A breakfast

We continued our training session for what felt like hours. Sebas was relentless but patient, guiding me through each movement with precision. The sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the grassy field, but the training showed no signs of stopping.

We took a few more swings at each other after that, but it was clear I was running on fumes. My movements became sluggish, and I could feel my grip on the greatsword faltering. Sebas, on the other hand, was as composed as ever, effortlessly parrying my attacks and reminding me, yet again, that I had a lot to learn.

By the time the sun had dipped below the horizon, I was a mess. My armor was scuffed, my body ached in places I didn’t even know could ache, and my pride was somewhere back on the ground where Sebas had wiped the floor with it. But somehow, I didn’t feel discouraged. In fact, I found myself laughing at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a freshly minted undead lord, swinging a greatsword like a maniac while trying to keep my head from falling off... literally.

As Sebas sheathed his saber, I let out a long sigh of relief. “Well, that was… something,” I said, wiping sweat, or was it something else? from my brow.

“You did well, my lord,” Sebas said, offering me a rare, approving nod. “With time and practice, you will regain your former prowess.”

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, not entirely convinced. But as I looked at Sebas, I could see that he genuinely believed in me, and that was enough to make me want to keep going, no matter how many times I ended up face-first in a bush.

As we walked back to the mansion, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of exhaustion and determination. Today had been tough, but tomorrow was another day. 

***

I woke up from my nap, blinking a few times as I tried to get my bearings. Surprisingly, my body didn’t ache at all. I had been fully prepared for the soreness to hit me like a truck after yesterday’s training, but I guess being an undead has its perks. No muscle cramps, no stiffness, just a weird sense of lightness, as if the exhaustion had evaporated while I slept.

I sat up in bed, stretching out of habit, even though I didn’t really need to. My joints moved smoothly, no pops or cracks, just fluid motion. Yep, definitely some merits to this whole undead thing.

I reached for my head, which had somehow ended up on the pillow next to me, and reattached it to my neck. It clicked into place with the familiar blue flames.

Feeling oddly refreshed, I stood up and made my way to the door. As I opened it, I was greeted by the sight of Sebas standing right beside the doorway, as if he had been waiting there the whole time. His expression was calm and composed as always, and he greeted me with a polite, “Good morning, my lord.”

I blinked at him, still a bit groggy. “Morning, Sebas.” Then, the realization hit me. 

“Wait, were you standing there the entire time?”

Sebas nodded. “After completing my tasks, I returned to ensure your rest was undisturbed.”

I raised an eyebrow, still a bit confused. 

“How long were you standing there?”

He didn’t answer directly, simply offering a small smile. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to get a straight answer out of him, so I just shrugged it off. If he wanted to stand guard like a statue, that was his business.

“Right… well, thanks, I guess,” I said, still not entirely sure how to feel about the whole thing.

Sebas gave a slight bow, his usual impeccable manners on full display.

“It is my duty and honor, my lord.”

After greeting me, Sebas asked, “My lord, would you like to have breakfast first?”

I paused, surprised by the offer. “Breakfast? But I’m undead. I don’t need food.”

Sebas nodded with a calm expression. “That is true, my lord. However, yesterday you requested refreshments, so I thought it best to ask if you would like to start eating like a normal person from now on.”

I thought about it for a moment. Eating might be a good way to maintain some semblance of normalcy, even if I didn’t need it. Plus, the idea of eating food from another world sounds exciting. “Sure, why not? Let’s have breakfast.”

We made our way to the dining table, and I was surprised at how luxurious the dining area was. Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the table was adorned with fine silverware and crystal glasses. The whole setup felt like something out of a royal palace.

But what really baffled me was the spread of food already laid out on the table. Plates piled high with fresh fruit, pastries, and steaming dishes that looked straight out of a five-star restaurant.

I looked at Sebas, astonished. “When did you prepare all of this?”

Sebas inclined his head slightly. “I prepared the meal in advance, my lord, so you could eat to your heart’s content as soon as you wished.”

I stared at the food, then back at him. “Good thing I decided to eat, then. This would’ve been quite the waste if I hadn’t.”

Sebas gave a small smile. “Indeed, my lord. Please, enjoy your meal.”

As I sat down and scanned the spread in front of me, I noticed that the breakfast looked surprisingly...normal. There were eggs, pastries, and fruits, nothing exotic or otherworldly, just the kind of breakfast you could find back on Earth. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

“Is this it?” I muttered under my breath, half-expecting something more fitting for a lord in a fantasy world. Maybe some enchanted food that glows or a dish made from rare, mythical creatures.

Sebas, noticing my expression, asked, “Is something wrong with the meal, my lord?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s fine. Just...expected something different, I guess.”

Sebas looked a bit puzzled, 

"Is there something that you would like to eat, my lord? I assure you, the food I have prepared is quite rare to find nowadays, and its quality is befitting of someone like you," Sebas said with a hint of pride.

"Wait, rare? What do you mean by that?" I asked, suddenly more interested.

Sebas gestured to the spread before me. "These are not foods you can find just anywhere. Allow me to present them properly. This egg is from the fiery lizard in the south, known for its unique taste and various nutritional benefits. The bread you see here is made from the finest elven flour, harvested in the eastern forests—an ingredient highly sought after for its delicate texture. And these fruits were bought from the holy city; they offer an unparalleled, high-quality taste."

"O-oh... that sounds fancy! And expensive. But fancy. Thanks for the explanation, Sebas." I picked up my fork, suddenly appreciating the meal much more. "I shall eat to my heart's content!"

Sebas gave a small nod, satisfied that his efforts were acknowledged. I dug in, savoring the flavors of the meal, feeling like a true lord for the first time.

After finishing my meal, I realized that despite how much I ate, I didn't feel full. It was a strange sensation, but at least I was grateful that my sense of taste was still intact. I glanced at Sebas, and a thought struck me. 

"I'm actually a lord, right?" I asked, a bit surprised by the realization. "Are there any duties I need to do as a lord?"

Sebas shook his head calmly. "Every bit of paperwork that needs to be done has already been taken care of by me, my lord."

Impressed, I gave him a thumbs up. "You're an excellent butler, Sebas."

It's great that I have Sebas here with me, I couldn't even fanthom the hardships I have to face without him by my side. 

As I thought about what I could do next, I decided I wanted to take a break from training. It's not just because I don't want to get beaten up by Sebas... really, it's not. I realized that I want to learn more about this world and the town. There was something nagging at the back of my mind, like I was forgetting something, but if I forgot it, then it’s probably not important, right?

I stood up and told Sebas, "I want to know more about the town. Can you get everything ready?"

He nodded, already anticipating my request.