Marcus opened the door, greeted by the familiar halls of his new home—now bathed in the gentle glow of morning sunlight. Golden beams slanted across polished floors, casting long, warm shadows as the house stirred to life. Servants moved gracefully through the space, passing him with nods and practiced efficiency as they began their daily routines.
"Still can't get used to being rich…"
He muttered under his breath, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he walked forward, taking a moment to actually admire his surroundings. Ornate furniture lined the halls, accented by vases filled with fresh-cut flowers and paintings he hadn't noticed the night before. Despite having arrived just recently, he hadn't had the chance to appreciate the comfort—or the surrealness—of his new life.
Then, a voice rang out behind him, sharp and full of urgency.
"Move out of the way!"
Marcus turned instinctively.
Aveline's voice.
She zipped past him in a blur, her clothes slightly askew and hair bouncing behind her. Several startled servants stepped aside with concerned looks, one even reaching out to caution her.
"Miss Aveline, please—slow down!"
But she didn't. She vanished around a corner, leaving only the echo of her hurried footsteps behind.
"What's got her so in a rush?"
Marcus blinked, puzzled, before adjusting his pace and continuing toward the stairs with renewed curiosity.
In no time, he descended into the grand foyer. The light from tall windows framed the entrance like a stage curtain opening to the day. He entered the dining hall moments later.
At the far end of the long table, Aveline sat with focused intensity, rapidly eating her breakfast as if competing against a clock only she could see.
The table itself, though not extravagant, was laid out with the variety and balance of a well-managed estate. Eggs—steamed and scrambled—golden-brown sausages, fresh-cut fruits, and pitchers of chilled orange juice and water rested atop polished trays. The rich aroma of butter, spice, and baked bread hung in the air, gradually filling every corner of the home with the scent of morning.
Marcus opened his mouth to speak—but before he could say a word, the system chimed in.
[Memory Sync Activated (Partial): Relationship with Aveline revolves around banter, teasing, and insults with barely any compliments.]
So this is how that reward works…
A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Just what I need.
"What's got you so in a rush?"
Marcus asked, taking a seat on the right side of the table, close to the door and directly opposite Aveline.
"Why would you care?"
She replied without looking up, her mouth half-full of sausage. Despite the speed at which she ate, her movements were surprisingly coordinated—faster than anyone Marcus had ever seen during breakfast.
"I'm late! I completely forgot it's my turn to be class cleaner!"
She barked out the explanation between bites, then dramatically wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood so abruptly her chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"Aaah!"
She yelped mid-run, barreling through a door Marcus had never used before.
[Memory Sync Activated (Partial): Door leads to the kitchen, which also leads to the closest bathroom.]
"Nifty," Marcus said, raising a brow.
"Guess she's going to brush her teeth or take a bath."
He chuckled softly and turned to the table, grabbing a clean plate and helping himself to a modest serving—nothing too heavy, just enough to keep him sharp.
The classic combo: eggs and sausage.
As he cut into the egg and took a bite, his eyes widened.
The flavor was richer than expected—creamy yolk, buttery whites, and just a hint of herb. The seasoning was subtle but masterful.
"Woah… guess even this world's cooking is great,"
He said, already reaching for a second forkful.
"But now that I'm thinking about it…"
He paused mid-chew, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Where are my parents?"
[Memory Sync Activated (Partial): Both parents are currently at work during this time.]
"Well, I guess this makes morning preparations far easier for me."
He leaned back slightly, enjoying the crisp edge of the sausage as he chewed. The spices danced lightly on his tongue—enough to wake him up, but not overwhelm.
Just then, Aveline reappeared in a blur, sprinting across the dining hall—wearing a towel. Water droplets trailed behind her as she bolted up the stairs, likely on her way to change before bolting back out for school.
Marcus watched her disappear again, half a sausage still on his fork.
"Chaos, system rewards, and good eggs. I can work with that."
Marcus muttered, still watching the door swing shut behind her.