"Damn, I'm handsome!" Max exclaimed to himself as he looked at his reflection in the mirror.
He had just turned fifteen years old today, fifteen years of a second life in this world.
"Heh, who would have thought a normal guy like me would have another chance at life!" he muttered to himself.
He then ran his fingers through his platinum-gold hair that fell down his shoulders.
His lean muscles were glistening under the sunlight falling from the window to his right.
He was wearing black pyjamas with no shirt as he flexed his abs.
His piercing blue eyes shone with determination as he gazed at himself, 'I'm ready!' he exclaimed inwardly with resolve.
Just as Max was talking to himself, a knock was heard on his door.
KNOCK
"Young master, may I come in?" A female voice came from the other side.
Max's lips curved into a smile as he answered, "Come in, Helena." He said as he turned to the door, waiting for his personal maid to come in.
CLICK
The door opened and a young woman who appeared to be in her 20s walked in. She had black hair that was tied into a professional bun while her brown eyes glanced at him.
Her cheeks flushed a little when she noticed that he was half-naked and quickly averted her eyes while her perky body stiffened beneath her black maid uniform.
Max's smile widened in amusement when he noticed the flush in her cheeks, and she was stealing glances at him once in a while.
"Y-Young master, the mistress has done the preparations and is waiting for you," Helena said as she bowed to him slightly, her gaze fixed to the ground.
Max didn't reply to her; instead, his blue eyes gleamed with mischief as he walked toward her.
The young maid's body stiffened a little when she noticed that, but stayed in her place. The redness on her cheeks deepened while she clenched the ends of her dress.
"You know Helena, I turned fifteen today," Max said as he stopped a few centimetres away from her.
He extended his hand and raised Helena's head until her gaze matched his, "Where are my birthday wishes, Helena?" he asked with a smile on her face.
Helena's eyes widened in shock as she realised that she didn't wish her young master yet, "I-I am sorry, Y-Young master. H-Happy birthday!"
Max narrowed his eyes at this, his smile still lingering on his face as he leaned closer to her face.
Helena's face was now flushed red at how close he was. She could feel his hot breath on her cheeks as he spoke, "That won't do, Helena. I want a gift."
"A-A gift?"
"Yes, since I have to remind you that today is my birthday. It's fair that I ask for a gift, right?" Max asked, his smile working as he inched a little closer.
BADUMP
Helena shivered while her heart thumped against her chest when Max's lips grazed hers. Her breath hitched as she tried to answer, "Y-Y-Yes!" She then closed her eyes, waiting for Max to take the initiative.
Max's eyes gleamed at this; he inched a little closer, his lips now touching hers, their noses bumping into each other. "Helena," he whispered, "I will take my gift after my awakening." He said before pulling out.
"....Eh?" Helena exclaimed as she opened her eyes wide in shock.
Max had already walked back to the mirror and was wearing his shirt.
Helena's eyes twitched as she looked at her young master, her face reddened in embarrassment when she realised just how easily she surrendered to him. "Hmph! Bully!" she exclaimed cutely.
CHUCKLE
Max chuckled as he buttoned up his shirt and walked back to her, "Let's go." He said, as if nothing had happened between them.
Helena narrowed her eyes at him; she really wanted to punch his annoying face. But unfortunately, she can't.
She pursed her lips into a thin line while Max smirked at her and asked, "Helena, do you want to keep my mother waiting?"
At his question, all colour drained from her face as she hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
She then turned around and started walking out of the room, dragging him behind her.
Max smiled as he shook his head. They walked out of the room and stepped into a long hallway.
His eyes darted around the hall as he observed his surroundings.
Big large windows with thick curtains on his left illuminated the hallway while exquisite paintings decorated the wall on the right.
They continued walking for a few minutes, with Max exclaiming inwardly, 'Damn, this castle is big!'
They had been walking for a few minutes and they weren't even half way there.
'Ugh!' he grumbled inwardly as they continued to walk for another few minutes until they reached a black door.
Helena let go of his hand as she stepped forward and knocked on the door before saying, "Mistress, I have brought the young master."
"....Come in." A melodious voice came from behind the door after a few seconds.
Helena then straightened her posture and opened the door before turning to Max.
Max glanced at Helena for a moment before walking past her. While doing so, he heard a whisper in his ear, "All the best, young master."
Max smiled at this as he walked in, while the door closed behind him with a thud.
THUD
He then looked around the room. The walls of the room were made up of stones with rough edges.
It has no windows or sunlight entering and is illuminated by four glowing stones placed in each corner of the room.
In the centre of the room was a translucent orb placed on top of a stand.
And beside the stand was his mother, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in both of his lives.
Arvind Velaris, Max's mother, had long platinum-gold hair that came down to her waist.
Her voluptuous body was tightly hugged by a black robe while her sharp blue eyes stared at her son.
She had a calm, serene expression adorning her face, as if everything that's happening around her was none of her concern. "You're late," she said with a calm voice.
"I'm sorry, mom. But Helena was too much fun not to tease." He replied as he walked up to her.
He then stopped right in front of her while Arvina tilted her head slightly as she asked, "Do you like her?"
"Hmmm," Max hummed at her question before answering, "Yes, I do. But not as much as you." He said as he kissed her cheek.
Arvina's stoic gaze faltered while a small, unconscious smile bloomed on her face.
"Happy birthday, Max." She mumbled in a low voice.
"Thank you, Mom." He replied as he looked at her. "And mom, you cannot just leave me after just wishing me. As my birthday wish, I want you to stay with me for the rest of the day!" He added.
Arvina's smile widened ever so slightly as she nodded in reply, "Okay." She then turned around, facing the orb, "Are you ready?" She asked.
Max's eyes glinted with determination; he clenched his fists with resolve as he answered, "Yes!"