Second Trial - Rough Start(Part 1)

In the corridors of the Garoff estate, murmurs drift like dust motes in the air.

"Being the Young Master's guard is nothing short of exhausting..."

"Just because one hails from a Duke's Family doesn't grant carte blanche to do as one pleases..."

 They whisper, oblivious to the gravity their words have. 

I, a mere butler, understand the boundaries of my role; no need for me to echo the imprudent sentiments expressed openly by other servants.

Of course, It doesn't mean I did not have an opinion of my own.

Observing the sons of the Garoff household, I couldn't help but harbor disdain for the eldest. While the youngest displayed a fervent determination to tread the path of strength, yearning for acceptance into the prestigious Academy, the eldest squandered his days in debauchery.

He wallowed in vices, drowning his potential in a sea of alcohol, indulging in the company of prostitutes, and succumbing to the allure of drugs. His presence at the Academy was merely a formality, a nod to his noble lineage. To preserve the family's standing, hefty donations were surreptitiously funneled to ensure his grades remained passable.

The one who should rule this family is clear to everyone.

Though, as a butler, my duty binds me to serve all the masters of this house unconditionally—a source of pride forged through years of unwavering dedication. This commitment demands that I remain impartial, refusing to align with any particular side.

With measured steps, I approached the door to the Eldest son's room, bracing myself for potential scorn, mockery, or worse. Over the years, I've developed a calloused indifference to such treatment.

The Young Master's words, no matter how harsh, fail to ruffle the composure of an exceptional butler. Were it not for my unwavering competence, the Garoffs would have severed ties with me long ago.

"Young Master, it's morning. You have Sword Training with Sir Adam"

Sir Adam, a Royal Knight and our young master's instructor, is already squandering his time in that role. The least the Young Master could do is not be tardy to their 'lessons.'

With such musings, I patiently awaited a response, but after enduring several silent seconds, I couldn't help but release a resigned sigh.

'...Is he still sleeping?'

The notion lingered, prompting me to consider the consequences of disturbing his slumber. Regardless of potential displeasure, I couldn't bear the thought of the Garoff Family once again enduring a loss of face due to his negligence...

As the door creaked open, my butler's composure cracked, and my eyes widened at the nightmarish scene before me.

The man I'd known for years as the Garoff family's oldest son stood near his bed, a ghastly sight that defied any expectation of well-being. His body was marred by deep gashes, each one oozing crimson trails.

A pool of crimson was forming on the floor, staining it with its grim testament to his torment. In any ordinary circumstance, the Young Master I know would have been writhing in agony, his cries echoing off the walls in a desperate plea for salvation. But now, as I gazed upon him, a chill crept down my spine at the emptiness that lurked within his eyes.

There was no trace of the lively spark that could be found in any normal human being, only a haunting void that seemed to swallow anyone unfortunate enough to meet his gaze. He struggled to convey something, his lips parting amidst the crimson cascade that flowed from them, but the words were lost amidst the deluge of blood and the shock that gripped me.

'Is he really... Y-Young Master Fray?'

A surge of dread coursed through me as I sensed the lingering traces of formidable Magical Power clinging to the Young Master's broken form. It was a clear indication that someone had mercilessly targeted his life and managed to slip away unseen.

Before I could rush to his side, he gestured for me to stay back, a silent command to not approach him. 

Only then did I realize I was so shocked, I forgot what I had to do in this situation

"S-Someone... must have attempted to assassinate the Young Master!"

Summoning my resolve, I sprang into action. My trembling hand reached for a certain bell, and with each resounding chime, the Mansion was thrust into a state of heightened alert.

In moments of crisis like this, the ancient traditions of this household emerged as a beacon of order amidst chaos. The magical bell, its resonance capable of reaching every corner of the mansion in an instant, held within its sound the weight of generations past. Though this lineage may not boast unrivaled strength, their legacy commanded respect.

With a heavy heart, I invoked one of the codes—

Code 0: Emergency of Life and Death.

---

[The Second Trial will begin in 15 minutes]

[00:14:59]

[00:14:58]

.

.

.

It's time.

A sigh escaped me as I glanced at my status screen.

My [Cooking Master] Skill has ascended by 5 levels, a modest gain, yet somehow gratifying. Despite my attempts to forge new skills meeting repeated failure, I find solace in this accomplishment.

The System persisted in flashing crimson prompts stating I could not use Active Skills whenever I attempted to use Skills like [Shadow Step]. However, there was a peculiar exception — my Cooking Master skill. It was undoubtedly an Active Skill, but it did not cause any strange prompt to arise.

I unraveled the truth from this curious behavior.

The Cooking Master skill, unlike my other active skills, manifested as an integral part of my survival in this rest area. It wasn't a skill I consciously activated; rather, it engaged whenever I undertook the act of cooking in this space. It felt almost like bending the rules, as if I were exploiting this skill in a manner not entirely intended.

This discovery prompted a cascade of contemplation. Could I employ a similar approach with skills like [Body Control] and [Absolute Awareness]? What if I used their latent passive sub-skills, nudging them to level up or, perhaps, giving rise to entirely new skills? The prospect lingered in my thoughts, sparking a new avenue of exploration.

The short answer is: Maybe?

Even though I could effectively tap into the sub-passive skills hidden within [Body Control] and [Absolute Awareness], I remained uncertain about their tangible impact. While Cooking Master showed a boost in level after a session of cooking and light training, the same couldn't be said for [Body Control] or [Absolute Awareness]. Not a single level budged.

The need for further experimentation gnawed at me, but unfortunately, time slipped away, leaving me with incomplete answers. As the countdown hit [00:00:00], echoing the familiar transition, I found myself once again in the luxurious confines of what seemed to be a nobleman's room...

---

Author's Note:

For Patrons, this chapter was posted in full just now! (It's 2300+ words!!)

On my Patreon, you will now find two more polls for the skills [Body Control] and [Absolute Awareness]! You all will be able to decide its names(I am open to any suggestion in the comments of the posts related to them, so feel free to voice your opinion there!)

I am sorry for the huge delay, but I am both busy AND I didn't feel that good, so I had to rest a little before I could finish the chapter.

The 2nd part will soon arrive for you all as well! :)