Javier felt bored with his father's lecture, casually sitting back as the tirade continued.
"No! You won't get any permission from me!" the old man shouted, slamming his hand on the table. "Neither will anyone else! How do you expect to learn anything when all you do is waste time?"
Ugh… when will this old man be done?
Sigh… I already asked permission properly. And yet he starts his noble lecture and such.
He started feeling an itch inside his nose and began digging into it with his pinky finger, his expression utterly disinterested.
"Javier De Armand!" Lord Garius snapped, his face darkening. "Stop that rude posture and answer me properly!"
Still digging in his nose, Javier responded in a bored tone, "Esteemed father, as the youngest son, my duty is to observe and learn. And what better way to learn than through real-life experience?"
His casual tone earned him a sharp glare from his mother, Francesca, who was seated gracefully across the table. The subtle pinch of her brows warned him to tread carefully.
Garius crossed his arms, keeping his glare fixed on Javier at the end of the table. "Real-life experience? What do you hope to learn from wandering around like some commoner? You are nobility. You should be studying, training, and preparing for your blessing ceremony."
Javier sighed dramatically, his shoulders slumping, feeling annoyed by the lecture.
Damn this old man. It's just permission for me to experience this world, and yet he bombards me with lectures about nobility and such.
"Yes, yes… the blessing ceremony. How could I forget the grand event that determines my future class? Perhaps I'll become a humble farmer, or woodworker. I'm sure that will suit me well. Right, esteemed father?"
"You insolent child!" Lord Garius bellowed, rising to his feet. "How dare you mock your heritage in front of the family!"
Javier leaned back in his chair, casually replying to Garius's words, his eyes glinting with a mischievous light.
"I'm not mocking, Father. I'm merely exploring all possible outcomes. Isn't that what you want? A son who considers every option?"
Francesca's face turned serious, noticing Garius was about to erupt, his calm facade cracking under waves of anger.
"Enough!" Francesca's voice cut through the tension. She placed her fork down delicately. "Javier De Armand, apologize to your father. Now!"
The moment Francesca spoke, everyone fell silent.
Javier noticed his mother was serious. Her gaze was sharp, her posture rigid. His playful attitude vanished instantly. He stood properly and bowed toward his mother. "I'm sorry, Mother." Then he turned toward Garius and bowed deeply. "My deepest apologies, esteemed father."
Garius exhaled, reached for his knife and fork, and slowly continued to eat.
"See to it that it doesn't happen again. And forget about leaving the estate. You'll stay here and focus on your studies, just like the rest of your siblings."
"Yes, esteemed father." Javier exhaled and sat back in his seat, continuing to eat slowly.
Heh~ I don't need anyone's permission to do what I want. If you won't give me permission to go out… well… eheheeheh~
After the meal, Javier finished last. He leaned back in his chair after Liana finished tidying his plate and brought it to the main kitchen, her movements silent and efficient.
He stood up from his chair the moment Liana was near him, then headed out of the dining room while she followed closely behind.
Javier put both hands behind his head as he walked.
"Liana?"
"Yes, young master?" Liana glanced up from behind him, her expression calm but watchful.
"Pack some snacks and a cloak," he whispered, his grin widening. "We're going on an adventure tomorrow."
Liana paused, crossed her arms, and glared up at him. "No, Young Master. I don't want you sneaking out. Do you know how much trouble I'll be in if Lord Garius finds out?"
Javier tilted his head, giving her his most innocent smile.
"Oh, come now, Liana. Who said anything about sneaking? We're just going to the nearby village, taking a simple walk, and coming back home afterward. A harmless little outing."
Liana narrowed her eyes at him. "You've been talking about 'adventuring' for weeks now. I know exactly what you're planning, young master. So the answer is no."
"Uwah~ really, Liana? I thought you were going to help me here." Javier flashed his most innocent, pleading eyes toward her.
Liana glared hard, her aura flaring with stern authority. "No means NO. Do you understand that, young master? Hmm?"
"Tch… fine…" Javier clicked his tongue and turned away, continuing to walk with both hands behind his head.
Heh~ Who needs food? I can just start hunting monsters or find edible fruit later.
Liana exhaled and followed him from behind, keeping a close eye on him. "Now, let's get you to bed before you get any more wild ideas, young master."
"Yes, yes… I know, Liana." Javier exhaled and kept walking toward his bedroom.
When they reached his room, Liana helped him get ready for bed, changing his sleepwear and adjusting the covers. "Don't even think about sneaking out, young master."
"Yes, yes… I know, Liana." Javier lay down on the bed, looking at her.
She gave him one last skeptical look before tucking him in and planting a kiss on his forehead. Javier pulled her wrist gently for a kiss on her lips.
Liana closed her eyes and let him kiss her. After they pulled away, Liana smiled. "Good night, Young Master."
"Mm… Good night, Liana." Javier said, watching the sway of her hips as she walked gracefully toward the door and closed it after one last peek.
Javier smirked, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
Heh~
Early dawn.
Javier slipped past the estate's main gates, wearing an invisible cloak he had crafted himself, making him undetectable to the Armand guards stationed nearby.
A triumphant grin spread across his face as he darted onto the open road, feeling the exhilarating rush of freedom, leaving the estate several hundred meters behind.
The moment he was out of sight of the walls, he took a deep breath of the dawn's fresh air, inhaling the crisp scent of dew and pine, then exhaling slowly with satisfaction.
Alright! Time for me to explore this world!!!
He flicked his finger, activating his wind magic to enhance his speed, and began dashing forward with blurring swiftness.
Who needs a weapon when I've got this? Magic! Magic! And Magic! Kekeke~
A faint glow emanated from his palm as he gathered mana from his surroundings while dashing forward at full speed.
Let's see what's out here. Will I encounter those magical beasts I read about in the books? The ones I only ever watched in anime or read about in novels back in my old world?
I guess it's time to find out! Ekekeke~
He dashed forward toward the forest. The forest loomed dark and mysterious ahead. His heightened senses picked up distant sounds, chirping crickets, hooting owls, the sharp snap of a twig.
A low growl echoed from the underbrush to his left. He stopped, eyes narrowing.
"Alright," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Time for some action."
From the shadows emerged a wolf-like creature, its fur bristling, eyes glowing a sinister red. It snarled, stepping closer, saliva dripping from its sharp fangs.
"Looks like my first challenge." He raised his glowing hand, wind swirling around him in visible, shimmering currents.
The wolf lunged toward him, jaws wide, trying to bite him.
Javier smirked and unleashed a concentrated gust that knocked the creature back into the bushes in one swift motion.
"Hah! Too easy!" Javier grinned, raising one palm. Wind magic aura flared all over his body, swirling around him like a miniature storm, while a compact sphere of compressed air formed in his outstretched hand.
More growls sounded from the forest, and a pair of glowing red eyes became a dozen, emerging from the shadows, an entire pack.
"Oh, so you brought friends, huh? Even better!!!" Javier smirked, his wind aura flaring brighter around his body, rustling the leaves and stirring the dirt at his feet.
This is going to be more fun than I thought.
(End of Chapter)