Arriving with his mother in the dining room, Astra could see his father William, his second mother Amelia, and his siblings there.
Everyone was awaiting his arrival.
Seeing the new guests enter the dining room, those present couldn't help but smile.
For his part, Astra took time to examine the dining room's layout again.
Too luxurious, he thought.
The mansion's main dining room was a vast, vaulted room that combined ancestral elegance with the magical refinement of a golden age. The walls were made of polished stone, adorned with tapestries embroidered with gold thread.
However, what dominated the room and captured Astra's gaze was the colossal chandelier suspended high from the vaulted ceiling.
It was made not of iron or bronze, but of lunargen crystal, a rare translucent mineral that resonated with the magical energy of the surroundings.
Its surface emitted a soft blue glow, as if catching starlight.
Embedded along its curved and artfully intertwined arms were purified mana stones, each carved with illumination arrays that pulsed with a constant glow, mimicking the warmth of flames.
The result was a vibrant, soft, and enveloping illumination that bathed the room in hues of gold and blue, highlighting the long, dark wood table, crystal goblets, and porcelain plates.
Although, according to Astra, these stones had to be replaced once consumed, which increased the cost of their use considerably.
That's why the main dining room was only used for special occasions, like when his grandparents returned.
Thanks to what Astra had learned, he could see many ways to improve the chandelier's performance.
He could inscribe a matrix that would feed off the ambient mana flow itself, making the chandelier an eternal source of light, without the need to constantly change the mana stones.
In fact, he could try applying that same idea to the rest of his house.
Maybe I should try it later, he thought.
Although Astra couldn't use magic at the time, he could engrave runes and matrices, of course, activating them is the key.
Runes use mental strength to engrave and mana to activate.
One of the characteristics of his physique is that he has quite a high level of mental strength, so he can engrave almost any runes and matrices he wants.
By using a mana stone as a power source, he could activate a large number of minor runes and matrices.
As for the more advanced options, he still needs materials that can withstand their use.
Pulling him out of his thoughts of installing a better lighting system for the house, his sister Evangeline's voice sounded:
"Astra, come. Sit next to me."
Evangeline had grown a lot over the years. Her height had increased, and her blue hair now reached the middle of her back.
Now, looking at her, she gave off a certain sense of refinement and nobility. She was a lady in every way.
I imagine she'll be very popular when she goes to the academy next year, Astra thought.
"Greetings, father, mother, and siblings," Astra said, greeting her and bowing slightly.
To which all his relatives responded with a smile.
"Come on, you know we don't have so many rules among us," said his father, William.
Although his family had assigned him an etiquette teacher a year ago so he could learn all about being a nobleman,
they themselves didn't have so many inhibitions. They were quite free in that regard, so etiquette was more something to show others when visiting.
"All right, Father," Astra said with a slight smile.
Then he went and sat next to Evangeline, who was looking at him with a big smile. Then she said,
"Very cute, little brother."
"I imagine when you leave the house you'll dazzle everyone. It's better if you hide your face or they won't kidnap you."
"You're joking, sister," Astra said with a wry smile.
"So, when will the grandparents arrive?" he asked next.
A male voice answered from behind him:
"Their master and madam will be arriving very soon."
Astra jumped slightly at the sudden surprise and turned to look.
It was Sebastian, the family's chief butler.
"You... shouldn't appear so suddenly," Astra said, his voice slightly choked.
"Hahaha, you should get used to it, young master."
Sebastian was a tall man with a slender, well-proportioned figure. His hair was gray, and he had some wrinkles on his face, making him look older and more experienced.
He wore a black butler's suit with gold trim, and the beginnings of a blood-red cape could be seen on his shoulders, reaching to the floor.
He easily fulfilled every stereotype of a butler in a fantasy story.
"Damn, ghostly old man, you almost scared me to death."
"Hmm… Did he say something, young master?" Sebastian asked, startling Astra.
"No, nothing…" But before he finished his words, Astra could see Sebastian still smiling, as if he had heard him and was mocking him.
Then, thinking about that man's cultivation realm, he realized Sebastian could easily hear everything.
The realms in this world are as follows: Tempered Body, Refined Energy, Convergence, Nirvana, Transcendent, Legend, Myth, Saint, Demigod, and finally, the God realm.
Sebastian is a strong man of the Saint realm. It stands to reason that he can see their small actions.
After all, those who cultivate have a keen awareness of their surroundings, especially those with extensive fighting experience.
As if remembering something, Astra looked away from Sebastian and turned to his family.
It would have been better if he hadn't. He had just remembered that he was the only one present who hadn't cultivated.
He saw each of his family members trying to suppress their laughter; it was clear they had heard it too.
Beside him, Evangeline was already giggling.
And even the no-longer-shy James was struggling to contain himself, looking away with an awkward smile.
Astra could understand the situation at first glance.
After all, he was the only one among all those present who hadn't cultivated.
Likewise, each of them had gone through family training, so it was normal for them to pick up on his small remarks.