Gene’s Suffering
"……… Joan. Normally, people have only three skills, five at most."
"What!? B-but I have seven?"
"Ah, yes, I've never seen anything like this before."
Well, well, could it be…? The classic “otherworldly cheat” skill, perhaps? Reincarnation really is something else.
"And also, Jo, you have an 'S' marked on both Search and Storage, don’t you?"
Brother Noel asked.
"Yes, I do."
"When an 'S' is attached to a skill, it means its performance is far superior."
"Hm? Performance?"
"Right. For example, could you try using Search on this?"
He points to the teacup filled with tea.
"Uh, Search. Whoa, amazing!"
[Teacup]
An item used for holding beverages.
Patterned with wild berries crafted by Copen.
Material: Ceramic.
Heat resistant up to 800°C.
Not edible.
Note: Originally part of a set of 10, now reduced to 8 due to Gene breaking two.
[Tea]
Gray’s original blend tea.
Made from hand-picked leaves and buds, rolled and fully fermented, then dried.
Origin: Lampail territory, highest quality tea leaves.
Edible: Yes.
Note: When brewed by Gray, slight restorative effects can be expected.
"What did you find out?"
Mother asked.
"Yes. The teacup is made of ceramic, with a wild berry pattern crafted by Copen. Also, it was originally a set of 10, but Brother Gene broke two, so there are currently eight."
“Gah!! H-How do you know I broke them?!”
"Oh, it was mentioned in the notes."
"””!!!”””
"No way..."
"And as for the tea, it’s Gray's original blend made with the highest quality leaves from the Lampail territory. It seems that when brewed by Gray, it even offers a slight restorative effect."
"”””Whaaa—t!?”””"
"Gr-Gray, is this true?"
"Yes. It is indeed my original blend, and the details about the origin are correct. However, as for the 'restorative effect'... I’m unsure about that myself."
"I see..."
"Incredible. So this is Search, Brother Noel?"
"Y-Yeah. Well, sort of. There’s more to it, actually. With Search S, you can also use Search on living beings, including humans."
"Oh~ living beings, huh?"
"Then, why don’t you try using it on Gene here as a test?"
"What!? W-Why me~?! Have her try it on you, Big bro~!"
Ignoring Brother Gene’s protests, I proceed.
"Search."
[Gene Rampail]
Second son of the Marquess family, 11 years old.
Attribute: Wind.
Status: In good health, though mouth ulcers due to insufficient vegetable intake.
Note: Mischievous, tsundere. Hiding something.
"Hehe."
"Hm? What did you find?"
Brother Noel seemed very interested.
"Yes. He’s in good health, but apparently, due to a lack of vegetables, he has mouth ulcers. Also… he’s hiding something."
"H-How do you know even that!?"
"... Gray, could you prepare some vegetable juice for Gene?"
Father had a very pleased smile.
"Understood. I shall return shortly.”
Gray says, departing with a slight smile on his face as he turned away.
"Well then, until the juice arrives, let’s discuss both the cup-breaking incident and whatever secret you’re hiding, shall we?"
Mother smiled as well.
"......"
Ah, Brother Gene has turned to ash… Just like that anime I watched ages ago.
Burned out, all faded to white...
"U-Uhm, Jo, why don’t I take you to my room and teach you about skills?"
Brother Noel is quick to make his escape, huh.
"Y-Yes, then… Father, Mother, please excuse us."
I offered a small prayer to Brother Gene.
Good luck!
As soon as we left the living room and the door shut, Brother Noel and I exchanged a knowing smile and burst into laughter.
What do you think about this chapter?
