The Age Punishment and the Great Mom Showdown

I. The System Strikes Back

Ahmed had barely adjusted to the whole noble adoption situation when the System—that unrelenting, trolling AI—decided to throw in an extra punch. Just when he thought the whole age-reversal nonsense couldn't get worse, the System chimed in with an announcement that made him lose his mind.

[SYSTEM ALERT: HOST IS FAILING TO ACCEPT FATE. AGE DECREASED BY 5 YEARS. NOW YOU ARE CUTE LIKE A TOY. ENJOY YOUR NEW LOOK, HOST.]

"WHAT?!" Ahmed shouted, jumping up from his seat. "No, NO! System, you can't do this! I was already 29! How can you just... age me backwards? Again?!"

But it was too late. Ahmed felt it—the world around him suddenly tilted, like gravity was playing some sick joke on him. His body shrank, his face softened, and within seconds, he found himself looking like a 7-year-old. No, scratch that—he looked like a doll. A chibi version of himself, the kind of look you'd expect from a cartoon character who got stuck in an anime world. His face was smooth, his eyes big and doe-like, and his body... well, let's just say he could pass for a plush toy at this point.

And don't even get him started on his hair. It was like someone had suddenly given him a cute haircut that screamed, "Look at me, I'm a walking stuffed animal."

"What is this?! I look like a toy! A freaking plushie!" Ahmed exclaimed, his voice a mix of horror and disbelief. "System, this is not funny anymore! You've crossed the line!"

But the System, ever the sadistic being it was, only replied in its usual cheerful tone.

[SYSTEM RESPONSE: HOST IS NOW CUTE. SYSTEM IS PLEASED WITH THE RESULT. YOU LOOK ADORABLE, HOST. PLEASE ACCEPT YOUR NEW FORM.]

Ahmed's hands flew to his face, and he couldn't help but groan. "This is the worst. First, you mess with my age, then you turn me into a cute, tiny version of myself... What's next, huh? Are you going to give me a puppy tail?"

And just as he was about to have another emotional breakdown, two figures appeared in front of him. These two women, Laressa and Clayra, were both standing in the same room—facing each other like they were about to settle some ancient feud.

II. The Showdown: Laressa vs. Clayra

Laressa, the fiery and overly motherly woman from the orphanage, and Clayra, the cool, composed noblewoman, were about to face off. And naturally, it was all about Ahmed. Because why wouldn't it be? After all, in the land of comedy, everything eventually leads back to one confused, cursed 10-year-old plushie.

Clayra crossed her arms, looking down at Laressa with a smirk on her face.

"So, you've come to claim him as your child again?"

Laressa placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Claim him? No, no, no. He's already a part of my family! I'll do what I want with him! You can't just swoop in here and try to take him from me!"

Clayra raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the exchange. "Do you really think you can handle him? You're a mess, Laressa. You're emotionally unstable and—"

But before Clayra could finish, Laressa went into full mama bear mode, pointing a finger directly at her.

"I might be a little unhinged, but I'm better than you! At least I'm REAL, not some cold-hearted noblewoman who wants a child to decorate her castle! You don't even know how to properly love someone! You only want him as a possession—a status symbol! Well, guess what, honey?"

Clayra's smile never wavered, but she was getting visibly irritated. "Oh please, spare me, Laressa. I'm the only one who can provide Ahmed with the life he truly deserves. You? You're a joke, a cheap knockoff of what real love should be."

"Cheap knockoff?! You noble wannabe!" Laressa shot back. "I'm the one who was actually here taking care of him! I fed him, I clothed him, I treated him like my own son!"

Ahmed, in his doll-like form, could barely hold himself together. He had to be witnessing the most bizarre showdown of his life. It was like a telenovela mixed with a cartoon battle.

"You both need to calm down!" Ahmed finally shouted, but as he did, his voice cracked in that unmistakable pubescent squeak. His face turned bright red, but that didn't stop the System from commenting.

[SYSTEM ALERT: HOST IS VERY CUTE RIGHT NOW. YOU'RE AN ADORABLE LITTLE SON. EVERYONE LOVES YOU NOW, HOST.]

"SYSTEM, PLEASE DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM!" Ahmed shrieked, his voice now even more childish than before. "I am not anyone's child! Stop turning me into a laughing stock! This is humiliating!"

And it didn't help that both women were still going at it.

Laressa shoved her hand into her hair, getting more flustered by the minute. "He's mine, okay?! I'll raise him better than you ever could! He doesn't need your cold wealth—he needs love, a home, someone who cares for him!"

Clayra, clearly trying to one-up her, smirked again. "I can give him everything he could ever want, Laressa. A mansion, riches, endless clothing, and staff to take care of him. But of course, I'm sure you can offer him... what? A few toys?"

Laressa stepped forward, her voice dangerously low. "What I offer him is real love, Clayra. Something you'll never understand. If you think a house full of servants is enough to make someone happy, you are sorely mistaken!"

Ahmed, now completely caught in the middle of this disaster, couldn't help but sigh dramatically. "I'm done with both of you."

System alert:

[SYSTEM RESPONSE: HOST HAS EARNED 5 POINTS FOR EXPRESSING HIS DESIRE TO ESCAPE THIS CIRCUS.]

III. The Unbearable Comedy Continues

As the two women continued their showdown, Ahmed couldn't help but collapse onto the ground in dramatic defeat. "Why is this happening to me? Why do I have to be stuck with these crazy women fighting over me? I'm just trying to get back home!"

The System, naturally, had the perfect response:

[SYSTEM ALERT: HOST, YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THE DRAMA OF THE SITUATION WILL ONLY HELP YOU EARN MORE POINTS.]

"Stop! Just stop!" Ahmed screamed, rubbing his aching temples. "I can't take this anymore!"

Epilogue: Who Will Win the Battle for Ahmed?Laressa and Clayra continue to clash for Ahmed's affection.Ahmed is officially cursed with his cute, doll-like appearance.System continues to reward Ahmed for his emotional pain.The drama is only getting started.!

End of Chapter