As the next day emerged, Lish found himself seated at the lavishly set dining table alongside his father and mother. The morning sun streamed through the grand windows, casting a warm glow on the array of delicacies spread before them. Silver platters held fresh fruits, pastries, smoked salmon, and various cheeses, while a delicate aroma of brewed coffee and freshly squeezed juices filled the air. Crystal glasses and fine china added a touch of elegance to the breakfast setting.
After savoring some of the delectable offerings, Lysander decided to voice his inquiry. "Mother, Father, may I have a butler of my own?"
His request hung in the air. While he had Sooka for most of his needs, Sooka was his father's butler and reported back to his father without fail. What Lish wanted was a butler who was loyal to him alone, someone who could keep secrets. As the bearer of the system, he had many benefits and abilities that needed to remain confidential. He needed someone who would obey him implicitly and could protect his secrets from prying eyes.
"Oh, my son is so grown up now that he has secrets, huh? Do you not trust your mother anymore?" His mother wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye, her expression exaggerated and playful. "What kind of secrets could you possibly have?"
Lysander smiled at his mother's theatrics but remained earnest. "It's not about trust, Mother. It's about having someone who can assist me directly and exclusively. I have… responsibilities and projects that require discretion."
His father, Alaric, contemplated silently, wondering why his son needed a personal butler like his older sister. Unlike Lish, his sister frequently attended high society gatherings and discussions that necessitated a personal butler or secretary. Lish, on the other hand, led a more private life, so Alaric was puzzled by the request.
"Lish," Alaric began, "your sister's need for a personal butler is clear due to her social engagements and responsibilities. But you—your lifestyle doesn't seem to require such an arrangement. What exactly do you need a personal butler for?"
Just as they were deep in thought, Lish decided to bring out the big guns. He flicked his finger, signaling the servants, who promptly brought out two items.
"Mom, Dad, these are artifacts I bought as gifts for you," Lish announced.
The servants presented the artifacts with a flourish. "This, Mother," Lish said, gesturing to the golden pin, "is a B-rank artifact that enhances beauty and provides deterrence magic and a defensive charm. It's both elegant and functional."
His mother's eyes sparkled with delight. "Oh, Lish, it's beautiful! And so thoughtful." She reached out to touch the pin, clearly impressed by its craftsmanship and magical properties.
"And Father," Lish continued, turning to Alaric, "this is a ring that enhances physical strength and grants a degree of protection against magical attacks. I thought it would be a fitting addition to your collection."
Alaric examined the ring, his stoic expression giving way to a rare smile. "Thank you, Lish. This is quite a gift."
"Oh, my baby is all grown up now, knowing how to bribe his parents," his mother teased, her voice playful.
"Haha, thank you, Lish," Alaric added, his tone warm. Although he recognized the gesture as a bribe, he couldn't help but feel proud and touched. It was the first time Lish had given them such meaningful gifts, and the sentiment behind them was deeply appreciated.
"Does this mean you'll consider my request?" Lish asked, his tone hopeful.
Alaric exchanged a glance with his wife, who nodded subtly. "Alright, Lish," Alaric said. "We'll find you a suitable butler. Someone who will be loyal to you and respect your need for discretion."
"Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother," Lish said, relief evident in his voice. He felt a surge of gratitude and determination. With a personal butler, he would have the support he needed to manage his secret responsibilities.
As they continued their breakfast, the atmosphere was light and filled with easy conversation.
After breakfast, Lish headed back to his room, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He opened his smartwatch and navigated to the novel website to check on his experimental upload, "The Baboon's Favorite Foods."
'2k views,' the display read. He couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected success of his comical novel. "System, what is the total attention I have now?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The system responded promptly:
[Mission: Get 2 million attention from the people on this planet.
Progress: 2114/2,000,000 (+2000)]
"As I expected," he exclaimed with satisfaction. The attention he garnered corresponded directly to his actions. It seemed it didn't matter what he did, as long as it attracted attention. "Perhaps this is a loophole in the system that I can exploit," he mused. He was relieved that he didn't have to become an attention seeker in the traditional sense to achieve his goal. That would go against his very nature.
The matter settled, and he decided to shower and then head to the training room to further improve his techniques and stats.
He walked into his spacious bathroom, the walls adorned with marble and gold fixtures, and turned on the shower. As the hot water cascaded over him, he felt his muscles relax, washing away the tension from the previous day's activities. The shower had multiple settings, and he opted for the invigorating massage mode, which helped alleviate the soreness from his intense training.
After drying off, he chose a comfortable yet functional training outfit from his wardrobe. The clothes were designed with advanced materials that allowed for maximum flexibility and breathability, essential for his rigorous routines.
The training room was located in a secluded part of the estate, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. As he entered, the room's sensors activated, adjusting the lighting and temperature to his preferred settings. The walls were lined with various training equipment, from weights and resistance bands to advanced simulation machines that could mimic real combat scenarios.
Lish started with some stretching exercises to warm up his muscles, ensuring he was limber and ready for the more strenuous activities ahead. He then moved on to strength training, lifting weights, and doing bodyweight exercises to build his physical power. His muscles burned with exertion, but he relished the challenge.
Next, he practiced his speed and agility, running through obstacle courses and performing quick reflex drills. He pushed himself to move faster, to react quicker, honing his body to its peak condition.
Finally, he focused on his mana training. Lish sat cross-legged in the center of the room, closing his eyes and centering his mind. He channeled his mana, feeling the energy flow through him like a river. He practiced the Beam technique, concentrating on forming a dense, concentrated energy that could be released with precision and power. The technique was at 70% completion, and he aimed to perfect it before heading to the academy.
Hours passed as Lish trained, his body drenched in sweat but his mind sharp and focused. He could feel the incremental improvements in his strength, speed, agility, and mana control. The pain from pushing his limits was intense, but he welcomed it as a sign of progress.
After his grueling training session, Lish returned to his room and decided to check his progress. He opened the system interface on his smartwatch and browsed through his stats.
[Name:Lysander Aurelius
Age:14 years
Strength:16(+1)
Speed: 15(+1)
Agility: 13(+1)
Mana: 50(+10)
Blessing: Locked
Bloodline: Locked
Technique:
1)Beam(a densely concentrate energy)
Progress…80%]
To his satisfaction, all his physical stats had improved by 1 point after the hard work he had put in. However, what truly shocked him were the significant improvements in his Beam technique and his mana. The Beam technique had increased by a remarkable 10%, and his mana had jumped by 10 points.
"Why are these two improving so rapidly all of a sudden?" he pondered. As he searched for an answer, a memory surfaced: the wisdom glasses. The system had integrated them into his body before breakfast.
Mana and technique were not merely about physical exertion; they required a sharp mind and strategic thinking. Navigating mana through one's gradient and expanding it effectively involved an intricate understanding and precise control. Similarly, mastering techniques like Beam demanded not only practice but also an intelligent approach to energy manipulation and concentration.
Lish realized that the wisdom glasses were enhancing his cognitive abilities, allowing him to understand and manipulate mana more efficiently. The glasses augmented his intelligence, enabling him to see the subtleties and nuances of his techniques with greater clarity. This newfound insight made his training more effective, leading to rapid progress.
He could feel his mind working more efficiently. Concepts that once seemed complex and elusive were now clear and straightforward. His understanding of mana flow and technique execution had deepened, making his training sessions significantly more productive.
Reflecting on this, Lish felt a surge of gratitude and excitement. The wisdom glasses were proving to be an invaluable asset, accelerating his progress in ways he hadn't anticipated. With this newfound intellectual edge, he could approach his training and missions with enhanced strategy and precision.
Satisfied with his progress, Lish decided to reward himself with a short break. He grabbed a book from his shelf, one that delved into advanced theories of mana manipulation, and settled into a comfortable chair. As he read, he noticed that he was absorbing the information more quickly than before, further testament to the wisdom glasses' influence.
As evening approached, Lish began preparing for the next phase of his training. He planned to incorporate the new insights he had gained into his practice routines, focusing on perfecting his Beam technique and further expanding his mana pool.
He made a mental note to keep track of his progress closely and to explore the full potential of the wisdom glasses. If a single day could bring such remarkable improvements, the possibilities for the future were boundless.