"Have you packed everything?" Velc Frostblade inquired, his voice carrying a blend of authority and paternal concern, as he delicately sliced into a succulent piece of meat, the aroma wafting through the air tantalizing the senses.

The meat dissolved on his tongue like butter, each bite a symphony of flavours that danced upon his palate.

"Yes, Father," Kai Frostblade replied with a respectful nod, echoing his father's mannerisms as he too savoured the meal with poise, his movements measured and refined.

"Hmm..." Velc nodded in approval, his sharp eyes scanning the table before turning his gaze to his daughter, who sat beside him, "Selene?"

"Yes, Father," Selene responded with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting both determination and affection as she mirrored the elegance of her father and brother, her posture poised and graceful.

The Frostblade family occupied the grand dining hall, a space that dwarfed Aether's so-called room, with ornate decorations adorning the walls and the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambience over the room.

Maids and servants discreetly lingered nearby, ready to attend to their master's needs with silent efficiency.

Alfred, Velc's trusted aide, stood faithfully by his side, his presence a silent testament to his unwavering loyalty, while Timmy, Kai's companion, stood at attention beside him, his expression a mix of pride and anticipation while glancing at Selene.

As for Aether.... he remained among the servants, his presence almost blending into the background as he carried out his duties with quiet diligence, his thoughts drifting to the events of the past weeks.... wiping his drool.

Today marked the departure of Kai and Selene for their monster hunting expedition and...today would be the day he was freed from his slave job.

'Fuck! Yeah!!' Aether screamed inwardly since he could have more time to train his body.

It had been two weeks since Aether's arrival in this world, and though he had initially resisted his life as a slave..... he found himself gradually accepting his fate, realizing that he was already enslaved by societal norms in his previous life, his sense of self slowly fading as he assimilated into his new reality.

Anyhow....

After that fateful night, Selene didn't offer him any chocolates again. While Aether was relieved to avoid unnecessary complications, a part of him couldn't help but yearn for the taste of those delicious treats.

Food was important...!!!

Shaking off those nonsensical thoughts, Aether smiled as he glanced at his Log,

/

Name: Aether

Sex: Male

Race: #####

Level: 0

Title: The Lost One, Slave [Eternal Contract to ########], The Only Holder of Ether and Past-less, Future-less Entity.

Attributes:

Strength: 3

Agility: 3

Intelligence: 10

Magic Affinity: 0

Charm: 2

Compatibility: 88%

Survival rate= 0.7%

Affection Points: 04323 (1000 Affection Points = 1 *any Attributes)

?????

/

Though others might not see much reason to be pleased, for Aether, it represented a significant improvement.

Through diligent training, he had enhanced his physical capabilities without relying solely on his Affection Points, which he preferred to stack for future needs.

He couldn't deny feeling a pang of regret for having used up most of his Affection Points on Intelligence, realizing it might not have been the wisest decision. Nevertheless, he reminded himself that his stash of Affection Points could still prove invaluable in critical situations.

Most importantly, his survival rate had seen a slight increase.

'Fuck! Yeah!' Though small, it was a sign of progress, a step towards greater resilience and endurance.

A growth was still growth, regardless of the amount!!

"Okay, gather your belongings and meet at the mansion's entrance within fifteen minutes," Velc instructed as he finished his meal.

""Yes, Father,"" Kai and Selene replied in unison, also concluding their dining.

Once the master and young masters had departed, the servants and maids resumed their duties, and Aether began clearing the table.

"Munch, Munch"

A distinct munching sound caught Aether's attention. He glanced over to find Timmy happily indulging in the leftovers, particularly those that had been left behind by Selene.

"What?" Timmy shot Aether a defensive glare as he continued to enjoy his impromptu meal.

Aether simply shook his head, a gesture of resignation. Over time, he had grown accustomed to witnessing such behaviour.

Initially taken aback, he had considered intervening, but upon observing the lack of reaction from the other servants.... including Alfred, his father, he had thought better of it.

With a silent sigh, Aether returned his focus to his own tasks, deciding to avoid unnecessary entanglements in the quirks of an idiot.

After 15 minutes had elapsed, Velc Frostblade stood expectantly at the entrance of the mansion, his gaze scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

He stood at the entrance of the mansion, calling out impatiently, "Are you guys not ready yet?"

"I am here, Father!" Kai's voice rang out as he arrived punctually, carrying only a small backpack.

"Hmm? Is that all you need?" Velc questioned, observing his son's minimalist approach to packing.

"Yes, Father. I need to learn a lot of things, and having too many belongings would only hinder my movement," Kai explained, his expression serious and determined.

Velc nodded approvingly, a hint of pride evident in his smile as he observed his son's mature decision-making.

"I-I am here, Father," Selene announced, her voice slightly strained as she struggled to drag a cumbersome suitcase behind her.

At the sight of his daughter's predicament, Velc couldn't contain his laughter. "Hahaha..."

Selene's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she shot her father a reproachful glare.

"I-I am sorry, Selene... It's just that you reminded me so much of your mother," Velc explained, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he reminisced briefly. Shaking off the sentimentality, he addressed his children with a serious tone,

"My children..." Velc began, placing his hands on their shoulders and imparting his wisdom. "It's commendable that you seek to improve yourselves and fight for our family. However, should you ever encounter danger that threatens your lives..."

He paused, his gaze shifting between Kai and Selene, his expression grave,

"Run... No matter what happens.

Run... even if it means leaving others behind.

Velc then focused his attention on Kai, his grip tightening on his son's shoulders,

"Especially you, Kai. I know your instinct is to help those in need, and that's a noble trait. But remember, your life is worth more than that of thousands of people. You don't need to--"

Before Velc could finish his warning, Kai interjected with determination, "I'm sorry, Father, but I want to become just like my grandfather..... No, even greater than him!" as he declared with resolute expression.

Velc's expression flickered with annoyance at his son's interruption. He had been trying to impart important advice, but Kai seemed determined to follow his own path.

However, his irritation was quickly overshadowed by the sound of hearty laughter echoing throughout the mansion.

"Hahahaha.....Well, Said! My Grandson!!"..... ahaha"The booming laughter echoed in the whole Mansion.

"Grandpa!" Kai exclaimed, his face lighting up as he spotted the source of the laughter.

With a swift motion, he brushed off Velc's hands and darted towards the old man..... Mortimer Frostblade.

Velc clicked his tongue in annoyance at the interruption, watching as his son eagerly approached his father. Yet, his attention then turned to Selene, who stood silently nearby..... A sense of pride swelled within him at her love, reassuring him that at least one of his children cherished him.

"At least she loves me," Velc murmured to himself, finding solace in the affection of his daughter.