After lunch was another study session where I learnt words and how to write them, something I did easily since it was pretty simple to do after I memorised the letters.
Again, she was utterly ecstatic about it and spent quite a bit of time simply praising and hugging me.
Dinner was also rather normal, if you consider her gushing and constantly patting me as normal that is.
Then, it was a bath where I was pretty much manhandled into joining her before being changed into a set of children’s clothes I most definitely do not remember seeing the day before.
Like the previous night, she tucked me into bed while she joined me with nary a shred of cloth on her, hugging me close as she hummed contentedly.
I thought this would be the end of the day and prepared to sleep when she suddenly spoke up, “My little baby… Does mama scare you?”
I was a little surprised by the question so I looked up at her, seeing nothing but concern in her eyes.
“Why do… Why does mama say so?” I asked.
“Because you have not accepted me as your mother, haven’t you?”
I grimaced mentally.
I suppose it’s no surprise that she realised that, being a mother and all, but what can I say to that? How is a one day old Meslatar supposed to act?
Err… Do I just start doing some baby talk? Damn it! I should have tried to find some books about the habits of Meslatars or something.
Before I could say anything though, she ran her hand through my hair.
“I know who you are, my dear~ You’re one of the souls who came from another World, are you not?”
I froze.
“Ufufufu~ Do not worry my little one. I understand it’s a little scary being born in this strange and new World with strange and new sights, but you are still my child. I will never hurt you.”
I looked up at her, finding nothing but pure, motherly love in her eyes.
“How did you know?”
She smiled at my question, “You were in that egg for quite a while and I have the ability to sense the going ons of this World. It has been a few months since the first of the people from your World arrived. I’ve done some digging and found out about the circumstances revolving around your World and our Gods. Besides… A normal Meslatar would not show as much intelligence as you have at birth, my sweet, much less even say their first words barely a minute out of their shell.”
I frowned, “Then does that mean others know of our arrival as well?”
“Oh, I have no doubt there are others out there who have also known about this. There are people who serve the Gods directly and they would most certainly be privy to such things. But worry not, most people in this World remain in the dark about this.”
“And… And what about you… Mama?”
With the current topic of our conversation, I was definitely not expecting her to lean closer and kiss me on the forehead before pulling back with a smile.
“My sweet, sweet dear. You are my child, nothing will change that. I understand if you still feel attached to the mother of your previous World, I do not ask of you to replace me with her. But you are born from me in this World and I will see you as my beloved child and nothing else.”
Seeing that we’ve already reached this stage, I see no reason to keep this secret either.
I sighed, “My mother left the family for another man. My father abandoned me after racking up a debt he was unable to pay back. The reason why I’m hesitant to acknowledge you as my mother is not because I am attached to my previous one… But more because the concept of loving parents is foreign to me…”
My words had an instantaneous effect on her.
I was brought into a crushing hug while she cried, “My sweet, sweet child! You have suffered so much! You need not worry any more while I’m here! I swear I will protect you and you will never need to fear being abandoned anymore! Even if the World were to turn against you, I will always, always stay by your side!”
I was quite stunned by her declaration. Why would she go so far for me?
Before I could ask her, she had sat herself up so that she could put me on her lap, taking the time to pat my head as she did so.
“It was supposed to be impossible for me to have a child,” She explained, a sad smile materialising on her face. “I prayed to the Gods for a miracle and they gave you to me. I will not give you up for anything in the World.”
“Is that why… There is no father around?”
“Ufufufu~ That is correct my dearest~ I am… Your virgin mother.”
Ok… I don’t actually know how to feel about this.
Her fingers moved to brush a strand of hair away from my face, “No doubt, the Gods probably saw me as a convenient piece to bring you into this World. But to me, you are my miracle, my one and only sweet child.”
I can understand her sentiments at least, I was the child she had always wanted and never thought she could have.
But for me… Even though logically speaking, I knew she would never be like my previous mother, I still could not simply just accept her so easily.
“I’m sorry…” I whispered, though loud enough for her to hear.
Instead of getting angry or upset, she leaned forward to kiss me on the forehead again, “It’s ok my little sweet, I understand.”
I shook my head, “It’s not that… I… I just need some time. I’ve lived on my own for so long, I have never expected to receive any sort of familial love before… I just need to get used to it… Is that alright?”
“Ufufufu~ That is more than I can hope for my little one. I will shower you with so much love to make up for your lack of it in your other life~”
At this point, I don’t know if it’s just her or if this is what a normal mother is like. I most certainly cannot imagine my mother from the other world would ever do this for me.
She held me in her arms while a low hum resounded from her throat, an emotion I recognised at contentment flashing on her face for a split second.
Since she already knew everything, I decided to simply go ahead and ask her, “Now… What should we do?”
She giggled, “If my little one is referring to this immediate point of time, I think we should simply go to sleep. But if my sweet child is asking about the plans for the future… I suppose I should ask what your real objective for this World is?”
I smiled, “I wish to travel the world and experience it for myself, recording down all the interesting things to write a book that will be remembered for ages. Though… The sweets and cakes is also one of my objectives… I like sweets.”
“Ufufufu~ I suppose my little one would want to have enough power to venture to places that others dare not tread?”
“Well… I believe that the strong thrive here while the weak grovel right? In that case, I would definitely like to have power that allows me to stand above all else. I don’t suppose you… Mother… Could tell me how to do it?”
She smiled at my attempt in trying to change my perception of her but decided not to comment on it, instead she simply addressed my question.
“My sweet, sweet child… If it is power you seek, you need not look further than Mama~ You did not think that Mama got this land and everything around it outside simply through purchase, did you?”
I suppose not.
According to the map, the closest place of civilization was literally a sea away. She must have fought tooth and nail against the other inhabitants of this island for this piece of land and built it up with her own hands.
In such a place literally called “Dragon Sanctuary”, someone like her being able to live here means that she’s most likely one of the strongest existence in this part of the island at least. Thus learning from her would be the best choice.
“If… If mother does not mind… I would very much like to learn from you.”
“Ufufufu~ In that case, how hard does my sweet little one wish for me to teach you? I could do this slowly with plenty of assurances, care, love, cuddles and validation; or I could push you to be the very best that you can be, doing all that I can to train you to be someone that others will kneel to in the shortest time?”
“I don’t suppose there’s a third option that is both fast and also filled with plenty of assurances and validation?”
“Ara, ara? As much as I wish to say there is, this is unfortunately not possible. These two methods are polar opposites, exclusive of each other.”
In that case, there isn’t really much thinking required in order to choose. I needed power, enough power such that no one could stop me from going to places I wish to go.
Especially since there are other transmigrators here too, meaning they would have the same cheats I have. Some of them might have even found better exploits than I had too and who knows what they plan to do to this world?
My previous life wasn’t filled with rainbows and roses either, so if I could deal with that, I think I can deal with her harsher teaching method.
“Please… I want to become strong… Mother.”
She smiled and hugged me closer to her naked chest.
And that was the night I thoroughly regretted my words.