Alex woke up slowly, his senses gradually adjusting to his surroundings. It had been a strange transition, settling into this new life with a body and powers he was still getting used to. The luxury around him felt almost surreal; silk sheets, lavish curtains, and a ceiling so high it gave his room an almost regal atmosphere. He sat up, rubbing his face as memories of his old life crept in—a far cry from this world.
"Nova," he murmured, still a little groggy, "where do we start today?"
[How about we review your main quest, Host?] Nova's voice chimed with an almost annoying enthusiasm. [You can't just wander around aimlessly forever.]
Alex chuckled, stretching his arms as he considered her words. "You've got a point. What did I even sign up for with this main quest?"
[To establish a foundation of strength and wealth for the Argoth family.] Nova's voice had a slight edge of sarcasm. [Sounds ambitious, doesn't it?]
"Ambitious, sure," Alex agreed, his mind already wandering with possibilities.
"Maybe I could start by forming a guild? Then I could build power as I go along."
Nova's scoff echoed in his mind. [Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Host. You currently lack the strength and resources necessary to make a reputable guild. The best course of action would be to create an underground organization first. That way, you can expand as you gain power without attracting unwanted attention.]
Alex sighed, feeling the weight of her words sink in. He'd been hoping for something a bit more grandiose, but Nova had a point. Still, a flash of inspiration hit him. "What if… I did both?"
[Both?] Nova asked, a hint of interest in her tone.
"Yeah," Alex continued, his excitement building.
"I could start by creating an organization in the shadows while growing stronger. Once I'm powerful enough, I'll establish a legitimate guild to secure a reputation. That way, I get the best of both worlds."
Nova was silent for a moment before responding. [It's… not a terrible plan, Host. But to achieve any of that, you'll need resources and strength.]
"Resources I can get from you and the system shop," Alex said, grinning. "What I need now is strength. Which means it's time to get some training."
He started toward the door, ready to find his father, when a gentle knock interrupted his thoughts. A maid entered, carrying a tray of food. Her expression was timid, and she seemed to avoid looking him directly in the eye.
Alex's stomach tightened as he realized why. His past self must have left a less-than-favorable impression on the servants.
"Uh… good morning," he managed, trying to sound pleasant.
The maid nodded quickly, her voice barely a whisper. "Good morning, young master."
As she placed the tray down, Alex felt a pang of guilt. He remembered how he'd never joined his family for meals before, preferring the solitude of his room instead. The realization made him uneasy.
"Has my family started their meal yet?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.
The maid looked surprised but shook her head. "No, young master. They haven't yet."
Alex noticed the slight fear in her expression, and it made him despise his past self even more. What kind of reputation did I leave behind?
With a newfound resolve, he straightened. "Tell my family I'll be joining them for breakfast today."
The maid's eyes widened, her shock almost palpable. She nodded, quickly exiting the room.
[Nice move, Host,] Nova teased, her tone laced with sarcasm. [Trying to play the reformed son? They'll never buy it.]
"Thanks for the support, Nova," Alex replied dryly, rolling his eyes as he pulled on a fresh shirt. He glanced at the mirror, momentarily caught off guard by his reflection. It still felt strange to see himself looking this… refined. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and set off toward the dining room, ready to face his family.
As he walked down the hall, he couldn't help but marvel at the wealth displayed around him. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the thick carpet softened his steps. For a family on the brink of financial ruin, this place sure was extravagant.
Entering the dining room, he was greeted by the sight of a medieval-meets-modern style: a long, dark wood table set with polished silverware, chairs with ornate carvings, and soft golden lighting from elegant sconces lining the walls.
He spotted his father and sister already seated, and for some reason, his heart raced a little. But before he could greet them, Olivia looked up, her expression one of pure annoyance.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, a sharp edge in her tone.
Alex managed a polite smile, ignoring her hostility. "Good morning. I thought I'd join you for breakfast today."
Both Olivia and James looked taken aback, their surprise written all over their faces.
Olivia scoffed, crossing her arms. "Polite, are we? You must have hit your head harder than we thought. Maybe you should have stayed in your room."
Alex noticed the dark glint in her eyes and realized that his sudden appearance might be disrupting whatever time she shared with their father. Even James looked a little skeptical, though he quickly covered it up.
"Are you feeling alright, son?" James asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Yes, I am," Alex replied, taking a deep breath. "I know it might sound strange, but nearly dying has changed a lot for me. I want to fix the mistakes I've made."
Olivia's eyes flashed, her voice rising. "Fix the mistakes? You think you can just 'fix' the damage you've done to this family?"
"Olivia—" James interjected, trying to calm her down.
She turned away from Alex, glaring at her plate. Alex felt the sting of her words but nodded, knowing he deserved it. He had a lot to make up for, and it wouldn't happen overnight. After a tense silence, James spoke up.
"Good," he said, a trace of approval in his voice. "Let's eat."
As they ate, Alex found himself silently appreciating the moment. He was actually here with his family, and despite Olivia's hostility, he felt a small sense of peace.
Once they'd finished, Alex turned to James. "Father, I wanted to ask you something. Do you think you could help me with mana training?"
James looked thoughtful. "If you're serious about this, Alex, then perhaps you should consider entering an academy. The entrance exams for both Dragon Academy and Astral Academy are coming up."
At the mention of the academies, Olivia's eyes narrowed. "Why would he bother applying? He hasn't trained like I have. I'm going for Astral Academy—the best. I doubt he'd even qualify."
Her words were harsh, but Alex took them in stride. He knew he had a lot to prove.
"I'll be applying to Astral Academy as well," he said calmly, meeting her gaze. "I'll put in the work, just like you."
James nodded approvingly. "If that's what you want, then I'll support you. Whatever resources you need, just let me know."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Better not be embarrassed when I score higher than you," she sneered, standing up.
Alex smirked. "Looking forward to the competition."
With a scoff, Olivia left the room, leaving Alex alone with his father.
"Father," Alex began, "the entrance exams are in six months, right?"
James nodded. "Yes. You'll be tested on both knowledge and strength. Learning to fight and understanding basic mana principles are essential."
He paused, observing Alex with an unreadable expression. "I could hire a tutor to help you prepare."
Alex's eyes lit up, grateful for the support. "Thank you, Father. I'll make sure not to waste this opportunity."
James seemed to note Alex's sincerity and nodded slowly. "I can see you're making an effort, Alex. Keep it up."
Feeling a surge of determination, Alex excused himself and headed back to his room. He had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he had a chance to make things right. As he walked, Nova's voice echoed in his mind, filled with a touch of sarcasm.
[You do realize she's going to crush you in those exams, right?]
"Oh, I know," Alex replied, grinning. "But you know what, Nova? I think I'm starting to like a challenge."
[Well, don't let me stop you, Host. Just be prepared to pick up the pieces when she leaves you in the dust.]
He chuckled, feeling oddly content. With his new goals and Nova by his side, his path was finally starting to take shape.
And for the first time in his life, Alex felt ready to face whatever the future held.