"UGYAAAHHH!!!"Lux's mind screamed in ecstasy.
The waffles had a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The sweetness? Divine! A perfect balance between the syrup's savory charm and the rich taste of caramelized butter and sugar.
"Mhhh~!"
One word: Heavenly.
For a fleeting moment, all of Lux's former glory — his title as the dreaded Uzziah, the Cult Leader feared across the continent — meant nothing. This, this was his new life. One filled with things he'd never once cared for before.
But even in this moment of indulgence, his mind remained sharp, calculating. It was a strange satisfaction, this life. And though he savored it, he knew it was only temporary. A distraction, perhaps... but still, a taste of something he'd never had before.
Truly, life is a bowl of cherries.
"My little one certainly knows how to eat well," Charlotte giggled, watching Lux with fondness. "I'm glad you're not a picky eater. But don't rush, sweetie, you might choke."
"Our champ is quite the eater," Arion added proudly. "He's gonna grow up big and strong."
Charlotte glanced at Lux thoughtfully. Despite being just five years old, he was unusually calm and mature. He rarely cried as a baby, never threw tantrums, and obediently followed rules. It was… unnerving.
Still, whenever food was involved, he acted like any other child. That alone brought her comfort.
Burp.
"Oh, Lux must be full," Charlotte said gently, dabbing his mouth with a handkerchief. "Time for daycare!"
"Thank you," Lux replied, surprisingly polite, though the underlying tone carried a hint of indifference.
"My baby, you're welcome~"
This world… it was full of wonders.
In his previous life, the culinary arts were primitive at best. But here, even the simplest dishes were an experience. When he was younger and limited to bland baby food, it had been pure suffering. The tantalizing smells from the kitchen often left him staring longingly.
Thankfully, now that he was five, he was finally allowed to eat solid food. Not everything, but close enough.
"I'll do the dishes," Arion stood up, stretching out his right arm to reveal a sleek, high-tech bracelet. "{Auto Clean}."
The bracelet emitted a scan. Dishes sparkled, perfectly clean in an instant.
Astonishing, Lux thought, eyes wide.
Even after three years in this world, technology like this still amazed him. No mana, no incantations… yet it worked. His past self, Uzziah the Heretical Mage, would never have believed it possible.
"Ah! I'll go to the car and adjust the child seat," Arion said, waving to Lux. "Papa will go first, so Mama will carry you."
He pinched Lux's cheek before disappearing from the kitchen.
"C'mon, sweetie~ I've got your duck-themed bag. Let's get going!" Charlotte cooed, hoisting him into her arms and slipping the cute bag over his shoulders. "Your first day of daycare is very important. You'll meet friends and learn how to talk to them!"
Friends?
Lux almost scoffed, his expression twisted in disdain.
Friends are inefficient. A waste of time.
In his previous life, he had no time for such trivial relationships. Managing the cult and training to become an 11th-Circle Mage demanded strict discipline. Time was precious. Spending it playing with babies?
Absolutely not.
"No need. Reading is more valuable," Lux said bluntly, his tone cold and unbothered.
He'd only agreed to daycare because it offered knowledge. The more he understood about this world, the better his chances of mastering its laws—perhaps enough to regain the power he once wielded. His second life would not be wasted on trivialities.
"Then how about this: if you make at least one friend, I'll buy you the books you want," Charlotte offered, smiling sweetly.
Lux froze, his expression calculating. "...Really?"
"Yes."
"!!!"
Books. Real ones.
In his previous life, Uzziah had always carried books—symbols of power, tools of domination. But here, Charlotte had always restricted his reading, claiming he was too young. Only picture books and fairy tales.
So why this sudden change?
Did the world suddenly bend to his will?
He stared at her, suspicion creeping into his gaze. "...You're not my mother."
"Huh?"
"Evil spirit, did you possess my mother?" His voice was ice-cold, the accusation hanging in the air like a threat.
"Eh???" Charlotte blinked, stunned.
"Hahahaha!" Lux let out a mocking laugh. "Just joking, hehe."
"You little—!" Charlotte sighed, the tension easing slightly as she smiled. It was rare to see him laugh like that. Maybe daycare wouldn't be so bad after all.
She carried him into the sleek garage. Unlike the house's clean, smooth design, the garage was metallic and industrial-looking. In the center stood a massive, futuristic vehicle, shaped like a capsule, its polished surface and aerodynamic form exuding high-tech sophistication. Four glowing alloy wheels, mirror sensors, and sleek doors made it look like it came from a sci-fi film.
A futuristic carriage, Lux mused.
Back in his old life, travel meant slow, bumpy carriage rides or sea voyages. All inefficient. He always preferred teleportation. But this…
"Hop! There you go!" Arion greeted from the other side, strapping Lux into a plush baby seat inside the car.
The interior was minimalist yet luxurious. Charlotte sat beside Arion, and the car purred to life.
"Nexus, activate {Driveware}," Arion commanded his bracelet.
"Affirmative. Open garage door?"
"Open."
As the sun spilled through the rising garage door, Lux squinted. Looking around, skyscrapers and tall houses lined the streets. Billboards and posters featured holographic displays. Parks and public spaces were enhanced with augmented reality art installations, creating immersive experiences and interactive AIs that assisted people.
His reflection appeared in the glass, cute and wide-eyed. But then…
His forehead shimmered.
A glowing symbol—the insignia from his past life.
No… is that—?!
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind:
[Integrating with Host...]
"???"
Lux glanced around, his eyes narrowing. His parents were oblivious, their minds too small to understand what was happening.
[Successful.]
A glowing screen appeared in front of him.
[Loading... 0.02%]
Lux rubbed his eyes. A hologram? The absurdity of it all. He waved his hand through the screen, but it remained, mocking him.
What is this? He tried again. Still there. Stubborn. Like it was clinging to him.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Charlotte asked, her voice soft and clueless as she glanced back through the rearview mirror.
"Nothing," Lux said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Just… learning how to wave to a friend."
He forced a smile and waved dramatically, pretending to be the innocent child they wanted him to be.
"Aww, I won't disturb you, then," Charlotte said warmly.
"Our champ is one step closer to being friendly!" Arion added, his words like a weak joke that barely reached Lux's ears.
Hah… Lux exhaled, the mockery in their voices only adding to his irritation. Fools. They can't see it. They can't even begin to comprehend the gravity of this. But this… this thing won't leave me alone.
His grip tightened on the armrest, eyes fixed on the screen that refused to fade. As they neared the daycare, his patience thinned to a razor's edge.
How dare it block my view!
He slapped at the screen with increasing force, his rage bubbling under the surface. He had once commanded legions, destroyed nations, and bent reality to his will. But this? This tiny, insidious annoyance?
Screen!!! BEGONE!!!