Story from the strange land

The world is a weird place. From the monster roaming the land threatening everyday life, to the mysterious tower that peak the heaven. Ancient book and stories told of a time when mankind was but a helpless prey to other, all but change when the Goddesses blessed them with mana to thrive, to rise, balancing the scale of power.

With the power they has, they began to explore the mysterious of the world, to uncover the truth about everything and for the desire to be the strongest. They traverse the Great Forest of the west, they climb The Tower, they dive into the darkness of the dungeon with the dream of riches, fame, glory.

~~~

At the break of dawn.

Light of the sun peaking from the faraway mountain sip into the dark quiet room, it warm touch my face waking me up from the peaceful sleep.

Opening my eyes to the sound of bird chirping out the window, I look beside me to see no one there. Selene must have woken up before me, dedicate as alway, I consider myself an early riser but she always start her day before everyone else in the house. Once, I try to convince her that she don't have to force herself too much but she denied me with a smile saying she fine and give me the usual 'a maid can't wake up after her master'. I half expected her to wake up later today, especially after our wild section last night but guess I underestimated her prowess as a former Climber.

Standing up from the bed to start my morning routine. After a quick bath to get rid of the evidence from last night, I stand in front of the full body mirror in my room, what reflect there is a chubby man, evident of years of working behind a desk. Hah, I really have let myself go a bit, just chubby, not fat, ok?! Looking like this when I was only 22, not the best to strike an interest with the lady I admit, especially the noble lady. At least my face is likeable, not that handsome but still pleasant to look at and can leave good impression for people. With dark blue hair that I tie back to a 5 inch tail, a pair of sky blue eyes inherited from my father Marquis Lartavis Levington.

Yes, I'm a noble. Lucious Levington, second son of the Levington house, pleased to make your acquaintance.

After making sure my clothes is donned properly, I head for the door. As I making my way down the stair, sounds of walking can already be heard, by this time, all the servant must have start their work.

Reaching the last step, I could see the a figure clad in black suit standing upright waiting there.

"Good morning, master" my butler Lorina greeted as she notice me.

Yes, she. Weird isn't it, aren't butler usually a male? Despite that, Lorina is a profession at her job, and very hard working. She a hidden gem that found it way to my doorstep.

Back when I first move in to my own estate in this Elite district, it was only me and Selene, so I was thinking about hiring more people to lighten the workload for her. Then suddenly one day someone knocked on my door, open it reveal a rough face but you can still make out the feminine feature, standing straight on a perfect postures donning the iconic black suit for a butler. With red hair cut short like men, a pair of golden irises, and the most stand out thing was a scar that run across her cheek. She ask me if I was in need of a butler, apparently she notice I'm just move in, looked into her serious eyes I could see some desperation in it, so I figured I would give her a chance since the house was indeed need more servant. And she has proved to me that I made the right decision. Now she managing 4 other maid exclude Selene to work around the house while she and Selene tend to my everyday activity.

I nod to acknowledge her greeting, then continue make my way toward the back garden to have my morning tea. Upon entering the garden, the colorful sight of many different type of flower glittering from the morning dew fill the yard with a peaceful air. At the center of the garden situate a white alcove with simple yet elegant design, inside is a similar design set of table and chairs to enjoy the scenery over some snack.

This beautiful garden is my sweat and tears, it also has many rare species that I can get my hand on, from the one in the dungeon dept to the precious medical flower from the other continent, I got it all and tend them myself after consulting with the expert.

As I sat there enjoying the view, Lorina come in with the tea and her hand made snack then silently standby beside me.

"Hey Lorina, what are your plan for the future?" I asked while munching on the snacks.

"After finish training the maid, I plan to personally supervise the repair of our house, and also…" she said

Hearing she said that, I can't help but smile wryly.

"No, not that, I mean your future, your life goal. Like getting a spouse, having a family, buy a house. Are you planning to stay here for the rest of your life? So try thinking about it, but you don't have to stress yourself, I not find fault in you or anything like that."

"I…" Her eyes waver, a rare sight on her usually serious face.

"Not now, try work out your plan til the end of this year, I will be going to the Academy with my sister and leave the city by then, so it will be a good time to decide. I can even give you an indefinite loan if you want to start a new life, with an interest of two hand made snack a week, good deal isn't it?"

Hearing my lame joke as an attempt to lighten the mood, she close her eyes with a helpless smile as she answer.

"I'll think about it carefully, thank you master."

"Umu, and smiling really bring out your charm, so try to relax and smile more often. And who know, with a beautiful smile like that maybe you can get yourself a man even at the age of 42." a shaky expression and a smile, two rare sight on this stone-faced tomboy, today gonna be a lucky one.

Her brow twitch.

"Master, I think you need a revise on how to talk to a lady." Her eye narrow as she smile again, but this time her smile somehow make even the warm tea feel cold.

"Oh, uh… Ah, did you hear that? I think Selene call me from the study, guess tea time over. Bye!" With that, I feel like the Goddess bless my feet as I run to the house, leaving behind the smiling butler.

~~~

As she watch her master escape through the door just to stumble on the maid that walk out from the kitchen, she think to herself.

'My future huh.'

A memory flash on her mind, image of the young noble with confident gaze looking at her, reach out his hand to shake her, accepted her while other turn her away just because she a woman.

'Will you accept me again…'

She look up to see the beautiful blue morning sky just like his eye.

'...Master.'

~~~

In front of the study on the third floor. As I open the door, what greet me was the sight of a white hair beauty leaning down while arranging some document on the table, her cleavage can clearly be seen through the open button of her maid uniform that barely contain her D cup breast.

---

This is Selene, my first personal maid, I bought her out from one of the small brothel that I own. She was in a pitiful state back then, sunken cheek, skinny physique with few scar here and there, she hardly make any money in the brothel since no customer want her albeit some with not so gentle hobby.

It wasn't my intention to save the damsel since I'm no saint to care for every poor life I met, but looking at her exhaust eye that still held a tinge of hope gave me the feeling of expectation.

'If I answer that hope of her, that little wish of better life, will she rise up? Will she overcome herself after the fall to shine brighter than she ever was? Like a withering sunflower meet the light and bloom once more.'

And look at her now, a gorgeous woman with wavy white hair, smooth white skin rid of any scar after the treatment. The pair of golden irises that once fill with despair now shine with playfulness, with a beauty spot under her left eye, the skinny appearance turn to mountain and hill with all the curve in the right place. That deadly combo made me hard to control myself sometime and she know it.

Plus, apparently she was once a powerful warrior in the pioneer climber party reaching the 51 floor, so she both my maid and bodyguard.

---

"Good morning, master" Hearing the door open, Selene look up and greet me with a smile.

"..."

Notice where my gaze are pointing at, her smile turn wider as she lean down even more pretending to pick some document, with an arm put under her breast as she push them up. 'Oh that poor button desperately holding on.'

"Can I ask for your 'assistant' on this, master. I have been thinking about this 'long' and 'hard' but still can't figure it out."

She definitely plan this, since she know that no want except me and Lorina can come in the study, and Lorina only come when I call. She must have get in position when she heard my footstep and reveal her cleavage on purpose. I really have underestimate her stamina.

*Bonk*

I chop her head.

"You horny woman, it still early morning, and isn't last night enough?!"

"Ara, I thought master would like it, since someone keep fondling my breast in his sleep." She didn't even flinch at the chop as she answer me while push on those thing even more.

"Ahem. There work to be done so I'll deal with you later." I can only change the topic at the shocking reveal.

Seeing my attempt, she decide to spare me after a giggle.

"So, is everything ready for the transfer process?" I asked.

"Almost. But we still haven't inform the main branch manager yet."

"I'll personally tell her at the right time." Thought fill my mind about a petite girl with her childish temper despite older than me.

"Ara, I don't think she will like this surprise. You so mean, master."

"Don't worry, I can be very 'persuasive'."

"Hehe, indeed you are." Selene let out a chuckle looking amused.

The transfer in management of the Galea Blessing, my very own corporation co-own with my sister after years of develop, it still only a medium size corp with limited area of business but it has an amazing network that span all over this Stingale Kingdom. Since I'm going to the academy and can't directly manage the corp, while Selene naturally will be accompany me, so I need a replacement, someone with the ability and is someone that I can trust, which is our lovely main branch manager.

*Knock* *Knock*

As I was thinking, sound of knocking can be heard from the door.

"It's me, master." Lorina muffled voice come from the other side.

Hearing that, Selene went over to open the door. Oh wait, don't tell me she still mad about earlier and now come for blood! No Selene, stop! Don't open the door!

"Master, what are you doing?"

As I was covering my head ready for the tomboy wrath, the familiar stern voice sound out from in front of me.

Opening my eyes to see her face with it usual stoic expression.

"Ah..haha, don't mind it. Ahem. So why are you looking for me, Lorina?"

"Lady Melani is waiting for you downstairs."