It was a scorching summer day, the kind that made everyone feel sticky and irritable as the sun blazed down from a cloudless sky.
In the expansive, meticulously manicured lawn of an opulent mansion, vibrant flowers painted the landscape with a riot of colors, their fragrance wafting through the warm air.
In one corner, a makeshift shed stood quietly, seemingly out of place yet a part of the enchanting scenery.
Amidst this idyllic setting, a cute four-year-old boy sat cross-legged on the grass, his short, tousled hair damp with sweat, and his cheeks flushed with annoyance.
He tossed aside his colorful toy with a huff, sulking as he glared at the ground.
The servants, noticing the little master's darkening mood, began to scurry about in a flurry of concern, unsure of how to remedy the situation.
Only Qise, the devoted personal attendant, took a moment to compose himself.
He watched the scene play out, his expression calm and thoughtful.
"Our little master's working up quite a sweat," he said with a hint of amusement.
"Let's get a cool bath ready for him—nothing like a refreshing soak to brighten his mood."
Serin had glanced up at Qise, the man who dressed like a butler, and felt his irritation simmering just below the surface.
After a thousand years of service in the time and space administration[1], he'd earned a generous payout from the main system when he retired. He'd asked for a peaceful retirement planet, and the system delivered—complete with an enormous fortune to boot. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why they'd stuck him in the body of a baby!
"Afraid of wronging me? Then why throw me into this baby form?!"
Serin bit down aggrievedly on his toy.
Qise watched his host's frustration with barely hidden amusement but kept his expression serious.
"Relax, host[2]. You've still got plenty of time to grow into that domineering president vibe. Besides, you've already got five companies under your name, plus a bunch of subsidiaries and properties," he said with a reassuring smile.
Serin tucked the bitten doll away, his expression softening just a bit. "Fair enough," he admitted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I guess I'll always have that overbearing aura in me."
"Exactly, host. People will bow their heads in respect when they see you," Qise agreed confidently. But in his mind, he couldn't help picturing his four-year-old little master perched in a grand swivel chair, decked out in a perfectly tailored suit.
The image was both hilarious and baffling—no matter how he spun it, a four-year-old in a suit didn't exactly exuded a dominating presence.
Completely unaware of Qise's wandering thoughts, Serin let himself be whisked away for a refreshing bath. The cool soak worked wonders, washing away his earlier crankiness.
Recharged and full of energy, he darted across the lush lawn like a little whirlwind, only to be gently wrangled back and tucked into bed by Qise.
Maybe the child's body took its toll on him faster because, before long, he was fast asleep, lulled by Qise's soft lullaby and the whisper of the breeze through the trees.
──When Serin awakened, it's already lunch time.
"Little master, after you finish your meal, you will be visiting kindergarten."
Serin blinked, curiosity piqued. "Why kindergarten?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly.
With a kind smile, the old butler knelt down beside him. "Our little master is four years old; it's time for you to go to kindergarten and make new friends!"
Serin's surprise morphed into a pout, his cheeks puffing out adorably. "Grandpa butler, are you confused? I'm already five years old," he insisted, waving his tiny hand to show five fingers.
Butler Yul chuckled softly, acknowledging, "Well, considering your birthday is near, we think of you as a 'big baby.'"
Serin frowned, crossing his arms. "Grandpa butler, I'm really five years old!"
The old butler's heart softened at the sight of his little master's defiant yet innocent expression. A warm chuckle escaped him—how could anyone resist such a charming display? He suspected that Qise had nudged Serin into that adorable "big boy" comment just to lift the mood of the little prince.
"Yes, yes. Our little master is definitely a big boy not a baby anymore," Butler Yul relented, laughter in his eyes.
"Hmmm," Serin replied, finally accepting his grandpa butler's jest with a happy hum as he eagerly dug into his dinner.
The meal was a delightful affair; rich flavors delighted his palate, and once finished, Qise accompanied Serin to kindergarten.
Serin looked every bit the little gentleman, dressed in a crisp navy sailor shirt and sharp black shorts. His outfit was finished off with spotless white socks, shiny black shoes, and a cute navy beret perched on his head, a blue diamond sparkling on it, tying the whole look together perfectly.
Qise had enrolled him in an elite academy, ensuring his safety while providing a prestigious educational environment. The school was stunning, its opulence impossible to miss, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who walked through its doors. Designed for the children of the wealthy, the grand architecture and luxurious facilities promised to offer a top-notch learning experience for every student.
"Welcome to Madea Kindergarten," a warm voice greeted them as they stepped inside.
As Serin took in his surroundings, his eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
The vibrant classrooms and cheerful decorations spoke of creativity and learning, just as he had envisioned for a future domineering president like him.
"Mister Qise, it's a pleasure to meet you," the school director greeted with an amiable smile.
Qise returned the gesture, shaking hands with the director, while gently guiding Serin forward. "This is our young master, Serin Ashier Dhallian."
The director's gaze fell upon the child, and he was momentarily taken aback. Among the countless charming children he had encountered, Serin stood out like a perfectly crafted doll, a visage of innocence and beauty.
"Our young master has a bit of a temper, so I hope the director can be understanding," Qise advised. "If any issues arise, don't hesitate to call me. For now, I've brought the young master to help him acclimate."
"Of course," the director said, motioning to the woman next to him. "This is the teacher for young master Serin's class. He can join in temporarily to get a feel for the environment ahead of time."
Qise nodded and looked down at Serin. "Little master, you can go with the teacher while I discuss things with the director."
"Hmmm." Serin nodded, allowing the teacher to take his small hand.
Although he felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Qise alone, he waved back, signifying that he would be just fine.
A qualified domineering president would not shy away from new challenges!
With determination, he clenched his small fists, took a deep breath, and walked forward with his teacher, ready to face this new adventure.
With just one look, Qise could tell exactly what his host was thinking—an adorable expression that instantly made him smile.
The main system[3]'s decision to seal away some of his host's memories proved wise, as it would profoundly influence his host's new life. After all, playing villainous roles that culminated in cruel and unjust deaths could leave lingering scars. It was no wonder his host had begun to resemble a heartless, gloomy shadow of what he could be.
Qise had almost given up, thinking he might never see his host smile again, but a spark of hope was reignited, all thanks to the main system's intervention.
"Then, Mister Qise, shall we go?" the director inquired, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
"Yes," Qise responded.
Unbeknownst to Serin, the memories of the thousand years he had lived were hidden away, like forgotten fragments of a painful dream. He simply felt a powerful conviction that he was destined to become a domineering president, a force to be reckoned within the world.
This ambition could have stemmed from his high-ranking, powerful roles as a villain in the past.
The system's sealing of unhappy memories—like those agonizing confrontations with the protagonist and the trauma of his own demise—was designed to let him find joy in this new life.
However, the consequence of erasing those memories was an unintended regression in Serin's intelligence; he often exhibited behavior reminiscent of a child, despite having lived for a thousands of years. So from an adult's perspective, he appeared to be an innocent young dreamer longing to be a respected leader of a company.
──As Serin entered the classroom, the teacher's voice rang out like a bell, cutting through the chatter. "Class, look! We have new classmates!"
The short walk to the classroom only took a few minutes, but for Serin, it felt like an eternity as he steeled himself for this new experience. He thought he was ready, but when he saw the energetic kids, a wave of dread hit him. He had been surrounded by composed adults for so long that the boisterous energy radiating from the children struck him as overwhelming.
Noticing Serin's frightened expression, the teacher felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. "Hurry and sit down; you're scaring your new classmates!" she urged gently but firmly.
The students' chatter ceased abruptly at the sound of their teacher's authoritative voice, and they turned their curious gazes toward the newcomer. Their eyes were wide with a mixture of wonder and apprehension as they hurried to settle back into their assigned seats, all while stealing glances at Serin, who stood uncertainly by the front.
Seeing the classroom settle into a calm silence, the teacher approached Serin with a comforting smile and gently patted his back.
"Come on, baby, introduce yourself," she encouraged, her voice warm and inviting.
Serin stood quietly in the corner of the classroom, his lips pressed tight and his wide eyes full of fear. He longed for Qise, wishing more than anything that he would come and take him back to the safety and comfort of home.
How could children his age be so aggressive? This behavior was completely unexpected!
As tears streamed down his cheeks, Serin clutched his clothes tightly in a futile attempt to ground himself.
The teacher, noticing his distress, rushed over to him, her heart aching for the frightened child.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. Your teacher is here to protect you," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him in a reassuring hug.
Meanwhile, the other children began to realize the impact of their earlier actions.
Embarrassment washed over them, mingled with a hint of fear as they understood they had caused their new classmate to cry. A little girl—her pigtails bouncing as she moved—had been quietly observing Serin from the moment he stepped into the classroom.
Unable to hold back any longer, she spoke up, her voice firm.
"I told you not to fight! Look at what you've done... you made our new classmate cry!" she scolded, glaring at the little boy who had been at the center of the chaos.
Sion, the instigator of the ruckus, shot her an indignant look, his cheeks flushed with anger. "Why are you blaming me?!" he retorted, crossing his arms defiantly.
With a dramatic roll of her eyes, the little girl shot back, "Because you started the fight! Sion, you're being really mean!"
Just then, another girl stepped forward, her small frame brimming with determination as she tugged at the teacher's clothes. The teacher knelt down, ready to ask what she needed, but before she could utter a word, the cheerful girl reached for Serin's hand with a reassuring grin.
"Little brother, don't be scared!" she exclaimed. "I'm your sister; I'll protect you!"
Several other children nodded in agreement, their faces softening as they approached Serin, eager to comfort him.
Serin, who had been silently crying, looked up at the gathering kids, his heart warming at their kindness.
The teacher gently set him down to join the interaction, allowing him to engage with the other children.
With his fluffy hair and round, rosy cheeks, Serin became an instant focal point. The kids couldn't help but reach out to touch him, their fingers brushing gently against his soft skin. The teacher observed their excitement and playfully chastised them, reminding them to be gentle so they wouldn't hurt their new little brother and cause him to cry again.
"From now on, he will be your new little brother. His name is Serin," she announced, her eyes twinkling with warmth.
The children's faces lit up with delight as they gazed at Serin with wonder.
"Teacher, he's so pretty!" one exclaimed, his voice full of awe.
"Yeah, he looks just like a doll!" another echoed, eyes shining with admiration.
"I want to take him home!" a third child chimed in, practically bouncing with excitement.
Surrounded by his classmates, Serin sat with an air of quiet admiration, starting to think that maybe kindergarten wasn't so terrible after all. With the confidence of a qualified, domineering president, he felt it was beneath him to be afraid of petty child squabbles; instead, he was determined to be the fearless protector who would put an end to them!
That's right—he, Serin Ashier Dhallian, would stamp his authority on this classroom and guide these little ones on how to behave with elegance and intelligence, shaping them into worthy subordinates.
──On the other side, Qise couldn't shake a growing sense of unease, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. It was a deep, instinctual feeling that tugged him, as if he were on the brink of a momentous event.
"Why does he feel like his host will do some evil deeds again?"
The school director, a stern figure with watchful eyes, broke through the chatter. "Then, Mr. Qise, are there any dietary restrictions we should be aware of?" he inquired. "We've prepared meals for the children, and it's crucial that the food is suitable for them. Furthermore, we need to request medical records for our school doctor to monitor the children's health during their time here."
"Yes, we have been informed about that already," Qise replied, his voice steady.
"Our little master has a peanut allergy, so please ensure that food and desserts containing peanuts are excluded from his menu," he continued. "The laboratory results will be finalized tomorrow; I will send them to the school doctor promptly."
The director nodded, a satisfied smile breaking his stern demeanor.
──At the front of the classroom, Serin sat like a regal prince, his posture straight and his presence commanding attention. The other kids couldn't take their eyes off him, captivated by how effortlessly charming he looked—like something straight out of a storybook. They all quietly wished they could be the one to sit next to him.
What Serin didn't realize was that his belief that the kids admired him for his perfection was totally off. In reality, they were busy scheming on how to get him to play with them after school.
It didn't take long for Qise to show up and take Serin away, the air filled with the sound of the other kids' disappointed cries as they watched him leave. The teacher, smiling warmly, tried to calm them down, reassuring them that Serin would be back the next day, ready to join in their games again.
"Our little master is quite popular," Qise remarked with a warm chuckle.
Serin, puffing out his chest with pride, replied, "Of course! As a domineering president, I must make everyone admire my strength!"
It was forgotten in his bravado that he had been reduced to tears from fear not long ago.
"Yes, indeed. That's why our commanding president should attend kindergarten tomorrow and set an example for his subordinates," Qise teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Hmm. Don't worry; the teacher has already informed them," Serin stated confidently, a grin stretching across his lips.
When they got home, the old butler greeted them with a burst of cheerful energy, his face lighting up like the morning sun. Serin, feeling a pang of guilt for his grandpa butler's sadness while he was away, asked to be carried.
As he settled into the butler's strong arms, he excitedly started telling him all about his kindergarten adventures, bragging about how the other kids had listened to him so well.
In his excitement, he completely forgot the moments of fear that had once made his heart race.
It was a sight that many found endearing.
Butler Yul, unable to resist indulging his little master, listened with rapt attention. Several servants gathered around, clapping their hands in delight, showering praise on their little master, claiming he would grow up to be a capable leader one day.
Meanwhile, Qise stood back, observing this lively scene of laughter and joy, a soft smile playing on his lips as he wondered about the day that had unfolded in the his host's world.
An hour later...
Serin sat in front of the television, the glowing screen casting a soft light across his cherubic face. As the minutes passed, his eyelids grew heavy, slowly fluttering as he fought against the pull of sleep. Just as he was on the brink of drifting off, Qise gently lifted him into his arms, his voice warm and soothing.
"Come on, little one. You need to eat something before bed," he urged, his tone laced with care.
Serin squirmed slightly.
Qise, noticing his struggle, continued to tap his cheek playfully, urging him to stay awake. "Just a little more, just a little," he coaxed, trying to temper the frustration with a friendly smile. Yet Serin's resistance crumbled as he felt tears welling up in his eyes, his tiny brows knitting together.
"Boo-hoo, I don't want to! I want to sleep. Qise is mean for bullying the baby." he cried, his voice quivering with indignation.
In a fit of defiance, Serin slapped Qise's cheek with his small hands, refusing to open his mouth, his heavy eyes drooping even further. Qise's heart ached at the sight of him, the little one so exhausted yet fighting against it.
Realizing the urgency of the moment, Qise ordered a maid to clean up the dining table and prepare some soft baby snacks, just in case Serin stirred in the night. He needed to ensure that his little baby was taken care of.
"Okay, okay. No more hitting; it's time for the baby to sleep," Qise assured him, his voice now a gentle whisper meant to soothe.
"Hmmm," Serin responded, still pouting but softening under the warmth of Qise's embrace.
Finally, surrendering to sleep, Serin wrapped his tiny arms around Qise's neck and nestled his face against Qise's shoulder, his breathing slowing as he drifted into a peaceful slumber, the conflict of the evening fading away.
[1] The management that manages the employees that travel in different dimensions (the different dimensions are the worlds that somehow suddenly appear with hierarchy i.e., the protagonist, antagonist, cannon fodder, etc, with a designated plot on each, somewhat becoming a world of novels)
[2] What the system calls their accessor (Accessor because the host uses the data that the system provided as their guide but without the ability to change it).
[3] The focal artificial intelligence (the one that holds all the master data) that controls all of the subsystems that is bonded with accessors (host).