In the previous chapter, we found out that poverty isn't truly the end for me—not with the delicious introduction of Daily Tasks.
So let's not waste any more time. Even as a baby, maybe there are still things I can do for the family.
Oh! What a responsible new-born I am!
"But Master," Seraphina said, flipping me over to wash my front, "aren't you a little too eager about this? I understand not wanting to taste the bitterness of poverty, but..."
I sighed. "Did you see the way Lily looked?"
"Lily? You mean your mother?"
"No, I meant the ladybug that flew past during dinner."
Seraphina pouted and looked like she was about to yank my little pee-pee off.
"When she was talking about her job," I continued, "her eyes looked... familiar. My other mother used to have the same look. And I'm sure I've worn it many times too."
I looked into Seraphina's crimson eyes. "That's the look of someone in debt."
I explained to Sera that our current house wasn't bad at all—actually, it was pretty comfy.
Which only meant one thing: Lily was probably working her butt off to pay back some kind of debt. Otherwise, we should have the liberty to eat…at least something that not boiled rice.
"And let's be honest," I said. "I'm not actually a silly baby. So I figured, why not help her out?"
Seraphina's mouth hung open for a moment. Then, slowly, a smile crept across her face.
"Wait—hey! What are you doing?!" I shouted as she suddenly hugged my tiny body.
"When you said 'our current house…' it made me really happy."
"Huh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Wh-what did you expect? You're the closest person I've got in this world. I'm not about to lose you. In that regard, I'm kind of glad you're slacking off right now."
She hugged me even tighter. "That makes me even happier... My kind, naïve, cute, loving, naïve, and manly Master!"
Wait a minute—did she just call me naïve twice?
"Sorry I'm late!!" Lily yelled, bursting into the bathroom.
I've gotta say, my new mom really is young and gorgeous. Curves in all the right places, a doll-like face... Ugh!
It's basically my first day in this world and I've already seen two beautiful women naked.
That should be exciting. But one of them is my hot mom, and the other is some god-like being. Both of them are crazy and maybe dangerous.
Without any warning, Lily grinned, then started stroking my tail.
Is this how a young mother conduct herself?!
I yelled, threatening to bite her, but she then pointed at my crotch and claimed I was getting excited by her presence.
Seraphina, who was supposed to be on my side, immediately betrayed me—holding me in place for more teasing.
*
"But, Sera..." Lily said, sizing her up as she casually massaged her own body. "You really are one sexy girl. What kind of cream do you use?"
"Cream? I don't use any."
"Really?" Lily traced a finger along Sera's outline. "And it's this smooth naturally? Alex hit the jackpot with you, huh? Hahaha! I wouldn't even be surprised if you told me you were a goddess or something."
Cough! Cough!
"Truly? Because I, indeed, am akin to a goddes—"
"SHUT UP, SERA!" I had to jump in before she finished blowing her cover.
"…Jeez, Sera," Mom said with a playful smile, resting her hand on her cheek. "Don't tease your mother-in-law like that."
Thank goodness my mother is ditzy enough!!
*
Honestly, I was supposed to be enjoying that bath, but no—half the time I was scolding my pervy mom, and the other half was spent desperately trying to keep Sera from spilling deific classified info.
Now it was 7:20 PM. I was back in my room after the whole chaotic bath episode.
Sera had tried to put a diaper on me, but I fought it like my life depended on it. So now I was wearing baby-overalls joined with a pair of suspenders, with baby undies instead—something casual and not humiliating…
Actually, it's a bit embarrassing—wearing baby clothes.
Nevertheless, it seemed like the house had three bedrooms.
That meant Sera could technically take one of the rooms. But let's be honest—I wouldn't even bother suggesting it. She's not going to accept that kind of boundary.
Anyway, back to the actual important stuff.
"Sera, what's up with that thing I keep seeing moving inside you?"
Sera—in a pajama—who had been making the bed (since I ordered the banishment of the cradle earlier), stopped and slowly turned to me, eyes wide a bit.
"You... can see it?" she asked.
"Mhm. It's not exactly visible, but I can sort of make out the shape... kind of. It's like... a moving, smoky substance?"
"No, that's not the point." Sera moved in closer. "I've been doing a great job concealing it. You're not even supposed to sense it."
"R-Really? Well, now that you mention it... yeah. It's kind of like watching some strange water down at the bottom of a well. So you were hiding it, after all? Hey—what's that?!"
"M…MASTER IS INSIDE ME!" Sera muttered, eyes almost glassy.
"Stop complicating it!"
Actually, I'd guessed as much—that she was hiding it. Because with Lily, it was way more obvious—like a river flowing through her body.
But with Sera, it was more like an underground lake: Quiet. And somewhat immeasurable.
Sera explained that what I was sensing from her was Ether—a type of energy that powers her spells and abilities. She went on to say that Lily's energy—as well as other humans'—was Mana, which worked on the same principle as Ether, but it was just a much more condensed version. To suit mortals.
So… if ether was crude oil, mana would be, like, kerosene? Or diesel?
Whatever.
I should've figured, anyway. Sera was practically a god. But what really caught my attention was the idea of spells and magic!
"Wait! Don't tell me—can I use magic too?!" I asked eagerly.
"..."
"Okay, okay, tell me," I pressed.
"Of course, Master."
Tsk! That freakin' hotty!
Anyway, she confirmed it—I could use magic and cast spells. Awesome!
Khukuku! Now I feel like a proper light novel protagonist!
What's left is to become acquainted with a true dragon in some cave, then swallow him whole!
Back to the subject matter;