It had been an entire week. In truth, Damien had regained consciousness several days earlier, but his parents and Lukas had been insistent, fussing gently, determined to keep him confined to the comfort of his bed to recover for at least a few more days.
During this time, the system caught him up to everything he'd missed—like completing the mission when he was knocked out cold. When he heard that for the first time, he couldn't believe it. But in the end, he celebrated with the system, his hard work finally paying off.
"Second young master," a gentle voice came from beside his bed. Damien turned slightly, eyes still glued to the book in front of him. "What is it?"
"Are you feeling better today?" The expression on the man's face was filled with concern.
Hearing this question, he tilted his head and faced the young man in front of him. He was a familiar figure, standing respectfully nearby. It was the stern-faced man who often escorted him around, guiding him to lessons and meals with respectful yet relentless insistence. After the explanation from his system, he figured out that this man was not a butler but rather his personal valet—Phillipp.
"I've been feeling quite well for the past couple of days." Damien paused before speaking. "And, Phillipp, you've asked this question everyday. There's no need to apologize anymore. I was the one at fault."
"But young master, I—"
Damien sighed, interrupting him. "I was the one who sent you to the kitchen to ask for more sweets. Truly, there's no need to apologize." He studied the valet carefully, feeling awkward yet touched by the sincerity in Philipp's gaze. "Alright?"
Then, Damien cleared his throat. "Since I'm feeling better, can you tell me what's on my schedule for today?"
Phillipp visibly relaxed, nodding solemnly. Then, he's spoke, "It's mostly resuming your lessons, second young master."
Damien sighed dramatically but climbed out of bed, his small feet hitting the plush carpet lightly. "Alright. Let's get this over with."
...
The study room smelled faintly of pine tea and old books. Emerson, his ever-dutiful tutor, stood by the window flipping through a thick leather-bound volume. When Damien stepped in, the man glanced up, his face lighting up with genuine warmth.
"Welcome back, young master," Emerson greeted him, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Congratulations on your recovery. I was quite worried about you."
"Thank you, Emerson," Damien said with a small smile, settling into his usual chair. "I heard you were the one who saved me."
Throughout his recovery, his system informed him of Emerson's valiant efforts in saving him. Running around the estate to find a staff member and call for the family doctor yet still have a calm and collected mind. It was astounding. He also felt extremely thankful. After all, his mission would've probably ended there if it weren't for him.
During the past month, Damien and Emerson had gotten close to the point where he felt comfortable talking to him like a friend. Frankly, it made him feel more comfortable and grounded.
"It's what anyone would have done, young master." Hearing chuckled, placing a tablet in front of Damien. "And, it's wonderful to see that you look significantly less like a feverish duckling."
Ha!
Damien's eyes widened before laughing, smile turning to a smirk. "Tragically, yes. No more excuses for avoiding your educational torture."
Emerson grinned. "I'm glad to have you back. Young master Lukas said you handled your first recovery week quite well."
"Mm," Damien hummed. "He and Mother were too kind. I was almost burried alive from the blankets they stacked onto me."
Emerson's eyes twinkled. "Speaking of milestones, your sixth birthday is approaching, isn't it? You'll be undergoing your pre-activation testing soon."
Damien froze. "My what?"
The tutor paused. "…Your secondary gender test? You know—geneias, alphas, omegas, betas. We discussed this extensively a few months ago."
Dead silence.
Damien stared at him. Emerson stared back. The tension in the room thickened.
"Oh dear..." Emerson murmured. "Clearly, it's been longer than I realized. Well, let's review it today."
Damien sat slowly, blinking.
Emerson settled back comfortably, beginning patiently. "You see, Damien, people are categorized into secondary genders—geneias, alphas, betas, and omegas. Geneias are the top of the hierarchy reigning over all the other genders and can overpower them. They are dominant and typically are leaders in their chosen field. Alphas, similar to Geneias, dominate the lower hierarchies and are typically leaders, stronger, and generally fit. Betas make up the most of the population today and are neutral. And lastly omegas... well, they're capable of bearing children regardless of their primary gender. They have weaker bodies compared to the other secondary genders and primary work in less demanding jobs. They're most commonly seen as teachers, caregivers and other similar jobs."
Damien blanked out.
Then he seemed to have noticed something strange.
Capable of giving birth regardless of their primary gender?... Does that mean males can get pregnant? Damien couldn't help but be shocked. How does that even work biologically? Physically?
System: [Geneias, alphas, and omegas have different reproductive differences from your world, host. Male omegas in particular possess a unique physiology enabling pregnancy through a specialized internal reproductive system, allowing for safe fetal development and birth.]
System! What the hell! Why didn't you tell me about this?
System: [You've never asked, host.]
It's not like the first thing that comes up to anyone's mind when they ask something is 'can males get pregnant'...
Emerson continued his explanation. "Hormonal or scent glands, which are responsible for pheromone production, don't fully activate until adolescence. They do however begin developing and priming around the age of six. Hormonal shifts and scent development caused by priming can be analyzed, determining someone's secondary gender."
Then Emerson furrowed his brows. "But young master, it was quite dangerous of you to stand outside the rain like that. Children undergoing priming are usually weaker than normal. What you did was very reckless."
Emerson did not notice the dumbfounded expression etched on Damien's face, focusing instead on the material in front of him. "But I believe you have a fifty-fifty chance of being an omega or an alpha, since your mother is an omega and your father is an alpha."
What!?
Damien groaned loudly, burying his face dramatically in his small hands. "This is not what I signed up for, system..." He muttered.
"Damien?" Emerson prodded gently. "Are you alright?"
Damien lifted his head, exaggerated horror written plainly on his youthful features. "Am I alright? Emerson, there's a fifty-fifty chance I could be an omega."
Emerson nodded, not understanding Damien's horror. "Correct."
"Oh my god," Damien groaned again, slumping against the chair. "I really can't imagine having kids. How do they even come out—no wait don't answer that."
Finally understanding, Emerson laughed aloud.
"Emerson! It's no laughing matter!"
Unable to hide his amusement, he showed a brilliant smile. "It's completely natural, young master. Many omegas, even male ones, embrace it joyfully. Technology has advanced so far that male omegas can safely give birth."
Damien sighed deeply, resigned, yet let out an exaggerated plea. "Please, universe," he muttered aloud, clasping his hands together in prayer, eyes directed upwards, "anything but an omega. I swear, I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry if I end up with a baby popping out of me."
Emerson finally recovered from his laughter, reaching out to pat Damien's shoulder gently. "Whatever your result, you'll be fine. You're incredibly resilient."
Then he delivered the final blow. "Even if you become an alpha, if you meet a geneia—no matter what gender you are—you can still become pregnant."
Damien couldn't think. It felt as if his worldviews were thrown upside down, gathered, then thrown in the trash. His previous wish immediately turned into garbage.
Then the system spoke, seemingly trying to comfort its host.
System: [It's a manageable experience, host. In fact, most children handle their awakening quite well!]
I come from a world where men don't get pregnant, system!
Damien stayed silent.
Emerson just laughed.
...
Later that evening, Damien sat quietly in his room, curled up on the cushioned bay window seat. His arms wrapped loosely around his knees as he gazed outside the window.
Outside, the estate rested peacefully beneath clear skies; trees swayed gently, leaves whispering softly in the breeze, while the grass rippled like waves. Yet within him, that peace was absent—a storm brewed.
"I don't want to get pregnant," he whispered.
System: [Acknowledged, host. No current pregnancy detected.]
"That's not—never mind."
He already had promised himself not to grow attached even from the family around him. Even more so a child of his own. Having children is definitely something to be avoided. After all, his stay here was temporary, and somewhere far away, his real family still awaited his return.
His expression slowly darkened, eyes clouded. "I wonder how they're doing," he whispered softly into the quiet room. "Especially mom…" The memory of her fragile figure in the hospital bed tightened his chest.
The system offered no response.
Unsurprising.
Besides, he didn't think he'd make the best father.
Damien drew a slow, measured breath, his resolve firming.
All he could do now was finish his mission quickly, and return home as soon as possible.