Several hours had passed in the library. After flipping through about twenty books, Kaiser had reached only one conclusion: reading wasn't going to save him. He had to act.
Even if it was a little late for that, he had to start training. Better late than never, after all.
He didn't have much time. The moment he dreaded was approaching fast, and he knew it perfectly well. Besides, training wasn't meant to save him from the protagonist's hands. With talent as shitty as his, even several months wouldn't be enough.
Still, he had made this decision to prepare for the academy. At least learning the basics would be better. As for what he was going to do to save the county, he was slowly starting to figure out a plan.
"Lucky that bastard did some bodybuilding…" Kaiser muttered, looking at himself in the mirror. "What wouldn't a man do for love…"
He was referring to the former owner of this body, who had started lifting weights just to keep a perfect physique, all to please that girl, Ariana Hornraven.
Kaiser could picture her clearly: long wavy light-brown hair that matched perfectly with her pearly eyes, and that black dress that hugged every curve of her body. She was damn gorgeous.
"So that was your crush?" An embarrassed smile appeared on his face as a wave of memories rushed in. The old Kaiser blushing while talking to her, beads of sweat on his forehead. "What a coward that guy was…" he sighed in the end.
Pushing away those useless memories, Kaiser now fully focused on his current problem. Just doing exercises wasn't enough. He needed swordsmanship training, and above all intensive training… It was the fastest and most effective way he had found to get stronger in a short time. But the question was: who would teach him?
His cursed talent had cut off all support. If it had been at least decent, his father would obviously have hired a personal tutor, but as things stood, he found it pointless to waste resources on a defective element.
On the other hand, there was his brother… No point even thinking about it. That guy was always traveling, handling his shitty business, the very one that had put Kaiser in this mess. And anyway, he wasn't that good. Just average.
Should he learn on his own? Again, he wasn't one of those geniuses who understood and perfectly reproduced everything after reading a few books…
Sprawled on his bed, he reviewed everyone who might be able to help him. The situation didn't look any better. Face dark, Kaiser started imagining the worst. Did he have to become the count's whore? Beg him, and if he refused, harass him? No, that couldn't be the solution.
Then suddenly his face lit up.
"Why didn't I think of that sooner?" He jumped up and rushed out, leaving once again the room he had only returned to a few minutes earlier.
"I have to find her." With that thought, Kaiser walked the halls again, this time looking for his future teacher.
"Young master, are you going out?" Ruby asked politely as she happened to cross paths with her little protégé.
"Oh, Ruby, do you know where Kethry is?" Kaiser asked straight out.
Ruby paused before answering. She looked confused. Why would Kaiser want to see that woman? She didn't like the idea and wanted to talk him out of it. After all, that woman hated nobles, especially lazy types who never trained, like Kaiser. But she had to stay in her role as nanny. Reluctantly, she answered.
"I don't know exactly, but I think I heard she just got back and is with the guards."
"Thanks, Ruby," Kaiser said, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead before hurrying off.
Caught off guard by the gesture, the woman froze in place, her cheeks turning red as she touched her forehead.
"Young master…" she muttered, watching him walk away.
Suddenly she looked around, making sure there were no prying eyes. She knew it wasn't impossible for the count to have her killed just to preserve the family's reputation, even though this poor woman had never asked for the young lord to be so forward.
But despite the risk, she was happy. Really happy. Her heart warmed, making her smile stupidly as she went back to her chores.
Kaiser, completely unaware of the storm of emotions in his servant, kept walking toward the manor guard barracks. He was already thinking about the speech he would give to convince that stubborn woman. Without an official request from the count, the chances of Kethry accepting Kaiser were only about five percent. That wasn't an exaggeration. She was just a commoner. Despite all the mockery from other nobles, she had trained relentlessly until reaching rank C-.
Her harsh personality didn't help matters. It was a miracle the count had managed to recruit someone like her.
Appeal to her emotions? Bad idea. Kaiser was a noble, and on top of that one with shitty talent and a reputation as a slacker… in other words, the perfect combo of everything she hated.
He had to find another way… After a few seconds without coming up with anything decent, Kaiser decided to wing it when the time came. She must have a heart somewhere, after all.
It was yet another challenge he had to face in this damn world.