León kept staring at the steaming liquid without drinking it. His mother, Isolde, watched him from the other end of the table with that cold expression that seemed to be her default state.
"I hope you won't be any more of a disgrace than you already are," she said calmly, as if she were commenting on the weather.
León could only grip the cup tightly, but he kept his expression neutral. "I won't be," he replied indifferently.
Isolde watched him for a moment, as if weighing whether his words carried any weight. "I hope so," she continued, taking a sip of her own tea. "You'll be going with your sister, who at least is good at something, unlike you, who doesn't train and couldn't even pass the physical exam. Remember that you got in thanks to my money…"
León felt his stomach twist at her words, but it wasn't the first time he'd heard comments like that. Still, coming from his own mother felt different.
'This woman…'
[Calm down, it's not worth it]
León didn't respond. He just gave a slight nod to himself, keeping his gaze lowered. "Understood," he murmured.
Isolde set her cup down on the table with a soft clink. "Good. You may leave."
León stood up without saying anything else, gave a slight bow, and walked out of the room.
When the door closed behind him, he let out the breath he'd been holding. 'What a fucking mess…'
He looked around and noticed that Cassia, his white-haired maid, was waiting for him at the side of the hallway. Her head was bowed and her hands were clasped in front of her.
León watched her for a moment. 'It must suck to always be on alert for someone… and for that someone to treat you like shit.'
He vaguely remembered that the original León had been a complete asshole to his servants—beating them, insulting them, humiliating them constantly. Everything a spoiled noble could do.
Cassia had been his personal maid for years. León noticed how she avoided getting too close, how she kept her eyes fixed on the floor, as if she were afraid even to make eye contact.
'Shit…' he sighed, and simply walked past her.
"Cassia," he said calmly. She tensed instantly. "Yes, Your Excellency?" she replied quickly, without lifting her gaze.
"Bring me some books on the Shadowend family and on basic magic."
Cassia blinked, surprised by the request, but nodded immediately. "Right away, Your Excellency."
She turned and walked quickly down the hallway, disappearing around a corner. León returned to his room and dropped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
'I've got two weeks to prepare…'
[Exactly. Tomorrow I'll give you your first mission]
'Mission?'
[Yes, but I won't tell you what it is yet. It'll be a surprise]
León frowned, clearly annoyed. 'I hate surprises.'
[I know… but it'll be fun]
Before he could reply, someone knocked on the door. "Come in," León said, knowing who it was.
The door opened and Cassia entered carrying such a tall stack of books that she could barely see over them. She walked carefully, trying not to trip.
When he saw her, León stood up immediately and walked toward her.
"Wait, let me help you."
Cassia froze in place, eyes wide. "N-no, Your Excellency, I can—"
But León had already taken half the books from her arms. "There," he said neutrally, walking to the table and setting them down.
Cassia remained frozen where she stood, staring at him with a mix of confusion and nervousness.
"I-I… can do it myself, Your Excellency," she murmured, her voice trembling.
León glanced at her sideways and noticed the fear in her eyes. It wasn't fear of being scolded—it was fear of him.
'The previous León really was a total son of a bitch…' he sighed, and sat down in the chair in front of the table.
"It's fine," he said in a calm tone. "I'll be studying all day, so you can take the day off."
Cassia blinked, as if she hadn't heard correctly.
"E-excuse me?"
"Take the day off," León repeated, opening one of the books. "I don't need you here."
Cassia stood in silence, processing the words. Then, quickly realizing her mistake, she bowed.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but that wouldn't be possible. My duty as your personal maid is to be at your disposal at all times."
León looked at her steadily and could see in her eyes that she really wanted to be as far away from him as possible.
'I don't blame her,' he thought, sighing, and closed the book with a sharp snap.
"I'm giving you an order, Cassia. Take the day."
She opened her mouth to protest, but stopped and then nodded slowly.
"A-as you command, Your Excellency."
She curtsied and left the room, closing the door behind her.
León was left alone, surrounded by books. 'Well… at least now I can focus.'
He opened the first one, titled History of House Shadowend, and began to read.
[Well done, host. You're starting to change your reputation]
'I didn't do it for that,' León thought. 'I just… don't want to be like the previous idiot.'
[I know. That's why I like you]
León didn't reply and kept reading.
Hours passed as León devoured book after book, absorbing information about the Shadowend family, basic magic, and the academy.
When he finally looked up, it was already night. The room was lit only by the candles Cassia had left burning before she left.
León rubbed his eyes, tired. 'Shit… I read too much.'
[But it was worth it. Now you have a better understanding of the world]
'I guess.'
[Beast Tamer System]
[Notice: Tomorrow you will receive your first Mission]
[Reward: Complete memories of León Shadowend's body]
León read the message carefully. 'Complete memories?'
[Exactly. You'll know everything the original León knew: his relationships, his secrets, his mistakes. Everything]
León leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. 'That… is useful.'
[It is. Rest, host. Tomorrow will be an interesting day]
Without more, the screen vanished.
León closed the books and stood up. He walked to the bed and dropped onto it, staring at the dark ceiling.
'It better work.'