The next morning, at the crisp hour of 8 AM, the night had passed as if nothing strange had happened at all.
Gojo was already awake and outside, strolling through the mansion's pristine garden. He took in the fresh, clean air while going through a series of deep stretches, his long limbs moving with a fluid grace.
He had slept well, but he knew he'd need to find a replacement for his blindfold. He doubted a place this medieval had designer black sunglasses lying around.
While it didn't physically tire him out, his Six Eyes were a constant, overwhelming flood of information. They processed everything, all the time, without a break.
Even though his brain was constantly being refreshed by Reverse Cursed Technique, preventing it from frying like an egg from the sheer data overload, it was still... a lot.
Like having a thousand TVs on at once, all the time.
A blindfold helped to turn down the volume. After a few more stretches, he decided he'd ask for some bandages from Rem or Ram, whoever he found first.
Gojo took a long, deep breath of the cool morning air and let it out with a satisfied sigh. "The air here is so much better than back home," he murmured to himself.
"I hope they don't destroy it." There were no tall buildings blocking the sun, no constant noise of cars, no smog. It was almost like a therapy session, just standing there.
He finished his routine and began to make his way back inside, a plan already forming. He had a feeling the twin maids didn't like him very much.
And why would they? He'd called their master a clown right to his face. For all he knew, Roswaal was some big, scary important figure here.
Gojo's casual disrespect probably came across as a steep level of arrogance. So, the first impression he'd made on the maids? They hated him. That was his guess.
As if luck was on his side, the moment he stepped back into the mansion, he saw Rem walking down the hallway, her back to him.
He didn't need to stroll around looking for anyone after all. A playful grin spread across his face.
Like a cat spotting a toy, he closed the distance in a few quick, silent steps and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
Rem turned, and her icy blue eyes met his. She stared at the man she and her sister had already decided they disliked intensely.
She didn't say a word, her expression a perfect, emotionless mask as she waited. Gojo just stared back, his smile never faltering.
Finally, Rem spoke, her voice as cold and still as a winter morning. "What do you want?"
As if her frosty tone didn't matter in the slightest, Gojo answered cheerfully, "I want some bandages[1]! And I also wanted to know when we can start my 'education'."
Rem's gaze flickered over him, inspecting him from head to toe with a critical eye. "I see no injuries," she stated flatly. "Nor do I smell blood. Why do you require them?"
"My eyes are a little sensitive to light and dust," Gojo said casually, giving her a plausible half-truth.
"I had something to cover them when I first got here, but it got lost in the fight yesterday while saving Emilia." He gave a little shrug. "So I was hoping I could get some bandages to wrap around them."
Rem considered this for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Follow me," she said. She clearly didn't want to talk to him any more than necessary. The faster she gave him what he wanted, the faster this annoying white fly would leave her alone so she could get on with her work.
She led him to a small supply room, told him to wait outside, and emerged a few seconds later with two fresh rolls of white bandages. She pushed them into his hands.
"We can begin your lessons after my morning duties are complete," she said, and then, without another word, she turned and walked away.
Gojo watched her go, then looked down at the bandages in his hand. "Yep. They definitely don't like me," he thought to himself with a quiet chuckle. "Oh well. No one can resist my dashing charm for long. They'll come around."
With the fresh bandages wrapped neatly over his eyes, obscuring them from the world, Gojo felt more like himself.
The constant, overwhelming flood of information from his Six Eyes was now muted to a manageable hum.
He had nothing pressing to do, no curses to exorcise, no meetings to skip. So, he figured, why not impart some wisdom on his new, self-appointed student?
He already knew exactly where Emilia was, thanks to his unique vision that saw through walls and across distances.
She was in the study. He could have just warped there, but that might freak her out, and where was the fun in that?
He strolled through the grand hallways until he reached the correct door. He didn't bother knocking.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Emilia was sitting at a large desk, surrounded by stacks of thick, imposing books, diligently writing something on a piece of parchment.
She looked up, startled by the sudden entrance, but her expression softened when she saw who it was.
"Oh, Gojo. Good morning," she said politely. "How was your night?"
"Like always," he replied with a lazy grin, sauntering over to her desk. "Peaceful."
He glanced at the titles of the books of course he didn't understand anything all the more reasons to learn it fast to get a headstart.
Though titles were Lugnican History: The Dragon's Covenant, Principles of Diplomacy, Economic Theory for the Modern State.
It was all incredibly dry, serious stuff.
"So, what are you doing?" he asked, leaning over the desk. "Studying, it seems." He let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Ah, Emilia, really. Who studies this early in the morning? You're a young kid. You should be out playing, enjoying time with friends." He paused, his grin turning a little more pointed.
"But I suppose you don't have any, do you?"
Emilia's posture stiffened, and she looked away, a defensive blush coloring her cheeks. "What do you mean? I-I have friends! Yes, I have Puck, and Rem and Ram! They're my friends."
"You're trying too hard to prove it," Gojo said, his voice casual but his observation hitting its mark. "And who is this Puck? I don't think I've met him. Is he from outside the mansion?"
"No," Emilia corrected him, her tone a little brighter now that the topic had shifted. "Puck is my spirit."
"A spirit, huh?" Gojo said, his interest piqued. "So where is he?"
"Puck is sleeping right now," she explained. "He can only materialize outside of his crystal from 9 AM to 5 PM."
Gojo chuckled. "Huh. That's like an office worker."
"Like a what?" Emilia asked, completely lost.
"Nothing," he said, waving it off. "So, all this studying... is it for your candidacy for the throne?"
Emilia nodded, her expression turning serious again. "Yes. To even have a chance, I have to have a proper knowledge of history, diplomacy, politics, and other things like that."
Gojo nodded in understanding. It was then that Emilia's eyes focused on his face, as if she were seeing him clearly for the first time that morning.
"Why are there bandages on your eyes? Are you hurt, Gojo?!" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "If you are, I know healing magic. I can heal you."
"Nah, I'm not hurt," he reassured her. "It's just that my eyes are sensitive to light and dust, so I cover them most of the time so they don't cause any problems."
"Oh. So… how do you see, then?" she asked, her curiosity overriding her concern. "Doesn't it bother you?"
"Not really," he said, tapping a finger against the bandages over his eye. "My blessing helps with that. I can see everything clearly, maybe too clearly, even with these on."
"Oh, wow," Emilia said, her eyes wide with amazement. "Your blessing certainly is unique. Not only are you strong enough to handle the Bowel Hunter, but you can even see through things."
"Comes in handy," Gojo said with a smirk. "So, tell me. How does one even win this race for the throne?"
Emilia put down her quill, happy to explain something she knew so well.
"It's not about winning a single contest. The Council of Sages and the people of Lugnica will be watching all five candidates. We have to prove our worthiness by making contributions to the kingdom, helping people, improving trade, solving problems. Our actions will be judged, and our support will grow based on what we do."
She continued, her voice gaining a bit of nervous energy.
"Soon, there will be a formal Royal Selection ceremony at the capital. All five candidates will be officially introduced to the nobles and the public. We'll have to declare our intentions and explain what we hope to do for the country if we are chosen as its ruler. That will be the start. Though we already know one of the candidates being Felt."
….
A/N: So how was it?! It is a slow paced i know and i will pick ul the pace soon in the next 2 chapters. See ya!
[1] he doesn’t have glasses. it was my mistakes and i have corrected them in ch 5,6,7.