Dining Room [part 1]
It's already evening, and just like every evening my dinner is already served on the small dining table in my room. And the person serving it is none other than Lana.
However… While she was serving my food on the table with her back turned towards me, I started to notice so many things different about her.
The first thing I noticed was that the moment she entered, a very strong—expensive scent followed her inside. Secondly, the maid dress she is wearing tonight seems very new and neatly ironed. To top it all off, she is wearing new lace-top stockings and new pairs of shoes.
Squinting my eyes, I take in the sight before me. It's normal for maids to wear new uniforms, but since Lana just started, hers still looks practically brand new.
"Lana, where did you get that new dress and shoes?" I ask, eyeing her from head to toe. "I know you have a few, but these look like something you just got today."
"Oh, Master," Lana says, startled by my question as she turns to face me. "Well... the Duchess got them for me when we went out today. She bought me several pairs," she explains.
Lana's response seems plausible, yet for some reason, a nagging feeling lingers. Letting out a quiet sigh, I return to my seat, patiently waiting for her to finish serving my meal.
After a while, I hear the clanking of cutleries on a ceramic plate, indicating that it is time for me to…
"Your food is ready, Master." Lana's voice interrupts my thoughts.
The next moment, I rise from my seat and move toward the table, settling down in front of a spread of tempting dishes. At the center, a golden roasted pheasant catches my eye, its crisp, gleaming skin surrounded by plates of venison and wild boar, their rich, savory aromas filling the air. Nearby, bowls of fresh, steaming bread are accompanied by soft cheese and butter.
Plates of fruit—apples, figs, and grapes—shine like jewels, while pitchers of spiced wine await to be poured. The sides are equally enticing: roasted vegetables, thick stews, and delicate pastries filled with honeyed almonds.
"Oh man… Where do I even start?" I wonder, gazing at the mouth-watering array of food before me.
Glancing to the side, I notice that Lana is standing dutifully with a napkin on her hand just like she had always done while I eat. But today, her face is turned to the side and somewhat—red for some reason.
"Lana, from now on, you should always join me when I eat. I don't want you standing while I'm at the table," I say, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Eh…" Lana responds with surprise, her face flushing deeper red, but she quickly regains her composure.
"Thank you very much, Master. I appreciate your kindness," Lana says with a bow before sitting down.
Though I might be a bit of a freak, I'm not unkind to my maids or staff. Even though I had issues with my former maid, I never treated her poorly. Still, it seems some people take kindness for granted.
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It's been nearly a week since I last spoke with Alvida or had any magic lessons. I've tried to continue my studies on my own, just as I've done over the years, but honestly, it hasn't been going well. I've hit a bottleneck at level four of intermediate magic and can't seem to break through to the fifth level.
In each magic realm, there are five levels, and though they belong to the same realm, the difference between them can be vast. Take the Novice realm, for example, it has five levels. The first level of novice magic is almost like a default setting for every inhabitant of this strange new world I've found myself in.
The reason for this lies in the abundance of Mana in this world. Everything is brimming with it, like the air we breathe. Without Mana, nothing would survive. As a result, the default magic level for humans is Novice Magic Level One. At this level, Mana flows through a person, but they have no Mana pool surrounding them.
Then there's Novice Magic Level Two. At this stage, not only does Mana pass through the person, but they also form a relatively large Mana pool around them. People at this level can create sparks in their hands to light a bonfire or perform simple tasks. Some can even produce small shards of ice or frost from their hands. This level of magic doesn't require spells, as it's the most basic form of magic manipulation.
This highlights the great disparity between each level of magic. Over the years, I had managed to reach the fourth level of Intermediate magic and quickly advanced to its peak, preparing to break through to the fifth level before stepping into the next realm: Advanced magic.
Some might call me a genius, as only one in a hundred thousand people reach this level at my age.
Suddenly, the door to my room creaks open, and Lana steps in with her usual expressionless face.
"Good evening, Young Master. The Duchess and the Duke require your presence in the main dining room," Lana announces.