The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Startled, Desmond abruptly opened his eyes and sat upright on the bed, his expression mirroring sheer astonishment. "HUH?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief as if he had witnessed a spectral apparition. His breathing remained ragged, and his vision swayed, causing him to feel disoriented as he surveyed his surroundings.

His thoughts remained in disarray, swirling like a turbulent tempest, rendering his focus fragmented.

Just as he jolted awake, a knock resounded on his door. "Young master..." came the voice of the maid from beyond.

Desmond took a deep breath, attempting to steady himself. "Come in," he responded, his voice tinged with a hint of bewilderment, still grappling to make sense of his recent experience. He also noticed the presence of a transparent screen in front of him, displaying the message: [Alarm active! Host wake up!]

Rubbing his forehead, Desmond recollected the purpose of the screen. "I forgot about this," he muttered under his breath. Shifting his gaze towards the mirror positioned by his side, he saw the maid entering the room and bowing in a manner laden with embarrassment.

The spatial arrangement of the door in relation to the mirror had inadvertently exposed Desmond's gaze, causing a momentary blush to creep upon the maid's cheeks.

Meanwhile, Desmond, still partially fixated on the mirror, found himself perplexed by the maid's peculiar behavior. Rising to his feet, he prepared to change his clothes, seeking to regain his composure. "Did anything unusual occur last night?" he inquired, addressing the maid who diligently tidied up the disheveled bed.

"No, young master, yesterday transpired without any noteworthy incidents," the maid replied, deftly folding the bed covers.

With his dressing complete, Desmond stood just moments away from departing his room when he halted in his tracks, a thought surfacing in his mind. "Oh, by the way, instruct the maid to procure an equal amount of lizard and snake blood," he instructed, swiveling around to face the maid. "And for the funds... utilize the money I provided yesterday."

With that, Desmond exited the room. Although the maids responsible for purchasing the refining ingredients were distinct from those entrusted with handling the finances, a systematic protocol had been established to ensure smooth operation. Upon learning about this intricate system, Desmond couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if one of them were to be caught?

Such an eventuality would potentially compromise their collective knowledge, akin to a breach in confidentiality, not unlike what had transpired with his guards.

Desmond took a moment to reflect on the capabilities of the maids in terms of their combat skills. They were neither weak nor exceptionally strong, leaving him with a desire to modify the existing system. However, when he voiced his intentions, the maids immediately countered his proposal.

"Removing the system would make it difficult for us to carry out our duties," one maid argued, her tone laced with conviction. Another maid chimed in, "Moreover, the unique needs of the young master and lady set them apart from other families, making it quite overwhelming for us to keep track of everything."

Upon hearing their reasoning, Desmond couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt for being such a burden. Nonetheless, he also felt a flicker of anger at the maids for daring to oppose his wishes. However, with the knowledge that the system had been implemented by his parents, he ultimately chose to let the matter go.

Unbeknownst to Desmond, each maid harbored a Magic Crystal beneath their tongue, a detail that had escaped his notice.

As Desmond left his room, the maid responsible for cleaning stumbled upon the discarded rabbit mask. A mischievous smile played across her lips as she picked it up and discreetly placed it inside Desmond's cupboard.

Once she had finished cleaning the room, she sought out another maid and relayed the details of her encounter with Desmond.

Meanwhile, Desmond's presence didn't go unnoticed as he traversed the second-floor corridor. However, instead of proceeding directly to the backyard for his customary practice, he veered off and made his way to the library.

As he swung open the library door, the sound reverberated through the room, catching the attention of the maids who were diligently dusting the bookshelves. In unison, they turned towards the door and greeted Desmond with a harmonious chorus of "Good morning, young master."

"Mornin'," Desmond replied with a warm smile, prompting a couple of the maids to return the gesture. The sweeping of broomsticks against the floor created a cacophony of scraping sounds, accompanied by swirling dust particles.

The oppressive atmosphere and the disarray within the library made everyone acutely aware of the discomfort it imposed on their master, who would undoubtedly spend an extended period in this environment.

"Apologies, young master, but would you mind waiting outside?" a maid requested from a distance. "We wouldn't want to disturb your peace amidst this mess," she whispered with an uneasy smile.

Although the maid's voice wasn't particularly loud, the maids focused on their tasks and the words carried clearly to everyone present.

"No problem, I'll hang out here," Desmond reassured, taking a seat on the nearest chair and reaching for a book from the adjacent shelf. The maid who had suggested he wait outside could only offer a wry smile in response.

Desmond's curiosity was piqued as he observed the maids' sudden change in behavior and their subsequent gathering in one spot. He set aside his book and shifted his attention to the unfolding scene.

The maid who had given the order began chanting an incantation, and a spell circle materialized beneath her feet, emanating a soft blue glow. A powerful and ethereal energy coalesced around the circle, causing the room to undergo a visible transformation.

As the spell took effect, the air cleared, and the dust was drawn into the swirling vortex within the circle, turning the exterior of the circle black. The previously grimy wooden floor gradually regained its cleanliness and shine, no longer marred by dust and debris.

Fascinated by the display, Desmond commended his maid's performance. "Impressive," he remarked, observing the spell with keen interest. "It appears to be a combination of water and air elements, and it certainly requires a significant amount of energy," he deduced.

Before he could finish his thought, the floor was completely clean, and the room was filled with a fresh, invigorating scent.

A sudden thud echoed through the room, drawing Desmond's attention. The maids, who had been standing in the center of the spell, stumbled and fell to their knees. Some appeared pale, while others were drenched in sweat, yet they remained on their feet.

Clapping his hands, Desmond expressed his praise from a distance. "Good work," he commended, though he would have applauded more enthusiastically if it weren't for his missing right hand.

Upon hearing their master's words, the maids who had momentarily collapsed quickly stood up and approached Desmond, bowing their heads. One maid spoke up, "Thank you, young master," her voice slightly quivering.

However, keen observers would have noticed a mixture of sadness and pain behind the maids' eyes as they witnessed their young master's helplessness.

Unaware of the emotions brewing beneath the surface, Desmond continued the conversation. "Is using this spell truly so draining?" he inquired, casting a glance towards the exhausted maids standing behind the one who had addressed him.

"It shouldn't be, young master," she responded, her voice tinged with fatigue. "But lately, we've been feeling more tired than usual."

Desmond's smile waned as he absorbed the maid's words, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Why is that?" he pondered silently, his interest piqued by the revelation.

Exhausted? Isn't this part of their daily responsibilities? Ah...

A wry smile tugged at Desmond's lips as he grasped the maids' intentions. He realized that the maids had intentionally exerted themselves to showcase their dedication and loyalty, all while concealing their fatigue to shield him from worry.

"Ah, what a marvelous exercise we had this morning, wouldn't you agree?" Desmond chuckled awkwardly, his laughter filled with a hint of discomfort, as he delicately retrieved another book from the shelf. Swiftly, he bid farewell to the room, the weight of his footsteps echoing faintly in the corridors as he made his exit.

Observing the young master's peculiar departure, the maids exchanged helpless glances, silently acknowledging the failure of their ploy. Their enchantment was carefully crafted, intended to secure a day of respite before the watchful gaze of the young master, but alas, it appeared to have missed its mark.

Meanwhile, Desmond made his way towards the dining room, a pair of books cradled in his hands like treasured possessions. Upon entering, he found only two maids diligently engaged in the task of tidying the room.

Curiosity piqued, Desmond jovially inquired, "Pray, tell me what delicacy awaits me for breakfast this morn?"

Startled by his unexpected inquiry, the maids turned on their heels, their gazes meeting Desmond's. One of them, taken aback, mustered a polite response, "For your delectation, we have prepared a savory bread brimming with succulent meats and vibrant vegetables."

Expressing his satisfaction with a nod, Desmond's eyes sparkled with approval. "Excellent, please bring it forth to the tranquility of the backyard," he instructed, his voice resonating with certainty.

Acknowledging his request with a bow, the maids echoed in unison, "Of course, young master."

Following the path through the kitchen's back door, Desmond stepped into the serene sanctuary of the backyard. To his right lay the entrance to the underground storage, a secret haven harboring his cherished materials. Should he proceed straight ahead, he would arrive at his customary training ground, an expansive meadow bathed in the gentle caress of the morning sun.

However, on this particular day, Desmond found himself swayed by a different calling. Rather than engaging in rigorous practice or overseeing his collection of ingredients, he opted for a tranquil respite amidst the breathtaking scenery. Seated amidst the enchanting tableau of the cerulean sky and the graceful dance of shifting clouds, he sought solace for his restless mind.

"I sense that forgoing practice today would be wise. My intuition urges me to procure more materials instead," he pondered, his thoughts meandering like the gentle breeze.

As he awaited the arrival of his meal and the company of his cherished ingredients, Desmond delved into the captivating world of one of the books he had retrieved from the library shelves. The tome, titled "The Story of an Ordinary Person's Journey to Becoming a 3rd Class Wizard," showcased a compelling cover, depicting a robed figure gazing intently at the radiant sun above.

Lost in the mesmerizing narrative, Desmond absorbed himself in the pages for a fleeting moment, until the distant sound of approaching footsteps intruded upon his solitude.

"Young Master, here is your morning repast," Laura announced gracefully, her presence heralded by the delicate clinking of a tray bearing freshly baked bread and a glass of exquisite wine.

Looking up from his book, Desmond's face blossomed into a genuine smile. "Thank you," he expressed gratefully, his gratitude resonating in his voice, before returning his gaze to the captivating world within the pages.