Chapter 3: 3 – The Ultimate Break

Years passed. Lance's memories of his previous life took full shape. Previously, he was forgotten the theories and calculations for making mechs, but now he had remembered them all.

Moments from his past had also returned to his mind, although they weren't many. He spends most of his time designing mechs, overseeing its construction, and holding meetings with company officials.

Apart from his stellar achievements, there is nothing noteworthy in his life.

The sun had not yet risen. Lance gave the last few lines on his mech blueprint. After observing it for a moment, he smiled in satisfaction.

Too bad. He can't build it with this world's technology. He only made a blueprint like that to commemorate his former glory days.

Parting with his dream was painful, but there was nothing he could do.

Lance spent the entire night drawing that mech, but he didn't sleep straight after that. He stood up, stretched his body, and took an oil lamp in the room's corner.

A flick of his finger released a flame, lighting the lamp. Then he left the room.

His mother only taught him little magic to self-defense and help with work. So, Lance is neither an expert in that field nor wants to become one.

"Morning, guys." After passing through the cold early morning air, he greeted the horses at the stable.

He carefully examined the four horses' bodies, ensuring no injuries or wounds.

In this world, he let flow carry his life.

This is his daily routine. It's always the same thing. But he enjoyed it, instead of getting bored.

No superiors pressured him. No expectations need to be fulfilled. The work atmosphere is far from hectic. He could also take a day off at any time, and asked his uncle to take over. But he had to take over his uncle's work on another day.

Once he's done with the horses, he could help his mother a bit. Then, he was free to do whatever he wanted.

In that simple life, he found peace.

Maybe he could have pursued something higher. Perhaps he could study magic or other knowledge in the city, and aim to become the best.

Nevertheless, he was too in love with this comfort. This is his break. His ultimate break.

While feeding the horses, he muttered. "I knew you were there, Cecil. I can hear your steps."

A girl with tied up blonde hair came out from behind the stable wall. Her small lips curved into a smile. "Damn, it was hard to surprise you."

Lance chuckled. "Everyone can guess your vulgar footsteps."

"Rude." Cecil looked around. "Felix didn't help you?"

"Last night he was partying with his friends and got very drunk." Lance grabbed the bucket and started walking towards the well. "He needs to recover from his hangover."

"Today is the nephew's birthday." Cecil snorted as she followed the young man. "He should have given you the day off so you could celebrate this special day."

Lance drew water from the well. "I don't understand why people consider birthdays special. You get older, so what?"

Cecil lowered her chin, unable to believe what she had just heard. "It's... It's a form of gratitude that you can get through one year of your life."

"Okay..." The young man nodded, but with a sneer. "I'm grateful to be alive, but I don't think I need to celebrate."

"Well, it's not Lance if he's thinking about anything other than taking care of the horses." Cecil sighed. "No wonder you don't have many friends. You don't know how to have fun."

Lance lifted his bucket, which was already filled with water, and returned to the stable. "I heard those words so many times from you. And I always have the same answer. I enjoy this life. This is enough for me."

While Lance was changing the horses' drinking water, Cecil sighed again.

"Do you have any plans after this?" the blonde girl asked after working up the courage.

"Sleep." Lance shrugged, then walked past her to get some more water. He had stayed up late to draw those mechs, after all.

"What? Today is your eighteenth birthday. You are an adult now. Do you really not want to celebrate?"

Lance stopped walking. He was not a dense main character like in the stories he read as a teenager in his previous life. Maybe Cecil had an ulterior motive. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come so early in the morning. In the last few days, she has been busy helping her blacksmith parents because of the large number of orders. So, she only had time to invite Lance now.

They have spent their childhood together, from playing tag to just walking through the village. Their friendship bond is quite strong.

Would he waste an opportunity like this after he got a second chance?

Lance gazed into her blue eyes. "After I sleep, how about we visit Amber's cafe? It's been a while since I've been there."

At first Cecil was silent, but over time, her smile formed again. "Don't sleep too long then, Lance!"

***

After taking care of the stable, Lance returned to his room with a big yawn. His mind was full of his soft bed.

Even sleeping can give him immeasurable happiness. He can sleep peacefully without thinking about work.

But when he arrived at his room, he found the door was slightly open. His brow furrowed because of that. He felt like he had closed the door, even though he hadn't locked it.

Who, then? His mother and uncle never opened the door without permission.

He pushed open the door and found an orange-haired young girl in a shoulderless purple mini dress. The tall, pointed hat on her head shows her status as a witch.

"Ah, lady Evelyn… Good morning." Lance greeted Arthur Moryet's daughter. Despite only a few encounters, Lance was familiar with her face.

Arthur Moryet rarely comes to his second home, and even then, he doesn't always bring his daughter.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to come in here. I wanted to ask you to take me to the stable." With her green eyes, she studied Lance's blueprints in her hand. "I knocked, and no one answered. When I pushed the door to check, I found these interesting pictures."

"It's just scribble I made in my spare time." Lance scratched his hair. He didn't feel too annoyed when Evelyn found the blueprints. Those things are useless in this world. "That is only…."

Lance stopped what he was saying. He remembered Evelyn was a genius student at the best magic school in the kingdom. A wild idea popped into his mind, but he didn't have any expectations.

"Excuse me, Lady Evelyn. I want to ask you. Is there any magic or technology that can detect a person's movements in a short time?"

The basic feature of powered armor type mechs is sensors to detect movement. Then, the joints of the armor would amplify it.

"There is. A scholar at my school invented it." Evelyn looked at Lance. "Only a few people are aware of it, as no one is interested in developing it."

Lance's heart rate soared.

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