Solomon lifted his head once more and was greeted by the bright blue interface known as his system.
The words he had seen still stared back at him, throwing the thought that he might be dreaming straight out the window.
Special Target #1 Detected
Condition: Severe Desire Suppression
Dream: Unknown
He read the words again and the feeling of being dead inside returned.
Throughout his spiral, Marvin simply remained where he was, watching him with a puzzled expression.
Nearby servants occasionally slowed their pace to glance in their direction, but none interfered.
They merely continued carrying baskets of laundry, stacks of folded linens, and cleaning supplies as they went about their duties.
Solomon studied Marvin briefly.
What met his eyes was a young man dressed as a servant, not some grand hero destined to save the world.
When he first received the system, he thought the Special Targets would be legendary figures who would stand beside him as he battled the goddess.
But now?
Now, he was beginning to realize that the Special Targets were probably the most flawed people of all.
In Silvia’s case, she couldn’t remember her dream.
Yet here was Marvin standing before him, looking as though the very concepts of dreams and aspirations were the most foreign things in existence.
The system interface disappeared not long afterward.
Yet Solomon remained rooted to the spot, feeling completely lost.
“What do I do now?”
“How do I even restore people’s dreams?”
Questions without immediate answers crowded his thoughts.
He ran both hands through his hair and exhaled heavily.
“…Young Master?”
The call brought him back to reality.
He wasn’t in his room.
He wasn’t alone.
He immediately straightened his posture, and confidence returned to his gaze as he regarded Marvin once more.
“Guess I’ll have to learn more about him.”
He took several deep breaths and clenched his fists slightly, grounding himself.
“Have you really never thought about your future?”
Marvin scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Solomon noticed that he was genuinely thinking.
Pondering.
Trying to answer properly.
Whether it was because he had suddenly become curious about himself or because his young master had asked the question, Solomon didn’t care.
He just wanted to hear something.
Anything that would give him hope.
“I suppose I never had time to think about things like that.”
The answer came out as harmless as a stray cat wandering through the courtyard.
Yet Solomon continued to feel strangely uncomfortable.
Why?
He asked himself that question several times.
The system didn’t care.
Life didn’t care.
They silently informed him that it was his problem and his responsibility to figure it out.
The day was gradually drawing to an end.
Golden sunlight stretched across the estate grounds, painting long shadows over the stone paths and courtyard walls. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Solomon bid Marvin goodbye.
He told the young man that he would like to be seeing more of him in the future.
Marvin looked visibly puzzled by the statement but bowed regardless and agreed.
Hierarchy.
It was everything in this world.
Nobles ruled commoners.
Women controlled men.
As long as it guaranteed their safety, the people of this world did almost anything that was requested of them.
That was how it had been in the book.
And it was also his new reality.
He had reflected on these things several times before, but it still hurt whenever he thought about them for too long.
His walk back to his room was interrupted when he bumped into someone.
“Sorry about that.
I wasn’t looking.”
He lifted his head to get a better view.
“It’s fine, Young Master.”
“Oh, it’s just you, Wilfred.”
Wilfred placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.
“So bumping into people is fine as long as it’s me, huh?”
“It’s not like that.” Solomon scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“I met up with Marvin.”
“Oh…”
Wilfred immediately understood.
“He’s intriguing, isn’t he?”
“That’s a nice way of saying weird.”
Wilfred chuckled softly.
“Well, I do agree that he’s slightly unusual.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…” Wilfred folded his arms as he thought for a moment.
“I’ve never seen him ask for anything.
He just…
helps.”
Those words lingered between them.
The sounds of servants finishing their duties echoed faintly through the nearby corridors while the evening breeze drifted through the estate.
“Never?” Solomon asked quietly.
Wilfred nodded.
Solomon decided right then and there that he had heard and experienced enough for one day.
First Silvia.
Then Marvin.
Then the system.
Even a machine from Earth would break down if overloaded with that much information in a single day.
“Goodbye, Wilfred.”
“Sleep well, Young Master.”
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. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
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The next day, after Solomon was done with all his duties, sword practice and everything else included, he lifted his gaze toward the sky.
White clouds drifted lazily overhead while the afternoon sun bathed the estate in warm light.
It was now ten days before he would leave for the academy entrance examinations.
Meaning he had already spent three weeks in this world.
“Guess transmigration isn’t as fun as it seems in books.”
The words escaped him with a wry smile.
He left the training grounds in search of Marvin.
Today, he intended to observe the young man properly and try to understand him better.
It didn’t even take two hours for Solomon to realize that Marvin was always moving.
Aside from performing his own duties, he helped people.
Not occasionally.
Not when convenient.
Constantly.
Need help carrying supplies?
Marvin was available.
Need help cleaning?
The floors became spotless.
Need help organizing documents?
Not a single file was left out of place.
Need help repairing equipment?
The man somehow possessed the necessary skill set.
Need help delivering messages?
He rushed off like a launched arrow and returned just as quickly.
Everywhere Solomon looked, Marvin was there.
Helping.
Smiling.
Working.
By the time Solomon finally noticed how much time had passed, the bells announcing lunch were ringing throughout the estate.
Servants gradually paused their duties and headed toward the dining areas while conversations slowly filled the grounds.
Throughout the entire morning, Marvin had helped countless people.
Yet nobody had helped Marvin.
That realization sat heavily in Solomon’s chest.
For the first time all day, he felt genuinely relieved when he saw Marvin finally settle down to eat lunch beneath the shade of a nearby tree.
Solomon immediately called over a few maids and instructed them to bring his meal to the same location.
One thing he had learned during his life on Earth was that conversations over good food often revealed more than direct questions ever could.
“Guess lunch will be a little…
eventful.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Then he walked toward the table where Marvin was seated and sat down across from him.
The reaction he received was so immediate and dramatic that Solomon almost laughed.
Thoughts anyone?