Morning was always the busiest time at Ainsworth Manor. After a night's silence, the estate awoke to the sounds of bustling servants. Maids prepared breakfast, ensuring every surface gleamed in the dining hall, while the stable hands readied fresh fodder for the horses, careful to brush away any lingering dust.
Outside his door, Rosie, a maid in crisp black and white, prepared to wake the young master. But before she could knock, Leo Ainsworth, the newly appointed Viscount Ainsworth, strode out, already dressed.
"Rosie, please inform Bender that I'll be heading out shortly."
"Of course, Master Leo." Rosie curtsied, her eyes cast down respectfully, though her curiosity was piqued by his early rise. Normally, it was her job to wake him.
With newfound purpose, Leo moved through the manor's corridors, sunlight streaming through the stained glass and casting colored patterns across the floors. He paused for a moment, taking in the warmth. The memory of his previous life, one filled with mundane repetition, spurred him forward. He was no longer content to be an inconsequential noble; he had grander ambitions.
---
In the dining room, Leo dined alone, savoring his breakfast. The cook had outdone herself—chocolate waffles, fresh bread with butter and jam, and a hint of bitterness from his coffee. Leo made a mental note to request tea next time, missing its sharp, cleansing taste.
When he finished, the butler, Joyce, approached, offering a silver tray laden with letters from Count Rey, Viscount Peck, and various merchants. Leo barely glanced at the ornate envelopes, knowing they contained little more than invitations to events he usually skipped.
"Place these in my study, Joyce. I'll go over them later."
"As you wish, Master Leo." Joyce collected the letters with a respectful nod. "And your carriage is ready and waiting at the door, sir."
Leo rose, smiling. "Good. Let's head out."
---
The carriage rolled through the bustling streets of Fes, the capital. People bustled about, filling the air with chatter and the scents of street food. Leo took it all in, feeling more connected to this city than he ever had as a mere player of "Divine Inspiration" in his previous life. Now, this world felt tangible, and he was a part of its story.
In no time, the carriage reached the Royal Library, a building of solemn grey stone. Leo stepped out, nodding to Bender, who had accompanied him.
---
Inside, Leo was greeted by a staff member. "Good morning, Viscount Ainsworth. How may I assist you today?"
Leo waved him off. "I'll manage on my own, thank you." Being a noble granted him access to the Royal Library, one of Fes's greatest resources. Players had once struggled to earn this privilege, yet here he was, with a golden ticket into the archives.
The library was still quiet, and Leo made his way to the second-floor historical section. He knew precisely where to look, his mind cataloging each turn and row from countless hours spent here in his former life. Reaching a dusty volume titled History of Magical Development in the Kingdom of Fes, he gently extracted it from the shelf.
Climbing down, he turned to pages 352 and 353, where he found a slip of parchment, almost hidden among the chapters detailing the accomplishments of legendary mage Bobaka. With bated breath, Leo read the elegant script:
"Oh, congratulations! You are the mage who saw this place specifically. This is a small reward for you from the elemental master Bobaka. Accept it and praise the great Bobaka loudly!"
[Obtained Item: Bobaka's Arcane Notes]
[You have begun studying Bobaka's Arcane Notes and feel a deep sense of understanding awakening within you.]
[Learning progress: 10%… 50%… 100%]
A surge of insight rushed through him. Magic felt more alive, more tangible. Leo now saw its structure more clearly, understanding its form and intricacies with new depth.
[Your understanding of magic has increased, granting you the mage specialty: Arcane Insight]
[Replacing lower-tier feat Magical Thinking with Arcane Insight.]
Leo felt a thrill of accomplishment as his knowledge expanded. This was his first step into a journey of mastery, a path that would soon place him in a league of his own. He was no longer merely Leo Ainsworth, the unremarkable noble—he was someone shaping his destiny.