Mhmmm.

The warm morning rays glowed brightly on Luke’s fair skin. His silky light brown hair fell to his forehead, accentuating the natural contours of his sharp features. The soft bed beneath him was almost too comfortable, as if inviting him to sink back into sleep, but his body had long been trained to function on minimal rest. Slowly, he stretched, his muscles tensing before relaxing again, and he clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.

Tch.

The memories of the previous day settled in his still-foggy mind, confirming that everything had truly happened—this wasn't a dream. He was still here, in this grand, unfamiliar world, thrust into an existence that wasn’t meant for him.

Turning his head, he noticed a trolley of food placed beside the bed, covered neatly with glass lids. The delicate aroma of warm bread and roasted meat lingered in the air, teasing his appetite. Beside it stood a moveable cloth rack, filled with lavish garments that looked far too extravagant for his taste.

'They're putting in quite the effort,' he mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He could bet all of this had been prepared for the person originally meant to be in his place. He was an accident—one caused purely by Garhan’s ego. Not that he was complaining.

Pushing the soft blanket off his body, Luke swung his legs over the bed, only to be met with the plush sensation of the carpeted floor. Even the floor was absurdly luxurious. Standing up, he stretched once more, his bare torso exposed to the crisp morning air, and made his way toward the bathroom.

The moment he entered, his eyes were drawn to the mirror, reflecting a face that had always been his greatest asset. Even back on Earth, his looks were something he took great care of. His well-defined jawline, the slight stubble on his chin, and the sharp contrast of his crystalline blue eyes made him stand out in any crowd. At 6'1, with a well-maintained physique, he exuded a natural presence that made people take notice.

Yet, despite his striking appearance, there was something about this world that made him feel out of place. This was a world where power meant more than appearance, where lineage and strength dictated one’s worth. His face, no matter how well-kept, wasn't solely enough to earn him a place in this world.

He sighed, pushing a hand through his slightly disheveled hair before turning his attention to the room around him. The bathroom itself was a marvel—a seamless blend of magic and elegance. The showerhead hovered in midair, glowing with a soft blue light, seemingly waiting to be activated.

“…How do I turn it on?” he muttered, eyeing it with suspicion. There were no taps, no buttons, no visible mechanisms.

For several minutes, he poked and prodded, attempting to trigger the shower through sheer willpower. Nothing happened. Letting out a frustrated breath, he stepped out of the bathroom, determined to find someone who could help.

The moment he opened the door, he was met with two maids standing in wait. The older of the two, a woman in her late forties with a composed demeanor, bowed slightly upon seeing him.

“Good morning, sir. Is there something you need?” she asked curtly.

Luke hesitated for a moment before awkwardly scratching the back of his head. “Uh, yeah… How do I turn on the showerhead?”

The older maid simply motioned for him to follow her inside. Standing a few steps away from the shower, she calmly said, “On.”

Immediately, water gushed out from the showerhead, cascading down in a steady stream with no visible supply.

Luke blinked.

“Off,” the maid continued, and just as suddenly, the water ceased.

“…That’s it?” Luke asked, feeling both dumbfounded and impressed.

“Yes, sir. You may also clap twice to activate it,” she informed him. “The master has invited you to have breakfast with him if you wake early. Please use the clothes provided and come downstairs once you are ready.”

Without another word, she exited the room, leaving Luke to process yet another piece of magical absurdity in this world.

Shaking his head, he stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash over him. The soap he found had a sweet, herbal fragrance, and as he lathered it onto his skin, he felt an unusual soothing sensation spread across his body. Everything here was different—even something as simple as bathing felt strangely refined.

Once satisfied, he stepped out and grabbed a towel, drying himself off before turning his attention to the array of clothes on the rack. Most of them looked extravagant, filled with intricate embroidery and noble aesthetics, but he managed to find a simpler black outfit.

A thin white shirt went under a thick, soft black jacket with neatly placed straps on the left side. He paired it with cream-colored breeches and chocolate-brown leather boots, a combination that was far more formal than what he was used to but still manageable.

Running his hands through his damp hair, he did his best to style it without a comb. His fingers worked deftly, arranging his bangs slightly while ensuring the strands settled just right. Appearance was something he had always taken seriously, and even in this world, that habit wasn’t about to change.

Once satisfied, he took one last look at himself in the dressing table mirror. Despite the unfamiliar clothing, the face staring back at him was undeniably his.

With a final breath, he turned away and stepped out of his room, walking down the lavishly decorated corridor towards the grand staircase. His day had officially begun.

As Luke descended the grand staircase, he finally had the opportunity to take in the full beauty of the mansion. The blue and white theme of the estate was breathtaking, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. Magic stones embedded into the walls emitted a soft glow, casting an enchanting radiance across the hallways. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, carefully arranged in crystal vases along the corridors. Every detail, from the polished marble floors to the intricate tapestries hanging from the high ceiling, spoke of the Timberdell family’s affluence.

A butler approached him with a respectful bow. "Young sir, allow me to guide you to the dining area."

Luke nodded, following the butler down the left side of the stairs. As they neared their destination, his nose twitched involuntarily. The rich aroma of freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, and sweet pastries flooded his senses, making his stomach stir in anticipation. The fragrance alone was enough to promise a luxurious breakfast.

The dining area was designed with simplicity and refinement. A long table stretched across the center of the room, adorned with neatly placed tablecloths and gleaming silverware. It was spacious, with several unoccupied chairs suggesting a large household. At the head of the table sat Garhan, his imposing figure relaxed yet commanding. Beside him was a striking middle-aged woman with golden blonde hair, exuding grace and warmth. To Garhan’s right sat a young man around Luke’s age, his white hair mirroring Garhan’s. Across from him, a young woman in her mid-twenties with matching blonde hair dined in silence.

Luke inwardly noted that this was likely Garhan’s family. Judging by the number of chairs, there were others not present at the table. As he stepped forward, their gazes turned toward him. He smiled politely, offering a slight bow.

“Good morning, hope you are having a good day.”

The blonde woman’s lips curled into a delighted smile as she brought a hand to her mouth, her expression one of gentle amusement. The young man, on the other hand, looked visibly displeased but said nothing. Luke found it amusing how the son bore the same stiff expression as Garhan. Meanwhile, the young woman didn’t even acknowledge his presence, continuing her breakfast without the slightest interest.

Garhan gestured dismissively. “Sit.”

Without hesitation, Luke strode toward the white-haired young man and took the seat right beside him. The young man stiffened, squirming slightly in irritation before shooting Luke a sharp glare. Luke, however, remained entirely unbothered, maintaining a relaxed posture. A soft chuckle—an elegant “fufu”—escaped the blonde woman, clearly entertained by the exchange.

Breaking the silence, Luke turned to Garhan. “Are they your children?”

Garhan’s chest puffed up slightly at the question, pride swelling within him. For those unaware, his children could easily be mistaken for his grandchildren, a thought that always stung his pride. Luke’s direct acknowledgment of them as his children brought him a subtle sense of satisfaction. As someone who aged faster than his peers, he relished these small victories.

With a controlled cough, Garhan answered curtly, “Yes.” He gestured to the young man beside Luke. “My son, Joe.” Then, to the blonde woman across. “My daughter, Rienna.”

Just as he was about to introduce his wife, Luke’s smooth voice cut in, his lips curving into a charming smile. “And this beautiful lady must be the love of your life.”

The blonde woman visibly brightened, her delighted expression making her look even more radiant. Meanwhile, Garhan’s jaw tightened, his teeth gritting at Luke’s words.

Damn this slimy bastard, Garhan cursed inwardly.

He had met many kinds of people in his life, but the ones he despised the most were those who could talk their way through everything. It was a skill he lacked entirely. As a war general of the Rolhart Kingdom, he was respected for his strength and battlefield prowess, not for eloquence. He had long accepted that warriors should speak with their swords, not their tongues—but he still found himself annoyed at people like Luke, who made it seem so effortless.

Regaining his composure, Garhan exhaled sharply. “…Yes. She is my wife, Rani.” His tone was clipped, betraying his irritation.

He then added, “I have four children. Two of them are not present.”

Luke listened attentively as breakfast continued. The food was as delicious as it smelled, each dish bursting with flavor. As he engaged in casual conversation, he gradually pieced together more about this world.

As expected, it was a fantasy world—filled with all the familiar clichés. Swords and magic were commonplace, and ‘mana’ powered much of civilization. From elaborate trains to horseless carriages, technology was seamlessly intertwined with magic. The aesthetic of the world resembled a medieval European setting, yet with a layer of refinement and mystical enhancements that set it apart.

Garhan, as it turned out, was not just any noble. A proud Viscount of the Rolhart Kingdom, he was both a war general and a noble of considerable influence. His reputation on the battlefield was formidable, and it was clear he held great pride in his status.

“Then, these ‘Earth-dwellers,’ how do they end up here?” Luke asked. It was a question Martin had already answered previously, but he wanted to confirm it once more.

“To this date, no one knows how or why candidate summoning happens. All the countries of the Grencefert continent have agreed on a treaty to manage and educate these candidates, as they exhibit a higher potential and growth rate than an average Eldorian,” Garhan explained. As expected, there wasn’t a clear answer. But Luke caught onto something else from the discussion.

“Candidate summoning? Not ‘Earth-dweller’ summoning?” he asked. The term 'candidate' had been used a bit too much. He needed to understand its true meaning.

“Yes. Some call it candidate summoning, some cadet summoning. It can’t be Earth-dweller summoning when people from all sorts of planets are summoned,” Garhan replied, casually dabbing his mouth with the napkin tucked into his collar.

So Earth isn’t the only planet losing citizens out of the blue, huh? Luke mused. It didn’t really come as a surprise after his own isekai experience. He had decided to take everything as casually as possible—after all, it had already happened.

As he learned more, he discovered that candidates from other planets weren’t even human. Some were orcs, some elves, some dwarves, and other beings he only knew from fiction. They were summoned in groups to different locations, where nobles and high-ranking individuals attended auctions to acquire the races they preferred.

Needless to say, as a person who had mingled with all kinds of people, even the weebs, Luke was well-versed in what these creatures were. Humans from Earth, however, were at the bottom when it came to combat ability. Other races had at least some basic training in fighting, self-defense, and mana control before being summoned.

But humans had the most flexibility when choosing a 'route' to take, which made them just as valuable as any other race. Well, at least the talented ones. Luke sighed as he noticed Garhan's displeased look.

It seemed like he had finally remembered Luke's disastrous stats and class from yesterday. The man was clearly lamenting his luck.

“I’ll be taking my leave first,” Rienna announced, gracefully standing before leaving the dining area. Joe followed soon after. Garhan, too, departed, instructing Luke to meet Charles, the old butler who had escorted him from the carriage the previous day.

Now, only Rani and Luke remained, along with the butler standing discreetly in the distance.

Well, this is awkward. Rani, though middle-aged, was as beautiful as a flower. Unlike the others, she had neither ignored him nor shown displeasure. On the contrary, she had maintained a warm smile throughout the meal.

After finishing his food, Luke glanced around awkwardly, trying to find an excuse to leave.

“You don’t need to be so tense. Relax a bit. You don’t always have to maintain that prim and proper attitude,” Rani’s mature voice soothed him, bringing an unexpected sense of comfort.

Instead of basking in the sudden relief, Luke immediately checked Rani’s status.

Rani Timberdell

Alignment: Good (??)

Class: Moon Witch

Title: Witch of Remorse | ??

Specialty: ??

Strength: ?? | Agility: ?? | Intelligence: ?? | Divinity: ?? | Luck: ?? | Wisdom: ??

Skills: Silver Tongue | ?? | ??

Overall Rating: A Crouching Tigress.

Sure enough, I can’t let my guard down around anyone here. Luke clicked his tongue. The seemingly warm and approachable Rani was just as dangerous as Garhan.

“There you go again. You really don’t trust anyone, do you?” Rani remarked, her gentle smile never faltering. Luke felt a chill down his spine—it was as if she was peering directly into his soul.

“Ah, then, I’ll be taking my leave now. Have a good day,” Luke said hastily, standing up and making his way out of the dining room. The old butler followed right after him.

Rani let out a quiet chuckle as she watched the young man retreat. The old man had picked up quite an interestingly incompetent guy. She thought.