The Vistro estate wasn't a quiet place anymore. Rumors spread fast, whispered about near the silver trays and in the servant's area. Edward Vistro—the family disgrace—didn't just fight back; he messed up the future heir.
Damian Vistro, a strong 17-year-old, was now a mess. Two servants rushed his body inside, passing a noblewoman with red hair who fainted when she saw Damian's bloody state. He was in bed with a cut on his head and scared of water, which confused the doctors.
While the house was worried, Edward sat calmly in his room in the Exile area. He slowly ate a piece of strawberry cake, enjoying it as if nothing had happened. Henry, the butler, stood beside him, watching Edward, trying to see if he was still the weak child from before. He wasn't.
Edward looked out the window, thinking about the map of the Western Continent, which served as the Human Domain. The continent was mapped into seven kingdoms, with the Luminaris Kingdom, being Edward home, and a place of light and politics.
Then there's Aethelgard, the mountainous region in the north, known for its tough warriors. And Ondaris, the kingdom famed for its naval power that controls the western coasts. Silvanus, a kingdom of ancient forests and archers. Solterra, the hot southern plains, home to great horse riders. Vaeloria, the center of trade and magical research. And the Iron Duchy, a military state bordering the Empty Lands, where the great Demon War was fought.
Edward had ruled them all in every lifetime. But for now, he was just a boy eating cake.
The quiet was broken when a maid ran into the room, whispering to Henry. Henry looked worried and turned to Edward.
"Young Master... the Lord wants to see you in the main building. Now."
Edward didn't even move. He stood up, put his cloak on, and started walking. Henry went to follow, but Edward stopped him.
"It's okay. I'm not a kid anymore. I'll go alone."
Henry bowed, his voice shaking. "I understand. Please... be careful."
Edward walked through the big house, feeling the guards and staff staring at him. He hadn't felt this much attention in a long time and he felt tired. He wanted it to be over.
....
When he got to the Lord's study, two knights with silver armor blocked his way with their weapons. They stared ahead, acting like Edward wasn't there—like always.
Edward stopped, with a small smile. "Um, Knights?"
Silence.
He tried to get their attention, but they didn't move. He got annoyed. Edward stepped forward and kicked one guard's leg.
"Can't you talk? Or are you deaf?"
People in the hallway gasped. The knights looked down, hiding their annoyed faces. Before, during his first life, Edward would have backed away, but now, just like every regression, it was funny.
"Hey, stop making that face before I hurt you," Edward said quietly.
"What?" the guard said, reaching for his weapon.
Before the knight could move, Edward kicked him in the knee. The knight fell, groaning.
"I won't ask again," Edward said, stepping over the fallen man. "The Lord wants to see me. Why are you blocking me?"
"I... I can't tell you!" the other guard said, scared.
Edward sighed. He knew they were told to make him wait outside, to beg and admit he wasn't good enough until the Lord decided to see him. It was his father being annoying—he hadn't changed.
Every regression, Edward had to deal with this kind of aristocratic bullshit. Due to his previous lifetimes, he was already highly proficient in the martial arts, but without awakening his mana channels, he was unable to use magic for the time being.
Edward then turned away from the door and left.
"Young Lord? Where are you going?" the guard asked.
"Where else would I go?" Edward said, his voice echoing. "Inform the Lord that if he has something to say, he can come to my quarters. I won't stand here for this nonsense."
The guards stood still, sure that Edward was crazy. Inside the study, a servant told the Lord of Vistro, bowing with a scared look.
"I'm sorry, My Lord... but it's true. He has gone."