Harvey also heard that loud noise.
It happened just as he was preparing to sleep, but he did not get up to investigate. He did not even pay it much mind.
Ever since the incident at noon, he had spent the entire afternoon soaking in the Private Library, flipping through more than ten books regarding the Mythological Era.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of them were merely collections of stories.
A certain Knight slaying a Giant Dragon.
A certain hero receiving a blessing from a deity, slaughtering a massive number of the Demon Race to become a Savior.
A certain country rising overnight during the God-Demon War.
“It really is the Mythological Era…” Harvey murmured under his breath.
That era was simply too far removed from the present, and most records had long since been lost or scattered. What remained were mostly stories retold by later generations, constantly twisted and exaggerated.
While the content was exciting, there were almost no specific details of events. Not a single book contained decent historical records.
Preserving knowledge from such an ancient time—an era where it was uncertain if paper even existed—was simply too difficult.
It was not until he returned to his room alone that Harvey realized something.
‘I wasn’t summoned once the entire afternoon.’
Normally, when the Eldest Miss was at the mansion, she would often have him stay by her side, even if he did nothing.
But today, nothing happened.
However, that thought only lingered in his mind for a moment before he pushed it aside.
Harvey couldn’t help but look down at his hand.
He slowly clenched his palm.
He currently mastered only one magic…
[Left Hand of the Underworld God]
It was a power bestowed upon him by Hera, and it radiated a cold, eerie atmosphere.
A magical power like this did not seem like something that would be accepted by a normal magic system no matter how one looked at it.
Harvey sighed.
If he truly wanted to step into the halls of magic, relying on his own trial and error was clearly unrealistic.
Furthermore, he did not just want to learn magic; he also wanted to understand this world.
The Royal Capital beyond the Duke’s Mansion.
The Academy.
And places even further away.
The Duke’s Mansion was large, but compared to the outside world, it felt exceptionally small.
If he remained bound here forever, he would never know what the world was truly like.
After much thought, a slender and dignified figure finally surfaced in his mind.
Evelyn.
The Head Maid he had just annoyed.
According to the God of the Underworld—
During the era of the God-Demon War, Fairies were the commanders of human armies.
They not only possessed incredibly powerful magic, but they were also naturally gifted at guidance and teaching.
Fairies were the best teachers for humanity.
Thinking of this, Harvey subconsciously rubbed his nose.
He still hadn’t figured out why the Head Maid was angry. He had wanted to review the situation with the God of the Underworld, but he hadn’t received a response.
After all, gods were very busy and couldn’t watch the human world at every moment. He didn’t think there was anything wrong with that.
However…
He soon cheered himself up. Although he didn’t understand where the problem lay, the Head Maid had still been kind enough to educate him before she left.
In that case, as long as he could approach her more naturally, there would surely be a chance to get along with her.
Once the time was right, he would have the opportunity to learn true magical knowledge.
Until the very second before he fell asleep, Harvey was still thinking about how to build a good relationship with the Head Maid.
—
When the morning bell rang, it was not yet light outside.
Harvey lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling for a while before getting up to wash and dress amidst the hurried footsteps outside.
After grooming himself and straightening his clothes, he followed the other servants toward the kitchen.
All servants had to finish the day’s preparations before their masters woke up.
Some had even started working ahead of schedule.
People hurried through the corridors from time to time, carrying wooden buckets or baskets.
Most of the male servants were hauling firewood, cleaning the stables, or transporting ingredients for the kitchen.
The guards had even completed a round of daily training, passing by the servants while laughing and cursing.
Harvey tried his best to lower his presence, silently collecting his portion of breakfast.
But even so, some people still cast their gazes toward him.
Some were curious.
Others held undisguised contempt.
“Hey.”
A male servant carrying a bag of flour suddenly called out to his companion in a low voice, gesturing toward Harvey with his chin.
The other man followed his gaze and quickly noticed the crest on the back of Harvey’s right hand.
In the dim light of dawn, the mark appeared exceptionally striking.
It faintly shimmered with a cold luster.
The man sneered, “What enviable luck. He doesn’t have to work himself to death all day like us just for a meager salary.”
The person beside him lowered his voice in warning, “Say less.”
The men looked at each other and quickly returned to their own tasks.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Harvey naturally noticed those looks as well.
Casually tucking his hands into his sleeves, he continued walking forward.
He had long since grown used to such things.
To those people, this mark represented a certain special status.
Indeed, he did not have to be responsible for the heavy, or even dirty, labor like they were.
While enjoying the benefits, Harvey believed he had no right to complain to anyone about his own difficulties.
Such was life; one must bear the corresponding price while enjoying privileges.
Thinking of this, Harvey became even more eager about one thing.
‘I need to establish a friendship with the Head Maid.’
As he pushed open the side door of the kitchen to leave, he was already seriously considering his plan.
He wondered if he should find an opportunity to speak with the Head Maid again today.
The sky outside was beginning to brighten, and the morning air carried a hint of damp cold.
Today was another day full of hope.
Everything was the same as usual.
Harvey took a bite of the hard, dry rye bread in his hand, thinking about his plans for the day as he walked.
If he wanted to build a good relationship with the Head Maid, he should first find a more natural opportunity.
After serious thought, Harvey decided that perhaps yesterday’s setting hadn’t been ideal, as it was just the two of them in the corridor.
That kind of private conversation could easily make the other person wary.
After all, the Head Maid was still a woman.
And a very beautiful one at that.
Without the great God of the Underworld offering advice this time, Harvey’s thoughts became much clearer.
The Private Library contained many stories about social interactions between men and women, which gave him plenty of reference.
For example, if one wanted to get closer to the opposite sex, one should start with specific tasks.
Helping to organize account books or carrying documents for her—these were methods he had clearly thought of before, yet for some reason, he had forgotten them.
Or perhaps—
Harvey’s train of thought was suddenly interrupted by a voice.
“Harvey.”
Someone was calling him from behind.
Harvey turned around and saw a young maid jogging toward him.
She said breathlessly, “So you’re here.”
“I’ve been looking for you for a while.”
“What is it?” Harvey asked, feeling somewhat confused.
The maid explained urgently, “The Head Maid is looking for you.”
Harvey froze for a moment.
“Looking for me?”
The Head Maid was actively looking for him?
“Yes.” The maid nodded. “She told me to bring you to her as soon as I saw you.”
After saying that, she added another word.
“Now.”
Harvey instinctively checked the sky.
At this hour, it was not yet time for Lavia to wake up.
He felt a faint sense of strangeness in his heart, but he did not ask any further questions.
“I understand.”
The two of them walked one after the other toward the Main Castle.
The Duke’s Mansion was still very quiet in the early morning.
Occasionally, a servant would hurry past in the corridor, stepping aside when they saw them.
The maid led Harvey all the way to the second floor.
The closer they got to that familiar corridor, the more obvious that subtle feeling in Harvey’s heart became.
He felt as though something unpleasant was waiting for him ahead.
The maid stopped at the end of the corridor.
“We’re here,” she said softly.
Having said her piece, she tactfully departed.
Harvey stood where he was, looking at the familiar door in front of him.
‘Did the Eldest Miss wake up early today?’
Just as he was about to knock, the door opened from the inside.
Evelyn stood behind the door, her black maid uniform as neat as ever.
She glanced at Harvey.
No emotion could be seen in those pale eyes.
“Come in,” Evelyn said calmly, stepping aside.
“The Eldest Miss is waiting for you.”