In a village near the forest of Tob, crying can be heard within one of the homes. A small house with a common room and two bedrooms. What appears to be a family of three are in the larger of the two bedrooms. The mother is resting on the bed, two babies in her arms. The father kneels close to her while their daughter sets down a bucket of water before walking closer. Her head tilts slightly to the side as she watches her younger sisters.
One of them is crying, her red hair matching their mother, while the other is quiet, looking around in curiosity with a head of blonde hair like their father and herself. She feels an immediate connection with them as an older sister, and she must resist the urge to grab the two and hug them forever. Her mother is very tired and her father glances at her with a knowing look before turning back to the newborns.
She gives an internal pout before heading back to the bucket, cleaning up the room as apparently getting new siblings is very messy. Her mind wanders to how good a sister she would be. Being an only child for five years of her life left her with little experience in handling younger siblings. She at least hoped that knowledge would come soon.
XxXxXxXxX
I wasn't entirely sure what happened, I mean I know what's going on, but I don't. My last memory was heading home from work, the heat fogging up my suit and making it hard to see. I died shortly after, most likely by one of the AI controlled cleaner trucks. Despite the lackluster and sudden end, I can't bring myself to be upset. There wasn't anything I had to live for, not since my favorite game shut down. Unintentionally some tears roll down my cheek, the one who appears to be my father looking at me curiously for a moment.
Yggdrasil, the only thing that made living worth it for the past twelve years. It was practically my true home, a place full of unforgettable memories and faces. It's where I made my first true friends, not that it meant much in the end. Only one of them showed up at the end, and only for a moment. I shake my head, not allowing such bitter thoughts to fill my mind.
I knew they weren't gonna show up, they all had responsibilities outside the game, I was the only one who couldn't move on. Though of course now isn't the time for such things, there's definitely a much more important matter at hand.
Now, I find myself in the body of a baby, no doubt reincarnated like in all those Isekais. I'm sure having some disgruntled thirty year old salaryman in a kid's body won't have any strange consequences. Of course I'm now pouting, like a baby does, and who I can only assume is my twin sister is looking at me. This is gonna be rough.
XxXxXxXxX
It's only been about four years since I reincarnated, and I've grown very familiar with my family. My new name is Tena Emmot, my twin sister is Nemu, and my older sister is Enri. My parents have names, but I'm just calling them Mom and Dad so I don't accidently slip and call them by their names.
Our home is rather small, though it's honestly not too bad considering where we live and our financial situation. Our parents are kind and doting while making sure to teach us all we know, or more specifically teaching Enri. Nemu and I are still a bit too young for all that, or at least she is.
Food is filling and offer nutrition, and things never get too boring, despite the lack of technology. Of course that's all my pessimistic salaryman take on everything. How do I actually feel?
I feel like I'm on cloud nine!
Breathable air, actual food, honest to God smiles and laughter! My sister's are adorable and my parents are amazing and healthy. That's not even the best part of it all, it turns out this is exactly like those trashy Isekais, and we have actual magic!
I plop onto the bed Nemu and I share, with no doubt my eyes are glistening with excitement. The possibilities of this world are endless, and to top it all off, I have a Yggdrasil UI!
The atmosphere soon drops considerably as I roll onto my side, a tear dramatically sliding down my cheek at the loss of my son. Honestly that's the only thing that kinda sucks about all this.
I soon got off the bed and made my way outside. I made a promise to myself that I'd start testing out what exactly my UI implies, and this is one of the few rare times I can. You see, once a month my older sister and father head to the nearby city to trade with an alchemist, and Nemu spends the day with our mother doing whatever it is girls do.
The important thing is I can wander the village without anyone following, and I don't have to worry about heading home till evening. So after a farewell to my mom and a hop out the door, I head off to a part of the village no one really goes to.
I wonder if I can level up?
XxXxXxXxX
In an open area near the edge of the village of Carne and the Forest of Tob, there stands Tena Emmot. With brown eyes and a head of blonde hair reaching her shoulders, she's using a rather sturdy looking stick to hold herself up as she takes in deep breaths. She had spent the last four hours using the stick to practice her warrior abilities.
A few months ago Tena was caught training by her twin Nemu, and after a lengthy discussion with her mother, had come to the agreement she could continue training. Though quite a few limitations were given, such as only being able to train under the watchful eye of someone trusted. With how busy the village was, she didn't get to train often.
A rustling could be heard in the trees nearby, causing Tena to stiffen slightly. The current watcher, her older sister, widened her eyes at the noise. Before Enri could do anything, a Barghest leapt from the trees towards Tena, Enri started running towards her, but the younger sister reacted quicker. The stick moving faster than can be seen and bisecting the beast in a single slash.
Enri found herself slipping to get away from the two halves of the monster, landing on her butt, though still looking at Tena. She was aware of the conditions their mother had given, and recently receded. It was why she was watching over Tena instead of one of the few who knew how to fight.
Whether she wanted to believe it or not, Enri was well aware how scarily strong Tena is. Training most of the day and still being able to fend off the creatures who snuck past the Wise King of The Forest without effort. She even offered to train her and Nemu as well, the latter of whom having accepted and showing to be a quick learner. Though there was one thing that surprised and even scared Enri more.
Tena brought the stick back down, using it to hold her weight on her right slightly as she brought up her left hand. " Burn." She said, and the two halves of the Barghest did just that, becoming smoke and ash before any other creatures could follow the scent of its blood.
Enri wasn't sure if she should take it as an omen, her sister looking to be surrounded by fire, but she just got up and dusted herself off. Tena often made herself out to be overdramatic, so as a good big sister she wouldn't say anything about it until later. Hopefully her sister wouldn't start throwing fireballs at everyone by then.