The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, gently nudging Zet awake. His body felt refreshed, perfectly rested, and his mind clear, as if the night had washed away all lingering fatigue.
Before he could stretch, his phone vibrated sharply on the bedside table. He picked it up and recognized the caller immediately.
"Sebas…" he murmured, smiling.
'Good morning, Young Master,' Sebas's composed voice came through clearly. 'I have arrived in Seoul.'
Zet blinked and let out a soft laugh. "Finally. How was the flight?"
'Smooth, Young Master. My men handled all luggage and transport efficiently.'
Zet nodded, even though Sebas could not see him. "I… wanted to enjoy the city a little today before meeting you. See it properly, you know?"
'I understand, Young Master. Shall I come pick you up?'
"No," Zet replied quickly. "I want to travel on my own this time. Walk the streets, take the buses… just experience Seoul naturally. Send me the location, and I'll meet you there."
'Very well. I will send a private location suitable for a quiet meal.'
"Perfect. Thanks, Sebas," Zet said. "I just want today to feel ordinary, that's all."
'Understood, Young Master. Please travel safely.'
Zet ended the call and sat up. Sunlight streamed into his room, warming the polished wooden floors. Outside, he could hear the hum of early traffic, vendors opening their stalls, and the distant chatter of children walking to school.
He made his way to the kitchen and prepared a light breakfast: a bowl of rice with a few simple side dishes. He ate slowly, savoring the flavors.
After finishing, he dressed casually for the day: a white shirt, comfortable jeans, and sneakers. He packed a small backpack with a notebook, his phone, and a few essentials.
Before leaving, he paused at the mirror. Fifteen years old, healthy, composed, and calm. No pressure, no expectations. Just life.
Stepping outside, he inhaled the crisp morning air. The neighborhood was alive with ordinary movements: a mother pushing her child in a stroller, students laughing on their way to school, and an elderly man reading a newspaper near a street corner.
Zet walked to the nearby bus stop. The buses of 2006 were noisy and slightly crowded, with faint smells of exhaust and worn seats. He boarded one, swiping his transit card, and found a window seat.
The city moved past him: shops opening, signs in Hangul, street vendors calling out their goods. It was ordinary, mundane, and perfect.
"This… this is exactly what I wanted," he murmured.
After a short ride, he arrived at the restaurant Sebas had sent him: a small, quiet place tucked into a narrow alley. The wooden exterior and soft aroma of traditional Korean dishes made it inviting.
Sebas was waiting outside. "Good morning, Young Master," he said politely. "I see you chose to come on your own."
"I wanted to feel the city, the streets, the buses… just ordinary things," Zet replied. "You've already done so much. Let me enjoy this day in my own way."
Sebas inclined his head. "Understood. A private table is ready inside."
The restaurant was warm and cozy. Wooden tables, soft lighting, and the faint smell of grilled fish and kimchi stew filled the air. Sebas led Zet to a quiet corner table.
As they sat, Sebas opened a menu silently, though Zet already knew what he wanted. "I'll take grilled mackerel and a side of kimchi stew," he said.
The waiter nodded and quickly began preparing the meal.
"So," Sebas began gently, "you wished to experience the city before we began any work?"
Zet smiled, glancing out the window at the bustling street. "Exactly. I just want to enjoy today. Walk the streets, eat local food, see the people. That's all."
Sebas's expression remained calm, but there was a subtle warmth in his voice. "Very well, Young Master. Sometimes the simplest experiences are the most grounding."
When the food arrived, Zet took a bite of the mackerel. Smoky and perfectly seasoned, it paired beautifully with steamed rice. He sipped the kimchi stew, warmth spreading through him.
"Delicious," he murmured softly. Sebas simply nodded, observing quietly.
After a few moments, Zet leaned forward slightly. "Sebas… I want you to handle something for me. I need to be enrolled in Seoul High School as a transfer student. Quietly, please. No one should notice anything unusual. I want this to be ordinary."
Sebas inclined his head. "Understood, Young Master. I will arrange the enrollment discreetly. Your records and documentation will be prepared without issue, and you can begin attending classes immediately."
"Perfect," Zet said, satisfied. "I want to experience school properly. Talk to classmates, see the teachers, and just… blend in. Ordinary life, remember?"
"Of course, Young Master," Sebas replied. "I will take care of the administrative side. The rest will be yours to experience."
"Also Sebas I'm planning on expanding our family soon I have a rough Idea on who should I summon"
"If that's your wish young master, my sole existence is yours"
"Don't be like that Sebas, I choose you as my 1st summon because I also want you to enjoy and feel that you are trulh living"
"I'm appreciate your wisdom Young master"
"Don't mind it Sebas, we are family right?"
"Yes Young master"
Zet leaned back, smiling faintly. Outside, Seoul was alive with life. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn't thinking about grand plans or responsibilities. He was simply fifteen years old, walking the streets, seeing the city, tasting life.
He finished his meal slowly, letting the flavors linger, and then paid the bill. Sebas already had everything prepared for their departure.
"Will you take me home?" Zet asked casually.
Sebas inclined his head. "I am ready, Young Master."
Zet shook his head. "No. I want to walk and take a bus. I want to feel the city around me. Just send me the next location for our meeting when the time comes."
Sebas's voice remained calm, though there was a hint of admiration. "Very well, Young Master. I shall wait for your instructions."
Zet stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the warm morning air. The streets were full of life: children heading to school, vendors calling out their wares, buses arriving and departing with gentle groans. Every detail fascinated him—the ordinary rhythm of Seoul in 2006, the smells, the sounds, the movements of people living their lives.
"This… this is what it means to live," Zet whispered to himself.
He climbed aboard a nearby bus, finding a seat by the window. The city moved past him, flowing like a living organism. He watched quietly, taking mental notes of the streets, the shops, and the people. Every interaction, every small detail, felt new, exciting, and grounding.
Today, he thought, was the beginning of a truly ordinary life. With Sebas quietly handling the enrollment at school and other logistics, Zet could focus on being a normal teenager exploring the city, meeting people, and tasting life's small joys.
For once, the extraordinary had been set aside. For once, Zet could simply exist. And that was more than enough.