Reincarnated with the Genius System

The glowing screen slowly faded from my vision, but the mission stayed in the back of my mind like a whisper I couldn't ignore.

Cultural Adaptation I – Learn the basic history, literature, and social structure of the world.

I sat in my corner quietly, thinking hard. It wasn't a mission I could ignore, and I didn't want to, either. If there was one thing I had learned from reading hundreds of web novels back in my old life, it was that progress mattered. One small step could lead to something big later.

The question was—how should I go about it?

I thought back to all the stories I had read. In most of them, the main character either made a bold move early on and shocked everyone… or stayed hidden and slowly grew strong in the shadows.

Do I show off? I thought. Or do I lay low?

Showing off had its benefits. If I revealed that I was smarter than a normal baby, maybe my parents would give me more freedom. I could get access to books, teachers, and all sorts of resources. And honestly, the idea of surprising people was a little tempting.

But the risks were bigger.

People feared what they didn't understand. What if my father thought I was cursed or unnatural? What if rumors spread? In this kind of world, being different wasn't always safe. Especially as a baby, I couldn't defend myself.

No… I couldn't take that chance.

Laying low was safer. It would be slower, yes, but I could grow without anyone getting suspicious. I'd observe, learn quietly, and take advantage of the Genius System while pretending to be a normal child.

I thought about it for a while longer, weighing both sides again just to be sure.

In the end, I made my choice.

Low profile it is.

I would stay quiet, stay careful, and grow at my own pace.

With that decision made, I let the day pass like normal. Lina brought my meals, cleaned me, and hummed her usual songs. My mother stopped by in the afternoon and smiled as she held me in her arms. I responded with soft coos, just enough to make her happy but not too much to stand out. I was starting to get good at this.

That night, as I lay in my crib, I looked up at the wooden ceiling and made a small promise to myself.

Tomorrow, I'll start working on that mission.

The next day came like every other. I was woken up early, fed, cleaned, and dressed in soft clothes. I let Lina carry me around the manor for a bit, but when I was left alone in the nursery again, I crawled straight to the door.

It was time.

I quietly pushed open the door when no one was watching and crawled out into the hallway. My small body made it easy to move without much sound. I took my time, stopping at corners and hiding behind chairs whenever I heard footsteps.

My goal was simple: find the library.

If there was any place in this manor that held knowledge about the world, it would be there. Books, scrolls, anything I could read or memorize—that was where I had to begin.

I moved from hallway to hallway, crawling past servants who didn't think twice about a baby exploring. Some of them even smiled and stepped over me. I was just the little lord having fun.

Eventually, I found it.

A tall wooden door, darker than the others, stood at the end of a quiet hallway. It had elegant carvings on it—flowers, vines, and a family crest I didn't fully recognize yet. But more importantly, there were two knights standing on either side of it.

They weren't wearing full armor, just light chainmail and green tabards with the family emblem. Both had swords at their sides and stood with their backs straight, though they looked a bit bored.

This has to be it, I thought.

I slowly crawled closer and peeked from behind a nearby bench. One of the knights glanced down at me but didn't move.

"That's the young master," he said to the other casually.

The second knight nodded. "Looks like he's just exploring again."

Neither of them looked concerned. I was just a baby to them. Still, the door behind them didn't budge. I could already tell—it was locked. Probably with a key only my parents had.

So I had found the library, but I couldn't get in.

Figures, I thought, hiding behind the bench again. This isn't going to be easy.

Still, I wasn't upset. At least now I knew where it was. That was a start.

I'd have to come up with a new plan if I wanted access to those book

I quietly returned to my room before anyone noticed I was missing. My small adventure had paid off—I had found the library. Now, I just needed a way to get inside.

Later that day, during one of Lina's humming sessions, I began to think hard. If the door was locked and guarded, sneaking in again wasn't an option. I had to be smart about this.

Then I remembered something important.

Every day after lunch, my father disappeared for about an hour. Lina had once whispered to another maid that he went to his study during that time. It made sense now—the library wasn't just for reading, it was also where my father did his work.

That gave me an idea.

A simple plan. Nothing too risky. I was just a baby, after all.

Tomorrow, during lunch, I would act like I wanted to be held by Father. Normally, I stayed quiet or focused on my food, but this time I would reach out to him, smile, and show that I wanted him.

If things went as expected, he would pick me up—and then, I wouldn't let go. I'd hold on to his shirt and arms tightly, making it hard for him to put me down.

If he didn't want to upset me or cause a scene, he'd most likely take me with him to his study.

And if that study was inside the library, I'd finally have my way in.

That night, I smiled to myself in the crib. It was a simple trick, but it had a good chance of working.

The next day arrived quickly. Morning passed with the usual routine—Lina woke me up, dressed me, and fed me. I played a little, then rested until lunch. All the while, I waited patiently for the right moment.

When the lunch bell rang, I was more focused than ever.

The dining hall was bright and filled with the warm smell of roasted meat and bread. I was seated on my special cushion beside my mother, while my father sat across the table. They were chatting softly about some matter in the village.

Then came my chance.

I turned to my father and reached my hands toward him. I gave him a bright, innocent smile—the kind only babies could make—and made a soft noise to get his attention.

He looked surprised at first.

"What's this?" he asked, blinking. "Does he want me?"

Mother turned to look, raising her eyebrows.

"I think so," he added with a slight smile.

He reached out and carefully picked me up. I immediately grabbed his collar and leaned into his chest, refusing to let go. Everyone at the table stared.

"This is new," my mother said slowly, watching us with a confused look. "He usually clings to me, not you."

Father chuckled and patted my back. "Maybe he's finally recognizing who his father is."

"Hmph," she crossed her arms. "Are you sure you haven't been sneaking treats behind my back?"

"No, I swear," he said, amused.

I stayed still in his arms, pretending to be comfortable and sleepy, just as I had planned.

After lunch, my father stood up with me still in his arms. "Well, I better get to work," he said. "Looks like I'll have a little partner today."

He walked toward the door.

I had done it.

Just as we were about to leave, though, my mother stood up too.

"I'll come along."

Father stopped. "Why?"

"You'll be working. He'll need someone to watch him. I'm not leaving him with the guards outside."

I froze inside.

This wasn't part of the plan.

"But—" Father started, then sighed. "Fine. But don't distract me while I'm going over the land records."

"Don't worry, I'll sit quietly," Mother said with a smile, then looked at me. "Besides, I want to see why he's suddenly so fond of you."

I stayed still in Father's arms, pretending to be sleepy again, but inside I was already thinking of what to do next.

The three of us walked down the hallway. The two knights by the door stood straighter as we approached, then stepped aside when they saw us. The heavy wooden door opened with a soft creak, revealing shelves of books, scrolls, and a large desk near the window.

The library.

Finally.

We stepped inside. My father placed me gently on a cushioned chair beside the window. He moved to his desk and began flipping through papers. My mother sat nearby, watching me with an amused smile.

I looked around, heart pounding slightly with excitement. There were books everywhere—on shelves, on the table, even stacked in small piles in corners.

But I wasn't alone.

I was in the library, yes… but I was stuck here with my mother.