Vel woke to the chirping of birds and sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the unfamiliar bed. Disorientation gripped him as he stared at the ornate ceiling, but then memory returned—this was his new room.
He sat up, taking in the space that would be his home for the foreseeable future. Being alone gave him a strange sense of both freedom and vulnerability. No Mari cooking breakfast downstairs. No Von preparing for the day's work. No Lyra's giggles echoing through the halls.
The quarters were spacious—certainly more than he expected. His bedroom connected to a private washroom with actual plumbing that reminded him of his old world, though more primitive.
Vel peered at the basin and noticed a strange contraption built into the wall. Some kind of magical mechanism that seemed to pull water upward—he could see faint runes glowing along copper pipes that disappeared into the ceiling. The basic principle was there: lift the water high, then let gravity do the work.
He didn't have time to analyze it properly, but the engineering impressed him.
Beyond the washroom, a study lined with bookshelves beckoned him to explore its volumes when time allowed. The setup resembled an apartment from his past, infused with medieval fantasy—oil lamps instead of electric lights, a fireplace in place of central heating.
Vel smiled faintly. He'd have to adjust to this new silence, this freedom to structure his days however he wished.
After washing his face and dressing, Vel opened the door to the corridor—and nearly collided with Hileya, who stood waiting outside.
"Good morning, young master," she said with a small bow. Her silver braids caught the light, and she was already dressed in a simple but neat uniform.
Vel blinked in surprise. "Have you been waiting long?"
"Not at all," she answered, though her posture suggested otherwise.
"I'll ask for a spare key," Vel said, noticing her slight discomfort. "You shouldn't have to wait in the hallway."
Hileya gestured toward a small wooden tray resting on a counter beneath the corridor window. "I've prepared breakfast for you."
The tray held freshly baked bread, sliced fruit, and what appeared to be some kind of porridge. As Vel began eating, a question formed in his mind.
"Where did you get all these ingredients?" he asked between bites. "Not to mention the money to buy them?"
Hileya clasped her hands lightly in front of her, her expression calm but attentive. "From the servant quarters," she said. "There's a large kitchen available to us. The staff monitors how much we use, but as long as it's reasonable, we can cook with whatever ingredients are supplied. It's considered one of the perks for the private quarters' masters."
Vel set his bowl down and exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. "That's... really convenient." He leaned back slightly in his chair, running a hand through his still-damp hair. "Not having to worry about food expenses every day will make things much easier."
His gaze shifted to Hileya, who remained standing near the door, her hands still folded. "What about you? Have you eaten anything yet?"
Hileya hesitated for a moment, her silver braids swaying as she shook her head. "Not yet. I made sure yours was prepared first."
Vel frowned, reaching for the tray. "That's not right. Sit down for a second."
"But—"
YOU ARE READING
GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation
FantasyWhen renowned game developer Giri meets his untimely end, he awakens as twelve-year-old Vel in the magical realm of Aeonalus-his own creation. Five hundred years have passed since he crafted the world, and Vel finds himself in the village of Oakhave...
