15 Chapter 15: a relaxing day of development

Reading through book after book while carefully taking notes of the important details that he needed to remember time flew by very chaotically for Markus, sometimes it seems too long while at other times it didn't seem long enough.

Markus held each book like it was a precious piece of gold/jewelry and read each book like he was reading the materials for his final university graduation test.

He looked through every page and every line while his brain absorbed everything he read like a sponge to water, every detail, every word was carved deeply into Markus's very soul.

""I see so that's how multiplex spell formations operate...the mana consumption rate for them is enormous, but if my theory is correct then I should be able to cut it down to acceptable heights with the right equations...as for the layered contradictive fallacy inherent within these types of spells, even though it may be a bit old school, William Bolten Laplace's magecraft singularity theorem proposed in his 43 O.E.C (old era calendar) foundational magus thesis is undoubtedly the most effective and quickest way to solve this critical structural problem within the spell""

They say their is nothing more studious then a nerd researching his favorite subject and right now that statement can't be more true when applied to Markus's current state.

((Wow...never in both of my lives would I have expected to find STUDYING of all things! To be this interesting))

Fueled by Kazuki's endless curiosity to learn the inner workings of his favorite game and Markus's limitless capacity to learn, knowledge and information rained heavily down upon Markus's memory and was absorbed into that said memory like a gluttonous foodie at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

""as for skills, after using this "Wiliam Bolt: the father of magic vol 2" as well as the "grand compendium of skills vol 1" and cross referencing them across multiple sources I have made this list of skills that I want, categorizing them based on the usefulness, obtainability and other factors which will make it easier for me to know which skill needs to be prioritized for me to work towards""

Markus said, looking at the notes that he wrote on his leather-bound notebook which is currently resting on his lap unlike the other books Markus has which are placed on the table before him.

If the amount of spells you cast in "fires of Valentia series" was already considered excessive for an RPG game of it's time than the amount of skills that could be used in the game is just plain overkill even for the combined mental power of both Kazuki and Markus, ranging from sword, axe, spear, knife, magic, martial arts skills etc. to cooking, building and other miscellaneous skills.

Markus didn't limit his studies to his own personal development either, he also spared a noticeable amount of effort studying things about the world he currently inhabits like the political state of the Randrind empire, the general economy of the empire especially in relation to the Silver house, the geography of the world around him since his knowledge of the game's map wasn't enough, so on and so forth.

Although he has to admit these things were much harder to learn then magic & skills as their were a lot of terms and technical concepts that wasn't in the field of studies that he excelled in but at least he did manage to grasp the some of the matters relating to each of these subjects.

((The Randrind empire, despite being ruled by a feudal system that put the emperor and his family above all else and could be said to be extremely primitive compared to my modern world standards, they make up for it with their meritocratic way of running things with talented commoners being raised up to prominent positions in the government and employed by the empire being a common occurrence, not to mention the ruling family has national policy of frugality and altruism putting the people's interest first and as a result the lives of the people were enriched...))

((Although that didn't mean that this country wasn't without problems, though geopolitically speaking they have a pretty good position among the continental powers of Valentia maintaining mostly good relations with the neighbouring countries, the same can't be said about their internal situation with the empire being split in a metaphorical death match between to opposing political factions: the wide spread Heimer faction which are aligned with the royal family and their meritocratic views as well as their dream for equality for both nobles and commoners and the less popular elitist Fyodor faction filled with corrupt nobles who oppress their people and are only interested in things like fame and filling their pockets with coins, they hold the ideology of "purity of blood" as their core value seeing nobles as superior existence to everyone else and don't seem to respect anyone without at least a 4 generation pedigree of being nobles to their name))

Markus poured through the reports, scriptures and data on this mater very thoroughly.

((Economically-wise the empire is quite stable thanks to the efforts of the empire, regularly engaging in high potential trade and investment, causing the revenues to shoot through the roof but just like their political situation their economy also faces many problems due to the actions of the Fyodor faction, thanks to their excessive taxing as well as extravagant spending it caused an ever growing discrepancy in the distribution of wealth between the high and common class of society))

((Also unexpectedly, despite his depression Aidan Silver is doing an adequate job in keeping the house's economical stability in check, good that means I won't have to patch up this house myself))

Markus smirked inwardly as he realised the household's situation is better than he thought despite their decline and that he himself didn't have to intervene in the matter personally.

After all Markus needs the Silver house to be around in order to realise his plans to survive the bad ending of him dying at the hands of Reinhart and Sophia.

((Nevertheless, I'll need to make some money independently in the future just in case an unforeseen accident happens to befall this house))

Markus thought, coming up with various possibilities to earn himself some cold hard cash as an insurance policy.

((And finally we come to geography, the empire holds dominion over about 27% of the continent of Valentia with it's territory spanning across most of the northern area of the continent and a considerable foot hold in the middle section of the continent as well as a few colonies near the west and south west sea, due to it's large dominion over the resource rich mountainous area of Valentia the empire has an almost irrevocable hold on valuable veins of ores such as adamantite, Mythril and orichalcum this as well as being the country that directly connects most of the other 6 central superpowers of Valentia is one of the many reasons for it's bustling economy))

((It shares it borders with the kingdom of Rineguard, the Theocracy of Belecor, the savage Redlands that reside at the middle of the continent, the maritime nation of Marinetiruvian and finally it's natural frienemy the principality of Fanoshia. There's also the holy Romelia empire at the utmost southern part of the continent but since contact is limited, information on them is scarce))

Markus looked through the maps provided by the books, overlapping it with the mini map of the game from his memories of his past life, filling in the information each one lack with the other.

Since Markus was so focused to a terrifying degree, Zen even had to bring his breakfast to the library as to not disturb Markus's effort, showcasing his incredible flexibility as a butler.

This cycle of Markus reading continuously and Zen having to take care of his needs whenever he requested and even if he didn't ask for help went on for 5 hours until it was 10 A.M at noon and it was time for Markus to move on to the next thing on his schedule.

"Master Markus, I'm afraid it's time for your etiquette class"

Zen said, informing Markus in a matter-of-fact manner.

""Etiquette class? Oh yeah you did briefed me on something like that this morning...""

Being forcibly pulled out of his flow caused Markus to temporarily act in an air-headed state finding trouble in organizing his memories and as such was confused when Zen mentioned "etiquette class".

"Yes, I precisely remembered informing you earlier, please kindly put the books back to where you've found them"

Zen instructed Markus.

""Kay'""

Markus closed the books that he was reading after bookmarking the pages where he left each of them off with before putting them all back on the shelves where he found them.

Leaving through the very same foreboding wooden double door of the library that he entered with Markus made his way to the third floor of the mansion where his etiquette class was held, accompanied by Zen.

"...oh I almost forgot to mention..."

Zen who was silent for most of the walk from the library to here suddenly spoke up.

"I've just received news that Lord Aidan will be coming home to see you tomorrow"

""...""

Markus was completely silent as he neither knew nor wanted to react to that news.

"What's the matter master Markus? You don't seem particularly happy to see your father"

Zen asked seeing Markus's lack of a substantial reaction if he had any reaction at all.

((How do you expect me to react? I'm not even his actual son and I don't even know the guy and even if I was his son, he left me and my "mom" for death so from my perspective he's nothing but a stranger at best and a fvcking arsehole at worst))

Markus's evaluation of Aidan was very neutral because technically he doesn't even know him personally, the only impression he had is from the version of him in the game which Markus didn't really loved nor hated he just kinda felt sorry for the guy.

((But I guess the biggest reason why I'm so hesitant to meet that guy is probably because I feel kinda guilty...I mean I'm basically taking advantage of him, even though I know that it was Executor that was the one to make use of his depression to brainwash him I'm still the one benefitting the most from it...))

Markus looked down at his feet unable to bear the shame.

((you know what? I take back what I said earlier maybe I will help out with the Silver house's problems after all, it's the least I can do for what I've done to the head of the house, besides they did provide me with what I need so it can just be chalk up as my own reciprocal code of honour and it shouldn't affect the plot at all, at least I hope...))

Taking it upon himself to fix the wrong that he has indirectly caused Markus promised himself this in his heart.

((I may be a self-serving cowardly liar but I'm not an arsehole!))

Reassuring himself, Markus spoke to Zen in a clear voice after a long while of awkward silence.

""I really don't know how to face him...""

"Please don't worry I'm sure the two of you will get along fine"

Zen followed Markus's words of anxiety with his own words of reassurance.

His eyes were kind and caring like that of a grandparent calming down their grandchild, with that kind of expression Markus couldn't help but think that he would be liked by most children.

"Now if you would please be so kind as to step into the room so we can begin"

As always Zen graciously guided Markus as he had done so many times before to a large empty room behind another giant wooden door.

Seeing the big empty room stretch out around him after following Zen through the hallway Markus couldn't help but feel that he's the only thing out of place in this mansion.

""This is a very spacious room...""

Markus stated looking at the ceiling which was adorned with beautiful chandeliers and various paintings depicting lively scenes.

"Yes, it used to be a ballroom for use to welcome the royal family and nobles as well as people of their status so that is to be expected"

""eh!?...I mean...huh, neat...""

Not knowing how to reply Markus let out a stupid sound unintentionally.

"Now as you've probably guessed I will be the one to teach you the proper etiquette of a noble I hope you're ready, My lessons are strict and I expect your full cooperation"

Zen explained the situation to Markus.

""Please take care of me!""

Straitening his back Markus answered as someone in his position should.

"Very good! You didn't bow to me like most children would, that's lesson number one, a noble should never bow in the presence of someone of lower status if you already know this much then this would be much easier than I thought"

Zen said earnestly praising Markus while clapping.

And then the lessons on how to conduct himself as a noble for Markus began it was mostly as he had expected however, there was something strange that he noticed.

((He's not just teaching how to carry myself as a noble of the Silver knight house, he's also teaching how to be a servant like him...))

Markus noticed the subtle hints and abnormal parts in Zen's lessons.

((No doubt about it, this is for the purpose of sending me to the Rosewood house next year...))

Markus thought annoyed at the fact that Zen just couldn't be straightforward about it.

((Well whatever this aligns with my goals as well so I'll play along...and also it's not like I can fault him for not being upfront with it anyway, I've never been the type to shoot straight either))

Markus listened and followed Zen's instruction very closely as a good student should.

((We'll be meeting each other very soon Sophia Rosewood...))

Markus thought as a mysterious glint appeared in his eyes.