(Revised) [B1] Chapter 13: Maybe the door’s just shy
After returning to his room, Theo laid down on his bed and allowed himself a small, refreshing nap. When he awoke, it was already noon. Undeterred, he resumed his exercise regimen, a routine he had grown accustomed to or he would die by the weight gain.
For the next ten days, this pattern continued faithfully. Elena, ever the dutiful maid, was by Theo's side most of the time. In the mornings, when Theo's body felt pain from overexertion, she was there to help him, using her skills to heal and soothe his agony. The only exceptions to her constant presence were when she needed to step away to fulfill her own set of responsibilities — her household chores and the preparation of their meals.
During this time, Theo regularly heard notifications from the system, congratulating him on breaking his limits and completing various quests. These notifications were a source of motivation, each one accompanied by rewards such as elixirs and random stat points. Gradually, these rewards lifted his initially below-average stats to a more normal level.
And his days weren't solely filled with physical workout. Whenever he found a spare moment, the boy would immerse himself in the mansion’s library.
There, amidst rows of books and scrolls, he took the opportunity to learn more about the world he found himself in. It was a chance not just to rest his body, but also to nourish his mind, providing a balanced rhythm to his new life.
The shelves of the library, lined with volumes of various subjects, offered him insights into the history, culture, and mysteries of this place, and Theo absorbed the knowledge with a keen interest.
Throughout these ten days, life had settled into a steady, comfortable rhythm for Theo and Elena.
Today marked his Eleventh day in this strange yet somehow familiar world—his original world where he was truly meant to be.
After completing his daily workout late at night, Theo turned to Elena, who was waiting for him to return to the mansion.
He looked at her and said in a calm tone, "You can go ahead. I'd like to stay outside for a little while longer."
Elena, in a sweet and innocent tone, replied, "Then I will stay with you, Master."
Theo, sensing her sincerity but having other intentions, gently declined her offer. "Elena, you've had a long day as well. You'll be waking up early to prepare breakfast and handle the house chores. Considering how late it is, you should get some rest," he turned her down in a soft yet steady voice. "I won't be out here for much longer. Please, go rest. I'll be just fine."
Elena hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting the reluctance to leave. Slowly, she nodded, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. "As you say, Master."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Theo alone in the quiet tranquility of the mansion grounds.
Letting out a sigh, Theo lowered himself to the ground, embracing the cool, solid earth beneath him, uncaring of the dirt that would cling to his clothes. They were already in a disheveled state, emitting a rancid smell that clung to the air around him, so the concern of them getting ruined was insignificant. He was planning to take a refreshing shower before slipping into bed anyway.
Sitting there, he could feel the difference in his body. Unlike before, the fatigue that usually settled in his muscles after his workout was now lesser than before.
In these ten days, he had lost 26 kilograms of weight. While this change wasn't drastic enough to transform his appearance entirely, he now looked slightly less like a mountain than he had before — a bit more human, a touch more approachable.
Eager to evaluate the progress he'd made, the boy was keen to see his significantly improved profile stats. With a simple thought, he summoned his interface and opened his profile to check his progress in greater detail.
<<<<
[Name: Theo Leywin]
[Race: Half Human - ???]
[Class: N/A]
[Elemental Affinity: N/A]
[Elemental Affinity Grade: N/A]
[Special Ability: Magic Nullify]
[Circle Rank: 0]
[Evolved Rings: 0]
[Ring Rank: 0]
[Mana: N/A]
[Strength: 9]
[Defense: 7]
[Agility: 6]
[Stamina: 11]
[Intelligence: 4]
[Precision: 7]
[Mental Power: 14*]
[Perception: 9*]
[Wisdom: 11*]
[Charisma: 6*]
[Luck: 14*]
[Unused Stat Points: 11]
>>>>
Theo studied the numbers on his interface, a small satisfied smile gracing his lips. 'This looks much better,' he thought calmly. 'My stats have finally risen to the level of an average human, just like the book mentioned. It's a good progress.'
He could feel the difference, not just in numbers but in his own body - the newly gained strength in his arms, the steadiness in his stance, and his overall flexibility.
'Moreover, The breaking barrier quests are becoming harder than usual to complete,’ he noted. 'Today, I had to keep working out late because the quest hadn't completed. It demands that I always push beyond my previous limits, which is becoming increasingly challenging I can't rely on this method forever to improve my stats points.'
As he was deep in contemplation, a chime resonated, drawing his attention. A notification materialized in front of him:
<<<<
[Quest: Unearthing Shadows]
[~ The ancient iron door to the basement groaned, echoing with the murmurs of stories long silenced, tales that resonate in your very blood yet dance just beyond the reach of your memory. The moment has come to venture into the shadowed silence below, to chase the elusive truths of a past that whispers your name.
Will you light the torch and brave the depths, or will you let the shadows swallow the keys to your history? This quest is the first step in a chain that will unravel the mysteries of your forgotten past.]
[Quest Penalty: Should you choose to ignore the call of destiny, the door will seal forever at the end of 24 hours, and the secrets of your lineage will be lost to the annals of time, never to surface again.]
[Quest Completion Rewards: Bonus Stat Points]
[Time Limit: 4 hours]
>>>>
His gaze swept over the quest details, and his eyes widened in astonishment. He had never imagined that the secrets of his past could be intertwined with this very mansion, the same place where he had been appointed baron.
A flicker of doubt crept into his mind. 'I wonder,' Theo pondered, 'whether I can break the magical seal on that door.'
While he entertained this thought, his focus remained on the enigmatic sealed basement. The allure of his forgotten past beckoned, fueling his curiosity and resolve. This was, after all, his sole opportunity, and it came with a pressing time limit of just four hours.
He rose to his feet, his eyes glinting with hope. "I won't know until I try," he murmured to himself.
Without wasting more time, he entered the mansion through the big gate. Navigating through the mansion's corridors, he made his way to the sealed entrance to the basement. As he approached, his gaze hovered on it, as if he were sizing up an opponent.
"This better not be as ominous as it looks," he thought with a bittersweet smile.
Standing before the sealed door, numerous arcane symbols stared back at him. They were intricate and woven with a purpose, etched deeply into the wood, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light that seemed to pulse gently like the beat of a heart.
The door itself was an ancient-looking slab, worn by time but still unyielding. The glyphs seemed to dance and shimmer, almost as if they were alive, their luminescence casting eerie shadows that flickered on the walls surrounding him.
The rest of the basement was draped in a suffocating darkness, making the sealed door stand out even more. Even the bravest would feel a twinge of unease, a prickling sensation at the back of their neck, in such a setting. The silence was heavy, broken only by the soft, rhythmic dripping of water somewhere in the distance, a sound that, in this environment, seemed as loud as a drumbeat.
It was a scene that could have been plucked from a ghost story, but Theo stood calmly.
'I wonder if saying "Abracadabra" would actually open this door,' he mused, his mind wandering as he confronted the task before him.
Pushing the joke aside, he closed his eyes and mumbled, "Magic nullify, activate!"
Slowly, he opened his eyes and scanned the ancient door. "Did it work? No?" he questioned aloud. The door remained steadfast, just as imposing and sealed as before.
'Maybe the door’s just shy,' he laughed inwardly at his own jest.
But as he was joking around, an unexpected sensation crept over him.
‘Thhhheeeeeeoooo!!!’
A cold, tingling wave enveloped his body, almost as if the basement beyond was calling out to him in a ghostly whisper.
He frowned, his gaze intensifying towards the door, "What is this feeling?" he whispered with a touch of curiosity in his voice.
After waiting for several long minutes, allowing the eerie sensation to fully set down, he let go of his wandering thoughts and brought his focus back onto the task at hand.
'How do I activate this magic nullify?' he pondered, his hand hovering just inches from the door’s intricate seals. This time, he didn't chant any magical words, didn't allow any distractions.
Gathering his thoughts, he placed his hand gently on the door, his focus unwavering on the mysterious lock before him. With a simple, clear thought of wanting to nullify the seal, the room seemed to respond.
A sudden, crackling sound echoed, like the snapping of a taut wire. It resonated around the walls, causing him to start slightly.
As this sound vibrated, an animation appeared before his eyes: a dark snake, burning with crimson fire, slithered gracefully across the door. The fiery serpent traced the intricate patterns of the seals, its blazing body shining through the dark wood of the door.
As it moved, the snake seemed to consume the arcane symbols in its fiery embrace, and with each symbol it passed over, a distinct, metallic 'click' resounded, like the tumblers of a lock falling into place.
His eyes, already fixed on the door, widened as he watched the once unbreakable seals begin to dissolve into a cloud of dark, swirling smoke under the snake's touch. It was as if they were being devoured by this glowing serpent, their once bright radiance dimming and then vanishing altogether, leaving the door free of any magical constraints.
Slowly, the door began to creak open automatically, its ancient hinges groaning softly in protest after what must have been ages of stillness.
Theo’s serious expression softened as the once sealed door now invitingly lay open before him.
He passed through the door carefully, mindful of the unknown that awaited him on the other side.
Descending down the the basement’s stairs, Theo was instantly met with a chilling sight.
Skeletons, human bones, and heaps of dust scattered the floor, immediately darkening his expression. Although he had adjusted to the general state of eerie theme in the mansion’s first floor, this place was far more harrowing, teeming with remnants of a long-lost past. The sight of the skulls and skeletal remains made his heart churn uncomfortably within his chest.
As he ventured deeper, the brittle crunch of bones breaking underfoot resonated in the dark chamber. His nostrils filled with the musty scent of dust, mingled with the cold damp air. Cobwebs draped the corners like tattered curtains, and spiders had claimed the space as their own, their webs hanging like ghostly decorations on Halloween.
As he carefully waited for the completion notification of the quest and searched for valuable possessions, his steps halted midway. His gaze was drawn to a picture that seemed to pull at his heartstrings in a deeply emotional manner.
It was a portrait of a young girl, about 6 or 7 years old, hanging alone on the wall. Her eyes, captured in the painting, seemed to hold a depth of emotion. A necklace with two angelic wings graced her neck, adding a holy touch to her innocent appearance.
His gaze stayed on the image, mesmerized by the soft lines of her face and the familiar light in her eyes. For a moment, his own world seemed to fade, leaving only her portrait and the rush of emotions that surged within him.
‘Why is this portrait affecting me this way?’ Theo mumbled to himself. ‘Her face, her eyes, and that necklace, they stir something deep within me. She feels like a part of my past.’
His deep gaze remained fixed on the picture, as if he were willing his mind to pull forth a memory from its depths. Time seemed to stretch in that moment, but the answer remained out of reach.
Eventually, he shook his head, as if physically trying to calm his chaotic thoughts. With a last glance at the portrait that had briefly tickled his heart, he steeled himself and moved on, leaving the young girl’s painted gaze behind.
As he delved further into the basement, an array of books, aged and weathered, came into view. They were lined carefully on shelves. Alongside the books stood statues of ancient warriors. They were adorned in armors of various designs and posed with swords that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
One sword, in particular, caught his attention. It was damaged but its hilt studded with what appeared to be precious stones. In that dark chamber, it seemed to hold a certain radiance, causing Theo to halt in his tracks.
"This should fetch some good money," he thought, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He finally found something that was of his use.
Just then, in the eerie silence, a slow, deliberate sound of chains began to rattle behind him. It started softly, almost like a whisper, but grew steadily louder and more menacing. Theo’s heart raced; the basement seemed to grow colder.
Before he could react, a forceful cold grip seized the back of his head. In an instant, he was lifted off the ground and slammed hard onto the dusty, bone-littered floor.
(Revised) [B1] Chapter 13: Maybe the door’s just shy
After returning to his room, Theo laid down on his bed and allowed himself a small, refreshing nap. When he awoke, it was already noon. Undeterred, he resumed his exercise regimen, a routine he had grown accustomed to or he would die by the weight gain.
For the next ten days, this pattern continued faithfully. Elena, ever the dutiful maid, was by Theo's side most of the time. In the mornings, when Theo's body felt pain from overexertion, she was there to help him, using her skills to heal and soothe his agony. The only exceptions to her constant presence were when she needed to step away to fulfill her own set of responsibilities — her household chores and the preparation of their meals.
During this time, Theo regularly heard notifications from the system, congratulating him on breaking his limits and completing various quests. These notifications were a source of motivation, each one accompanied by rewards such as elixirs and random stat points. Gradually, these rewards lifted his initially below-average stats to a more normal level.
And his days weren't solely filled with physical workout. Whenever he found a spare moment, the boy would immerse himself in the mansion’s library.
There, amidst rows of books and scrolls, he took the opportunity to learn more about the world he found himself in. It was a chance not just to rest his body, but also to nourish his mind, providing a balanced rhythm to his new life.
The shelves of the library, lined with volumes of various subjects, offered him insights into the history, culture, and mysteries of this place, and Theo absorbed the knowledge with a keen interest.
Throughout these ten days, life had settled into a steady, comfortable rhythm for Theo and Elena.
Today marked his Eleventh day in this strange yet somehow familiar world—his original world where he was truly meant to be.
After completing his daily workout late at night, Theo turned to Elena, who was waiting for him to return to the mansion.
He looked at her and said in a calm tone, "You can go ahead. I'd like to stay outside for a little while longer."
Elena, in a sweet and innocent tone, replied, "Then I will stay with you, Master."
Theo, sensing her sincerity but having other intentions, gently declined her offer. "Elena, you've had a long day as well. You'll be waking up early to prepare breakfast and handle the house chores. Considering how late it is, you should get some rest," he turned her down in a soft yet steady voice. "I won't be out here for much longer. Please, go rest. I'll be just fine."
Elena hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting the reluctance to leave. Slowly, she nodded, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. "As you say, Master."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Theo alone in the quiet tranquility of the mansion grounds.
Letting out a sigh, Theo lowered himself to the ground, embracing the cool, solid earth beneath him, uncaring of the dirt that would cling to his clothes. They were already in a disheveled state, emitting a rancid smell that clung to the air around him, so the concern of them getting ruined was insignificant. He was planning to take a refreshing shower before slipping into bed anyway.
Sitting there, he could feel the difference in his body. Unlike before, the fatigue that usually settled in his muscles after his workout was now lesser than before.
In these ten days, he had lost 26 kilograms of weight. While this change wasn't drastic enough to transform his appearance entirely, he now looked slightly less like a mountain than he had before — a bit more human, a touch more approachable.
Eager to evaluate the progress he'd made, the boy was keen to see his significantly improved profile stats. With a simple thought, he summoned his interface and opened his profile to check his progress in greater detail.
<<<<
[Name: Theo Leywin]
[Race: Half Human - ???]
[Class: N/A]
[Elemental Affinity: N/A]
[Elemental Affinity Grade: N/A]
[Special Ability: Magic Nullify]
[Circle Rank: 0]
[Evolved Rings: 0]
[Ring Rank: 0]
[Mana: N/A]
[Strength: 9]
[Defense: 7]
[Agility: 6]
[Stamina: 11]
[Intelligence: 4]
[Precision: 7]
[Mental Power: 14*]
[Perception: 9*]
[Wisdom: 11*]
[Charisma: 6*]
[Luck: 14*]
[Unused Stat Points: 11]
>>>>
Theo studied the numbers on his interface, a small satisfied smile gracing his lips. 'This looks much better,' he thought calmly. 'My stats have finally risen to the level of an average human, just like the book mentioned. It's a good progress.'
He could feel the difference, not just in numbers but in his own body - the newly gained strength in his arms, the steadiness in his stance, and his overall flexibility.
'Moreover, The breaking barrier quests are becoming harder than usual to complete,’ he noted. 'Today, I had to keep working out late because the quest hadn't completed. It demands that I always push beyond my previous limits, which is becoming increasingly challenging I can't rely on this method forever to improve my stats points.'
As he was deep in contemplation, a chime resonated, drawing his attention. A notification materialized in front of him:
<<<<
[Quest: Unearthing Shadows]
[~ The ancient iron door to the basement groaned, echoing with the murmurs of stories long silenced, tales that resonate in your very blood yet dance just beyond the reach of your memory. The moment has come to venture into the shadowed silence below, to chase the elusive truths of a past that whispers your name.
Will you light the torch and brave the depths, or will you let the shadows swallow the keys to your history? This quest is the first step in a chain that will unravel the mysteries of your forgotten past.]
[Quest Penalty: Should you choose to ignore the call of destiny, the door will seal forever at the end of 24 hours, and the secrets of your lineage will be lost to the annals of time, never to surface again.]
[Quest Completion Rewards: Bonus Stat Points]
[Time Limit: 4 hours]
>>>>
His gaze swept over the quest details, and his eyes widened in astonishment. He had never imagined that the secrets of his past could be intertwined with this very mansion, the same place where he had been appointed baron.
A flicker of doubt crept into his mind. 'I wonder,' Theo pondered, 'whether I can break the magical seal on that door.'
While he entertained this thought, his focus remained on the enigmatic sealed basement. The allure of his forgotten past beckoned, fueling his curiosity and resolve. This was, after all, his sole opportunity, and it came with a pressing time limit of just four hours.
He rose to his feet, his eyes glinting with hope. "I won't know until I try," he murmured to himself.
Without wasting more time, he entered the mansion through the big gate. Navigating through the mansion's corridors, he made his way to the sealed entrance to the basement. As he approached, his gaze hovered on it, as if he were sizing up an opponent.
"This better not be as ominous as it looks," he thought with a bittersweet smile.
Standing before the sealed door, numerous arcane symbols stared back at him. They were intricate and woven with a purpose, etched deeply into the wood, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light that seemed to pulse gently like the beat of a heart.
The door itself was an ancient-looking slab, worn by time but still unyielding. The glyphs seemed to dance and shimmer, almost as if they were alive, their luminescence casting eerie shadows that flickered on the walls surrounding him.
The rest of the basement was draped in a suffocating darkness, making the sealed door stand out even more. Even the bravest would feel a twinge of unease, a prickling sensation at the back of their neck, in such a setting. The silence was heavy, broken only by the soft, rhythmic dripping of water somewhere in the distance, a sound that, in this environment, seemed as loud as a drumbeat.
It was a scene that could have been plucked from a ghost story, but Theo stood calmly.
'I wonder if saying "Abracadabra" would actually open this door,' he mused, his mind wandering as he confronted the task before him.
Pushing the joke aside, he closed his eyes and mumbled, "Magic nullify, activate!"
Slowly, he opened his eyes and scanned the ancient door. "Did it work? No?" he questioned aloud. The door remained steadfast, just as imposing and sealed as before.
'Maybe the door’s just shy,' he laughed inwardly at his own jest.
But as he was joking around, an unexpected sensation crept over him.
‘Thhhheeeeeeoooo!!!’
A cold, tingling wave enveloped his body, almost as if the basement beyond was calling out to him in a ghostly whisper.
He frowned, his gaze intensifying towards the door, "What is this feeling?" he whispered with a touch of curiosity in his voice.
After waiting for several long minutes, allowing the eerie sensation to fully set down, he let go of his wandering thoughts and brought his focus back onto the task at hand.
'How do I activate this magic nullify?' he pondered, his hand hovering just inches from the door’s intricate seals. This time, he didn't chant any magical words, didn't allow any distractions.
Gathering his thoughts, he placed his hand gently on the door, his focus unwavering on the mysterious lock before him. With a simple, clear thought of wanting to nullify the seal, the room seemed to respond.
A sudden, crackling sound echoed, like the snapping of a taut wire. It resonated around the walls, causing him to start slightly.
As this sound vibrated, an animation appeared before his eyes: a dark snake, burning with crimson fire, slithered gracefully across the door. The fiery serpent traced the intricate patterns of the seals, its blazing body shining through the dark wood of the door.
As it moved, the snake seemed to consume the arcane symbols in its fiery embrace, and with each symbol it passed over, a distinct, metallic 'click' resounded, like the tumblers of a lock falling into place.
His eyes, already fixed on the door, widened as he watched the once unbreakable seals begin to dissolve into a cloud of dark, swirling smoke under the snake's touch. It was as if they were being devoured by this glowing serpent, their once bright radiance dimming and then vanishing altogether, leaving the door free of any magical constraints.
Slowly, the door began to creak open automatically, its ancient hinges groaning softly in protest after what must have been ages of stillness.
Theo’s serious expression softened as the once sealed door now invitingly lay open before him.
He passed through the door carefully, mindful of the unknown that awaited him on the other side.
Descending down the the basement’s stairs, Theo was instantly met with a chilling sight.
Skeletons, human bones, and heaps of dust scattered the floor, immediately darkening his expression. Although he had adjusted to the general state of eerie theme in the mansion’s first floor, this place was far more harrowing, teeming with remnants of a long-lost past. The sight of the skulls and skeletal remains made his heart churn uncomfortably within his chest.
As he ventured deeper, the brittle crunch of bones breaking underfoot resonated in the dark chamber. His nostrils filled with the musty scent of dust, mingled with the cold damp air. Cobwebs draped the corners like tattered curtains, and spiders had claimed the space as their own, their webs hanging like ghostly decorations on Halloween.
As he carefully waited for the completion notification of the quest and searched for valuable possessions, his steps halted midway. His gaze was drawn to a picture that seemed to pull at his heartstrings in a deeply emotional manner.
It was a portrait of a young girl, about 6 or 7 years old, hanging alone on the wall. Her eyes, captured in the painting, seemed to hold a depth of emotion. A necklace with two angelic wings graced her neck, adding a holy touch to her innocent appearance.
His gaze stayed on the image, mesmerized by the soft lines of her face and the familiar light in her eyes. For a moment, his own world seemed to fade, leaving only her portrait and the rush of emotions that surged within him.
‘Why is this portrait affecting me this way?’ Theo mumbled to himself. ‘Her face, her eyes, and that necklace, they stir something deep within me. She feels like a part of my past.’
His deep gaze remained fixed on the picture, as if he were willing his mind to pull forth a memory from its depths. Time seemed to stretch in that moment, but the answer remained out of reach.
Eventually, he shook his head, as if physically trying to calm his chaotic thoughts. With a last glance at the portrait that had briefly tickled his heart, he steeled himself and moved on, leaving the young girl’s painted gaze behind.
As he delved further into the basement, an array of books, aged and weathered, came into view. They were lined carefully on shelves. Alongside the books stood statues of ancient warriors. They were adorned in armors of various designs and posed with swords that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
One sword, in particular, caught his attention. It was damaged but its hilt studded with what appeared to be precious stones. In that dark chamber, it seemed to hold a certain radiance, causing Theo to halt in his tracks.
"This should fetch some good money," he thought, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He finally found something that was of his use.
Just then, in the eerie silence, a slow, deliberate sound of chains began to rattle behind him. It started softly, almost like a whisper, but grew steadily louder and more menacing. Theo’s heart raced; the basement seemed to grow colder.
Before he could react, a forceful cold grip seized the back of his head. In an instant, he was lifted off the ground and slammed hard onto the dusty, bone-littered floor.
