Prologue

My life as a corporate slave came to an end, and with my memories intact, I was reborn into another world.

The Leith Kingdom, a grand nation in the eastern reaches of the Almira Continent.

My second life began in a modest baronial family in the northeastern frontier of this kingdom. Nestled amidst mountains and verdant greenery, I grew up in this rural haven, enveloped in the warmth of my parents’ love.

As a child, I roamed freely through fields and mountains. As a boy, I studied diligently to prepare for my role as the next lord and trained tirelessly in swordsmanship. Then came my fifteenth birthday.

In this world, turning fifteen carries profound weight.

First, it marks the age of adulthood. At fifteen, one is recognized as a full-fledged adult, free to drink alcohol and marry.

Second, it is the age when the gods bestow a skill upon every human—be they human, elf, dwarf, or otherwise. These skills vary widely. My father, for instance, received the skill 〈Hunter〉. It allows him to see animal tracks glowing faintly and grants him the precision of a master archer when targeting beasts.

My mother, on the other hand, possesses the skill 〈Chef〉. As the name implies, her cooking is extraordinary, each dish a masterpiece. It’s said she once ran a diner in the capital, where my father fell in love with her culinary creations. After a relentless courtship, he won her heart.

Even now, as a noblewoman, my mother continues to grace our kitchen. The dishes she crafts from the game my father hunts are nothing short of divine.

“It’s finally time, Hugh,” my father said.

“Yes, Father,” I replied.

That day, I accompanied my father to the church in the most prosperous village of our domain. There, I would offer my prayers to the gods and receive my skill.

During the carriage ride, my father noticed my tension. With a reassuring smile, he patted my back. “No need to be so nervous. As you can see, our Pnocis domain is the middle of nowhere. And our Pnocis family? A poor, backwater noble house on the farthest edge of the frontier. Even if you get a useless skill, it won’t stir any trouble!”

“…Father, doesn’t saying that make you a little sad?”

“Sad or not, it’s the truth, so what can we do? Honestly, it’d be more troublesome if you got some overly grand skill. Something average is just fine.”

“Even if you say that…”

I had researched out of curiosity, and it turns out the gods’ skills are entirely random. There are tales of people who’ve never seen the sea receiving a skill to breathe underwater or frail individuals barely able to move being granted 〈Spear Mastery〉.

My father, too, had no hunting experience and had never touched a bow before receiving his 〈Hunter〉 skill.

So, even if Father urged me to hope for something average, all I could do was pray for a safe, unremarkable skill.

“…By the way, are there any skills that would be bad to receive?”

“Hmm? Well… a skill that’s too powerful would draw too much attention. If the royal family or high nobles take notice, it could spell trouble. In the worst case, execution or assassination isn’t unthinkable.”

“E-execution…!?”

I swallowed hard, but my father laughed and slapped my back heartily. “No need to worry! Unless it’s a skill so extraordinary it threatens the royal family, you’ll be fine. I mean, there’s no way my son would get something like that!”

“Y-yeah, you’re right…”

I forced a smile in response to my father’s booming laughter. Surely, the son of this man wouldn’t receive such an outrageous skill…

Yet, because I carry memories of my past life, I sometimes can’t help but feel special. I keep wondering if, like in the isekai novels from my previous life, I might receive a powerful skill and rise to greatness or wield some cheat ability.

…Ridiculous. I don’t need any cheat skills. I’m already blessed enough.

Born as the only son of a minor noble family, far from the capital’s political strife, raised with boundless love from my parents, and surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature—this land is perfect for a slow, leisurely life. That’s my resolve: to live carefree and unburdened here.

So please, dear gods, grant me an unremarkable skill!

I prayed fervently in the carriage until we reached the church. My father, exasperated, muttered, “You don’t need to pray that hard…” but to me, this was a matter that would shape my entire life. Even knowing the skill was random, I couldn’t stop praying.

The carriage eventually stopped before the church. My father waited inside while an elderly priest led me into the chapel and then to a small room called the Chamber of Divine Bestowal, reserved solely for receiving skills.

“I’ll leave you here,” the priest said.

Alone in a room no larger than a bathroom stall, I followed the instructions I’d been given. I knelt, clasped my hands, and pressed them to my forehead.

No special incantations were needed.

Just pray to the gods.

“Please, grant me a skill,” I whispered.

“—I shall bestow upon thee a skill.”

The voice of the gods echoed from nowhere, resonating directly in my mind.

Please, let it be an unremarkable skill!

“The skill I grant thee is named 〈Brainwashing〉.”

…Huh?

What did the gods just say? Sen’nou^[a]?

“This skill grants thee the power to control the will of any being whose eyes meet thine.”

Control their will?

Sen’nou… Brainwashing!?

Wait, isn’t that the kind of thing you see in adult doujinshi, where you alter a girl’s common sense to do naughty things or build a harem!?

Seriously!? A power like that… if anyone found out I had it, wouldn’t that be dangerous!?

I could control royalty or nobles as I pleased, couldn’t I? If word got out that I had such a skill, it’d be a one-way ticket to execution!

Hold on, wait a second! I don’t need it! I don’t want a cheat skill like this! Something like 〈Slightly Warm Fingertips〉 or 〈No More Armpit Sweat〉 would be more than enough for me!

“Thou hast now awakened to the skill 〈Brainwashing〉.”

Hey, gods, listen to me!?

“May thy life be blessed.”

My life just became cursed! …Hey, gods!?

…The voice of the gods fell silent.

No way…

“S-Status…”

Hesitantly, I checked my skill. By saying “Status,” one can view the skill granted by the gods.

A translucent panel appeared in my vision.

And there, it was written:

Hugh Pnocis

Skill: 〈Brainwashing〉 Lv. 1 … Controls the will of a target whose eyes meet yours (Maximum targets: 1)

Seriously? Seriously…?

No matter how many times I blinked or rubbed my eyes, the words on the status panel remained unchanged. I prayed again in desperation, but the gods’ voice did not return.

“My life is over…”

The skill 〈Brainwashing〉.

If anyone discovered I’d been granted this skill, I’d be on a fast track to execution. Even if it didn’t come to that, my father and mother would likely disown me. No one would willingly risk getting close to someone who could brainwash them.

At best, I’m doomed to a lifetime of solitude. I could try embracing it and building a harem like in those adult doujinshi, but the skill’s description includes the restriction “Maximum targets: 1.”

That likely means I can only brainwash one person at a time. The skill has a level system, so perhaps I could control more people if I leveled it up, but…

Even if I could control a few people, what’s the point?

Sure, it might be useful for fleeting pleasure. But my goal, born from the unfulfilled desires of my past life, is to live a carefree, leisurely life. I have no desire to ruin myself by recklessly using a skill like 〈Brainwashing〉.

I need to figure out what to do from here…

“Did you receive your skill?”

“Wahh!?”

A sudden voice startled me, and I let out an embarrassing yelp. Turning around, I saw the elderly priest standing at the door, his expression tinged with concern. I must have lingered too long, arousing his suspicion.

“Y-Yes, well…”

“That’s wonderful. Your father is waiting. Come, this way.”

“Y-Yes…”

Urged by the priest, I began walking. I’m fairly certain no one can see my skill unless they use a special magical device. The priest shouldn’t know what I received, but… for some reason, I felt the tension of concealing a crime. Even though I haven’t done anything wrong!

“Don’t look so down,” the priest said.

“Huh?”

“The gods never give trials that cannot be overcome. Whatever skill you’ve received, it will surely serve you well.”

“Father…”

“Yes. Even if it’s something like 〈Incredibly Smelly Farts〉.”

“You were saying something profound, but that example is awful!?”

The priest chuckled, insisting it was just a joke. He must have sensed my disappointment with my skill and was trying to lift my spirits, but that example was terrible…

Still, it lightened my mood slightly.

As I stepped outside the church, my father was chatting with the elderly butler who had driven the carriage. Seeing me, he hurried over. “You took your time, Hugh. Did you receive your skill?”

“Y-Yes, somehow.”

“Hm? That hesitant response piques my curiosity. What skill did you get?”

“W-Well, that’s…”

Oh no, the priest rushed me, and I didn’t prepare an excuse…!

If I said 〈Brainwashing〉 outright, my life would be over. I could try using the skill to dodge the question, but it only works on one person at a time, and there’s my father, the butler, and the priest here. This skill is so inconvenient!

I have to come up with something…!

“Uh, well… something like… fire coming out of my hands…?”

What a terrible lie, me!

Fire from my hands!? Couldn’t I have come up with a more believable skill!?

“What, 〈Ignition〉!? That’s an incredible skill you’ve been granted…”

“As expected of the lord’s son!”

“Enough of that, Priest. …Hrmm. I always thought my son was exceptional, but to this extent…”

“Uh, Father…? Is something wrong…?”

I blurted out a random lie, but my father’s reaction worried me. Could 〈Ignition〉 be a skill that might draw attention from the royal family or high nobles…?

“No, it’s not that. It’s just a combat-oriented skill, so it’ll require some reporting. 〈Ignition〉 isn’t that rare, so don’t worry.”

“I-I see.”

If Father says not to worry, it’s probably fine. I guess I managed to dodge the bullet…

It seems I’ll need to report it, but a skill that can start fires is likely considered somewhat dangerous. In my previous life, it’d be like needing a license for a car or handling explosives.

The truth is, 〈Brainwashing〉 is far more dangerous than 〈Ignition〉…

“Let’s head back. Hugh, when we get home, show your skill to your mother.”

“N-No, that’s…! I’m kind of tired today…!”

“Is that so? Well, you were tense as a board this morning. Alright, rest well today.”

“Thank you, Father…!”

Phew, that was close. I almost triggered a skill-reveal speedrun.

I managed to get through this for now, but living with a ticking time bomb like the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill fills me with nothing but anxiety.

The priest said the gods don’t give trials that can’t be overcome, but can I really overcome this one…?

◇

As soon as we returned to the manor in the carriage, I holed up in my room.

For now, it’s best to avoid my father and mother. The topic of my skill is bound to come up, and I’m likely to slip up and say something incriminating.

I absolutely must keep the fact that I received the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill a secret.

That’s precisely why I need to understand it. I need to know exactly what kind of power this skill holds.

“Young Master, how are you feeling?”

A soft knock came three times, followed by a voice from the other side of the door.

…Perfect timing. This is the ideal person to test the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill on.

“Come in,” I called.

The door opened slowly, and the speaker stepped into the room.

“I’ve brought you something to drink, Young Master.”

“Thank you, Servas.”

Bowing respectfully was Servas, the butler who had served the Pnocis family since my grandfather’s time. He recently celebrated his fifty-eighth birthday, making him an elderly man by this world’s standards. He’s the perfect candidate for my first brainwashing experiment.

Our Pnocis family is a poor, backwater noble house in the middle of nowhere. There are no young, cute maids here. Too bad, huh, me!

“Servas, could you keep me company for a bit?”

“Of course. This old man is happy to oblige.”

Servas placed a pitcher of water on the table and sat across from me on the sofa.

“Young Master, what did you want to talk about?”

“Well… about the skill 〈Brainwashing〉.”

The moment our eyes met, I activated the skill.

…So this is how it feels to use it.

Looking closely, the words 〈Brainwashing Active〉 floated above Servas’s head. This must be something only I can see while the skill is active.

“Sorry for catching you off guard, Servas. Just to confirm, are you currently under brainwashing?”

“Yes. I am currently under brainwashing.”

Servas responded in a flat, emotionless tone. There was no sign he was acting or teasing me.

“Will you follow any order I give you?”

“Yes. I will carry out any command from Master Hugh.”

“Stand up, spin three times, and bark like a dog.”

Servas stood from the sofa, spun three times to the right, and—

“Woof!”

He barked.

…What am I making this old man do?

“Sit down, Servas…”

Watching that pitiful scene dampened my mood. I need to choose my commands more carefully.

That said, the power of the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill seems genuine. If Servas were in his right mind, he wouldn’t have followed such a ridiculous order. Even if he did, he’d likely show hesitation or embarrassment.

I don’t sense any of that from him now. It feels like he’d carry out any order, even something as extreme as self Operated by xAI -harm, without hesitation.

…This is terrifying.

I instinctively covered my mouth. If this skill were to activate by mistake, who knows what kind of disaster it could cause? Right now, I essentially hold Servas’s life in my hands.

What a troublesome skill I’ve been saddled with…

“Servas, we were just talking about Father’s youth, got it?”

“Yes. I was discussing Master’s youth with Master Hugh.”

“Good. 〈Brainwashing〉 deactivate. —Thank you, Servas. That was a productive talk.”

“Not at all. If you’d like to hear more about Master’s younger days, I’m happy to share anytime. It might be fun to include Madam as well.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll ask again sometime.”

“Of course. If you’ll excuse me, Young Master.”

Servas stood, bowed, and left the room. He showed no signs of suspicion or doubt. Making it seem like we were talking about Father’s past must have worked.

This 〈Brainwashing〉 skill is insane. Judging by Servas’s reaction, its effect is nothing short of absolute obedience. It’s exactly like those adult doujinshi where you can toy with girls however you want. With this, any girl would be at my mercy.

…Not that there are any beautiful, cute girls around here.

If I had to pick, my mother is stunning, even from her son’s perspective. She’s in her forties but could easily pass for someone in their twenties. In my past life, she’d be called a “beautiful mature woman.”

But, naturally, I’m not so depraved or insane as to brainwash my own mother for something perverse.

I stood in front of the mirror to check my appearance.

Black hair inherited from my mother, a well-proportioned face, and a physique that’s starting to resemble my father’s sturdy build. I’m still growing taller, too.

Compared to my past life, I’m blessed with incredible looks. And though we’re a poor noble family in the sticks, I’m still the heir to a barony. I won’t have trouble finding a wife, even if I can’t pick and choose freely.

…Yeah, I don’t need the 〈Brainwashing〉 skill!

If I were still the gloomy, corporate-slave virgin from my past life, I might’ve used this skill to do whatever I wanted. But the current me is blessed with good looks and status.

I have room in my heart.

A dangerous skill like 〈Brainwashing〉 is nothing but a liability.

I need to figure out a way to keep this skill hidden… But no good ideas come to mind. As I mulled it over, it was time for dinner.

I didn’t want to face my father or mother to avoid skill-related talk, but skipping dinner would only raise suspicion.

The key is to not act suspicious.

Pretending to be calm, I entered the dining hall and took my seat. My father, seated at the head of the table, looked at me and spoke.

“Hugh, tomorrow you’ll head to the capital. You’re to take the entrance exam for the Royal Academy.”

“…I’m sorry, what?”