After supper, Chao Zhenyu sneaked out of bed. He took his time at the wardrobe, and upon realizing every outfit was essentially the same style, randomly picked one to wear. Each was slightly revealing- this one showed a slit of his shoulder- but he didn''t mind showing off his body. Rather, it was interesting to gradually understand his past self.


    It had only been two days, but he had actually grown quite attached to this body. After all, when he wanted it to move, it moved, and when he looked down at his feet, he saw its place in the world. In a way, it comforted him that he was not yet dead.


    But still, the shadow of the void persisted with each step he took forwards.


    Even though he logically knew the next step was to leave his bedroom, irrational fears still ate at his heart. I''m going to start off with an easy task first. He was simply going to walk around the mansion, familiarizing himself with at least the faces of the lower servants. This way, he could gradually get accustomed to exploring the unknown. And if he was lucky, perhaps he could gain more out of it.


    The moment Chao Zhenyu opened the door, grand, mesmerizing portraits appeared before his eyes. He was immediately captivated by the scale of them and how realistic they were painted. The men and women captured were mostly around the same age, evident wrinkles and greying hair betraying the youthful and condescending eyes. There were some younger portraits here and there as Chao Zhenyu walked past. All of the faces, however, showed hints of similarity: noses, eyes, and other such features. And they all seemed to be watching him.


    Each painting frame had a metal sign at the bottom, and as Chao Zhenyu read them, hints of an ancient past were revealed. These were the heads of the Valefors, their birth and death neatly recorded in a single line. The only sense of humanity remaining was the etching of their greatest accomplishments, if they had any at all.


    There were two extra words at the bottom of each name. It was always something like "Zander Valefor of XXX", with repeating words such as "Control" or "Conjuring". Chao Zhenyu kept them in mind, but he had a feeling he knew what they referred to.


    It seems like there''s a raw power I can get my hands on in this world.


    If he was right, then it would make his life, or keeping his life, somewhat easier.


    The descriptions as a whole were fun: some revealed a life of success, and others were basically kept blank. But what was considered success was more interesting to Chao Zhenyu. Expanding the family''s finances and economic gains of that nature were common, but others, especially relating to the claiming of life, seemed to be highlighted more.


    That Zander from earlier, for example, was particularly shrouded in glory. He had slaughtered countless rival families, and in the end, had helped a "Lord of Darkness" ascend to his throne.


    Chao Zhenyu had finally reached the end. At the last portrait, he paused, stopping in hesitant affection. For on the sign, it read:


    Everitt Valefor of Control, XX/XX-


    He couldn''t seem to understand the symbols afterward, but he assumed it was the date. Although that was strange, Chao Zhenyu didn''t think much of it; he was more focused on the painting itself. When his mother visited last, he didn''t manage to catch her appearance.


    She looked similar to him, or at least his nose and lips. Instead of a more piercing, fox shaped eyes, hers weren''t as upturned, giving her a more graceful, solemn impression. From her voice alone, it was exactly what Chao Zhenyu had in mind.


    This is… my mother.


    After her portrait, there was one last one, left completely blank.


    Chao Zhenyu''s heart leapt. He had always thought this house was just the starting point of his journey, an obstacle standing in the way of his survival. Perhaps it still was, but if he stayed…


    Stroke by stroke, arc by arc, his own face seemed to appear on that blank canvas. His usually unkempt black hair, perhaps with white strands, was neatly combed back, purple eyes piercing anyone that walked past. He wore that same vivid expression, condescending, yet this time, with a hint of maturity.


    And on his plate, it would read-


    "If I may, young master, what are you doing?"


    A snarky voice interrupted his grandiose designs. Chao Zhenyu turned around, facing the intruder. The speaker was young, about his age. She was tall, and had dirty blonde hair, tied up in a high bun. Holding a scroll in her hand, she wore a long cloak over her more professional attire, similar to the servant''s. The only difference was a metal plate beneath her chest, covering her stomach and lower torso. Her face was pretty by all means, bearing large, red eyes and small, pouty lips.


    But just by the sound alone, Chao Zhenyu recognized her, and couldn''t help but reveal a disdainful expression.


    Screw it. She already hates me regardless.


    "Ethel," Chao Zhenyu snorted. "I didn''t expect you of all servants to slack off. What are you doing here?"


    Sure enough, the word "servant" seemed to tick Ethel off. Her frown deepened.


    "Young master-"


    "Why aren''t you calling me ''Zain'' like you did before?"


    Ethel raised an eyebrow.


    "So you were only pretending to be asleep," Ethel mocked. "But guess what, young master? The mistress and I thought just as much. At least you were quiet for once. How thoughtful."


    Alright. Chao Zhenyu shrugged. He wasn''t about to condemn himself to the fate of arguing with a little girl. Under Ethel''s stare, he simply walked past.


    But the moment he crossed her, Ethel opened her mouth.


    "Zain Valefor."


    Chao Zhenyu paused. He slowly turned around, facing Ethel''s small smirk.


    "There," She offered. "Now at least you have an actual reason to bother the mistress."


    Under Chao Zhenyu''s stare, she continued.


    "Although it probably won''t even matter."


    Simply put, you don''t even matter, Chao Zhenyu summarized. Although he wasn''t sure where Ethel''s hostility came from, it was at least helpful to know her stance. Props to her, she made it clear from the very beginning. How honest.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    He''ll take that into consideration when dealing with her in the future.


    Once more, he turned around to walk past. He couldn''t let this affect him, though her words did sting. One wrong move, and he could be stuck in a much worse situation. Even being grounded could affect his chances to get ahead, and he might not have a chance to beat her up then.


    But as he walked, Ethel followed, until finally, Chao Zhenyu couldn''t take it anymore.


    "Was insulting me not enough?" He scoffed. "Now you have to follow me to the dredges?"


    "Who has the time to follow you?" Ethel retorted, making a face. "I simply have responsibilities along the same way, unlike you, skipping your own for base pleasures."


    …Responsibilities?


    "What responsibilities?"


    "Your classes, dumbass!"


    Ethel paused, taking a quick look around. Chao Zhenyu seemed to see a maid or two scuttle off, leaving the scene for good. When she deemed there was no one "important" present, Ethel continued.


    …It seems like she''s been harboring these thoughts for years.


    "Your classes, for one," Ethel scolded, gesturing with her fingers. "Rhetoric and politics, history, beast-taming, martial arts, ethics… which one have you learned? How many famous tutors have you gone through?"


    Beast-taming?...Ethics??


    Chao Zhenyu thought back to those signs. The imagery of gold, war, and bloodshed vividly came back to him. The corner of his mouth twitched.


    When Chao Zhenyu didn''t respond much to her ramblings, Ethel stopped. She made a slightly confused expression, before she shrugged and accepted it.


    "Seems like your fever calmed you down a bit, young master," She commented, before walking in a different direction, waving the scroll in her hand. "I''m off to serve the mistress now. See ya."


    It seems like Ethel is special amongst the servants, and is probably my mother''s personal attendant.


    Chao Zhenyu remembered the way she called him by name while he was in bed. But if his own mother didn''t respond to it, then he couldn''t do much about it. Not that he really cared, to be honest.


    And although she hates me… she wasn''t all that bad. At the very least she was diligent in serving mother.


    That was most important. Her listing off what he''d been doing wrong, even if ill-intentioned, wasn''t what someone dangerous would do. Instead, they would let him rot in his own body. Like a frog in a pot, none-the-wiser to the water beginning to boil.


    Chao Zhenyu rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, before heading off to where he saw the maids running earlier.


    I''m just going to do a quick inspection, before checking out the rest of the mansion.


    …Even for the sake of his own vanity, this place was much too large.


    He retraced his steps, until he noticed a familiar arch. As he walked closer, multiple figures slowly came into view. One of them was standing up, back facing Chao Zhenyu, and the rest were kneeling on the ground, heads lowered. A knocked over bucket was nearby, water pooling over the polished marble flooring. After realizing none of them spotted him from their positions, Chao Zhenyu stopped and waited for a spectacle.


    "You good-for-nothings!!"


    Chao Zhenyu flinched. That insult hit a little too close to home.


    "Have the scraps y''all consumed rotted your brains!? Huh??"


    The servants trembled, none of them daring to respond.


    "Let me tell you all something," The head servant continued, cracking a whip in her hands. "When you lot talked back last time, yeah? I let you off easy. You think cutting off meals was cutting off your heads? You think those pathetic excuses will work this time!?"


    She lashed out near the servants, causing them to crumple up.


    "If it weren''t for your bodies dirtying my mistress''s home," She gritted out. "I would have these tiles dyed red."


    Chao Zhenyu raised an eyebrow. Was this such a serious matter?


    "Alan, Tual, stand up!" The head servant seethed. The two servants she pointed out hesitated, before getting up, all the while maintaining their bowed heads. As they slowly lifted their faces, Chao Zhenyu''s eyes began to widen. One of the servants had dark brown hair and black eyes.


    Have I seen him somewhere?


    "Tual!"


    The one with dark brown hair jolted into position. He nervously looked ahead at the head servant, like a deer in front of a loaded bow. Staring at his creased eyebrows, wide eyes, and tense lips, Chao Zhenyu suddenly remembered.


    Wasn''t this… his servant?


    …Fuck. He wasn''t to blame for forgetting, surely. The boy''s face was simply too plain.


    …


    So his name is Tual.


    "Alan dirtying the floor is one thing. You think you can speak up for him?"


    Chao Zhenyu inwardly sighed, and began to walk closer. As the head servant rambled on, some kneeling servants took the opportunity to peek upwards. When they noticed him, they widened their eyes, unbeknownst to the head servant.


    "Who do you think you are, Tual!? YOU, are just a pathetic little thing…"


    By now all the kneeling servants, and even Alan, noticed Chao Zhenyu. They blinked and frantically distorted their faces, not knowing what to do.


    "DOOMED to serve the young master!!"


    The servants'' jaws fell to the ground. The head servant froze, lips still parted open. For now, there was an extra hand on her shoulder.


    She immediately turned around, and the sight of her worst fear befell her. There Chao Zhenyu stood, hand still midair. His face bore a slight, warm smile, but his eyes were cold and emotionless. In her panic, the head servant quickly took a step back, accidentally treading on the spilled water.


    But before she could trip, Chao Zhenyu caught her. He waited for her to stabilize, watching her quivering with slight curiosity. Then, amidst the servant''s stares, he noticed the whip on the ground. He carefully picked it up, eyeing the worn, metal hooks interwoven in the strips of rawhide. There was the scent of blood.


    How cruel.


    "Why aren''t you continuing?" Chao Zhenyu lazily asked, playing with the hooks in between his fingers. "If I remember correctly, you left off at ''doomed to serve the young master.''"


    "Y-Young master Zain," The head servant sputtered, bringing her hands together. "P-Please forgive this o-old woman-"


    "What''s there to forgive? You were correct, after all."


    Chao Zhenyu paused his actions and stared right into the head servant''s soul.


    "Since to me, any servant…"


    Under the head servant, Tual, and the rest of the cowering servants'' gazes, he continued.


    "...Is replaceable."


    An immediate hush befell all of them. Tension, thick enough to cut through, suffocated the servants. They immediately kneeled, knees buckling, foreheads against the ground. Chao Zhenyu gazed over them, strangely comforted by each exposed neck he saw. In a world and a body where he still essentially knew nothing, he knew for a fact death was certain.


    "Tual… was it?"


    Tual lifted his head, and when he saw Chao Zhenyu pointing his chin up for him to follow, immediately stood up. Dusting his robe, he hurried behind Chao Zhenyu, who had already begun to walk past.


    When Tual caught up, they had already passed through the side gate to the courtyard. Upon seeing Chao Zhenyu, guards standing by immediately let them pass, albeit giving each other a strange look. It had long been dark out, the white moon brilliantly gleaming in the hollowing night sky. But it didn''t matter, at least not for this family. Outlining each step, each patch, was the clear glow from ornate lamp poles.


    The moment he set foot outdoors, cold wind chilled his already feverish body. Still, he moved forwards.


    "Young master!" Tual huffed, sheepishly grinning. "T-Thanks, for just then."


    Chao Zhenyu didn''t even bother looking back at him. Instead, where Tual couldn''t see, he rolled his eyes.


    "There''s no need for thanks," Chao Zhenyu said, eyeing the expansive view in front of him. Flowering bushes, blooming plants, and fruit-bearing trees lay ahead, a neat path connecting them. "When I said servants are replaceable… you''re included, you know."


    As expected, Chao Zhenyu heard the pittering sound of Tual''s footsteps pausing. But then, they soon continued, even faster than before.


    "I-I know, young master," Tual clarified. "It''s already an honor for me to serve you this long…"


    "Oh? Remind me. How long has it been?"


    "Three years-"


    Tual suddenly stopped, almost colliding into Chao Zhenyu. The latter stood in front of a vast, overarching tree, quietly reading the stone plate next to it. Holding his breath, Tual silently took a step back, fingers tightening into a fist.


    "Here lies Cole Valefor… loving husband and father…"


    Chao Zhenyu mused.


    "Hey," Chao Zhenyu began, turning around.


    But when he saw the expression on Tual''s face, Chao Zhenyu stopped his trail of thoughts. He had almost made a serious mistake. Given the tense, almost pitying look in Tual''s eyes…


    This out of place grave…


    If I had asked who it was…


    "...Forget it," Chao Zhenyu sighed, walking back towards the mansion. It was freezing, anyway. He rubbed the side of his arms in discomfort. "Let''s go back."


    He was planning on asking Tual about the whole servant situation, but it seemed like that would have to wait for another day.


    As he slowly made his way back through the halls, portrait after portrait, tiredness began to creep its way into his mind. His eyelids and shoulders felt heavy, and when he finally returned to the comfort of his bed, peace and quiet soon embraced him.


    Tomorrow he would…


    Chao Zhenyu couldn''t help but close his eyes.


    Tomorrow…


    To…


    …


    And then, darkness.