Side: Mako
I carried Prim and Flam to the spacious room that could also be used for childbirth, and as Prim told me to, I started to remove her wet underwear. To my surprise, I could already see the baby’s feet emerging.
In a typical birth, the fetus emerges headfirst. Because the head is heavier, it usually positions itself lower even within the amniotic fluid-filled womb, which also reduces resistance during birth. However, this isn’t always the case, and a certain number of fetuses position themselves feet-first and attempt to be born that way. This is known as a breech birth, and in modern Earth, a Cesarean section is recommended for most such deliveries. A C-section involves cutting into the abdomen, which can be a frightening surgery for pregnant women, leading many to avoid it. However, the safety of the fetus cannot be compromised. Therefore, pregnant women identified with a breech presentation do everything they can to correct the fetal position; if that fails, a C-section is performed. This is also largely due to the ability to check the fetal condition with methods like ultrasound.
However, with Prim, I hadn’t even considered the possibility of a breech birth, and without any ultrasound equipment, I was completely caught off guard. Although I had assisted in childbirth at the Healer’s Guild several times, I had never encountered a breech birth, which might have influenced my oversight. I quickly activated Sonar Wave and Dolphin Eye on Prim’s abdomen to check the fetus’s condition. It seemed its left leg was extended, and its right leg was currently caught in the birth canal. Fortunately, the umbilical cord was clearly extended and not wrapped around the neck or arms.
However, time was of the essence. If things continued like this, the fetus wouldn’t be able to be born, and the baby’s neck could be constricted by the uterus during labor. Furthermore, at Helios Orb, surgical procedures like Cesarean sections are not established, so I couldn’t just cut into Prim’s abdomen carelessly.
So, what else could I do!
“Prim! This is going to hurt a lot, but please bear with me!”
“……Eh?”
Prim, with tears welling up in her eyes, reacted slightly to my words. She was likely thinking of the worst-case scenario, but it wasn’t too late. I absolutely would not let that happen!
“Prim! Listen carefully! I’m going to use Telekinetic Magic now! But it will involve repositioning the fetus, so it will hurt terribly! However, it’s a critical moment for the baby’s safe birth, so you have to endure it!”
“Eh… yes…”
This might be bad. Even for me, I wasn’t confident I could fully control Prim’s power.
At Helios Orb, breech births are assisted using Telekinetic Magic. Depending on the situation, the fetus might be returned to the uterus, or its legs might be brought together and pulled out. However, either method places a significant burden on both the mother and the fetus, and above all, since the fetal condition is unknown, the probability of a safe delivery is less than 50%.
That’s precisely why I am using Sonar Wave on Prim’s body and, using that as a target, Dolphin Eye through the amniotic fluid to visualize the fetus’s position and condition. This is technology actually used on Earth, and it’s one of the skills I acquired before coming to Helios Orb. This is my first time actually using it, but had I known this would happen, I should have used it at the Healer’s Guild. But there’s no use crying over spilled milk, and I truly feel bad for Prim, but since there’s no other way, I just have to do it now.
“Here I go, Prim!”
I called out to Prim, though I wasn’t sure if she could hear me, and then, after confirming Sonar Wave and Dolphin Eye, I applied Telekinetic Magic to the fetus. Since I am also an Element Human, if I were to use it with full power, I might crush the fetus. So, I have to use it with the utmost caution.
“Gah!”
“Endure it!”
Prim, surprised by the unexpected pain, instinctively grabbed the bar attached to the delivery table with both hands, guided by my Telekinetic Magic. She caught the bar reflexively, but the fact that it was already cracking terrified me. While considering replacing the bar, I applied slight pressure to guide the fetus’s right leg out of the birth canal. The birth canal needs to be forcibly expanded, which is causing Prim immense strain, but in the current state, the fetus may not be able to be born. While contemplating forcibly pulling it out if necessary, I extended the right leg and pulled it out. Alright, that went well!
“Mako, how is Prim?”
“I heard from Alice. We’ll help too!”
At this moment, Apricot and Yuri and Carol, who had returned from the academy, entered the room. This is a great help.
“Prim’s child is in a breech presentation, and I’ve just managed to deliver both feet using Telekinetic Magic! Flam is stable, so Apricot, please take care of Flam! Carol, you handle replacing the bar, and Yuri, please hold the baby’s feet and be ready to pull if necessary!”
The three of them turned pale at my explanation but quickly took their positions as instructed. While this doesn’t allow me to fully focus on the fetus, my burden is reduced. I had actually wanted to entrust the fetus to Carol, but Prim, being a top-level Ancient Class, is something a High Class cannot contend with. So, I had no choice but to entrust it to Carol, an Ancient Elf. However, Carol herself has only recently evolved and cannot use Telekinetic Magic, so she is struggling with replacing the bar. It was definitely a mistake to have Ludia go get a midwife.
“Mako!”
“I know!”
Perhaps because both feet are out, the fetus is slowly but surely being pushed outwards from the birth canal. All that’s left is to make sure the arms and neck don’t get caught, and this child should be born safely.
I don’t know how much time has passed, but the fact that Flam is stable is a relief. However, a further problem arose when the lower half of the body, including the tail, emerged.
“Ma, Mako… this is…!”
“Wings?”
Both Yamato and Prim possess wings, as Yamato is an Element Human and Prim is an Ancient Foxy. However, the child born will be a Normal Class, so whether human or foxy, they should not have wings. Yet, having wings means that Yamato and Prim’s child will be a Winged Tribe.
There are other winged races, but in those cases, it’s known from the start that they will have wings. However, for the Winged Tribe, excess magic power usually transforms into wings at the moment of birth. Of course, this isn’t absolute, and wings can sometimes appear during childbirth, but even then, it’s usually when the upper body has already emerged, so it doesn’t affect the birth. But this child is in a breech presentation and has only emerged up to the waist, so it will obviously have an impact, and it’s an unexpected situation for all of us. Since the fetus hasn’t fully emerged, magic cannot be used, and if things continue like this, not only the fetus but also Prim’s life will be in danger… I’ll have to widen the birth canal with Telekinetic Magic and somehow get the wings through!
“Sorry I’m late! I’ve brought the midwife!”
“Ludia, perfect timing!”
Just as I was thinking that, Ludia entered the room with the midwife. I thought it was perfect timing, but that’s for later!
“Ludia, you and Carol, replace the bar!”
“Understood!”
“Ayla-san! It’s a breech birth! I used Telekinetic Magic, but wings sprouted midway through!”
“My, this is unusual. Let’s see, excuse me.”
After briefly explaining the situation to Ayla, a veteran midwife and a human woman, Ayla stepped between me and Yuri.
“Hmm, for a first attempt, this is excellent, no, it’s flawless. Mako, widen the birth canal a little more. When you do, have the fetus wrap its wings around its body and arms.”
“Yes!”
That was the solution! Although made of excess magic power, the wings have a physical form. By using those wings to wrap around the arms and body, the arms will be less likely to get caught. This wouldn’t work for other races, but this child’s wings extend to its waist, so they are definitely large enough to wrap around its arms. By further widening the birth canal, it should emerge without needing to be pulled.
“Prim! Keep going!”
“Just a little… just a little more!”
Ludia and Carol, having finished replacing the bar, were holding Prim’s arms down with almost all their might. Even with my Telekinetic Magic, it’s barely enough to hold her down; the power of an Ancient Class during childbirth is absolutely incredible. Not only the arms, but the legs also need to be handled carefully; my Telekinetic Magic is focused more on Prim’s lower body. However, my magic won’t last long, so I have to hurry. I immediately used Telekinetic Magic, positioning the fetus’s wings against its back, bringing its arms across its chest, and moving the wings forward. Simultaneously, I slightly widened Prim’s birth canal.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”
“Prim, hang in there! Just a little more!”
Each time I forcibly widened the birth canal, Prim cried out in agony. It was now a scream, but for the safety of the mother and the successful birth, Prim had to endure it. The fetus has emerged up to its neck, and as confirmed by Dolphin Eye, the umbilical cord is not tangled anywhere. All that’s left is to gently support the chin and neck, and if it can be brought out slowly, this child will be born safely!
“It… it’s out!”
And with Yuri’s announcement, it was confirmed that the fetus had safely exited Prim’s body. But…
“It… it’s not crying?”
“Wh-why…?”
The newborn fetus did not cry at all. Normally, when born, a baby cries, even if softly, but this one not only didn’t cry but didn’t even twitch. No way!
“Calm down. Let me see.”
Ayla, however, took the newborn calmly and began patting its back while placing her mouth over its nose and mouth. Ah, that’s right! Given the breech presentation, the fetus’s nostrils were probably clogged with amniotic fluid. So, by suctioning out the fluid to ensure respiration and simultaneously patting its back to provide the stress it would normally feel passing through the birth canal, she was helping the fetus understand that it was born. This time, because the birth canal was widened with Telekinetic Magic, the fetus’s instincts hadn’t fully grasped the situation.
“Fuu aaaahhh!”
As if confirming my thoughts, the newborn infant let out a small cry.
“It’s alright now. Here, place it next to its mother.”
“Yes!”
I took the baby, quickly wrapped it in a swaddle, and brought it to Prim’s bedside.
“Prim, can you see? It’s born safely.”
“Bo…rn…?”
“Yes. A foxy girl. And a Winged Tribe.”
“Rea…lly?”
“Really. See.”
“Rea…lly… Good… it worked…”
The moment she saw the newborn, Prim lost consciousness, tears streaming down her face. Damn it, I hadn’t used healing magic on Prim! Hastily using Extra Healing, Prim’s labored breathing turned into a gentle slumber. Just in case, I also used Examining, but apart from severe exhaustion, no abnormalities were found. After this, Mína should be able to use Refreshing.
“Apricot, may I entrust this child to you?”
“Yes, of course.”
Apricot tearfully took the baby. This child is effectively her grandchild. Apricot would undoubtedly have wanted to assist in the birth herself, but Prim, being a Level 96 Ancient Foxy, would have drained a significant amount of magic power just to use healing magic, making it impossible to hold her down. That’s why I asked her to take care of Flam, but with not only her daughter but also her grandchild’s life in danger, she must have been beside herself.
“Flam, big sister, are you alright?”
“I can feel some movement in my belly, but I’m still okay.”
With Prim and the baby safe, Carol turned her attention to Flam, who was about to become her sister-in-law. Carol must have also been under considerable strain, but Ludia’s arrival probably saved the day. However, she appears to be using the hunter magic Regenerating, so she must be severely depleted. I can’t say much myself, and even Ludia and Yuri, so my honest desire is to rest. But Flam’s childbirth is also imminent, so I must sustain her, even if it means using potions in addition to Regenerating. Even with Ayla’s arrival, Flam is an Ancient Undine, so anything could happen.
