Winter arrived swiftly, nearly marking another year's passage since my arrival in this unfamiliar world.

In the previous months, I had dedicated much of my time grasping intel about this world. I attentively listen in on my parents' conversations, trying to gain further insights. This routine had a positive impact on my language aptitude, gradually expanding my vocabulary. Yet, a few words continued to elude my understanding, such as names of counties and cities that were unfamiliar to me. This small training even contributed to my progress in speaking; while I wasn't entirely fluent and my accent was not perfect, I could now hold a conversation without significant difficulty.

In the meantime, Rudy and I achieved the significant milestone of walking, that represented a significant advancement from our crawling days. With this newfound ability, I could now explore the house with greater freedom, although Zenith's watchful eyes significantly decreased my exploratory potential.

During one of my house explorations, I stumbled upon something intriguing. Within what could be best described as a bathroom, there stood a big mirror. However, it wasn't made from traditional glass but rather a remarkably thin and smooth metal panel, serving as a reflective surface. In any case, I had grown enough to clamber up and gaze at myself in this mirror for the first time. To my surprise, my face was nothing like I had expected.

In my previous life, I had a rather normal appearance: black hair, brown eyes... Nothing particularly exceptional, really. I wasn't ugly, but neither was I attractive... Just ordinary. However, my new face was astonishingly good. While Rudy bore a closer resemblance to Paul, I resembled Zenith to an uncanny degree, having deep blue eyes and light blonde hair of medium length.

Had I donned this face in my former life, I might have been hailed as the most attractive man alive... It's a pity that I ended up with this striking appearance in an unknown world. Nevertheless, that won't stop me from becoming this world's equivalent of David Beckham! I'm destined to be fabulous in the years to come.

But let's move on.

As I said before, my newfound ability to walk granted me the opportunity to delve deeper into exploring the house, and during one of my expeditions I stumbled upon a room that likely was Paul's studio, or something along that line. The walls were adorned with an assortment of worn and rusty blades, along with various aged armor pieces. A large chest occupied a spot on the floor. Intrigued, I opened the chest, revealing five distinct books. The problem? I had no idea about the contents of these books. While I could comprehend spoken language, the written part was a knowledge that went beyond my level... At least for now. As a result, I returned the books to the chest, continuing on with my life as if nothing had happened.

However, something concerning those books did eventually happen. Several months later, I saw Lilia peering into that room through the keyhole of its door. I couldn't understand what she was up to, what might have been happening inside that room. Yet, as soon as she went downstairs, I seized the opportunity and took a look into the room myself.

I saw Rudy, sprawled on the floor while seemingly engrossed with one of those books. Or at least, he appeared to be trying to read it, although learning to read in such a short time was virtually impossible. Besides his futile reading attempts, he was audibly vocalizing as well, emitting weird sounds I couldn't comprehend. It was almost as if he was mimicking the act of reading aloud, despite being unable to comprehend any of the written words, essentially inventing them from zero.

Odd as this behavior might sound, it was perhaps the most normal thing he had done in these last two years. There was no need for being worried about it, so I opted to let him be. If he wished to play that sort of game pretending to read a book, then it was fine by me.

The instant I withdrew my head from the keyhole, the cogs of my mind began to churn. Rudy's seemingly arbitrary noises, though nonsensical, bore an uncanny resemblance to actual speech, they were melodical. And oddly enough, the cadence of those sounds was unambiguous. I recognized that language.

It was...

I opened the door with a strength that even surprised me. Rudy swiftly got to his feet, his expression was a mix of fear and curiosity, hiding the big book he had been engrossed in behind his back.

"I-Is there something you need, brother?" His voice was shaky, his fingers clenching around the aged book behind him.

"Rudy." I walked towards him, After sealing the door myself, with short but resolute steps. I faced him directly. "What were you doing here?"

"I..." Rudy's face was a canvas of terror, his limbs were paralyzed with tension. He seemed utterly lost for words.

"I heard you... speaking in a different language just a few moments ago."

"I..."

I had to ask him that question, it was a necessity. There might be more things or secrets beneath the surface of his facade, more than what he wants to give. It's possible that I was overanalyzing the events of the past months, but... if my prediction was right, if my gut feeling was on target, then everything would start making more sense than before. Fueled by a fervent desire for answers, I found myself closing the distance between us, prepared to ask.

"Rudy... Who are you?"

In the span of a few heartbeats, his expression shifted from fear to confusion. My question was likely not as clear as I intended it to be, and pushed me to elaborate further.

"I saw you reading that book and speaking in..." I paused, realizing there was no direct way to translate that concept in the human tongue. The language Rudy was using simply didn't exist within this world's reality. Therefore, I opted to switch to English, concluding my statement in a language that felt more familiar to me. "Japanese."

Rudy's eyes widened in surprise, the fear that had etched his features mere moments ago evaporated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of confusion.

"Are... You..." Rudy attempted to form a question, his words stumbling. "Are you not from this world?"

"Yes," I confirmed, offering a nod. "And I suppose you aren't from here either."

"Ohhh, what an intriguing coincidence," Rudy remarked in a more composed manner, a trace of lightness evident in his tone. Placing a hand under his chin, he continued, "Who would have ever guessed that both twins weren't from this world? Quite the unexpected plot twist, isn't it?"

It became now clear that Rudy's appearance belied his true age. According to his explanation, much like me, he had reincarnated into this world after his death in his previous life. Our circumstances were astonishingly similar, but there was a notable difference between our experiences. In his previous life, Rudy had been a Japanese man, which explained why he was speaking in Japanese a few moments ago. In my case, my background was distinct: non-Japanese. How two people, coming from entirely different places, ended up here, reborn as twins, remained an enigma.

Rudy appeared reluctant to delve into the details of his past, a sentiment I comprehended all too well, having made a similar choice myself. Regardless, it was comforting to discover that, in the end, I had a connection, something or someone that sounded like reminded me of home. We ended up talking about random stuff about Earth, and I couldn't help but admit that a wave of nostalgia swept over me during our discussion.

"Anyway what are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Oh? Me? I was just reading this book," Rudy responded, a faint enthusiasm in his tone. He showcased the book he had been reading, flipping it open to the page where he had previously paused. I glanced at the pages and my eyes were met with an assortment of seemingly random characters that I couldn't comprehend, coupled with peculiar illustrations such as circles and other geometric shapes. "See? It's a book about magic and similar subjects. Might sound strange, but it's surprisingly easy, it reminds me of some of my old-school lectures."

"Rudy... How can you read this?"

"Uh?" Rudy glanced back at the page, briefly considering if he had chosen the wrong one. Yet, it was indeed the correct page. "You can't?"

I shook my head.

"Well, it's true that the alphabet in this world is entirely foreign to both of us, but two factors aided me in learning how to read," Rudy began, his tone contemplative. "First, our father's bedtime tales: each night, when he takes us to our parents' bed, he reads us a story, right? I tried to associate each sound with its corresponding symbol. In doing so, I stumbled upon something that proved greatly beneficial: the grammar of this language bears a striking resemblance to that of Japanese."

"Eh?" I regarded him with a perplexed expression. What he had accomplished through our father's stories was undoubtedly ingenious, yet... Japanese grammar? I don't know that.

"Allow me to explain," Rudy proposed, closing the book and crossing his arms. "Consider the title here, inscribed on the book's cover. The alphabet employed differs markedly from what I was accustomed to in my previous life... No kanji, katakana, or hiragana whatsoever. My initial task was to familiarize myself with the sound associated with each symbol, a feat I accomplished thanks to our father's stories. The next step involved comprehending the grammatical structure behind each sentence. Upon closer examination, I understood that the rules of this language are very similar to those of Japanese. For instance, the verb usually occupies the sentence's end, while the subject is generally situated at the sentence's start."

I involuntarily gasped, taken aback by the amount of information Rudy was giving me, it was a magnitude that far exceeded what my baby mind was used to process. Overwhelmed by the mental effort required to grasp his explanation, my legs gave way beneath me, causing me to fall onto my back.

"W-what's the matter?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I truly appreciate your effort in explaining it, but... I'm unfamiliar with Japanese. I haven't got the slightest idea of what you've been discussing for the past minute or so."

"Oh..."

The atmosphere became saturated with silence, an uncomfortable silence that seemed to drain my energy, even though my contribution was limited to landing on the hard and cold wooden floor and hurting my butt.

Luckily, that oppressive silence was destroyed by Rudy's voice like a fragile glass shattered into fragments.

"I've got an idea!" he announced gleefully. "Allow me to assist you with reading lessons. I'm confident it won't take much time at all."

That idea was interesting. My curiosity about this unfamiliar world was still there, and mastering the art of reading would undoubtedly be useful in the years to come. With my limited understanding of the world outside there, I had no idea if a sort of public schooling structure existed here. However, I doubted very strongly about its existence, particularly considering the considerably low amount of books in possession of Paul and Zenith. Books likely carried a hefty price tag in this realm, and following the most basic principle of economics, high prices equated to low demand. So, acquiring proficiency in reading would give me a distinct advantage over the other people of this world.

"Sounds good. It's an excellent chance to learn more about this world and bond more with my new brother," I chuckled, the label of "brother" felt weird when applied to a stranger. Yet, I was undeniably beginning to warm up to Rudy. Rising to my feet, I navigated my way toward him at a fast pace. Rudy was in the process of arranging the book, evidently ready to start my linguistic education.

"Before we start, what's the content of this book?" I asked, not waiting for him to begin. "You mentioned magic, correct?"

"Indeed," he affirmed with a nod. "This book teaches a variety of spells, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, coupled with basic insights of magical theory. At least, that's my first impression."

Magic, uh? The same magic that mother used. Honestly speaking, I didn't hold much enthusiasm for magic. It appeared dangerous, exceedingly dangerous, given our limited knowledge concerning the world beyond our immediate surroundings.

"Are you reading this text just to refine your reading skills, or you wanna start mastering magic?" I inquired, genuinely curious.

"Both." He confirmed.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" My inquiry left Rudy momentarily speechless, indicating that the potential dangers of delving into the realm of magic hadn't fully crossed his mind during his initial decision.

"I've played my fair share of videogames, to know that children flinging fireballs from their hands usually don't fare well in fantasy settings," I remarked, crouching down to his eye level. "Have you noticed what Lilia has been doing lately? She's been performing rituals to supposedly purify the house from potential devils. Back in our world, I would have laughed at such ideas. But now, in a world where people can heal with a touch like Jesus Christ... I can't help but feel a bit scared about this whole magic thing."

Rudy's next expressions were unreadable to me. I couldn't understand whether my words had struck a chord or had fallen flat. However, I didn't have to wait long before he responded.

"I... I understand your concerns," Rudy's voice quivered as he slowly lowered his gaze to the ground, focusing on his hands resting on his lap while they tugged at the fabric of his pants. "I'm not certain whether you're expressing these concerns out of a desire to avoid troubles or out of genuine concern for me, but regardless... thank you."

I was about to interject, eager to clarify my intentions, but he preempted me.

"You see... Since my rebirth in this world, I've decided to embrace this new life wholeheartedly, without restraint. I don't want to meet my end once more after living a life full of regrets. I'll be careful, if that's your worry, but I won't stop learning about magic."

His words held enough conviction to sway me. I wasn't in a position to pass judgment on his choices; this new life was his to live, and I had no authority to make decisions on his behalf.

"Well, I did offer my warning, as any older brother would. If my words have given you a clearer perspective, or so I hope, and you decide to continue down this path, then I won't stand in your way."

"Thanks," the atmosphere was teetering towards awkwardness again, but Rudy managed to deftly steer the conversation away from that edge. "By the way, I'm the older brother."

"Uh-uh, no," I shook my head, teasingly. "I was born a few moments before you. I distinctly remember that!"

Our discussion continued, peppered with laughter and chuckles. It was a heartwarming moment of brotherly bonding, and the previously unsettling aura surrounding Rudy had dissipated entirely. He now felt like a genuine friend, someone I could rely on, share a connection with, and explore together the new world we ended up in.

Months rolled by, and now I have reached the age of three.

I had made significant steps forward in my reading lessons, reaching a point where I could read the books we had at home with ease. In the meantime, I had also managed to grasp the basics of the Japanese language. This skill proved to be incredibly valuable, particularly when conversing with Rudy in a way that others wouldn't understand. Paul and Zenith brushed off our exchanges as a kind of game, attributing it to the typical behavior of children.

"Kids will be kids," Paul would say with a grin.

To be honest, my proficiency in Japanese was far from perfect. Even Rudy didn't hesitate to point out my pronounced non-Japanese accent. But I wasn't too concerned about it. I had always been a practical individual, and as long as my current level of Japanese allowed me to communicate effectively with Rudy, I was content. The nuances of pronunciation weren't my primary focus; getting the message across was what mattered most to me.

The last months proved to be incredibly valuable for my growth. As my language skills improved, I was able to gather more information about my surroundings, the world I had found myself in, and the political and cultural landscape behind it. While Rudy devoted his attention to the study of magic, I delved into the other four books. The titles of these books were: "Wandering the World," "Ecology and Weaknesses of Fittoan Monsters," "The Legend of Perugius," and "The Three Swordsmen and the Labyrinth."

"The Legend of Perugius" was a classic epic tale detailing the adventures of Perugius and his companions as they fought against a demon to save the world. While the story followed a typical epic plotline, good against evil, that didn't particularly captivate me, it did offer some insight into magic theory, particularly summoning magic. Overall, it was a rather average book.

On the other hand, "The Three Swordsmen and the Labyrinth" presented an epic narrative in the form of a collection of short stories about the exploits of three master swordsmen with distinct fighting styles. I found this book more engaging than the previous one due to its structure of short stories, which made it easier to read, and because the subject of swordsmanship was genuinely more intriguing to me.

Then there was "Ecology and Weaknesses of Fittoan Monsters," which served as a bestiary providing information about the various monsters found in the Fittoa region. This book was probably the most practical among the four, and it likely was very important for Paul, given his role as a knight.

The final book, "Wandering the World," proved to be the most valuable discovery among the four. This book served as a comprehensive guide to the various countries and continents within this world, providing insights into their distinct characteristics. The book even included a detailed world map, along with individual maps for each continent. Reading it felt nostalgic, it reminded me of the old atlases I used during my elementary school days.

I delved into the book's section on the Central Continent and the Asura Kingdom, focusing my attention on understanding the places that surrounded me before expanding my knowledge to other places. I was situated in the Fittoa region, on the outskirts of the Central Continent and Asura Kingdom. According to the guide, the Asura Kingdom held a prominent position as the largest and wealthiest human nation in this world. Its opulence was so remarkable that whoever ascended to the throne became the wealthiest individual alive.

Geographically positioned at the heart of the Central Continent, Asura Kingdom's capital, Ars, served as the seat of the royal family's power. The kingdom's territory was rich in resources and relatively secure to merchants and subjects alike. The scarcity of monsters in the kingdom's interior, thanks to the diligent efforts of knights and soldiers, rendered it a safe haven, even though, this relatively safe environment posed challenges for adventurers seeking to earn a living.

The book offered a glimpse into the power structure of the Asura Kingdom, though it left me desiring deeper insights. It appeared to function much like early medieval European monarchies. The reigning king held dominion over the entire realm, while lesser nobles governed specific regions, reporting directly to the king. I discovered that the rulers of the Fittoa region were the Boreas Greyrat, making us related to them. But I have no idea why we lived in a small hut out in the wilderness rather than in Roa, the capital city of Fittoa region where the other nobles dwelled. I began to think that Paul was a sort of fallen nobleman.

As for the economy of the Asura Kingdom, the book revealed the use of three types of currency, ranging from small copper coins to lovely gold ones. This detail struck me as boring, lacking the excitement of discovery and sounding way too basic. The economic and technological state of the kingdom aligned with early medieval standards, which was rather unexciting in my opinion.

One day, as I was engrossed in reading about the historical background of other continents, particularly the Demon Continent, which proved to be a captivating topic, a loud thud echoed from upstairs. The jarring sound sent shivers down my spine, prompting me to leap from my chair in fear. The unexpected noise left me bewildered, and before I could make sense of it, Zenith and Paul raced upstairs with the utmost haste. Lilia trailed behind them at a lower pace.

I stood there, immobilized by that fearful noise. My hands trembled uncontrollably, their feebleness bewildering me. What had overcome me? Could that sound truly have been so terrifying that it left me almost incapacitated? I briskly slapped my cheeks with both hands, trying to regain composure. I needed to act, to find out what had transpired. Gradually, slap after slap, the strength returned to my legs, enabling me to walk upstairs and investigate the situation.

The sight that greeted me was undeniably peculiar. Rudy sat on the floor, his face marked with a mix of shock and dread. Paul and Zenith flanked him on either side. Yet, it wasn't that that caught my attention; rather, it was the gaping hole in the wall before them, with its edges dripping with residual water. I only needed a single glance to discern the truth: It was Rudy's doing. In the fervor of his magic training, he had inadvertently wreaked havoc, nearly reducing a considerable portion of our hut to rubble.

Curiously, Zenith appeared rather amused by the whole ordeal.

"Honey, let's head into Roa tomorrow and post a job for a tutor!" She exclaimed with a sprightly bounce, a joyful glint in her eyes. "We need to ensure that Rudy can refine his talents!"

In contrast, Paul's response was noticeably more stoic and less happy. His demeanor was notably calmer than Zenith's effervescent enthusiasm. It seemed their opinions diverged on this matter. "Hold on a moment. Didn't you promise that if we had a boy, we'd raise him to be a knight?"

A rather unconventional promise, they must have been established when Rudy and I were not yet born.

"But he's already capable of using Intermediate magic at his age!" Zenith countered passionately. "With proper guidance, he could become an exceptional magician!"

"A promise is still a promise, regardless!"

"Please, spare me the lecture on promises! You're the one who frequently breaks promises!"

"Right now, we're not discussing me!"

Oh no, another argument between them was on the verge of erupting. It bothered me how they were trying to model their child into their preferred paths without directly consulting him. However, I was well aware of what Rudy truly desired. It was unmistakably evident that he held no inclination toward becoming a knight...

"Um..." I raised my hand, attempting to capture my parents' attention. Thankfully, I managed to interrupt their dispute, and they turned their gaze towards me. "I'm not as interested in magic, and I don't possess Rudy's talent. But, Papa, I would really love to learn more about swordsmanship."

"... Seriously?" They both exclaimed simultaneously. I had hoped that expressing my interest in swordsmanship might persuade Paul to agree with Rudy studying magic. I was genuinely curious about learning swordsmanship. Yet, Paul's expression left me uncertain whether I had managed to get through to him or not. But then, to my surprise, Paul approached me, lifting my small frame up to his eye level.

"Are you absolutely certain?" He inquired.

"Absolutely!" I affirmed, nodding. "I really enjoy watching you practicing with your sword in the garden!"

"THAT'S MY KID!" He cheered.

The days that followed seemed to flow by without any disruptions, at least from my perspective. Rudy was now free to practice his magic openly, and he took full advantage of this newfound freedom. But despite the "agreement" Paul and I had reached, he still believed it was essential for Rudy to receive some foundational swordsmanship training. However, these lessons, which would apply to both Rudy and me, were slated to begin only once a suitable tutor for both of us had been found. Yes, both of us. Despite Rudy's magical potential, it was decided that I would also require education, and plans were made to hire a tutor even for this reason. This tutor would handle both Rudy's magical training and provide us both with essential lectures, such as history lessons, about this world.

Considering that this period of instruction would last for about two years, if not more, we began making arrangements to accommodate our future tutor. In most cases, tutors would lodge at taverns or nearby places, but our village lacked such conveniences. As a result, we had to make space in our already small hut to house the tutor. Yay, what a lovely turn of events...

ANYWAY!

Paul and Zenith were quite convinced that our tutor would likely be a retired adventurer. Young individuals weren't likely to venture into the remote countryside, and there were numerous opportunities for aspiring magicians in the capital. Moreover, teaching magic required the expertise of seasoned mages. With that in mind, I envisioned our tutor as a wise elder with a long beard, a pointy hat, and a staff for support.

However...

When the time came for the tutor's arrival and Paul opened the door...

"I'm Roxy. It's a pleasure to meet you."