The next day, I woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through my window. I sat up in bed, feeling a bit disoriented and unsure of what to do. I wasn't a dragon anymore, and I was still new to all this human stuff. Even though it had apparently been five years since I was born as a human, most of those years had been spent in an unconscious state. So, there wasn't much in the way of daily life to recall.
After a while, my maid came to check on me and noticed that I was awake. She kindly helped me get dressed and then guided me to the dining hall for breakfast. It was a gentle introduction to the routines and rituals of my new life as a human.
The dining hall was a spacious, well-lit room with tall windows that allowed the morning sunlight to pour in. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and paintings, each telling a story of the family's history and grandeur. A long, polished wooden table dominated the center of the room, flanked by plush, high-backed chairs.
As I entered, the aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast greeted me. The table was set with an array of dishes, from steaming bowls of porridge to platters of fruits and pastries. Servants moved about quietly, attending to their tasks with a sense of grace and efficiency. They refilled glasses with juice and offered warm smiles as they worked, contributing to the sense of warmth and hospitality in the room.
My parents, the count and countess, were at the head of the table, their eyes filled with affection and pride as they gazed at me. They continued to dote on me, offering gentle guidance and encouragement as I navigated the complexities of this new human life.
The room buzzed with the clinking of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversation, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and comforting. It was a scene that painted a picture of a close-knit family and a life filled with abundance and care.
After breakfast, my father had to leave to attend to his duties as a count. He looked at me with a sense of responsibility and a touch of reluctance, but duty called. My mother, too, left with him, her expression torn between her responsibilities as a countess and her desire to stay by my side. It was a moment of both separation and the realization of their commitment to their roles in the world beyond our home.
Left alone, I began to put into action the plan I had formulated during breakfast. You might be wondering, what was this plan? Well, it was quite simple—I was going to explore the mansion once more.
Don't assume that this exploration is boring. Despite my past life as a dragon with countless years of experience, this human life is still a novelty to me. During my previous exploration of the mansion, I discovered many things that were never there during my past life.
My first destination was the kitchen. Why, you might ask? It's because I had only caught a brief glimpse of the kitchen during my exploration yesterday. Even on that short visit, I had spotted many things that fascinated me. So, I decided that the kitchen would be my first stop today.
I set out in the direction of the kitchen, and my personal maid, Emily, whose name I had learned during the banquet yesterday, followed after me.
********
As I followed after the young lord on his visit to the kitchen, a mix of emotions welled up within me. My heart swelled with affection for him, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of responsibility toward this child who has finally recovered from his illness and has fully woken up.
The past five years have been a challenging and emotionally draining period. I've watched over the young lord, who has been unconscious during that time, with a heavy heart. My master and mistress have suffered greatly as they've tended to their ailing son, and their pain has been palpable.
I've dedicated myself to providing the best care I could for the young lord, tending to his needs and ensuring his comfort. I've often wondered about the cause of his condition, and my feelings have been a complex mix of concern, empathy, and hope.
My loyalty to my master and mistress has deepened during these years of struggle, and I've remained steadfast in my commitment to their family. As I've watched over the young lord, I've silently prayed for his recovery, longing to see him awake and healthy once more. The relief I now feel, as he explores the mansion with the curiosity of a young child, is immeasurable, and I know that my dedication has not been in vain.
Looking at how active he is now, I can't believe I'm looking at the same child who was lying in bed unconscious until yesterday. Even though he has recovered, I'm still going to look after him and make sure he stays healthy.
********
Unaware of what was going through his maid's mind, Zephyrion continued on his way to the kitchen and finally reached his destination.
The kitchen was a bustling hive of activity. It was a spacious room, filled with the savory aromas of cooking and the clinking of pots and pans. Large windows bathed the space in natural light, revealing gleaming countertops, a massive cooking range, and numerous wooden cabinets filled with ingredients.
Chefs and kitchen staff moved with precision, chopping, stirring, and seasoning. There was an air of camaraderie among them, as they worked together to create culinary delights. Shelves lined with spices, herbs, and jars of preserved goods added a vibrant touch to the room.
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In one corner, a large, sturdy wooden table held an array of fresh vegetables and fruits, while in another, a baker was pulling out trays of freshly baked bread from a massive oven. The kitchen was a world of flavors, textures, and scents, and it buzzed with the energy of creation.
As Zephyrion entered the kitchen, the bustling activity came to a momentary halt. The kitchen staff, from chefs to assistants, paused in their tasks, their eyes turning toward the young lord with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. They exchanged glances and subtle nods, acknowledging the presence of their young master.
Some of the kitchen staff, who had been working diligently at their stations, offered friendly smiles as they continued with their tasks. Others, caught up in the moment, gave a polite nod of acknowledgment. It was clear that they held a deep respect for their young lord, and his presence in the heart of the culinary action was an unusual sight, but a welcomed one.
As Zephyrion continued his exploration of the kitchen, the staff gradually returned to their duties, the vibrant energy of the kitchen resuming as they worked together to prepare the day's meals.
***********
Approaching one of the staff members who is tending to the oven, I couldn't help but notice the subtle, intricate use of magic in the cooking process. It intrigued me because, in my previous life as a dragon, I had been intimately familiar with the flow of mana and the use of magic. The oven's operation with magic piqued my curiosity, especially when I realized that there was no visible source of mana supply.
As I drew closer, the staff member, a warm smile on his face, noticed my presence and turned his attention to me. "Can I help you, my lord?" he asked, his voice filled with kindness.
I returned his friendly smile and asked, "Can you show me how this oven works?"
He appeared momentarily surprised by my request but quickly composed himself, a look of enthusiasm replacing his initial surprise. With a nod, he motioned for me to come closer to the oven.
As I drew closer to the oven, I couldn't help but notice three dazzling crystals embedded on the front of the appliance. From left to right, they glistened with their respective colors: a vibrant green, a deep blue, and a fiery red.
As he pointed at the three crystals embedded in the oven, I listened intently to his explanation. He began by detailing the purpose and function of each crystal.
"The green crystal, my lord," he started, "is used to turn on the oven. It simply requires the input of some mana to activate."
He then pointed to the blue crystal and continued, "The blue crystal, on the other hand, serves to change the temperature settings of the oven. Our oven has three distinct temperature settings. When you input mana into the blue crystal, it will cycle through these temperature settings, changing the heat to suit the recipe's requirements."
Finally, he gestured toward the red crystal and explained, "The red crystal is used to turn off the oven. Just as with the green crystal, you can simply input some mana to deactivate the oven when you're finished with your baking."
As he finished explaining the operation of the crystals, he turned his attention back to the oven. His keen eye detected that the bread he had been baking was now perfectly done. With a warm smile, he gently guided me a bit further away from the oven to ensure I wouldn't be exposed to the residual heat, and he opened the oven door with care.
Donning protective gloves, he carefully retrieved the freshly baked bread, its aroma filling the air with a delightful warmth. He set the bread aside, ensuring it was safe from the oven's heat.
With a gracious gesture, he invited me to approach once more, ready to demonstrate the oven's enchantment. I eagerly drew closer, intrigued by this culinary magic tool that I haven’t seen in my past life.
While the staff member continued to demonstrate the oven's functionality, I couldn't help but notice that the amount of mana he was inputting into the crystals appeared to be rather minimal. Considering the impressive phenomena that the oven was generating, the quantity of mana seemed almost pitiful in comparison.
The enchantment's ability to control temperature, as well as its capacity to cycle through temperature settings, spoke to a level of magical craftsmanship that was far more advanced than the meager amount of mana I observed being used.
In my past life as a dragon, while I haven’t seen anything like this magical oven, I had encountered various magical artifacts and tools, and they all adhered to a fundamental principle: the amount of mana input should correspond to the magnitude of the phenomenon generated. It was a rule that had held true in the magical world I knew.
However, the oven before me seemed to defy this principle. The modest amount of mana being used for its enchantment didn't align with the impressive results it produced. It was an intriguing departure from the magic I was familiar with.
Intrigued by the peculiar nature of the oven's enchantment, I couldn't help but be curious about the mechanics of how such a small amount of mana could generate such impressive results. With this question in mind, I turned to the chef and inquired, "Could you explain how the minimal amount of mana you're using contributes to creating these phenomena?"
Hearing my question, his expression shifted, revealing a hint of uncertainty. "I'm afraid I don't have the precise knowledge of the inner workings of this enchanted oven, my lord. The magical enchantments and their intricacies are typically handled by skilled enchanters and craftsmen."
Just as I pondered his response, Emily, who had been silently observing our conversation, chimed in and she suggested, "Young lord, why don’t you ask your father about this? He is quite knowledgeable about the internal workings of such magic tools "
I immediately wanted to go to my father and ask him about these magical tools, but currently, he was busy with his duties as a count. So, I controlled my curiosity, excused myself from the kitchen, and went on my way to explore the rest of the mansion.
While exploring the rest of the mansion, I came across various other magical tools that were scattered throughout the estate. I marveled at the enchanted lights that adorned the mansion's halls, providing a warm and welcoming glow. I discovered a remarkable bathtub that could generate both hot and cold water with a simple touch of a crystal-embedded panel.
In the guest room, I encountered a particularly peculiar magical tool. It was a device designed to generate a refreshing cool breeze, a testament to the ingenuity of human enchantment. Each discovery further deepened my fascination with the enchanting world I now inhabited, and I continued to explore with a sense of wonder and excitement.
Once I was done with my exploration, I returned to my room, filled with curiosity. I couldn't wait for dinner time to come so that I could ask my father all about the magical tools.