Morning came quietly.
Fainyx opened his eyes.
The room was still dim.
He turned his head toward the window.
The sky was a faint gray-blue.
Not yet dawn.
He glanced at the small clock near his bedside.
Four in the morning.
He stretched carefully.
His body still felt sore from last night's reckless exploration—but something else felt different.
He closed his eyes briefly.
His mana core.
Full.
Completely restored.
He blinked.
"That's… fast."
After creating an entire spatial domain and nearly emptying himself, he had expected lingering fatigue.
Instead, his mana flowed smoothly, dense and steady.
He smirked faintly.
"Should I go all out inside Aetherium and test the limit?" he mused jokingly.
Still—
Curiosity won.
He opened the portal quietly.
The air shifted.
And he stepped inside.
The Unexpected River
The moment he entered—
He heard it.
Water.
Flowing.
He froze.
That sound hadn't existed last night.
He followed it, walking past the cottage he created.
Then he saw it.
A river streamed gently through the forest.
Clear water.
Reflecting the soft morning sun.
He stared.
"I didn't make this."
He was certain.
He had created trees.
Soil.
Sky.
But not a river.
He walked toward its end.
The water flowed toward the border—
Toward the invisible white wall.
And yet—
It continued moving.
Even though there was nowhere for it to go.
He stood there, speechless.
The current did not stop.
It did not overflow.
It simply… functioned.
"…I'm not going to question it."
His instincts told him the answer was the same as everything else here.
His mana.
His authority.
The space was stabilizing itself or rather it evolves even when I did not use mana.
Perhaps when he created a world, it completed what was necessary for balance.
Water cycle.
Air.
Sunlight.
A system.
He crouched beside the river.
The water looked clean.
He dipped his fingers in.
Cold.
Refreshing.
He hesitated—
Then brought his fingers to his lips.
It tasted like normal water.
Pure.
His brows lifted slightly.
"The water here is clean."
A place with water access was ideal.
He stood and looked around.
A private forest.
A river.
Breathable air.
No observers.
No limits.
He touched the soil and felt its texture.
Soft.
Rich.
Maybe... he can use this soil.
He smiled faintly.
"…I can farm here."
He could grow plants.
maybe experiment some crops to see if they can grow here.
Maybe even replant the flower from before.
The thought eased something in his chest.
He glanced at the river again.
Tempted.
After a moment of hesitation—
He removed his slippers and stepped in the river.
The cold water wrapped around his feet.
A sharp inhale escaped his lips.
But it was comfortable.
Refreshing.
He walked upstream to where it began—
Or should begin.
Instead, it simply formed from the boundary wall and flowed outward.
As if generated by the space itself.
"This place really is evolving…"
He continued exploring and soon stopped beneath a tree.
He blinked.
"…An apple?"
It's some apples hanging in the tree some are bright red while others, not yet ripe.
He had read several botanical records in his mother's library.
Apples doesn't exist in this world, even in the games whenever he visited some market he don't see any apple shaped fruit.
Maybe....
It's possible that it manifested from his memory... since a river suddenly appear here and the place kept evolving it seems that it's possible that in his memories he can conjure something that doesn't appear in this world just like this tree.
He conjure a chantless wind magic lifted one ripe fruit into his hand.
He took a bite.
Juice burst across his tongue.
Sweet and savory, the taste seems a bit different from the apples in his past life. This one is more sweet and juicy.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then—
A subtle warmth spread through his body.
Not overwhelming.
But noticeable.
"…Mana."
The apple carried mana.
Not artificially infused
Naturally grown from Aetherium itself.
His pulse quickened.
"If processed properly…"
Mana-enhancing potions.
Even cooking.
Apple pie, perhaps or any pastries that he sees in some cooking show.
He finished it slowly and carefully removed the seeds.
Wrapping them in a handkerchief.
He would try to plant this in the mansion to see if he can grow it.
After nearly two hours of exploring, testing minor spells, and observing the space.
He finally stepped back through the portal.
The bedroom clock read six.
Only two hours had passed.
He lay back on the bed.
Satisfied.
And slightly overconfident.
"My mana pool is larger than I thought…"
A dangerous realization.
Knock. Knock.
"It's the aide, Young Master. Are you awake?"
Fainyx stood and opened the door.
The aide smiled gently. "His Grace requests your presence for breakfast."
He nodded.
Then, without warning—
He was lifted.
Carried carefully in strong arms.
He didn't resist.
The aide's hold was steady and respectful.
And more importantly—
His legs hurt.
He had forgotten.
Just walking and exploring around inside Aetherium did not erase physical strain in reality and he has a weak body...
He had overdone it.
So he allowed himself to be carried.
Breakfast
The dining room doors opened.
The long table was set.
Meats.
Soup.
Fresh bread.
Desserts.
The aroma alone made his stomach quietly grumble.
The aide seated him beside the Duke.
Across sat his brothers
Liam and Adam.
At the head of the table is his father.
They began eating.
Fainyx sipped the soup.
It was creamy and perfectly seasoned.
His expression didn't change—
But inside, he was delighted.
Liam watched him carefully.
The Duke also observed quietly.
Ensuring he wasn't rejecting anything.
When the meal ended,
The Duke turned to Adam.
"How is the sword instructor?"
Adam smiled confidently. "He suits me well."
A nod.
Then the Duke turned to Liam.
"And your studies?"
Liam stiffened. "I'm doing well."
A pause.
The Duke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You must learn and study, you can't just go around outside and train."
"…Yes." Liam pouted and went back eating.
Fainyx observed quietly.
The atmosphere was no longer tense like before.
They were speaking normally again..
Then suddenly
Liam suddenly remembers something and smiled.
"Oh! Something good happened yesterday!"
The Duke and Adam looked confused.
Liam turned to Fainyx, grinning.
"I was petted by Fainyx last night! And he smiled at me!"
Silence.
"What?" Adam and the Duke said simultaneously.
"He even let me hug him," Liam added proudly.
Then his expression softened.
"He... also looked just like her…"
The last words were quiet.
But both trained knights heard it.
The Duke's hand paused mid-motion.
Adam's gaze shifted to Fainyx.
"Can you smile now?" Adam asked carefully.
Fainyx immediately shook his head.
No.
Absolutely not.
His face was stiff.
And unnecessary attention was troublesome.
The Duke exhaled slowly.
"Breakfast is finished. I have matters to attend to."
He stood.
Then, more gently,
"Your restriction from going outside is lifted."
He left without another word.
And then all of them now standing up and now leaving the room, and then Liam leaned closer to fainyx.
"Do you want to play outside? I'm free today!"
Fainyx shook his head.
He was tired.
His muscles ached.
"Even if you say no, I'll follow you," Liam declared dramatically.
Adam sighed. "Are you threatening him now?"
Liam shot back, "Says the one who didn't protect him properly before."
Lightning practically sparked between them.
Fainyx walked away.
Let them fight.
Siblings could argue all they wanted.
But when he was trying to leave, footsteps followed him.
He stopped.
Turned.
They were still behind him.
Why are they following me?
"Are you going to your room?" Liam asked.
He nodded.
Adam exchanged a glance with Liam.
"Maybe he shouldn't stay cooped up all day" Adam murmured.
"I agree!" Liam said immediately.
Fainyx internally groaned.
Why are they suddenly this concerned?
They blocked the hallway.
"Let's play," Liam insisted.
He shook his head.
Liam crossed his arms and stood in front of the door dramatically.
"I won't move until you agree."
Fainyx stared at him.
Then at Adam, it seems that he also unfortunately agreed with Liam.
Then back at Liam.
He sighed.
And nodded.
He gave up.
The two brothers smiled triumphantly.
"Great! Let's go!"
And just like that—
He was dragged into playtime.
Whether he liked it or not.