It wasn't much longer until the carriage came to a stop, bringing him to the estate of the one that had saved him from an untimely demise.
"Woah," Gael let out as he stepped out of the carriage.
Even beneath the moonlight, it was easy to get swept away by the scale and majesty of it; the mansion guarded by colossal, pink-and-silver trees. The paved walkway was neighbored by a garden of colorful flowers of all complexions.
Equally lavish and wondrous, the Peonyvale estate seemed like something out of this world, though he reminded himself he now stood in another. Just the courtyard was larger than the entire properties of wealthy people he'd seen in his life.
"Come along now," Blythe said, gesturing to him to follow with a soft smile. "I'm sure you'd like supper. I know I do."
"Right. Yeah," Gael nodded, walking along the pathway between the colorful trees and flowers.
The inside of the mansion was no less awe-inspiring, not just the sheer scale of it, but the vast paintings that were displayed on the walls, accompanied by antiques undoubtedly of high value.
Some represented fantastical sceneries, some of floating islands, others of upside down forests. It was hard to tell which were depicting real places or imaginary ones, considering the world of fantasy he presided in now.
"An eye for art? I didn't take you for that sort of person," Blythe remarked with a playful smile, stepping past him with her hands held behind her back.
A glistening chandelier hung over the opening room to the mansion, casting its warm light over the walls of scenic paintings and over the wooden floorboards.
"I guess, sorta, not really–just caught my eye is all–" Gael answered.
Just as he turned forward again, he bumped right against what felt like a brick wall, though he swore there wasn't one there a moment prior. No, getting a look at the black, neatly-maintained fabric, it wasn't a wall, but the abdomen of a man.
"Ah–?" Gael looked up.
Staring down at him was a mountain of a man, wearing a sleek, black suit with white gloves, adjusting his own monocle over his wizened face. Though the man was certainly up there in years, presenting slicked-back, white hair and a fitting mustache, his build was no lesser than that of an Olympian.
"Oh, there you are, Norbert," Blythe called out.
The giant of a senior turned to the side, humbly bowing, "I am glad to see you've returned safely, Lady Peonyvale. Supper preparations have been set in the dining hall."
"Norbert, this is Gael. He will be staying with us. Treat him just as you would me," Blythe said with a smile.
Gael was surprised to now find the elder butler granting him a bow as well, not really knowing what to do with that sort of show of respect.
"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Gael. If you require anything, leave it to this humble servant," Norbert welcomed him.
"Hey, man, the honor is all mine," Gael bashfully said with a small laugh.
A nod came from the butler before he straightened himself out, towering a full two heads over the new guest to the estate.
Blythe was halfway up the marble steps that led to another floor, "Show Gael to his room, Norbert. After you settle in, we can meet in the dining hall, Gael."
"Yes, Lady Peonyvale," Norbert bowed.
"Sounds good," Gael said.
Following the butler through the interior, it felt like attempting to navigate through a labyrinth, only relieved he was being escorted by the reliable man.
"This place is pretty big, isn't it? Blythe must be a big deal," Gael remarked, glancing at the paintings on the walls.
"Lady Peonyvale is, yes—"a big deal." Norbert said as though correcting his casual tone. "This domain is under her benevolent rule."
"Yeah—" Gael said.
Before he could say anything else, he found himself nearly colliding with the chest of the mountain of a butler.
"—Wha?"
"Your room," Norbert promptly said. "Right here."
Gael glanced to the right, finding the hand of the imposing man gesturing towards the door in the middle of the hall.
"Oh, right," he said, twisting the handle.
Opening the door, he found a rather simple, but spacious room designated for himself. It was equipped with a made, comfortable-looking bed, a pair of dressers and a window that peered outside.
"It's nice. I can get used to this," he remarked, glancing back.
He found himself in a one way conversation as the butler was already gone from the doorway without a sound. Scratching his head, he sat down on the bed, finding it properly cushioned.
'Right…A lot has happened. This system of mine…I have some summons to use, right?' He thought.
[Available: (2)x Permanent Summons.]
To his surprise, the internal intelligence answered the question that came to mind. Putting his hand to his chin, he thought about it for a moment.
'I need more strength, right? A permanent summon…The question is, do I want a familiar, skill, or weapon?' He thought.
With some consideration, he made his choice:
"Let's go with a permanent skill summon," he declared, holding his hand out.
[Skill Summoning Initiated | (N): 70% | (R ): 20% | (SR): 7% | (SSR): 2% | (UR): 1%]
The flashing lights filled the room, humming with mystical forces that weaved together whatever fate had in store for him.
[Chance Summoning complete…You've obtained…!]
[Skill Permanently Obtained: (R) "Invisibility"]
With the particles fading, he was presented with the results of his summon.
"Invisibility? Wait, really?" He said with building excitement.
There was a natural reflex etched into his body with the development of the ability. By simply willing the concept of "Invisibility"—it happened.
Staring at his own hand, he saw the olive-painted wall through it. Waving it side to side, there was nothing to be seen besides a very subtle, transparent outline of his fingers.
"Woah."
Standing up from the bed and looking down, a sense of unease rippled through his body when seeing nothing. Not even viewing his feet planted against the floorboards, a weightless coursed through his body before—
"Ah!"
He caught himself, nearly stumbling his way into faceplanting the wooden floor. That loss of focus seemed to break up the spell, bringing his body back into view as he coaxed air into his lungs.
'That was…strange. Still, a skill like this has to be pretty useful,' he considered.