Ackster put out the lamp on his desk and the one on his ceiling. He took a brief moment to show some general appreciation for the world and the convenience of magic and magic tools that made life as simple as modern-day Earth.
After putting out the lights, Ackster's room turned completely dark, and he didn't have any issue peeking out the window to try and find the guards patrolling the estate. As dusk had just fallen, the world wasn't pitch black yet, and there was enough ambient light to make out the silhouettes of people and things all over the estate.
However, before the stars and moon rose into the sky, there would be a brief moment of darkness that would be the opportune moment for Ackster to slip out his window and pass by the guards. Thankfully, most of them bore torches since they were more of a deterrent rather than guards meant to ambush any potential thieves.
However, Ackster could see a couple of shadows sweep across the grounds to make sure that no one was trying to sneak into the Phileam House's estate. Since the Phileam House hadn't had time to nurture or recruit any knights, they had to rely on ordinary soldiers to keep the estate and all their personnel and goods safe. And since the quality of soldiers couldn't compare to knights, they had to use quantity to make up for the difference and protect their estate.
But Ackster noticed something that was bound to give him an edge over the soldiers during his nightly escape. Just like his Strong Body improved his hearing, it also improved his eyesight. And when Ackster put some effort into it, he noticed that he began seeing things in the darkness with more clarity. He couldn't see as well as he did during the day, but it would certainly be helpful as he evaded the soldiers' detection.
After making sure that the area close to his window was clear, Ackster slid it open and took a deep breath of the cool summer night's breeze to calm his nerves.
No matter how much he planned, thought, or prepared, it wasn't like Ackster was used to sneaking around or doing things that criminals usually did. And the fact that he might die if he failed also weighed on his mind.
The shock of transmigration was gradually settling, and Ackster was beginning to accept the reality of his fate. That also came with the distinct realization that death was happily waiting for him in only a few days if he made a single misstep. As someone who had recently died, Ackster knew that it wasn't a pleasurable experience. So, he desperately didn't want to do it again. And that desperation seeped into his bones and nerves as he finally took the first step toward changing his fate.
After opening his window and calming his nerves, Ackster got worried that he would be detected, so he stepped through the window. He put his feet against the wall while holding on to the ledge with one hand while he slid his window shut most of the way.
If a soldier with a torch came by and saw that Ackster's window was open, they might not have considered it unusual in ordinary times. But after challenging The Hero, Ackster had become a flight risk, and any signs of escape would immediately be reported. So, even if Ackster left the window open because he wanted some fresh air, his mother or a servant would probably come to check on him.
At least, that was the kind of preparations Ackster was sure his father had arranged. In the novel, the author described Mikhail Phileam as a calculating and cunning man.
The Hero usually made sure to exterminate any trouble by the roots. And usually, grieving family members could be the seeds of future troubles. However, The Hero didn't make sure that the Phileam House wouldn't cause him any trouble because was sure that they wouldn't. Mikhail Phileam was too smart to give up his entire family and everything he had accomplished just because his deadbeat wastrel of a son had used The Hero to kill himself.
There was no way such a calculating man hadn't considered the fact that Ackster would try to run away. And he probably knew his son well enough to know that he didn't need to open his window, thanks to the magic tools in his room.
With his window almost closed again, Ackster looked down and prepared to jump. Although he knew his body was strong and agile enough to handle it, jumping out of a second-floor window in a grand mansion with high ceilings and windows was a first for him. He was easily several meters up. That kind of jump wasn't something one did without thinking as long as one had the tiniest bit of self-preservation.
However, Ackster knew that he would make it. He also knew that he didn't have time to dally. A guard could come around the corner of the house at any moment, and if they spotted Ackster hanging on the wall like that, he would probably have to spend his remaining time with a babysitter right next to him.
With sweat building on his palms, Ackster let go. He thought he would have a feeling of his stomach rising as he dropped to the ground, but Ackster felt surprisingly at ease as he fell to the ground.
When he reached the ground, his body almost automatically crouched to soften the blow and make his landing soundless.
Ackster looked around to make sure that his surroundings were still clear before he began moving. Leaving his room was just the first and simplest part of his grand escape. Leaving the estate would be a little more challenging. And just thinking about trying to leave the city at night made him feel dread. But he didn't want to change his plan. He couldn't change his plan.
And after Ackster made sure that his surroundings were temporarily clear, he didn't waste a moment and began sneaking across the lawn.