He set the confusion aside with a sigh and rose from the bed with effort. His body felt lighter than before, but a constant throbbing in his head reminded him that he was not yet fully recovered. To one side, on a carved wooden chair, rested three sets of clothes: clean, folded with almost ceremonial perfection. It was not his normal peasant clothes, but a luxurious suit, similar to what nobles wore, red with golden details. Surprised by the gesture, he began to dress while his thoughts navigated a sea of unanswered questions.
Upon leaving the room, the golden glow of the hallway almost blinded him. It was not an ordinary place. Despite being inside the building, it gave an oppressive feeling. It was not a house; it looked like a palace extracted from an extravagant fantasy. The walls were covered with silk wallpaper, adorned with golden frames containing paintings of noble faces and ancient battles. Hanging lamps, forged from celestial crystal and solid mana, projected a warm, almost solar light that made the crimson carpets gleam as if they were liquid fire. The windows, tall and arched, revealed exterior gardens bathed in sunlight, making the place seem immaculate.
The atmosphere smelled of floral incense, faint but constant, as if seeking to caress the soul of anyone who dared to admire its beauty.
The maids who passed looked at him with poorly disguised discretion. Some murmured, others simply smiled and giggled among themselves. None dared to stop him. None seemed afraid. Just a strange mixture of curiosity, admiration... and perhaps, something more.
"What the hell is this place?" he murmured to himself as he walked, guided by the memories recorded by Angel.
Finally, he arrived at a hall illuminated by natural light falling from an enormous stained glass window. There, seated at a round table of white marble, Aurus Remus awaited him.
The professor looked up as he saw him.
"I see you are better. I am glad. Come, have some food and let us chat."
William paused for a few seconds. Aurus's gaze was not hostile, but there was something in his eyes... a studied, almost unnatural calm. Like one who observes a wounded wild beast, still undecided whether to heal it or sacrifice it.
Even so, William sat down. Not because he trusted, but because he perfectly understood that, if Aurus wanted to kill him, he would already be dead.
A plate was placed in front of him: perfectly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, and a perfect stack of golden hotcakes. To one side, a small container with butter and another with dark, thick honey.
The smell hit him violently. Not because it was unpleasant, but quite the opposite. It was a familiar aroma. Warm. Of home. Of routine. Of a past life where he ate this almost daily, without imagining that one day he would miss it with such intensity.
He began to eat. First with caution. Then, with relish. The taste was authentic, and his stomach thanked him for every bite. For the first time in days, he felt his body relax, as if the constant tension dissolved with the hot butter.
The only problem was the constant throbbing pain that appeared now and then in his temple. Like a reminder that something inside him was still not right.
When he finished, Aurus made a slight gesture with his hand. A maid approached with a tray, on which rested a glass teapot, a white porcelain box with gold details and embedded rubies, and two transparent glass cups.
As the maiden carefully placed everything on the table, Aurus began to speak.
"I must admit it was interesting to review your file. You arrived recently, did you not? Good physical performance. Several incidents with nobles. And yet... your results are above average."
William observed him without saying anything.
"Ah, yes... even the small scenes in the cafeteria. You have a talent for attracting trouble."
As he spoke, he opened the porcelain box with an almost devout delicacy. Inside, rested silvery tea leaves, as if woven from moon threads. With gold tongs, he began to place them one by one into the teapot, unhurriedly. Each movement seemed rehearsed, ritualistic. The sound of the leaves brushing the glass was soft, hypnotic.
"I was also young, you know?" he continued, stirring the water with a small crystal rod. "And I made mistakes. Many mistakes. But the biggest was not knowing whom to trust."
William watched him, fascinated and at the same time uneasy. The movement of the rod, the bubbling of the water, the subtle aroma that began to fill the air... everything plunged him into a strange calm.
Until an internal voice abruptly pulled him out of that trance.
"Alert!" Angel's voice boomed urgently in his mind. "Unknown energy wave. It is not hostile, but it is concentrated in the teapot. Ingestion of the liquid is not recommended."
William blinked, shaken. He looked at the teapot again. The water was now a light brown, translucent color. There were no floating leaves. No residue. No sediment whatsoever. Even when looking inside the teapot, the leaves seemed to have completely dissolved.
Aurus poured two cups, and without a word, pushed one towards him.
William accepted it. Not because he trusted, but because he had no other option. Fleeing was not a possibility. Refusing either. All that remained was to play along... and pray that it was not poisoned.
He held the cup in his hands while Aurus settled and took the first sip. He did so naturally, without looking at William, as if it were an everyday custom.
William waited a few seconds. He observed. Nothing happened.
Then, he brought the cup to his lips and drank.
The sensation was immediate.
Like an icy torrent descending his throat, passing through his chest and then, like a refreshing wave, rising to his mind. The throbbing pain disappeared. All tension evaporated. It was as if someone had washed his brain with pure water.
And just as he was thinking about the strangeness of the relief, Aurus spoke, with a slight smile.
"Is your head better?"
The question fell like a knife.
William did not answer immediately. He just stared at him, feeling that this man knew much more than he let on.
And that everything, absolutely everything... was far from a coincidence.