In the study room of the mansion, Khaleed is facing his father, Harris, the owner of Ezad Group. Harris has a nonchalant look on his face, while Khaleed is sitting in front of him, across the table.
"Why did you approach Zakaria, the top ranker of Celestial?"
"I knew it would reach you, but I didn't think it would be this fast." Khaleed said with a sigh.
"I'm not saying you can't, I'm just curious about your interest in that guy. Looking at his data, I doubt you need someone like him as your characteristics differ from one another. This is so unlike you. You never waste your time on something that brings you no benefit. Did I overlook something? Has my mind turned dull as I'm getting older?"
"It's for Ibnor."
Harris froze and raised his eyebrow. He obviously didn't expect the answer. His interest in the topic rose to another level.
"That brat? You are cleaning up his mess again?"
"At first, I also had the same thoughts, but it wasn't the case. And, he sounds different."
"How different?"
"Hard to explain. You know him. Usually he would have this… lack of urgency. But when he called me yesterday, he sounded serious… you can almost hear the conviction in his voice."
"And you believe him?"
"I had to. He mentioned... Mom."
Both of them have a moment of silence. The ticking clock filled the room. Breathing out a deep breath, Harris finally breaks the silence with a question.
"Why Zakaria tho?" Harris finally broke the silence, his earlier casual demeanor replaced by genuine curiosity.
Khaleed nodded, gathering his thoughts.
"I've been looking into Ibnor's academic results. His scores in theoretical classes—history, general studies, mana theory—they're... surprisingly high.. Top of his class, actually."
"Really? That's new. I thought he barely showed up." The corner of Harris's lip rose slightly.
"He didn't, not for most of it. But when he did, he apparently absorbed everything. It's the practical classes where he completely falls apart. Combat training, weapon affinity, he's still testing at absolute zero. No innate connection to any weapon, minimal mana reserves for anything beyond basic spells."
Khaleed leaned forward, his voice serious.
"It's like he has the mind of a genius, but the body of an ordinary civilian in a world where ordinary isn't good enough anymore."
Harris listened intently, stroking his chin. "So, he's a scholar, but utterly useless in a fight. And he actually wants to train now?"
"That's what he claims," Khaleed affirmed. "And if what he says about 'not being who he used to be' is true, then we can't approach his training with common methods. His lack of affinity with weapons means a normal instructor will just hit a wall. He needs someone who can build from the ground up, someone who understands how to maximize latent potential, or create it where there isn't any obvious talent."
"And Zakaria fits that bill?" Harris mused, his gaze distant. "He is a top ranker, obviously he is a dragon among man, but can he teach?"
"To be honest? I don't know," Khaleed confirmed. "But, given Ibnor's affinity, or the lack of it, Zakaria might be the person who can show him the way. He is, after all, one of the rare rankers who trained in physique enhancement."
Harris was silent for a long moment, processing the information. The surprise and skepticism on his face slowly gave way to a flicker of something akin to intrigue.
"So, my wastrel son suddenly has a thirst for knowledge and wants to become a fighter, despite having no talent for it, and you think Zakaria can pull a miracle out of him?"
"I think, Father," Khaleed said, meeting his gaze, "that for the first time in a very long time, Ibnor is serious. And I think, if he's willing to try, we owe it to him to explore every avenue. Especially if he's truly changed."
Harris let out a slow exhale.
"Tell the brat to come home for lunch today."
"Alright." Khaleed felt a sliver of hope bloom in his chest. His father's curiosity, once piqued, could be a powerful force.
***
Ibnor was paying attention to all of the theory classes. History, General Studies, Mana Theory and Application. The classes help him to understand more about the world and his current situation. Somehow, he excels in those classes, both previous Ibnor and his current self. He soaks the knowledge like a sponge with water.
"Practical class is holding me back. I did a re-evaluation and the result is still the same. Low mana reserve and no weapon affinity. I still have some kind of leeway as of now because currently it's only in the first year but on the second year onward, we are going to have field exercise, where we'll be assigned missions outside or in a low rank dungeon. If things stay like this, graduation will be a major problem."
He was still racking his brain when his phone vibrated.
[The mansion. 1.00PM]
It was from his brother.
"It seems like I'm going to skip the afternoon class again. Better let Aryssa know."
[I'm skipping again today]
[Where to?]
The reply was fast.
[The mansion.]
He waited for a while but still no reply. Just as he was about to stand up, he saw Aryssa run towards him.
"Whoa… Slow down. Have a seat fist."
"Are you sure?" she asked, straight to the point.
He simply nodded.
"You said you hated the place. Even when the Master asked you to go, you still didn't. Even yesterday.."
"I have to. There is something I need." He cuts her out.
"What time do we go?" she said, as her breath is getting steady.
He looked at her and smiled.
"There is no we," he said, shaking his head. "I'll go alone."
"What? No way. What if…"
"You can't keep skipping classes. What happens if it affects your studies? You won't be able to stay by my side if that happens. So stay, work hard so we can be together in the future," he said, interrupting her.
Aryssa opened her eyes wide. She looked like she just heard the most absurd thing in the world. Ibnor went blank for a moment wondering why she is behaving like that before realizing what he just said can be misinterpreted. It sounds cringy and with his reputation, it could send shivers down one's spine.
"What the hell.. Is he.." she doesn't dare to finish the thoughts.
Trying to cover for his embarrassment, he fakingly reprimanded her.
"Keep your head straight. You know what I mean."
"Hmm…? This is surprising. Who would have known he had this side of him?" she thought as she couldn't help but to notice the tinge of red on his ears.
"Anyway, I'm going."
Ibnor stood up, wanting to leave but froze when he saw a familiar face out the window.
"That is Sofeea, my soon to be sister in law. In the game setting, among all of the NPC, she is the only one who didn't treat Ibnor coldly, even though he was repulsive. Sofeea is someone who believes there is goodness in everyone. The setting was, she is so pure even Ibnor couldn't bring himself to harm or even hate her. In his feud with his brother, Sofeea is the one line he never crossed." He recognized her instantly.
"But why does she look so haggard as if she went through a rough time? Who would even have the heart to do such a thing to her?"
"Interested?" Aryssa asked, interrupting his train of thought.
"In a way, yeah. Help me to investigate." Ibnor answered mechanically, as his mind is still somewhat preoccupied recalling the game's lore.
"Find her weaknesses?" she asked sarcastically.
"No, her circumstances. And, please find someone to protect her… from the shadow."
"I… Understand" she replied, even when he actually doesn't.
"It doesn't seem like his interest in her is.. In 'that' way. And he also politely asks for me to do something, instead of just haughtily ordering me like he used to..." she thought of his behavior that has somewhat changed.
***
Standing in front of the mansion, Ibnor's mind is still filled with the game's countless pieces of information.
"The game's background story stated Ibnor doesn't have a good relationship with his family, especially his brother after their father, Harris died. Harris was depicted as a powerful and talented man who single handedly brought Ezad Group from a startup company to one the most powerful Guild. In his younger days, he actively raided dungeons and secured a lot of resources. Even after his sons were borned, he would still often lead his team to clear dungeons. Only after his first wife, Aleena died did he stop going to dungeons altogether and focus more on the management of the corporation." He mused.
"How should I present myself?" He asked himself, faced with the reality that he is living within the settings, but a few years earlier before the start of the game.
Ever Since he realizes that he is currently living in the Tumultuous Era, both literally and figuratively, he comes up with two of the most important factors to avoid a bad ending. First, his relationship with people around him, and second, his own strength and ability.
"Without a doubt, having a good relationship with the people around me, especially my family, can eliminate almost half of the various bad endings. I can also benefit greatly if I can obtain strong support from my family. It would also make my second goal, to improve my strength and ability much easier."
Suddenly his train of thought was interrupted by the maids.
"Welcome home, Young Master. Please head inside." The maids greets him perfunctorily, as if they were reading a script.
"Very well." He replied shortly before being ushered by the maid to the dining room, not minding their attitude.
Upon reaching there, to his surprise, the whole family is waiting for him. Sitting on the head seat is his father, Harris. Next to him on his left, a beautiful woman with charming smiles. She has ginger hair with green eyes, with a beauty mark on the right side of her chin. Her name is Farisha, the second wife of Harris, Ibnor's step mother.
Next to her sat a young girl, with black hair but the same eyes as Farisha, around seven or eight years old. She is the youngest of the family, Sheeda. Khaleed sat on the right side of Harris, across Farisha, in his usual elegant manner.
Ibnor took a seat next to Khaleed and the servants started to serve the food. During the meal, Ibnor noticed that Sheeda kept on staring at him, eyes full of curiosity and fear. She would pretend to focus on her food whenever he looked at her.
"Clumsy, yet cute…" Ibnor thought, amused by her behavior.
He has some kind of idea why she is behaving like that . After waking up in this world, he retains most of the memories of this world's Ibnor. He knew, a few years back, he had scolded this little girl harshly. That time, she only wanted to get to know her brother, one whom she rarely sees but that Ibnor took it as a nuisance and shouted at her.
"Not cool Ibnor, not cool," he thought.
While observing her, he also noticed that she was eyeing a drumstick on his side, but ultimately didn't get it because she thought it would be bad manners.
"Or perhaps, she didn't want to risk getting yelled at by me again?" He came to an assumption.
He decided, as an apology, he would just help her to get the drumstick. He carefully lifted the drumstick and put it on her plate. Little that he knows, this minor action of his has a huge reaction from his family members.