Monsters only look good in books[1]

I made my way to the second floor, where my room was located. The manor was quiet now, the maids having left for the day. The only sound echoing through the halls was the soft thud of my footsteps on the staircase. My destination wasn't my room, though—it was Ace's. If he'd called me to his room, it had to be something serious. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered.

Soon, I stood in front of Ace's door, a massive wooden structure that seemed twice his size. His room was next to Astraea's, and across from mine. Knowing Astraea, she was probably already asleep by this hour. I knocked twice and pushed the door open without waiting for a response. "I knocked first," I said, announcing my presence.

The two inside jolted in surprise, their heads snapping toward me. It was almost comical, like catching traitors mid-scheme. Ace's room was as large as Father's office, but it couldn't have been more different. While Father's office exuded elegance and authority, Ace's room was a chaotic mess—clothes strewn about, books piled haphazardly, and a general air of bachelor disarray. It looked like it had been decorated on a shoestring budget and then thoroughly lived in.

Uncle Joan stood near the window, his snow-white hair falling over his eyes, obscuring his expression. Beside him was Ace, the spitting image of Father, though with a more carefree demeanor. I gave them a small bow. "Good night, Brother Ace, Uncle Joan."

"Forget the formalities," Uncle Joan said with a warm smile. "We just want to talk."

Ace stepped forward, his arms crossed. "We're curious. Why are you working so hard to earn money? What's the big plan?"

The question didn't surprise me. It was the first thing I'd expected them to ask. I answered in a calm, measured tone, "Since I'm not getting pocket money anymore, it's only natural I'd want to earn my keep."

Uncle Joan nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. But Ace wasn't convinced. "That doesn't explain why you asked for a laboratory," he pointed out, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

"Self-learning and personal interest," I replied with a shrug.

Ace's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You're in need of money, aren't you? I can tell. You've got an idea—something that could make the goddess of wealth herself knock on our door."

He wasn't wrong. I did have an idea, one that could potentially bring in a fortune. And since I'd likely need Ace's help in the future, there was no point in hiding it now. Besides, Ace wasn't just any ordinary noble. In the game, he was described as having more potential to be a leader than even the Emperor. His high intelligence stats likely gave him traits like 'The Richest Man in Babylon', which helped him spot profitable opportunities, and 'The Lucky Star', a blessing of good fortune. He was, after all, considered a potential king.

And of course, since he is not a player he can't look at his stats or know what even they are and my speculation is just a speculation.

"You're right," I admitted, my voice steady but my eyes burning with determination. "I need your help with a project I'm about to start."

Ace's smirk widened into a full-blown grin, his excitement palpable. "Now we're talking."

***

The next day, the sun blazed mercilessly overhead, its heat only slightly tempered by the clouds that occasionally drifted across the sky. Despite the brief respite, the weather was even hotter than before, the air thick and oppressive.

"Run! Run! Run!" I shouted, sprinting across the field with seeds spilling from my hands. My muscles were taut, and every fiber of my body was pushed to its limits. I had infused myself with mana, doubling my strength to keep up with the grueling pace. My clothes, though free of dust and dirt this time, clung to my sweat-soaked body, reeking of effort and exhaustion. The farm was drying up fast, and I had to finish sowing the seeds before it was too late.

As I worked, my mind wandered. I couldn't help but wonder if this world would remain the same after the second stage of the game's story. It was one of the reasons I needed to grow stronger—strong enough to stand on equal footing with Ehan, the protagonist. But for now, the first stage hadn't even begun, and I had time to prepare.

The previous night's conversation with Ace had gone better than I'd expected. Our agreement was simple: in exchange for his financial support—16 gold coins per month, more than enough for my needs—he would receive 35% of the profits from my project. It was a fair deal, though I couldn't help but marvel at his shrewdness. He'd clearly guessed that my idea had the potential to generate thousands of gold coins, and he wanted a piece of the action.

'That clever brother of mine,' I thought, shaking my head. 'He knows exactly what he's doing.'

Now, I just had to figure out how to turn my idea into profit. Thankfully, I already had a solution in mind. As I sowed the seeds into the soil, my thoughts drifted to the healing potion Ms. Alice had given me. It had sparked an idea—a memory of an event in the game featuring a new character, an alchemist.

'I don't remember exactly when the event took place or if there were any hidden quests or treasure chests tied to it…' I mused, my hands moving mechanically as I worked. 'But I do remember the stress of trying to impress that alchemist by creating a potion and a cream.'

The memory brought a faint smile to my lips. Those early days of the game had been frustrating, but they'd also been rewarding. Now, with the resources and knowledge I had, I could turn that frustration into something far greater.

The first item on my list was the 'Potion of Dreadful Smell'. When consumed under specific conditions, it could increase Dexterity, Strength, and Endurance by 2 stat points each. However, without a user interface or any way to track stats, it would take a while for me to notice the changes. Still, I was confident the effects would become apparent before Stage 1 began.

The second was the 'Paste of Narcissus', a cream that boosted the Charm stat when applied. But if certain conditions were met—similar to the potion—it would unlock an additional effect: a 1-point increase in Vigor, Intelligence, and Mind. The catch? It could only be applied during a specific time window.

Honestly, I wanted to use these concoctions myself, but selling them under the guise of "health benefits" was the smarter move. I could always use them later, after I'd made a profit. Thankfully, Ace was my investor now. His sharp mind and knack for spotting opportunities would help me find the best places to sell these items.

'Plus, I'm getting 16 gold coins a month from Ace anyway,' I thought, a small smile tugging at my lips. 'This is going to work out just fine.'

With the final seed planted, I straightened up and muttered a low chant: "Oh mother of all gods, allow your child to command the bringer of life."

A ball of water materialized in the air and dropped into my hand, washing away the dirt and soil. The increased Dexterity from the potion had already made spellcasting faster and smoother.

Now, it was time to water the entire farm. I looked up at the sky, extended my arms, and chanted loudly, "Mother of all divine, bring down rain to vanquish the thirst of your poor children!"

The words were nonsense—this spell wasn't in the game, or if it was, it certainly didn't have a chant like this. I'd made it up on the spot, recalling Mother's advice: *In a chant, mention the name of the mother of all and describe the result you want poetically.*

What I wanted was rain—enough to water the entire farm without me having to manually cast water spells over every patch of soil. But nothing happened. My arms drooped, and I sighed in disappointment.

"…!" I jolted as a single drop of water landed on my head.

Then another. And another.

The weight of the spell pressed down on me, and I instinctively raised my arms again. My body, strengthened by mana, held firm, but the strain was undeniable. Above me, a small cloud began to form, absorbing nearby wisps of vapor until it grew dense and dark, blotting out the sun. The sky turned an ominous gray, and the glow of the World Tree became starkly visible against the gathering storm.

The atmosphere grew chilly, and the first drops of rain were soon followed by a downpour. The sound of rain hitting the soil was rhythmic, almost soothing, as it nourished the freshly sown seeds. The nostalgic scent of wet earth filled the air, reminding me of the unexpected summer rains back in my village.

"It reminds me of the out-of-season rains back home… Good old days," I murmured, a small smile playing on my lips. But the moment was short-lived as a loud sneeze escaped me.

"I'm going to catch a cold at this rate…"

**

I sat on a sturdy wooden chair, its surface smooth and untouched by termites. In front of me was a simple wooden table, where a steaming bowl of soup rested. The warm glow of oil lamps illuminated the room, casting flickering shadows on the wooden walls and ceiling. This wasn't Duke Aleric's grand manor—it was Grandpa Pano's temporary home, a modest wooden house while his real one was being rebuilt.

Across from me sat Grandpa Pano, his weathered face lit by the soft light. To his left was Grandma Pano, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Both of them were staring at me intently, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. At first, I wondered if it was because I was wearing Grandpa's borrowed clothes after mine had gotten soaked in the rain. Or maybe there was something on my face? But no, their gazes were careful, almost cautious, as if they were holding their breath, waiting for something.

I picked up the spoon lying beside the bowl and took a sip of the soup. The moment the warm liquid touched my tongue, memories flooded back.

'This tastes just like the food my grandma used to make in the village…'

It was delicious—rich and flavorful, with just the right balance of spices. The consistency was perfect, and the faint smoky aroma from the fireplace added a comforting touch. The vegetables were tender and neatly cut, and I could almost feel the care and effort Grandma Pano had poured into making it.

I closed my eyes and nodded, savoring the taste. "It's really good, Grandma."

A collective sigh of relief filled the room as the old couple finally exhaled. Grandpa Pano beamed, puffing out his chest with pride. "I told you! She cooks the best."

I chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You weren't kidding."

I'd come running here as soon as I felt the chill settling into my bones. The rain I'd conjured with my spell had been limited to the farms, so the village remained blissfully unaware of the storm I'd created. When Grandma Pano saw me drenched and shivering, she'd immediately offered me a warm bath and a change of clothes. And now, here I was, enjoying a bowl of her homemade soup.

"Grandpa," I began, setting down my spoon, "I've finished watering the plants. Starting tomorrow—or maybe a bit later—I'll be too busy to come here regularly."

The old couple's eyes widened in unison. "Why?!" they exclaimed, their voices overlapping.

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I can't share too many details, but there's a chance I'll need to go to the capital city for work."

I took another spoonful of soup, my gaze steady on the couple. Grandma Pano tilted her head, her expression innocent and confused. "Where is the capital city located?"

Grandpa Pano, however, looked more skeptical. "You're not even fifteen yet. What kind of work could you possibly have in the capital city? Forget the capital—what about the Holy Land?"

For someone like Grandma Pano, the Holy Land might as well have been a mythical place. Located between the Duchy of Syche and the Duchy of Ignis, it was the heart of the Empire of the Sun. The capital city, Dwarka, was there—a place where much of the story in 'Lost from Grace' would unfold.

"I'm not entirely sure if I'll need to go there," I admitted, "but there's a high chance I will. Either way, I'll be busy for a while."

The old couple nodded slowly, though their faces still showed traces of worry. Grandma Pano leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly. "So… when will your busy days be over?"

After gulping another spoonful of soup, I set the spoon down and stared at the wooden table. "I don't know," I said, my voice quiet but firm.

The old couple didn't look relieved. Their faces were still etched with worry, and I couldn't figure out why. Was it because they knew how commoners were treated like slaves in the capital? Or was it because they knew my true identity? The latter seemed unlikely, but it would explain their concern.

Vanitas, despite being the son of one of the most powerful and influential figures in the empire, wasn't well-known. In the game, he was just a kid who hadn't inherited any notable skills from his parents. His only redeeming qualities were his vast mana reserves and his understanding of spells—traits that only became apparent after he was brainwashed by the cultists and turned into a villain. Even then, he was quickly defeated by Ehan and Reina, one of the main characters. If he'd survived longer, he might have become a more formidable antagonist.

Now that I was in his body, I'd been using his latent potential. But even with that, I'd only reach the level of an average mage—not nearly enough to survive the challenges of the upcoming stages. That's why I needed to dig deeper, learn more, and push myself harder, even if it meant sacrificing sleep. I didn't want to die in this game. I wanted to go back to my world.

I quickly finished the last of my soup and stood up. "I should get going. And about these clothes—thank you. I'll have someone return them once I get home."

That someone would be Ms. Alice. I felt a pang of guilt for adding to her workload, but it was the most efficient solution.

The old couple nodded but remained silent, their expressions still troubled.

'Why are they so worried?' I wondered, though I didn't voice my thoughts. With a final farewell, I left their home and made my way back to the Duke's manor.

**

'At least the manor isn't too far,' I thought, panting heavily as I ran, my body strengthened by mana. The sprint had taken about 15 to 20 minutes, and I was drenched in sweat by the time I reached the towering two-story manor. The sight of it still took my breath away—its grandeur was something I could only have dreamed of in my past life. The manor was surrounded by a meticulously maintained garden, guarded by knights in gleaming armor.

I stopped just outside the gate, hesitating. The reason? Someone had spotted me sneaking back in commoner's clothes.

Standing in front of me was a bald knight with an impressive mustache, his helmet tucked under one arm and his broadsword sheathed at his side. His brown eyes bore into me with a mix of concern and confusion, as if he were thinking, 'What the hell happened to you?!'

I didn't recognize him from the game, but the golden cape draped over his armor marked him as the leader of all the knights in the Eastern Land. He was likely near or above the rank of Grand Knight Commander—a title only achieved by players who played Ehan as a knight till they passed level 800.

"Young Master," the knight said, his voice cautious, "what happened to you?"

I froze. I couldn't exactly say I'd been cosplaying as a commoner for fun.

"Well, you see," I began, choosing my words carefully, "I was roaming the village when an unexpected storm hit. A kind old couple lent me these clothes so I wouldn't catch a cold."

The knight's mustache twitched as he raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "I see…" he said slowly, his tone awkward. "Well, I should be going…"

"Wait!" I called out, stopping him in his tracks. "I have something I wanted to ask."

The knight turned back, his expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "Yes, Young Master? How can I help you?"

Here it was—the moment I'd been waiting for. I wanted to learn swordsmanship.

I knew that combining swordsmanship with magic was unconventional. Their philosophies contradicted each other, and mastering both would be time-consuming and complex.

But I had a goal: to become an Arcane-Swordsman, just like Duke Aleric. The only difference was that Father used Sword Aura, which was more effective in duels. Since I didn't have Aura, I planned to use mana as a substitute. It might consume more energy, but it would open up a world of possibilities if it worked.

"Can I learn swordsmanship from scratch?" I asked, my voice steady. "If you'd honor me with your teachings."

The knight's eyes widened in shock. "What?!" he exclaimed, clearly baffled.

I could understand his reaction. Either he was surprised by my respectful tone—a stark contrast to the original Vanitas—or he couldn't fathom why I'd want to learn swordsmanship after everyone in the manor had heard I was studying Arcanery under Lady Evandra.

The knight hesitated, his mustache twitching nervously. "B-but aren't you, Young Master, learning Arcanery from Her Grace?"

I knew what he was thinking. In this world, having two personal teachers was considered disrespectful to the first unless it was in an academic setting. Teaching me would be seen as undermining Lady Evandra's authority—something a loyal knight like him would never do.

"Yes, that's true," I admitted, "but I'm only asking for the basics. I'll talk to Mother about it."

The knight looked torn, his loyalty warring with his duty. "But…"

I pressed on, my tone pleading. "Please… Can't you listen to your lord's son? Are you that disloyal?"

The knight's face paled, and he looked as though he'd been thrust into a life-or-death situation. I didn't fully understand why loyalty was such a big deal here, but it was clearly working in my favor.

"I beg you, please…" I added, laying it on thick. "Can't you honor your lord's son's heartfelt request?"

The knight's resolve crumbled. "Okay, okay, I'll do it!" he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But please, Young Master, talk to Her Grace first. And… take my side on this."

I nodded, hiding the triumphant grin threatening to break across my face. 'Loyalty is a powerful thing,' I thought.

But before I could dash off to find Mother, she appeared behind me out of nowhere. The knight—Sir Marin, as I now knew—jumped in surprise, sweat dripping down his mustache.

"What I heard was correct, Sir Marin?" Mother said, her voice sweet but laced with danger. "You're being convinced by a child to take my student?"

"Uh… oh… well…" Sir Marin stammered, clearly flustered.

'Poor guy,' I thought, feeling a twinge of guilt. I'd been referring to him as "the bald knight with the big mustache" in my head this whole time.

Mother turned her gaze to me, her smile bright but unnerving. "And you, little one, what are you thinking, manipulating an honorable Knight Commander?"

I turned behind.

Her eyes bore into mine, unblinking. She was terrifying. Now I understood why even a seasoned knight like Sir Marin was sweating bullets.

"Mother… I…" I began, scrambling for an explanation. "I have an idea I want to try out by learning swordsmanship."

Mother tilted her head, her smile never wavering. "An idea? Do elaborate."

I took a deep breath. "Since I don't have Aura—and I'm sure you and Father know that—I thought, why not replace it with mana? It would give me a wider range of attacks and possibilities."

I glanced at Sir Marin, who looked at me as if I'd just spouted nonsense. His expression screamed, 'That's your excuse?' He was considering what I had said as nonsense.

Before I could defend myself, Mother clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with excitement. "That's exactly what I thought!"

"Huh?" Sir Marin and I said in unison, equally stunned.

"The idea of using mana instead of Aura was something I recommended to your father, sister, and brother years ago," Mother explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "But they stuck to the old, outdated principles of using Aura, even after promising to try my method!"

She clenched her fists, her resentment palpable. "Aura is denser and less flexible than mana, which is why it's only suited for swordsmanship. But if we condense mana into a liquid, it could mimic Aura's properties! After all, a refined Aura is also a liquid that takes the shape and sharpness its user commands."

Her explanation sounded convincing to Sir Marin, but to me, it was a bit over my head. I didn't fully understand the fundamentals of Aura, so her theory felt like a stretch.

"You take after me so much, Vanitas!" Mother exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. I thought I might suffocate in her embrace.

"From now on, you'll learn from both of us—Papa and Mama!" she declared, releasing me. "Come quickly to the back of the manor. I'll convince your father."

With that, she teleported away, leaving Sir Marin and me standing there in stunned silence.

'How does she teleport so often?' I wondered, shaking my head. I headed through the manor gates, a knight opening them for me. 'Well, at least I'll be learning the SS+ Moonlight Swordsmanship from the creator himself…'

Sir Marin stood frozen, looking as though a storm had just blown past him. He probably thought, 'Why was I even here for…?'