Chapter 6: Turning point 1

Ahhh. Weird. I haven't overslept in years. Am I getting sick?
I look around the room. Nicks is already up, and he didn't wake me? Sure, it's my birthday, but he's never cared about things like that. What's a birthday, anyway? We still have chores.
Even Colin's up. He's never awake before me.
Throwing off the covers, I stretch. Maybe I can get some work done before breakfast. But as I head out, the smell of something delicious hits me. Seems like I'll be eating before working for a change. Dining room, here I come.

"Happy 10th Birthday!"

The shout nearly makes me jump out of my skin. My whole family—except Rutart and Merce—is gathered here, along with our servants. The knights and their families, too, standing near their respective maids serving us. That's… a first.

"Big brother, open my present first!" Finnley shoves something into my hands, but Colin stomps forward. "No, mine first!"
"Finnley, let Leon breathe. And Colin, remember—your present is special and should be opened last." Jenna's voice cuts through the bickering with playful bossiness.

I blink, overwhelmed. Sure, I have memories of my brides making my birthdays special back in the other life. And I treasure those memories. But that doesn't really feel like *me.* And sure, Jenna and Finnley get small parties for their birthdays, with some of the knights' daughters or neighboring lords' children.

But my birthdays? Normally, I'd get a few treats, small congratulations, maybe a gift from Mom and Dad, and occasionally something from my siblings. This… this is a full-blown celebration. Even the servants are holding gifts. This… this is just different.

All I can manage is a shaky, "Thank you so much." Tears sting my eyes, and before I know it, they're spilling down my cheeks. This is overwhelming in the best way.

Finnley's gift first, since it's already in my hands. It turns out to be a shirt. A very peculiar shirt.
"Uh… thanks? But why is it armored?" Finnley just grins and gestures toward Jenna. "It's part of a set!"

Jenna's gift follows. "It's the rest of it." She smirks. "Some of my friends from neighboring families pitched in for it. You're quite the lady-killer, little brother." She winks. "Jenna!" I groan, feeling my cheeks heat up.
"Hey, it's not my fault they want to help with your gift. Now, check Nicks'."

Nicks steps forward, holding a small bundle of minimalist armor designed for mobility. "If anything doesn't fit, let me know. I learned how to adjust armor while helping put this together."
"Thanks, Nicks," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Mom and Dad step forward next. Dad hands me a sword, and Mom presents a pump gun. I suppress a grin—I may have talked a little too much about how pump guns are superior rifles.
"So, if you haven't figured it out yet," Dad says, his voice warm, "we're finally going on that adventure you've been pestering us about." Mom nods, her smile both proud and a little worried. "Stay safe out there, Leon."

Five years early. I'd planned to wait until I was twelve or thirteen to go on my own, but now…
"Yes!" I can't stop the grin spreading across my face. "Wait… is Jenna coming too?" "No," she answers before Dad can. "But if you hold your own, Dad promised to take us on another adventure later. Nicks can even join if he wants."

Before I can respond, Colin tugs at my sleeve, holding out his gift—a handmade good luck charm.
"It's perfect," I say, scooping him into a hug. He beams, clutching me tightly.

As I set Colin down, one of the maids approaches, holding a small package her uncle, our knight, and their family behind her. She curtsies slightly before speaking. "This is from my family. They wanted to wish you luck on your quest, Lord Leon."
"Thank you," I say, trying to match her sincerity. "Thanks so much to each of you for the lovely gift."
One by one, the knights' families present their gifts—adventuring gear and supplies. They offer polite congratulations, but their faces hold genuine warmth.
And the commoner servants, add bullets and small items, practical and appreciated. I notice the pride in their eyes, but I don't understand it.

"Wow, Leon," Jenna teases. "Seems like you've got quite the fan club."
I scratch the back of my head, unsure how to respond. "I guess I've just been… nice to them?"
"Nice? That's putting it lightly," she says, smirking.

The rest of the day flies by in delight. After a feast filled with my favorite dishes, I train with my new gear, Dad and some of the knights giving me pointers while Mom joins in briefly. Meanwhile, everyone else, even Jenna, prepares a small airship for the journey.

As evening falls, I wander over to the airship. I notice one of the maids wiping her brow as she secures the last of the supplies. "Is everything ready?" I ask. She startles slightly before smiling. "Yes, Lord Leon. Everyone's been working hard to make sure your journey is a success. It's the least we can do."

"The least you can do?" I echo, confused.
"You've earned this, Lord Leon," one of the knights says, his tone almost reverent. "We're proud to support you."
I blink, startled. "Earned it? I mean, I just…" "You've done more than you realize," another maid adds. "You treat us with respect. You even got Lady Jenna and the others to be kinder to us."
"...Sure." I reply, confused.

"Don't overthink it," Jenna says, appearing out of nowhere. She throws an arm around my shoulder. "Just take the compliment."
I shake my head,clearing it. "Alright. Thank you."

Jenna smirks, leaning closer. "Who knew you had such a silver tongue, farm boy? Maybe you should try sweet-talking nobles next." "Jenna! … I never do such a thing."
Her laugh echoes as she saunters away.

The journey to the hidden island felt surreal, sitting beside Dad as he piloted the sturdy little airship. The hum of the engine was a constant reminder that I was finally heading toward Luxion, the AI that had changed my life before.
But the quiet didn't last long.

The first attack came while our home was still easily visible—a floating fish monster darting toward us, its needle-like teeth glinting in the sunlight.
Dad barked orders, spinning the wheel sharply to avoid the first charge.
I grabbed my pump gun, lined up a shot. My aim was dead on, the creature bursting into black mist.
"They'll keep coming," Dad said grimly," we're not big enough for them to avoid us."
And they did. Every dozen minutes or so, another monster would swoop in, forcing us to defend ourselves. It wasn't difficult, but it was draining.

Between attacks, I found a moment to ask Dad the question that has been nagging me. "Why now? What made you finally agree to this trip?
He sighs, gripping the wheel tightly as he speaks. "You're strong enough to beat me in a fight, at least sometimes. And your mother and I… we've seen how persistent you are. We were afraid you'd run off on your own eventually. I couldn't just let you go unprepared."

I blink at him, stunned by the confession.

"And…" he added, his voice softening, "you're officially an enlisted soldier of House Bartfort now. It's the only way we could justify the budget for your gear. Otherwise, Zola would've claimed the money for herself." He gives me a rueful smile. "But don't worry—it's just a title, unless you decide to make it more. You don't need to lift a finger unless you want to be paid." He shuckles.
"We know you'd defend the island and our family, regardless."

He pauses for a moment before adding, "And you're liked, Leon. The knights, the servants… they all chipped in to help with your gear. One after the other they came to me asking how they could contribute. If it weren't for their help, we'd have had to cut back."

I stare at him, stunned. "Really? You didnt hand out the present or ask them to get me something?" Why would they do that? They also praised me so much that day…
"No, and if I had the choice," his voice grows quieter, "I'd make you the heir. Even if Rutart's improved, thanks to your training, you'd still be better at it."
Still staring at him, my chest tightens. What can I say to that?

"Thanks, Dad," I pull him into an awkward hug. "I'll defend our family, I promise." "You really shouldn't," he murmurs, ruffling my hair. "You're still a kid."
"Well, since you're being so open… Why did you want Jenna to stay behind?"

Dad's expression shifts, his usual stoic mask returning. "You're both too young for something like this. Honestly, I didn't even want to bring you." His voice is measured but firm. "Jenna's strong—better than most girls her age, and she knows how to fight you specifically. But she's still too weak to handle something like this without constant supervision. And you… you're capable, but taking both of you would mean splitting my focus. I can't risk that."
He exhales, his grip tightening on the wheel. "Sorry your dad isn't stronger."

It stings a little, but I shake my head. "No, it's fine. I was just curious."
It's the first time he's spoken so openly with me like this. Maybe I'm not just a kid in his eyes anymore.
We lapsed into a comfortable silence after that, broken only by the occasional chatter about the island's protective winds and my strategies for the mission. I stopped short of mentioning my reincarnation, keeping my explanations vague but useful. In return, Dad shared more than I'd ever expected, though he still tried not to burden me.

When the compass began spinning wildly, my heart started racing. A Green light shimmers on the water's surface, just like in this memory.
"It's real," I mutter to myself as the ship jolts upward, the winds tossing us like a rag doll. Dad's skill at the helm—and the sturdier ship—saved us from crashing, though the landing was rough enough to leave my teeth rattling.

As the morning sun hangs just barely over the horizon, we floated just above the treetops, moving as quietly as we could-
It didn't take long to spot the tracks of a security robot, its movements carving a clear path through the undergrowth.

Alright, let's see If we get this done peacefully.

Plan A was simple—try to communicate.

I dangled a piece of paper in the robot's path, the message written in clear Japanese: I'm Leon Fou Bartfort. I wish to speak with the AI resting below. I have information about new and old humanity. Please respond.

…

…

…

Nothing.

Plan B involved me crouching in the bushes with a megaphone, repeating the same request aloud.

…

…

…

Still nothing. "Are the sensors even working anymore?" I mutter, frustration bubbling up.

That left Plan C—the one I dread most.

Dad is crouching behind a tree, his rifle aimed at the robot's head, a specialized electric bullet loaded. He doesn't like this plan, and neither do I, but we are out of options besides fighting our way to the spaceship.

I step out into the open, unarmed, my palms sweating. The robot's red eye swivel toward me instantly, its lens zooming in with a faint mechanical whir.
"Hello," I begin in Japanese, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I'm Leon Fou Bartfort. I have information about the new and old humans for the AI residing in the air dock below us. I'd like to speak with him through this unit."

The robot doesn't move. Its gaze pins me in place, and I feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.
My pulse pounds louder with each passing second as the silence stretches on, only broken by the faint hum of its internal mechanisms. Is it scanning me? Preparing to attack? My palms grow clammy, my instincts screaming at me to run. I fight this urge to bolt, knowing any sudden movements could provoke it.

"Stay calm," Dad whispers from his hiding spot, his voice barely audible. "Hold your ground."
I stay rooted, my legs trembling. The robot tilts its head slightly, as if considering my words. The seconds drag, each one stretching into eternity. The red lens flickers, and for a moment, I swear it's about to fire.

Then, a sound. Not a weapon discharge, but static. The noise claws at my nerves as it tries to form words.
"Thhss… unitt… hhss… a… prokkhn… sount… motulh. Plsss… procchhht… to… tthh… mhhhn… hhnttrhhncch."

A/N

I'm unsure about the end, I like it as the writer, but I can imagine it's a bad ending for the reader. Please let me know your thoughts.

And also before I start renting too much. After some helpful comments, I edited chapter 1 to 5. Adding more of Leon's thoughts, showing his reasoning for acting different from his past/cannon self.
Please, everyone willing to reread the chapters, give me a hand and tell me what you think of the edits.

I now cross posted this on AO3. Trying out which is better, or maybe keep on cross posting.

So I applied for an AO3 account before post the prologue, only getting access after chapter 5. They can do what they want, but if there wasn't this alterative, I'd probably never started writing... And now it can wait a few days more so I can start there with the edited version.

As for why I took longer this time... Don't you love it when you're sick, but you still work since you don't want to be fired? Getting out of bed to go to work, falling in to bed after work, only waking up for dinner and some small activities for a bit and starting again for 3 weeks. Sure some day were better especially in the first December week and I cloud finish some started projects but is chapter just wouldn't get off the ground.
But now I have holiday, so I can rest and get a little more done.

As for why I'm even stressing about this... I have a plan... there are 70 or so point, of which 3 are already included in the last 7 chapters. And my chapters keep getting longer... And the 70 point are all before Leon's entrance into the academy. I'll be writing forever :(
I originally planned really short chapters 1000 words and more than one point per chapter, but that doesn't seem to work out...

Well what gives... We'll see what the future holds. But I really hate unfinished work, so maybe just publish the list or something...

Anyway like always please comment if there is anything on your mind. All non shitposts are appreciated.