Opening my eyes, I looked around and found myself in a massive, luxurious bedroom. A large flat screen was mounted on the wall, accompanied by a sleek sectional sofa and an expensive-looking coffee table in front of it. To my left, a massive walk-in closet. To my right, beyond the sliding glass doors, was a balcony overlooking a vast, tranquil forest.
I got up and made my way to the bathroom, curious to see what I looked like now. The bathroom itself was breathtaking—modern and almost spa-like. A set of stairs descended into a large rectangular basin in the center; I assumed that was the bathtub. A magnificent standing shower stood nearby, and a toilet was tucked into the corner. Greenery was placed throughout the room in a strategic, decorative way that gave it an almost enchanted forest feel.
Finally, I stepped in front of the mirror, bracing myself. The reflection that stared back was that of a handsome young man with an athletic build, slightly tanned skin, short black hair, and steel-blue eyes. He had a striking face and stood about 6'1".
"Okay… not bad," I muttered.
I stepped back into the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as I contemplated my next move. That's when a transparent blue screen appeared in front of me.
---
System Interface
Status Tab
Name: Rowan Bael
Race: Devil
Age: 17
Title(s): None
Affiliation: Devils
Alignment: Neutral
Level: 1
Exp:0/100
HP: 500
MP: 500
Strength: 30
Agility: 25
Endurance: 20
Intelligence: 50
Charisma: 45
Luck: 15
Available Stat Points: 0
---
Skills Tab
No skills acquired.
---
Spells Tab
No spells learned.
---
Inventory
Evil Pieces x15
---
Worlds Tab
Status: Locked
---
Quest Tab
[It Begins]
Objective: Explore your manor
Reward: 1 Beginner Spell and 1 Beginner Skill
---
Peerage Quest Tab
Current Peerage Slots: Empty
Queen: [Name / Status]
Bishop(s): [Name(s) / Status]
Knight(s): [Name(s) / Status]
Rook(s): [Name(s) / Status]
Pawn(s): [Name(s) / Status]
Recruitment Objectives: [None Assigned]
---
Affection Tab
[No entries yet.]
---
"Well, that's one way to start a morning," I said. "So, my name is Rowan now, huh?"
I shrugged, got out of bed, and decided to explore the mansion. Stepping into the hallway, I checked the current floor. There were five bedrooms in total, all identical in design and decor to mine—clearly unoccupied and untouched.
As I moved down to the next two floors, I found the same: bedrooms with the same luxurious layout. No signs of personal touches yet. Not surprising, considering I was the only one living here… for now.
Curious, I checked the rooftop. A gorgeous garden greeted me—lush greenery and colorful flowers lined the edges, and a cozy fire pit sat at the center with elegant seating around it. A perfect spot to unwind.
Descending back inside, I explored the top floor of the mansion. It housed a large meeting room with a polished table and 15 leather chairs, the head chair notably larger and more regal than the others.
On the first floor, I found a massive living room with luxurious sofas and the biggest flat-screen TV I'd ever seen. The centerpiece was a high-end coffee table. The kitchen looked like something out of a cooking show—professional-grade appliances and pristine counters.
Then I stumbled upon the game room, a gamer's paradise. Consoles lined the walls. There were old-school arcade machines, a mini fridge next to a deluxe sofa, and in the center, both a pool table and air hockey table. A poker table with an unopened deck sat at the far end.
"Yeah… I could probably get used to living here," I murmured.
Finally, I entered the library. Massive bookshelves, cozy reading tables, and a high-end coffee station set against a polished counter. Up a flight of stairs was a reading nook beneath a skylight, surrounded by cushion-covered benches—perfect for lazy afternoons with a book.
The mansion grounds were surrounded by regal stone walls and an imposing iron gate at the front. Satisfied, I returned to a recliner in the living room.
"All in all, not a bad place," I thought. And that's when the screen popped back up again.
---
[Quest Complete]
You have acquired the spell: Devil's Grasp
Type: Control / Shadow Magic
MP Cost: 30
Description: A dark hand emerges from the caster's shadow to restrain an enemy's movement, reducing their speed by 50% for 5 seconds.
Cooldown: 20 seconds
You have acquired the skill: Brawler's Instinct
Type: Passive
Description: Increases evasion and reaction speed slightly when engaged in close-quarters combat. (+5% dodge chance within melee range)
---
I was satisfied with both. Closing the panel, I turned on the TV and relaxed, trying to figure out what to do next. As I watched, I felt a subtle vibration in my pocket.
"…Huh?"
I reached in and pulled out a cell phone I hadn't realized I had. The caller ID read: Rias.
Curious, I answered.
"Hello?"
"Long time no see, Rowan," said Rias, voice familiar and sweet. "How've you been?"
"Not bad. Just chilling. What do you need?"
"Oh, nothing in particular. I was just worried about you. You live all alone in the middle of nowhere and never leave your house… So I thought I'd check in. Maybe ask if you'd like to attend my school?"
I was about to say no, but before I could—
---
New Quest: Slacker No More
Objective: Attend school
Reward: Skill — Normal Punch
---
A vein in my temple throbbed. I read the quest title and the reward aloud, annoyed.
"So not only do you call me a slacker, but the reward is a normal punch?" I muttered.
Back on the phone, I sighed. "You know what, Rias? I'd be happy to go to school with you."
"Great! You won't regret it!" she said excitedly. "I'll handle the paperwork!"
She hung up before I could say another word.
"…Well, I guess I had to get involved eventually."