The crushing finality of death was replaced by a suffocating softness. Kai's eyes snapped open. He was not in a void, but a chamber heavy with dark wood and velvet, draped in silk—the room of a spoiled prince.
The instant he drew a breath, a torrential downpour of foreign memories assaulted his mind. Kaelen Thorne. Nineteen years old. The youngest son of the Marquis, burdened with a reputation as the manor's biggest liability—a spoiled, arrogant layabout who failed every academic test and treated the servants like dirt. He remembered the sting of his father's belt, the constant, weary disappointment in his mother's eyes, and the general contempt of the entire household.
I didn't just inherit a body, Kai thought, reeling from the memory dump. I inherited a mountain of bad karma.
A sharp, grating chime—entirely out of place—rang in his head.
[WELCOME! System Initializing...]
[Gamer Tag: Kai (Kaelen Thorne)][Title: The Reincarnated Simp] (Effect: +5% Charm when complimenting a beautiful woman's eyes) [Core Objective: The Lord of Lewdness. Experience and document the intimate side of Aethelgard to unlock the System's true power.]
Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm a failure in one world, a spoiled brat in another, and now a mandated pervert."
The System delivered his first instruction, perfectly tailored to exploit his social standing.
[TUTORIAL MISSION: Mandatory Acceptance]
[Mission Name: The Maid's Misstep]
[Objective: Accidentally walk in on the Head Maid, Seraphina, while she is changing clothes. Achieve a "Surprised Flush" visual response.]
[Reward: 100 System Points (SP), Skill Scroll: Basic Perception]
[Failure Penalty: Permanent -5 Charisma.]
Kai was forced to comply. He found the staff wing—a route Kaelen's old memories made instantly familiar—and located the linen closet.
He pushed the door open just enough. Seraphina, the Head Maid, was inside, currently out of her uniform, stretching in a thin chemise.
Kai used his new skill on her instantly. [Seraphina (Head Maid): Affection: -6/10 (Contempt/Disgust). Status: Exhausted.] The contempt rating was a direct result of the old Kaelen's treatment of her.
He had to make his presence known in a way that fit the spoiled brat persona, yet satisfied the mission objective.
"You there!" Kai shouted, affecting Kaelen's old, petulant tone. "Is this where the staff hides the Emergency Mustard Reserve? Don't tell me you ran out again!"
Seraphina let out a horrified gasp, spinning around instantly. Her face flared crimson—a mix of shock at his presence and absolute outrage at his stupid demand. She clutched the thin fabric desperately.
[Mission Complete! SUCCESS!][Objective: Achieve a "Surprised Flush" visual response. SUCCESS!][Reward: 100 System Points (SP). New Skill Acquired: Basic Perception.]
Kai retreated quickly, giving a dismissive wave. "Find the mustard, woman! And stop dawdling!"
He slammed his door shut. The charade was disgusting, but necessary. He immediately used his points.
[Purchase Complete! Item: Minor Charisma Boost. Cost: 100 SP. Charisma +1.]
A moment later, a sharp, cold knock came.
"Young Master," Seraphina's voice was frigid. "The Marchioness requires you at the banquet. Lady Elysandra is waiting. Try not to embarrass the family further."
Kai checked her status: [Seraphina: Affection: -5/10 (Contempt/Annoyed).] The mission moved her into the positive range of negative numbers. Progress!