Clang, clang, clang.
A muffled sound came from the solid wooden door. Inside the room, Loran quickly sat up from RienStan's arms after being playfully teased by him. She straightened her clothes and hurried to open the door.
It was Pantheon, the chief butler, always impeccably formal and polite.
"Loran, the master has called for Young Master RienStan."
Loran nodded and was about to turn to tell RienStan, but he was already at the door. He had overheard Pantheon's words from inside the room.
"Let's go, Uncle Joe."
Pantheon nodded and walked ahead, with RienStan following closely behind.
In the hallway, various precious potted plants and paintings lined the walls. RienStan followed Pantheon, occasionally acknowledging the maids and servants who greeted them with respectful bows.
"Young Master RienStan, your performance today has truly stood out. The master has been so pleased; it's been a while since he's been this happy." Pantheon smiled warmly.
"Heh, modesty, modesty," RienStan said nonchalantly, eyeing the figures of the passing maids.
Pantheon chuckled softly, and the two soon arrived at the head of the family's office.
As the door opened, RienStan immediately saw his father, Anason, and mother, Bosa, sharing a tender moment.
Upon noticing RienStan enter, Anason cleared his throat and straightened up a little.
After pouring tea for Bosa, Anason turned to RienStan.
"Well, well, little rascal. You're starting to act like your old man now, huh? If I hadn't gotten away fast, I'd have been poisoned with at least three different toxins."
Though Anason's tone was teasing, his face was full of pride.
RienStan grabbed a nearby chair and sat down.
"Who told you not to let me accept the master's gifts? It's only natural for a disciple to receive a gift from their teacher when they meet."
Anason snorted, "Yes, you accepted the gift, but I still had to return it."
But today, RienStan had truly made an impression on the Stan family, so Anason decided to let it go. "Well, consider it a reward for your efforts."
Coughing lightly, RienStan glanced at his mother and reminded Anason.
Anason raised an eyebrow, confused. "What? What's this about?"
RienStan widened his eyes in surprise. What the hell? He's being unreliable.
Anason remained calm, sipping his tea leisurely.
"Ahh, this tea really smells good."
RienStan narrowed his eyes at Anason. Oh, you're really asking for it, old man. Wait until tomorrow.
Bosa, watching the father-son exchange, couldn't help but chuckle and then turned to RienStan.
"Well, Anason has already told me. Rien, you're growing up, and there are some things you should know. I've watched over Freyja since she was little, so I'm at ease. From now on, Freyja will follow you."
RienStan quickly got up, went to his mother's side, and grabbed the teapot from Anason's hand, serving her with great care.
"Mother, you're the best. I love you the most."
Bosa smiled warmly as she stroked RienStan's head, full of affection.
Cough, cough. Anason cleared his throat again, signaling that his cup was empty.
RienStan obediently refilled his father's cup. Since old man has done his part, I'll let it slide.
Neither Anason nor Bosa asked how RienStan had acquired the meditation technique. After all, everyone had their secrets.
Once the matter was settled, Anason waved his hand, signaling for RienStan to leave so he could continue enjoying his time with Bosa.
RienStan returned to his room, where he found Freyja, Emily, and Loran chatting casually. The three of them quickly approached him upon his return.
"Young Master."
RienStan nodded and turned to Freyja, who blushed upon feeling his gaze. She began to undress, but RienStan quickly stopped her.
"What are you doing? Do you all see me as so desperate?"
Emily and Loran both looked slightly uncomfortable.
RienStan immediately understood—Emily must have told Freyja about what happened the other day.
He flicked Emily on the forehead as a punishment, then adopted a slightly more serious expression.
"Freyja, I do like your body, but I didn't ask for you from my mother just as a pretty ornament. I want you to handle my affairs, schedule, and the other maids as well, just like how Pantheon manages things for my father."
"Freyja, do you truly wish to follow me?"
Upon hearing this, Freyja immediately knelt before him, showing her loyalty.
"I, Freyja, am willing, Young Master. I will not disappoint you."
Her tone changed to reflect a deeper level of respect and allegiance.
RienStan nodded approvingly. "Good. Stand up. Freyja, do you practice battle aura?"
Freyja stood up, replying, "Yes, Young Master. My talent isn't great, and I'm currently only a second-tier intermediate assassin."
"How old are you, Freyja?"
"I am 22 years old."
RienStan nodded and then closed his eyes.
The three women stood quietly by, not disturbing him.
After a moment, RienStan returned from his spiritual world, opening his eyes to reveal a jade stone in his hand—this was the so-called Legacy Jade.
"Freyja, since you've chosen to follow me, the Ten Directions Thousand Shadows Breathing Technique is yours."
The Ten Directions Thousand Shadows Breathing Technique was a super-class breathing technique for assassins, comparable in quality to the Stan family's own Invincible Tiger Breathing Technique.
Freyja solemnly accepted it.
"Use it here. No one will disturb you."
Freyja nodded, then sat cross-legged on the fur carpet, pressing the jade stone to her forehead to absorb the breathing technique.
As she began learning, RienStan gestured to Emily and Loran to keep quiet. They both nodded quickly.
Loran carefully opened the door and stood guard outside to ensure no one interrupted.
Meanwhile, RienStan picked up the "Solis Continent Chronicles" to pass the time. The book detailed many legends and historical facts about Solis Continent.
There were no records of these things in the previous host's memories, so RienStan had to learn about them himself.
Soon, the only sound in the room was the rustling of RienStan's flipping pages.
After a while, the jade stone on Freyja's forehead slowly lost its glow.
It was finished.
When Freyja opened her eyes, they were filled with astonishment. The Ten Directions Thousand Shadows Breathing Technique was on par with her family's most important Invincible Tiger Breathing Technique.
Such a grand gesture from Young Master!
"Did you succeed?" RienStan's voice came from behind her.
Freyja immediately stood and replied, "Yes, Young Master. But this technique... is it too high a grade for me?"
RienStan rolled his eyes but didn't say much.
After all, he was training Freyja as a trusted confidante.
"It's fine. Let me see what abilities this technique grants you."
"Yes, Young Master. Could you please turn off the lights first?"
RienStan nodded and turned off the light.
The moment the room went dark, Freyja's figure disappeared. No matter how RienStan tried to sense her, he couldn't perceive her.
It wasn't until he used the abyssal magic to manipulate the surrounding energy that he could feel her.
RienStan nodded. With this shadow-walking ability, this technique is already worth the trade.
Suddenly, several shadows appeared in front of him, kneeling on one knee.
"Young Master, this breathing technique allows me to create and control shadows in the dark. When I reach the fourth tier, I will even be able to control the shadows of my enemies for assassination."
"And it's extremely fast to cultivate."
"With this technique, I'm confident I'll reach the fourth tier assassin within a year."
RienStan nodded. While there were limitations in the light, the technique was indeed formidable in the dark.
Emily, who had been quietly standing to the side, was left dumbfounded by Freyja's demonstration.
RienStan turned to Emily. "Emily, it's getting late. You should go rest."
Only then did Emily snap out of her stupor, nervously fiddling with her skirt.
"Master, don't you need me to accompany you tonight?"
RienStan moved over and picked up the soft Freyja in his arms.
"Wait until tomorrow. Tonight, let Freyja accompany me."
Emily pouted. "Alright. Goodnight, Master."
"Mm, go ahead. Goodnight."
RienStan eagerly carried the blushing Freyja to the large bed.
The moonlight tonight was especially enchanting…
Let me know if you'd like any adjustments to the translation!