Jasper

Suddenly, Leus' eyes shot open.

Just now, his mind was assailed by a strange force he never experienced before.

His consciousness faded for a second, then it returned stronger than ever.

'Everything seems so clear!!'

Once again, his perception enhanced

'My senses heightened and my instincts sharpened'

'It's like my mind got refined'

Naturally, that was because Leus succeeded in unlocking the Abstract.

The change wasn't drastic, but he was able to feel it.

'I wonder what can this Abstract do'

Leus was very excited to test the new powers he unlocked.

But sadly, that'd have to wait.

First of all, someone was knocking on the door.

Second, there was a weird light blinking where the mailbox was.

Leus looked around him and wondered

'How much time did I spend?'

He knew that it was at least a week or two, but he didn't know how much exactly

'Isn't it kinda strange that I think it's a week or two? Like ... there's a big difference between a week and two but clearly, I don't feel it.'

He got up and stretched his body

'Man, I need to get a calendar or a watch or anything to keep track of time'

"I'm coming I'm coming" He shouted from inside to whoever was knocking

Leus deactivated the Barrier then slowly walked to the door and opened it.

In front of him stood a very sophisticated-looking, red-haired man.

The man seemed to be in his 30s and he was wearing an elaborate, expensive black and red suit.

The man had an atmosphere of elegance around him, and a serious expression on his face.

'Damn, that's definitely not a servant'

"Hello" Leus politely said

"Young Lord, I'm Agent Jasper from the Administration Department, and I'm here to reprimand you." 

'Reprimand? What's that about?'

Jasper entered the room without waiting for Leus to invite him and sat down.

Leus said jokingly

"Yes Sir, make yourself at home"

Jasper glanced at Leus without saying anything, then took out multiple papers and began reading from them in a very serious tone.

"Young Lord Leus Inferno, you've perpetrated the following

-Ignored Mail

-Ignored rebukes from the Administration Department for ignoring Mail

-Ignored the servants' pleads to clean your room

-Ignored The Administration Department's Agents' visits"

Jasper's serious tone and the solemn expression on his face made the room's atmosphere heavy, but Leus was in a good mood, so he didn't get affected by the seriousness and replied nonchalantly

"It sounds like you're saying the same thing in many different ways, Sir"

Jasper's expression didn't change and he said

"No.

While it's true that all the misdemeanors are fundamentally similar, they're multiple misdemeanors of the same nature, not a single one."

Leus looked at Jasper and thought to himself

'I'm hungry ... let's get this over with'

"I was training, I apologize"

Jasper replied evenly

"We're aware that you've been training, that's not an excuse"

Leus tilted his head

"Really? You're aware"

"Naturally.

Each room has sensors that show if the Barrier is active, and the Residents' physical condition is monitored 24/7"

Leus was impressed

"That's some real advanced technology you guys got here, impressive"

Jasper ignored Leus' remark and said in a dignified voice

"Young Lord Leus Inferno,

I'm sorry to tell you that you will be fined 5 Gold Coins for each misdemeanor, thus, you won't receive this month's and the next three months' funds.

If you find the decision unsatisfactory, you have the right to file a complaint. Your case will be personally reviewed by the Head of the Department. However, it's important to note that if he deems your dissatisfaction unwarranted, the fine may become more substantial."

Leus didn't like what he was hearing

"Really? You'll fine me already? This is my first month here ... I said I was training, and if it was that important you could've just entered the room."

Jasper raised his right hand, looked Leus in the eye, and said

"Please, Allow me to correct you:

1- This is your second month here

2- Training is not an excuse; In case of an emergency, what you're doing won't be relevant.

You must learn to keep watch over your surroundings even during training, otherwise, you'll become an easy target to loot, or worse, to assassinate.

3- While we could have forcefully entered the room, we chose not to.

We only enter rooms without permission during emergencies, and with all due respect, Young Lord, your incompetence isn't an emergency."

It took Leus a couple of moments to process what Jasper said and the tone of voice he spoke with.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on Leus' face

'This guy is bold and interesting'

Leus' voice became serious

"My incompetence you say?"

Jasper replied without any hesitation

"Correct, Young Lord, what else do you call being clueless about your surroundings?"

Leus didn't argue back

"I see, alright"

When Leus said that, Jasper felt a bit surprised.

Before coming to this room, he prepared himself for a lengthy argument with an entitled Young Master, but it all ended too fast.

He made a mental note of Leus' reaction then got up.

But before he could reach the door, Leus stood in front of him

"Wait" Leus said

"Yes?"

"I have a couple of questions"

"Ask"

"How long have I been in seclusion?"

"Your Barrier was active for 34 days before it was shut down today"

Leus' eyes opened wide

"34 Days? Are you sure?"

"I am absolutely certain"

Leus scratched the back of his head

'Time passes really fast ... I need to keep track of it somehow'

"Sir Jasper, is there a way to track time? Like a watch or something?"

"Naturally. You can buy all sorts of utility items from the stores on the Ground Floor"

Leus nodded then pointed at the blinking light beside the door and asked

"What's this blinking?" 

"It's your mailbox, it blinks if there's mail inside it" 

Leus inwardly facepalmed 

'Oh? So I didn't have to check it every 5 minutes when I was waiting for a Tutor huh...'

Jasper interrupted Leus' thoughts by saying 

"If there's nothing else, I will take my leave" 

Leus nodded

"Alright, Thank you" 

"Not an issue" Jasper said while leaving