Chapter 25: The Foundations of a New Home
The Wondering Kitsaro
After Breakfast Kitsaro decided to wonder around the estate.
The morning air carried a crisp freshness as Kitsaro wandered through the grand halls of the estate, his small feet padding against the polished marble floors. Despite the mansion's vastness, a quiet stillness lingered, making it feel far too empty for his liking. He had already spent the morning exploring, yet something felt incomplete—his mother had been missing from sight since he had woken up.
Frowning, Kitsaro made his way toward the dining hall, where Elysia was gracefully clearing away the remnants of breakfast. The young boy's curious eyes locked onto the maid as he approached.
"Elysia?" he called, tilting his head. "Where's Mother? I haven't seen her all morning."
Elysia paused, glancing down at him with a warm yet careful smile. "Lady Sylvara is in the study with Lord Cassian, young master. She has many important matters to handle today."
"Can I go to her?" he had asked.
Elysia had hesitated. "I can take you there, if you'd like."
But Kitsaro had shaken his head. He wasn't a baby. Frankly speaking he wasn't even a child at all. He could find his own way. More importantly, it was the perfect chance to explore the estate himself.
That was how he ended up wandering through the halls, peeking into unfamiliar rooms and taking in the grandeur of their new home. The estate was nothing like House Vaelthyr's cold, suffocating halls. It felt… freer. But also empty. There were no other servants bustling about, no voices beyond his own. It was strange.
As he walked, a thought struck him. If his mother had her own business to handle, maybe he should handle his own as well.
With that in mind, Kitsaro stopped in his tracks and focused. A faint glimmer danced across his vision as his interface appeared before him.
~~~
Name: Kitsaro Azreal Vaelthyr
Age: 5
Title: Last Descendant of Vyrath
Bloodline: Blood of Vyrath, The Nine-Tailed Sovereign (Unawakened)
Blood Rank: (Locked)
Tail Progression: (Locked)
Active Path: (Locked)
~~~
[Bloodline Overview]
Beast Essence: 305
Blood Vein: 3
Blood Purity: (Locked)
Bloodline Name: Blood of Vyrath, The Nine-Tailed Sovereign (Unawakened)
Bloodline Traits: (Locked)
Bloodline Abilities: (Locked)
~~~
[User Attributes]
Strength (STR): 5
Dexterity (DEX): 4
Constitution (CON): 8
Intelligence (INT): 25 (Strengthened)
Charisma (CHA): 24 (Strengthened)
Willpower (WIL): 18 (Strengthened)
~~~
Kitsaro frowned at the screen. He had been paying close attention to his Beast Essence, but it increased so slowly. He had barely reached 305. Worse, his Blood Purity was still locked. He had assumed that since he was passively accumulating Beast Essence, it would naturally unlock. But that didn't seem to be the case. Though he wasn't really complaining that much after all, compared to the other 10 year old awakened children in the world, he already had a huge head start.
"Maybe it's because I'm not awakened yet?" he mumbled to himself.
That was the only explanation that made sense. If his bloodline was still dormant, then maybe certain things were simply inaccessible to him. But how did he unlock it? He had never seen anything about awakening in his interface.
Pursing his lips, he tried to recall everything he had read about bloodlines in the books Sylvara had given him. A bloodline wasn't just about power—it was inheritance. A legacy passed down through generations. His father's family, House Vaelthyr, had the blood of the White Tiger. His mother…
His mother was something else entirely.
"I wonder what Mother's rank is now…"
The thought made his curiosity burn. His mother was strong. He had seen glimpses of it, the way she carried herself with a silent authority, the way even Cassian—who was both smug and powerful—never underestimated her.
'I wonder how much exactly her Beast Essence is?'
Kitsaro walked in quiet contemplation, his small fingers idly tracing patterns in the air. The notion of passively accumulating Beast Essence was frustrating. It felt agonizingly slow, and yet, he couldn't ignore the strangeness of his situation. If he was already gathering Beast Essence, why was his Blood Purity still locked? Was it because he hadn't awakened yet?
The thought gnawed at him. His mother's strength suddenly came to mind, and he found himself wondering what rank Sylvara had reached.
Then, he recalled the moment she had used her Beastification. It wasn't just an ethereal projection—her transformation had been physical. That realization sent a jolt through him. Beastification…
A memory surfaced from the original book of this world, detailing the ranks of powerful individuals. There was a particular rank that commanded universal respect and wariness, usually granted to high-ranking bloodline holders—those who were either prominent members of society or rulers of great houses, like his father.
"Isn't that the rank only Monarch Rank Bloodline Holders should have?" Kitsaro's breath caught in his throat. "His mother… was that powerful?
Then another question arose. If Sylvara was truly of Monarch Rank, why had House Vaelthyr allowed her to leave so easily, especially after displaying such prowess in public? The book had described Monarch Rank individuals as some of the most respected people in the world.
His thoughts swirled into a storm of questions, but before he could dwell on them further, he heard voices coming from a room nearby. Following the sound, he found the door where Sylvara and Cassian were speaking. He hesitated before stepping in, deciding to push aside his worries for now. He would just let his Beast Essence accumulate naturally until he awakened. That, in itself, was already an advantage unique to him—just like how the protagonist of the book had his own unique system upon awakening.
Kitsaro sat in quiet contemplation, his small fingers idly tracing patterns on the wooden surface of the table. The notion of passively accumulating Beast Essence was frustrating. It felt agonizingly slow, and yet, he couldn't ignore the strangeness of his situation. If he was already gathering Beast Essence, why was his Blood Purity still locked? Was it because he hadn't awakened yet?
The thought gnawed at him. His mother's strength suddenly came to mind, and he found himself wondering what rank Sylvara had reached.
Then, he recalled the moment she had used her Beastification. It wasn't just an ethereal projection—her transformation had been physical. That realization sent a jolt through him. Beastification…
A memory surfaced from the book he had read, detailing the ranks of powerful individuals. There was a particular rank that commanded universal respect and wariness, usually granted to high-ranking bloodline holders—those who were either prominent members of society or rulers of great houses, like his father.
"Isn't that the rank only Monarch Rank Bloodline Holders should have?" Kitsaro's breath caught in his throat. His mother… was that powerful?
Then another question arose. If Sylvara was truly of Monarch Rank, why had House Vaelthyr allowed her to leave so easily, especially after displaying such prowess in public? The book had described Monarch Rank individuals as some of the most respected people in the world.
His thoughts swirled into a storm of questions, but before he could dwell on them further, he heard voices coming from a room nearby. Following the sound, he found the door where Sylvara and Cassian were speaking. He hesitated before stepping in, deciding to push aside his worries for now. He would just let his Beast Essence accumulate naturally until he awakened. That, in itself, was already an advantage unique to him—just like how the protagonist of the book had his own unique system upon awakening.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was warm but charged with something Kitsaro didn't understand. Sylvara sat gracefully, a cup of tea resting between her fingers, while Cassian lounged across from her, wearing his usual smirk. But there was an intensity in their conversation, something unspoken yet thick in the air.
Both turned to him the moment he entered.
"Kitsaro?" Sylvara's voice was smooth, but there was a hint of surprise in her gaze. "What are you doing here?"
Kitsaro hesitated only for a second before walking forward. "I was looking for you."
Cassian chuckled, setting his own cup down. "Ah, so the little lord finally decided to join us. Were you bored exploring?"
Kitsaro frowned at him before turning back to Sylvara. "You weren't at breakfast."
Sylvara sighed softly and gestured for him to come closer. "I was handling business, little one. But I should have made time for you."
Kitsaro climbed onto the chair beside her, swinging his legs. "What are you talking about?"
Cassian grinned. "Oh, just grown-up things. Your mother's hidden talents in finance, my brilliant investments, and how we're going to make sure no one in this city ever messes with her again."
Kitsaro blinked. "Mother was already strong, though."
Cassian laughed at that. "Oh, she's strong, alright. But power isn't just about strength, little fox. It's about control. And your mother is very, very good at controlling things."
He glanced at them again before speaking up. Changing the question.
"When are we going to get more servants? Elysia can't manage the entire estate alone," Kitsaro asked, his tone neutral yet curious.
Sylvara gave him a slight smile. "We'll be heading to the city today. Cassian has a trusted bloodline holder who manages the servant trade in the east side."
Cassian nodded. "We'll find capable people there. Ones who know how to conduct themselves properly."
Kitsaro merely nodded in understanding. The prospect of going into the city piqued his interest, though. It would be his first proper outing beyond the estate since arriving here.
~~~~~~~
The city streets bustled with activity as Kitsaro followed behind Sylvara and Cassian. The east side had a different atmosphere compared to the more prestigious districts. It was efficient, orderly, but also carried an air of quiet authority. This was where specialized trades were conducted, and the people here knew their worth. Unlike the chaotic marketplaces filled with merchants shouting over each other, this district exuded controlled refinement.
Well-dressed individuals walked with purpose, some accompanied by guards or attendants. Buildings bore the insignias of various noble houses and influential families, marking their control over the businesses here. Kitsaro observed the people carefully. Some wore fine clothing, though understated, while others donned uniforms that signified their trade. Even the commoners in this area carried themselves with a certain discipline, as if they knew they were part of something bigger than just another market square.
Their small group moved through the streets unhindered. People gave Sylvara and Cassian respectful nods or brief glances before returning to their business. Kitsaro noticed that while his mother moved gracefully as always, her very presence seemed to command space. Cassian, too, had an air of authority about him. Neither of them needed to announce their status—it was simply understood.
After a short walk, they arrived in front of a large, well-maintained building. Unlike the extravagant estates in the noble quarters, this structure was built for function rather than show. Its stone walls were polished, sturdy, and well-kept, with intricate carvings that subtly displayed wealth without excess. Above the entrance, an emblem was displayed prominently—a stylized basilisk head with piercing, shrouded eyes, its twin-coiled tail encircling the sigil.
Cassian turned to Kitsaro, his voice carrying a sense of quiet authority. "This is 'The Iron Fang Registry'. It's not just any place that deals in servants—this is where noble houses acquire trained retainers, bodyguards, and attendants of the highest caliber. Every person registered here is selected for their discipline, skill, and discretion. There are no half-measures."
Kitsaro studied the emblem, his sharp mind processing the significance of such an establishment. The reinforced wooden doors, the attendants standing by with disciplined postures—everything about this place exuded control and purpose.
Cassian continued, lowering his voice slightly. "This place is run by Korrin Salazar, a bloodline holder of the Ironhide Basilisk. He's not the type to tolerate weakness. The people who come through here are either forged into something useful or discarded. There are no second chances."
Kitsaro glanced at his mother, but she simply nodded in approval. It was clear she had no objections to Cassian's choice of establishment.
As they stepped forward, the attendants at the entrance noticed Cassian immediately, stepping aside without question and bowing their heads in acknowledgment.
Cassian barely spared them a glance as he led the way inside. "We aren't just hiring servants today," he murmured. "We're acquiring assets."
The doors swung open, releasing a cool breeze from within the building. The scent of polished wood and faint incense drifted through the air. Kitsaro stepped inside, his curiosity sharpening.
The grand hall of the 'Iron Fang Registry' was lined with rows of potential retainers, each standing with perfect posture, their eyes trained forward. They were not common laborers. These were individuals trained to serve, to observe, and perhaps, to fight if the situation demanded it.
Kitsaro's gaze swept over them, then back to Cassian. His words from earlier now made even more sense.
This was not just about running an estate. This was about control, power, and influence.
And Kitsaro was more than willing to watch and learn.