And that's how I got a maid

   For a moment, we stared at each other just like that. Then, her smile became more gentle, and she suddenly leaned forward, wrapping her arm around my neck and pulling me into an awkward embrace.

   “Since you are asking so nicely, then big sis will give you her full support!”

   “Again, when did you actually become my big sister?! Besides, get your breasts out of my face, you drunkard!”

   She giggled and tightened the embrace just slightly. “Don’t be shy now. I know you like it—you’re just too embarrassed to admit it. Look how you are blushing.”

   I groaned, finally managing to push her away.

   “Ouch!” she exclaimed, rubbing her butt as she glared at me. “Should't you be a little more gentle? If you’re rough with women like that, you’ll stay a virgin for the rest of your life, you know?”

   “Somehow, I’ll live with that—”

   Knock, knock

   Before I could finish, a knock sounded at the door.

   A voice came from behind it. “Mrs. Zephyra, the meal is ready, can I come in?”

   Zephyra straightened in her chair, a look of realization flashing across her face. “Oh, is it that time already? Please come in.”

   I raised an eyebrow, wondering who that was. Something about the voice tickled my memory, but I couldn’t quite place it.

   The door creaked open. “Excuse me,” said a familiar voice, and then a certain dark elf girl appeared, balancing a bedside table on which rested a bowl of vegetable cream soup and a neat set of toasts.

   I blinked, staring as she walked into the room, her maid’s outfit crisp and spotless.

   “I’m glad to see that Master has finally woke up. Breakfast is ready,” she said politely, placing the table next to me. Her voice was soft yet precise. “I hope it will taste good.”

   I couldn’t hold back my confusion. My eyes darted from her to Zephyra and back again. “What is going on?”

   Zephyra gave me a nonchalant shrug. “As you can see, we have a new maid.”

   I stared at her, completely lost. My head turned back to the dark elf, and I gestured with my hand for her to come closer.

   She stepped forward, tilting her head curiously as I whispered in her ear, “You don’t have to say anything. Just blink two times if that witch over here made you do it. I’ll try to do something about it.”

   “Why do you assume it’s my fault?!” 

   “Isn’t it?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

   The dark elf panicked, waving her hands as if trying to clear up a dangerous misunderstanding. “P-please let me explain.”

   I leaned back, crossing my arms, curious to hear what she had to say.

   “After the Master told me to run away, I went to the designated point with Bel, but on the way, I met Mrs. Zephyra, who was looking for the Master. I led Mrs. Zephyra to the Master, but when we returned...”

   I blinked, suddenly remembering that I had asked earlier what happened after I lost consciousness. My eyes narrowed and I turned to Zephyra. “What happened to me?”

   Zephyra’s expression grew more serious. “You went into a rampage,” she said calmly. “When someone is on the brink of death, their adrenaline spikes. But in this world—mana inside the body also increases as the result. And also the more mana rises, the more adrenaline flows, and it becomes a vicious cycle. Eventually, it overwhelms the body, and if it continues... your heart stops. Until then, the person becomes a literal berserker—destroying everything around them. If we were even a few seconds late, you might have been dead already.”

   I looked back at the dark elf girl, a wave of guilt washing over me. “Are you okay?”

   She nodded and waved her hands again. “Thank you for your concern, but please don't worry. No one got hurt. Luckily, Mrs. Zephyra reacted quickly enough. She used a spell to create a metal arm and grabbed Master’s head with it, then she bumped Master’s forehead against the ground. After that, Master lost consciousness...”

   I slowly turned to Zephyra, who was very clearly avoiding eye contact.

   “Oh, reeeeaaally?” I said flatly.

   She whistled innocently, her eyes looking everywhere but at me.

   The elf girl added, “After that, we took Master to Mrs. Zephyra’s house, where you were treated with healing spells. Most injuries were healed with no problem, but the wound on your back was different—it was caused by a mana weapon that interferes with healing magic. So, we had to rely on traditional treatment.”

   “I see...” I muttered, my hand instinctively moving to the bandaged spot. “I think I understand most of it. However, that doesn’t explain one thing.”

   I turned to Zephyra as I continued, “You said it yourself: Since I don't have ‘magic sense’, I shouldn’t be able to use magic at all, not to mention using mana. How could this happen?”

   Zephyra sighed. “I lied. There’s no such thing as magic sense.”

   “What?”

   “To use magic, all you need is a specific organ called the Ether Core. Everyone in this world has one—it stores and converts mana. When you want to cast a spell, you send instructions from your brain to the Ether Core. Mana flows through your veins into special glands that release it into the air, forming a magic circle and activating the spell.”

   My thoughts spiraled. Zephyra’s explanation triggered a flood of memories. She said Victor was working on evolution... The guard injuries I saw on that burning night... My rampade in the forest. My eyes widened. I turned to Zephyra again.

   "I think it is better for you to see for yourself." 

   She held out a folder—marked with the number 16.

   Inside was data—my data. Records from the facility about my life. Some of them were deleted, but one page caught my attention. It detailed all the procedures performed on my body.

   They must have done it after that sleeping gas incident... I turned toward her slowly, waiting for her confirmation.

   “Yes." Zephyra looked at me, her voice calm but heavy. "You’re no longer human.”

   My gaze dropped. My heart sank for a second. The truth settled in, cold and strange.

   “Master, are you okay?” the elf girl asked, stepping closer.

   Zephyra turned to her and whispered, “Maybe we should give him some time alone—.”

   "S...ol..." I murmured.

   "Hm?"

   "Hm?"

   “SO COOL!”

   They both looked at me, stunned.

   “I mean sure, it’s messed up that those freaks did this to me. But come on—magic powers? Modified body? I’m like a comic book superhero now! Zeno would’ve totally flipped out...”

   My grin faltered for a moment. The memory of Zeno... I clenched the file. Maybe... maybe that’s what caused the facility disaster. What if all the subjects went into rampage that day? That would explain a lot. But If that was the case, then I could have—.

   No. There is too many what ifs in this theory. Unfortunately, I don't have any proof yet.

   Until then, I would use what they gave me—for me, and for Zephyra. For our revenge.

   Zephyra gave a small laugh. “Honestly, I feel stupid for hiding it for so long. But, I’m glad you took it so well.”

   The elf girl bowed slightly, a gentle smile on her lips. “I’m also glad Master is fine.”

   I turned to her and tilted my head. “By the way… why are you dressed like a maid? And why are calling me Master?”

   The girl lowered her gaze. “Master was injured because you tried to protect me, so I wanted to repay that debt. When I helped Mrs. Zephyra bandage and carry Master to this room, I explained what happened and asked if I could stay by Master’s side.”

   “I was injured because of my own carelessness. It’s not your fault. You don’t need to—”

   “Even so, please allow me to do this.”

   "..."

   ...I could see that determination in her eyes. She wouldn’t back down until I agreed. I can tell that there is more to that than just gratitude, but I think I will keep quiet for now.

   Finally, I let out a small sigh and nodded. “Be that as it may… if you want it so badly, then I have no reason to refuse.”

   Her face brightened, and she bowed deeply. “Thank you very much, Master!”

   I smiled back, but then paused as something occurred to me.

   “That being said… this maid outfit...”

   “Mrs. Zephyra said that if I wear this, Master will be happy, so...”

   My head snapped toward Zephyra, who sat there with a smug grin. I gave her a skeptical look, which only made her grin widen.

   “What? You’re not going to tell me you don’t like it, are you?”

   “That’s not the problem…” I muttered, turning back.

   Now that I was paying closer attention, I realized what Zephyra had done. The maid outfit was... well, calling it “provocative” might be too much but... The short skirt ended dangerously high above the knees, and black laces wrapped around the bodice in a way that greatly emphasized her already striking features. Her silvery hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting beautifully with her sapphire eyes. And then there were... her other assets, which the outfit seemed specifically designed to highlight.

   She blushed, hands fidgeting. “M-Master, this is a bit embarrassing...”

   Her reddened, embarrassed face made my heart skip a beat. For a brief moment, a single thought crossed my mind: What kind of cute creature is this?

  I quickly shook the thought away and turned back toward Zephyra, giving her a thumbs-up, as trying to say: Well done.

   Zephyra smirked and returned the gesture.

   “Um, excuse me...” the dark elf girl spoke up, flustered.

   “Ah, right,” I said, straightening. “Now that I think about it. I didn’t even ask for your name. Sorry, could you please tell me?”

   She bowed slightly, grabbing the ends of her skirt as she replied, “Yes, my name is Lunaria.”

   “Lunaria,” I repeated thoughtfully. “A very nice name. However, a bit long. May I call you Luna?”

   Her eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Of course, Master.”

   “In that case, Luna,” I said with a smile. “From now on, I will be in your care.”

   She smiled back, bright and sincere. “Yes, Master.”

   Your life can sometimes take the most unexpected turn. That day, I was sure of it. One day, I lose everything, then I met my first friend, then I lost him. I got taken by a drunkard engineer that turned to be a noble. I slept in a forest, only to be taken by a bandits. And now... I have a maid. 

   You know what is the most interesting part about it? It is just the beginning...