Chapter 19: Master of the House
A/N: As of posting this chapter we need just 30 more Power Stones for a bonus chapter! We can do this!!!! Also with this chapter, we are all caught up and anything after this will be new content.
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The ceremony continued without a hitch and ended after what felt like an eternity to Kai.
He had to do his best not to fall asleep. It was just people walking up to something, touching it and going back to their seats.
'I wish I knew why they didn't get all this information from the students. They could have saved everyone so much time if they had done that in advance.
Then they could have simply put the information onto something and called it a day... Ahh honestly. I should have a chat with whoever was in charge of this event. So much precious sleeping time gone'
Kai wiped an invisible tear from his eye as he tried to make sense of the whole ordeal.
Right now he was making his way back home. While walking he was looking around, trying to see if there was anything fun to do around town.
He passed various stores ranging from ones you might find on earth like restaurants, clothing stores, furniture shops etc...
But there were also stores you'd never find on earth. Stores that have armour, weapons and potions were all over the place. There even were monster food stalls with various street food made from monsters.
Seeing all this Kai wanted to immediately explore the various stores and try the interesting-looking food. Unfortunately, he had no money, so he had to rush back home.
While thinking of what he should check out first once he gets some money, Leah popped into his head.
'Maybe I could ask Leah out. I mean I don't know what we are, seeing how we haven't said it but I doubt she wouldn't like to go out and explore. She hasn't been here either and we could make it into a mini date or something...'
After some time of walking, Kai had reached the Rose mansion. He was greeted by a pair of guards and the Rose mansion butler named Henry.
Henry was an older gentleman but by no means did he look old. If Kai had to describe Henry's appearance in as few words as possible then only two came to mind. 'Silver Fox'
Henry was handsome even for someone like Kai who paid no attention to other men. He had a short, well-groomed beard and neatly styled salt and pepper hair. There was not a single hair out of place.
He was wearing a black butler outfit with a small blue, silver and gold rose pin on his chest. He had a deep and smooth voice that Kai was certain even the most boring topic would become fascinating if it came out of this man's mouth.
Henry was in charge of micromanaging the affairs of the mansion. It was his job to make sure it was spotless and that the staff did their job.
Another one of his responsibilities was the security of the mansion. When a member of the Rose family visits the mansion, guards are stationed within the mansion and the mansion grounds. It becomes one of the if not the safest place to be within the capital other than the Royal Palace itself.
But, if there is no one visiting the mansion then the security falls to Henry who is more than prepared for the job. Some have tried to break into the mansion. Either for the riches that are said to be within the mansion or for secrets to the Rose family's strength.
The Rose family has consistently produced powerful family members. But everyone couldn't understand how this family has done this so consistently. There hasn't been a single weak generation within the family since its founding.
The reality was even scarier because the Rose family members weren't strong. They were absolute monsters and that was still putting it lightly. Even the tiniest clue to how they become so powerful would be able to turn a nobody into a somebody.
Unfortunately for those brave or stupid enough to attack the mansion, Henry was always present. Henry was supposedly a monster that is called an honorary member of the Rose family by the Duchess.
Anyone who has ever stepped foot onto the mansion grounds with greedy thoughts would never be seen or heard from again.
Henry used to be an adventurer who was saved by a member of the Rose family. Kai's great-great-grandfather.
When Kai heard this he laughed like a maniac. He didn't believe that Henry had lived that long. There was no way that man knew his great-great-grandfather but when thinking about it logically it made sense.
This was a fantasy world. Who is to say how long somebody could live? Maybe immortality is a real possibility here. This made Kai think. Given the chance would he become immortal?
It has its appeal but deep down Kai wouldn't want to leave behind his friends and family while he lives on for all eternity. It sounds boring. How long would he last before he would have total disregard for all life? If everyone and everything dies around you for centuries then you're bound to stop thinking much of life.
Kai already knew his mental health wasn't up there, but at least he had empathy. This alone was enough proof that he wasn't a monster. But if he lived forever he was ready to bet sooner or later he would start to disregard all life.
Maybe that's the reason that gods are always selfish and don't care for those that worship them. They've simply lived too long.
'Maybe I should ask Henry sometime, what it's like to have lived so long.'
Interrupting Kai's thoughts Henry greeted him.
"Welcome back young master. I hope your first day at the academy went well."
Kai chuckled awkwardly
"Hehe, eh... It went okay I guess. Some annoying girl blocked me on my way to my chair and then glared at me for some reason. But other than that it went okay."
He sighed before continuing.
"I just wish it didn't take that long. They could have done this so much more efficiently and without everyone needing to sit on their ass for half the day."
Henry smiled hearing that
"I remember when her grace, your mother came back from her first day. She also complained about how long she had to sit on her behind.
So. young master, do you have any plans for the rest of the day? "
Kai and Henry started to walk towards the mansion from the gates.
"I want to go out and buy some stuff, try some food. Explore the capital in general. Also please don't call me young master. At least not when it's just family around. It makes me feel awkward, to be honest. Especially when my mum thinks of you as a father."
"Very well, what should I call you instead?" Henry asked, having expected this command to come out sooner or later.
"Just call me Kai or whatever you're comfortable with. I mean if you're like a father to my mum then technically you're like a grandfather to me. And I mean, what kind of grandfather calls his grandson young master. Right?"
Henry looked at Kai sternly.
"I apologize for answering your question with a question. But what sort of grandson would talk so freely with his grandfather whom he recently met?"
Kai wasn't looking at Henry's face so he missed his stern expression. If he had seen it he wouldn't have replied in such a manner.
"The kind that gets spoilt by said grandfather"
He darted his tongue out while winking. This was something Kai had no control over and would from time to time happen.
It was something that both his father and grandfather back on earth would do.
Henry almost laughed himself to tears hearing Kai's impudent reply.
"Hahahaha, you are definitely Lumi's child. She was a cheeky little bugger when she was your age."
Kai scoffed "What do you mean was? She still behaves like that. It wouldn't surprise me if one day she showed up in the academy just to embarrass me..."
"Good, that's good to hear that she is still herself. It's been a while since I've last seen her. Now that you are here, hopefully, she will come and visit the capital."
Kai looked at Henry, he could tell that this man did care for his mother as a parent cares for their child. It couldn't be more obvious that he missed her.
Kai couldn't help but feel sorry for the older man. From what Kai could remember of what his mother had told him.
'This man was the one who practically raised her. What doesn't make sense is the fact that he is still here. Why was he stationed within the mansion and not allowed to leave the capital?
Why doesn't mother just bring him to the duchy? If there are secrets within the mansion that need protecting why not move them? If they can't be moved why not destroy them and re-create them back home? If that isn't a possibility then just replace him with other guards.
There can't be a shortage of genuinely loyal people within the Rose duchy who could be given a task like this.'
The more Kai thought about Henry. The stranger and more mysterious the man became.
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A/N: The next few chapters will be more slice of life and after that is done we will have our first real adventure.
I already have a fun villain planned who neatly ties into Jarlan so if you like Jarlan then be prepared for more information to be revealed about him!
If you want to support me then make sure to vote with your Power Stones, add this novel to your collection or just comment and call me out on something that doesn't make sense or is just badly written :P
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