The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

As the captain lavished praise upon Diana, he remained oblivious to the peculiar look Desmond gave him, while Laura shot a cold, piercing stare at Diana.

"Thank you, captain," Desmond spoke, his smile faint as he took a deliberate step forward, with Laura trailing behind, her countenance gloomy.

As they entered Vesta's luxurious horse carriage, Desmond promptly lowered his head and offered a respectful salute. "Greetings, Sir Vesta," he murmured, his eyes fixed upon the polished floor. In that moment, something flickered in Desmond's gaze, a fleeting spark that calmed his mind yet left him seemingly devoid of emotion.

Unbeknownst to Laura, her disdainful demeanor did not go unnoticed by Vesta, who reclined on his plush sofa, his frown deepening as he shifted his gaze from Laura to his innocent-looking daughter.

"Welcome, Master Desmond," Vesta finally acknowledged, his gaze lingering on Desmond as he secretly made note of this profound change in demeanor. The level of composure displayed by the young man was abnormal, especially considering the shift that had occurred since their departure.

"Mr. Vesta, you are too kind," Desmond replied, a faint smile playing upon his lips, undeterred by Vesta's less than enthusiastic welcome. Taking a seat in the chair opposite Vesta, he surveyed the room with his perceptive eyes. At first glance, it seemed no different from the horse-drawn carriage that had been arranged for him.

"Before we proceed, I would like to express my gratitude once again for the provision of the horse carriage," Desmond spoke, his attention now focused solely on Vesta. Sensing Vesta's willingness to allow him to observe his surroundings, Desmond averted his gaze and redirected his attention to their conversation.

Vesta, on the other hand, mused to himself, impressed by Desmond's discerning nature. Not only did the young man exhibit an uncanny level of composure, but he also possessed an acute ability to read the subtle nuances of the atmosphere. Truly, Desmond appeared to be a prodigious individual, perhaps even a genius in his own right.

"It was my pleasure. After all, ensuring your safe arrival at the destination is my primary duty," Vesta replied, his voice carrying a brief pause before he turned his gaze to the side. "And how do you find my room?"

In response to Vesta's query, Desmond glanced once more, his gaze resting on the parchment that lay upon Vesta's desk. "Your room is a splendid testament to artistry and charm, sir," Desmond politely remarked, his tone unwavering. After all, his own room mirrored Vesta's, having been designed with the same aesthetic.

With Desmond's reply, an air of tension descended upon the room, leaving the occupants unsure of how to proceed. Without a clear topic to guide their conversation, a silent contest of gazes ensued, each participant waiting for the reason behind Vesta's summons.

Desmond maintained his patience, his demeanor unwavering, even under Vesta's intense gaze, which bore down upon him with tremendous pressure.

Meanwhile, Diana, who stood in close proximity to her father, grew increasingly concerned. She alternated her gaze between Desmond and her father, but eventually focused her unwavering attention on Desmond, casting him a gentle and sympathetic glance.

Unaware of the reason behind her father's sudden summoning of Desmond, Diana couldn't help but wonder if Desmond had made a grave mistake. She tightly gripped her clothes, paying no mind to Laura, who continued to cast a cold and lifeless stare in her direction.

After a few seconds, Vesta released his oppressive presence and briefly glanced at Laura, catching the malice lurking within her eyes.

"Boy, what's wrong with your servant?" Vesta's tone carried a hint of anger when referring to his daughter, as if he no longer deemed Desmond worthy of a name.

The overwhelming pressure bearing down on Laura caused her to involuntarily glance at Vesta before she retreated, taking a deep breath to compose herself.

"Laura," Desmond called out her name without looking at her, a simple utterance that conveyed his command. Understanding his unspoken message, Laura promptly walked towards the door. With the issue seemingly resolved, Desmond coughed lightly and asked, "Sir, why did you call me?"

Diana, positioned by her father's side, exuded an air of arrogance and pride as she regarded Desmond, finding his audacity in questioning her father, a Guardian, to be presumptuous.

"Very well." As he witnessed Desmond's smile, Vesta finally let out a chuckle, infusing the room with a livelier atmosphere. "Let us continue this discussion in a more private setting." With Vesta's command, Diana closed the door, the sound of heavy footsteps and shifting armor fading away.

Numerous rumors circulated regarding the son of Master Witch Leona, proclaiming him a genius capable of effectively managing the family bakery business. His prowess in combat was not to be underestimated, as he had even managed to breach Gibson's defenses—a feat that Diana, Vesta's daughter, still struggled with to this day.

The strained relationship between the Diana and Gibson families was well-known, while whispers of Matson and Clark vying for the hand of the king's daughter, Elizabeth, also permeated the air.

Beyond these rumors, Vesta had also heard of Desmond's supposed loss of an arm, only to witness its miraculous recovery several months later. Many claimed that the Desmond family had secretly enlisted the aid of a Witch or Wizard for their son, but such a feat seemed improbable unless the king himself, a 3rd Class Wizard, were involved.

Ultimately, rumors were just rumors. However, upon meeting Desmond in person, Vesta could discern that half of the rumors held some semblance of truth, while the other half remained a mystery.

"I need you to remove all your garments, sit back, and relax while I pose my questions," Vesta declared, despite not being a Wizard, possessing an uncanny ability to discern the truth.

Moreover, he had learned from his daughter that Desmond now wore a necklace that she found captivating. Little did Diana know, that necklace marked the beginning of a profound transformation in Desmond's life.

"As they say," Desmond nonchalantly placed the necklace Alice had given him on the table, hardly giving it a second glance. He also took out a few coins from his pocket, revealing them without any trace of hesitation.

Even the way he addressed Vesta had shifted, reverting back to how he usually spoke in the presence of Clementine and his parents. Desmond accompanied his words with a smile, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Observing these sudden changes, Vesta furrowed his brows. His gaze shifted to his astonished daughter, momentarily leaving him bewildered. He warily examined Desmond, but failed to detect anything suspicious.

Wow! That smile makes him look incredibly handsome... Diana, who seldom witnessed Desmond's smile, found herself captivated and blushing.

"My princess," her father's voice snapped her out of her daze, and she saw him give her a wry smile. "I apologize, Daddy," she stammered, regaining her composure.

As Desmond delved into his recollections, a gradual realization dawned upon him, recalling the shocked expressions of his parents and Clementine, and the subsequent exchange of glances.

Lowering his gaze, Desmond focused on his own body, which had undergone striking transformations. These changes were too conspicuous, and he needed to gradually acclimate others to his new appearance. For now...

Checking his status.

[Scanning Host Body...]

[Scan Complete!]

[Status]

Name: Desmond

Gender: Male

Age: 10 years

Race: Human (100%)

Class: 1st Swordsman / 0th Dragonslayer

Occupation: None

Unique Energy: 16.91 / 43.82

Strength: 28.77 (23.77)

Agility: 21.02 (16.02)

Stamina: 8.43

Dragon Essence: 0