"Even with the barony struggling, your mother insisted we secure it for you," Kaelor added, his gray eyes never wavering.
It was a decision he had made, despite the hardships his family and people faced.
But for his son and his future, Kaelor would gladly take this gamble.
Noa wasn't sure how to act. Though he had received fragmented memories, he felt no attachment to the man before him.
'Should I just scream in happiness?' he thought and started with a smile.
It was a joyous occasion, and seeing how devoted his new father was put him at ease.
Just as Noa's lips curled into a smile in an attempt to show affection, the door behind him swung open.
"You bastard!" a woman yelled, pointing at Kaelor. "I told you to wait for me, but you did it again."
She was Noa's mother, Elara, and she was trembling in anger.
Her silken robes fluttered like a storm barely restrained by flesh, and her eyes burned with fury. She looked at Kaelor as if he were the cause of every wrong in the universe, her glare never fading.
"You promised me," she added in a low, controlled voice.
"I have yet to give it to him, and the ceremony starts in a week. Why are you overreacting, you fat hag?"
Kaelor answered, his tone low but ready for another banter.
"Fat hag?" Elara snorted. "I don't remember you saying the same thing the previous night, you old fart."
"Old? I beg your pardon. You should know better than anyone that I am not old," Kaelor corrected, trying to protect his pride.
Seeing their amusing little interaction, Noa coughed.
He wanted to neutralize the situation, and thankfully, it worked.
Meanwhile, Elara was the first one to glance at him, her gaze softening instantly.
"I guess your father couldn't shut his mouth for a moment," she stated, grinning. "We found a rare beast egg for your contract ceremony."
'Shouldn't it be just the weakest one?' Noa thought inwardly.
He, however, said nothing for a moment before his tone was laced with cautious excitement.
"Thanks, Mother, Father. This is the best gift I could've ever asked for. I will make sure not to disappoint you," he spoke politely.
Seeing his determination, the pair exchanged glances.
A flicker of satisfaction passed over their faces, and the lingering tension from their argument vanished, replaced by a mutual nod of approval.
"That's our son!" Kaelor said loudly, patting his shoulder. "In the meantime, tell me if you need anything."
"Don't miss meals either," Elara added, hugging Noa tightly.
He wanted to refuse this strange action of hers, but knowing that he had to play the role, Noa hugged her back.
Her warmth seeped into his skin.
It felt both wrong and real, and his hands tightened reflexively. It was an unfamiliar sensation, making his heart twist in pain.
'You have great parents, huh?' he thought about Noa Osborn and his transmigration.
Noa also gripped his chest.
"Excuse me," he muttered, already turning away. His feet worked fast, so his pain would remain hidden from both of them, and he left the room.
Neither Elara nor Kaelor managed to stop him.
They exchanged glances once more, misunderstanding his action.
"He is happy," Kaelor said.
"I told you," Elara answered smugly, her brown hair flaring behind her neck. "I knew he would like it."
"But he is probably feeling a sense of responsibility," Kaelor added and neared his wife.
As for Noa, he stormed inside his room.
His quickened breath burned his lungs and throat alike, setting them ablaze.
'This is weird,' he thought. 'Why the hell am I so flustered by their affection?'
He paced relentlessly, the weight of their efforts lingering in his mind. Stopping by the window, he looked at his hands and then the mirror, searching for the familiar face.
In its place, Noa found someone he knew almost nothing about.
'But he actually looks like me,' he jested, studying the similar features he could identify.
Noa, however, also knew he was observing a completely different person, and somehow, he had to replace him. It wouldn't be a simple task, but he had to do it.
'Don't worry,' he thought to himself. 'I will make sure not to repeat the same fate.'
Noa remembered the vision.
Then he sighed, shaking off the previous odd tightness in his chest, and muttered under his breath. "Enough of this! I need answers."
The mansion wasn't that big. Its walls seemed to suffer from neglect, but Noa left his room with a purpose, searching for the library.
If anything could help him in this unfamiliar situation, it would be books.
Noa had also read countless webnovels before and knew that the best way to gather information was to take it slow and seek answers from the books.
And maybe, just maybe, he could learn how magic worked in this world.
The very thought of controlling mana, cultivating his core, and taming beasts filled him with excitement. Fortunately, he had an entire week to prepare for the ceremony.
On his way to the small library, Noa met the familiar maid.
"Where are you going, Young Master?" she asked, her head hanging low.
"Library," Noa answered shortly.
Hearing his destination, Thalia pressed her lips into a thin smile. "Very well, Young Master. Shall I bring you tea and snacks?" she offered.
Considering for a while, Noa nodded.
He wanted to taste food from this world as it would help his research.
"Sure, why not?" he replied softly. Then, as if remembering something, he chuckled before adding, "But don't burn the kitchen down."
"Young Master, stop teasing me," Thalia asked, pouting.
As Noa walked away, he felt her gaze hanging on his back. 'Seems like he was a good person,' he thought because of this small interaction.
Finally, Noa reached the library.
It was just as modest as the entire mansion.
The bookshelves covered the entire room, and their strong scent of wood calmed his nerves.
Two reading desks sat by the window. It stood by the window as if to allow natural light to ease the reading process.
It wasn't grand, but it was enough for Noa.
"Alright," he murmured and grabbed a few books. "Let's explore this world."