Compensation θ ~ I might be late for reincarnation, but since I was born as the talented eldest son of a prestigious noble, I might be on the winning side.

Several months had passed since the battle in the sky garden. The season had already transitioned into autumn, and a cool breeze was blowing through the territory.

Anticipating interference from various sides due to the flashy battle, I had been on guard. However, to my surprise, I was experiencing peaceful days without any disturbances.

Well, it’s best if nothing happens.

During the summer, the children of the three noble families, except for the Morris family, had all returned home. Only Jasper and Jake, remained at the main residence.

However, recently, Jasper had started his apprentice training. It was a diverse training to become my future aide, to become the right-hand man of the head of the vast Glass Region.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave soon.”

“Already at this time? Alright, you can go.”

In this world where children receive their class at the age of seven, the age at which children join the ranks of adults is much earlier compared to modern-day Japan. Whether commoners or noble children, boys are expected to enter society through apprenticeships or service before the age of twelve at the latest.

The primary education is not conducted at desks but in the field. It’s an On-the-Job Training (OJT) system, meaning practical education takes precedence.

Newcomers learn the practical aspects of their profession through their duties, and acquiring knowledge and practical experience is considered natural. The exceptions are basic education for becoming a lord or priest, which I’ve already started.

Due to this system, it’s inevitable that our free time has decreased. What’s troublesome is that Jake, who still doesn’t have any obligations, is left alone.

“Big brother, where are you going?”

“Of course, it’s work. Jake, I already explain it to you right?”

Jasper and Jake are so close that it makes me smile to watch them. Jasper is a caring older brother. I can understand why his younger brother relies on him.

“Is it becoming an assistant or something?”

“Yes, something like that. It’s not a game, so Jake can’t come along with me.”

“No! Don’t leave me behind!”

It seems the idea of Jake becoming my double is still alive, and the adults want to acclimate him to the environment as soon as possible.

But Jake is only four years old, three years younger than me. Is it really possible to expect a boy of this age to understand the situation?

Shy and quiet. A spoiled child hiding behind his older brother.

My initial perception of Jake when we first met hasn’t changed. Even when he’s with his brother, he just fidgets. He doesn’t speak at all, just glances at me and quickly retreats into the shadows.

What if he’s separated from his protective brother and left alone with me?

“I have work, remember. Jake, be by Lord Lyon’s side in my place.”

“Big brother! Don’t go!”

Brushing off the clinging Jake coolly, Jasper quickly exited. As soon as Jake understood that he was left behind by his brother, his demeanor visibly changed.

Restless, looking around. He wouldn’t make eye contact with me, yet it was clear that he was very uncomfortable.

Jake, like a small animal stared down by a fierce beast, searched the room anxiously, hiding behind furniture.

However, in this playroom, there’s almost no place to hide. It’s my exclusive playroom/workspace, so careful considerations have been made. The furniture corners are rounded and polished for safety, and there’s minimal furniture to begin with. There are only shelves for storing various art supplies, decorative shelves doubling as bookshelves, mats for lying down, cushions, and a desk for writing. The only toy, with a design reminiscent of a warhorse, is a sturdy rocking horse.

Ah, there. Well, there’s only that place.

Jake suddenly started running. His destination was the window. He leaped toward the hanging curtains, fluttering them vigorously, and the tassel came loose, causing the drapes to spread loosely.

What emerged was a rounded bulge at the hem of the curtain. Of course, Jake was on the other side.

Like a rabbit hiding in a burrow, he thought he was concealed, but his rough breathing could be heard from here.

I can’t just ignore this, right? But what should I do?

“Jake? Where did you disappear to?”

Calling out gently, I slowly approached the window. Sensing my presence, Jake jumped out from the curtain’s shadow, nervously wandering his gaze. This time, he slid under the specially made large cushion.

“Um, do you want to play hide and seek?”

I turned my feet towards the cushion.

“Jake is good at hiding. I don’t know where he is.”

I stopped and called out, but my lines felt awkward. I felt like quite the bad actor.

The room, which was lively with children during the summer, felt lonely with just us two. Now that autumn was deepening, the room seemed excessively cold and the voices echoed coldly.

“D-don’t come over here! Absolutely don’t come!”

As if Jake were escaping from me, he jumped out from under the cushion, then slid under the writing desk. This was also a custom-made piece, smaller than usual.

Squatting in the narrow space, Jake’s profile, now in plain view, showed signs of anxiety and… fear?

This is troublesome. This seems like I’m bullying him.

For now, I stopped my feet and abandoned the pursuit. After all, I don’t want to make him cry. The problem is why he seems so anxious.

Am I that scary?

Despite thinking that my face had become plumper and more childlike than before. Instinctively reaching for my cheeks, I loosened my expression.

― Should I blow it?

“No, Faein, that would be pitiful, so stop it.”

Faein’s rough suggestion was promptly rejected. Since I’ve become stronger than before, him using his power might turn into a major disaster. Besides, Jake hasn’t shown any reaction to spirit marks so far. He’s probably a person from the “unseen” side. If a gust of wind blows indoors, it would only scare him more.

Children’s psychology. The reason why a child would be afraid of another child… I don’t understand.

Moreover, what was I doing around the age of four in my previous life?

I hardly remember anything from kindergarten. I only remember moments strongly imprinted in my memory, like freeze-framed snapshots.

“You used to mumble to yourself while playing make-believes in factories or construction sites, enjoying things like parking and crane games.”

“Yeah, yeah. I thought you might go into the transportation or civil engineering field in the future.”

“You were an easy and good child.”

These are the comments from my previous life’s sister, mother, and grandmother in order. My sister was born around the time I entered kindergarten, and as long as I played quietly, I was left alone.

Yeah, I remember now. I used to play with the Town Series from a certain toy manufacturer.

I wanted a set full of emergency vehicles so badly, and for once, I threw a tantrum. However, it was immediately rejected because there was no storage space to store the toy, and I cried a lot. So, I played alone using colorful candy boxes as vehicles. But they all disappeared on garbage day, and I cried again.

It’s a bit sad. Too sad.

In this otherworld, however, not only paper crafts but also children’s toys themselves aren’t very developed. The concept of learning through childlike play or fostering creativity doesn’t exist. At best, there are stuffed dolls and picture books for children.

So, on sunny days, we go out to play. Running, climbing, jumping, and leaping—energetic activities that develop physical abilities are the main focus.

Mixing in with a group where the differences in individual strength, speed, and eloquence are glaringly obvious, they learn social skills through experience.

The impact of visible abilities, such as strength, speed, and eloquence, on hierarchy is significant… I see! I feel like I understand the reason for Jake’s fear.

It’s probably correct, but just to be sure, I should confirm with Jasper.