A male Elf with blonde hair approached him. His face was cold.
He raised his greatsword high. The muscles in his arms tensed. The gleam of metal reflected the sunlight right into Zakra's eyes.
Zakra's pupils constricted. He shook his head quickly.
*Szzt!*
The sound of wind being sliced.
Dark.
Zakra was floating in the void again. Silent. No screams. No pain.
Did I just fucking die again?!? he screamed inwardly.
He waited for the boredom to come again. But this time was different. His eyelids felt incredibly heavy. An overwhelming drowsiness attacked his consciousness.
Why is this. I'm sleepy in death. Uh? Argh. What i... sleepy.
Zakra's consciousness faded. In the midst of that eternal darkness, he fell fast asleep.
Warm light hit his face. Glaring.
Zakra opened his eyes.
He was no longer in the void. He was lying on a soft mattress with smooth silk sheets. The ceiling of the room was high, decorated with intricate gold carvings. A luxurious crystal chandelier swayed gently, blown by the wind from the open window.
Zakra lifted both hands. The skin was pale white, the fingers long and well-groomed.
"What the fuck happened..."
He gasped and immediately grabbed his neck.
"M-my voice?!" his eyes widened. "My voice is different!"
He jumped off the bed. His feet landed on a thick fur carpet. He ran fast toward the large mirror in the corner of the room.
Zakra froze.
The reflection in the mirror was not his usual self.
A handsome young man stood there. His golden blonde hair was slightly messy from sleep. His eyes were sharp and blood-red, glowing under the morning sunlight. He was wearing white satin sleepwear.
Zakra touched his own head. The reflection in the mirror followed his movements.
"This is the body of the executed king..." he muttered.
New memories flowed in, but this time they were smoother.
"Aldes Viranea."
Zakra stared at the face intently. The skin was still tight. No stress wrinkles or war scars.
"If I'm not mistaken, he is eighteen years old," he muttered softly. "Damn!"
Zakra turned around, looking at his spacious room. The furniture was made of the best teak wood. Porcelain vases adorned every corner.
"So I really got Isekaied?"
He walked to the large open window. The cool morning breeze hit his face, bringing the scent of fresh flowers.
Down there, a vast palace garden stretched out. Green grass was trimmed neatly forming geometric patterns. Marble fountains sprayed clear water that sparkled in the sun.
"I really am alive again..."
Zakra stepped back a few paces to the center of the room. He clenched his fists.
"Let's test this out."
He spread his legs shoulder-width apart. His hands were raised high covering his face. Peek-a-boo style.
*Whoosh.*
He weaved to the left, then to the right. His waist rotated quickly.
*Thud. Thud.*
He unleashed two hooks, left and right, into the air. The sound of tearing wind was clear.
He stepped forward, dipped his head slightly, then executed a quick uppercut. His balance was perfect. There was not the slightest stiffness.
"Whoa, this body is light!!" he exclaimed in amazement. The muscles of this body were far more responsive than his old body.
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
The sound of heavy knocking came from the teak door.
Zakra immediately stopped his movements. He lowered his hands, regulating his breathing to return to normal.
"Excuse me, Master, I am here to deliver your breakfast." A soft female voice was heard from behind the door.
Zakra turned. "Ah, alright. Come in."
The door opened slowly.
A female servant stepped in carrying a silver tray. Her long white hair was tied neatly. Her eyes were clear blue like the morning sky. Her body was slender but with ideal curves wrapped in a fitted black and white maid uniform.
From Aldes' memories, Zakra recognized her.
Fiena. One of his family's personal servants.
"G-good morning, Master!" Fiena greeted. She bowed deeply, not daring to look Aldes in the eye. Her hands holding the tray looked a bit trembling.
Zakra smiled gently. His shoulders relaxed.
"Morning, Fiena."
Fiena froze. She looked up slowly, staring at her master's face in confusion.
"you look beautiful today," Zakra added casually.
"Really"
Fiena's eyes widened. Her mouth opened slightly. That smile. That tone of voice. Completely different from the Aldes she knew.
"T-Thank you, Master!" she answered nervously, her face turning bright red.
Ah, I just remembered. This guy was quite a retarded and asshole to people , Zakra thought. No wonder she is scared.
Fiena placed the tray on a small round table near the window.
"Um... Master," she said softly.
Zakra walked over and sat on the chair. The aroma of toast and mushroom cream soup wafted from the tray.
"Yes, what is it, Nea?"
"N-Nea?" Fiena gasped, surprised to hear that nickname. She immediately shook her head quickly. "Master, I apologize if the food is not delicious as usual. Today I cooked it. Madam Ema is sick."
"Ah? Is that so?"
Zakra, who was now Aldes, picked up a small chocolate cookie from the plate. He bit half of it.
The sweet taste of chocolate melted on his tongue. The texture of the cookie was soft, yet slightly crunchy on the outside. Still warm.
Fiena gripped her uniform skirt. Her eyes looked anxiously at Aldes' mouth, waiting for an insult or a thrown plate.
Aldes swallowed the cookie, then gave a thumbs up.
"Hmm, this is quite delicious in my opinion."
Fiena's face instantly lit up. The tension in her shoulders vanished. "R-really?!"
Aldes nodded firmly. "Yes."
He took one whole cookie from the plate and held it out to Fiena.
"One for you."
Fiena hesitated, but Aldes' hand remained extended, waiting. Carefully, Fiena accepted the cookie.
Aldes stood up. His hand reached out and landed on top of Fiena's head. He stroked that soft white hair gently.
"Good job."
Fiena stood transfixed. Her heart beat fast. She held the cookie given by her master with both hands.
"Thanks."
Fiena bowed deeply to hide her increasingly red face. "T-Thank you for the praise, Master."
"Alright, I'll eat now," said Aldes while sitting back down and picking up the soup spoon. "Keep it up!"
"Y-yes, Master!" Fiena bowed once again, then turned around stiffly.
She walked quickly out of the room and closed the door slowly.
In the quiet corridor, Fiena leaned against the wooden door. Her breathing was a bit ragged. She stared at the chocolate cookie in her hand with disbelief. Aldes' nature, usually cold and rude, had suddenly turned warm in one night.
"W-what happened..."
Fiena shook her head in confusion, then walked back toward the kitchen with steps slightly lighter than usual.