Everything felt strange.
George's mind was hazy, sluggish, as if trapped in thick fog. He tried to think, to recall something—anything—but the moment he attempted, an unbearable pressure pulsed inside his head. It was suffocating, painful, and overwhelming. Instinctively, he let out a wail, the only response his tiny body could manage.
A pair of warm hands gently lifted him, pressing him against something soft and warm. A rhythmic sound—steady and soothing—filled his ears. His cries slowed as the warmth enveloped him. A soft voice whispered, tired yet full of love, and a gentle rocking motion calmed his trembling form.
Then, something pressed against his lips, and a natural instinct took over. He latched on, drinking deeply. The warmth spread inside him, easing the dull ache that had taken root in his body. His tiny fingers twitched, his breathing steadied, and for the first time since his rebirth, a sense of comfort replaced the confusion.
Time passed, though he had no way to measure it. Slowly, the pressure in his head lessened, and his thoughts became clearer. He blinked, struggling to force his eyes open. At first, only blurred shapes greeted him, but then, amidst the hazy light, three glowing blue panels floated in his vision.
[Congratulations to the user for acquiring the Ascension System.]
[Quest: Drink breast milk - Completed.]
[Reward: +0.1 Intelligence.]
George's mind stilled. The fog hadn't fully lifted, and his thoughts were still slow, but one thing was certain—his journey had already begun.
________________________________________
Exhausted from his crying and the overwhelming sensations of his new life, George finally drifted off to sleep. His tiny body lay still, cradled in the comfort of his baby clothes, the soft warmth cocooning him in peace. The faint scent of milk lingered on his skin, and for a while, nothing existed except the quiet lull of sleep.
When he awoke, it was already nighttime. His senses slowly returned, and he found himself resting in a crib. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered in through the window, casting a calming light across the room. Around him were soft, colorful toys—nothing familiar, but comforting nonetheless.
His body felt heavier, more relaxed than it had in the morning. He lay there, his mind far clearer than before. The pressure in his head had lifted, the fog that once clouded his thoughts now only a distant memory.
George attempted to move his tiny arms, to push himself up, but his limbs refused to cooperate. The feeling of helplessness rushed back, but he didn't give up. He tried again to speak, to make sense of this strange world, but all that escaped him was a small, unintelligible noise. The frustration bubbled inside him.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. His system. The Ascension System.
He tried to concentrate, focusing deeply. He remembered the panel he'd seen earlier. The words floated in his mind, clear as day. "Status."
A glowing blue screen appeared before him, hovering gently in his vision.
[Name: George Wargohorn]
[Age: 0.5 Days]
[Strength: 0.1]
[Stamina: 0.2]
[Agility: 0.1]
[Intelligence: 0.8]
[Magic Power: 0]
[Skills: None]