What! I Got Reincarnated as a No-Name Character in the World of an Otome Game

Chapter 12 (Revised)

As weeks slipped by, the once-strangers—Aurora, Elian, and Lysander—slowly found their place within the warmth of Christina and Paul's home. Yet, the specter of the children's absent father loomed large, a void that no one dared to fill. Christina couldn't help but wonder about the man who had abandoned them, leaving behind nothing but unanswered questions and fractured trust.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty about their father's whereabouts, another revelation struck Christina like a lightning bolt: the children's ages were not what she had initially assumed. Malnutrition had left its cruel mark, stealing the vitality and growth of youth, rendering them smaller and more fragile than Christina had initially believed. The eldest, Lysander, once thought to be five, stood only a year her junior. Elian, at a mere five years old, carried burdens beyond his tender years, while the youngest, Aurora, barely three, retained a flicker of innocence in her wide eyes.

Yet, it wasn't merely their ages that struck Christina with a pang of sorrow; it was the absence of proper names that stirred her soul. In a village where poverty and superstition held sway, the tradition of withholding names until they survived to the age of ten seemed a cruel denial of identity and dignity. Christina seethed with indignation at the thought of children growing up without the basic human right of a name, while Paul remained silent, recognizing this as a normal occurrence.

Determined to give them names, Christina approached Aurora, Elian, and Lysander with a proposition: to bestow upon them names that would serve as their identity from now on. With eager consent and trusting eyes, the children agreed, embracing the promise of a new beginning with open hearts.

With careful consideration, Christina bestowed upon them Aurora, Elian, and Lysander, names rich with meaning and purpose. Aurora, the dawn's herald, symbolized the promise of new beginnings and endless possibilities. Elian, meaning "bright" or "shining," embodied the inner light that burned within each of them. And Lysander, the liberator, spoke of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

Yet, when the question of a last name arose, Lysander's response spoke volumes. The rejection of a surname signaled their desire to break free from the shackles of their past, to forge ahead unburdened. At that moment, Christina understood that their names were more than mere labels; they were declarations of defiance, testaments to their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

As more days went by, the herbs flourished under their care and were sold, finally alleviating their financial crisis. Christina knew she could have accelerated their growth significantly, but with the children's presence and involvement, she exercised restraint, allowing the herbs to grow at a more natural pace. Unlike the last time when they bloomed instantly, this time she ensured a gradual but steady progress.

However, the situation with their clinic remained bleak. Despite receiving guidance from Paul on medicine and herbs, Christina never had the opportunity to put it into practice. The clinic continued to struggle as the entire village shunned it out of fear of costs and rumors stemming from the death of their last patient. Whispers circulated, tarnishing the clinic's reputation and branding it as fraudulent.

Still, no clients sought their aid despite the passing of time. Occasionally, Christina delved into practicing magic, finally mastering the ability to command various forms of magic. In other moments, she dedicated herself to studying the world's language alongside the children, recognizing that both she and Rune were illiterate.

Christina knew Rune was illiterate; his personality suggested that if he possessed the ability to read or write, he would have taught her long ago. Meanwhile, Paul remained observant of Christina's extraordinary magic usage. Unlike conventional mages whose abilities were limited, Christina's command over magic seemed boundless. Despite his observations, Paul chose to remain silent, refraining from questioning her. This silence brought relief to Christina, as even she found it challenging to explain the inexplicable nature of her powers to him.