“Zila—”

Leo pulled open the curtains in Charles's room, and a flood of morning sunlight poured in, illuminating Charles’s fair face through the thin bed curtains.

Charles grumbled and turned over, attempting to return to sleep.

With an exasperated sigh, Leo stepped closer, leaned down, and whispered teasingly in his ear, “Master Charles, if you don’t get up now, the sun will burn your backside!”

Charles cracked his eyes open, his hair a mess, his clothes drenched with sweat as if he’d fought a battle. He peered at Leo through half-closed eyes, then rolled over again, mumbling, “Just let me sleep a little longer, and then we’ll talk about it…”

----------------------------------------

Eventually, Leo had to drag Charles from bed. Charles resented the disruption—wasn’t he the master here? Why did it matter if he wanted to sleep in?

But, mindful of Leo’s superior strength, Charles wisely refrained from attempting any retribution. It was best not to antagonize an undead of the fifth sequence.

The undead were a unique breed of beings. One could only become an undead under rare circumstances, typically while on the verge of death. The process transformed them into a higher-level existence but at a price: all undead sustained themselves through killing. Should they ever cease, their minds would deteriorate, reducing them to mindless husks.

Charles stole a glance at Leo, who remained composed as always, and mused aloud, “For an undead, you’re strangely fond of peace.”

Leo raised an eyebrow and retorted, “And you, Master Charles, are a rather unusual noble.”

For some reason, Leo had been strangely cautious around Charles all morning, as if sensing something in him that inspired an instinctual wariness.

“Viscount Charles, we’ve arrived at our destination!”

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The carriage stopped, and the old coachman outside bowed, pulling open the curtain for him.

Charles blinked. Viscount…? He was a viscount now. Upon awakening at the enlightenment ceremony, the direct heirs of the blue-blooded nobles were awarded the title, with all its accompanying prestige.

The nobility in this kingdom consisted of five ranks: duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. At the very top were the dukes, reserved for the heads of the six blue-blooded families.

Charles’s own father, the Duke, held a significant territory, though he preferred the urban life of the capital, leaving land management to others. Most noble families in the imperial capital did the same, while a few, like his fiancée’s family, the Gilensels, resided at the northern border and sent their children to study in the capital.

The kingdom comprised three main regions: the kingdom itself, the western territories, and the northern border. The church operated across all three regions, wielding significant power. Its members followed the God of Light and were devoted to eradicating all traces of the ancient gods, whom they deemed heretical.

Nobles’ children typically attended one of the capital’s three elite academies to hone their extraordinary abilities post-enlightenment: Violet College, Golden Rose College, or United College. Charles had been admitted to Violet College, where he would further develop his abilities.

Today, Leo had insisted on taking him shopping in the capital, arguing he’d need a few essentials for college. Charles had been reluctant until Leo offered to cover the expenses.

Why hadn’t Leo mentioned sooner that she’d be treating him? Charles was broke, after all!

“I came here once when I was very young,” Charles murmured, gazing up in awe. “It’s even more magnificent than I remember.”

Before him towered a 100-meter-high building, gleaming with opulent materials. Gold bricks lined every wall, while dazzling diamonds, blood jades, and pearls adorned the structure as if they cost nothing at all. The well-dressed patrons and even the guards at the entrance, who were formidable fourth-sequence extraordinaires, exuded wealth and power.

This was the Paradise Building, owned by the Chris family, another blue-blooded noble family. Here, one could purchase anything: luxurious attire, high-level extraordinary weapons, noble beasts, even beautiful slave girls.

He glanced at Leo, who seemed completely unfazed. Embarrassed, Charles scratched his head, though Leo gave him a disdainful look in return.

How dare a mere maid look down on him? Charles thought indignantly. He was about to snap back when Leo simply pushed him forward.

“Come on, Master Charles,” Leo said dryly, “I’m covering today’s expenses!”

Yes, Charles thought, grinning to himself. Those who pay are the real masters!