The door creaked open again, soft and steady.
May stepped in, carrying a silver tray with elegant care. A gentle aroma of warm bread and herbs filled the room, making Alex's mouth water before the food even reached him.
"Young master," she said, voice calm as ever. "Your breakfast."
Alex sat up a little straighter, grinning. "Smells amazing. Did you threaten the ingredients to behave?"
May paused. "…No."
He laughed under his breath as she placed the tray on his lap. "Just kidding, May. Thank you."
She stepped back, hands folded neatly in front of her.
Alex dug in without hesitation. The eggs were soft, the bread warm. He took another bite—then noticed something odd.
She was staring at him.
Not in a rude way. But directly. Unmoving.
"…You're really committed to the staring thing, huh?" he said, glancing up between bites. "Worried I'll drop the fork or something?"
May didn't blink. "Just making sure it suits your taste."
"Pretty sure it does," he said, still chewing. "And if it didn't, I'm not sure I'd survive telling you."
She gave the faintest smile, but didn't speak.
Curious now, Alex leaned back slightly.
"Aria?" he thought. "Appraisal. On May."
A soft shimmer passed across his vision. Then the screen appeared.
Name: May
Race: Unknown
Age: 149
Title: Bound
Loyalty: Absolute
HP: 10,000
Strength: 10,000
Defense: 10,000
Agility: 10,000
Stamina: 10,000
Mana: 10,000
Intelligence: 10,000
Status: Calm | Focused
Alex blinked. Then blinked again
"…Is this a joke?" he muttered internally.
"She's a hundred and forty-nine?! And… ten thousand everything?!"
[Aria: Hehe~ Surprised, are we?]
Her voice chimed in sweet and smug in his head.
"You think?" he snapped in his thoughts. "She's supposed to be my maid! She could flatten me with a spoon!"
[Aria: You're one to talk. Infinite stats, remember? You're a walking monster yourself, Alex.]
"Yeah, but I'm new at this monster thing."
[Aria: She's another gift. From the goddess. An ally you can trust—completely.]
Her tone turned a little more serious.
[Aria: She won't betray you. No matter what.]
Alex stared at May again. Her face gave away nothing.
He swallowed another bite of bread, then set the tray aside.
"Hey, May?" he said, casually.
"Yes, young master?"
"Can I ask you something?" He smiled. "Who… are you, exactly?"
She tilted her head slightly. "I'm the girl you saved in the Blackveil Woods. Three years ago. I was unconscious when you found me… I don't remember much else."
[Aria: She's lying.]
Alex's smile didn't falter, but something flickered in his eyes.
"Wow. You're really good at sounding innocent," he said playfully. "That's not suspicious at all."
"I'm only telling the truth I know," May replied, still smiling faintly.
She moved to pick up the tray.
"I'll be outside if you need anything."
And with that, she was gone.
Alex slumped back on the bed, eyes on the ceiling.
"…She's totally hiding something."
[Aria: Mmhmm~ She hesitated, her tone shifted, and she avoided eye contact. Classic signs.]
"Yeah, you sound like someone who watches too many mystery dramas," Alex muttered.
He closed his eyes, frowning slightly.
"…Why don't I remember anything from before the coma?"
There was a quiet pause before Aria answered.
[Aria: Because that wasn't truly you, Alex.]
[Aria: Do you want to live as someone else? Someone weighed down by memories, regrets, choices you never made?]
[Aria: Or… do you want to live as yourself? Freely. From the ground up. No past holding you back.]
Alex was quiet for a moment.
Then he let out a long breath.
"…Starting from zero doesn't sound so bad."
[Aria: Hehe~ Good answer, my little monster.]
He smiled slightly.
No past. No chains. Just the present—and the strange, powerful people around him.
It wasn't much to go on.
But it was his life now
And that was more than enough.