Wasn't He Lucky?

"So, don't fret and just do a great job, okay? I'm sure with proper training from a professional, you will awaken your dormant power core. I'm curious about what your gifts will be once you are awakened and how you look in your demon form," Raine said.

Awakening his dormant power core sounded nice to Vince. Who would want to be powerless in a fantasy world, anyway?

Although he didn't want to be a hero saving lives while risking his own, he wanted to gain superpowers. That would be very cool to experience.

"By the way, I am Raine Moriarty. You can call me Raine. It's nice meeting you, Vince."

Raine smiled when Vince met her gaze.

"Nice to meet you too, Raine."

'I guess this isn't too bad,' thought Vince.

He wouldn't say no to the training Raine was offering. He wanted to level up because it wouldn't do him any good if he stayed a weakling.

Being shunned as a fallen noble and a dormant was enough. Why not find out the extent of his capabilities?

As for being a city guardian, he guessed he didn't have a choice but to participate in the entry exam. Raine would only perform the marking ceremony and take him as her official mate if he passed.

He figured he needed her to have a comfortable life. If he passed as a city guardian, perhaps he could find a way out of it once the marking ceremony was over.

Wasn't he clever? Vince couldn't help but smirk at the thought.

As the carriage moved forward, Vince gazed out at the expansive landscape stretching beneath and beyond him. The vast land surrounding Demon City's castle was a patchwork of houses, buildings, dense forests, and shimmering bodies of water.

As night descended, the city came alive with lights flickering on in homes, buildings, and along the streets. People strolled peacefully through the streets.

While Vince looked at the scenery below, Raine watched him. She noticed how his blue eyes were bright and wide in awe, like those of a little child who had been given candy.

Raine smirked.

Before long, their carriage landed on the southern part of the city, inside Raine's residence. The gates surrounding the residence were tall and sharp, with a royal crest on the front.

The carriage landed in the garden, just in front of the towering Moriarty manor.

When Vince stepped out of the carriage, he looked at the huge house in front of him.

"This is my manor. Well, it is one of my family's properties, but it is mine alone now," said Raine, who stood beside Vince.

Vince continued to gaze at the manor. It featured grand, classical architecture with domed towers, a large central structure, and intricate stonework. The building was set atop a series of elegant terraces and staircases with flowing fountains, surrounded by lush greenery.

[See the photo of the manor in the comment.]

"Follow me."

Raine began to climb the stairs, her cascading silver hair bouncing with each step.

Vince followed her and asked, "Do you live here alone?"

"I have servants living with me, so I'm not really alone."

She smiled and glanced at him, her eyes turning wickedly sweet again.

"And I have you now."

Vince tried to return the smile, but it only turned awkward. He knew this might not be a permanent situation, considering the condition he must meet to be her official mate.

It felt like he was on probation period right now.

This place seemed very cozy to live in, and he would do his best to stay by Raine's side.

Although he could see that she had a bit of a personality problem, his gut feeling told him it would be best to stick with her if he wanted to survive in this world.

A middle-aged man in formal clothes stood by the door to greet the lady of the house. He bowed deeply before his mistress.

"Welcome home, Lady Raine."

"Good evening, Tony."

Vince didn't miss the side-eye the man named Tony gave him, and he knew that Tony was wondering who he was.

"Vince, this is Tony. He is the butler of the manor, and you can always go to him if you need anything. He will be of great assistance."

Noticing the cheap clothes and the black stone on Vince's forehead, Tony initially thought that his mistress had brought home another servant, but after what the lady said, he realized that the young man must be a guest.

"Tony, this is Vince. I picked him from the Selection, and he is my potential mate, so I hope you take good care of him. Okay?"

Though the butler was surprised, it didn't show on his face.

"I shall do my best, my lady."

"Perfect."

Raine smiled as she took off her cape, which Tony received.

"Now, lead Vince to the bedroom next to mine."

She then turned to Vince and said, "You go ahead. You can clean up and rest a bit while dinner is being prepared. Let's have dinner together. Ah, it has been a while since the last time I dined with someone! This calls for a celebration, don't you think, Tony?"

The innocent look was gone now. Raine grinned, and her eyes grew wicked, dark, and devious.

Before Vince could say anything, the silver-haired lady had walked away.

"This way, Lord Vince," Tony urged him, and Vince quietly followed the man up the stairs.

Upstairs, Tony stopped in front of a door and pushed it open.

"This is your bedroom, my lord. I will have a servant bring you clothes. Uh, I think…" Tony's eyes lowered to Vince's clothes, "you need to change before you meet Lady Raine for dinner later."

Vince gave the butler a friendly smile. Compared to Raine, Tony seemed sane and more normal.

"Thanks, Tony."

The butler gave him a curt bow before leaving him on his own. Vince went inside the room and soon realized it was like a presidential suite in a luxury hotel. Luxurious things weren't new to him, but he was still happy that he got to spend his first night in this world in such a place.

Wasn't he lucky? He grinned.