"Yesterday, three people—Lian, Aki, and Rena—requested age regression."
Ren was told this by the Sage about six months after acquiring the new divine artifact. The Sage's house seemed even more cluttered than before. Ren, seated opposite him across the table, let out a sigh that was a mix of admiration and exasperation.
"That's a bold move."
She was four months pregnant now. Her belly was growing, and she felt a sense that her body was heavy. However, thanks to the improvements in muscle strength and stamina from leveling up, it wasn't interfering with her daily life. Since she could also move by floating or flying, the journey here wasn't too difficult. Even though she wasn't completely helpless, Shion had come along with her, concerned for her being alone. Shion, having transformed into her human mode, busily tidied up while asking,
"Weren't they the same age group as you, Ren-sama—the ones who worked at the brothel?"
"Yeah. Three guys with the Class: Prostitute."
As they leveled up, their job suitability improved. They lost muscle mass and, in exchange, gained softer bodies. Their body hair became finer and thinner—essentially, they were becoming more feminine. The influence of the "knowledge to please men" that automatically entered their minds, and their education at the brothel, had also made their personalities and speech more feminine. Since Ren hadn't seen them in a while, they were probably even more changed now.
This was, of course, Ren's fault, but it was their own doing in the first place, and it was a finished story, so she'd let it go. The problem was that they—or rather, she—had requested the artifact's effect of "reverting age to five years old."
"Old Man, did you allow it?"
"Naturally. If their employer gives permission, there is no reason for me to stop them."
"Ugh. ...So they are five-year-olds now."
"A colleague picked them up on their way back. Their handling of the artifact was careful, and their behavior was subdued."
Ren was at a loss for how to react. She narrowed her eyes and gazed into space. That Lian, let alone Aki and Rena, was subdued was already beyond her comprehension. And they had already regressed their age. Well, Ren didn't need to give permission, anyway.
"Why did those individuals choose to regress, I wonder?"
"Apparently, they couldn't stand the thought of their appearance declining as they aged."
Talk about a girl.
"Since they're the same age as Ren-sama, they should be nineteen or twenty, right? Isn't it a bit early to feel like they're declining?"
"In their case, male secondary sexual characteristics are already their enemy. To be precise, it may be less about the decline of appearance and more about the change in sensibility."
In short, they couldn't stand things like beards and muscles. Ren could understand if she put herself in their shoes, but...
"They've really changed so much," she sighed.
"They are a perfect example of how environment changes people. ...Well, for me, I have acquired a good sample."
"Old Man. That's your true motive, isn't it?"
"As long as our interests align, it matters not. Their child form was quite cute."
"Ah, I might have wanted to see that."
And she would have teased them thoroughly while she was at it. Children are strange; you just can't help wanting to spoil them. Shou and Ken, who were her targets for this until recently, have grown up well and are completely "boys," so it would be nice to have someone new to pat.
"I see. The ability to redo growth doesn't just apply to combat ability or technical skills, does it?"
"That is correct. In their case, the physical growth itself is what holds significance."
Hormones greatly influence physical growth. If a man's body is placed in an environment with high levels of female hormones from a young age, it can change to a surprisingly feminine one. On Earth, external administration is required, but in the case of Lian and the others, their Class provides a similar effect. Moreover, since they can regress to a child's age and restart their growth after making up their minds, it might be the best possible method for "people like them." As someone who could simply change sex and knew their original appearance, Ren's thought was, "They went that far?"
"Do not make such a face. They would say they do not want to be told that by you of all people, or rather, they would become a succubus if they could."
"It's weird that someone would want to become a succubus on their own."
"Um, isn't that something Ren-sama shouldn't be saying...?"
"Hmm. I only thought 'I don't want to go back' after I became one. Before, I definitely wouldn't have wanted it."
Well, in any case, it seems Lian and the others won't be picking a fight with her anymore.
"Maybe I'll treat them like girls next time I see them."
"I think that would be good. They would surely be pleased."
"It is often difficult to distinguish whether a child is a boy or a girl in their early years."
Since they regressed their age, Lian and the others will likely continue to maintain the Prostitute class. They will probably do menial work for a few years, and after that—well, Ren decided not to think too much about it.
"It is a bit late to say this, but the effect a Class has on the body and mind is an interesting research theme. Their Prostitute class is a rare example, but other Classes must also have some influence. How great would that influence be if one held a Class from childhood?"
For example, Kent's tough body and mind must have been influenced by his Class: Warrior. Since he was like that in high school, he might become even tougher if he were a Warrior from the age of five. If so, a greater effect than merely gaining a bonus and re-training could be expected. Still, she thought it was quite a drastic decision to actually use the artifact. Although the risk is lower than with species fixation, a change in age carries the possibility of "not being recognized by family upon returning."
"They will probably undergo species fixation eventually as well."
"Does that mean they'd rather not go back?"
"You should understand how they feel."
She certainly understood. But her impression was still, "That was a bold move." Or perhaps, from an outsider's perspective, Ren's own decision was just as bold.
"...Yeah. I should be the one to understand them."
"Do so. That incident must have been important to both of you."
"Yeah. Then maybe I'll bring them some candy and go visit them sometime."
"Might that not be taken as them being mocked?"
Ren felt a little embarrassed about going to see them with a completely serious expression and wished they'd allow her that much self-consciousness, but things just don't go as one intends.
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