Then, with one final smile, Emilya turned around and walked away.

Once she was gone, Adrian gave out a little sigh, then looked toward the side where the system notification had appeared.

[During your period of unconsciousness, the system underwent several changes.]

[You may now access the system shop. Items can be purchased using points earned through completed missions.]

[You are currently permitted to claim one item at no cost.]

’...’

[System shop.]

’Looks like the system can identify what I need without me having to say anything. Good. Now then—’

Looking at the glowing runes, the first thing he noticed was the three categories the shop gave him.

[Personal Shop.]

[Territorial Shop.]

[System Shop.]

But even though he could see the categories, only one was unlocked for him to access.

[Personal Shop.]

From here he could see all types of items, ranging from potions, to spell books, and other types of magical equipment.

Some of which had limits on how many times he could purchase them.

Furthermore, due to the gift the system had offered him, he could acquire anything from the shop for free, once, without needing any system points.

So, looking at the list of items, he understood exactly what he needed to jump-start the skills he already had.

[An item has been selected.]

[Class Scroll — Contractor.]

Apparently, the system shop had sections where he could purchase class scrolls, and since his Great Sage class was versatile, he could extract the core skill of any class scroll he consumed.

Which in this case would be—

[The Class Scroll — Contractor has been purchased.]

[The Great Sage has extracted the core skill.]

[The King’s Symbol: Upon branding a person with the King’s sign, they will be devoted to you as their contractee.]

Adrian kept a straight face, despite the fact he was slowly beginning to understand and grow impressed by the powers the system had to offer.

’If you had asked me whether something like this was possible before my reincarnation, I would have refused to believe it.’

He looked up.

’Though, I still have my doubts. Can I really accomplish anything, even with this?’

Ding!

His eyes darted toward the new screen that appeared before him.

[Would you like to view your current quest?]

’...’

’Oh right... the quest.’

....

(Midguard Town, Ashmere County.)

The sound of a carriage rolling down the street echoed throughout the entire district.

People of the small, unassuming county watched as the unmistakable form of a noble’s carriage moved past them, the crest of the ruling family stitched clearly onto the flags that flanked it.

Normally, when commoners saw people of high status show themselves in public, it was quite common for there to be some degree of excitement.

Most would do their best to press close to the expensive carriage, as though the mere act of touching it might heal them of all their suffering.

After all, to them, nobles were not just popular. They were powerful people.

And with power came respect, admiration, and sometimes fear, depending on which side of that power you stood on.

However, the same could not be said for the Vane family.

Despite being of noble blood, many of their people hated and despised them for allowing the territory to rot into what it had become.

While there were some who did feel sorrow over the death of the count, others saw it as a miracle, knowing there was a chance the neighboring count would soon absorb the territory and bring something better.

Seated inside the carriage and gazing through the window, Adrian could see the disdain written plainly on the faces of the common folk as the carriage rolled past.

’It has gotten this bad, has it?’

He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.

’Then again, I can understand why they would feel that way. If this were my former world, people would have taken to the streets to protest.’

It was true. He did not know the full extent of what the county lacked, since he had never been given the chance to involve himself in its political affairs.

But one thing was undeniable: his father had been unable to do a single meaningful thing to satisfy these people.

And it showed. The crumbling surroundings and poor structure of the town spoke louder than any report ever could.

’If we are going to earn even a fraction of their trust, it will need to start with something significant. Of course, that can only happen after I have established myself.’

Adrian glanced to the side, where the system quest materialized before his eyes.

[Quest: Make your first subordinate.

Description: As an aspiring count, you will need people who can carry out your will and act on your behalf with unwavering devotion. Find yourself someone worthy.

Reward: A new skill.]

’The quest itself is not bad, and the fact that completing it earns me a new skill makes it all the more worthwhile. That said, finding someone suitable is not going to be simple.’

Since leaving the mansion, he had used his appraisal on nearly every person he had come across.

Other than Mary, there had not been a single individual who showed enough promise to justify overlooking their low loyalty toward him.

After all, if he was going to be the reason someone attained powers they had never imagined, then their devotion to him was an absolute necessity.

’This is going to be a tedious process.’

Then, without warning—

"Honey, are you alright? You have been awfully silent since we left."

Adrian blinked, snapping out of his thoughts, and turned his gaze toward his mother.

"Oh, it is nothing, Mother. I was only feeling nervous about what my class would turn out to be. I would hate to disappoint you."

Emilya looked at him and smiled warmly.

For someone his age, she could not help but notice that his emotional awareness was far beyond anything she would consider normal.

He spoke with the composure of someone who had already lived through more than a child ever should.

"It will be fine. You do not need to overthink it, alright? Your sister is waiting at home, cheering you on."

"If you say so, Mother."

Before he looked away, he caught his mother’s gaze drifting toward the window, where it met the hostile stares of the townsfolk lining the road.

A pained expression crossed her face almost instantly, though she tried to mask it the moment she realized it had surfaced.

For someone like Adrian, that brief crack in her composure was impossible to miss.

.It took a couple of hours for them to arrive at the church, a massive building seated at the far edge of the town, well beyond the reach of any neighboring structures.

Most families brought their children here around the age of ten to undergo the class awakening scan and have their ranks officially recorded.

Adrian himself had stood before this building once before, though that visit had ended in silence and disappointment when the priests confirmed he did not possess a single trace of aether in his body.

And now, here he was again.

Standing before the towering entrance, Adrian watched as a priest emerged through the doors, a broad and welcoming smile spreading across his face the moment he recognized the Vane family.

"Lady Emilya, to what do I owe the honor?" he spoke gently, stepping out to greet them.

With a composed smile, Emilya replied—

"I would like my son to undergo another scan, Father. I believe he has awakened."

The priest stood in silence for a good while, his gaze shifting slowly from the countess to Adrian.

He had already received word of the count’s passing.

Because of that, some part of him suspected this was simply a mother’s way of coping with an unbearable loss, grasping at any shred of hope she could find in her surviving children.

Rather than dismissing her outright, which was what Adrian had fully expected, the priest sighed softly and stepped aside, offering a smile of his own.

"Please, come in. Let us see to it right away."

Emilya took Adrian’s hand and walked through the doors with him.

...