Breakfast

So this kid's had some disease with the name 'soul decaying'. On top of that, he was damaged by the 'shadow'. And soul transfer is impossible because of rejection. But wait, did that woman say that every soul in this world is unique?

But I am not from this world but from another. It can explain why there are no rejection symptoms. And it can explain why there's a cage. That doctor said that this kid's soul is strong. Maybe in reality, this kid's soul is weak, and with the addition of my soul, it can be seen as strong. If there was no cage, my soul would devour this kid's soul with his memories and become the true owner of his body.

But who is behind it? Is it his mother? I can be sure of it for seventy percent now. It looks like there's more reason to find this kid's parents. And do some searching at this kid's former home.

But he is too weak. I doubt that that woman will let him go there. I should help him become stronger sooner. And I need to know about this world more.

***

Ethan managed to calm down somewhat from his intense emotions.

[Finally calmed down?]

"Yes."

[Doesn't look like it. Do you remember our conversation last night?]

"Of course I remember."

[So, what did I say?]

"People would think I had gone crazy if I continued to talk with air."

But something wasn't right. Ethan blinked a couple of times in confusion. And finally, it dawned on him. In fright, he covered his mouth with both hands.

[I'm sorry, mister!]

[Why are you asking forgiveness from me? It's not my problem if someone thinks you're crazy. But for the future, don't try to cover your mistakes with such exaggerated movements, and try not to lose your composure to emotions.]

[Uh... Okay, mister.]

Ethan's head hung low, and his face was red from embarrassment.

[And you should go down for breakfast. Not looking at your legs.]

"Uh..."

Ethan tried to say something, but remembering the previous conversation, he closed his mouth. His hands involuntarily tried to reach his mouth, but with sheer willpower, he managed to stop them.

[Um... You're right, mister.]

[Haaa... You are so hopeless.]

***

Ethan washed his face, changed clothes, and went down to the dining hall. There, he saw his aunt Brenda sitting with a young girl with deep blue hair and amethyst eyes on her lap. The girl was about three years old, and Brenda was feeding her with a fork. Nearby stood a maid with black hair, and glasses on her brown eyes. And in her hands was another girl, looking the same as the girl on Brenda's lap but with a different dress and sleeping. The maid's name was Christa. She was the personal maid for Brenda.

Near her stood Lena, sneaking a peek at the girl in Christa's hands and trying to take the girl into her hands. But seeing Ethan's coming, she turned towards him, smiled cheerfully, and waved her hand.

Brenda just nodded, and Christa too nodded and said.

"Good morning, young master."

"Um, good morning."

With these words, Ethan sat down at the table.

Lena tried again to take the girl from Christa's hand, but Christa chopped her down with her free hand at Lena's head.

"Ouch... You are so mean, Christa."

"It looks like I need to spend more time with your education."

Christa adjusted her glasses with her free hand and glared sharply at Lena, and Lena flinched under her gaze.

"No need for that, Christa... Look, Ethan has nothing to eat. I go and bring food for him."

With these words, Lena ran away in a hurry, as if she were running from a ferocious beast.

"Sorry for her unsightly behavior, young master. It looks like I indeed need to spend more time on her education."

"Don't be so harsh on her, Christa. She is still young after all."

Brenda said this while feeding her daughter.

"If it's your wish, mistress, I cannot oppose it."

"You can just refer to me as Brenda. We've known each other for a long time, after all. No need for such formalities."

"I can't dare to be so disrespectful to you, mistress."

"Haa... You are so firm as always. I thought you would be more lenient today."

They all heard that someone was approaching hurriedly. And when they turned towards the sound, they saw Lena with a tray in her hands. But Lena, seeing stares from multiple people, especially a sharp glare from Christa, flinched and started to walk calmly. She placed a plate of food and cutlery in front of Ethan and stood stiffly by his side in Christa's sight.

Breakfast went off without a single issue after that.

***

After breakfast, when they were enjoying tea, the girl sitting on Brenda's lap came down and approached Ethan slowly. She raised her hands as if asking Ethan to raise her up. Brenda looked at this situation with a curious gaze. Christa was indifferent, and Lena was jealous.

Ethan tried to lift her, but remembering that his body was still weak, he just patted her head.

The girl smiled slightly, but it wasn't her intention. She wanted to be lifted up, not patted on the head.

"You mean!"

The girl grumbled slightly.

"Sorry, my body is still weak."

"Millicent, don't bother your big brother. Come here. Mom will play with you."

"Okay."

With these words, the girl left Ethan, who looked pitiful now.

[Hey, if you finished your food, ask her if they had a library in this mansion.]

[Um, okay.]

"Aunt Brenda, is there a library in this mansion?"

"Yes, we indeed have a library. What, do you want to read some books?"

[Agree.]

"Um, yes."

"Alright. Then Lena will show you the way."

"Yes, I do it! Ethan, follow me!"

Lena agreed eagerly. It was better than staying stiffly under Christa's gaze.

On the way to the library, Lena complained about Christa's strictness. About that, she won't let Lena hold girls in her hands, even though she's okay when it's Leta. And how difficult it is to be a maid.

"Isn't it because you are clumsy?"

Lena flinched and turned her head toward Ethan.

"You know, Ethan, the library is not far away from here. It's just after the turn on the left side, the first door. You're so attentive, so you shouldn't miss it. And I have something else to do."

With these words, Lena left. And Ethan just looks at her little back, slowly moving away.

[Um, mister, have I done something wrong?]

[You didn't do anything wrong. Now, let's go to the library.]

[Um, okay.]

The corridor on the way to the library was adorned by paintings, armor, and weapons like swords, spears, or axes. But what caught the attention of the voice wasn't one of them, but the rifle, which was adorned with gold and fancy carving.

[Is this a rifle?]

[Yes, it's a magic rifle. One of the first, which was made by the hands of Saint Maximilian and the Great Sage two hundred years ago.]

Ethan's voice was eager when he talked about it.

[Ho, is this saint person very famous?]

[Of course! He was a great mage who fought in the war against demons. He made this weapon, which helped win that war. He even won the fight against the Demon King and slew him at the end of the war!]

[So you're a fan of him?]

[Fan?]

[His admirer.]

[Of course! I want to be like him!]

But the voice owner decided to stop Ethan's passion from rising even further.

[Stop blabbering about saint. Do you know how this thing works? Or why this rifle in this house?]

[Hm... I don't know. I only heard that this rifle uses wind elemental magic. And this rifle is here because Uncle Karl is a descendant of Saint Maximilian.]

[Okay, I got it. Let's continue our way to the library.]

[Um, okay.]