Inside The Mansion

The tall, large figure seemed to Ren and Rio like something out of a horror game, but as the door opened wider and let the light in, their fears gave way to surprise. The figure began to shine, and from it appeared a kind gentleman dressed as a butler. He looked very mature, with some gray hair, tall and thin.

— You are our new servants, am I correct? — the butler asked politely.

— Y-y-yes! — both stammered, losing the serious image they wanted to project.

At that moment, the butler invited them to enter, opening the door wide, and the whole room dazzled the couple’s absorbed gaze.

A beautiful scene stood before them: glass and marble containers, finely sculpted statues, hanging lights, and ornamental plants. The furniture boasted luxurious and apparently very comfortable finishes, complemented by a large carpet. All these elements filled their eyes with vivid colors.

In the reception stood a huge staircase, which seemed to lead to different places on the upper floors; on the sides were doors and corridors leading to various rooms, all decorated with beautiful windows that filled them with light.

Noticing more objects, the couple got excited because they had seen some in different animes.

— Look! This large mirror is beautiful, it has a Baroque style, I think when I look in it, I look more handsome and elegant — Ren said enthusiastically, striking different poses.

— Yes! It’s very pretty! — Rio affirmed, almost laughing at Ren’s poses.

— You know? I don’t like spiders, but look, if it’s that kind of spider maybe I could make an exception! — Rio said, pointing to a spider-shaped lamp, following Ren’s teasing tone and game.

Ren, following her hand, noticed it was a bronze spider-shaped chandelier, and understanding the connection between both, he chuckled quietly as if trying not to laugh at the joke.

Further ahead, right next to the fireplace, there was a trivet beside the fireplace and on the other side an ornamental plant in a pot.

— Look Rio, that metal object, remember it is called a trivet? It appeared in the anime ‘How to go camping in another world without dying,’ right? Surely they used it to roast marshmallows by putting it on top of the campfire! — Ren said, continuing the game.

The tall butler, hearing the last jokes, put his hand to his mouth and coughed to catch the couple’s attention. In a teaching tone, as if a teacher, he said:

— That trivet is for the plant support, its use is more aesthetic, and it would hardly be used to roast marshmallows. Its use in more 'humble' houses is for cooking by placing pots on it, but it's mostly used in kitchens; to roast marshmallows, camping is better. —

Both protagonists felt embarrassed by what they had said and by receiving the correction from the elder butler. They looked at each other and made a finger gesture meaning "let’s keep quiet, jokes for later."

The butler took a bell from his suit and rang it. After the sound faded, a maid emerged from a door near the stairs. She was slender and almost as tall as the butler, looking mature but younger than him, wearing an elegant maid’s dress and with long hair.

She walked to the butler with a fine posture and a royal-like gait, stopping right beside him.

— Please, summon the instructors here — the butler ordered the maid.

— As you command — the maid nodded obediently.

While she carried out the order, the elder butler gave a couple of general instructions to the couple.

— From this moment your induction course will begin; you have the right to consume food in the main dining room. You will also be given a private room and a schedule, during which you will have free time — explained the elder butler, returning to the teaching tone used before.

— The contract from the government, which you’ll sign later, requires you to pass this course. The instructors are here to guide you privately and exclusively. There are no strict schedules, but I recommend taking advantage of all the courses offered. Otherwise, it would be a waste to have tutors without activity, though I suspect they might prefer to rest — He said it as if he already knew them.

Ren and Rio understood it was likely a formality between the “system” and the NPCs, so they both nodded.

At the end of that conversation, the senior maid and two more people arrived on the scene, while the instructor cordially said goodbye, leaving the instructors in charge:

— Goodbye, I trust that everyone here will achieve their goals. Good luck — he said firmly, leaving with the senior maid.

— Well, new apprentices, — said the instructor, — I introduce myself: my name is Laplace. I am your private butler instructor — he waved his hands side to side in greeting — and this is my companion, Lucy.

— Hello, nice to meet you, my name is Lucia, but I prefer Lucy. I am your private maid instructor — Lucy spoke in a serious and cold tone.

Ren and Rio noticed their slightly out-of-place clothing for the mansion; both wore wrinkled and simple suits like wage workers, and their attitude was carefree. Since arriving, they had not taken their hands out of their pant pockets.

— Since it’s late, today we will limit ourselves to showing you part of the mansion — said Laplace, somewhat disappointed at not being able to do more but not hiding the slight joy in his voice for ending the day.

As they walked to another room further inside, instructor Laplace continued:

— Until today, you are the only servants ‘subsidized’ by the government in the mansion, so other workers have fixed roles. Still, please be kind to them. Oh! By the way, there are three other ‘subsidized’ people in the mansion… —

Ren and Rio realized that, besides themselves, three other “summoned” individuals were present, each with different roles. After that, they moved on to another room.

— This is the lounge — said instructor Lucy — this is where all the servants gather first thing for roll call and announcements of important notices, besides assigning their daily tasks.

— You must be hungry given the time, please, let’s continue — Laplace said in a hurried tone.

Crossing the common room, ahead they saw several servants entering and exiting another room. Upon arriving, Laplace said:

— This is one of the main common rooms, the dining room. As you can see, workers are already enjoying their food since it is the fourth meal hour. Shall we try it too? —

Everyone in the dining room seemed like normal people, talking modestly among themselves, others waiting in line to receive their food.

Ren was surprised by the incredible aroma that filled the place—a scent of spices that seemed very pleasant, opening his appetite and making his stomach growl.

With a teasing smile, Laplace continued:

— There are five meal rounds a day at different times because there are different workers and not all do their tasks at the same time. Also, if for some reason you miss the time, each person here has the right to two ‘snacks’ a day, which are always available next to the counter — Laplace modestly indicated.

At the front of the line, the four took their daily menu and headed to the table. Before arriving, Lucy warned Ren and Rio:

— This schedule is perfect for you; I recommend you always come at this time because many ‘servants’ come then. If you have questions, servants are very helpful and willing to guide you.

— But in the fifth round, the one after this, people gather who aren’t very nice to us, so please avoid it — she added.

Without more details, everyone began enjoying their meal: a delicious grilled meat dish with salad, mushroom soup on the side, bread that seemed freshly baked, dessert was a delicious cake, and a glass of blackberry juice.

At the end, everyone gave thanks for the food, and the instructors asked them to do the following:

— Please come to our office tomorrow. It’s at the back, the only door with a yellow handle — Lucy said.

— We will be happy to receive you, though it’s not mandatory and you can come whenever you want. We won’t force you if you’re not ready with this environment — Lucy finished explaining.

Arriving at the stairs, the four went up to the second floor. Upon arrival, they separated into men and women, since the wings were divided by gender.

— Guys, now we have to separate, because at the end of the fifth shift men and women must go to their respective mansion wings to rest — Laplace commented.

— Well, um, Rio, see you tomorrow near these stairs, okay? I’ll be waiting here from dawn. Deal? — Ren said, encouraging Rio, who seemed upset about being separated.

— Okay Ren, please rest, see you first thing tomorrow! — Rio said with a broken tone, somewhat embarrassed but wanting to appear strong.

Both were explained that the left wing was exclusive for women, and the right for men. At the end of each wing was the common shower and restroom area. Their rooms were at the beginning of the wing, as if privileged for being “subsidized by the government.”

Both instructors said goodbye respectively and left them in their rooms.

Already in bed, and with some tiredness in Rio’s eyes, she decided to go to the restroom before going to sleep. At the end of the hallway, Rio was confused; she remembered Lucy saying —At the end of the hallway, there is a door to the bathrooms—.

She really needed to go and felt uncomfortable, the pressure growing with every second. Feeling tired and a bit disoriented from the long day, she hesitated before knocking on a nearby door instead.

Since the door didn’t have a usual knocker and no clear signage was visible in the dim light, she knocked lightly with her fist.

—Excuse me!— she said, her voice a bit intrusive but weary. After a moment without response, Rio realized this was not the bathroom door Lucy mentioned. Still, the urgency made her cautiously peek her head around the slightly ajar door but she didn’t enter.

Inside, Rio saw a room much like hers, and seated in front of a dresser was a girl in a nightgown removing her makeup. Rio was surprised to notice that the girl had her arm resting on the table, and it was an apparent prosthesis.

At that moment, the maid, who had heard Rio’s voice and noticed her presence, turned toward her with a robotic movement, clearly showing the shock and nervousness she felt...