The mansion

I knew that it was childish and naive, people didn’t simply reform after listing all their faults in front of a mirror and promising to change. Otherwise, New Year's resolutions would become a world-changing event shaping a perfect future.

What’s more, I was inspired by the really trustworthy and realistic source - anime. I feared that the motivational drive of the moment would escape if I stopped that declaration in the middle due to lack of ideas, so I copied one from my ideal world.

Even though the hand that was currently busy with inputting the door code was shaking so much that it was already my fourth attempt at doing it - I regret nothing.

Even though my mind was busy with thinking of all methods of time travel known to me from fiction and wondering if any of them would be possible with mana as fuel - I regret nothing!

Nevertheless, there was no going back, I was sure that if I could do it again the result would be the same... probably... maybe… the chance was there I think?

Alright! At first, it was just going to be a simple way to release stress and turn a part of the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness into something more positive, but I got carried away and did the rest on the spur on the moment.

Still, there were two immediate changes which I didn’t expect.

This was the birth of a new radical faction inside my thought process proclaiming that it was easier when things were clearly divided into white and black. Another change was that I no longer felt like making a distinction between George and Victor, even the memories that had been clearly separated into two sets were now flowing more fluently, blurring the boundaries between them.

I thought about picking a new name for myself, but for the sake of convenience decided to stick with Victor, solely Victor.

Let’s hope that in three years time I will become a true victor.

I wasn’t sure where this had originated from, but it felt refreshing as if something clogging the mind pipes for a long time was gone. With one simple thought of Amato family, I could access everything connected with them without the need of lengthy researching each topic one by one.

This saved a lot of time and made me realize a few disturbing facts like-

“Excuse me, young man.”

While I was about to go down the staircase, I heard an elderly male voice from behind.

“Ah, yes?”

After turning I saw a bald old man in a tracksuit. He held one hand behind his back and an ornate ashen walking stick in the other. His posture was slightly crooked, but there was a certain vigor in him, maybe due to all those muscles that were bulging underneath his clothes.

“You’re the young man who lives in 315?”

“Yes.”

“We’re neighbors, my name’s Nero Grue I live in 305.”

“Victor Amato.”

I don’t have time for this. How can I politely get rid of him?

The old man looked at me impatiently glancing at the staircase and a smile had appeared on his wrinkled face.

“I see that you’re an energetic young person, just like me when I was younger. Back then it was normal to know everyone who lived around, not like today. Now, I don’t know half of the people who live with me on the same floor and there’s even less with whom I can talk. There’s only this old lady from 302, but she has trouble hearing and talking with her quickly changes into a shouting match. She always thinks that the reason I raise my voice so much is that I’m an old grumpy man. But I’m getting distracted. Like I’ve said, people back then were nicer and you didn’t have to look far to find someone willing to help you.”

Just as I thought, It has begun and I know exactly the words he wants me to say. I would like to help him, but not today.

“I’m sorry, but I’m really busy and need to go.”

“Oh, in that case, I won’t stop you. I was just wondering if you already know the full story behind the missing door to 315, but if you’re busy that can’t be helped. I will find some other, kinder soul.”

Effortlessly, Nero had rendered my attempt to run ineffective. There was no change in his expression as if his default state was set to a generic sly old man.

“You win gramps. How can I help you? But please make it quick.”

‘How can I help you’ were the magical words which made old people go into a frenzy, they would suddenly find a hundred and one things that needed immediate assistance.

“So young Victor is the type that’s not interested in helping his elders unless there’s some kind of a reward, young people these days.”

He sighed and shook his head, it looked kind of fishy and only worked in favor of reinforcing the thought that he was simply fishing for a free workforce.

“You’re right, I’m not a good example. You need help or not?”

Getting to know what had happened with the previous door was interesting, but that was all. If he was going to beat around the bush I was prepared to turn around and leave.

“Oho? You’re unexpectedly honest. I will repay with honesty as well, wait here for a moment.”

The old man went into his flat, while I was waiting outside. A minute later he brought out a hotel cart fully loaded with flower pots containing a deep blue variety of rose shrubs, all I could say with my limited knowledge about flowers was that they were pretty. The old man saw me inspecting them and started explaining:

“Midnight blue roses, not only their color is magnificently deep and saturated, but they’re also easy to grow, with a good disease resistance. Take notice of how the stems are almost free of thorns. This batch of them was quite successful, next, I’m thinking of growing some true blood black ro-”

“Yes, yes. So you want me to help you get it down?”

“Exactly.”

He didn’t seem disturbed by my interruption but was probably happy I had paid the flowers any attention at all. As for me, I was also glad that it was a simple task, which could be finished in a few minutes.

We grabbed the cart together, one on each side, and slowly, step by step brought it down the staircase. It was heavy, we had to take a break both on the second and the first floor and by the time we were outside I was starting to get a little sweaty.

Nero took the thermal cover, which was attached to the side, and spread it over the cart to shield the shrubs from the weather.

“Thank you, young man. I need to quickly move the roses into my car before the cold gets to them, but visit me in 305 in the evening and we can talk about the door.”

This worked well for me as I was already itching to catch the bus going in the direction of the Amato residence, so I just nodded and we went our ways.



The mansion and the area adjacent to it were surrounded by a high sturdy steel fence with stone posts placed every three meters. I called it the mansion, but in reality, it was a complex of buildings and facilities.

The main house, located in the center, was a three storey high building from dark brick. Despite its simple rectangular design and lack of extensive adornments, it had its own character due to big casement windows and being seemingly overgrown with vines, which in reality were carefully maintained. A stylish black marble porch, three steps above the ground level, big enough to hold a tea party in the summer, was connected to the left side of the front door. This house acted as the main residence of the Amato family.

On its wings, inclined towards the center, were two smaller two storey buildings, both of them kept in a similar style. The only exception was the lack of vines and the porch, but in exchange, one had small angel statues placed in the corners of the front side of the building’s roof and the other had devil ones. They were correspondingly called the Blue House and the Red House. The former was intended for the servants and the later was Viktoria and Vincent's playground.

Branching off the main road on the left side was a simple garage, holding four different cars, and the kennel area. While on the right side was the recreational area where, among others, was a stone garden and a koi pond.



Standing in front of the main gate, I was waiting for one of the servants to come and escort me to the main house because as a person that had almost no ties left with the family, I would risk being attacked by dogs if I tried to move on the property by myself.

I just need to place one foot inside the house and that’s one problem less, but it would be a waste if I didn’t at least try to check on Vio while I’m here.

A few minutes later, the small side gate next to the main one was opened by a tall, muscular man, who despite the cold wore only a grey suit. He was father’s right hand - Michael and at the same time acted as the chief of security. Underneath him were four other guards whose main job was patrolling the property and taking care of the German Shepherds.

“Follow me.”

That was all he said before turning around and walking back to the house. I had to quickly slip inside as the gate was already being closed.

Alright, from now on I’m the previous Victor Amato.

“Hey Michael, show some respect, I may be crossed out from the family list, but for a stooge like you I will forever be young master Victor.”

There was no reaction from the chief guard, he silently kept walking in front of me. I clicked my tongue and begrudgingly followed.

The whole road and the surrounding areas were neatly cleaned of snow. During the winter it was the main job of the gardener. I was glad that all the details of the propriety, such as the big fountain in front of the central three buildings, were exactly as they should be. It gave a lot of credibility to my knowledge and allowed me to slightly relax.

Once we were inside the main house I made a mental fist pump. One promise was easily fulfilled.

“That’s far enough Michael, I know the way around my own house. Just tell me where is everyone and make yourself lost.”

“Mr. Amato is awaiting you in his study. Mrs. Amato is currently visiting her friends in the USA.”

“What about my siblings?”

“It was clearly stated to me and the rest of the staff that we are not allowed to answer any questions concerning the Amato siblings asked by strangers.”

He answered emotionlessly, remembering to highlight my status, and left.

During this brief period since I had entered the property, I realized just how hard it was to act as the previous Victor. Picking the right words was only a portion of the things I had to keep my eye on, there were also matters concerning the tone of voice, all the little gestures and the way he walked. But, it wasn’t impossible, the knowledge about those things was filling up my mind tank and soon I should be able to assimilate every single drop of it.

The hall I was standing in acted as the public face of the house for all the quests. There was an extra emphasis placed on making it particularly refined and visually pleasing to the eye, but I didn’t have time to stand agape and enjoy the views. With a brisk pace I moved towards the mansion staircase.

Michael had probably only announced my unscheduled visit to the father, but it was a matter of time before one of the maids which were moving around like clockwork, pretending not to see me, would bring the news to Viktoria and Vincent.

I bet that one of them is already on the way to my twin sister.

There was a small mirror placed in the corridor leading to my father’s study. I double checked my image and knocked on the heavy door.

“Enter.”

One single word, yet I already knew that my father’s mood was unnaturally cheerful and sunny as if the package he was expecting for days had finally arrived.