[I think my true name has been hidden from you for the time being. But I'm positive you'll meet the requirements to unlock it in the future.]
'Seriously?' Dave thought with a sigh.
"He seems to like it," Ray said with a wry smile as he watched his son.
"He's not a pervert like you… and if he turns out to be one, I'll make sure to de-man you." Her threat sent shivers down the spines of both father and son. Ray, in particular, knew all too well how terrifying his beautiful wife could be.
'Why do I suddenly feel spooked?' Dave wondered.
[It seems beauty isn't the only trait your mother possesses.]
"How will that be my fault?" Ray protested with a face filled with injustice.
"I don't care," Gaela replied with a snort, causing Ray to lower his head in defeat.
'Because if you're not, your crazy mother will go ballistic on me. Who knows what she'll do!' he added internally, too afraid to voice his thoughts aloud.
"You know… he has your beautiful eyes," Ray remarked, noticing the small golden eyes that seemed fixated on the mount in front of them.
"Mmm… too bad he has brown hair, though. It will spoil his good looks," Gaela said with a sigh, as if pitying her son for inheriting his father's light-brown hair.
Ray's lips twitched at her shameless spout. He wanted to remind her that it was the same guy with brown hair she had fallen madly in love with!
While the couple chatted, Dave—or rather, Davin—began to see something strange. A translucent golden screen appeared in front of him. The holographic screen was small and rectangular, with bold, dark-blue words displayed on it.
[SYSTEM SCREEN]
[Provides a direct interface for the host to access some of the system's functions and check their status. In addition, it is voice-controlled!]
'Why does this sound like a video game?' Dave thought as he continued his meal.
'And can they see it?' he asked the system while referring to his parents.
[I was designed to adapt my interface to my host's compatibility. Thus, my current format is meant to make it easier for you to use.]
[Also, no one apart from you can see the screen.]
'Is this for real? I thought reincarnation was just a fantasy.' Dave was still in disbelief, trying to convince himself that this was all just a dream.
[Just what kind of civilization did you grow up in, host?]
'One where, if you had a voice speaking in your mind… you'd be called insane.'
[Mmm… I see. It's because your former world is void of active mana.]
'Mana? You mean like magic stuff?'
[Yes… But worry not, host. This world is at least better than your former one.]
'At least?'
[You'll see…]
'Are you the one who brought me here intentionally?'
[No.]
'Then what led to my current situation?'
[The Time Orb.]
'!?'
[The little golden orb you cunningly acquired…]
'…' Dave fell silent as memories flooded back.
He recalled stealing a small orb rumored to be incredibly valuable.
He had infiltrated a science research center where the orb was being kept and "borrowed" it. He had no idea where it came from, but the scientists investigating it claimed it was priceless.
'But why didn't you show up before I ended up here?'
[Because to become the Time Orb's true owner, one must offer it all their blood.]
'And get born a second time?'
[Yes. It's the ultimate sacrifice one must make. But saying you died isn't entirely accurate. Your soul was transported into another body during its conception.]
'I still don't get it,' Dave said in resignation.
[…]
'So where is the Time Orb now?'
[In your chest.]
'Great. What killed me is currently in my chest,' he sighed, releasing the nipple in his mouth.
"I think he's had enough," Gaela said, noticing her son had stopped drinking.
Davin then heard a ringing sound in his mind as a pop-up appeared on his System Screen…
[+5 Pulse Points!]
"Here, hold him for a while so I can put on some clothes," Gaela said, handing Davin to Ray, who took him with a joyful grin.
She then stood up from the bed, allowing the loose towel to fall from her body before walking away.
Despite her captivating figure, both Ray and Dave were too lost in their own thoughts to notice.
'I wonder what's going on in his little mind right now?' Ray pondered as he stared at his few-hours-old son.
If only he knew that his son was deep in conversation with a mysterious voice in his head, which was replying back, he might have questioned reality itself.
'What are Pulse Points?'
[They are rewards you gain after absorbing life energy, a form of mana that powers every living being's life force. It seems your mother can somehow share some of her life energy with you.]
'…'
[Any other questions?]
'How long will it take me to understand your words?' Dave asked with a sigh.
[Not long enough.]
'Let me get something straight, so I'm not some chosen one and ended up here by accident?'
[Yes, but you should consider yourself lucky. You possessed the right thing at a critical time.]
'How is ending up in another world lucky?' Dave said helplessly.
'How did that orb even end up on Earth in the first place?'
[I'm afraid I don't know.]
[You should learn how to fully utilize me so you can sustain the Time Orb.]
'Is it dangerous?'
[No, host. But if it becomes unstable…well… it could be life-threatening.]
'!?'
[It will continuously burn your life energy to power itself and avoid instability. This is another small price to pay after activating it.]
'Why do I feel like I'm going to die a second time before I even learn how to understand what this guy is saying?' Dave thought with a pained expression as he stared at the brown-haired man holding him.
The man had sapphire-blue eyes and short light-brown hair. His facial features were above average, and his warm smile gave Dave a sense of comfort.
'So, you're my dad, huh? Not bad.'
[Worry not, host. You have a two-year allowance before your life energy consumption begins.]
'Alright, but can I just remove the orb?'
[It's part of your heart… Remove it, and you'll surely die.]
'At least I know one way to commit suicide.'
[If that happens, the Time Orb will simply look for your replacement.]
'Damn…'