The soft light of dawn filtered through the windows of Aiden's room, casting a warm glow on the neatly arranged furniture. Aiden stirred in his bed, blinking slowly as he adjusted to the morning light. He pushed the covers aside and stretched, letting out a small yawn before sliding out of bed.
After freshening up and splashing cool water on his face, he felt more awake and ready to start the day. He had just finished buttoning up his shirt when a soft knock sounded at his door.
"Come in," Aiden called, smoothing his hair.
The door creaked open, and Greta stepped inside, her maid outfit crisp and spotless. The black-and-white fabric complemented her blossoming beauty, and her brown hair, tied into a bun, left her delicate features in full view. Her warm smile greeted him as she clasped her hands in front of her.
"Good morning, young master," Greta said softly. "Lady Fiona asked me to call you for breakfast."
"Thank you, Greta," Aiden replied with a nod.
As they walked down the wide, elegant corridor toward the dining area, Aiden couldn't help but notice the subtle sway of Greta's hips as she moved gracefully in front of him. Her steps were light, and the gentle rhythm of her movement was… distracting. He quickly shook the thoughts from his mind, trying to focus on the polished floors and ornate walls of the mansion instead.
The dining hall was as grand as ever, with its long table, sparkling silverware, and a chandelier casting a soft glow over the room. Fiona sat at the head of the table, radiating her usual regal charm.
"Aiden," she greeted with a smile as he entered, "come, sit. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, Aunt Fiona. Thank you," Aiden replied, taking his seat.
As breakfast was served, Fiona sipped her tea before addressing him. "Aiden, I want to discuss something important. The academy entrance exams are only two months away."
Aiden froze mid-bite, his eyes widening slightly. "Two months?" he repeated, his tone a mix of surprise and worry.
Fiona nodded, amusement flickering in her emerald eyes. "Yes. I think you should start studying the curriculum they expect for the exam. Even with your talent, preparation is key."
Aiden nodded slowly, the news sinking in. His thoughts wandered to Rodrick and Lily, wondering how they were faring in the academy after their entrance exams. A small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered their determination, but a pang of worry followed.
"I'll begin preparing right away," Aiden said with determination, his mind already forming a plan.
As breakfast concluded, Aiden stood to excuse himself, intending to head to the library for another day of study. But before he could leave, Fiona's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Oh, Aiden," she said casually, "before you go, I thought I'd let you know—I've assigned Greta as your personal maid."
Aiden blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "Greta?" he asked, glancing toward the entrance where she stood quietly outside the doorway.
"Yes," Fiona said, her tone laced with playful teasing. "She's been helping around the mansion for months, but you haven't so much as touched her despite living here all this time."
Aiden's cheeks flushed instantly. "W-what?" he stammered, his voice rising in shock. "I'm only nine years old! How could you say something like that?"
Fiona chuckled, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. "Oh, don't be so serious, Aiden. I was only teasing. But Greta will be attending to you from now on. You should get used to having her around."
Still red-faced, Aiden nodded awkwardly and hurried out of the dining hall, feeling as though he had just dodged a bullet.
As Aiden stepped into the corridor, he found Greta waiting for him with her usual soft smile. She tilted her head curiously when she saw his slightly dazed expression.
"Young master, are we heading to the library now?" Greta asked, her voice gentle but tinged with shyness.
Aiden quickly composed himself and nodded. "Yes, let's go."
As they walked, Aiden couldn't help but become more conscious of Greta's presence. Her elegant movements, the way her maid outfit hugged her figure, and the faint scent of lavender she carried—it all felt… different. For a moment, he thought back to his days on Earth and the cliché dream of beautiful girls in maid outfits.
Meanwhile, Greta felt the weight of Aiden's gaze on her back, and her cheeks burned a deep shade of red. She kept her head down, smiling shyly as her heart raced. Does young master fancy me? she wondered, the thought sending a thrill through her.
When they reached the library, an air of subtle tension hung between them. Aiden, still flustered from earlier, fumbled slightly as he turned to Greta.
"I'll be here for a while," he said, avoiding her gaze. "You should go and have breakfast."
Greta smiled at him, her cheeks still tinged with pink. "As you wish, young master," she replied. But as she turned to leave, she whispered softly, "Though I wouldn't mind being with you every moment."
Aiden heard the words clearly, and his eyes widened. "Did you say something?" he asked, his tone hesitant.
Greta froze, her face turning as red as a ripe tomato. "N-no, young master!" she stammered, bowing quickly. "I'll return soon if you need me!"
She walked away briskly, her heart pounding as she chastised herself for almost revealing her feelings. Aiden, meanwhile, stood there dumbfounded, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.
"So that's why Aunt Fiona assigned her to me," he muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.
In a lighter mood, Aiden settled into the library, surrounded by shelves filled with ancient tomes. His focus returned to his current challenge: space magic. It had been months since he last performed alchemy or blacksmithing, and he knew how valuable spatial storage would be for carrying tools and materials.
Despite weeks of studying, the texts on time and space magic remained frustratingly incomprehensible. If these tomes aren't rare, why haven't there been more time or space mages? he wondered.
Then a thought struck him: Maybe others failed because they didn't have what I have—the shard.
Summoning a golden seed, Aiden brought it to his forehead. The seed glowed faintly before being absorbed into his skin, sending a wave of warmth through his body.
As the seed activated, Aiden felt weightless, as though he were floating in a void. His perception of mana shifted entirely. He could see the intricate flow of mana around him, the way it interacted with the world, and even how his own body resonated with it.
This heightened awareness gave him new insight into the texts he had struggled with for months. As he read a tome on space magic, a faint violet glow began to surround him.
Page after page, Aiden's understanding deepened. He entered a trance-like state, his focus unbroken as he absorbed the knowledge. Finally, he chanted a series of syllables, the words flowing from his lips as though they had always been a part of him.
The violet mana around him coalesced, forming a shimmering blackish portal about one meter in diameter. Aiden reached out with his mana, sensing the space within—a storage area roughly 10 cubic meters in size.
His eyes widened in awe as he gazed at the portal. "I did it," he whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.
For the next several minutes, Aiden opened and closed the portal repeatedly, experimenting with the new ability like an excited child. But the seed's effect eventually wore off, and the intense mana drain left him dizzy.
Moments later, his vision blurred, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious but with a satisfied smile on his face.