Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Adam's bedroom, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Tiny dust particles floated lazily through the beams of light while a cool breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the gardens below.
Adam stirred beneath his blankets before slowly opening his eyes.
"...Morning already?"
He stretched lazily, every muscle in his body protesting after yesterday's nonstop experimenting inside his workshop.
"Ow..."
His shoulders ached.
His arms felt heavy.
Even his fingers were sore from drawing hundreds of magic circles.
"I definitely overdid it yesterday."
Despite the soreness, a grin spread across his face.
"It was worth it."
His mind immediately wandered back to the small floating platform he'd successfully created.
It wasn't perfect.
It barely hovered.
It couldn't even support his own weight.
But...
"It worked."
That single thought filled him with excitement.
"I actually created something."
For the first time since arriving in this world, Adam truly felt like he had made something unique.
Sure, the hover platform wasn't revolutionary.
But it was proof.
Proof that his ideas from Earth could become reality here.
"If I keep improving..."
His grin widened.
"I really might be able to build that armor someday."
Knock.
Knock.
"You may enter," Adam called.
The door opened with practiced silence.
Bradly entered carrying a neatly folded set of clothes.
"Good morning, Young Master."
"Morning, Bradly."
"I trust you slept well."
"I slept like a rock."
"I assumed as much."
Bradly's eyes drifted toward Adam's hands.
They were covered in tiny ink stains.
Several fingers had faint cuts.
His sleeves still smelled faintly of burnt metal.
"I see yesterday's experiments were... productive."
Adam scratched the back of his head.
"...Maybe."
Bradly adjusted his monocle.
"The workshop required considerably more cleaning than usual."
Adam coughed.
"...Sorry."
"There is nothing to apologize for."
Bradly gave a respectful bow.
"The workshop was built to be used."
His expression softened ever so slightly.
"It is... refreshing to see it occupied once again."
Adam blinked.
"Once again?"
Bradly nodded.
"Years ago Lady Celest frequently occupied that room while researching enchantments."
"Really?"
"Indeed."
"Father too?"
Bradly shook his head.
"Lord Luka prefers training grounds over laboratories."
"Yeah..."
Adam laughed.
"That sounds about right."
Bradly placed the folded clothes on the bed.
"Breakfast will be served in thirty minutes."
"I'll be there."
After Bradly departed, Adam quickly bathed and dressed.
Today's outfit consisted of black trousers, polished boots, and a crisp white shirt beneath a dark blue vest.
He examined himself in the mirror.
"...Not bad."
Six years old.
Yet somehow dressed better than most adults back on Earth.
He chuckled.
"Noble life really is something."
The aroma of freshly baked bread greeted him before he even reached the dining room.
His stomach growled.
"I hope they made pancakes."
He pushed open the enormous dining hall doors.
Celest immediately smiled.
"My sweetie!"
"There he is."
Luka looked up from his tea.
"Morning, son."
"Morning."
Adam took his usual seat beside Celest.
Almost immediately servants began placing dishes across the table.
Fresh fruit.
Eggs.
Sausages.
Honey.
Bread still warm from the oven.
And...
"Pancakes!"
Adam's eyes sparkled.
"I knew it!"
Celest laughed.
"I asked the chef to make them because you enjoyed them yesterday."
Adam looked at her.
"...Thanks, Mother."
"My sweet little boy deserves good food."
Before she could pinch his cheeks—
Luka cleared his throat.
"My dear wife."
"Hm?"
"Let the poor boy eat first."
"...Fine."
Adam silently thanked Luka.
For once.
They began eating peacefully.
Adam happily drowned his pancakes in syrup.
"This is amazing."
Celest smiled proudly.
"I'll tell the chef."
Luka sipped his tea.
"So."
Adam looked up.
"How's the workshop?"
"I love it."
"I figured."
"I barely noticed time passing."
Luka laughed.
"That's how hobbies become obsessions."
"I think mine already has."
"You'll fit right into this family."
Adam paused.
"...Really?"
Celest reached over and gently rubbed his head.
"You already do."
Adam smiled.
"...Thanks."
The peaceful breakfast continued until—
Knock.
Knock.
The large doors opened.
Bradly entered carrying a silver tray.
Resting upon it...
...was a sealed envelope.
The wax seal depicted a white wolf standing atop a mountain.
Luka immediately recognized it.
"...Well."
Celest smiled knowingly.
"That didn't take long."
Adam looked between them.
"What's going on?"
Bradly approached Luka.
"My Lord."
He presented the letter.
"A messenger from the northern territories delivered this shortly after sunrise."
Luka accepted it.
"Hah..."
He chuckled before even opening it.
"I knew he'd hear eventually."
Adam frowned.
"...Who?"
"My older brother."
Adam blinked.
"...You have a brother?"
"I do."
"You never mentioned him."
"I suppose I never had a reason."
Luka broke the wax seal.
He unfolded the letter.
His eyes scanned the page.
Then—
He burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
Adam looked toward Celest.
"...Is Father okay?"
Celest giggled.
"He's fine."
Luka wiped a tear from his eye.
"That idiot..."
"What does it say?"
Luka cleared his throat dramatically.
"'To my younger brother.'"
"'I hear through every merchant, traveler, soldier, noble, wandering bard, and possibly the birds themselves... that you somehow returned from Ovatos with a son.'"
Adam slowly lowered his fork.
"...Birds?"
"'You neglected to inform your own family before informing half the kingdom.'"
Celest covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Luka continued.
"'I therefore demand an explanation before the rumors become even more ridiculous.'"
Adam tilted his head.
"What rumors?"
Luka kept reading.
"'The latest rumor claims your child defeated an ancient dragon while still inside his mother's womb.'"
Silence.
Adam blinked.
"...What?"
Celest burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Even Bradly's lips twitched.
Luka shook his head.
"I knew people exaggerated."
Adam rubbed his forehead.
"...How does someone even invent something like that?"
Luka continued reading.
"'Another rumor claims your adopted son possesses three mana cores.'"
Adam nearly choked.
"I only have one!"
"'Another says he descended from the heavens.'"
"...No."
"'Another insists he is secretly an elf pretending to be human.'"
"...Seriously?"
Luka folded the letter.
"It appears your existence has become popular."
Adam sighed deeply.
"I haven't even done anything."
Celest smiled.
"That's what happens when the Duke suddenly adopts a child."
Adam looked confused.
"...Is it really that strange?"
Luka nodded.
"Very."
"I've been married nearly ten years."
"People assumed we'd never have children."
"So when I suddenly returned with a six-year-old son..."
He shrugged.
"...People talked."
Adam slowly understood.
"Oh..."
"I guess that makes sense."
Luka leaned back.
"My brother wishes to meet you."
"...Me?"
"He says if I'm truly calling someone my son..."
Luka smiled warmly.
"...then he's already family."
Adam stared quietly.
Family.
The word still felt unfamiliar.
Yet...
It didn't feel unpleasant anymore.
"So..."
Adam asked carefully.
"...Who's your brother?"
Luka smiled.
"My older brother."
"Marcus White."
"He rules the northern territories."
Adam frowned.
"I thought you ruled everything."
Luka laughed.
"No."
"The Kingdom is divided."
He reached for a nearby piece of paper.
Using a pen, he quickly drew several circles.
"This."
He pointed.
"Is the Kingdom of Magna Frisia."
He drew another circle.
"My territory."
Another.
"My brother's territory."
Then several more.
"There are numerous noble domains."
Adam leaned forward.
"So..."
"He's another Duke?"
Luka shook his head.
"No."
"Marcus is a Marquis."
Adam frowned.
"I don't understand."
Celest smiled.
"I suppose it's time we taught you about noble ranks."
Adam nodded eagerly.
"I've been wondering."
Luka began writing.
King
Grand Duke
Duke
Marquis
Count
Viscount
Baron
"There."
Adam studied the list.
"So..."
"The King rules everyone?"
"Correct."
"Grand Dukes?"
"They oversee enormous border regions."
"Dukes?"
"We govern major provinces."
"And Marquis?"
Luka pointed north.
"They defend dangerous frontiers."
"My brother governs lands bordering monster territory."
"So he's..."
"A military lord."
Adam nodded slowly.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
Luka smiled proudly.
"Marcus commands nearly forty thousand soldiers."
Adam's eyes widened.
"Forty thousand?!"
"Approximately."
"And he still wants to meet me?"
"He demanded it."
Celest giggled.
"He has wanted nieces and nephews for years."
Adam blinked.
"...Really?"
"Oh yes."
Luka sighed.
"He constantly complained."
"When are you giving me someone to spoil?"
"When are you having children?"
"I need a nephew."
Adam laughed.
"He actually said that?"
"For years."
"So when he heard I suddenly adopted you..."
Luka grinned.
"...he probably celebrated."
Bradly quietly added,
"The messenger did mention Lord Marcus appeared... unusually excited."
Adam imagined a giant armored warrior jumping around in celebration.
The image made him laugh.
"So..."
"When are we meeting him?"
Luka answered immediately.
"Tomorrow morning."
"So soon?"
"My brother isn't patient."
Celest nodded.
"Besides..."
"It'll be a nice trip."
"You'll get to see much more of Magna Frisia."
Adam's excitement returned.
"I've barely left the estate."
"Exactly."
Luka smiled.
"You'll finally see the northern provinces."
Adam nodded enthusiastically.
"I'd love that."
Luka folded the letter.
"Excellent."
"We'll leave after breakfast tomorrow."
Adam smiled.
"I can't wait."
Little did he know...
By tomorrow evening...
Half the northern territory would know exactly who the Duke's mysterious adopted son really was.