After everyone was seated, Maids instantly brought the food to the table and served them.
Ashton spoke after they had started eating "Max, I heard you went to the training hall a while back. Do you... perhaps want to start training again?"
Everyone was silent after he stopped speaking and looked toward Max with different thoughts running through their mind.
"Yes, father. I want to train again." Max said after thinking for a while. Although his initial plan was to live a leisurely life but after knowing more about this world he changed it. Now he wants to enjoy while becoming strong. He didn't want anyone to mock him for being weak as he wasn't able to tolerate it.
"Good... good!" Ashton heavily nodded with a smile on his face.
"How about I assign some special body trainers to teach you. That way even without magic your body will get stronger and in the future when your body has strengthened to some degree and is capable to hold mana, I'll arrange for some mana elixirs for you. It can help you to sense mana better and increase it. Then you can..."
Ashton excitedly gave out his suggestions but before he could continue Max interrupted him.
"Father that won't be necessary. I'm able to sense mana and I think I'm able to fight novice mages now." Max said calmly but no was calm after hearing him. All of them had surprised expressions.
Before anyone could speak William burst out laughing "Hahaha, Since when did you become so delusional Max? Sense mana? Fight novice mages? You don't even have an ounce of mana and your affinity with mana is absolutely zero. Who are you kidding? Ha ha ha." Noah and Mark also wore mocking expressions.
Mina, William's mother glared at him to stop him from speaking further. Although what William said was rude and hateful but this was also true.
Anna, Emily and Ashton had pained expressions on their faces thinking that he was finally unable to bear the mockery of his siblings and to console himself made this story in his mind.
Looking at their expressions Max smiled wryly. Most probably they won't believe anything he said to convince them so he extended his hand, open his palm and closed his eyes.
Mana started to swirl around his palm and in the next moment, a transparent ball of mana was on his palm. This was what he learned from the library before 'How to gather mana for novices'. He just followed what he read and here we are. but as he wasn't any familiar with mana or any spell, tens of mana points were consumed in this small action. His breathing became a little forceful and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Everyone was dumbfounded by this turn of events. Ashton, Emily, Anna and others rubbed their eyes to see if it was an illusion but the mana ball was still there on his palm rotating.
William who was mocking him just now and Noah and Mark stared their eyes open wide.
William muttered "How... how is this possible? Weren't you just a useless trash? How can you?..."
Ashton quickly collected himself and burst out laughing loudly, Mana around him became restless "Hahahaha! Good... good... very good... my son isn't useless anymore. Hahaha Hannah our son isn't useless anymore." Tears trickled down from his eyes. He had never been so happy, he was now.
Anna was smiling happily and Emily also had a subtle smile on her lips.
It took some time for Ashton to calm down. He then looked at Max and said "Good son. Tell me how do you want to train or anything you need. I'll provide whatever you need."
Max pondered for a while. He didn't know anything as to how he should train so said "I don't know how should I proceed ahead, father. Maybe I should start by gaining better control over mana."
"It's fine. You can ask Emily or Anna to teach you that as they will stay here for a few more days before going to their academy and I'll try to help you personally when I have time." Ashton waved his hand and said while looking at Emily who nodded her head silently.
Anna also nodded her head happily "I'll help you, Max."
Max smiled at her. Although she was two years older than him, she behaved like a child in front of him.
While they discussed, Mark was gnashing his teeth silently. He didn't look happy at all. He has constipated look on his face. Noah and William also seemed unhappy.
...
...
After dinner, Max returned to his room. Lilly was not here so she must have returned to maid quarters.
'I'll have to arrange for her to live with me.' Max thought.
He lay in his bed thinking about all that happened in the two days since he woke up in this body and Slowly he fell asleep.
He woke up late in the morning, refreshed. He yawned while stretching his body a little then walked into the bathroom. After a while, he came out and get dressed. He didn't wear his usual robes but choose to wear pants and a full-sleeved shirt or at least it resembled them but it was very comfortable to move around in them and looked very good on him.
While he was getting ready, Lilly came into his room after knocking.
"Good morning young master!" She greeted him and stood a few feet away from him.
Max looked at her to see her beautiful and adorable face which had a shy smile adorning it. She stood still fidgeting about.
Max was amused to see her all shy. He then spoke, "Good morning Lilly! Did you sleep well?"
Lilly was surprised by his random question but answered "Yes young master!"
"Good. and are you alright? I mean you don't have any pain or some other problem because of what we did yesterday?" Max asked walking toward her and whispering the last sentence in her ear and inhaling her scent.
Lilly blushed furiously upon hearing his question. Just in a second, her breathing became ragged and her face flushed red.
"It...It doesn't h-hurt and I don't have any other problems also." She said visibly flustered.
Max chuckled and didn't tease her anymore. "Let's go and have breakfast. Today we have to work hard." He smiled and led her outside.
They had breakfast together at the dining table because no one was there except for them. Lilly kept refusing but Max insisted.
After that Max tried finding Emily but couldn't and ended up coming across Anna.
"Max, What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for..." Anna didn't let him complete his sentence and spoke excitedly.
"Oh, I know you were looking for me to help you learn fighting and become adept at using mana right?"
Looking at her expression Max didn't want to make her sad so he nodded which made her happier. She grabbed his hand and led him to the training hall.
