Villain's son paradox

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"Let the first day begin!"

I dragged myself out of bed for the second time today and made my way to the closet to prepare for the day ahead. A quick glance at Valvaro's clothes revealed fewer options than I'd expected.

"It seems he's not one for variety."

This stood in stark contrast to Martha's side of the closet, which was packed with an array of robes and dresses. Some had the elegance of ancient Roman styles, while others carried an unmistakable Arabian influence. I couldn't help but wonder about the cultural influences of this world and how they came to be.

"Alright, let's see..."

I grabbed a light cotton white jacket and paired it with matching trousers. Standing before the mirror, I frowned. Fashion had never been my strength; I often looked like a vagabond in any outfit. But I wasn't going to leave the room looking unkempt.

After a brief search, I managed to get dressed and prepare to leave. Just then, a gentle knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, followed by a child's voice.

"Dad... Mom says breakfast is ready!"

"Tell her I'll be right there, my dear. Just a moment."

The sound of tiny footsteps echoed down the hallway before fading away. I took one last look at myself in the mirror and nodded in approval.

"Not bad... not bad at all."

A simple white long-sleeved shirt paired with light spring trousers—nothing extraordinary, but presentable enough. Now, it was time to embrace this world in Valvaro's body. I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and opened the door.

"Be a father, be a husband!" I reminded myself.

I walked down the narrow hallway and descended the stairs. The sound of cheerful laughter and a woman's soft voice filled my ears. They were at the dining table in the living room, according to my mental map.

As I entered the room, Jila, the young girl, jumped up from her chair, her innocent smile lighting up the room. She rushed toward me, motioning for me to lean down. She kissed my forehead with excitement.

"I have a surprise for you today, Dad!"

"Really, my dear?"

I glanced at Martha, who nodded with a smile. Jila returned to her seat, and I joined them at the table. My gaze fell upon the plate before me.

"Beans in 'Cap Haiten' tomato sauce, with slices of lamb and homemade bread... I wanted to change things up," Martha said, satisfaction in her voice.

"When did she prepare all this?"

That was my first thought. The variety of the breakfast dish was remarkable, especially considering how little time it must have taken to prepare. The urge to ask rose within me, but I suppressed it with a polite nod.

"It looks delicious—no, it's definitely delicious!"

Martha chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her fingertips before saying, "Well then, guess who made it?"

"Huh?" I asked in surprise.

She tilted her chin toward the plate before me, silently inviting me to take a taste. I quickly took a small spoonful. The stew swirled in my mouth, releasing its sweet and spicy flavor. It was like a miniature volcano, and it brought tears to my eyes.

"Fantastic! No, uh... extraordinary!" I coughed slightly, trying to regain composure.

I wiped away a stray tear as Jila spoke with confidence. "That's not the surprise, Dad. You have to see this!"

She raised her hand slightly, her index finger tracing the air. A red aura flickered at its tip, quickly forming small tongues of flame, like a weak candle.

"Impressive!" My face lit up with genuine admiration.

My reaction wasn't just that of a proud father—it was the genuine awe of witnessing magic for the first time. It was truly fascinating—and a little frightening.

"Hold my hand, Dad!"

Jila extended her hand, inviting me to shake it. The trick was familiar to me—just like the "pin trick" we used to play as children—but I played along. The result was a sharp sting, almost like a burn, causing me to pull my hand back quickly.

Jila laughed at my expense, and Martha smiled knowingly from the side.

"Jila got first place in her class this month!" Martha announced proudly.

"Yes, yes! The teacher said my path will be exciting... just like Gilad's!" Jila beamed.

"No doubt about it! You and your brother are the pride of this town!" I replied with a grin.

I did my best to join the conversation, relying on fragments of Valvaro's memories and some basic social skills. It wasn't difficult in the end.

---

Our breakfast chatter continued, and I soon blended into the warmth of the family atmosphere, guided by Valvaro's memories. We laughed at random moments, shared family stories, and finished our meal.

"What a wonderful life you have, Valvaro," I thought, closing my eyes in quiet gratitude.

Afterward, Jila rushed off to school, leaving Martha and me at the table. She slid a note and a few coins toward me. I didn't need to inspect them closely to recognize what they were.

The currency in this world had been standardized by imperial law to maintain economic stability. Counterfeiting was impossible thanks to magical engravings certified by the Bureau of Economic Permanence. The currency consisted of paper notes, called rubel, and coins, known as liro. One rubel was worth seven liro, with half, quarter, and variously valued liro coins in circulation.

I currently had a two-rubel note and seven one-liro coins—three rubels in total. I tucked them into my pocket as Martha spoke.

"I spoke with old Willem about our groceries for the week, so you don't need to memorize the list this time. One more thing—could you meet with Teacher Cindy and give her the rubel? She's been going above and beyond for Jila lately!"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," I said with a nod.

Even in the body of a seasoned warrior, I couldn't escape the humbling task of shopping! Not that I minded—it was a perfect excuse to explore this world. What better way than a simple shopping trip?

I slipped on a pair of elegant, vintage-style shoes before heading toward the door. Just as I was about to leave, Martha stopped me.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Valvaro. Baroness Fiala will be visiting soon to inspect the town. We'll likely get a casual visit from her... so, pick up some tea for us."

"Baroness Fiala?"

An image of a woman in her forties flickered in my mind—an imposing figure with long golden hair, silver eyes, and a grand red dress. Serene Fiala, one of the co-sovereigns of Cap Haiten province, an ambassador of noble blood, and a proud ruler of several cities, including Pieck.

From Valvaro's memories, it seemed he wasn't particularly fond of her. I couldn't access the part of his memory that explained why—perhaps she was just another indifferent figure to him.

"Alright... I'll be back soon."

I left Martha by the washing table, opened the door, and stepped outside with the eagerness of a caged bird desperate to spread its wings.

"A small step for Valvaro... a giant leap for Ethan!"

The sun's rays hit my face, making me squint, and suddenly everything around me became vivid.

It was as if I had stepped back in time. The scene before me felt ancient yet strangely new, like a lucid dream. As a long-time admirer of ancient architecture, I couldn't miss the unmistakable blend of styles. The houses on either side of the cobblestone road were a mix of Gothic elegance and Asian decorative art. Arched passageways and wooden carts filled with goods could be seen in the distance, all adding to the old-world charm.

"Fascinating!"

[Welcome to Pieck.]

A transparent window suddenly appeared in front of my face, interrupting the moment. It seemed the system had a knack for popping up at the most inconvenient times.

"Disappear!"

The window vanished instantly, thankfully responding to mental commands. If I had been shouting at it in public, I'm sure I would've looked completely mad.

[Check the map window in the system interface to learn your location.]

"Another one?"

I read the message, sensing the system's growing impatience. Was someone behind this? Still, I wasn't in the mood to explore its features just yet. I decided to ignore it for now.

I closed the window and turned right, toward the open square at the heart of the city. A few hundred meters ahead, rows of stalls filled with various goods lined the street—this was Pieck Market.

As I walked toward it, I noticed the relatively empty pavement, with only one or two people passing by every ten meters. There was something calming about the sparse crowd. I took in my surroundings, admiring the buildings and shops as I moved closer to the market.

I wandered through the stalls, guided by Valvaro's memories, and soon spotted an elderly woman behind a large stand.

"Old Willem! How are you this morning?"

The wooden stall, an extension of a small shop in the back, displayed various fruits, spices, and unfamiliar items. The shop itself was filled with cuts of meat, dairy products, and other goods.

After a brief chat with the old woman, I paid one rubel and three liro for a few bags of supplies. I said my goodbyes and continued my journey.

From Valvaro's memories, I knew there was a park nearby—a place he often took his family to on spring afternoons. I needed a quiet spot to settle in.

A few minutes of walking brought me to the park, a large circular area enclosed by an ornate black iron fence. Pomegranate trees lined its perimeter, their shadows stretching across the grassy ground. At its center stood a massive porcelain fountain, topped with an intricately carved statue.

I stepped inside and found a bench beneath the shade of one of the trees. The park was nearly empty, save for a few people scattered far enough away not to notice me fiddling with the system.

"Open!"

A mental command, and a massive transparent window appeared before me, displaying lines of text. I began to read.

[Welcome to the system interface. Here, you'll find everything you need to achieve your goals. You can explore the numerous features we offer by continuing from here. Would you like to proceed?]

"Proceed!"

[System Level: 1 At this level, the system provides basic services. Please lower your expectations accordingly to avoid disappointment. You can access the following features:

1. Reincarnation Points

2. Revealed Abilities

3. Information Chamber

4. Notebook

5. Open Query

6. Map

... We're currently developing new features. Stay tuned!]

The system interface was straightforward—perhaps overly so. I couldn't decide whether to laugh at its dry humor or dive into exploring the features it had laid out before me.

"Six features, huh."

The second and third caught my attention. I needed to learn more about this world and uncover the abilities of this body. However, I decided to explore each feature systematically.

'Reincarnation Points.'

[ Current Reincarnation Points: 0

Reincarnation Points are your currency within the system. You'll need them for almost everything—upgrading, purchasing new features, and much more. We recommend collecting some immediately.

Please forgive this generous system for its lack of assistance; collecting Reincarnation Points is entirely your responsibility. ]

Zero? Not even a single point?

I grumbled inwardly, It didn't even provide a way to earn these points... just a simple explanation that hardly helps.

"What a limited system this is!"

Letting out a slow exhale, I continued.

'Revealed Abilities.'

[ Welcome to the Revealed Abilities Room. Here, you can check your abilities as well as those of the host body. You may use them immediately.

1. Spirit Abilities: Ethan Williams

Primary Ability: Reincarnation

This ability allows you to reincarnate into any body you choose, at any time you wish. Naturally, you must meet certain requirements to reincarnate.

Conditions: Collect the required number of Reincarnation Points and use the "Revealing Wink" on the new host at least once.

Secondary Ability: Revealing Wink

Level: 1

This ability lets you determine the number of Reincarnation Points required to reincarnate into another body, once the conditions are met.

Conditions: Know the name of the new host.

Current Cooldown Time: 0 seconds.

2. Host Abilities: Valvaro Ironclad

Primary Ability: Dance Above the Ring

Level: 1

After Valvaro successfully harmonizes with an opponent's movements, the host gains a full understanding of the enemy's abilities, alongside a massive strength boost.

Secondary Ability: Minor clairvoyance

Level: 1

This ability enhances the host's vision while providing a faint understanding of things beyond normal senses.

Current Cooldown Time: 0 seconds. ]

"Interesting!"

I reviewed the abilities carefully. There were some promising options here, but the lack of Reincarnation Points still bothered me.

Reincarnation makes sense, but how do I earn these points? The answer still eluded me. But there was the Information Room to check out—perhaps it would provide more clarity.

Another thought gnawed at me. The Revealing Wink. It seemed to be a prerequisite to reincarnation, but the requirement to know the host's name severely limited its usefulness. Not to mention, the cooldown time was something I wasn't entirely comfortable with...

"Revealing Wink? Why is it even called a 'wink' in the first place?"

Without warning, a small window popped up. The system was clearly active.

[ Would you like to know why it's called the Revealing Wink? ]

"Yes, please."

[ Cost for the answer: 50,000 Reincarnation Points ]

"Fifty thousand?!" My body recoiled at the sheer number.

I quickly glanced around to make sure no one had seen me react.

Fifty thousand? What is this system, a treasure hoarder? And what do I even gain from knowing why it's called a 'wink'? I don't even know if that's a small or large amount by its standards...

I sighed, closing the window before I could blow a gasket.

'Information Room.'

[ Welcome to the Information Room. Here, you'll find some publicly available information, as the name suggests... Level: 1

You can search for information simply by asking the system, but don't expect too much. ]

"Oh, that's promising!"

Finally, something that might be useful! A question had been on my mind since I arrived, so I asked without hesitation:

"How do I earn Reincarnation Points?"

[ Cost for the answer: 1 Reincarnation Point ]

"..."

I stared silently at the window, barely holding back a string of curses in every language I knew!

I was about to explode from sheer frustration.

Why would I ask how to earn points if I already had some? It's like buying scissors that you need another pair of scissors to open!

I was starting to believe the creator of this system had to be a money-obsessed beggar.

"Hoo!" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before moving on. Three features left.

'Notebook.'

[ Welcome to the Notebook. Here, you can jot down your thoughts and notes, ensuring you don't lose them. The system saves your notes even after reincarnation! Level: 1

Start writing here: ]

This room actually looked promising, unlike that cursed Information Room. I wrote a few words as a test:

"My name is Ethan Williams, a 23-year-old who's traveled to a new world... and now, this cursed system is testing my patience!"

[ My name is Ethan Williams, a 23-year-old who's traveled to a new world... and now, this cursed system...

We apologize, you've reached the maximum word limit. Upgrade the Notebook level to increase the word count. Cost to upgrade word count: 100 Reincarnation Points ]

"..."

"Damn you, beggar system!"

Fuming, I closed the cursed window, picked up my purchases, and began walking home.

"I've had enough of this system!"