《reborn as lazy lord destined to doom》 Chapter:1 Creating my counterpart "um... sir s- so..-" my PA broke the silence of 24 minutes and 33 seconds since i got back to my office from my father''s Well that''s to be expected since my face was stern devoid of any emotion all this time though i consider myself quiet patient while dealing with people around me one can''t be too careful, he must have thought some thing terrible has happened since the energy with what i left my office is quiet different from what i have when i returned. "No luck" i replied before he completed asking me what he wanted to ask since 24 minutes and 34 seconds "Ah.., i am sorry to hear that, sir Edward must have been in bad mood this morning i would suggest you present the idea again after he is done with those sanitary allegations" Sanitory allegations huh! that was hardly a problem for someone like him, those are just some petty tricks employed by local tycoons as a last resort for saving their turf from being taken over though at this point everyone including them know this is a lost cause, i don''t plan on explaining all this to someone who already know this but still decided to potray this as a reason for my father''s bad mood to make me feel better by instilling hope "Also i am sure sir Edw-" "Evening''s inauguration, everything is taken care of i take it? i heared there was a problem with local residents regarding loud speakers and crowd, Have they made a formal complaint or is that taken care of with out any of those nonsense?" I asked the obvious i mean i already know he made few orders containg rental agreement from one of the stores in grand road renting mic sets and he also rented a auditorium near the originally planned open ground arranging only post meeting formalities there like food and drinks and some commodities as gifts for attending and planning all the important meeting related stuff in the auditorium....i still asked him knowing all this sice he is going to hopetalk about something happening which has no chance of happening. "Actually sir i had to book a auditorium near the originnaly planned open grounds also i couldnot find any function halls near it and going too far from the location printed on invitiation mails would make it appear as if we had to shift our location just because of some minor disturbances and that won''t sit right with most important figures attending this evening i had to make do with auditorium and i planned some pre and post meeting stage performances which act as disguise for our reason for not conducting meeting in the open ground" "Good choice, though i would prefer getting a legal permission for using mic sets even if it requires bribing" Actually bribing is risky and not a method most would recommend especially for something as petty as this but the ''problems raised by local residents'' are not exactly the ''problems rised by local residents''. It''s just the officers with not so good pockets wanting some good pockets since they somehow got to know the person behind this small function is none other than 2nd gen tycoon william crutz son of Edward crutz and the heir to crutz real estates ''me''. This funcion is just us testing waters in new location opening a realestate business in guise of small start up but how did they come to know? well ,we have some rats This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. I stood up from my chair gesturing my PA to do the same so he could come with me to where ever i am going ( probably finance department to check some documents related to truckteam company which i suspect to be the rat in guise of client) we walked with out talking to each other which actually is helpful to clear my mind which is raging since 26 minutes and 48 seconds. Well the reason is my father who denied my most modest yet presentation of why i am willing to quit the company and start one on my own and then merge it with crutz on a later date which coincidentally happend to be few ''years'' from now... Naturally my father looked at me as if looking at some clown escaped from circus and spared no word more than "fuckoff willaim" to which i desperately pleaded to listen to my modest yet presentation which he surprisingly did and finally told "fuckoff william" again. Though i tried to explain all this as lightly as possible and i know how this might seem as trivial and nonlogical thing to do i mean who would want to give up the position of heir to billion dollar company.... well, ladies and gentlemen its me... I swear i am not proud of this or anything its just that i want to build my own business and hire my own people with who i worked hard to build the business and more of all i want to know whether the hope i hold is not false.... I have everything one can ask for i just want interest to actually recognise them i want to enjoy all these but i can''t...the reason? i don''t know.. so i tried my best to understand why i am not able to enjoy what i have which resulted in me realisng i dont recognise them as my own and one inherently can''t enjoy what''s not his. So i want to build something so i can recognise it as my own so then may be then i can enjoy the comfort it provides me don''t get me wrong i am not some "self dependent" or "self made" bullshit preaching guy...and there is not even a 1 in billion chance that i will reject any opportunity thrown i my way by others and not a chance in a billion that i will reject any advantage i got by being the son of Edward crutz, in fact i will even use his name anywhere and everywhere possible that is the type of human i william crutz am. But since i was being rejected to be given that opportunity since last 2 and half years( yes today is not the first time...quiet a bitch aren''t I?) i decided to write a novel with a protagonist who i plan on making my counterpart who does all that i wanted to do but can''t...what is that? plot? nope doesnot have one..i mean you can''t expect me to think of a plot when i am busy dealing with all this "testing waters" and expanding to south side of kench- lets not think about work since that is the only thing i have been doing these days but today since half the staff will be focusing on the new information i provided on truckteam which is them being potentially a rat and thinking how to termiante all the contracts which they are currently holding and all, i get some time to myself. I reached home around 9:45PM and quickly had a bath and a light meal since i am feeling acidity like symptoms ,must be because of all these excessive car rides since a week. now i decided to start writing my first novel. I haven''t decided on plot yet well, this is not the novel i plan on publishing or anything so i will write whatever comes to my mind...also i actually had an idea of names of characters and their traits i am going to involve in my novel Since my goal is to build estates from scratch i will have him born as a poor orphan who one day over throws the duchy he lives in with all the support of recidents and nobles like viscounts and barons and builds the duchy from the scratch again with all the funds available as commodities and expensive stuff the now head less lord once accumulated to show off his grandeavor. quiet an idea right? So i took my pen and finally opened the book which i will be filling with fantasies all while ignoring the pain in my chest and a lough that was creeping from left corner of my mouth to right and "I DIED" CAUSE :- HEART ATTACK Chapter: 2 Adapting to the new world A warm embrace of morning light woke me up from what seems to be a deep slumber, I never overslept exept when i was drunk from parties in the office. I wanted my hands to reach for my phone without displacing my ass and call my PA before he does but something felt odd, the ceiling which was painted plain white with a simple interior with a professionally embedded centralized air conditioner is what should have been the first thing I saw when I woke up but that wasn''t the case. "5 more minutes.....!!.." I mumbled "Fuck where the hell am I" I screamed. Because what was before me when I woke up was not the reserved and decent interior that I planned when I hired an engineer for constructing my private accommodation but a fucking 5.3-meter high ceiling with a falcon-shaped crest big enough to be called ''interior'' embedded in it...wait is it right to use the word ''interior'' to describe what I am seeing? I don''t think so, this is a fucking ''coffer''. I got off the bed and examined the room with anxiety riling up my instincts to flee and find people.., I calmed myself down because voluntarily meeting people with unknown intentions in a closed unknown space is probably a bad idea. There is a table decorated with flowers in a transparent expensive-looking vase and the wood the table is made of is engraved with various designs and a colorful chair that matches the color of the cloth covering the table''s desk. This setup doesn''t sit right with a room where you tie up your targets for ransom, heck I am not even tied up and the windows through which sunrays are dawning are not locked suggesting this isn''t a situation where I am captured and is acting as a collateral for ransom. With this in mind i slowely built up courage to go beyond the door given it is not locked and meet the people, each step i took is on an expensive carpet screaming comfort as if walking on delicate flowers, though ticklish these 8 steps are the most comfortable steps of my life. "Must be a broadloom....wonder what kind of madman bought one big enough to cover this whole room" i wondered remembering all the rich clients and partners i knew. "Probably Noah from Blythe family...he has a fetish for antiques" I assumed thinking i somehow eneded up as his guest and overslept from drinking yesterday with him in a party or something since i can''t remember what was i doing yesterday. Just as i reached the door i heard a knock probably someone from other side, All the courage i had pent up till now left my body as if it never existed. i decided to wait and let the person from other side intiate whatever the sequence this follows. "Young master, I assume you are awake, if you let me I would like to help you get ready to attend the meal arranged by His grace the lord Everard" a sweet and respectful tone belonging to a lady in her early twenties. ... ... ............!! EVERARD!!! The moment my mind grasped the sound of it my legs started trembling, I caught the doorknob both as a measure to avoid falling and to resist if the person on the other side ever tried to enter....because EVERARD is the name I thought of while making up the name of the father of former lord of House ''GYRFALD''...yes the same name I thought of while writing the nov- wait yes I remember... I was about to start writing my first ever novel in my room and then...and then what happened...anxiety crept up again the composure I built thinking I was a guest crumbled, and the air my lungs were receiving was not enough to maintain my agitated state caused by sudden adrenalin pump, I gripped the doorknob firmly as if letting that go is equivalent to letting my heart take it''s first ever rest. "Young master, shall I excuse my-" "you are late, what could possibly be more important than tending to me especially when it''s my father his grace I am supposed to meet"? I spoke with a poker face devoid of any emotions which i usually use when i am in office and stern tone with no hint of flickering and anxiety...This is the skill that made people think william crutz is a far more dangerous of an entity than all of 2nd gen and most of old gen business mammoths. Yes i am not famous just for my knowledge but also for the tricks and skills i absorbed from following my father everywhere he went. "ahh...i-i my apologies young master, madam Seraphina had me supervise dining hall, i will nev-" "i understand but it is getting late, if you don''t hurry up i will have to do the samething with my father as you are doing with me,that is making EXCUSES" i said with a tone that implies both accepting apologies and reprimending for the tardiness. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "o-of course young master, at once" since the maid seem flustered I can safely assume she won''t be speaking for a while and keep her focus on making my appearance presentable. Did I not doubt the whole ''young master'' thing? Yes, I did, and instead of saying ''get in'' I opened the door myself because for me to believe this was all not a prank, just a name that can also be matched coincidentally is not enough so I checked whether the appearance of the maid aligns with the one I thought for my novel which resulted in me accepting the reality. Just when I opened the door a beautiful girl with a serious and professional demeanor stood before me, her crisp uniform and steady gaze making her a maid of impeccable poise. Then a transparent window materialized to her right showing her stats this proved that I am reincarnated as the only person who possesses the skill ''inspect'' CLARA FINCH Race: Human strength:71 Grade: B- Speed:83 Grade: A- Endurance: 54 Grade:D Combat power: C Intelligence:14 Grade: A Comment: Nah!! Dude, naaahh! This girl is no maid... Ladies and Gentlemen I reincarnated. Do I actually believe this? No. Does my not believing make a difference to the reality? No. So what should I do..? ''ADAPT'' ... Adapt to whatever the shit life presents you with, the strongest may be the top of the food chain if it''s the jungle...but among humans? In society, the most flexible one will always have the last laugh, that has been the case at least according to my experience. "Young master, please check in the mirror and tell me if there are any adjustments you want me to make" said my maid with out any of those fluster and anxiety she showed me before and with her brown eyes fixed on my reflection in the mirror. "Good job, there is no need for further adjustments" I declared with out showing on my face how amazed i am about my own looks. I was considered handsome even according to standards back on earth but this guy with a professional touch from his maid and expensive-looking dress covering the skinny nature of his body he looks more handsome than my previous self. "I am thankful for such high praise, if you may, let us head towards dining hall youngmaster" she said while bowing graciously implying she is thankful and with a tone that suggests urgency, and her blonde hair dancing with grace,lifted by gentle breeze flowing through the window. Seriously!? High praise? I can''t tell if she is really thankful or being sarcastic! "Yes, lead the way" i said acting as if i am examining my reflection in the mirror. "My pleasure, young master," she said, walking fast and yet paying enough attention to make sure her steps were light and decent. Walking behind her agile yet beautiful figure I wondered what the current timeline is ...timeline for the non-existent plot? not that... i mean everard gyrfald is the current duke suggesting i am yet to takeover which means my demise haven''t started yet...demise!? yes demise.Do you know the character i am reincarnated into? it''s Hugo gyrfald the duke with no head on his torso after the protagonist who is a commoner overthrows his rule. To be honest it''s only fair for people to be angry with him after all his atrocities... yes Hugo is a piece of shit who only knows how to showcase his unnecessary and excessive grandeaver at the expense of people''s hard-earned money in the form of taxes. The reforms his father Everard brought to his duchy through various connections are all halted with him saying "Not enough funds for that shit" and people are exhausted beyond words which made fear and loyalty turn into disgust and rebellion. His dumb and lazy ass couldn''t even understand the early symptoms of a rebellion that involved disobedience from most of the counts and viscounts under him. But what i still don''t understand is how is a commoner allowed enough activity to overthrow a duchy? yes the rebellion but rebellion is something you get to see only under the rule of baron or viscount at best. Marquis and dukes represent the authority of the Emperor himself. They are the faces of the empire, unless the emperor himself is involved, a rebellion is not possible against the Marquis not to mention the duke. But what can a commoner offer the emperor? nothing. If the emperor wishes to replace a duke, he need only be cunning enough to orchestrate the rise of a viscount. By subtly backing this viscount and spreading a web of carefully crafted rumors¡ªwoven with half-truths and exaggerated falsehoods¡ªhe can erode the current duke¡¯s standing over time. With the right timing, and the support of at least three reigning dukes, the emperor can formally bestow the title upon the viscount. Meanwhile, by subjecting the incumbent duke to relentless trials in the royal court and ultimately stripping him of his position in a grand public spectacle, the transition can be both decisive and unchallenged. For it to be a rebellion there is only one possibility the Emperor is fixated on making the protagonist the duke if not there is no need for rebellion to change the duke. An emperor desperate enough to cause a rebellion in his own empire suggests the severity of the issue, I should be able to find the reason if I fuck around a little. "Young master, we are here, i will open the door on your command." she spoke with a respectful yet firm tone. "Has my father arrived?" I asked. "Madam Seraphina should be here at the door if that was not the case, suggesting His grace has already arrived, But you are not late young master" she replied ,indirectly suggesting her tradiness this morning did not effect this meeting hence giving meaning to her urgent tone earlier. So beyond this door is duke everard, a warrior whose name struck fear into his enemies, their hearts chilled with dread on the battlefield.His blade a swift harbinger of ruin and proof of him being a tempest of valor. The falcon duchy unlike all other 7 duchies is built solely by him. His valor and commanding demeanor rivaling even that of the Emperor quickly made the falcon duchy tear into the ranks of top 3 duchy of Valthryon empire. "Open the door," I said with an unwavering tone and walked straight into the hall with movements that showed no hint of hesitation, exuding an air of confidence, leaving behind my stunned maid. The maid stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Hugo, unable to align the confident figure before her with the Hugo she knew who shivers with fear at the mere thought of his father. Chapter: 3 The Anomaly The grand dining hall stretched vast and imposing, its high-arched ceiling adorned with intricate carvings that represent flacon capturing the morning light filtering through towering windows. The air was crisp with the scent of freshly prepared delicacies, yet softened by the gentle rustling of sheer curtains, billowing gracefully as the cool morning breeze whispered through the room. On either side of the windows, a line of maids stood with poised elegance, their finely tailored uniforms pristine, exuding an air of quiet sophistication. Their presence was unobtrusive yet deliberate, as if they were an extension of the hall¡¯s refined grandeur. At the center, an enormous dining table gleamed under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers. Its polished surface bore an opulent feast¡ªsucculent roasts, golden-crusted pastries, exotic fruits glistening like gemstones, and goblets filled with rich, dark wine. There was nothing modest about the display; it was a silent proclamation of wealth and power. At the head of the table sat Duke Everard, his crimson eyes unreadable, yet holding a glint of thought. His pitch-black hair was neatly styled, complementing his sharp features. He wore a dark, high-collared coat embroidered with silver, a deep crimson sash across his chest, fastened with his house¡¯s insignia. His presence was commanding, yet his face betrayed nothing. To his left sat his first wife, Serena Gyrfald, poised and elegant. Her honey-blond hair cascaded in soft waves, contrasting her icy blue eyes. She wore a deep indigo gown, cinched at the waist with a silver-and-sapphire belt. A sheer shawl draped over her shoulders, adding to her quiet, regal aura. On his right, his second wife, Priscilla Gyrfald, sat with a composed grace. Her elegantly arranged crimson hair framed her face in soft curls, and her warm brown eyes held a quiet strength. She wore an ivory and gold gown, its delicate embroidery shimmering in the morning light. A golden choker adorned her slender neck, enhancing her refined beauty. The air carried an unspoken tension as if the lavish feast before them was merely a distraction from the thoughts lingering in their minds. Duke Everard¡¯s daughter Juliette Gyrfald sat a few places away, her crimson hair catching the morning light. Emerald eyes matched yet failed to mirror her father''s, but her gaze sharp and intense like her father¡¯s, held a quiet fierceness. She carried herself like a noble lady, despite being a warrior. She had returned just a week ago after three years at the academy, where her swordsmanship had been honed to near perfection. Dressed in a fitted dark-blue tunic with silver embroidery, a slim leather belt at her waist hinted at the absence of her usual weapon. She was about to speak to her father but stopped the moment she noticed me enter. Her expression shifted, neutral yet contained a glimpse of surprise before she leaned back in silence. It was fascinating to see the characters I had once imagined present before me not as mere figments of thought but as beings with their own wills with their minds no longer bound by my own. Their thoughts, their subtle shifts in expression¡ªit all felt real, as though I were merely an observer in a world they now commanded. I did not bow at the door. Instead, I walked to the table with measured steps, my presence drawing the maids¡¯ startled gazes. It had been so long since they had last seen me, and they knew why¡ªI had always feared being in the same room as my father. Yet today, I stood before him, clad in a high-collared black coat adorned with silver embroidery, the same crimson insignia as Everard resting against my chest¡ªan honor reserved only for the Duke and his heir. My golden-blonde hair, much like my mother¡¯s, framed my face, but it was my crimson eyes that truly mirrored his. I caught the maids¡¯ hesitation from the corner of my eye, but they quickly composed themselves and bowed. All but one¡ªthe only male servant in the hall, my father¡¯s personal butler, too focused on brewing the finest tea to acknowledge anything else. Only after the last bow was given did I lower my head slightly. ¡°Good morning, Father. It is truly an honor to be in your presence for this breakfast.¡±I greeted with a composed tone. My father gave a slight nod, treating my presence as nothing more than routine, and reached for the cup his butler had just finished preparing. I moved toward the chair beside my mother, Serena, pausing to bow slightly. Her icy blue eyes met my crimson ones, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them before she quickly looked away, her gaze settling on the table as if she had seen nothing at all. She gave a faint nod¡ªacknowledgment, yet distant. Calmly, I took my seat beside her, my posture composed. Across from me is my sister, her sharp gaze unreadable. I looked at my sister and let a small smile form on my face, a silent greeting, but I didn¡¯t wait for her response. Instead, I turned to Everard¡¯s second wife seated across my mother and offered a subtle bow of my head. She returned the gesture, though I caught the flicker of surprise and confusion in her brown eyes before she masked it with practiced composure. A maid swiftly approached, setting down what appeared to be an appetizer before elegantly pouring a glass of expensive-looking wine. Without a word, she retreated to her place, her steps light and silent. Appetizer..!? For breakfast?...really..?.I picked up the fork and knife, cutting into the dish before me with quiet precision, and began to eat. I had tasted plenty of expensive meats at dining tables both at home and in private meetings, but none had ever been baked with such flawless expertise. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it While savoring the best meat of my life, I looked at the transparent blue films serving as the proof of my ''inspection skill'' which was in front of my face since the moment I identified the people in this hall, and there sure are a few interesting details. First, the combat power of all the maids is at ''F'' which is quite practical except for one. The head maid seraphine, is also the personal maid of my mother, her combat power is at ''c'', the same as Clara''s, my personal maid, which hinted at a lot, and the most important of it all is that there is a huge anomaly in this hall, the one which even I the creator of these characters didn''t know. The anomaly¡ªwhose very existence proves that the world I inhabit merely resembles the characters I William Crutz imagined, not the world I created, nor bound by any rule that declares my knowledge absolute. I had sensed something was off from the moment I realized I had reincarnated into this supposed novel world. Clara¡¯s actions, along with those of everyone around me, never quite matched my expectations. I had lived in the modern era, unfamiliar with the customs here, yet their behavior was too natural, too seamless¡ªnothing like characters bound by my sloppy imagination. And then came the anomaly, erasing all doubt, proving that I had been utterly wrong from the very beginning. My urge to visit the library and discover the reason behind this anomaly grew stronger with every passing second. But I held myself back¡ªmy current task was more pressing. I needed to observe the expressions of those around me, searching for any hint of where I stood in their eyes. \Why is this more important you ask? It may not seem like it would reveal anything beyond what I already know, but it is crucial in determining how I interact with them moving forward. Even the subtlest shift in a gaze or smile can serve as a hint for someone with a keen eye. And I intend to change these expressions of their''s quite a lot from now on. The reactions they have now act as a baseline¡ªa reference point against which all future changes will be measured. At the same time, I had to confirm why Clara and Seraphine¡¯s combat power unlike any regular maid is at ¡®C.¡¯ I already knew the answer, but thanks to this anomaly looming over me, mere knowledge was no longer enough¡ªI needed absolute confirmation. Yes, the fact that a mere maid¡¯s combat power is at ¡®C¡¯ is a detail worth focusing on. After all, even the commander of a knight order¡ªwho typically represents the military strength of the kingdom¡ªwill probably be at ¡®C+¡¯ at best. In other words anyone with combat power above D+ is considered power house. "Juliette, how have your days at the academy been?" Everard asked his tone firm yet measured. "My days at the academy were well, Father. I learned a great deal". Juliette replied, her tone calm yet respectful, neither overly eager nor hesitant. "Hmm..Good to hear, don''t let your skills rust, put what you learned into practice every day" his tone softened yet composed. "Thank you, Father, I will see to it that your words are not wasted." she replied her tone resolute. After a slight nod of acknowledgment, Everard shifted his gaze toward my mother. "Serena, today''s breakfast is one of the memorable ones, you have a good eye for people, make sure to reward the chef appropriately." Everard said making his tone seem pleased. "Thank you, my lord. Your words honor me. I shall see to it that the chef is rewarded appropriately." the Duchess replied with a graceful nod. Rising from his chair as the butler gracefully pulled it back, the Duke turned his gaze toward his second wife. "Priscilla, you seem quite pleased now that your daughter has returned," the Duke remarked, his gaze holding a trace of sarcasm as it rested upon her. Though that sounded like Everard was trying to make the atmosphere livelier, it seemed to me like Priscilla had done ''something'' that made her seem like she was feeling unsettled until recently and Everard was saying he knew what that ''something'' was. It''s not his tone that hinted at it but his gaze, since the beginning of this breakfast his gaze never waited for a reaction until now. This further confirmed my knowledge of the reason behind the combat power of Seraphina and Clara. Priscilla offered a poised smile, though a flicker of unease crossed her brown eyes. "How could I not be, my lord? A mother is always gladdened by her child''s return," she replied smoothly, her tone respectful yet guarded. My lips curled forming a smirk,....The next moment a cold sweat ran down my spine as I noticed Everard was watching me smirking from the corner of his eye. "Hahaha¡­ Is that so? Then I suppose I should be glad as well," he said, though the sharp glint in his crimson eyes made it unclear whether his words were sincere or merely another test. He began walking with his butler following the suit, everyone seated including me got up from their chairs before the maids reached to pull back the chairs, and for an instant his crimson eyes locked with mine. He walked past me and when he reached the door he halted, with a deliberate yet casual motion he turned back¡ªan act that made it seem as though he had just remembered something. "This short while here was pleasant, I hope the feeling is mutual" his crimson gaze swept across the room probing the head figure to speak. "Your presence always brings honor to the table, my lord. I am pleased you found the moment agreeable," Selena replied with a natural elegance and a practiced bow. Priscilla, Juliette, and I bowed timing it to align with Serena''s. The Duke gave a ''slight nod'', his tone firm yet indifferent. "Then see to it that this breakfast is held thrice a week. I expect everyone to be present." He turned back after the ''slight nod'' and timed his leaving the hall with his last word leaving his lips. Serena lifted her head "I shall take my leave now. May the rest of your day be well spent," she said with composed elegance before departing the hall. Seraphina Serena''s personal maid followed the suit. "Good to see you Hugo, let''s meet often," Priscilla said with a soft tone with a hint of authority. "The feeling is mutual your grace, I will look forward to such opportunities," I said with a slight bow while watching her leaving figure. Juliette followed her suit without a word. I quickly left the hall and found clara near the door, I walked past her with a glance suggesting to follow my suit. While walking towards my room I called out to my maid who was following me closely behind."Clara, go ask the librarian to reserve the 2nd floor of the library for me tomorrow also bring a book that shows mana control principles." "Yes Young master, at once," she left after an elegant bow. Now I finally some time to myself which I will be using to understand why my skill ''inspect'' doesn''t work the way I imagined it to work while making up this novel in my mind. The ''inspect'' only showed the basic combat info while the actual application of ''inspect'' is totally different. "Phew..." It was finally done, I got into my bed looking at the time, though surprised to see it was already past 12 it was still worth it, except for serving lunch and dinner no one has entered the room which helped me make my ''inspect'' skill work like it should. It''s actually useful. Useful enough to sense Clara reaching my room in the dead of night, mana passing through her body and reaching the daggers she is holding in her hands and making her more agile than she already is. "..CLANK...." The faint sound of two metals hitting each other at unpractical speeds beyond that door is bearly heard. I positioned myself comfortably on the soft and plush mattress of the bed and slowly drifted into sleep. History, I didnt create I woke up earlier than usual today, probably due to the foreignness of this room and climate. I opened the windows, still in a daze. The air felt fresher today, maybe because there were no rumbling engines polluting it. The morning breeze was cool, and the first light of dawn cast a warm glow through the clear sky. It was a simple, peaceful sight¡ªprobably nothing special for the locals, but for me, it felt different, like the world had woken up just as calmly as I had. " If I ever write a novel, I will ask God for illustrations," I mumbled, eyes wide open, savoring the view. I left the windows open and walked to the study table, picking up the book I had left halfway through. The book was about mana control and thanks to this book I got to understand how innate skills work, like my ''inspect''. For the record there are only two S+ ranked innate skills, atleast that is the case if no deviations from what i created show up, one of which is ''inspect''. As for the other one it''s called ''Absorb''. This is the skill protagonist posses, the protagonist i created as my counterpart in this world. The skill ''Absorb'' absorbs all and any innate skills from others as long as the user dealt the final blow. Yes it absorbs the innate skills of the user''s body count. For this exact reason I decided to give Hugo the skill ''Inspect''. Because ''Inspect'' is the skill that has no direct presence in the combat but it''s the unrivaled skill in the entire world if the situation demands the user to negotiate or to hire people or to assign suitable jobs or to identify yet to sprout potentials or to identify artifacts among spoils and so on. Generally, it''s best for the people with purposes like building or remodeling their turfs, since Absorb absorbs all and any innate skills, it helps the protagonist quickly powerup in the earlier parts of the story and overthrow Hugo''s rule, and then behead him in front of the populace, marking his entry to the later part of the story, the main part, building duchy from doom, equipped with ''Inspect'' absorbed from now headless Hugo. I am quite proud of my idea of not giving the protagonist two S+ ranks from the beginning but making him acquire one with him feeding his sword with fodders, except for the fact that I Hugo am that fodder. "Fuck, who is that fucker with such lame-ass, biased plot ideas," wait that''s me. Anyway, those worries could wait. Right now, there are more important things to focus on...I had Clara make a library reservation today, I should make the most of it. I focused on studying and understanding the half-finished book in my hands, ''Basics for mana control'', resisting the urge for my morning tea. By the time I finished, my maid, Clara, had arrived. "Young Master, I¡¯ve brought your morning tea," Clara''s voice came softly from beyond the door. "If you''re not awake yet, I can return later." "Get in," I said, masking my anticipation with a deliberately energetic tone. Clara entered, gently pushing in a serving stand. On the tray sat a porcelain teacup with a matching saucer, a plate of biscuits, a bowl of sugar, and a small dish of finely ground tea leaves. Beside them, honey and cloves were neatly arranged, completing the morning set. Though part of my anticipation was for the morning tea, the real reason was to finally test my skill¡ªInspect¡ªat full potential. The good thing about innate skills was that they became usable once mana control mastery surpassed 10%. By the way my mastery is at 19%. Clara set the saucer on the table, then carefully placed the teacup on top. With practiced ease, she poured the tea through a dish holding finely ground tea leaves and milk, then stirred in a spoonful of honey. A single clove followed, then another, releasing a rich aroma that stirred my suppressed cravings. Finally, she dropped in a sugar cube¡­ then another¡­ and another. Yo! wait, Is there no concept of diabetes here..!? "That''s enough sugar," I said, stopping he. "I''ll add more if necessary". With an elegant bow she began leaving, "Ah, one more thing, Clara, from tomorrow, have the tea prepared and brought two hours earlier." "Of course, Young Master. I will have the tea ready and brought to you by 6:30 AM starting tomorrow," she said while masking her slightly evident surprise. "Anything else, Young Master?" Clara asked respectfully. "Yes, You will accompany me to the library. I plan to go there by 10 AM. Is that feasible?" I asked , since I don''t know the way to the library. "Ofcourse young master, my pleasure," she said before turning to leave. By 10 AM, I had finished dressing and began planning how to make the most of my time in the library. I understood how to analyze stats after cross-checking Clara''s with mine. A change in even a single point of Combat Power should result in a significant shift in sub-stats like Strength, Agility, and Endurance. Because of this, experts¡ªgenerally those ranked D+ and above¡ªcompensate by using Mana Enhancement when not actively using Mana-based abilities. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Without mana, their Battle Force is simply equal to their Combat Power. However, if they enhance their sub-stats with mana, their Battle Power increases proportionally. In other words the passive battle force is their combat power when their body is enhanced with mana. Additionally, mana can be used for non-combat enhancements, such as masking one''s presence or sharpening perception. While these don¡¯t directly boost Battle Force, the focus required to control mana during such enhancements is reflected in their Intelligence stat. "Young Master, it is time to go to the library," Clara informed me respectfully from beyond the door. "Alright, lead the way," I said after leaving my room. The library is a bit far from recidental buildings, though Clara suggested a horse ride I preferred walking as it would help me get a better view of various routes within the castle and its grounds. Then the moment we enetered a park like establishment after leaving the residential compartment Clara''s intelligence stat shot up to 12 / 14 and her mana enhance stat to 36 / 53, keeping her battle force still at 67. This implies that she increased her perception, she now probably can sense even a slight change in detail, in this entire park. This must be because generally there won''t be many guards stationed here. Also because I can be a victim to assassination in places with even the slightest compromisation in security. My Combat Power was only E+¡ªhardly enough to survive an assassination attempt if I were alone. But hey I could hold out until the guards notice that if they wait even a second longer a poison-tipped dagger would be in my ass. We reached the library. Its exterior is grand, with explicit designs all over the building and a falcon-like design engraved at the very center of them. Inside the library was vast yet quiet, lined with towering bookshelves, warm lantern light, and the rich scent of old parchment and tea. A world of knowledge, calm, and timeless. Clara quickly spoke to the librarian and he presented himself with a bow before showing us the second floor himself, while I was inspecting books on the shelves, Clara quickly brought a cup and a soccer from a room which seems to have facilities for tea and snacks, by the time I collected the books I wanted, a table was readily welcoming me with snacks and tea kin on it. "Clara, I plan to stay here until evening. You don¡¯t have to come all the way back to serve lunch¡ªjust arrange it with the maids here on your way back." I said thinking back at the distance I walked to get here. "Don''t concern yourself with that young master, the safety of your meals will be my utmost priority," she said like a programmed robot. Being all alone in this entire floor helped me concentrate well and Before I knew it, the chandeliers flickered to life, casting a warm glow across the library, marking the sunset. Though i said Clara not to bother herself to return just to bring meals she still came which hinted at her trust in palace maids and also at the predicament my life is in. I closed the book still in daze at what I read. This is not the world I created anymore. Do you know the back story I created for this world? It''s very simple, the God of light defeats the God of darkness and helps the humans and oher tribes flourish. But do you know what''s actually in the history book I just read? well, it''s like this. At the dawn of recorded history, there were six gods. Out of them, three were assigned to this universe by an ancient being¡ªan old man with four faces, holding a pen. They called him Father. The chosen three were Caelumis, the God of Light, Narsimha, the God of Combat, and Selviora, the Goddess of Nature. Centuries passed, and a foreign entity entered this universe, proclaiming himself Lucifer, the God of Darkness. He claimed he was not created by Father, yet the three welcomed him, believing his strength would help them in creation. However, as eternity passed and civilizations flourished, the demons¡ªhis creations¡ªbegan displaying an unnatural thirst for violence. Bound by a divine treaty that prevented direct intervention, the three gods could only watch in sorrow as chaos spread. In time, the human, beast, and elvian tribes united against the demons which disturbed Lucifer, now hailed as the Demon God, he broke divine law, bestowing power upon eight demons, turning them into Demon Lords. The alliance crumbled before them¡ªunable to stand against even one. The three gods realized the balance had shifted and quickly grasped the reason for the shit. War among gods was forbidden, but duels were not. Caelumis took it upon himself to face Lucifer. Narsimha, though hesitant, relented to this logic believing that ending him would end the war.The battle between light and darkness began¡ªand raged on for centuries. Meanwhile, the alliance, desperate to reclaim lost ground, declared war against Erebos, the Eighth Demon Lord. Their morale was high as they devised a strategy to defeat erebos with the knowledge of their countless wars with him¡ªbut reality decided to be a bit different, the alliance arme stood there watching as all eight Demon Lords appeared, slaughtering their forces like insects. Surrender seemed inevitable. But then¡ªthe sky cracked as if preventing the entry of a foriegn entity, something the land beyond could never bear. A figure emerged, tearing through the heavens. A towering being with the head of a lion, the body of a beast, and razor-sharp claws. Narsimha. Silence fell. The once-mocking Demon Lords stood frozen, sweat trailing down their spines. Three lunged, two attacked from afar, two cast support magic, and their leader prepared a chant. But before a word could leave his lips¡ª things teleported, things like limbs, heads, tongues, and torsos scattered across the battlefield. Narsimha had already moved. He stood before the leader, his hands drenched in blood. With terrifying ease, he tore open his gut, ripped off his limbs, and scattered his remains like discarded scraps. It wasn¡¯t a battle¡ªit was a massacre. The alliance warriors stood motionless, unable to comprehend what had just happened. But as reality settled in, their fear turned into fury. Weapons rose once more¡ªnot against the gods, but against the fleeing demons. Humans, beasts, and elves alike hunted them down, ensuring none escaped. When the battlefield fell silent, all eyes turned to the commanding figure seated upon the Demon Lord¡¯s throne. Narsimha. Kneeling was not a choice¡ªit was an instinct. Not out of respect, but fear. Then, a gentle breeze swept across the bloodstained land. Wounds closed, exhaustion lifted. It wasn¡¯t magic, yet it healed all. Selviora, the Goddess of Nature, had arrived. She smirked at Narsimha, flicking her wrist¡ªhumid air washed over him, erasing every trace of blood. ¡°If your rampage is over, we have much to discuss. At least Return to Verdis before Caelumis did .¡± Her voice carried both sarcasm and warmth, resonating like nature itself. Narsimha turned to the three tribal chiefs. ¡°This Peace is earned through sacrifice. Never forget the fallen, but honor them by living. Both for you and for them.¡± With those words, he vanished. Selviora let out a soft sigh. With a flick of her hand, plants sprouted from both demon and alliance corpses. ¡° My dear children, Coexist. set rules to yourself, rules that can bring the difference between sin and virtue.¡± With those words her presence faded with the wind, leaving behind only life, renewal, and an unspoken promise for the future. Elves, unlike the beast tribe, have weaker bodies but unparalleled mana reserves and control, allowing them to materialize one or two elements based on affinity. Beasts, however, lack mana entirely but possess unmatched physical strength¡ªa trained warrior can crush mountains barehanded. Humans and demons have affinity for both but excel in neither. The highest combat tier recorded is B+ for humans, E- for elves, and S for beasts. A human¡¯s 93% mana control equals an elf¡¯s 38%, and if an elf surpasses 45%, they can materialize mana into spells through chanting¡ªa feat impossible for humans, not to mention for beats with 0% mana control. The fight between light and darkness came to an end with light''s triumph, the book doesn''t describe the fight since no one witnessed it. But considering the scale of the battle involving two gods and the centuries it took to end,at least a galaxy must have gone missing. "I could never write this¡­this History proves that the world differs vastly from my creation," I muttered bringing my brain back from the daze. "Ah¡­ Young Master, we can leave whenever you see fit," Clara said, perhaps seeing the closed book in my hands she assumed I was waiting for her to finish speaking with the maids on the floor below. "Take your time, I am in no rush" I said making my voice sound deliberately sarcastic. "N-Nothing important young master, I am always at your service," She replied with a tensed voice perhaps thinking I was serious. "Relax, I was being sarcastic. I just finished my book," I said, my tone far from what one would expect of a noble. "Then let¡¯s leave before night falls, Young Master," Clara said politely while arranging the table back to when it was before we came. One thing is sure....If i ever write a novel, not just drawing illustrations, I will ask him to be my coauthor as well, he writes better than I do.