is really the best!"

Father's last weakness. His daughter showing a loving affection towards her father.

Dear father, you are really a softie when it comes to my cuteness that you are willing to give whatever I asked. I'm getting worried about you, you know. As a compromise to my selfishness, I spoiled father today with affection all day. I also spend my whole afternoon in his study room while enjoying our afternoon tea time.

A day without my dessert time this afternoon is a small sacrifice for my d.e.s.i.r.e to learn how to read.

-//-//-

Or so I thought.

"Nanny, please? Just a piece of chocolate is enough for Aly!" I pleaded my nanny while she's removing the ribbon in my hair.

"Do you want your teeth to go ouchy again?" Nanny Bella asked.

"No!" Of course not! I thought I'll die again when I got toothache before. I don't want to experience it again. "But Aly just wants a little piece of chocolate."

"My dear, your mother strictly said that we can't give you any sweets. Me and your mother just don't want you to have an ouchy again in your teeth. You understand it, right?" She softly said and hide my ribbons on my drawer.

"Don't worry. I'll prepare your favorite dessert tomorrow, okay? Don't sulk now."

She holds my face and softly squish my cheeks. I know that I'm quite chubby, nanny. There's no need for you to inform me indirectly. Don't worry. I'll start to lose my weight before I turn six next year. After being satisfied with my cheeks, my nanny left me in my room to prepare my bath. The moment she closes the door, I quickly call my Spirit.

"Lyle."

In an instant, Lyle was standing beside me.

"If you'll tell me to sneak some chocolates for you, then no."

This Spirit...! How dare you betray me?!

"Just a small piece is enough for me."

"No." He said before crossing his arms on his c.h.e.s.t. "If it concerns your well-being, then I'll refuse the order you want me to do."

I pout at him, but he didn't move even an inch. This Spirit is too weird for me. Sometimes he's too sweet and caring towards me and then the next second, he's too strict and moody.

"Stingy." I murmur. I'm pretty sure he heard what I said, but look at me with an expression that says 'A no is a no.'

"Hmph!"

I jump from my seat and leave my room. I'll try to ask my mother to give me some sweet snacks. Maybe my charm will work on her this time. At the exact moment, the main door opens, revealing my big brother Cedric.

"Aly, I'm home!"

"Brother!"

I run towards my brother and gives him a hug. He accepts my hug and lifts me in the air. This is always the routine whenever brother finishes his sword training. He is sweating a little, but I wonder why he still smells so good? He smells like a fresh peppermint. My brother is not only good-looking, but also smells good.

"Are you done with your training?"

"Yes, that's right. My teacher also praised me today."

"Wow! My brother is a really good student!" I said before patting his hair.

This brother of mine has some weaknesses in regard with his little sister's affection. Like father, like son. I remembered that nanny Bella teased brother for being a siscon, but brother ignored her. When I asked her what is the meaning of that, she said that it means being too affectionate to their sister. I think that's the correct term for my brother.

Even if I'm already m.a.t.u.r.e on the inside, being reborn as a baby, I somehow adapt some traits of being a child. Just like this. My brother is getting something from his pocket and reveals a candy wrapped in a colorful paper. Then put his finger on his lips indicating to stay quiet.

Ah, by just seeing it makes my tongue desperate for sweets. It's not that I haven't eaten any sweets in this house, but mother is monitoring the amount of desserts I consumed. It's not that bad before since I can ask for any desserts whenever I want. But when I got a toothache last month, my mom forbids me to get any desserts I asked. The only time I can eat desserts is during my afternoon tea time with my mother.

He puts me down first and kneel in front of me then unwrap the soft candy. Without hesitation, I open my mouth and brother feeds me the soft candy. Sweetness quickly spreads in my mouth. This is so good! My connection with my brother is stronger than my parents. I know that I'm being biased, but he understands his little sister so well without me saying anything. This kid is really my sibling.

"So sweet! Thank you, brother! I really love you!" I said and wrap my small arms around his neck.

"Welcome home, Cedric."

We both look at our back and saw mother getting down the stairs. My brother and I stare at each others eyes. I saw my brother's hand secretly put the wrapper in his pocket to hide it. As for me, I quietly swallow the soft candy I'm eating.

"... You both are hiding something." Mother said with a smile. Her smile is beautiful, but it's a little scary.

"We're not. I'm just telling Aly that I'll read her a storybook before she sleeps." My brother said to mother and I energetically nod my head.

"Aly loves it when brother reads me a story!" I cheerfully said as I hug my brother again.

My mother is looking at us, but I know she's still suspicious. I can understand her actions since I've already done that before when I'm still Veronica. Being suspicious with your kids since you know that something is not right. I really understand it well. But dear mother, I'm suffering now from lack of dessert. My brother is just helping me.

"...If you say so. How was your day today, Cedric?"

"My teacher praised my swordsmanship today! He said that I can become stronger if I continue practicing! I also learn five sword technique today!" My brother happily reported to our mother. My mother walks toward us and stroke my brother's hair.

"Really? Then that's good. My son is really smart. I'm really happy for you, Cedric." Mother lovingly said to brother.

"Me too! Aly is really proud of brother!"

With our compliments combined, a crimson blush appears on his cheeks. Of course he's shy. He is still a kid, but I know that he'll grow into a wonderful man someday.

"What is happening here?"

Without us noticing his presence, father suddenly shows up beside mother. She told father what brother have said to us. Then father lets out a hearty laugh.

"That's a good news. Don't worry, Cedric. As your father, I'll always support you." Father said as he roughly messes up with brother's hair.

As I look at the happy faces of my new family, I realized something. I guess being reincarnated is not really that bad. Not when I have this wonderful family with me. Maybe I can say I'm glad that I was given a chance to be born again and experience a different life.