A Pink-Eyed Santa Claus

To my relief, the ring stopped. It didn't continue draining my blood, only taking just enough to accomplish whatever it needed.

'Phew, at least I'm not going to turn into a juice box upon arriving in another world,' I thought, chuckling softly at my own paranoia. It would've been a stupid way to die, for sure, but at least my sense of humor was making a comeback.

Still holding the hand where the ring rested, I observed it closely. It now seemed so inert, as if it had never done anything unusual.

— "I love fruit juice,"— I said again, this time with a hint of impatience. As soon as the words left my mouth, a torrent of information flooded my mind. It wasn't painful, but it wasn't comfortable either. It felt like opening a game menu and suddenly being confronted with a list of skills, descriptions, and options.

"Wait… is this… a book? No, a magical tome!" I realized, as the information began organizing itself in my mind. The first thing that appeared was a detailed list of my elemental affinities. Some of them, as Leopold had mentioned, were expected, but others were a pleasant surprise.

'I must be really talented to have so many affinities, even if some aren't of perfect grade,' I thought as I analyzed the information. In this world, elemental affinities were divided into grades based on their strength and potential. 

The grades, in ascending order, started with the lower grade, followed by common, intermediate, superior, and finally the perfect grade, reserved for the rarest and most gifted individuals.

"So, I have three perfect-grade affinities: earth, thunder, and wind. Exactly as Leopold said earlier," I thought as I continued deciphering the data provided by the ring.

"Additionally, I have a superior-grade affinity in fire."

"Two intermediate-grade affinities: metal and water."

"And finally, two common-grade affinities: light and darkness. No lower-grade affinities and no talent for the other elements."

As I analyzed all this, I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. "I guess I'm pretty talented, after all," I murmured, almost to myself, feeling a wave of pride. 

Three perfect-grade affinities were rare enough to grab anyone's attention in this world. Even the other affinities, despite not being perfect-grade, were still respectable.

I turned the ring on my finger, observing how it seemed almost alive, adjusting to my touch and responding to my attention. It was fascinating how much that tiny artifact contained. The steady flow of information in my mind felt as if I were unlocking a secret manual for this world.

The second function I discovered was appraisal. The idea filled me with excitement. According to the knowledge settling into my mind, all I needed to do was use the "appraise" command—either spoken or in thought—and touch an object to receive detailed information about it. This functionality was incredibly useful, allowing me to understand its quality and magical properties.

'This is just like a game ability,' I was marveling at the possibilities. Instantly, I began glancing around the room, thinking about objects I could test it on.

I picked up a book from the table beside the bed and closed my eyes, focusing.

 — "Appraise,"— I murmured, almost feeling the word resonate through the ring like a command. Within seconds, my mind was flooded with information about the book:

— Title: Memoirs of Aetheryon.

Author: Unknown.

Material: Enchanted leather, resistant to time.

Magical Property: None.

Contents: A historical narrative focused on the rise of the Allythéon Kingdom. —

'This is going to be useful,' I thought, placing the book back. That functionality alone was impressive, but the third was the true gift Leopold had given me.

"He really is a pink-eyed Santa Claus," I joked to myself, still processing the magnitude of what I had received. The third function was something I could barely believe. The ring contained a detailed guide on elemental magic, specifically tailored to the affinities I possessed. It included practical instructions and even mental demonstrations of how to directly use magic and cast spells—a sort of interactive manual for magic.

"This is going to save so much time." However, there were limits. The guide only covered spells and magic up to level 3, which were considered beginner-level. In this world, magic was divided into nine levels. Levels 1–3 were beginner-level magic, levels 4–6 were intermediate, and levels 7–9 were advanced. Beyond that were the Legendary, Arcane, and Mythical tiers of magic. Those who reached these levels and created their own Legendary-tier magic were known as Archmages.

Magic beyond the Legendary level hadn't been used in over 500 years, according to historical records.

'Well, that changes today,' I thought, a grin spreading across my face.

Even though these were just beginner-level spells, they were more than enough to get started. Based on my newfound memories, more advanced magic would have to be learned through formal training and instruction within the Dracknum family as part of their foundational education, or through other organizations.

My heart raced at the thought of the possibilities. I immediately began exploring the guide, my mind absorbing every detail like a sponge. The ring's interface was incredibly intuitive. All I had to do was focus on what I wanted to learn, and the instructions would surface in my mind. It was fascinating how each gesture and word needed to cast magic was explained with such clarity.

I was so engrossed that the world around me began to fade away. My eyes were fixed on the ring, which glowed faintly as I navigated its functions. The flow of information was seamless, and I lost track of time. When a firm knock on the door interrupted my focus, it took me a second to realize where I was.

"Young master, it's me, Albert. I've brought your breakfast," the grave and respectful voice of the butler echoed through the room, pulling me back to reality.

I blinked a few times, the abrupt transition leaving me slightly disoriented. I glanced around, realizing that more than ten minutes had passed since I started exploring the ring's functionalities.

"Come in, Albert," I replied, my voice sounding steadier than I expected. 'Well, at least I'm getting the hang of this,' I thought, trying to appear natural.

The door opened slowly, and Albert entered, carrying a flawlessly arranged silver tray. His movements were precise, almost choreographed, as if every gesture had been rehearsed. He carried the weight of his years with dignity; his graying hair and upright posture exuded authority and experience.

"Good morning, young master," he said, bowing slightly before walking toward the small table near the window. "I've prepared midnight orange juice with honey and lemon, as requested. I hope it meets your expectations."

I watched as he placed the tray on the table with an almost exaggerated delicacy. The soft, citrusy aroma of the juice mingled with the smell of fresh bread and melted butter. My stomach, which had taken a backseat until now, gave a small, protesting growl of hunger.

"Thank you, Albert," I said, trying to mimic the confidence Alexander radiated in my memories. I walked toward the table with deliberate steps, pulled out the chair, and sat down, observing the tray before me. 

The glass of juice seemed to shimmer in the light of the rising sun streaming through the window. I picked it up with slight hesitation, feeling the cool glass against my fingers. The golden liquid was as inviting as the citrus aroma wafting gently upward.

Albert stood by my side, hands clasped behind his back and an impeccable posture that seemed to be an intrinsic part of his very being. His gaze was attentive yet respectful, measuring my every reaction without ever overstepping the bounds of his position. There was something undeniably reassuring about his presence.

"Is it to your liking, young master?" he asked after a few moments, his deep and carefully refined voice breaking the silence.

I took a sip, feeling the flavors flood my mouth. It was a balanced blend—the acidity of the orange mellowed by the honey, with a refreshing hint of lemon. I nodded slightly, attempting to mask my surprise. "It's almost perfect, Albert. Thank you."

He inclined his head slightly, though his eyes reflected a faint dissatisfaction. "I'm pleased to hear that, but could you tell me what would make it perfect, young master?"

I leaned forward slightly, setting the glass back on the table as I pondered his question. "Perhaps a little more honey," I answered sincerely. "The flavor is balanced... too perfect, almost. But for me, it's missing a touch more sweetness."

"Understood, young master," Albert replied with a subtle bow. "Next time, I'll take that detail into account. Should you require anything else, simply call for me. I will be just outside, as always."

I watched as he left with firm, disciplined steps, the door closing silently behind him. Closing my eyes for a moment, I took a deep breath. The interaction had gone smoothly, but I couldn't help the wave of relief that followed.

'First interaction as Alexander: successfully completed,' I thought with a hint of pride.