I ran back to the abandoned factory I stayed at, and a strange excitement filled my body. It was like the chains that held me to the ground melted away.
"I have so much I want to do, I NEED to do! The thousands of hours I spent watching streamers hunt will finally be worth something!"
I wrote down some things on a piece of paper, things I dreamt of, luxuries I wanted to afford. The list included water, alcohol, burgers...I just missed the taste of the burgers.
I placed my head on the bean can wrapped with rags that I called a pillow and drifted off to sleep.
.
.
.
"Young master! Young master, please wake up!" an unfamiliar voice resounded.
I was in a dark space, unable to discern anything, I felt numb and comfortable..? the rough can under my head was gone, replaced by what felt like a cloud plucked from the heavens, and the hard floor riddled with nails and tiny rocks was replaced by the embrace of the most heavenly contraption.
Something was wrong, truly wrong.
*CHEEEK!*
The sound of a contraption resounded as sunlight flooded the room, a strange girl about my age stood near the window, her hair and eyes were a strange shade of pink, her body was petite and her face as bright and innocent as they come, cute. Even her outfit was strange, a maid outfit like those in movies and virtual magazines.
"That's not the point! Where the hell am I?!"
I hesitantly leaped out of the heavenly embrace of the bed and pillows below me and punched the mirror on the wall. I grabbed the biggest shard of glass I could and put my back to the corner, with a weapon and full field of vision I could defend myself better.
"AH! Young master, your hand is bleeding!" the maid had genuine concern in her eyes as she attempted to approach me, I'd never fall for such tricks.
I waved the glass in front of me and warned her.
"Stay away from me! I'm warning you!"
"Calm down, young master, there's no need for this!"
The door suddenly opened and a man in black walked in, his face was fully covered by a tech mask except for his y for his heavily scarred eyes.
"Interesting, you're experienced I see. Decisive and bold, breaking the mirror and retreating to the corner, is the fastest way to arm yourself and limit unknown factors in the room. Who trained you?"
"Trained me? There are no teachers on the streets, now tell me where I am and what's going on here!"
The masked man walked towards me in a strange manner, in an instant he closed the distance and I was left with no choice, I struck swiftly towards his throat.
"Even if you had a sword instead, it wouldn't work. You're surprisingly cold-hearted I must say, going for the throat directly."
The moment the shard of glass got close to him it started turning to dust.
"I'll explain only once, young master, so listen well. Your name is John Gray, your father was Constantine Gray, the previous head of the Gray family. As you have come of age, the family has brought you to the [Ville] to begin your training. Your other is unknown, your siblings' identities are beyond my security access. Why were you left on the streets for so long? Simply put you're a bastard child. This is Lucy, your appointed maid, she'll accompany you until she dies, so treat her well, your knight attendant Marc is outside, he's the same. I believe I've answered all the possible questions, please put on some pants and report to class."
"Master James, that's too blunt, if you speak so carelessly he'll just be confused." The maid argued.
"No. He's not that stupid."
"Lead the way." I cut into their argument.
[Quest [Settling Home]: Report to class and learn more about your family.] After seeing the system panel, I had no more questions or doubts.
"I told you he was different, get him dressed quickly." The masked chuckled as he left.
"Allow me to dress you, young master." The maid approached me with some clothes, I found it uncomfortable.
"No need, I'll do it!"
"That's simply unbefitting of your status, young master!" She refused outright, thankfully my tongue was well-trained in the art of changing tunes from my years on the streets.
"Then I'll rephrase, I order you to leave this room." I narrowed my eyes as I spoke, my words carrying no hint of doubt.
"Yes, Young master." she showed no unwillingness or hesitation, placed the clothes on the bed, and bowed before leaving.
'Interesting, to think I wasn't just an orphan on the streets. What an interesting life this one is.'
[Whatever the heart desires, it takes!]
[You have gained a skill from [Lucy Heer: Attendant Maid], B-Rank [Cold Heart]: Mastery over your emotions.]
'The maid's not as innocent as she looks. I'll need to be careful in this 'Ville'.'
The clothes were clean, far too clean, made from a strange material that didn't seem to crease or restrict movement at all. A tighter-fitting turtleneck and slightly loose pants, both a navy colors. They were designed to be as unrestricted and durable as possible.
On top, a black blazer with silver accents, paired well with the black leather shoes. I walked into the bathroom to check myself in the mirror.
'Still handsome.'
I saw a few toiletries on the marble counter and decided to clean up a bit. My hair had grown to back level, so I tied it up and gave my face a clean shave. A scar down my left cheek irked me.
"I'll pay you back when I see you, Ivan."
"Are you in need of assistance, young master?" Lucy called for me.
'Let's do this, John!'
I walked out after washing my face and found her waiting with a towel, to her side was a young of similar age. He had sharp features and dark red hair and eyes, he had light armor on and a sword and dagger hanging from his waist.