I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 2

Chapter 2: Apparently, I Got Reincarnated

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It seemed that seven years had already passed since I came to this world. It wasn’t like I understood nothing all that time, either. If anything, I had everything figured out within about a month.

Ahem. Let me introduce myself. I’m the former genius high schooler Minato Habata… Or rather—

“Luka-chaaan♡”

“…Yes, what is it?”

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Luka Noctire.

For various reasons, it seemed that my name now was Luka. I say “it seemed” because it couldn’t be helped. Even I still hadn’t completely grasped the situation. But well, there was really only one possible explanation. I hadn’t lived over ten years for nothing. I wasn’t just some clueless high school kid, you know?

And so, the answer deduced by my IQ 500 million brain was…

“Reincarnation into another world!”

“…Luka-chan?”

I mean, that had to be it. My lifestyle was obviously that of a medieval noble. There was also the theory that I’d time-slipped into the past, but either way, both conclusions were equally unrealistic. On top of that, when I looked out the window, my older brothers were swinging swords around.

That’s way too dangerous… Seriously, what the heck.

By the way, the one standing there with a blank expression was Luka’s… in other words, my mother. It hadn’t actually taken that long to accept things, and after seven years together, I knew everyone in this family was genuinely kind.

…My mother was a bit excessive, though. I had just turned seven not long ago, and as you could see, she was still completely attached to me. Honestly, I benefited from it, so I had no complaints.

…While I was thinking that, Mother stopped patting my head and slightly tightened her expression.

“Luka, it’s about time.”

About time? Nap time? Snack time? Or the next bonus affection session?

Ignoring my expectations, Mother continued.

“Today, your magic instructor will be arriving.”

“…Magic?”

My voice rose involuntarily.

No, no, calm down. First of all… confirmation of another world, let’s go!

Well, of course this world was another world. They were swinging swords, after all. 

You don’t exactly see that in Japan…. (Correction: you won’t be able to see it no matter where you are in the world.)

“You don’t seem very interested?”

“No, I am. Extremely interested.”

I answered instantly. In my previous life, that was something only chuunibyou teens and thirty-year-old virgins were supposed to have. Of course I was curious about magic.

“Hehe, good.”

With that, Mother stood up and took my hand, leading me out of the room. The hallway was, as always, unnecessarily wide. For a seven-year-old’s legs, it was practically a dungeon. In the room we were led to, a man I didn’t recognize was standing alone.

A black robe. A calm demeanor. He looked exactly like someone who would say, “I am the magic teacher.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Luka-sama. I am Harrier, your magic instructor.”

“…Nice to meet you.”

When I gave a small bow, the man widened his eyes slightly.

“Oh my, how remarkably composed you are.”

“I-Is that so?”

Well, I was a high schooler on the inside. Comparing me to an ordinary seven-year-old was a bit unfair.

“Then let us begin by measuring your magical capacity and aptitude.”

“Aptitude?”

I had a bad feeling about this. Tests. Exams. Evaluations. Trigger words from my previous life. The man placed a small crystal on the desk.

“Please place your hand here. The way the crystal shines will reveal your talent, Luka-sama.”

—Ah, this. This is the part where your talent is going to get completely exposed, isn’t it? Wait, could you give me just a moment? I’ve never held anything heavier than a game controller in my life.

“Luka? What’s wrong? Hurry up! I mean, surely you’ll be just as amazing as your brothers!”

Mother looked at me with eyes full of expectation. Sweat began to bead on my forehead.

No, it’ll be fine… I mean, I reincarnated as a noble, right? In stories like this, nobles are usually overflowing with talent. That’s how it works, right? See? Mother even said I’d be as amazing as my brothers. I’ll be fine. Yeah, totally fine. What am I even panicking for? (Why am I getting mad for???)

After holding my hand over the crystal, I steeled myself and touched it.

“Here goes!”

Flash. Oh? It lit up! It lit up… but— That’s it? What is this? A clearance-bin toy from Toys “R” Us?

“Harrier-san, this is…?”

“Th-This is!?”

Harrier-san leaned in to peer at the crystal.

Wait, what!? Is it amazing? Is it that amazing?

“…Allow me to state the conclusion first.”

Harrier spoke clearly.

“Luka-sama’s magical capacity is below average.”

“Guh!”

“Yes. There are no special attributes, nor any outstanding aptitudes to be found.”

“…”

The words pierced cleanly into my chest. Because they weren’t sugarcoated, they hurt even more.

“With study, you will likely be able to use basic magic… but expecting the same level as your older brothers would be difficult.”

“Uuuh, I would never abandon Luka-chan!”

You’re crying way too fast, Mother. I want to cry too, so please stop.

Mother wailed as she wrapped me tightly in her arms. Yeah, what a fantastic start to my isekai life (sarcasm).

…Goodbye, my overpowered-isekai fantasy.

It seemed that even in another world, I wasn’t all that different from before.

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The next day.

I decided to treat yesterday as a dream. And now, I was seated in a room that looked ridiculously formal. A plush chair. An unnecessarily extravagant desk. Strongly scented tea.

—Ah, this moment has come again.

“The Duke Gladio family will be visiting today.”

The Duke Gladio family had long-standing ties with ours. In fact, the bonds between us were too deep. Deep enough to rival the Mariana Trench.

After all… My second eldest brother (which was the second born brother in my family) was engaged to their eldest daughter. And what did that result in? Naturally, frequent family visits, regular tea parties, and constant opportunities for the children to meet.

…Which meant I got dragged along too. Father and Mother had told me to get along with their daughter and consider an engagement. I believed in free love, but honestly, I wasn’t totally against it.

…I mean, she’s ridiculously cute. You’ll understand when you see her. In fact, your eyes might just pop out of its socket.

Well, we were only seven for now. I figured I didn’t need to think too hard about it yet. As I was thinking that, the door to the room quietly opened.

“Excuse me.”

Appearing alongside that clear voice was a girl wearing a pale blue dress. Her long silver hair was gathered neatly down her back. She wasn’t flashy, but her features were strikingly refined. Every movement was graceful. Her refined upbringing was impossible to hide.

“I am the second daughter of the Duke Gladio family, Elysia Gladio.”

She introduced herself and gave a beautiful curtsy.

…Yeah, I know.

We’d met several times already. But seeing her like this, so formal, she seemed far more composed than someone our age. Well, technically I was older on the inside, but even so, she seemed more mature than me.

“It has been a while, Luka-sama.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, Elysia-sama.”

When I replied, Elysia’s eyes narrowed just slightly for a brief moment.

As if to say—“I’m glad you remembered me.”

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