Yuuma's fingers slid across the front of a bookcase revealing the name of the section carved cleanly and well written. His fingertips left a clean trail and dust toppled over onto the already dusty floor. His shoes left tracks onto the wooden floorboards like animal tracks in snow. Unlike the marble corridors which were cleaned to perfection with a pretty glow, the library was like comparing royalty to a slum.
There were a total of forty or so bookshelves in the cramped room with some books spilling out onto the ground with no place to go, no room for them on the shelves. The outside weather was cloudy but a hint of wind picked up every now and then creating mini dust clouds/tornados that last no more than a second. Yuuma was satisfied with the cool air and the smog clearing out being carried along with the wind and out the window.
The first bookshelf Yuuma looked at was about plants and what certain greenery is useful and deadly. Some of the books were diaries and research written by family members of the past who were suitable in the field. Yuuma's eyes shined in interest and decided reading some books on this topic could help in the future or unexpected events which could save his life or someone else's. He went back in forth clearing the bookshelf of all the books and stacking them on the one and only small table.
The butler scrutinized from the side of the door his eyes boring into the side of Yuuma who ignored his gaze blatantly. He watched as Yuuma finally got done with handling the books and sat down on a chair, threw fish jerky into his mouth, and opened his first book.
Plant eating monsters, unimportant weeds, vines that give fatality, flowers that can heal, leaves that can bring the dead to life, herbs that can kill from touch, trickery plants, and deadly bugs that can inhabit the plant. By the end of the first hour, Yuuma closed the last book of the greenery section.
Yuuma took a breath and massaged his temples his head throbbing with the information overload. He hadn't had to do anything really in such a long time so he closed his eyes and the room had gone silent. The butler who watched raised a brow at Yuuma's antics, the boy opened the first book and skimmed through it quickly then picked up the second book putting the other one to the side. After reading the last book of more than fifty books on the plant topic he closed his eyes and didn't open them for ten minutes. The butler shook his head thinking Yuuma just wanted some praise from his parents so he's pretending to act smart for the day.
When Yuuma finally did open his eyes he yawned softly, stretching his limbs, and stood picking up a pile of books and began putting them back in their respective place. He had already stored all the information for later just like he stored the information of old Yuumas life which he watched from a third point of view like a movie.
Yuuma had always had a good memory, he liked to think his brain held filing cabinets storing every single detail and still being able to remember the fine lines of the same object/subject years later. In fact, Yuuma had never forgotten a thing. He remembers every conversation he's had with any random individual whether It be a passing stranger, a teacher from kindergarten, or a random dog barking at him five times before running away, well if you consider that a conversation which Yuuma does. He even remembers his birth. This was one of the reasons he got bored in life, he had learned anything that he had an interest in weather engineering, phycology, or business he learned them all. His job before dying was a gaming business that soured in the industry but the owner was unknown and he made money by practically doing nothing. He was a learning machine but regrettably, that was one of the reasons for his death.
The only thing he could never seem to learn was self-care or at least caring about himself such as his health which he did a flimsy job of. It wasn't like he could just get some meds from the store or he couldn't just put a bandaid on a small cut, he just. . .didnt have the energy. Whatever it was that made him this way he could never escape the black hole of lethargy.
Yuuma patted the dust off his hands after placing the last of the books in the same order he took them out of. He went back to the table and drank a gulp of milk before going down each section to find books that would actually help him. He already knew some things about this world like that there was magic, flying islands, and how the social circle kinda worked.
There were at least seven influential families. They came to power because of their respective category that they excelled in. Most of the time it was the family's magic lineage.
The family yuuma belonged to was close in power to that of a duke which means their family should be powerful but in that regard, Yuuma thinks they were leaching/smooching off of the family's past history. The Oxblood family used to have powerful mages and alchemists throughout history but in the later years their blood seemed to thin out and they were not as powerful. Some have said it's a curse that all powerful families go through where they're there one time in history but gradually they become forgotten. But old Yuumas mother has used her influence to go to the dark side to keep the family running so as to never be forgotten even if they have to use dirty methods.
The seven families from top to bottom; Scarlet, Firebrick, Oxblood, Crimson, Burgundy, Carmine, and Maroon.
All of the seven families have the last name associated with red. The reason? Yuuma blinked, no one seemed to know the reason but some theory suggests a great fire mage/ or god? Gifted the names to the families. Or possibly it was associated with the great massacre that occurred in the golden age when everyone seemed to be powerful and families fought for power.
Yuuma tapped a finger in a comfortable rhythm and he read up on the history of the great kingdom. The kingdom he was currently in that used to be separated but somewhere in time came together to form one big dynasty run by the Scarlet family. Yuuma sees them as the king of the families. Most of the families are technically not all blood related its become common to pick up or adopt children or adults into the family who has potential. But then again, the Oxblood family is old-fashioned thinking they can survive with just their blood.
Yuuma rolled his eyes finishing the history section.
He was starting to get bored after reading a few more rows of books and realized most of them were fiction used for entertainment. Luckily he tripped on some books sprawled out around the floor and found the magic isle in the very corner. If he hadn't tripped then he might have not noticed such a dusty old bookcase. With a frown, he dusted off a large dictionary-like book and read the title 'Magic Theory.' Interested Yuuma placed it on the table and went back for the other books reading their titles.
'Magic History'
'Magic classes'
'How To Use Magic For All'
'Alchemy'
'Magic spells'
'Demonic Monsters & the Constitution Of Demons'
'Enchantments'
'The Great Mage's Life Biography'
'Magic Lore'
'Magic Beasts'
Yuuma hummed thumping his pointer on the table as he began delving into adept knowledge of a new subject that exceeded the laws of physics in his world. An old feeling crossing his path once more making his heart race and he began to feel jittery. The laziness he felt starts to go away as he focuses solely on the words written on the pages his eyes shining with luster. This is something he only felt a few times in his life. It was always the best feeling like his sloth curse lifted and his energy replenished in waves.
The room seemed to stop in time as the thump of a finger against wood echoed in a fast yet steady pattern, not missing a single beat.
The butler whose eyes had closed out of boredom opened almost mechanically and spoke, "young master it's lunchtime. Would you like me to bring your meal here or move to the dining room?"
Silence followed after and only then did butler Kenji glare at Yuuma only to find the boy concentrated on the book in his hands. His focus was not disturbed by his butler and didn't even seem to hear him as he turned the pages creating some wisps of wind knocking leftover dust off the table. Or perhaps the dust was already on the pages and when they turned the specks flew off?
The butler was going to ask again but stopped himself. Kenji sighed and left the library his lack of presence didn't cause Yuuma to even look up, in fact, he probably forgot the butler was even in the room.
Later in the afternoon after munching on some small sandwiches his butler had provided. Yuuma walked around the library sometimes picking up some books and reading them before plopping them back in place. He had already read all the books in the magic section and he had run out of snacks. Now he just idly walked around thinking maybe perhaps he might find something good. This was his last trip around before he would leave and go to sleep because he had wasted too much energy and felt deeply tired. Yuuma doesn't remember the last time he stayed up this long. Or maybe he could only sleep after dinnertime since that seemed to be near already.
Yuuma yawned and hit the side of a bookcase making him fumble in his footsteps and abruptly fall on a few books that were stacked by the plant section. He hissed and rubbed his elbow that got hurt the worst from the fall, he had smacked it on the bookcase.
Groaning audibly he sat on the dusty floor and rolled up his sleeve to check for any scrapes. Favorably it only looked a little red and might only bruise. Clicking his tongue he suppressed another grumble and kicked the books that made him fall like they were now his sworn enemy.
"Ah. . ."
Yuuma blinked in a daze. A wooden plank had slightly broken from under the books, his shoe may have gotten stuck there and pulled it up by accident. Very carefully Yuuma lifted the wooden board and his eyes widened. He scanned his surroundings making sure no one was around before bringing the heavy and wide object out. The cover was a bit distracting so Yuuma swapped it with another cover to make it stand out less and covered the floorboard with the same books leaving the holly space under the floor empty as he carried the treasure he had found.
Hidden under the floor was an oxblood-colored book.
The title read- 'Origins Of The Oxblood'
Who would hide a book so important to the Oxblood family? Clearly, they're trying to hide/cover up something no one should find out. Even the Oxbloods themselves are not allowed to know?
Yuuma walked to the butler tugged on his suit with the book covered by another cover and a small smile curled on his lips.
Their eyes connected and at the same time, both of them said.
""Dinner time""
The butler's eyes narrowed. Yuuma seemed to have a scholarly air now or was it just his imagination? The boy's pleasant smile that seemed to curve with his eyes looked childish but the butler felt something in the pit of his stomach that could only be described as one thing, fear.
A/N- Just in case people get the wrong idea the butler is not the ML lol he's like 38!
"Big brother!" Ami exclaimed skipping towards Yuuma. They had run into each other assumingly on their way to dinner.
"How long have you been waiting for me?" But Yuuma knew better than to think this was coincidental. He looked down at the girl wearing a puffy pink dress and the jewelry sparkling around her like a halo. She had curly dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. Mako had the same eyes but straight brown hair and Ena had wavy blonde hair with dark brown eyes. They looked like their parents.
He looked nothing like this family.
Maybe he was adopted? Or an illegitimate child? But from his memory, he was raised as the eldest legitimate son and the mother really did seem to birth him. Yuuma would contemplate this later but for now, it's not important.
"I-I wasn't waiting for you!" Ami held her hands in front of her not looking him in the eyes.
"Was it mother that told you to wait?" After a moment of pause, she tentatively nodded her head. Yuuma sighed rubbing his eyes that burned with sleepiness. "Don't wait for me anymore or better yet don't listen to your mother," his voice was cold and heartless and his face held a bit of agitation.
Ami only said okay while nodding her head but wasn't too sure as to why she shouldn't listen to mom. They made it to the dining room early and only his siblings were present besides Ena who would be fed by a maid so she won't be attending tonight's dinner.
Mako was playing with some wooden toy horses making them crash into each other and made them fly around the room like a plane. He sometimes bothered Ami by making the horse crawl on her arms which she kept trying to dodge the boy's attempts while scolding him. It was a funny sight.
A moment later food started coming out and his mother and father finally made an appearance. Yuuma's mother dressed in a similar fashion to Ami and she gushed about how smart Yuuma was for reading today.
"But that library is very old and dusty, you could get sick! So I don't want you going there again I'll buy you some new books if you want," his mother said. They were already eating and Yuuma was so tired he groggily hummed while taking his first bite of steak. A second later and he decisively picked up his napkin and spat the contents out. No one seemed to notice this action and he ate anything around besides the steak.
"Father, can I follow you to your meetings and political parties? I would like to learn what you do and gain experience," Yuuma yawned trying to keep his eyes open as hard as he could. His father raised his head in startled surprise and smiled happily.
"Of course you can, do you agree honey?" Like a dog to owner, he asked his wife the one holding the leash. Yuuma's mother smiled and agreed readily thinking it was a good idea.
Yuuma was the first to leave the room and only a few steps in he couldn't hold it anymore and fell apart on the floor. This time giving the hard marble a hug. His butler was late to turn the corner and almost stepped on him. Kenji studied the boy seeing his chest rise and fall evenly, soft breathy snores coming out with each exhale, and the peaceful sleeping face like he didn't have a care in the world.
Without saying a word he gently picked up the boy who didn't stir an inch. He walked him to his room and placed Yuuma into his bed making sure he was still asleep before leaving. Kenji's shoes clacked in the silent hall and made it to a big door giving it a few knocks.
A poised female voice called out from the room and the butler entered.
"Why aren't you with my son?" Yuumas mother chastised with sharp eyes, her question more of a demand.
"He's asleep madam," the butler bowed trying to shake off her anger.
Yuuma's mom narrowed her eyes and then sighed reclining on a couch and eating some pastries with a nod for the butler to continue.
"Give me the report, tell me why he's like this suddenly," she huffed unpleasantly. Kenji cleared his throat with a small bow as he spoke, "he woke up this morning without a fuss and ate breakfast as you know. He went to the library and read some books but I don't think he actually read anything, just flipped through the pages. He stayed through lunch until dinner, he dropped a book off in his room claiming he was going to read it later, and went to dinner where he ran into young miss Ami. I've noted that besides the abnormal behavior he's also very sluggish and tired."
She hummed caressing her wrist and picking her nails, "he's probably just in a bad mood tell me if anything else happens, go on now," she waved the butler out leisurely. When the doors closed she abruptly stood up with clenched teeth plus fists and muttered darkly, "hopefully this is just some early phase."
Butler Kenji narrowed his eyes on the handle and instead of heading towards his young master's room he took the opposite way. In a quiet unused room, he took out a stone that glowed when he pressed it a few times. An annoyed sigh came from the stone with a lengthy pause afterward.
"Why are you reporting on the Oxblood family so early?" An old crisp voice broke through.
"Something happened to young master Yuuma," Kenji stated firmly.
"The eldest son? The brat? Did he die or something?" The old man behind the stone didn't seem too concerned.
Kenji tapped his foot and seemed to be in deep contemplation.
"No nothing like that-" Kenji explained everything Yuuma did in great detail much more than he had said to the madam of the house and at the very end concluded some theories. The old man at the other end of the stone was quiet for a while also in thought.
"Perhaps it's best to keep an eye on him it's only been a day, but I'll report this to the head, thank you once again Kenji. Report tomorrow if anything else happens." With that the call ended and Kenji went back to Yuuma's room to check on him. Seeing Yuuma still asleep he left the room again for his lunch break.
Yuuma who was apparently still asleep cracked an eye open and pinched his cheek.
Still here.
He sighed defeatedly and curled up under the covers falling asleep shortly after.
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