Cluck cluck.
The ride to their mansion was slow but calm. I still hadn't quite figured out why I agreed to be adopted in the first place. Maybe it was the chance to get stronger, or the promise that being a noble might finally give me a decent future and some real backing. That sounded good enough.
My soon-to-be father gave me stern looks now and then, but my soon-to-be mother kept glancing at me with a softness I hadn't expected. She didn't say much, just small smiles, like she was quietly happy to have me there.
"You're quite the sight," she said softly once, almost to herself. "Kael, was it?"
"Yeah."
She nodded, eyes gentle. "You'll do fine here."
I blinked, surprised by how quietly sincere she sounded.
"Well, that grumpy old man over there is Aldric Virehart, and I'm Selene Virehart," she said, her voice steady but warm.
I blinked again. "Wait... you mean the Vireharts? The ones famous for their military achievements?"
She nodded. "Yes. Nobles usually carry family names like that. Commoners don't."
I already lost her the moment she said 'Virehart.'
So I'm going to be a pretty high-ranking noble, I thought. Not the most powerful, but they definitely hold some serious authority.
Aldric's eyes narrowed as he spoke next. "I've noticed something about you. You speak in a vulgar way, unbefitting of a noble."
My heart sank. "So," he continued, "starting today, you'll be attending etiquette classes."
What the hell? I wanted to snap, but held back. He was a swordmaster—his discipline was probably going to be brutal. Better to keep my mouth shut.
---
An hour and a half later,
We finally arrived at the mansion. A few butlers came forward to greet us. My siblings were nowhere in sight—my brother was probably off at some imperial army base, and my sister was likely at school. At least I didn't have to meet them just yet. But the butlers and maids looked surprised to see me.
"Get him dressed," my father ordered.
"Yes, sir," they chorused, leading me to my new room.
The head butler introduced himself as Reginald Blackwood, though everyone called him Reggie.
"I've been informed of your adoption and the arrangements to add you to the family register. Feel free to make yourself comfortable here," he said politely.
---
Later, as I stood alone in the room, a familiar glow flickered beside me. Erelya, the small demon fairy, appeared, her red eyes shimmering with amusement.
"So, this is your new home," she said, tilting her head. "How does it feel?"
I shrugged. "Overwhelming, honestly. But... I guess it's a chance to start fresh."
Erelya smirked, her tiny horns catching the light. "Don't get too comfortable. You have a long way to go before you can keep up with me."
I grinned back, feeling a spark of determination. "Then I'd better get started."
"Good," she said softly. "Because I won't be going easy."
---
I sank into the hot bath, letting the warmth spread through my body. It was a nice change—something I'd never really experienced before. The water felt like a small luxury in this new, strange life.
"You look relaxed," Erelya said, floating nearby with her usual smirk. Her red eyes gleamed softly in the light.
I smiled, letting out a quiet sigh. "Yeah, this is... nice. I didn't know baths could actually feel like this."
She hovered closer, curious. "So, what do you think of the mansion so far?"
"It's... big. Fancy. Definitely not what I'm used to." I glanced around the room, feeling the weight of everything new. "But I guess it's a good place to start fresh."
Erelya nodded. "Just remember, it's not just about the place or the clothes. You have to work if you want to fit in."
"I know," I said. "Dad already said I need etiquette classes. Seems like I'm in for a rough time."
She chuckled softly. "Yeah, he's strict. But you'll get through it."
I dipped my head back, closing my eyes for a moment. "Honestly, I'm just glad to have a place like this. A room that's mine, hot water... feels like a break from all the crap I've been through."
Erelya smiled faintly. "Good. Use it. You're going to need every bit of strength you can get."
I opened my eyes, meeting hers. "I will."
She winked and vanished, leaving me to the quiet warmth of the bath.
Fifteen minutes later
"All these clothes are expensive," I muttered, running a hand over the fine fabric after I got dressed. Better carry as much as I can.
"So this is what every day will be like now?" I wondered aloud, my mind buzzing with the past few eventful days—before finally drifting off to sleep.
NEXT MORNING
I was never the kind of person to wake up early, but with the massive window beside my bed letting in an obnoxious amount of sunlight, there was no way I could stay asleep.
Why is it so damn bright? I groaned internally, lazily attempting to reach the curtains—but they were too far.
Knock knock.
"Young master," came an unfamiliar voice from behind the door.
"Who's that?" Erelya asked as she materialized beside my bed with her usual casual grace.
I had grown used to her popping up unannounced, so I didn't even flinch. "I don't know," I replied, squinting toward the door.
"Uhmm... Please, who are you?" I asked, sticking my head out lazily like a drowsy cat.
"I am your personal butler, assigned to attend to your needs during your stay at the Virehart mansion. Mrs. Selene made the request herself," he said, voice smooth and respectful.
"Young master, it's also time for your name to be added to the register," he continued.
Before I could say much, he practically dragged me into the bath. That was when I learned his name—Rowan Vexley. Apparently, the Vexley name was once known post-war for masterful weapon creation. Not sure how they ended up with only one heir in service as a butler, but he was probably the only one still bearing the name.
"Fear those types of butlers," Erelya said with a knowing look, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Why?"
"They're always overcompetent, impossible to dodge, and do way more than needed. Total overachievers. I had one like that once… Never again," she added, her expression clearly haunted.
I wisely chose not to press her further.
After a bit more idle chatter, Rowan literally pulled me out of the bath and dressed me in noble attire—before I knew it, I was standing in the grand main hallway of the Virehart estate. Polished marble, chandeliers, expensive decor—exactly the kind of glamorous I expected from nobles.
But despite all that grandeur, the tension in my chest made it hard to breathe. Today, I was going to be added to the family register.
Soon, my new parents descended the main staircase, radiating that same grace and composure I'd seen before. They looked... noble. There was no other way to describe it.
If this is what regular nobility looks like, what about dukes and royalty...? I wondered.
"Life's about to get stressful," I muttered under my breath.
My new father gave me a passing glance as I bowed stiffly.
"Kael, you'll begin etiquette classes today. Don't forget," he said, walking past me without slowing down.
"Ugh, do I really have to?" I groaned.
"Yes, you do. You don't even know how to bow properly. And after that, your sword training begins," he added without so much as looking back.
This is going to suck, I thought, swallowing my complaints.
Selene, my new mother, remained silent, but the fond expression on her face told me she thought all this was cute—some kind of father-son bonding ritual.
"How hard could it be?" I muttered.
"Not hard at all," my father replied with a chilling smile.
Great. Very reassuring.
---
The ride to the capital's city hall was quiet and awkward. The roads were smooth, the buildings tall, and everything screamed 'money.'
So this is the capital, I thought, staring out the window.
"Nice, isn't it?" Erelya whispered from my pocket.
"It is," I admitted. For a brief moment, I actually felt... good.
City hall was enormous, all pristine marble and gold trim. Staff moved swiftly to assist us—because of course they did; we were nobles.
The process of adding my name to the Virehart register was surprisingly quick. A few signatures, a ceremonial vow, and the deed was done. The only issue was the overwhelming scent of ink... and the fact that I could barely read half the document.
---
One hour and thirty minutes later
After an impromptu shopping spree (thanks to Mother Selene obsessing over my wardrobe), it was time for my first real trial: etiquette class.
Miss Lyanna Ashford, my etiquette instructor, was probably only in her twenties—but she wielded authority like a whip. Elegant, composed, and merciless.
"Wrong! Bow at an angle of 120 degrees! Again!"
Her voice was soft but sharp like a blade wrapped in silk.
We spent the next hour going over posture, table manners, noble diction, and the refined version of the Common Tongue. Apparently, I spoke well enough among commoners, but my speech was still considered "unrefined." Nobles had their own flow, precise pronunciation, and zero tolerance for "lazy grammar."
It wasn't even a new language—just the same one with more pretentious rules.
"What the hell..." I muttered after botching another sentence.
Miss Ashford paused at the door, turned, and gave me a look that said you are so screwed tomorrow.
"You're fucked tomorrow," Erelya chuckled from the corner of the room.
"You know, I wish you had to suffer through this too," I snapped.
"I am suffering. I'm watching you from your pocket and laughing the whole time," she said with a shit-eating grin.
Damn her.
---
Just when I thought I could rest…
"It's time for your swordsmanship training, young master," Rowan announced calmly.
"Already? I just survived etiquette class—give me a break," I pleaded.
"You finished late. Your father is waiting," he said firmly.
I dragged my feet down the hall, already tired at the thought of even holding a sword.
When I entered the training hall, Sir Aldric Virehart was already waiting, dressed in casual combat gear.
"Sit," he said, pointing at a small stool nearby.
"I thought we were training?" I asked, confused.
"We are. But right now, you're too unfit to even start properly."
What? I trained with bandits before, I could swing a sword just fine... I thought.
"Nope. That was you flailing around with a glorified butter knife," Erelya cut in. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't die."
Can you read my thoughts now?
"We're in a contract, dummy. Of course I can."
"Wait, seriously—"
Suddenly, pain surged through my chest.
"AGHHH!"
"Your father just channeled a bit of his ki into you," Erelya said flatly. "Your body isn't trained, so it hurts. A lot."
Why is he doing this?!
"To identify your energy affinity. Some people use aura, some mana, some both."
Eventually, the pain subsided, and my father narrowed his eyes.
"You have a lot of mana... and a rare form of aura. Not demonic, but unusual. Worth investigating."
He stood and turned toward the weapons rack. "Training starts tomorrow. I'll get you an instructor—I don't have much free time."
I stood up slowly, bowing slightly. "Thank you."
"You're looking more refined already," he said with the faintest hint of approval.
"Thank you, sir."
He turned sharply. "Not sir. Say thank you, Dad."
I blinked. "Thank you... Dad."
He smiled.
---
As I walked back to my room...
"What was that last energy he mentioned?" I asked Erelya, now floating beside me.
"That's probably Aether," she said thoughtfully.
"Aether?"
"Yup. It's complicated—but if it's what I think it is... your life's about to get a lot more interesting."