Hajime, now eight years old, awoke to the sound of his butler Bradly gently shaking him.
"Young master, it's time to get up. Please get dressed and head to the dining room—breakfast will be served shortly."
In the darkness of a room untouched by sunlight, Hajime, still half-asleep, slowly opened his eyes. He pushed the silk sheets aside, letting his legs dangle off the edge of the bed. After taking a deep breath and rubbing his eyes, he stood.
"Bradly, do you have my clothes?"
Standing at attention, Bradly stepped forward and offered Hajime a neatly folded set of clothes. Then, without a word, he walked across the room and pulled open a pair of heavy black curtains. Sunlight poured into the room, chasing away the shadows.
After completing his morning task, Bradly exited quietly, closing the door behind him.
Yawning, Hajime placed the clothes on the bed, stripped off his pajamas, and left them in a crumpled pile on the floor. After dressing, he walked to the wooden door at the center of his room and opened it.
"I wonder what's for breakfast today," he murmured to himself.
As he walked down the extravagant hallway, Hajime's eyes drifted lazily across the series of oil paintings lining the walls until he reached the staircase leading to the mansion's entrance. Descending slowly, he turned left and spotted Bradly waiting near a door adorned with a silver fork and knife insignia. Faintly, Hajime could smell the unmistakable scent of bacon wafting through.
"Bradly, what's for breakfast today?"
"Today's menu is toast with eggs, sausage, and cheese."
"Okay, thanks."
With a respectful nod, Bradly opened the door and let Hajime into the dining room.
Inside, Kazuma sat at the far end of the long marble table, with Rin seated beside him. Noticing Hajime's arrival, Kazuma looked up and smiled.
"Good morning, Hajime."
"Good morning to you, Father," Hajime replied politely.
Turning to Rin, he bowed slightly. "Good morning to you as well, Mother."
With her mouth still full, Rin quickly swallowed, pushed her chair back, and walked over with a bright smile.
"Thanks for the good manners. Now come give your mother a big hug."
Hajime sighed in defeat but walked into her waiting arms and gave her a warm embrace. Afterward, Rin pulled out a chair for him, and Bradly soon returned with a plate stacked with eggs, toast, and sausage.
Once Hajime had finished eating, Bradly quietly cleared his plate. At the far end of the table, Kazuma set down his cup and spoke.
"Hajime, today you'll begin tutoring. Your mother and I have decided it's time for you to start your formal education. I'll be teaching you the sword, and Rin will handle your magic lessons."
Hajime froze, stunned. He tried to speak, but only stutters escaped.
"Did... d-did you s-say... magic?"
Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Magic is essential for a noble to master. We never mentioned it before, but your mother is actually a top-class mage—one of the best in the kingdom."
Hajime's eyes widened. Sweat formed on his forehead.
No way. There's magic in this world? I actually reincarnated into a world with real magic! I might be able to shoot fireballs, summon lightning, maybe even teleport across continents!
Caught in a whirlwind of excitement, Hajime sat frozen—completely lost in his daydream.
Kazuma, now concerned, studied his son's expression closely. Worry crept into his voice.
"Hajime… are you alright? Are you feeling sick?"
Hajime got a jolt of reality and snapped back to his senses. I need to focus, he thought. He looked back at his father, a smile slowly forming on his face.
"Father, I am ready to learn."
After Hajime and Kazuma's short interaction ended, Hajime pushed in his chair, said his goodbyes, and headed out of the dining room. He walked down the hall with quick, measured steps, passing through the grand corridors of the mansion until he finally arrived at the entrance. Waiting at the door was a single man, Bradly.
Kazuma approached the two towering doors and glanced over at Bradly.
"Bradly, would you be able to open the doors for me?"
Bradly, already prepared, opened the massive doors immediately.
"Here you go, young master. Be careful outside; it's hot today."
Not paying much attention to Bradly's warning, Hajime sprinted out the door.
Once outside, Hajime spent most of his free time walking around the edge of the manor's property. Though it might have seemed boring to anyone else, Hajime secretly used the time to train, running laps around the estate. To the casual observer, it probably looked like he was just playing, but Hajime knew better.
"Well, I think my training is paying off. Every day, I add a lap or two."
As he ran, Hajime's mind began to wander, and he couldn't help but daydream about his earlier conversation.
Now, today's the day I finally start sword training... and even magic! I wonder how magic works in this world. I hope it's not some lame incantation stuff. That would suck.
"Young master, it is time for lunch."
Hearing Bradly's voice snapped Hajime back to reality. He was drenched in sweat, and the afternoon sun was high in the sky, marking the time that had slipped away unnoticed.
"Young master, please hurry before the porridge gets cold. You should eat so you have enough energy for sword and magic practice later."
Bradly's words brought Hajime back to the present. He wiped the sweat from his brow and reluctantly slowed down his pace. With a quick nod, he turned toward the mansion, his thoughts still buzzing about the training that awaited him. Walking up the big steps, he could already feel the warm breeze from the open doors of the mansion.
Bradly opened the two towering doors with a practiced motion, stepping aside to let Hajime pass. Hajime entered the grand dining hall, the aroma of porridge greeting him immediately. As he walked to the table, his mind still raced with thoughts of swords and magic, but the promise of a warm meal made his stomach growl in anticipation.
"Good afternoon, Father. Good afternoon, Mother," Hajime greeted with a smile, walking toward the large table where Kazuma and Rin were seated.
Kazuma looked up from his meal with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Hajime. I hope your training is going well."
Rin, already halfway through her meal, paused to look at Hajime. "How's the weather outside? It must be nice to get some exercise."
"Yeah, I ran a few laps around the estate," Hajime said casually as he took his seat, his excitement still evident in his eyes. "But now I'm starving!"
Bradly quickly placed a steaming bowl of porridge in front of him. "Here you go, young master," he said with a bow, and Hajime wasted no time digging in.