Ethan Ravenwood sat on the edge of his opulent bed, the events of the past day whirling through his mind. The council meeting, the system's appearance, and the vast amount of information he'd absorbed left him feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. He glanced around the grand room, taking in the heavy drapes, ornate furniture, and rich tapestries that screamed of wealth and power. Yet it all felt alien to him.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called.
Lydia, the young maid from before, entered carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of soup and a goblet of water. The aroma of savory herbs filled the air.
"Master Ethan, you must be hungry," she said softly, setting the tray on a nearby table inlaid with intricate patterns of gold and silver.
Ethan's stomach growled in response. As he moved to the table, he realized he didn't even know the maid's name. "Thank you... Lydia, right?" he asked, trying to sound natural.
Lydia's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Yes, Master Ethan. I'm glad you remembered."
As Ethan ate, he decided to gather more information. "Lydia, can you tell me more about what happened? How long was I... indisposed?"
Lydia hesitated before speaking. "You were unconscious for three days after the accident, young master. It happened during your training session - a barrier spell backfired unexpectedly. The healers were amazed you survived without serious injury."
Ethan nodded, filing away this information. "And my parents? How have they been?"
"Lady Seraphina has been worried sick, though she doesn't show it much," Lydia said, her voice lowering. "And Lord Marcus... he's been in constant meetings with the Council of Exorcists. The demon attacks have increased lately."
After finishing his meal, Ethan thanked Lydia and decided to explore the estate. The corridors were a maze of polished marble and intricate tapestries depicting epic battles between exorcists and nightmarish creatures. Servants bowed as he passed, their whispers following in his wake.
"Young Master Ethan..."
"...heard he can barely maintain a barrier..."
"...such a shame for the Ravenwood name..."
Ethan's cheeks burned, but he pressed on. He needed to understand this world, this life he'd been thrust into.
As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with a young man flanked by two guards. The newcomer's sharp features and cold blue eyes were filled with disdain.
"Watch where you're going, Ethan," the young man sneered.
Ethan's mind raced. This must be Adrian, the eldest son of the Ravenwood clan. "Sorry, Adrian," he muttered, stepping aside.
Adrian smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "Just try to stay out of my way. We wouldn't want you to get hurt again, would we?"
Ethan bit back a retort and simply nodded, walking away with a sense of unease. Adrian was clearly not someone he could count on for support.
Eventually, Ethan found himself in a vast library, the scent of old paper and leather oddly comforting. He picked a book at random: "The Ravenwood Legacy: Eyes of Power." Intrigued, he settled into a plush armchair and began to read.
Hours passed as Ethan absorbed the history of his new family. The Ravenwoods were an ancient line of exorcists, tasked with protecting Aethoria from demonic incursions. Their power stemmed from the legendary Eyes of Power: mystical abilities that could manifest in those of Ravenwood blood.
The book detailed four primary Eyes:
1. The Eye of Perception: Granting heightened awareness and the ability to see through illusions.
2. The Eye of Fury: Enhancing physical abilities and channeling destructive energy.
3. The Eye of Shadows: Allowing manipulation of darkness and stealth.
4. The Eye of Resilience: Providing unparalleled defensive capabilities and rapid healing.
Ethan's mind raced with possibilities. If he could awaken one of these Eyes, it might be his key to survival in this world.
As the library grew dark, Ethan made his way back to his room, his head spinning with newfound knowledge. He collapsed onto his bed, exhausted but exhilarated.
"System," he whispered, "what's my next step?"
[Ding! Daily task available: Train basic mana manipulation for one hour. Reward: 10 experience points (x10 multiplier applied). Do you accept?]
Ethan sat up, a smile playing on his lips. "I accept."
He closed his eyes, following the system's guidance on how to sense and manipulate the mana within his body. At first, nothing happened. But as the minutes ticked by, he began to feel a faint warmth in his chest, a tingling energy that responded to his will.
An hour later, sweat beading on his brow, Ethan opened his eyes to see a faint blue glow emanating from his palms.
[Task completed. Reward: 100 experience points. Mana control +1]
Elated by his progress, Ethan flopped back onto the bed. He had a long way to go, but for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a glimmer of hope.
As he drifted off to sleep, Ethan was unaware of the figure watching from the shadows outside his window. The observer's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, a mixture of curiosity and concern in their gaze.
"So," they murmured, "the youngest Ravenwood shows promise after all. This could complicate things..."
The figure melted into the darkness, leaving no trace of their presence. In his bed, Ethan slept on, dreaming of glowing eyes and battles yet to come.