"The coming of age Awakening Ceremony is right around the corner. How time flies..."
The boy who spoke sighed, tossing a small stone at the lake and causing the surface of it to ripple. Within a few moments, the lake's surface eventually turned serene once again.
In the lake, a reflection could be seen, revealing the image of a young boy with dark hair and his thin, yet refined body. He wore a neat black robe.
His face was like flawless white jade, with sharp eyebrows and two deep, dark eyes – he was undeniably handsome.
This young boy who had recently turned fifteen-years-old was named Fang Lin.
He was an unassuming person, however, he harboured a great secret; he was not of this world, or to be precise, this wasn't his first life.
'I wonder how the Awakening Ceremony will go. Perhaps I'll be blessed with a high aptitude.'
Fang Lin smiled faintly.
He recalled everything he had experienced from beginning till now.
In total, he possessed three names.
In his first life on Earth, he was Fang Ming – an accomplished scientist, one that participated in many innovative inventions. However, his life was abruptly cut short due to an energy reactor exploding.
But instead of death, he had somehow transmigrated into a new world, becoming Leylin Farlier – the son of a Viscount. He had now found himself in a medieval world, with the only difference being that magic existed!
But once again, his life was cut short after he tried claiming an inheritance from a powerful magus. He was so close, a fraction of a second from achieving the inheritance, yet he couldn't solve the last puzzle, and in the end, his life was forfeited.
But!
A few years ago, he now found himself in this world. Another dangerous world filled with mysteries and magic.
He sometimes wondered if he was immortal? Shouldn't death be final?
Yet, he had died twice now, and every time, he had got sent into another world with a different identity. Even an idiot could see a pattern here.
Would he endlessly reincarnate? Or was there something else which was deciding his fate?
Fang Lin frowned at this thought.
The illusion of free will was a terrible thing. Just the idea that your life is getting manipulated without your knowledge would leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth.
However, he quickly casted this thought aside. Even if he knew, what could he realistically do?
At this moment, his strength was utterly pathetic once again. He was only at the level of an average human. Though his experience from his second life gave him confidence against anyone on the same level, he knew that it was still near the very bottom of this world's hierarchy.
Until he 'awakens' and takes his first step as a Gu Master, he will remain weak and without any means to protect himself in this world frought with danger.
Thus, he looked forward to the Awakening Ceremony which will be held by his clan soon.
[Warning! A human is approaching from behind! No signs of hostility!]
A sudden, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. It was Fang Lin's personal A.I Chip that had fused with his soul. It was an invention made in his first life that had somehow travelled alongside him during his transmigrations.
Unlike on Earth, where it was a tangible object, it's functions had basically assimilated with his soul, allowing him to do things like storing data and hyperspeed analysis.
Hearing the A.I Chip's prompt, Fang Lin acted oblivious, continuing to absentmindedly throw rocks at the lake.
The soft sound of footsteps reached Fang Lin's ears. They were careful—the kind that was used to move without disturbing others. A familiar sweet scent also accompanied the steps.
"Young Master Fang Lin," a soft voice called.
Fang Lin turned, his face shifting into a amiable expression, though his eyes remained unreadable.
Shen Xiaohui stood before him, hands lightly clasped in front of her. Her dark hair was neatly braided over one shoulder, complementing her clear, bright eyes. She wore simple clothes, but it did little to diminish her natural elegance.
She was his personal maid.
"You seem troubled," she observed.
Fang Lin chuckled softly. "Just thinking about the aptitude ceremony. It's coming soon."
Shen Xiaohui's eyes softened. "That's only natural, Young Master. Everyone is anxious about it. But no matter the result, I'm sure it will be fine."
'Be fine?'
Fang Lin couldn't help but feel amused inwardly.
'The clan only values strength and talent. If I am useless, even being a direct descendant wouldn't shield me forever.'
When he first arrived and gained the memories of his predecessor, he naturally understood the importance of Gu Masters. More importantly, he understood the worth of non Gu Masters – they were lower than dirt.
How much so?
Well, if a Gu Master killed such people, they might get a small slap on the wrist and spend a few minutes to reflect on their actions – but that's about it.
It's quite laughable.
Naturally, he was not new to this dog-eat-dog world kind of mentality. In his second life as a magus, strength had also been a necessity and the weak were preyed upon.
He didn't correct her words. Instead, he simply smiled faintly and shrugged.
"We'll see how it goes."
Shen Xiaohui hesitated for a moment, then smiled slightly, a soft expression of care and worry only someone paying close attention would notice.
Fang Lin shook his head inwardly, well aware of her feelings – she felt anxious for him. His future would pretty much depend on this Aptitude Ceremony.
She had always been by his side after his Aunt and Uncle assigned her to him.
Before his transmigration, Fang Lin was nothing but a silent, fragile boy, drowning in grief after the loss of his parents. Only after he had an accident, hitting his head from a fall, did he transmigrate over.
And up till now, he had a decent enough impression of her. Well, it hadn't started like that. With his A.I Chip, it was rather easy to see the true intentions of other people – blood levels, analysing body language, heart rate etc. Thus, he understood that this woman was rather reserved and cunning.
It wasn't until he began showing signs of intelligence and wisdom did she start trying to get closer to him.
Naturally, he understood the nature of these kinds of people. And with the help of his A.I Chip, he also found out that she was basically a spy for his uncle and aunt.
Hehe.
Quite heartless people, no?
But what was funny was that, despite being their watcheye, she had actually confused her goal with actual emotions, slowly developing feelings for him. Furthermore, even she isn't fully aware of these budding feelings – it's rather cute.
Of course, he didn't care about her feelings, but he didn't push her away either. Affection, kindness—they weren't things he needed, but he didn't reject them.
He wasn't a fool blinded by carnal desires, but he also didn't mind enjoying them occasionally like a glass of wine.
In this world, there was only power. However, he saw no harm in letting certain connections remain.
So long as it didn't hinder him, he was as much of a human as any.
After all, Fang Lin was an innately selfish individual. He didn't mind relationships and returning favours as long as he wasn't implicated. But he would first look at the benefits and his safety.
For example, if a much more powerful Gu Master were to blackmail him by holding the lives of his close ones, he would simply scoff and wander off without even looking back.
Only when he became more powerful would he pay that Gu Master a visit.
However, his priority would always be himself!
After talking to each other for a few more moments, Shen Xiaohui finally explained why she had searched for him.
"Madam Fang would like to see you."
Fang Lin nodded, unsurprised. It was likely about the Awakening Ceremony. Though he was a bit amused that she didn't tell him that information first. She had likely wanted to talk casually with him for a little while.
The heart of a maiden is like a clumsy thief—always finding excuses to linger yet pretending she was never there in the first place.
Shen Xiaohui could have simply delivered the message and left, yet she had chosen to talk with him first, as if she wasn't fully aware of her own intentions.
Naturally, Fang Lin wouldn't mind.
"Very well."
Shen Xiaohui, seemingly satisfied, lead the way, her steps lighter than before.
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A/n
Would you like illustrations? I'll try find some for notable characters for the future else I'll simply forget it if you guys don't want. After all, I would like to branch out of the main story line and start developing a story thats not pure copy paste that you guys have probably seen many times. Thus, there would eventually be a lot of OCs in the future. For now, here's the MC and the maid.