In a secret room on the second floor, Yuna stared at an array of monitors with an awkward smile. Right next to her, a woman with black hair in a crown braid was chuckling in amusement. They were observing a young man who was just sitting cross-legged on the floor.
"Fufu, ojou-sama... Luckily, he didn't take off all his clothes. I didn't expect that you have the tendency to sneak peek at a young man. Pervy ojou-sama." A maid covered her mouth and teased her young lady.
"Just shut up, Kisa. I'm doing this with you doesn't mean I want to. I just need to make sure that Mike-san doesn't have any background or come from a certain organization. Maybe his tongue will slip and leak some suspicious things, right?" Yuna tried to defend herself, but she still blushed a little.
"Ah, alright, alright… You want to invite that young man to the Kisaragi Clan, ojou-sama? Based on the data, that young man is just nobody. So, what made you so attracted to this young man, ojou-sama?
Or, maybe you are really interested in him? Oh my, our ojou sama finally has a man in mind. Sniff, sniff... Our ojou-sama has grown up and does need a life partner. That Austin would be heartbroken if he found out." Kisa pretended to be surprised and wiped her non-existence tears.
"Please be quiet for a moment, Kisa. We're watching what Mike-san is doing. But, well... He's just sitting cross-legged on the floor. Why isn't he sitting on a chair or a bed? Is he meditating?" The corner of Yuna's mouth twitched to hear her maid's chirp. She raised the volume slightly, so she didn't miss every word Mike said.
However, after hearing what Mike said next, Kisa smirked. "Ara, looks like we're being suspected by him instead, ojou-sama. He's more afraid that you'll trap him and sell him on the black market? Fufu, what a unique young man."
"Uhh... That's because I was too excited and in a hurry to invite him into our household. I've missed the approach stage... He doesn't even know about my clan yet." Yuna loosened her shoulders and sighed.
"It turns out that there are still people in Tokyo who don't know about our ojou-sama? Hum, looks like he is indeed from a remote village. I wonder where it is. Honestly, what attracted you to this young man, ojou-sama?" Kisa no longer teased her young lady and returned to her serious attitude due to the situation.
"You know, Kisa… Mike-san has a perfect body constitution with exceptional talent that rivals the top geniuses of the world. Grandpa Alfred confirmed that himself. Mike-san has 54 Spirit Viens unlocked. Perhaps, in a few years, he will be one of the top power holders. While he doesn't have shelter yet, I want to invest in him for my own personal reasons as well." Yuna fiddled her fingers with complicated feelings.
"Invest in him, hmm? Is it also because that hateful man?" Kisa squinted her eyes with an aura of hatred as the image of a person appeared in her mind. Now, it was no wonder why her young lady wanted this young man so much.
"Yes." Yuna rubbed her arm and acknowledged that without hesitation.
"I see... If so, we need to groom this young man to maximize his potential and talent. But, please bear this on mind, ojou-sama. Someone with talent at the highest level like him won't stay in one place for long. He will leave us when he sees the limit." Kisa heaved a subtle sigh, then she gave a piece of gentle advice.
"I know that, Kisa. But, at the very least, he will be indebted to us and will help me in the future when I really need help. I've assessed his personality, and he is one of those selflessly kind people." Yuna looked at her maid and smiled a little.
Kisa just smiled back at her young lady, then the two of them looked at the monitors again.
After a few moments had passed, Yuna turned off the monitoring device and got up from her seat. "It's time for dinner. I'll invite Mike-san one more time to join our household."
"As your wish, ojou-sama." Kisa immediately followed her young lady to leave the secret monitoring room.
Meanwhile, in a particular room on the first floor, Mike had just finished his meditation.
He had thoroughly checked every flow of his inner strength and spiritual power in the last few minutes. The results were extraordinary, and the difference between his current self from his past self was so far. He indeed became one of the talented, gifted ones.
Mike glanced at the clock. About half an hour had passed since he waited in that empty bedroom alone. 'Phew... Mr. Alfred hasn't come yet? Well, nevermind.'
'At this rate, I might be able to breakthrough to Nascent Spirit Realm: Initial Stage in a few days. However, I need certain materials that are rich in spiritual energy. Something like that must be very expensive.' Mike looked at his palms, then rummaged through his bag. He wanted to know how much money he had left.
'Around one hundred and ten thousand yen... With my remaining money I might only get a few normal grade resources, or maybe one spirit grade item if I'm lucky enough. Huff, I now need to think of a way to make money. Great talent needs to be matched by great finances in order to maximize my current potential.' Mike put his money pouch back into his bag while thinking about the best way to make money.
It was just a fleeting thought. Yuna's offer crossed his mind as a solution. Perhaps, by working for a rich person, he could earn some money to cultivate his strength so that he could become one of the top-class experts.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Yeah, I'm coming." The gentle knocks on the door snapped Mike out of his thoughts. He took his two bags, then stood up from the floor to open the door. He knew Alfred had come, as promised, because dinner was ready.
"That's you, Mr Alfred." Mike greeted the old butler.
"Yes, dinner has been prepared on the dinner table, Mike-sama. Your arrival has been awaited." Alfred put his hand on his chest.
"I'm honored, Mr. Alfred. If so, let's go there." Mike gave a polite response.
At the same time, he also prepared himself to meet Yuna's parents, especially mentally. After all, he would meet another powerhouse, which always put a strain on him if he was not ready.
"Then, please follow me." Alfred pointed in a direction with his open palm, then he walked in that direction to guide the way.
Mike just followed the old butler in silence. He was also careful with his every move. At least, he needed to behave with dignity and elegance because he didn't want to embarrass himself.
Arriving in the family dining room, Mike was presented with a harmonious and comfortable feel of a room filled with the delicious aroma of the dishes on the long table.
At first glance, it was somewhat similar to a feast for about eight people in a family restaurant. One thing Mike hadn't felt in a long time, childhood memories.
Mike only heaved a subtle sigh and pushed aside the nostalgia. He glanced around the dining room, then his gaze focused on the three people standing near the dining table.
One was the butler he saw near the gate, the other was the maid who gave him a cool bag and a new set of clothes, the last one was the maid he just saw.
After that, he glanced at the arrangement of chairs around the long table. Surprisingly, there was only one special master seat and six regular chairs.
"Sorry for the wait everyone."
A pleasant voice came from the other side. Mike looked toward the side. Yuna and a black-haired maid walked over from the other entrance to the dining room.
"Today we have a special guest with a noble heart. He is Mike-san, a selfless and brave man." Yuna gave a light welcome. Then, she sat on the master seat. "Alright, please have a seat. You too, Mike-san."
"Please have a seat, Mike-sama." Alfred pulled a chair near Yuna and invited Mike to sit there.
"Then, excuse me." Mike sat on the seat in a slight daze. He didn't even notice when the butlers and maids were already seated at the same table with him.
There were a few things that made him a little confused. So, the host was Yuna herself? Then, the family in question was Yuna herself and the five servants? This palace-like mansion was only occupied by six people, seven if the guest was counted?