"Young master! Young master! Wake up! It's the big day! It's your big brother's wedding, and you're still sleeping!"
A young man with slick black hair and dark purple eyes stirred under the covers, mumbling, "Let me sleep a little bit more…"
"WAKE UP!"
"AHHH! I'm up! I'm up…" Atreus groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Seriously, Margert, do you really need to wake me up this early? It's not even 6 a.m. yet!" He yawned deeply, clearly annoyed.
"Of course, you have to wake up early! It's your big brother's wedding. All the nobles and even the king will be attending today. You need to get ready, and your father wants to speak with you as well!"
"Huh? Why does Father want to talk to me? Is it something important?"
"That, I do not know, young master," Margert replied with a slight bow.
Atreus sighed, his thoughts drifting as Margert continued to bustle around the room. Man, such a pain. I just wanted to have a lazy life. Why does trouble always follow me?
It had been 15 years since Atreus found himself transmigrated to this world. All he could remember from his previous life was that he was an otaku gamer. Though there were many similarities between this world and his previous world Arth, one major difference set them apart: magic.
"Man, you don't understand how amazing it is to use magic as an otaku," Atreus chuckled to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"What weird nonsense are you talking about again, young master? I have prepared your clothes," Margert said, holding up a meticulously tailored suit.
This was Margert, Atreus's personal maid. After being reincarnated into a high-ranking noble family in a world called Celestial Plains—yeah, he thought the name was super lame, but whatever—Atreus had grown accustomed to this life. He was the youngest son of the Flameheart family, a prominent household in the Celestial Egire, another ridiculously named place. Who comes up with these names anyway? Atreus often wondered.
"Okay, young master, we're done here. There will be many important guests today. The master said not to stand out too much," Margert advised, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Margert, you worry too much. I'm not a child anymore; I know what I'm doing."
Margert sighed, her suspicious gaze lingering on him. "Whatever you say, young master, but please be extra careful today."
With that, Atreus made his way to his father's office. I wonder what he wants to talk about? Shouldn't he be talking with my brother since it's his wedding? I've never really understood Father, to be honest. But could it be about… No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
He knocked on the door. "It's me, Father."
"Come in," a deep voice responded.
Atreus entered the room, his eyes widening slightly as he noticed the other people present. Who are these people? Wait, I recognize him—that's the patriarch of the Ires family, Breno fe Ires. He used to be really good friends with my father back in the day. But who's the girl with him?
"Let me introduce you, Breno," Atreus's father, Edward Flameheart, began. "This is my youngest son, Atreus Flameheart. Atreus, greet our guests."
"Greetings. I am Atreus Flameheart, the youngest son of the Flameheart family," Atreus said, bowing politely.
"Hahaha, enough with the formalities, Edward. We're family now," Breno fe Ires said, his hearty laugh filling the room.
"Family?" Atreus echoed, confused.
"Ahem, let me introduce you properly," Edward continued. "This gentleman is Breno fe Ires, and this is his daughter, Charlotte fe Ires. And, as of today, your fiancée."
"Fiancée?! But Father, you didn't tell me anything about this beforehand!" Atreus exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
"Well, I wanted to surprise you," Edward remarked, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "And today, with your brother's wedding, is the best occasion there could be."
"Greetings, Sir Atreus," Charlotte said with a faint smile. "I have heard many things about your achievements. I hope we can get along well, and I also hope to witness some of your accomplishments with my own eyes."
Atreus stared at her, his mind racing. So this is my fiancée? She was stunning, with long dark hair, emerald green eyes, smooth white skin, and a well-developed figure for her age. Anyone would fall for her at first sight… And this woman was now his fiancée, Charlotte fe Ires, a girl who seemed perfect in every way. She had used her chronicle ability at the age of three, excelled in playing the piano and violin, and was a renowned war leader and a shrewd merchant in the world merchant union.
And then there's me, Atreus thought bitterly, with little to no talents in anything interesting. So why did Father engage me to someone with such a huge difference in social standing? Atreus sighed heavily.
"Then, Mr. Atreus, shall we get to know each other better?" Charlotte suggested, starting a conversation.
"Yes, of course!" Atreus replied, trying to mask his nervousness.
"I've heard much about your achievements—how you invented new technologies by yourself, helped the neighboring slums, and eradicated the thieves that were harassing the townspeople, and much more."
"It was hard for me to believe at first, but after seeing the towns and the smiles of the people, I have no choice but to believe it."
"It's nothing, really. Compared to your amazing feats, mine are insignificant," Atreus said modestly.
"But one thing still seems unbelievable to me," Charlotte continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Slaying an ice dragon with your bare hands. That seems too far-fetched, even after hearing everything you've done. So, if you don't mind, would you be kind enough to show me some of your skills? If you don't mind, that is."
Looks like this Charlotte isn't an easy woman to deal with, Atreus thought, feeling the weight of her gaze on him. She's just waiting for me to fail so she can laugh at me.
Without a word, Atreus stood up and made his way to the courtyard, clenching his fist as he focused his mana. If she wants to see my abilities, I'll show her.
He punched the ground with all his might, his fist glowing with an intense aura of mana. The air around him seemed to shatter with a thunderous roar, and the earth beneath them began to quake violently. As the dust and debris settled, a massive crater was revealed in the courtyard, leaving Charlotte visibly stunned.
"Well, this is surprising," Charlotte muttered, her voice laced with intrigue. "Quite interesting indeed."